Differences in DVD's

[Musophile]

Are there multiple compression modes? For example, Batman begins shows up very pixelated and horrible shadows on my plasma. Yet, movies like Chronicles of Narnia or Aeon Flux look great on my set? Any thoughts?

[TheReaper]

There are two basic compression modes, constant bitrate and variable bitrate. In both modes, the bitrate can be from low (worst) to high (best). With the maximum video rate, somewheres aroung 8.5Mbps (combined with audio, the max dvd rate is 9.8Mbps).

As I haven't watched Batman Begins lately, I just watched it again this morning. Like most recent action movies, it is a good transfer, with a high bitrate. Although it does have a lot of dark scenes, and smoke effects, which show up the worst in digital displays. I don't think it should look as bad as you describe.

On my crt based RPHDTV (upscaled through my pc), Batman Begins looks good.

[Musophile]

Fascinating. I'm thinking there must be a problem with my system. There are just certain movies where the dark areas will always turn into artifacts and the blacks are really greyish blobs rather than black like Batman Begins or Serenity. I'll have to take the discs to another friends house and test the same disc on their system. Thanks. I'm using a Samsung upscaling dvd player.

[danger boy]

Musophile, what type of TV do you have? some TV's don't do black very well. it will show up as muddy black or greyish. If it's a tube TV, then it's probably not the TV, instead something else. OR the TV may need service. Then again it could be the Samsung too.

[Toxis]

well part of it is the fact you have a plasma. Dark scenes lose detail on plasmas just as a technology. Plus, it could be the processor in your dvd player. I'm not saying there's not differences in the movies being made but there's definitely a big difference in the equipment and the technology behind it.

[PolkThug]

Start by using a calibration DVD on your TV. However, if your TV isn't good with shadow detail, then you may be out of luck.

[Ferres]

I think some of these dvd's are purposely grainy. Titles like Batman Begins and War of the World.

In Lord of the rings you'll notice scenes with Frodo and Sam in Mordor are also grainy while scenes with the others guys are not.

[Musophile]

Thanks for the responses guys. My TV is the Samsung 4272. It has pretty decent blacks but I understand what you're saying. I need to pick up a good calibration disk and test that out.