[Oshkalaboomboom]

4. The Blu-ray Picture Is Not Better Than a Digital Download This big whopper often is uttered by members of the technology press, particularly those who believe that digital downloads are the real future of home video. Desperate to criticize the Blu-ray high-def disc, some journalists will downplay its picture quality while overestimating the picture quality of a download sent over the Net to your TV. But consumer studies -- and scientific ones -- have shown that the Blu-ray picture is dramatically better than a DVD, a digital download or anything else that's out there, including cable, satellite and the telcos.

They can prove with science that the picture is better but can the average consumer (especially as they get older) notice the difference? I read somewhere that on a good quality set most people can't look at the picture and tell you if it's 720p or 1080. I have no doubts that a movie shown on a Blu-Ray is better quality but not enough to justify the cost of a player and discs vs a $50 Patriot box and a thumb drive which can be erased and reused ad infinitum.

[kevkrom]

They can prove with science that the picture is better but can the average consumer (especially as they get older) notice the difference?

I can easily see the difference between Netflix "HD" streaming and Blu-ray, with both signals going through the same BD player. And I'm old enough to use bifocals.

[RayChuang88]

If you have a 46" or bigger HDTV set that supports 1080p, you certainly can see the amazing picture quality of Blu-ray at 1080p quite easily. Given how cheap even 46" TV sets are nowadays, you want to the full 1080p experience anyway.

[IamConservative]

I read somewhere that on a good quality set most people can't look at the picture and tell you if it's 720p or 1080

I was thinking the same thing. In particular on smaller sets like a 42". I have 56" in the man cave. In low light, I can tell the difference between Blu-Ray 1080 disc and Netflix "1080" coming from the same player. Upstairs in more light, the difference isn't noticeable (to me.)

[Sans-Culotte]

They can prove with science that the picture is better but can the average consumer (especially as they get older) notice the difference?

I think a lot of people who watch TV or movies on their TVs just don't give a $hit about quality. Even if they notice the difference, they don't care. They don't take the time to savor the visuals.

[moonhawk]

Not only is the picture better, the audio is vastly superior on a bluray, especially with the new high resolution codecs or lossless compression.

I have way too much invested in good equipment to put up with compressed video and audio garbage.

YMMV, of course.