Laserdisc Dynamics vs Blu Ray

Wow, some interesting responses. I understand the video is slightly worse then DVD. I might add that there are benefits in no mpeg2 compression but the slightly less resolution and the fact that most comb filters have been stripped on flat panel televisions isn't helping.

I have however been told by many people that Laserdisc just simply sounds better. Lossless HD offers better resolution but the theatrical dynamics have been compressed for the sake of poorer audio playback systems (Flat panel, Home Theater in a box).

I remember hearing Apocalypse Now on LD and then buying it on DVD and being incredibly disappointed. At any rate thanks for your thoughts.

And no Elizabeth, my original comparison was more like the virtues of Vinyl as Laser is analog stored in a digital medium. Perhaps I'm hearing a slanted view.

Kwe78,

Have you done a direct comparison of say Mission Impossible on LD vs it's DVD counterpart? Or Perhaps Apocalypse Now? I ask because while there is very little debate about blu ray outside of better dynamics on LD (Theatrical cut vs Home Users) I've heard many state that DVD is simply inferior as it's resolution is compressed and LD isn't. I guess it would be the comparison of MP3 5.1 vs. PCM 2.0 remixed into 4 channel.

VegasEars,

The Star Wars LD's were they the THX certified transfers? Usually known as the 'Faces'.

Well,

I started this thread many moons ago...I finally purchased an LD player (Pioneer CLD-703) fed into a HT receiver equipped with a decent video processor (ABT2010 or DVDO Edge) and have done numerous comparisons. My findings include:

With the right player and video processor you can get a lot of mileage out of LD, it's expensive but you'd be surprised. The differences in LD players and the quality associated with picture is staggering. One LD player could destroy another in picture quality. Still my setup allows for newer titles to have similar picture quality to NON-Anamorphic DVD's. Empire Strikes back on DVD looks MUCH better then the LD counter part.

The Audio however is an entirely different story. LD DESTROYS DVD with regards to audio on every title I've tried. In fact the THX certified Top Gun LD is only a bit behind the Lossless Blu Ray. Having listened to Empire Strikes Back on PCM and done direct side by side comparisons to the DVD I simply can't listen to the DVD. It sounds like poorly recorded MP3's at high volume. The LD crushes it, allowing the user to 'crank' the volume and have no concerns about hardness or compression.

It's been a fun experiment. It's opened up my eyes (and ears) as to how easily the end consumer can be fooled into thinking newer is almost certainly better. With regards to audio we took a big step backward with DVD. Picture is certainly better on the smaller disc but if you're into audio like I am I can live with LD until BD versions of my favorite films come out (Star Wars, Apocalypse Now, some non existent James Bond films, True Lies among others).

Hey Longhorn,

Top Gun and Empire on LD with PCM translated into multi using either PLII or NRL THX sounded better then the DD 5.1 in all scenes. I could simply abuse volume and never hear compression on a decent setup with LD, that wasn't the case with the compressed Dolby Digital soundtracks.

What DVD's are in LPCM? I'm not aware of any. I haven't come across a single DVD that outperformed LD in terms of audio quality. Usually it's not even close.

Hi Jylee,

I find it hard to believe DVD has 24/96 and 24/192 standards if even in two channel. These standards would take up so much room on a disc you'd be hard pressed to fit video. DVD Audio which was for the most part DVD with only Audio lived up to these standards but video simply couldn't fit. Also most direct comparisons of DVD vs LD soundtracks by ear are usually slanted towards the LD's favor. Even measured:

http://www.videophile.info/Graphs/JP/JP_01.htm

Take a PCM copy of Apocalypse Now and then compare to the DD 5.1...no contest. True Lies...no contest...Mission Impossible no contest...I could go on and on. I concur that Blu Ray better's LD but many of the movies I've enjoyed simply won't be on BD for many years to come.

Chaos,

With all do respect I have a higher end HT processor with all the latest codec's and a Blu Ray player and a growing collection of movies. I will continue to choose this 'slippery slope'...and this is an open forum, don't want to read it then DON'T.

You sound as ignorant as JOE PUBLIC who thinks CD sounds better then vinyl...don't like what I'm typing then please MOVE ON sir...feel free to stop reading and posting.

Chaos...I started this thread because I was shocked how LD beat DVD in sound quality alone. I will not disagree that BD is better in all aspects. You will notice that almost every person who has done a direct comparison between DVD and LD (same title) has mentioned the things I have. Some discs on LD will not be on BD for a very long time; Star Wars, Apocalypse Now, some older James Bond movies...

You come bursting on the scene with one post and attack me. Citing I'm living in the past, I should move on and get the latest technology...I have. You have no idea what gear I'm using but you mention all my gear is setup for the older technology. Then that I need help to boot. Then somehow mention how my response is an 'Epic Fail'...what would success have been? How can there be a fail and a success on an open forum?

It was never a pissing match...you came onto a thread I started. I notice you have no other threads attached to your handle. Perhaps I'm missing something. I've been on Audiogon for years and never had somebody belittle me. So please, like I said, move on. I'm not looking for help...I've been in this hobby enough to know what I hear. What I had originally started this thread for was to hear people's opinion's on direct comparisons between mixes. When those comparisons are made...it becomes a much more interesting discussion.