Why Are New Blu Ray Releases Using MPEG2

[rotty]

Hi all

I have noticed that quite a few new Blu Ray discs are still using MPEG2HD. These look ok ish but don’t seem to have the punch and wow that a well encoded AVC or VC1 codec can give.
Also I have noticed that the video space used is smaller than the average AVC/VC1 disc, and as we know the opposite should be the case (for the same perceived quality).
Why are company’s like Paramount etc still using MPEG2, is it a licensing cost issue.
The codec used for audio is marked on the case, I think the video codec should also be stated.
Is there a list anywhere with this information, it would be nice to know before purchase.

[Atak_Snajpera]

http://www.blu-raystats.com

[setarip_old]

@rotty

Hi!Also I have noticed that the video space used is smaller than the average AVC/VC1 discAnd can you then imagine how much smaller still they'd be, if there were created using either AVC or VC-1?

As far as quality, there's no reason that MPEG-2 (at less compression) can't look as good as AVC or VC-1 video...

[rotty]

Thanks for replies, yes Setarip I agree that MPEG2 could look as good but I wonder in order to get that "Wow" as with some AVC/VC-1 encoded films, how large the resulting disc space used would be.

Just cant understand why they wouldnt use AVC or VC-1, strange.

If there is some advantage to using MPEG2 I would be interested in knowing, just for curiosity.

[Guest]

I wonder in order to get that "Wow" as with some AVC/VC-1 encoded films For those of us that don't grok marketing silliness, please post a screenshot showing what you mean by "Wow" and then tell us why you think MPEG2 cannot encode it.

Just cant understand why they wouldnt use AVC or VC-1, strange. They may have existing perfectly fine toolchains and processes. Tools for MPEG2 editing, etc., are much more mature.

[rotty]

For those of us that don't grok marketing silliness, please post a screenshot showing what you mean by "Wow" and then tell us why you think MPEG2 cannot encode it.

They may have existing perfectly fine toolchains and processes. Tools for MPEG2 editing, etc., are much more mature.

Well for example, DARK KNIGHT, some shots are amazing. Im not saying that mpeg2 cant deliver the same, but all movies I have seen im mpeg2 are nowhere near that, this may well be just the movies I have happened to see. Am I right in saying that to get similar results to AVC/VC-1, the mpeg2 files would be larger, I have noticed that they are actually smaller (per same time uinit) than good AVC/VC-1 movies. Have you noticed this. Is there an example you have of a well encoded mpeg2hd movie.
However, as you say, tools to handle and manipulate mpeg2 streams are many and well established so that may well be the reason for use.
I wasnt being geeky about this, its just that with a new format and new excellent compression algorithms available I wondered why, I think the tools are probably the answer.

[laserfan]

In some cases, MPEG2 BDs might simply be a matter of expediency, i.e. the MPEG2 HD versions were created some time ago (for broadcast HDTV perhaps), and then used for the BD cuz it's easy/cheap to do.

[rotty]

hi laserfan

Funny thing is that did cross my mind, it may be that as you say, HD versions may have been stored from telecinie well before the new codecs were even thought of.
Anyway, I dont want to sound like I am being anul about this, it was only curiosity

[Guest]

Well for example, DARK KNIGHT, some shots are amazing. More meaningless verbiage.

[rotty]

More meaningless verbiage.

I think you have some social issues fella