CoolJGS☺ Hell, I think after a certain point the gains are not that much as they keep trying to boost resolution and you can only take that so far before your not going to gain much from it and will basically get more gains in image quality from general technology advancements more than 1080p to 4k to the next big thing.
basically once we hit HD, I doubt 4k will be significantly better than typical 720p/1080p video at a decent bit rate. like I would assume there is more of a difference between SD to HD than HD to 4k. so I think most of the gains we see in image quality will come more from advancement in TV's more than the actual transition from 720p/1080p to 4k (and the like).
but anyways, about your general comment there... I suspect ill be pretty similar especially another 10-15+ years down the road when I am in my late 40's or early 50's I probably won't be as concerned with image quality as I am sure general HD will be plenty for me at that point as I am already happy with it enough already.
p.s. I have heard some people say 4k HDR is pretty good but even this I have my doubts about. I have not seen it yet though so I can't comment too much.
Vegas Agreed as I think a lot of people liked the convenience of not having to rewind things etc.
but at least with 720p/1080p (basically bluray level) there is a solid boost to the overall image where as I think something like going from regular bluray (which is 1080p) to 4k Bluray is mostly a gimmick just to sell more stuff. sure, there is likely some image increase but nothing I am worried about anytime soon especially because I could sort of apply that analogy with your VHS to DVD being a larger boost than DVD to Bluray to general TV's as those TV's from say the early 2000's (or a bit older), the bulky and heavy ones, and going to a more modern TV was a rather large boost to general size and especially weight as they are much lighter. so upgrading again from those TV's that are mostly modern, it's not going to be as large of a boost there either. plus, I feel you can only make a TV so big for the average persons house before it's going to be TOO big. hell, even 60" or so TV's now... those are already pretty damn big as I can't see things going much beyond that before they will be too big.
Technically yes.
but I won't be jumping ship to it anytime soon as I feel once your already on a modern enough HD range TV it's easily good enough with HD video. like the gains vs cost ratio in upgrading is mostly not worth it as people are better off waiting at least 5-10 years, assuming they already got a solid 1080p level TV at a solid size, before upgrading as then, given just general technology advancements, they might see a solid boost to the overall image etc by then.
Terrapin Station There is clearly some difference, I can assure you (and I am pretty sure my eyes are not perfect either(but far from bad)). it's might not be massive difference, as I still don't mind watching some movies in SD, but to say there is no difference I can assure you either your eyes are pretty bad or maybe some people just don't notice details(?). SD to HD is clearly some difference in the overall image as things are just clearer/sharper.
I would take your example and apply it to 4k as while my cousin said there is some difference vs regular HD, it's not that much to the point he's not really worried about it and I am pretty sure my opinion would be similar to his had I seen it with my own eyes.
but I will say that a 720p vs 1080p movie (basically a rip from bluray disc online at sufficient bit rates (i.e. as good as your going to get short of owning it on bluray disc)), of the same movie, there is literally no difference between the two. but... testing those same movies (720p/1080p proper releases online) vs the actual bluray discs I can see some difference here but it's nothing major as there is more of a difference between SD to 720p than those general HD rips from bluray disc online to the actual bluray disc. I prefer 720p for movies online because it offers best ratio between image quality/file size. still, for your typical movie I don't really mind watching them in SD as it's not a show stopper for me even though I prefer HD especially for movies that are more visually oriented with atmosphere etc.
but at the end of the day... if I am going to buy movies, then naturally, it's bluray or nothing as it makes no sense to pay decent money for a lower quality source like DVD etc especially if the prices are about the same.
p.s. I tested that stuff (i.e. SD vs 720p/1080p vs actual bluray) on a 43" and 60" 1080p level TV. because I had two files loaded up on my computer with one file of the same movie in 720p and then other the same thing but in 1080p and there is literally no difference. but like I was saying once you use the same movie on a actual bluray disc it is better but not by much. NOTE: I was using my computer's HDMI port on my video card and connected it to the TV and then dragged video files over to the TV side and ran them full screen and swaped them back and forth on the same parts of the movie to see if I could see any difference and there was none, if by some chance there is, it's got to be very little otherwise I would notice it.
MarvSadly, I think your right as things seem to be going digital even though the physical copies are of technically higher quality.
it's like music CD's... those are still best to have as your source for music and then I make my AAC/MP3 etc files from that as ripping to a different bit rate from a already compressed file is generally not a proper way to make lossy files.
if I am shelling out $$$... it's definitely going to be for a proper copy on bluray etc.