PaulDA
Senior HTF Member
On the same projector, no one has any trouble telling the difference between SD and HD cable. I suspect a good 1080p projector would make the difference somewhat more noticeable, but when we think of how many people have HDTVs and are content to watch SD cable on it, I think the issue about the masses not caring as much as enthusiasts about better PQ is a big one. When I ask my non-enthusiast (almost all of my) friends why they like DVD more than VHS--the first response is always about convenience (no rewind, skipping chapters, takes up less space on my shelf, won't wear out or break, looks better--in just about that order). When anyone asks me, I always say better PQ and SQ--that's well ahead of convenience for me. But I'm not a typical consumer (nor is anyone who hangs around here, I suspect).
As for future purchases, I will privilege the HDM version where available, but I will still buy SD titles for use in the classroom (I teach history and my research area is cinematic history). With HD DVD combos, it was easier on the wallet (though more in theory, as there weren't that many combo titles suitable for my purposes before the format went belly up). Now, some of those SD titles I will NOT buy in HDM, simply because, outside of the classroom, I'm unlikely to sit down and just watch them for fun. So even knowing full well the advantages of owning the HDM version, there are constraints (some economic, some practical) on ALWAYS buying an HDM version.
As for future purchases, I will privilege the HDM version where available, but I will still buy SD titles for use in the classroom (I teach history and my research area is cinematic history). With HD DVD combos, it was easier on the wallet (though more in theory, as there weren't that many combo titles suitable for my purposes before the format went belly up). Now, some of those SD titles I will NOT buy in HDM, simply because, outside of the classroom, I'm unlikely to sit down and just watch them for fun. So even knowing full well the advantages of owning the HDM version, there are constraints (some economic, some practical) on ALWAYS buying an HDM version.