Following Retina display-ready updates to its own suite of software, Apple has updated its iTunes Movie Trailers app for the new iPad. The update isn't a simple asset switch, though, as the trailers themselves do appear to be in a higher resolution — we tested the Prometheus teaser on both an iPad 2 and a new iPad streaming over Wi-Fi, and as you'll see above the latter was significantly more detailed.
While we can't confirm the actual resolution that's being displayed, and the streaming quality is always dependent on your connection, it appears that Apple has made the 1080p trailers available to view on the new iPad. The Retina display can fully resolve 1080p resolution, whereas the previous iPad's 1024 x 768 screen isn't even capable of full 720p due to the aspect ratio. If you're looking for content to show off your new toy's unique selling point, the iTunes Movie Trailers app could be a good place to start.
Comments
what a horrible selection of image to show the distinction of two!
By GVerge on 03.23.12 3:04am
It’s a detailed, dark scene — exactly the kind of shot that streaming video can easily trip up over. It might not be the most visually stunning picture, but I think it illustrates the quality bump on the new iPad pretty well.
By Sam Byford on 03.23.12 3:22am
Sam, do you buy CNET’s analysis that Hi-Def content looks virtually the same across the two devices? I’ve never owned an iPad two, but from my recollection of using my brother’s, the new iPad’s video is a nice improvement.
By chaddub on 03.23.12 3:30am
I don’t have a new iPad, but I think video is probably the area that would benefit least from the Retina Display. The iPad 1/2 play 720p content really well (though not at full resolution), and you don’t notice pixellation with moving images like you do with text or photos. That said, I think the content source is important — I’d be happy with a well-encoded 720p file, but (as you can see above) streaming video is less forgiving.
By Sam Byford on 03.23.12 3:42am
You’re right, video generally does not look better on the new iPad – aside from the better colour saturation of the screen.
The only piece of video I have that does look better is my 10Gb 1080p Blu-ray rip of Avatar, which looks stunning.
By RobotPi on 03.23.12 7:25am
I watched a 1080p trailer of The Hobbit and it looked amazing on the new iPad. Didn’t look bad on the 2 by any means, but you could really see every minute detail on the 3rd.
By darkcrayon on 03.23.12 7:39am
I’ve ripped my Game of Throne blu-rays and output 720p and 1080p clips via handbrake to do some caparisons, and there is a pretty big different between the two, though not as large as say… going from an SD television to an HD. But it’s clear as crystal to me. 1080p video looks stunning on this display.
By Andrew_Cybulska on 03.23.12 9:29am
Agreed. I ripped all my DVDs and rip my Blu-rays. I usually settle for 720p because the distance from my 40" TV to my sofa, I really can’t tell the difference, but I decided to rip Avatar (MakeMKV then Handbrake, also) in both 720p and a native 1920 × 1072 and yeah, 1080p really is noticeably better on the new iPad.
But the thought of re-ripping and re-encoding all my Blu-rays in 1080? Lol.. not gonna happen. Plus I’d need to upgrade my 4Tb NAS but I’m waiting on Buffalo to release an 8Tb LinkStation. Been using these for years with never a problem.
By RobotPi on 03.23.12 10:19am
You mean a great selection of image. Thanks for pointing out that you have no experience in measuring video quality.
By Gaius on 03.23.12 3:57am
This is a ‘US only’ app I believe
By jmsbar on 03.23.12 3:27am
Exactly. I never heard of it before, needless to say, its not available in the swiss itunes store…
By Bahumbug on 03.23.12 3:47am
Why is this app US only?
By tobyadams on 03.23.12 4:25am
With Apple’s Trailers site being my go-to for movie previews, it makes me a very sad panda that the app still isn’t available in the UK. ;_;
By J. Stark on 03.23.12 4:49am
Yeah, I was excited when I heard about the Trailers app last year, this changed to disappointment when I realised it wasn’t available in the UK. But that’s ok, I’ll carry on using the HD Trailers website.
By RobotPi on 03.23.12 7:18am
Just installed the app on the new iPad.. Quality looks amazing.. Aspect ratio still sucks though, only using like 50% of the screen
By htxjkr on 03.23.12 3:21pm