Will physical media die entirely or will it simply become a niche market?

[TheLibrarian]

Simple as.

Also, if blu-rays/DVDs die entirely do you think they will ever make a comeback like vinyl? Arguably there is a commonality there with the sentiment for having a nice collection and being actually able to see it (one can hope).

[schan1269]

Well

LP never actually "died".

Sony just ended Beta production. Cassette and VHS are still alive. Those...are "niche".

[TheLibrarian]

See, where I live there was a time you couldn't walk into a major record store and see them stock vinyl but they've been stocking them again over the past few years.

Betamax is a different story. I know Sony ceased production of it recently but wasn't it only used by industry professionals?

I can't remember the last time I saw cassettes being sold anywhere, but I'm sure there are still people out there who listen to their old tapes.

VHS.... I know there are underground collectors, but no new films or shows are released in that format, or have been since 2006 (I believe), anything since then is bootleg.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Cassettes are making a bit of a comeback as well with RSD having made available a few. It won't hit like the resurgence of vinyl, but it's kinda nice to see.

I'm all for physical media and the move to everything digital doesn't excite me at all.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by TheLibrarian

Simple as.

Also, if blu-rays/DVDs die entirely do you think they will ever make a comeback like vinyl? Arguably there is a commonality there with the sentiment for having a nice collection and being actually able to see it (one can hope).

I think Blu-rays/DVD's will be around a long time, and probably stay as a niche market. Vinyl has a distinctive sound, and some think better than CD's you also can't beat that Turn-Table. I for one see everything going Streaming Video, especially if you have the proper set-up. I'm keeping a small Library of Classic Blu-rays, but my UV Collection is at 300. With InstaWatch I buy Blus to add to it, and then sell them but it's taking longer to sell since no one wants them anymore. So yes, Blus/DVD's are on their way out!

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by alchav21

I think Blu-rays/DVD's will be around a long time, and probably stay as a niche market. Vinyl has a distinctive sound, and some think better than CD's you also can't beat that Turn-Table. I for one see everything going Streaming Video, especially if you have the proper set-up. I'm keeping a small Library of Classic Blu-rays, but my UV Collection is at 300. With InstaWatch I buy Blus to add to it, and then sell them but it's taking longer to sell since no one wants them anymore. So yes, Blus/DVD's are on their way out!

I think Digital HD/Ultravile will die before Blu-Ray.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I think Digital HD/Ultravile will die before Blu-Ray.

Yes you are right, it will go UHD/UV. Maybe in England you don't see it, but here in The States it's going GangBusters. There are more and more UV Stores popping up all the time, they also sell iTunes but I guess the quality is not as good because they sell cheaper. The only thing I see putting more control over this are The Studios. Here in the U.S. we like our Entertainment right now, and Streaming Video fits the bill. Like I said, First Run Movies are coming out Streaming Video before any kind of a Disc. I have been Streaming Video more than 20 years ago, so I saw this coming a long time ago.

[KRW1]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Yes you are right, it will go UHD/UV. Maybe in England you don't see it, but here in The States it's going GangBusters. There are more and more UV Stores popping up all the time, they also sell iTunes but I guess the quality is not as good because they sell cheaper. The only thing I see putting more control over this are The Studios. Here in the U.S. we like our Entertainment right now, and Streaming Video fits the bill. Like I said, First Run Movies are coming out Streaming Video before any kind of a Disc. I have been Streaming Video more than 20 years ago, so I saw this coming a long time ago.

What are these stores you speak of? Here in the UK, we've been without stores to rent or even buy discs from for years. A UV store, seriously? Why?

[Aj6627]

Until dial up internet is extinct, I don't see physical media going extinct.

[satam55]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I think Digital HD/Ultravile will die before Blu-Ray.

That's ridiculous. Even if Ultraviolet fails & goes away, it would just be replaced by a new similar system. Especially seeing the success of Disney Movies Anywhere.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Yes you are right, it will go UHD/UV. Maybe in England you don't see it, but here in The States it's going GangBusters. There are more and more UV Stores popping up all the time, they also sell iTunes but I guess the quality is not as good because they sell cheaper. The only thing I see putting more control over this are The Studios. Here in the U.S. we like our Entertainment right now, and Streaming Video fits the bill. Like I said, First Run Movies are coming out Streaming Video before any kind of a Disc. I have been Streaming Video more than 20 years ago, so I saw this coming a long time ago.

The U.K likes their entertainment right now as well. The bad news is that right now means smartphones and soon watches. This is (few years from now) the turning point for home entertainment and not in a good way. If you are happy with that, go for it. For the few, the art of film and the fun of collecting is in danger. So is true hom cinema as well. You guys just can't see it yet.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by satam55

That's ridiculous. Even if Ultraviolet fails & goes away, it would just be replaced by a new similar system. Especially seeing the success of Disney Movies Anywhere.

Note, I didn't say streaming media. Just Ultravile and Digital HD.

[huskerbear]

Originally Posted by KRW1

What are these stores you speak of? Here in the UK, we've been without stores to rent or even buy discs from for years. A UV store, seriously? Why?

I think he/she is talking about digital movie stores, not physical. New stores such as these:

http://uvgrab.com/

http://happywatch-imhq.soundestlink....853f297fd0c31b

http://www.thefastflicks.com/

I use to buy a lot of UV codes from this site (blu-ray.com)but it's just seems more difficult than it use too be. There seems to be more competition for them, harder to find, and higher prices. These stores are easier since you don't have to follow and try to be first clicking to purchase. Don't know what the future holds but there is definitely more competition for UV codes now days....I tend to purchase more and more direct from Vudu to avoid the hassle.

[huskerbear]

Adding to my previous post in case it can help anybody out, there are a TON of Google+ communities that specialize in UV. buying, selling, trading and helping each other with D2D.....like:

https://plus.google.com/u/1/communit...49253313886252

All things UV....

The UV spot

The UV/D2D club

And many more. Some of these are public, and some are private and you need to get an invite to get in.

[KRW1]

Originally Posted by huskerbear

I think he/she is talking about digital movie stores, not physical. New stores such as these:

http://uvgrab.com/

http://happywatch-imhq.soundestlink....853f297fd0c31b

http://www.thefastflicks.com/

I use to buy a lot of UV codes from this site (blu-ray.com)but it's just seems more difficult than it use too be. There seems to be more competition for them, harder to find, and higher prices. These stores are easier since you don't have to follow and try to be first clicking to purchase. Don't know what the future holds but there is definitely more competition for UV codes now days....I tend to purchase more and more direct from Vudu to avoid the hassle.

Ah that makes more sense. I've never met anyone in real life who uses UV, I suppose they do exist but I think in the UK, people are more likely to stream rather than download to own or just use ITunes as it's where their music is.

[huskerbear]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

I guess a question:

I buy a UV code what do I own? I assume I can't return it or it or sell it on the used market. If I'm stuck with it and can't do anything with except have it sit in a list forever (or until they turn off the service at their discretion), do I really own anything or did I just pay for a permanent rental of something someone else owns.

UV guarantees permanent rights to that movie.


Opinions will vary.....

[huskerbear]

Originally Posted by KRW1

Ah that makes more sense. I've never met anyone in real life who uses UV, I suppose they do exist but I think in the UK, people are more likely to stream rather than download to own or just use ITunes as it's where their music is.

I get it. People tend to figure everybody does it just like them. I don't know anybody who uses itunes....in fact I have never even been to itunes...go figure.

[RBBrittain]

Originally Posted by alchav21

There are more and more UV Stores popping up all the time

Funny, but IIRC the last UV store to open in the U.S. was Target Ticket in late 2013 -- and they closed earlier this year. M-GO might have launched around the same time, but those were both months before DMA even launched. It's DMA that's going gangbusters right now in the States, not UV.

[PCFan]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

I guess a question:

I buy a UV code what do I own? I assume I can't return it or it or sell it on the used market. If I'm stuck with it and can't do anything with except have it sit in a list forever (or until they turn off the service at their discretion), do I really own anything or did I just pay for a permanent rental of something someone else owns.

When you buy a UV code on the trading forum here you basically are paying Vudu HDX rental prices, sometimes even less, and I see some selling for more than Vudu HDX rental prices but I'm not sure if those even have sold at those prices, but it usually is between $3-4 for a UV code from a blu-ray that sells in the trading forum here. Unlike a rental, you have permanent access to the movie as long as the movie service is in business or the UV rights for the movie don't get taken away. So who cares if I'm stuck with the movie I redeemed from a UV code I purchased if I watched it at least once on my Vudu account, I at least got my money's worth. For full price purchases I definitely choose blu-ray over digital.

Personally I still buy blu-rays of my favorite movies and others at high discount sales and most of the time it's cheaper than buying a digital version from those digital services, and about half the time they come with UV codes anyways. The movies I buy in blu-ray are the movies that I don't want to lose access to if UV rights expire or service goes out of business. I still buy CDs because I want the best audio quality and I just rip the CDs and keep the CDs for backup and because it would be illegal for me to sell the CDs I ripped to my hard drive without deleting the rips.

[huskerbear]

Originally Posted by hariseldon

And I really don't know the answer -- so far I have never bought a UV code and though I have loaded most of my codes from my Blurays into an account I don't think I've ever watched one.

There is no way for me to off load that UV Rights to that movie or outright give it to them -- is that part correct?

In theory I guess I could sell my email address and password with my entire library though I'm guessing the legality of such a thing would be questionable in the eyes of vudu.

I think UV is still evolving. Early on I remember talk of making it so you could sell or transfer your rights but, I don't believe that has happened, at least not yet.