Digital Movie Collection For Dummies

[bocario]

So you wanna start building your digital movie library. But where?

Options:

- The store of the TV OS you have adopted.
- The store where you can find almost every movie and use its app on any TV.
- Movie Anywhere and hope that all studios will join it one day.
- Scatter your collection on multiple stores.

Which is the best option?

[bocario]

I think "The store of the TV OS you have adopted" seems like the best option. But I am still undecided as to which OS to adopt.

- Apple TV
- Roku
- Google TV
- Fire TV
- Xbox

I have tried only Google TV and Fire TV. I like Google TV between these two.

Will try Roku soon.

Apple TV and Xbox are too expensive to try for me right now.

[donutbat]

I mostly buy on Apple/iTunes but watch on Amazon's Firestick in the Apple TV app.

Thanks to MA I have been able to somewhat keep my collection together, and watch it on the Apple TV app. The rest I have to watch in Google/YouTube or Vudu.

[Fiffy]

- One criterium that I find important is the likelihood that a store (and thus your collection) will be around in the long term. We have already seen some smaller stores disappear, and in some cases people lost movies. Among the digital stores, Amazon and Apple are the market leaders by a significant margin and are obviously financially healthy companies. The latter is also true for Google, but they are known to sometimes suddenly shut services down when they are not profitable enough. Vudu is a smaller player and has already changed ownership several times, so IMO they are a bit more of a question mark in this regard.

- Movies Anywhere is great, but there are still a lot of movies that aren't eligible (and neither are TV shows), so the choice of a store remains important. And the demise of Ultraviolet has shown that you can't necessarily rely on these locker services either.

- Another thing you might want to look at are the differences in streaming quality. Here's a thread for that:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=323204

- I wouldn't pick a store based on your TV OS. If you plan to collect a somewhat bigger library, the value of the movies will probably far exceed the cost of a streaming box over time.

- All of the stores mentioned above support different devices and smart TVs. That includes Apple, however iTunes extras like commentaries and alternate cuts are currently only accessible on computers and Apple devices.

- iTunes has one major advantage: if a movie becomes available in 4K after you buy the HD version, they will upgrade your movie to 4K for free. Amazon and Vudu don't do that.

[bocario]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

- One criterium that I find important is the likelihood that a store (and thus your collection) will be around in the long term. We have already seen some smaller stores disappear, and in some cases people lost movies. Among the digital stores, Amazon and Apple are the market leaders by a significant margin and are obviously financially healthy companies. The latter is also true for Google, but they are known to sometimes suddenly shut services down when they are not profitable enough. Vudu is a smaller player and has already changed ownership several times, so IMO they are a bit more of a question mark in this regard.

- Movies Anywhere is great, but there are still a lot of movies that aren't eligible (and neither are TV shows), so the choice of a store remains important. And the demise of Ultraviolet has shown that you can't necessarily rely on these locker services either.

- Another thing you might want to look at are the differences in streaming quality. Here's a thread for that:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=323204

- I wouldn't pick a store based on your TV OS. If you plan to collect a somewhat bigger library, the value of the movies will probably far exceed the cost of a streaming box over time.

- All of the stores mentioned above support different devices and smart TVs. That includes Apple, however iTunes extras like commentaries and alternate cuts are currently only accessible on computers and Apple devices.

- iTunes has one major advantage: if a movie becomes available in 4K after you buy the HD version, they will upgrade your movie to 4K for free. Amazon and Vudu don't do that.

Good points.

About picking a store based on your TV OS: It is convenient. Your TV OS has a "Library" or "My Stuff" option right on the home screen when you switch on your TV. So it is really easy to access your purchases from this option than opening an app, waiting for the app to load, then going to the library within that app.

Now will stores based on TV OS be around long term? Remember Playstation Store. It is a bit scary now. But among the OS based stores I listed, the only one which seems likely to have that fate is Microsoft Store (with its TV library accessible via Xbox home screen).

[jbloggs]

There are many things to consider when choosing your primary digital movie eco-system, including:

Are you already in an Apple or Android eco-system for the devices (Phones, Tablets, Tv OS, Streaming devices, etc) in your household?

Ability to redeem digital movie code that are included with physical releases. Not all codes redeem at all providers, e.g. STX releases only redeem on iTunes, certain releases will only redeem on Vudu, very few give you option to redeem on Google Play, none redeem on Amazon.

If you already have a collection on Physical media (DVD, Blu-Rays) then Vudu has the Mobile Disc to Digital offering where you can scan the UPC bar code and pay $2 (Blu-ray) or $5 (DVD) to add to your Vudu collection. If the movie is from a MA partner then it will transfer to all the MA providers.

iTunes gives auto upgrade to 4K if they have the movie available in 4K and purchased/redeemed directly on iTunes.

These are just a few of the considerations. You can find a more information and resources for Digital movie collectors at the following link:

https://sites.google.com/view/digita...new-collectors

[bocario]

Originally Posted by jbloggs

There are many things to consider when choosing your primary digital movie eco-system, including:

Are you already in an Apple or Android eco-system for the devices (Phones, Tablets, Tv OS, Streaming devices, etc) in your household?

If you want your purchases to appear in your TV OS Library, your TV OS will usually have an option on other devices to make purchases.

Example 1: If your TV OS is Apple and your PC OS is Windows, you can use iTunes to make purchases on your PC. But if your phone is Android, you have no option on it to make an Apple purchase.

Example 2:
TV OS is Roku. Roku library should have your Vudu purchases as Vudu is the official store for Roku.
PC OS: Windows, then use Vudu website to make purchases. Vudu also provides an app for Windows.
Phone OS: Android. use Vudu app.

[bhampton]

iTunes with occasional Vudu.
Use the "collections" feature of Vudu to gather everything that isn't in your iTunes library (in my case that's 56 titles out of 1000)

I can't agree with ATV4K being too expensive. If $200 for a player is expensive then you maybe should be keeping your collection on Tubi/Pluto.
That said, the $20 Walmart UHD streaming box works really well for the price and does it all - iTunes, Vudu, Prime, Netflix, Tubi, Kanopy, Hoopla...

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by bocario

About picking a store based on your TV OS: It is convenient. Your TV OS has a "Library" or "My Stuff" option right on the home screen when you switch on your TV. So it is really easy to access your purchases from this option than opening an app, waiting for the app to load, then going to the library within that app.

Personally I think you have the priorities backwards. There are far more important things than the horrors of having to open an app (which you'll likely have to do anyway if you also use subscription streaming services). I'd recommend to pick the best store for your purposes and then get a suitable streaming box if necessary.

[gpete]

I have been using Vudu with Roku's for years now with no complaints. As some have said, if you have an established collection on disc, Disc to Digital is a great service offered by Vudu to get those movies ported to digital. I sure miss the 10+ discs at half price days but $2-$5 is still a pretty good deal. I like the layout and abilities to sort and create lists that Vudu offers. To me that is one of the biggest this to look at is how easy is it to access things in your library. This is where the companies like Amazon, who just want to sell you the movie and don't care about your experience after that point fail.

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by bocario

TV OS is Roku. Roku library should have your Vudu purchases as Vudu is the official store for Roku.

I have two Apple TV boxes, and 3 Roku TVs. I need another ATV, but that ain't happening anytime soon unfortunately.

The VUDU app on Roku is a FAR superior experience than accessing your VUDU content through the Roku's OS.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by gpete

As some have said, if you have an established collection on disc, Disc to Digital is a great service offered by Vudu to get those movies ported to digital.

It is a cool service and years ago I was happy to use it to upgrade a number of my old DVDs to HD. But it has kind of backfired later because -- while many of these transferred to iTunes via MA -- they are not eligible for the 4K upgrades, so I ended up buying quite a few of them again. Fortunately there are a lot of sales on the iTunes store ...

[bessetmath]

Another advantage of choosing apple is the fact of being able to buy films from arrows and criterion. I believe Apple has the largest selection for these 2 studios.

[bocario]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Personally I think you have the priorities backwards. There are far more important things than the horrors of having to open an app (which you'll likely have to do anyway if you also use subscription streaming services). I'd recommend to pick the best store for your purposes and then get a suitable streaming box if necessary.

They should make an OS specifically tailored for digital movie collectors. When you switch on the TV all you see should be your purchases and rentals.

Better yet, current OS manufacturers can give us two 'home screen' options in settings. One option would set the home screen as an 'app view' and the other option would set the home screen as a 'library view'.

Personally I don't subscribe to any streaming services. I am a pure rent/buy guy. So a library home screen is what really want. So I will wait for such an OS and put my digital collecting on hold for now.

How about this: A 'Library' button on the remote powers on TV and goes directly to your library.

[bocario]

Originally Posted by Alan Gordon

I have two Apple TV boxes, and 3 Roku TVs. I need another ATV, but that ain't happening anytime soon unfortunately.

The VUDU app on Roku is a FAR superior experience than accessing your VUDU content through the Roku's OS.

Yup. Just got Roku 4K stick and tested Vudu. Pretty good.

The app on Google TV is even better. Shows all kinds of info in big letters during playback.

Disappointed with the 'Movie Store' view on Roku. But they may improve it.

[jbloggs]

Originally Posted by bocario

They should make an OS specifically tailored for digital movie collectors. When you switch on the TV all you see should be your purchases and rentals.

Better yet, current OS manufacturers can give us two 'home screen' options in settings. One option would set the home screen as an 'app view' and the other option would set the home screen as a 'library view'.

Personally I don't subscribe to any streaming services. I am a pure rent/buy guy. So a library home screen is what really want. So I will wait for such an OS and put my digital collecting on hold for now.

How about this: A 'Library' button on the remote powers on TV and goes directly to your library.

I'm a little confused as to what you are actually wanting to do. Is your goal to be able to turn on your TV and you are presented with your movie library? If so, I don't think any of the providers will meet your needs as they want to present you with movies they can sell/rent to you.

Also TV OS is not as important as you may think as there are so many streaming devices that you can connect to your TV (FireStick, Chrome w/ Google TV, Roku, Apple TV, MiBox, etc) Also I Apple TV app is now available on cross platforms, Example, I have Apple TV app on my Android TV OS and on my Roku. Vudu is also available on Apple TV, Roku, Samsung TVOS, WebOS.

Deciding on your primary digital streaming eco-system would be your main concern.

[bocario]

Originally Posted by jbloggs

I'm a little confused as to what you are actually wanting to do. Is your goal to be able to turn on your TV and you are presented with your movie library? If so, I don't think any of the providers will meet your needs as they want to present you with movies they can sell/rent to you.

Also TV OS is not as important as you may think as there are so many streaming devices that you can connect to your TV (FireStick, Chrome w/ Google TV, Roku, Apple TV, MiBox, etc) Also I Apple TV app is now available on cross platforms, Example, I have Apple TV app on my Android TV OS and on my Roku. Vudu is also available on Apple TV, Roku, Samsung TVOS, WebOS.

Deciding on your primary digital streaming eco-system would be your main concern.

I have three requirements for a smooth digital collection experience and all three requirements are connected to the retailer:

1. The retailer should be a 4K retailer.
2. The retailer should have an extensive catalogue.
3. The retailer should provide a TV OS dedicated to my digital collection. It should not be focusing on subscription streaming services. When I switch on my TV, I should see my digital collection on the home screen. It should have 'search' functionality for my collection. It can also show which movie in my collection is trending globally. Several more features like these should be added.

In software development, there is something called 'user stories'. The developer would develop software based on user stories. So this is my user story. Hope developers connected to retailers are reading this.

[Alan Gordon]

Originally Posted by bocario

I have three requirements for a smooth digital collection experience and all three requirements are connected to the retailer:

I don't believe your three requirements will ever be fully met.

The CLOSEST might possibly be Apple's OS with their "Up Next" queue, since if you don't add anything to "Up Next" other than purchased content, it would only be your purchased content.

[bocario]

Originally Posted by Alan Gordon

I don't believe your three requirements will ever be fully met.

The CLOSEST might possibly be Apple's OS with their "Up Next" queue, since if you don't add anything to "Up Next" other than purchased content, it would only be your purchased content.

Vudu is on it already. They just forwarded my user story to their development team

Until then, just rentals.

[meremortal]

Been mentioned a lot already, but focusing on MA is a good bet. I like Vudu and md2d, though it's probably not a good idea to put all the eggs in one basket. Like half my digital "collection" is tied to that one platform and it makes be a bit nervous. iTunes is probably a pretty safe bet and I kind of regret not using it; the problem is that it does not work at all on my browser while the others do. One of the great things, in my opinion, about digital is the availability to watch on a computer and it's really annoying that I can't do that with iTunes.