"Club Penton" - Ask questions to Hollywood insider "Penton-Man"

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

You guys only want me for my pretty face.
It's on the US schedule for October also.

^ For locals who would like to view the BIG screen presentation of the new digital restoration of The Guns of Navarone, here’s a heads-up….http://www.americancinemathequecalen...-of-navarone-0

And since I’ve brought up that venue, I would be remiss not to mention a truly special event during the same week …..http://www.americancinemathequecalen...s-of-pharaoh-0
P.S. A background link to the above ^....http://www.cinema.ucla.edu/blogs/arc...s-pharaoh-1921

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

http://www.homemediamagazine.com/dis...-blu-ray-25129

Penton-man, the link

Assuming, #1, that content exhibited in the home forever remains maxed out at the video resolution of ‘high definition’(1080p), and assuming #2, that technological advancements related to the production of physical home media forever will not be capable of offering something exclusively and supremely more attractive than with what digital delivery (downloads or streaming) could provide…. be it achieved through advanced optical discs, advanced compression rate schemes for current software, solid state media, etc. – at a competitive price, then YES, packaged home media is indeed a “melting ice cube”.

However, right off the bat, those are two assumptions that some people are taking for granted as ‘Givens’, which may be a bit presumptuous when predicting technological/economic scenarios 5 or 10 years from now….or even sooner. For example, content aside, technologically speaking, unless there were anecdotal leaks on the web, did anyone predict that Toshiba would offer a 55” glasses-free 3D display by this December? Did anyone predict that Sony would offer a 4k home projector at a price-point substantially less than that of the Qualia 004 (1920 x 1080), when that projector launched several years ago? Did anyone predict that Jim J. had a passive laser 4k projector in the works, which he just demoed apparently this past? week as proof of concept, and claims will be launching “sooner rather than later”?

Another thing to factor in the mix is human nature. Data has shown that consumers often buy movies that they just never get around to actually watching, whereas, with the internet, consumers tend to purchase only what they watch. So, there will be at least some continued incentive by studios/content providers to discover and provide a newer and better technology for packaged home media in attempt to capitalize on that basic human trait (impulse buying…).

On the other hand, even if you are a proponent of the melting ice cube philosophy (and many are) then, in terms of the actual viability or longevity of current packaged physical home media (current Blu-ray spec), the operative phrase in the HMM article is “Whether that ice cube is in the desert or elsewhere is a matter of debate”. With that in mind, some more technologically-oriented industry professionals believe the “melting ice cube” is located in a warm freezer, or perhaps the refrigerator, rather than in the desert. That’s not to say the industry should not diversify their means of distributing content. It would be foolish not to, ergo…..
http://presscentre.sony.eu/Content/d...ReleaseID=7037

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

I don’t normally mention passings but I feel compelled to do so, because after quick Googling of Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, I dare say I don’t see any mention of it and somebody should say something.

Anyway, during hallway chatter at the tech conference I attended
http://www.cvent.com/events/user-exp...a9fa4e88f.aspx
which just recently concluded, I was sadly informed that a great 3D visionary by the name of Daniel Symmes passed away earlier this week rather unexpectedly from a major heart related event while at his home in Woodland Hills.

His accomplishments are too numerous for me to itemize here but I think they begin with the 3-D of The Stewardesses back in 1970 with a notable feather in his cap in becoming the President and Chairman of the Board of the 3D Film Preservation Fund.

But the thing that I admired most about Dan was that rather than being one of those pompous old timers who just posts on the internet constantly reminiscing about thee old glory days of 3D (or whatever old profession/passtime was *his thing*), Dan produced. And by that, I mean he actively worked on current feature films…..always keeping his skills sharp and not relying on old, though signficant, past accomplishments.

Personally, I will most remember him as the guy who captured behind the scenes stereoscopic footage for Transformers: Dark of the Moon and 2nd unit 3-D on Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

Godspeed Dan.

Addendum:
Here’s a link to some of Dan's accomplishments -
http://www.3dcompany.com/prodalbum.html

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Well maaaaybe, someone listened to you yesterday...or, maybe it's just that Bolton is even worse than Arsenal this year.

I dunno, I watched the Bills/Pats hand-egg game instead

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Assuming, #1, that content exhibited in the home forever remains maxed out at the video resolution of ‘high definition’(1080p), and assuming #2, that technological advancements...

Thanks for your reply. However, my fears remain. We shall see how things pan out. I would be more than happy with 10 years more of bluray but i very much doubt that will be the case.

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

However, my fears remain.

Shocker!

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I would be more than happy with 10 years more of bluray but i very much doubt that will be the case.

I don't think any of us are that optimistic.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

Shocker!



I don't think any of us are that optimistic.

Quite a few do believe bluray could last that long. Some said so in this very forum.

[Elvis Is Alive]

The day new releases stop being available on blu-ray or a successor physical media is the day I stop purchasing movies.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Thanks for your reply. However, my fears remain...

You should learn not to dwell on any of your fears….Blu-ray or other. It’s just not healthy.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

Shocker!

You're funny.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

I dunno, I watched the Bills/Pats hand-egg game instead

The highlight was...http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/85/en...al-goals-after
which means they may sell him next year.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man;5253051a truly special event during the same week …..[url

http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/the-loves-of-pharaoh-0[/url]
P.S. A background link to the above ^....http://www.cinema.ucla.edu/blogs/arc...s-pharaoh-1921

All the German association(s) in the above links ^ remind me of a past query from Torsten K. -
https://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-di...ml#post3242720

Torsten, due to recent improvements in sensor technology, something which I think you will find even more interesting is that results show a full-featured 4K Scanity scanner has a dynamic range of 3.3 film density ….much greater dynamic range than all the other well known popular scanners on the market, which all clock in at around 2.2-2.4 film density. The industry tends to avoid discussing scanner dynamic ranges with D.P.s,…esp. since Kodak Vision3 negative stock can carry 3.1 film density.

So you see, the German Scanity scanner is a shining star.

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Torsten, due to recent improvements in sensor technology, something which I think you will find even more interesting is that results show a full-featured 4K Scanity scanner has a dynamic range of 3.3 film density ….much greater dynamic range than all the other well known popular scanners on the market, which all clock in at around 2.2-2.4 film density.

For modern commercial applications, is there any advantage in proceeding further along this metric? There's no over-sampling value in dynamic range, so once you can match film exposure and have a little latitude for adjustment, what's to be gained with higher dynamic values in a film scanner?

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

You're funny.

As funny as a rusty blade up the backside on a cold morning in Iceland.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

Shocker!



I don't think any of us are that optimistic.

Interesting statement considering you have been arguing that bluray has a healthy future. Your post seems to suggest you are thinking longevity is maybe 5 years or so. 10 years total life for bluray would be a failure, especially for the big collectors with hundreds of blurays.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Assuming, #1, that content exhibited in the home forever remains maxed out at the video resolution of ‘high definition’(1080p), and assuming #2, that technological advancements related to the production of physical home media forever will not be capable of offering something exclusively and supremely more attractive than with what digital delivery (downloads or streaming) could provide…. be it achieved through advanced optical discs, advanced compression rate schemes for current software, solid state media, etc. – at a competitive price, then YES, packaged home media is indeed a “melting ice cube”.

However, right off the bat, those are two assumptions that some people are taking for granted as ‘Givens’, which may be a bit presumptuous when predicting technological/economic scenarios 5 or 10 years from now….or even sooner. For example, content aside, technologically speaking, unless there were anecdotal leaks on the web, did anyone predict that Toshiba would offer a 55” glasses-free 3D display by this December? Did anyone predict that Sony would offer a 4k home projector at a price-point substantially less than that of the Qualia 004 (1920 x 1080), when that projector launched several years ago? Did anyone predict that Jim J. had a passive laser 4k projector in the works, which he just demoed apparently this past? week as proof of concept, and claims will be launching “sooner rather than later”?

Another thing to factor in the mix is human nature. Data has shown that consumers often buy movies that they just never get around to actually watching, whereas, with the internet, consumers tend to purchase only what they watch. So, there will be at least some continued incentive by studios/content providers to discover and provide a newer and better technology for packaged home media in attempt to capitalize on that basic human trait (impulse buying…).

On the other hand, even if you are a proponent of the melting ice cube philosophy (and many are) then, in terms of the actual viability or longevity of current packaged physical home media (current Blu-ray spec), the operative phrase in the HMM article is “Whether that ice cube is in the desert or elsewhere is a matter of debate”. With that in mind, some more technologically-oriented industry professionals believe the “melting ice cube” is located in a warm freezer, or perhaps the refrigerator, rather than in the desert. That’s not to say the industry should not diversify their means of distributing content. It would be foolish not to, ergo…..
http://presscentre.sony.eu/Content/d...ReleaseID=7037

We may not even have that standard. With Youtube and Google rumoured to be offering broadcast tv next year (apparently), i very much doubt HD will be in the offering. Even if it is, it wont be pretty. Only a matter of time until that filters down to films on demand. With streaming comes poor standards as i have been trying to tell people.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

As funny as a rusty blade up the backside on a cold morning in Iceland.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Interesting statement considering you have been arguing that bluray has a healthy future. Your post seems to suggest you are thinking longevity is maybe 5 years or so. 10 years total life for bluray would be a failure, especially for the big collectors with hundreds of blurays.

Why are Concern Trolls like this allowed to post here? All they do is stir up conflict and long for debate! Now I'm up for a healthy debate, but the topic has to be something, somewhat, in the present. Not future events that nobody has any contrl over, like the demise of blu-ray to streaming.
If you're so fearful of streaming why not debate Amazon signing Fox content, or specualte that Netflix splitting is so they can sell their entire streaming company(Netflix, not Qwikster) to Amazon...which would then make Amazon the biggest Streaming force in the world....muhahahahaah!

[Steedeel]

Rick, you seem to be milking that 'concern troll' saying of yours. It did not get any laughs elsewhere and probably wont now. If you want to have it out with me feel free to pm me and we will discuss. You are more than welcome. However, i feel the adoption of streaming and current developments are very relevant to now as it sets the foundations for the future.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Rick, you seem to be milking that 'concern troll' saying of yours. It did not get any laughs elsewhere and probably wont now. If you want to have it out with me feel free to pm me and we will discuss. You are more than welcome. However, i feel the adoption of streaming and current developments are very relevant to now as it sets the foundations for the future.

It's not meant to garner any laughs, it's a serious issue. Until you post otherwise, I'll consider you a Concern Troll...because that's exactly what you are! Feel free to prove me wrong.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by rickah88

It's not meant to garner any laughs, it's a serious issue. Until you post otherwise, I'll consider you a Concern Troll...because that's exactly what you are! Feel free to prove me wrong.

Ok, i was wondering what peoples opinions are on the likes of Youtube and Google amongst others attempting to get into the broadcasting game. As we now have an established standard (1080p 1080i and 720p) does this mean we could face any old streaming standards and no requirement for a HD broadcast format in the future? My theory is based on IPTV taking over completely from Cable,Sat or OTA. After all, what is the point of HD broadcasts if the bit rates are going to be tiny? Or, indeed, does anyone think IPTV will completely take over other broadcast methods in the next few years. I would be especially interested in Penton- Mans opinions.
I feel this is relevant as it relates to VOD and future films being shown on such a delivery method.
Thanks