Physical Media Regarding BD and HD-DVD

[vladittude0583]

I am sure that everyone here on this forum (or at least most people) will agree that this BD and HD-DVD Format War is the last "physical media" this generation will come across given the current transition into the digital age. I personally believe that Microsoft foresees a future of "digital downloads" as the main outlet for media for the masses which is probably why they pro-HD-DVD. However much time passes by, I would still like to have "physical media" in the foreseeable future no matter how "digital" we become. I have always believe that there is the possibility of Hard-Disk Drive failures, Thumb Drive innaccessibilities among others when it comes to "digital downloads" for media purposes. Well, I wanted to ask you guys on what your opinion is regarding this issue? Do you like collecting things "physically" or downloading them "digitally" etc? Thanks.

[timer00]

The consumer will always be focused on touch and feel, as in they get something to hold with their $$. I don't think it would catch on widespread if downloads become a thing because thats mostly a techie/computer/moviephile type of practice.

Just my opinion.

[glenn22]

depends entirely on the method used for the downloadable content. I don't buy CDs anymore, I buy all my music through iTunes now in a digital format.

Movies are something different entirely though... the size is a pretty restrictive factor. I can store all my music on my computer and quickly transfer to my iPod or PS3... movies, not so much. (can but it takes a lot longer)

If one day HD downloadable content became as quick and easy as music on iTunes, I'd probably go for it. I think that is years and years off though.

[sj001]

All my music I collect in MP3 nowadays, and actually for the past several years. But movies, I just GOT TO have them in a box, a collection I can physically look at, and be proud of I guess, sounds dumb, but that's just the way it is.

[chadbacara]

I still like the physical product. I am a bit neurotic when it comes to down loads. I had a power surge once that wiped out my iPod, hard-drive, and back-up hard drive. I used up my one free chance to redownload everything from iTunes, but still lost a lot of music that they did not have anymore. I now have my iTunes library backed up 5 times so in case this ever happens again. I now mainly buy CD's again and rip them to my computer. I only buy digital if there is only one to two songs that I like on a album.

I don't foresee myself ever downloading movies for my collection. I will probably be some old fogey with my collection as all those young wiper-snappers have everything digital.

[Tulsa]

I can't see a point in time when I would prefer to have a download as opposed to physical media.

That being said, like everyone else on the planet, money talks. You offer me a download of the same material for $5 instead of $20 I'm paying for the media, I'll probably change my mind. Until that times comes however, I want it in my hands.

[Teazle]

Originally Posted by chadbacara

I used up my one free chance to redownload everything from iTunes, but still lost a lot of music that they did not have anymore.

To me the possibility of that sort of thing is intolerable. The #1 advantage of downloads is (or should be) that titles need never go out of print -- there are no warehousing costs for discs, there's no minimum production run, etc etc. If a DL service withdraws titles, that negates this advantage! How much can it cost them to keep those songs on their hard drives?!

I would buy DLs if it's the only way to get the content due to the economics of distribution. Example: if high-res audio is available this way (since it did not gain mass acceptance on physical media). Or (for video) speciality titles that otherwise would never be released at all.

[quexos]

Originally Posted by chadbacara

I don't foresee myself ever downloading movies for my collection. I will probably be some old fogey with my collection as all those young wiper-snappers have everything digital.

For everyone's info: movies or music or whatever stuff is on CD's DVD's Blu-rays etc IS DIGITAL technology too

[frank_t]

Originally Posted by glenn22

depends entirely on the method used for the downloadable content. I don't buy CDs anymore, I buy all my music through iTunes now in a digital format.

Movies are something different entirely though... the size is a pretty restrictive factor. I can store all my music on my computer and quickly transfer to my iPod or PS3... movies, not so much. (can but it takes a lot longer)

If one day HD downloadable content became as quick and easy as music on iTunes, I'd probably go for it. I think that is years and years off though.

ugh! itunes is one reason high-rez audio died. it's cruddy audio for the masses, as is MP3. itunes is to audio as HD-dvd is to HD-video: crap. i still buy CDs and SACDs when I can get them.

i sincerely hope that video does not suffer the same fate. already we have VOD from the likes of comcast and it looks like pure rubbish. i'd love for sony to have a BD-audio format to replace their dying SACD.

[Zinn]

Originally Posted by frank_t

i'd love for sony to have a BD-audio format to replace their dying SACD.

Enter "BD profile 3.0"

[MacHaggis]

Originally Posted by Zinn

Enter "BD profile 3.0"

I wonder if "profile 3.0" will be successful? I'm very cynical about it...

Bogdan

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by Zinn

Enter "BD profile 3.0"

A new profile wouldn't be needed, just put the lossless audio on a BD. They would just have a real simple menu like on a DVD audio. Basically, play David Gilmour's "Remember That Night" with your TV off.

[Deciazulado]

Originally Posted by vladittude0583

Do you like collecting things "physically" or downloading them "digitally"

[w_tanoto]

Originally Posted by vladittude0583

I am sure that everyone here on this forum (or at least most people) will agree that this BD and HD-DVD Format War is the last "physical media" this generation will come across given the current transition into the digital age.

although I had to somewhat agree with that statement, I loathe download, especially downloading movies. HDD errors? even if it's fixed, i still prefer a hard copy in physical media. Not sure if this going to work, as most part of the world (substract USA/UK or any other developed countries) still using dial-up, as I do at certain times of the year.

[STEVEfromLA]

I want to buy my movies and have the movie, case and all. Downloads won't take the place of my future movie collection.

[tru2blu707]

id rather have discs to show off my collection. besides that i dont like too much clutter on my hardrive. slows down my computer

[Anthony P]

The U.S. market is at least a decade and probably more away from having a broadband infrastructure in place necessary to do this.

much more then that. Don't forget that it is not just the last mile that counts. If you are using high speed, how slow are sites that should be instant? and are youtube videos that should be super fast? Could you imagine (for example) what would happen every Tuesday that has a big block buster.

You don't need FIOS to your home you most likely need terabites/second at the download site. That is why most of the solutions proposed so far are SD and the few HD (720p) are way over compressed to make them worst then DVD in amount of info.

[jsteinhauer]

It's really not as difficult as it seem, even at current transfer rates. All you need is the equipment to store the data in place with adequate memory and adequate fidelity, so that you can't lose it.

Movie is due to be released on January 1. Your internet connected machine (via cable, DSL or satellite) starts downloading in the background (according to your settings) on say, December 15th. By January 1, the entire movie is in your equipment's memory and ready to be played.

Obviously, if you want to preorder for availability on January 1, you need to pay more, but if you are willing to wait until January 15th, it might cost less, and February 15th, much less. If you want 1080p, 7.1 lossless audio, it costs more, 720p, stereo sound, much less. Special features cost more.

You want to rent it, your download expires in two weeks, but it costs much, much less.

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

much more then that. Don't forget that it is not just the last mile that counts. If you are using high speed, how slow are sites that should be instant? and are youtube videos that should be super fast? Could you imagine (for example) what would happen every Tuesday that has a big block buster.

You don't need FIOS to your home you most likely need terabites/second at the download site. That is why most of the solutions proposed so far are SD and the few HD (720p) are way over compressed to make them worst then DVD in amount of info.

The other problem with downloads is the carrier will start charging you on a per megabyte/gigabyte basis instead of the flat rates we see now - so that cheap download/rental won't be so cheap anymore..it's not hard to imagine the whole "cheaper" pitch actually costing you more for downloads ... to get less in the end. Less quality, less control, less flexibility and no ownership.

That lack of ownership leads to lack of responsibility which leads to even more piracy IMO.

Given MS has stakes in both Rogers and Bell in Canada (sure it's similar in with the carriers in the States) .. you can see why they want downloads..since they will get to charge you twice..once for the content and again for the bandwidth. And the license will be even more draconian than WGA..and if HD optical is dead then they have a monopoly to choke the studios with on their terms...content is king unless you can't distribute it..

[reiella]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

much more then that. Don't forget that it is not just the last mile that counts. If you are using high speed, how slow are sites that should be instant? and are youtube videos that should be super fast? Could you imagine (for example) what would happen every Tuesday that has a big block buster.

You don't need FIOS to your home you most likely need terabites/second at the download site. That is why most of the solutions proposed so far are SD and the few HD (720p) are way over compressed to make them worst then DVD in amount of info.

See I like quotes like this, because it's a focus on what the commerically metered rates provided by FiOS are.

Suffice to say, the bandwidth you mention is possible under FiOS . Vz has been looking forward with this technology, something to take and hold market share from cable.