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.

[Deciazulado]

Originally Posted by vladittude0583

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

[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.

[JAGUAR1977]

It will be a decade at least before HD downloads become the norm.

I don't know a single person over the age of 30 who downloads music, and still most of those rip CD's.

Those in favour of downloads always point to Xbox Live/PSN etc., but these are usually hardcore gamers, a niche within a niche.

The mainstream struggle to use computers for e-mail/wordproeccessing, nevermind downloading movies, connecting the PC to your TV etc.

[MacHaggis]

If one considers an MP3 version of a song high quality then, nothing wrong with downloading songs from iTunes. I do NOT consider MP3s of enough quality for playback on high end equipment.

Yes, I do convert my music to MP3s and upload it on my iPod, but I always need to have a source of higher quality, and I need to own that as physical media.

I'm a purist when it comes to audio, and I just go with the flow when it comes to video (although I do believe in quality video, that's why I'm a Blu-ray supporter).

Same goes with movies. I rather spend the money and purchase something that I like rather then renting.

To me, online downloads of any kind is like renting.

Bogdan

[blukrank]

I like buying my movies think you.It started with VHS,then Laserdisc,then DVD,then DVHS,then HD DVD and the best of them all Blu-Ray. I like having my movies and TV shows sitting on the shelf and I can watch them anytime I want.

[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.

[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.

[xtop]

all digital is a ways off yet

[Imakida]

I think that my generation is not ready for ONLY digital media (I'm 25 years old). We have develop the bad habit of "possessing" something we can touch. In the future, hard media will probably disappear for environnemental reasons (much like any other media like journal and pictures).

For the most part, the generation that follows is already using digital media, and that won't be an issue for them to have only digital media.. well it's my point of view. So I would give at least 15 to 20 years for this change to happen..

[richteer]

Originally Posted by MacHaggis

If one considers an MP3 version of a song high quality then, nothing wrong with downloading songs from iTunes. I do NOT consider MP3s of enough quality for playback on high end equipment.

No consideration required: MP3 is not good enough for playback on high end equipment. And if anyone disagrees, I've got a movie called Transformers with lossy audio for you...

[AikonEnt]

At some point in the future digital media will be what everybody has. Things like Blu-ray (and whatever comes after Blu-ray) will be nothing but museum pieces. But it will only happen when all digital media, be it film, tv, music, games or whatever else you can think of is freely available to everybody whenever they want it. Everything ever created will be on demand and available when somebody wants it. You'll come home, activate your digital wall, tell it which film you want to watch and it will play (and the same goes for tv shows, music and games). There'll be no need for physical copies because everything will just be there when you want it.

Unfortunately until the world doesn't revolve around money and possessions this will never happen will it? Certainly not in my lifetime anyway.

But right now, for me, I want physical copies of my films. Sometimes I want to watch a film but don't know what. I can look through my collection with no thought about what I want until my eyes fall on the right film which goes perfectly with my mood at that given moment. Which makes it that much better

[xtop]

Originally Posted by richteer

No consideration required: MP3 is not good enough for playback on high end equipment. And if anyone disagrees, I've got a movie called Transformers with lossy audio for you...

just connect an ipod to a decent stereo and you'll realize right away that mp3 sucks

[MotionBlurr]

Originally Posted by xtop

just connect an ipod to a decent stereo and you'll realize right away that mp3 sucks

mp3 was originally made to be listened with headphones only. Even then its not a great as CD quality. Maybe if you listen to the Transformers HD DVD with headphones it won't be so bad. I can see the HD DVD supporters giving the headphone advice to people.

[Anthony P]

I like having movies on hand. I like physical media for the same reasons you mentioned, but in the end I don't carre as long as the movies are on premis (because you mentioned reasons (DL &) saved movies can be bad, but let's face it, DVDs and BDs are not indistructable either).

What I don't like about DL is that it won't be able to give me what I want. An instant buy of a high quality version of the movie that for ever after on hand.

[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.