Physical & Digital EST: The Future of Home Video Discussion Thread

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Rubbish, if I did that I wouldn’t even be posting in any thread! . It doesn’t matter either way. I predicted the UV situation a long time ago. You guys pretend that wasn’t the case. Anyway, laters for real.

The failure of UV led to Movies Anywhere, and I love MA, so thank you for your prediction?

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

The failure of UV led to Movies Anywhere, and I love MA, so thank you for your prediction?

It was the exact prediction I made including Disney

[kingdoxie]

Originally Posted by alchav21

For now the Digital Code that comes with a Disc keeps the pricing low, and then I could sell the Disc to people like you but you guys want it dirt cheap. As for updates, Sony is doing a great job remember I'm Hard Wired so updates are no problem. To me Roku is a downgrade, and I would never go to The Dark Side and get an Apple TV. I would rather go with a Panasonic or Oppo Player that has Streaming Features. As for 4K Content, I use Sony Ultra or Amazon.

Except OPPO players don't have apps anymore.

[huskerbear]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Movies Anywhere is seven years too late. This is what UV needed to be and wasn’t. The ship has sailed.

MA is exactly what UV is, incomplete. UV was missing a couple storefronts, MA is missing a couple studios.....just less outrage from the itunes crowd this time.

[squatting hen]

Originally Posted by huskerbear

MA is exactly what UV is, incomplete. UV was missing a couple storefronts, MA is missing a couple studios.....just less outrage from the itunes crowd this time.

I agree. UV wasn't a failure. Without UV, I don't believe MA would exist. Some storefronts wanted it to fail, thus wouldn't support it. MA is basically a revamped UV.

iTunes users disliked UV because some movies lost their digital codes. Those same users would have praised it, if iTunes would have been part of UV. Just like MA....

[hokies5007]

MA is one BIG step closer to what digital should be. One consistent "format" for all digital media with each storefront/device combo being it's own digital streaming player. In my opinion, digital should operate just like physical in that all studios (TV and Movies) buy into one format (blu-ray for example) and you can play that on any blu-ray player of your choosing. Digital storefronts can compete with one another through exclusive extras, free upgrades (iTunes 4K), and obviously price. Ultimately we should be buying the same end product from each digital storefront though just as we would if we were buying the same blu-ray from different stores. Currently it seems that the transfer each retailer has is different which I think is a problem.

One thing I wonder is if there comes a time when all studios have bought into MA, would we even need a player from each storefront or could everyone just use the MA app as the one consistent digital movie player?

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by hokies5007

MA is one BIG step closer to what digital should be. One consistent "format" for all digital media with each storefront/device combo being it's own digital streaming player. In my opinion, digital should operate just like physical in that all studios (TV and Movies) buy into one format (blu-ray for example) and you can play that on any blu-ray player of your choosing. Digital storefronts can compete with one another through exclusive extras, free upgrades (iTunes 4K), and obviously price. Ultimately we should be buying the same end product from each digital storefront though just as we would if we were buying the same blu-ray from different stores. Currently it seems that the transfer each retailer has is different which I think is a problem.

One thing I wonder is if there comes a time when all studios have bought into MA, would we even need a player from each storefront or could everyone just use the MA app as the one consistent digital movie player?

I think you already answered your own question. Different storefronts offer different transfers/extras/cuts/etc. I can still only watch my copy of Watchmen ultimate cut on VUDU. It’s not on Amazon or iTunes.

[hokies5007]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

I think you already answered your own question. Different storefronts offer different transfers/extras/cuts/etc. I can still only watch my copy of Watchmen ultimate cut on VUDU. It’s not on Amazon or iTunes.

Haha...good point! However, couldn’t those all exist in MA but just only be unlocked/purchased through a certain retailer. I don’t have a problem with having a different player for each retailer as long I can hopefully avoid jumping between retailers for different titles. #firstworldproblems.

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by hokies5007

Haha...good point! However, couldn’t those all exist in MA but just only be unlocked/purchased through a certain retailer. I don’t have a problem with having a different player for each retailer as long I can hopefully avoid jumping between retailers for different titles. #firstworldproblems.

Yes, in theory, MA could store movies that aren’t available on all retailers, so you can have everything in one place. That would probably be nice.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

I think you already answered your own question. Different storefronts offer different transfers/extras/cuts/etc. I can still only watch my copy of Watchmen ultimate cut on VUDU. It’s not on Amazon or iTunes.

Originally Posted by hokies5007

Haha...good point! However, couldn’t those all exist in MA but just only be unlocked/purchased through a certain retailer. I don’t have a problem with having a different player for each retailer as long I can hopefully avoid jumping between retailers for different titles.

Well UV and MA all support Digital HD, and that is where all Movies are eventually going. I don't buy Disc anymore for viewing, and I don't know anyone that does in my circle of people. Discs are fading away, but they still provide an avenue for Digital Codes. So I say keep Disc to keep the Code prices down, and for the people that don't have the proper setup or Bandwidth for consistent Streaming.

[Packerfan75]

I'll only buy physical. Never digital. I'll watch UV copies away from home and use streaming services but when I want to watch something at home, I want it on the best format or quality I can see it in. Physical still looks and sounds better. I also don't feel like I really own it unless it's on the shelf.

[PCFan]

Originally Posted by Packerfan75

I'll only buy physical. Never digital. I'll watch UV copies away from home and use streaming services but when I want to watch something at home, I want it on the best format or quality I can see it in. Physical still looks and sounds better. I also don't feel like I really own it unless it's on the shelf.

What are you going to do when you run out of shelf space?

[flyry]

Originally Posted by PCFan

What are you going to do when you run out of shelf space?

This. Due to such limited space I did purchase Wonder Woman UHD digitally as well as Baby Driver and Spider-man:homecoming and Wind River(pre-order in hd)

I reserved the shelf space for 4K versions of War for the Planet of the Apes, Dunkirk, Blade Runner 2049, and the delayed T2.

[Seth F.]

I've cut my blu-ray physical disc buying by 95%.

The only thing I really buy now is 3D.

And I've only been buying physical UHD if the master is a true 4k version.


Once I can start getting UHD for cheap I might get back into collecting them. But most titles only look a little better then blu-ray.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Seth F.

I've cut my blu-ray physical disc buying by 95%.

The only thing I really buy now is 3D.

And I've only been buying physical UHD if the master is a true 4k version.


Once I can start getting UHD for cheap I might get back into collecting them. But most titles only look a little better then blu-ray.

Go to the opticians.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Hello, been a while so thought I would check in.

The big change has been Movies anywhere which was inevitable. It will not stop the march of subscription but it may prolong the life of ownership for Digital.

The major concern I see coming is the simmering interest in interactive movies.

http://deadline.com/2017/10/paramoun...ts-1202188829/

https://www.theverge.com/2017/2/14/1...v-sports-polls

Apple are showing an interest it would seem, which means the industry will follow if there is even a hint of a successful show. This to me is very worrying. Is this going to be the future? I know I have talked about it a few times before but things seem to be ramping up. It really does seem like our beloved movies may be under threat from this developing interest in two way interactions with our movies. As the talk of interactive apps intensifies, so does my fear that my favourite pastime could become a immensely irritating social media inspired, choose your own adventure.

You’re not wrong about the march to subscription. There will still be digital sell through but the studios want subscription. More money for them and no money for the middle men.

[Packerfan75]

Originally Posted by PCFan

What are you going to do when you run out of shelf space?

Buy another shelf.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by alchav21

For now the Digital Code that comes with a Disc keeps the pricing low, and then I could sell the Disc to people like you but you guys want it dirt cheap. As for updates, Sony is doing a great job remember I'm Hard Wired so updates are no problem. To me Roku is a downgrade, and I would never go to The Dark Side and get an Apple TV. I would rather go with a Panasonic or Oppo Player that has Streaming Features. As for 4K Content, I use Sony Ultra or Amazon.

Originally Posted by kingdoxie

Except OPPO players don't have apps anymore.

Oppo Players not having Apps didn't sound right to me, so I went to their Web Site and their UHD Players have access to Android Apps. They also have access to Amazon App Store. The Oppo Players have a GigaBit Ethernet Connection, so it wouldn't make any sense that they couldn't access Streaming Providers. Panasonic Players I know have Fantastic Apps to access Streaming Providers. Either one of these is way better than Roku or Apple TV!

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by PCFan

What are you going to do when you run out of shelf space?

Originally Posted by Packerfan75

Buy another shelf.

This guy is stuck in a Time Warp, I kept doing this when I bought Disc. I added selves, bought racks, and boxes in the Garage. You start feeling like a Hoarder, and it's especially noticeable when you move....boxes just keep adding up! With Digital HD it's so much easier to track and play anything you want. Now especially with all the Providers, you can play your Movies on any one of them, stop them and come back anytime. Digital HD is the only way to go!

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Oppo Players not having Apps didn't sound right to me, so I went to their Web Site and their UHD Players have access to Android Apps. They also have access to Amazon App Store. The Oppo Players have a GigaBit Ethernet Connection, so it wouldn't make any sense that they couldn't access Streaming Providers. Panasonic Players I know have Fantastic Apps to access Streaming Providers. Either one of these is way better than Roku or Apple TV!

Said nobody ever. (Except you)