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

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PenguinMaster

Mobile devices are getting higher and higher resolutions so the mobile version and the "big screen" version could easily be the same files. Offering a more expensive version of the same movie would be cheap for the studios. It may be cost prohibitive to offer a 4K version. But offering an HD "big screen" version alongside an HD mobile version is a minor expense.

I'm concerned that movies that are unpopular and unprofitable won't remain available for a long time. But I'm not at all concerned that movies will only be available in cheap crappy versions.

Mobile devices are getting better but the industry is doing its upmost to promote low quality viewing on them with services such as 'binge on' and AT&T's Zero rated SD unlimited streaming. In theory, that probably means Netflix, Amazon etc. Don't count towards data caps but they are all SD.

[PenguinMaster]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Mobile devices are getting better but the industry is doing its upmost to promote low quality viewing on them with services such as 'binge on' and AT&T's Zero rated SD unlimited streaming. In theory, that probably means Netflix, Amazon etc. Don't count towards data caps but they are all SD.

But SD isn't specifically a digital issue. Plenty of titles only get DVD releases because Blu-ray doesn't sell as well. I certainly don't like that trend but it's not a physical vs digital issue.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PenguinMaster

Mobile devices are getting higher and higher resolutions so the mobile version and the "big screen" version could easily be the same files. Offering a more expensive version of the same movie would be cheap for the studios. It may be cost prohibitive to offer a 4K version. But offering an HD "big screen" version alongside an HD mobile version is a minor expense.

I'm concerned that movies that are unpopular and unprofitable won't remain available for a long time. But I'm not at all concerned that movies will only be available in cheap crappy versions.

I wouldn't want a HD version, I would want a 4K version.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PenguinMaster

But SD isn't specifically a digital issue. Plenty of titles only get DVD releases because Blu-ray doesn't sell as well. I certainly don't like that trend but it's not a physical vs digital issue.

It's a issue if we are pushed towards a Digital only future.

[PenguinMaster]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

It's a issue if we are pushed towards a Digital only future.

The digital supporters in this thread are mostly buying 1080p and 4K digital versions so you're complaining to the wrong crowd.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PenguinMaster

But SD isn't specifically a digital issue. Plenty of titles only get DVD releases because Blu-ray doesn't sell as well. I certainly don't like that trend but it's not a physical vs digital issue.

The digital enthusiasts in this thread are mostly buying 1080p (or even 4K) digital versions so you're complaining to the wrong crowd.

Not really. I remember years ago when folk were saying, 'nope, I will never switch to Digital I love my quality too much' then we had 'well, the quality is not as good but it's the convenience I love'

These people changed their stance over a couple of years. Those same folk will change again. It will be 'well, I miss the big screen but I can watch a ever overflowing selection of tv and movies in SD on my mobile device for a much cheaper price and it doesn't count towards my data limit.

By the way, some folk in this very forum said they would never Switch. Guess what?

[PenguinMaster]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Not really. I remember years ago when folk were saying, 'nope, I will never switch to Digital I love my quality too much' then we had 'well, the quality is not as good but it's the convenience I love'

These people changed their stance over a couple of years. Those same folk will change again. It will be 'well, I miss the big screen but I can watch a ever overflowing selection of tv and movies in SD on my mobile device for a much cheaper price and it doesn't count towards my data limit.

By the way, some folk in this very forum said they would never Switch. Guess what?

Switching from Blu-ray to 1080p digital on the same screen is a much smaller change than watching everything on a mobile device. It's a big leap to assume that most people won't have a problem with that and that such a small percentage of people will choose the "big screen" option that it won't even be available. Prices will probably rise but premium options will still be available.

I just think that digital supporters will cause most movies to not last.

Physical media just needs initial popularity for a movie to remain available. If thousands of copies sell in the first year then there will be thousands of copies in circulation for decades whether or not any new copies are being sold.

But digital requires continued popularity to remain available. If thousands of copies sell in the first year but then sales stop a few years later the movie will stop being available.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PenguinMaster

Switching from Blu-ray to 1080p digital on the same screen is a much smaller change than watching everything on a mobile device. It's a big leap to assume that most people won't have a problem with that and that such a small percentage of people will choose the "big screen" option that it won't even be available. Prices will probably rise but premium options will still be available.

I just think that digital supporters will cause most movies to not last.

Physical media just needs initial popularity for a movie to remain available. If thousands of copies sell in the first year then there will be thousands of copies in circulation for decades whether or not any new copies are being sold.

But digital requires continued popularity to remain available. If thousands of copies sell in the first year but then sales stop a few years later the movie will stop being available.

That is just my bug bear. My mind splinters off into various scenarios and interlinks with other things. I wish my mind didn't do that but it does. So that's my bug bear. Yours is the availability thing. We both care for the same thing, just different concerns.

[whipnet]

People watching movies on a mobile device must not have a job. And if you do... GET TO WORK! haha (JK)

[SarahS]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

It's a issue if we are pushed towards a Digital only future.

We are headed towards a digital only future. There is no stopping it now. Just put this line in your head and keep it there "The Wave of the future, the wave of the future, the wave of the future, the wave of the future, the wave of the future."

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by SarahS

We are headed towards a digital only future. There is no stopping it now. Just put this line in your head and keep it there "The Wave of the future, the wave of the future, the wave of the future, the wave of the future, the wave of the future."

Certainly is, but that is subscription services not Digital HD. Digital HD needs a good year, if not it will be close to flatlining and that is a disaster from the industries viewpoint. They will quickly move on. Vudu is a niche, outside of this forum, it barely gets a mention. It's all HBO this, Netflix that, Amazon the other.

Disc will be the go to format for purists who love film. Digital HD Luke ITunes downloads of MP3 will vanish, a bit like the members on here, who join a Bluray forum in late 2016 to declare their love of all things Digital.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by SarahS

We are headed towards a digital only future. There is no stopping it now. Just put this line in your head and keep it there "The Wave of the future, the wave of the future, the wave of the future, the wave of the future, the wave of the future."

Not in my house it isn't. and I rule my house! As long as disc lives, disc it is. Will psychical survive? Ask Vinyl and CD. Alive and well, 15 years after being declared dead by clueless bloggers and tech 'experts'

[SarahS]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Certainly is, but that is subscription services not Digital HD. Digital HD needs a good year, if not it will be close to flatlining and that is a disaster from the industries viewpoint. They will quickly move on. Vudu is a niche, outside of this forum, it barely gets a mention. It's all HBO this, Netflix that, Amazon the other.

Disc will be the go to format for purists who love film. Digital HD Luke ITunes downloads of MP3 will vanish, a bit like the members on here, who join a Bluray forum in late 2016 to declare their love of all things Digital.

Vudu is a niche? I hardly think so, in fact its more popular than ITunes for movies. At least here in the states as I have no idea in England. Maybe a niche in your part of the world but its huge here in the states. People are ditching their hard copies left and right and going digital. The niche is the hard core collectors on this forum.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by BlakkMajik3000

On? I'm not going to send my family out of the room so I can watch a movie "on the big TV". The bedroom TVs do not have BD players hooked up to them. The only "acceptable" portable screen I have for watching movies is my Macbook Pro, and they don't come with drives these days. Now yes, I can buy an external drive and get some BD player software, but why? A 1080p iTunes file or VUDU stream is more than enough for my viewing, especially on a smaller screen. Plus, if I'm traveling, I don't have to take a BD drive and a heavy binder full of movies I might want to watch while I am away. I take a single external HDD with my downloaded movies.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

No offence, but why the hell would you walk away from a movie? Or are you saying, you move around while still watching the screen?

This is a good point, with a good Streaming Provider you can Pause or Stop Movies and see them days or weeks later. With Discs not so much, especially with Blu-rays. I have Amazon and Vudu, and I have partially watched Movies in both. This works out great with Series, you can pick up anywhere you want.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by SarahS

Vudu is a niche? I hardly think so, in fact its more popular than ITunes for movies. At least here in the states as I have no idea in England. Maybe a niche in your part of the world but its huge here in the states. People are ditching their hard copies left and right and going digital. The niche is the hard core collectors on this forum.

So why are we seeing such little growth then? No one has addressed that yet. Q4 which obviously includes Christmas time, and the format couldn't boost those figures. Don't you see what a massive deal that is? Let's get real here. It's popular because codes from Blurays are so cheap. Do you honestly think if disc died tomorrow, Vudu would be doing ok? The genie is out of the bottle, subscription with loads of content wins the day. There is no going back to buying individual films for good money after disc. Disc is the end. That's why it will survive. Even many Digital obsessives have said they don't believe Digital copies have much value. It's great for you that prices are so cheap, but you need disc to have a future for that to remain the same. You are being fed bullshit if you are reading that Digital is thriving, Streaming is thriving, Digital HD? Nope, sorry.

By the way, the U.K is jumping straight to Subscription along with their discs. Our biggest selling EST though is the Sky tv service which offers Digital HD but comes with a DVD also. That's followed by ITunes. It is not UV compatible but no one cares here. UV has failed to take off here IMO. In fact, it has failed to take off in many major countries I understand. Not exactly a healthy situation in 2017. A sign of things to come in the U.S perhaps?

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by alchav21

This is a good point, with a good Streaming Provider you can Pause or Stop Movies and see them days or weeks later. With Discs not so much, especially with Blu-rays. I have Amazon and Vudu, and I have partially watched Movies in both. This works out great with Series, you can pick up anywhere you want.

Many tv shows have a quick play function on Bluray. American Horror Story for example. Just put the disc in and it will pick up the last scene you watched. Works a treat.

[ArmyOfDarknessAW]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Many tv shows have a quick play function on Bluray. American Horror Story for example. Just put the disc in and it will pick up the last scene you watched. Works a treat.

Unless you just stopped it why the hell would you want to pick something up from some random point you stopped at days or weeks later? Seems crazy to me to pick something up in the midpoint at a much later time....On either digital or Blu-ray it sounds insane to me. I guess it's just me though. I can't wait have things I'm chunks like that.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by ArmyOfDarknessAW

Unless you just stopped it why the hell would you want to pick something up from some random point you stopped at days or weeks later? Seems crazy to me to pick something up in the midpoint at a much later time....On either digital or Blu-ray it sounds insane to me. I guess it's just me though. I can't wait have things I'm chunks like that.

I agree, just simply stating the function is there if needed.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by alchav21

This is a good point, with a good Streaming Provider you can Pause or Stop Movies and see them days or weeks later. With Discs not so much, especially with Blu-rays. I have Amazon and Vudu, and I have partially watched Movies in both. This works out great with Series, you can pick up anywhere you want.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Many tv shows have a quick play function on Bluray. American Horror Story for example. Just put the disc in and it will pick up the last scene you watched. Works a treat.

Originally Posted by ArmyOfDarknessAW

Unless you just stopped it why the hell would you want to pick something up from some random point you stopped at days or weeks later? Seems crazy to me to pick something up in the midpoint at a much later time....On either digital or Blu-ray it sounds insane to me. I guess it's just me though. I can't wait have things I'm chunks like that.

Movies I haven't seen I watch all the way through, but Movies I've seen before I can watch in sections. Especially like Aliens 2, where the Marines are getting ready on their Space Fighter Ship. I remember going to the Local Theater with my Mom and Dad, and back then they had two Movies most of the time we walked in when the second Movie was half way through. Then we would watch the second Movie from the beginning, and stay to watch the second to the part we had watched. Also on TV they would run Old Movies of the same all week, and we would watch parts daily. So with Digital Streaming you can do the same thing.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Movies I haven't seen I watch all the way through, but Movies I've seen before I can watch in sections. Especially like Aliens 2, where the Marines are getting ready on their Space Fighter Ship. I remember going to the Local Theater with my Mom and Dad, and back then they had two Movies most of the time we walked in when the second Movie was half way through. Then we would watch the second Movie from the beginning, and stay to watch the second to the part we had watched. Also on TV they would run Old Movies of the same all week, and we would watch parts daily. So with Digital Streaming you can do the same thing.

You have sold me. That is incredible and well worth giving up quality for.