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

[cpr3584]

The last few posts about video quality are correct. I don't know what it is, but most movies look worse when watching on VUDU or itunes. A handful of movies look almost identical to the blu ray but most of them look like 720p. i have tried wired and wireless connections, both are the same quality on my 65 inch Samsung. You really can't beat the quality and security of disc. People have had to relink their UV library at least 2 times in the past year. This alone, to me, is reason enough to not bother. I'll stick with blu ray and use the digital copies as backups.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by cpr3584

The last few posts about video quality are correct. I don't know what it is, but most movies look worse when watching on VUDU or itunes. A handful of movies look almost identical to the blu ray but most of them look like 720p. i have tried wired and wireless connections, both are the same quality on my 65 inch Samsung. You really can't beat the quality and security of disc. People have had to relink their UV library at least 2 times in the past year. This alone, to me, is reason enough to not bother. I'll stick with blu ray and use the digital copies as backups.

Audio is also far superior on disc. At least so far.

People always mention the master when they defend a poor digital transfer. The truth is, the compression often can't handle a very grainy image or really demanding scenes.

[cpr3584]

Yea- i only use the built-in speakers and can tell a difference in audio as well

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by cpr3584

Yea- i only use the built-in speakers and can tell a difference in audio as well

Are you not tempted to get a good sound bar? Your discs will suddenly be singing if you did.

[cpr3584]

Im moving in a couple months so im going to build a whole new setup. I'll prob go with a 65 inch 4K TV and a 5-channel surround system.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by cpr3584

Im moving in a couple months so im going to build a whole new setup. I'll prob go with a 65 inch 4K TV and a 5-channel surround system.

Sounds like a great plan!

[squatting hen]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Audio is also far superior on disc. At least so far.

People always mention the master when they defend a poor digital transfer. The truth is, the compression often can't handle a very grainy image or really demanding scenes.

If I recall correctly, there have also been some blu's that had bad transfers as well.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by squatting hen

If I recall correctly, there have also been some blu's that had bad transfers as well.

Yes, but you can do research and go for a better transfer from another region and company usually. With Digital, you are stuck with that bad transfer.

[stonesfan129]

Originally Posted by Kage

Do any of you buy both blu-rays and digital hd formats?

Not on purpose. I get the Blu-ray and it almost always has a UV code that I put on my VUDU account. Then when I am away from home, I can watch stuff if I want. But nope, I still buy Blu-ray primarily. I still get a DVD if I want something that isn't available on Blu-ray, or costs too much on Blu-ray (Disney stuff). Higher picture and audio quality. And there are backdoor ways to make your own digital versions.

[stonesfan129]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Audio is also far superior on disc. At least so far.

People always mention the master when they defend a poor digital transfer. The truth is, the compression often can't handle a very grainy image or really demanding scenes.

Well what type of compression are you speaking of? I've seen plenty of Blu-ray discs encoded with H.264/AVC that retain the grain really well. If the studio takes their time and does it right, H.264/AVC is fine.

[meremortal]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Audio is also far superior on disc. At least so far.

People always mention the master when they defend a poor digital transfer. The truth is, the compression often can't handle a very grainy image or really demanding scenes.

Audio's definitely in a different league from my perception. But video is often prety close, even from Netflix/Hulu/Amazon streams. I'm often amazed how well those can look with the right source and when wifi is reliable and receiving the full bandwidth of the streaming services. But disc is certainly greater peace of mind both for not having to worry about internet and the higher bitrates.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by cpr3584

Im moving in a couple months so im going to build a whole new setup. I'll prob go with a 65 inch 4K TV and a 5-channel surround system.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Sounds like a great plan!

I don't have the Sound System, but I love my Sony 65" 4K TV. Steedeel remember we were talking about Home Theaters dying off, well here is a Family in Charlotte, North Carolina that built a 4000 sq. ft. layout in the Basement.

https://www.soundandvision.com/conte...nks-memories-0

I know this is over the top, but it doesn't sound like people are giving up on Home Theaters. I think this is just the tip of the Iceberg. I also have a Nephew in Texas that has a real nice one too.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by stonesfan129

Well what type of compression are you speaking of? I've seen plenty of Blu-ray discs encoded with H.264/AVC that retain the grain really well. If the studio takes their time and does it right, H.264/AVC is fine.

I am referring to poor digital HD compression. Not Bluray pal.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by meremortal

Audio's definitely in a different league from my perception. But video is often prety close, even from Netflix/Hulu/Amazon streams. I'm often amazed how well those can look with the right source and when wifi is reliable and receiving the full bandwidth of the streaming services. But disc is certainly greater peace of mind both for not having to worry about internet and the higher bitrates.

It might be a country thing. I know some of you guys in the U.S sit around 10 feet from your display, in the U.K our living rooms are smaller. We are normally around 6 feet from our tv/projector. I think at 10 feet it's easier to miss compression artefacts.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by stonesfan129

Well what type of compression are you speaking of? I've seen plenty of Blu-ray discs encoded with H.264/AVC that retain the grain really well. If the studio takes their time and does it right, H.264/AVC is fine.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I am referring to poor digital HD compression. Not Bluray pal.

I say it's all Digital, and the Codec for Blu-ray or Digital HD is the same. Now with 4K they are using H.265, so the compressions are coming up for better Audio and PQ especially with the higher Bandwidths. Downloads are highly compressed, but Streaming BitRates are coming up depending on your Bandwidth.

[stonesfan129]

Does anyone think full quality UHD, BD or DVD downloads will ever become a thing? They have already gotten this way with music as you can find FLAC files on a number of sites that are equal to or above CD-quality.

[randian]

Originally Posted by stonesfan129

Does anyone think full quality UHD, BD or DVD downloads will ever become a thing? They have already gotten this way with music as you can find FLAC files on a number of sites that are equal to or above CD-quality.

There are legitimate sites like HDTracks and 7Digital that sell high-resolution FLAC. Instead of 16-bit/44-kHz (Red Book CD) they're usually 24-bit/96-kHz or 24-bit/192-kHz. They're more expensive than CDs usually, but that doesn't bother me too much since they're higher quality than CD if they come from a good source and haven't fallen victim to the loudness war. You must pay attention to make sure you're getting a good recording.

Absent a sale heavily compressed (relative to Blu-ray) Vudu and iTunes downloads are often priced equal to or greater than the Blu-ray ("pay more get less"), so if the movie studios ever did start distributing bitwise-identical downloads you know they'll charge a lot more than that. It would be more like "pay double for the same thing" instead of what HDTracks and 7Digital are doing, which is "pay more, get more".

[Talal86]

Originally Posted by stonesfan129

Does anyone think full quality UHD, BD or DVD downloads will ever become a thing? They have already gotten this way with music as you can find FLAC files on a number of sites that are equal to or above CD-quality.

yes of course, video games digital stores have been doing it for years, you downloaded the full uncompressed game and it matches the physical version 1:1, so I'm sure movies will do that sooner or later

Originally Posted by randian

Absent a sale heavily compressed (relative to Blu-ray) Vudu and iTunes downloads are often priced equal to or greater than the Blu-ray ("pay more get less")

that is not true, at least not anymore

I've noticed that a lot of new movies are usually $5 cheaper digitally, plus the daily/weekly sales are so much better now

[BlakkMajik3000]

Originally Posted by stonesfan129

Does anyone think full quality UHD, BD or DVD downloads will ever become a thing? They have already gotten this way with music as you can find FLAC files on a number of sites that are equal to or above CD-quality.

Far as I know, Kaleidescape is the only place that offers the full quality downloads:
https://store.kaleidescape.com/

It's tempting, but their equipment is really expensive.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by BlakkMajik3000

Far as I know, Kaleidescape is the only place that offers the full quality downloads:
https://store.kaleidescape.com/

It's tempting, but their equipment is really expensive.

Where in the hell do you get the equipment?