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

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Thanks, you provided some good information, and you backed up my claims. I told you guys years ago that Bandwidth would provide the Resolution to match Discs. Your information is almost a year old, and when I talked to Sony Support they said the Bitrate averages were 25Mbps, and with the software upgrades and Adaptive Streaming the Bitrates would go up according to your Bandwidth. It just makes sense that with new Codec and Adaptive Streaming the Bitrate would match Disc Quality. The lady I talked to at Sony said Disc sales are down, and Streaming was taking over and they were working on providing UHD Disc Quality.

Apple 4K TV appears to have come the closest to achieving 4K UHD disc quality. The video review posted earlier presented a strong case for Apple 4K TV's streaming quality.

I have not been able to find any newer information about Sony Ultra than what that 9 month old article reported. Another forum member sent an inquiry to Sony today requesting current information about their Ultra service and it will be interesting to see how Sony replies.

Of course, my other objections to digital remain: control of content, dependence on unreliable and ever more expensive internet, and those evil EULAs, but it looks like Apple has made great strides in closing the image quality gap. They need to work on the audio gap still and perhaps they will.

[bladerunner1]

Originally Posted by stonesfan129

Always buy the disc. Consistent access, better quality.

Technically you could stream a movie to every screen in your house at the same time in "good enough" (excellent) quality. Possibly at your friends house as well.

Your library can be huge. Literally thousands of movies in your pocket if you so wish. I think that is pretty neat. A boyhood dream even and true consistent access.

Edit:

I should add that internet has never been a problem for me.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by bladerunner1

Technically you could stream a movie to every screen in your house at the same time in "good enough" (excellent) quality. Possibly at your friends house as well.

Your library can be huge. Literally thousands of movies in your pocket if you so wish. I think that is pretty neat. A boyhood dream even and true consistent access.

Edit:

I should add that internet has never been a problem for me.

Movies on a phone! Hurray!

No self respecting film fan should be watching films on a phone screen.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Thanks, you provided some good information, and you backed up my claims. I told you guys years ago that Bandwidth would provide the Resolution to match Discs. Your information is almost a year old, and when I talked to Sony Support they said the Bitrate averages were 25Mbps, and with the software upgrades and Adaptive Streaming the Bitrates would go up according to your Bandwidth. It just makes sense that with new Codec and Adaptive Streaming the Bitrate would match Disc Quality. The lady I talked to at Sony said Disc sales are down, and Streaming was taking over and they were working on providing UHD Disc Quality.

Lol, the ever reliable store workers and their limitless knowledge!

I would be amazed if that Sony service is still here in 3 years. I know Blu-ray will be.

[Steedeel]

https://www.theguardian.com/media/20...more-on-demand

Read the bit about the TV set. Before anyone says it, you can get this is the same with the US also.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

https://www.theguardian.com/media/20...more-on-demand

Read the bit about the TV set. Before anyone says it, you can get this is the same with the US also.

It stands to reason that the age group stated will be watching Star Wars etc.. on their phone in future through Disney's subscription service. Sad times ahead. The evidence is right in front of you guys but you STILL think digital is a good thing?

[Krizzle1]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

https://www.theguardian.com/media/20...more-on-demand

Read the bit about the TV set. Before anyone says it, you can get this is the same with the US also.

Ugh, watching anything other than a YouTube video on a smartphone

These are "young viewers" the article is talking about, I dont think anyone over the age of 20 is using a mobile phone to watch TV/Movies, these people have money, so they probably have another device in the home (tablet/laptop) to do their movie/show watching. I mean im fine with an iPad screen size but anything smaller is not worth it.

[stonesfan129]

I would never watch a movie on my phone. I have and do watch movies on a tablet or laptop from time to time. But most often it's on a TV. Like I said, always buy the disc. The quality is better and your access is consistent.

Can't get locked out if you control the content.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

https://www.theguardian.com/media/20...more-on-demand

Read the bit about the TV set. Before anyone says it, you can get this is the same with the US also.

From your article:

"the popularity of the traditional TV set is increasingly under threat, with 43% of 12- to 15-year-olds using their mobile phones to watch TV."

12 to 15 year-olds. I am not concerned with how children watch TV; they still live with their parents. And 43% is still a minority. They watch content on their phone because that is what they own and they are often out and about: mobile. They can largely do as they please with their phone; they do not have to share it like they do with the family TV. I grew out of nearly every behavior of mine from when I belonged to that age group; they will do the same.

When they get older, have a career, a family, and a home of their own, I bet they will put a nice large TV, or two, in it- maybe even a projector. The desire to watch movies on a big screen in the comfort of your own home will never be supplanted by a 5.7" screen. The TV is safe.

[bladerunner1]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

It stands to reason that the age group stated will be watching Star Wars etc.. on their phone in future through Disney's subscription service. Sad times ahead. The evidence is right in front of you guys but you STILL think digital is a good thing?

What if in the future a VR type headset will be able to project a quality IMAX screen in front of your face? Would it be okay then?

[bladerunner1]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Movies on a phone! Hurray!

No self respecting film fan should be watching films on a phone screen.

A lot of us became film fans by watching 480i analog cropped on screens smaller than 25".

Sometimes even in *gasp* - black and white.

[bladerunner1]

Originally Posted by stonesfan129

I would never watch a movie on my phone. I have and do watch movies on a tablet or laptop from time to time. But most often it's on a TV. Like I said, always buy the disc. The quality is better and your access is consistent.

Can't get locked out if you control the content.

As you can see i have purchased a lot of discs with another 2000 + DVD's not represented in my collection count. I am swimming in content and will always be set as long as the power doesn't go out.

To get you caught up, i am a proponent of both.

Sorry for not hitting the multi quote, i am still half asleep.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by bladerunner1

What if in the future a VR type headset will be able to project a quality IMAX screen in front of your face? Would it be okay then?

I want to try that VR headset, especially with 3D; I just hope it is less bulky than the current Sony PS4 one. That thing looks uncomfortable to wear, especially for 2+ hours. They need to be completely wireless, too. I dislike wires hanging off of my head.

Watching movies with other people would feel less social with each of us having our head in what looks like bulky scuba gear. I hope in the future they make them better, wireless, and less bulky.

I think I would prefer 3D holographic projection much more, though. I'm not a big fan of head gear.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I want to try that VR headset, especially with 3D; I just hope it is less bulky than the current Sony PS4 one. That thing looks uncomfortable to wear, especially for 2+ hours. They need to be completely wireless, too. I dislike wires hanging off of my head.

Watching movies with other people would feel less social with each of us having our head in what looks like bulky scuba gear. I hope in the future they make them better, wireless, and less bulky.

I think I would prefer 3D holographic projection much more, though. I'm not a big fan of head gear.

The headset isn’t even bulky. It’s very comfortable. I have watched a 2 hour plus 3D film on it with zero issues. I have played games in 3 hour sessions, again without any problems.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by bladerunner1

A lot of us became film fans by watching 480i analog cropped on screens smaller than 25".

Sometimes even in *gasp* - black and white.

I know this but we have huge Oled screens and 4K how.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by bladerunner1

What if in the future a VR type headset will be able to project a quality IMAX screen in front of your face? Would it be okay then?

Yes, it’s the big screen I fear going away. I don’t care what tech it is, I just want a big screen film experience. I have it now, I fear I won’t in years to come.

I already watch films on a VR headset and it’s a very pleasant experience. The screen (on its largest screen) is probably the equivalent of a 200 ft screen from seven feet away. I have only done it occasionally but I can imagine it being even better with much more advanced headsets in the future.

The future I hope will happen rather than the one I suspect will.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

The headset isn’t even bulky. It’s very comfortable. I have watched a 2 hour plus 3D film on it with zero issues. I have played games in 3 hour sessions, again without any problems.

A friend of mine owns one, but I have not had the chance to try it out. The gizmo needs to be upgraded to 4K HDR + DV, too. The current one is just high definition if I recall correctly.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

From your article:

"the popularity of the traditional TV set is increasingly under threat, with 43% of 12- to 15-year-olds using their mobile phones to watch TV."

12 to 15 year-olds. I am not concerned with how children watch TV; they still live with their parents. And 43% is still a minority. They watch content on their phone because that is what they own and they are often out and about: mobile. They can largely do as they please with their phone; they do not have to share it like they do with the family TV. I grew out of nearly every behavior of mine from when I belonged to that age group; they will do the same.

When they get older, have a career, a family, and a home of their own, I bet they will put a nice large TV, or two, in it- maybe even a projector. The desire to watch movies on a big screen in the comfort of your own home will never be supplanted by a 5.7" screen. The TV is safe.

Even now though, often people are sitting on their phone with the tv as background noise. The days of the family sitting around a tv is long dead. I have stated this on many occasions.
Also, in the past some may have had small screens (portables etc..) but we didn’t have social media, games on phones and Youtube, Snapchat. That’s the big difference here. It’s a lifelong behaviour to these young people I believe.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

A friend of mine owns one, but I have not had the chance to try it out. The gizmo needs to be upgraded to 4K HDR + DV, too. The current one is just high definition if I recall correctly.

We need to walk before we can run. What I will say is the headset has given me my greatest experience ever (Resident Evil Biohazard) gaming wise and bear in mind I am a lifelong gamer. Just wonderful.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Even now though, often people are sitting on their phone with the tv as background noise. The days of the family sitting around a tv is long dead.

I don't care what they use the TV for, so long as they have one.

And I know of families that still watch movies and TV shows together routinely; try to resist using that "it's dead" hyperbole.

Social media is huge when you are an adolescent; they have to keep apprised of every detail of that hormone fueled soap opera swirling around them. Their need for this constant contact will lessen as they mature and acquire more responsibilities.

They also love their video game consoles, which are connected to what? Why, that big TV in their home! Whether it's a movie, a show, or a game, people will always enjoy them on the biggest screen in the home, not the one in their hand.

I know this for a fact because I consulted my Magic 8 Ball.

[Show spoiler]