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

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

I never implied it was you that I was talking about. I was making general remarks.

And the way you're ranting off now, I think I may be a tad older than you, so I'd scale back your comments on my maturity level.

As far as being afraid of what others think, again in context, you're way off, but that's ok. I'm not going to burst a vessel if you can't understand what I am saying.

You know what you said. Go back and read your post.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Which is why the world will shift to short form content. Also the reason why microentertainment will get bigger and bigger. The writing is on the wall and I insist attention spans are getting shorter.

Instead of repeatedly insisting that attention spans are getting shorter mightn't it make more sense to document that claim? Maybe post a link to a research study or scholarly paper or something along those lines?

Originally Posted by Steedeel

30 minute drama shows will become hugely popular over the next couple of years and from there, stage 1 of the Steedeel prediction will kick in. 20 minutes, 15 minutes do you see?

Thirty minute dramas are nothing new. From Dragnet, Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock to Enlightened, Girls and Nurse Jackie there have always been thirty minute dramas.

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Can we replace “good enough” with “have to do for now”? That is the way I have thought about physical things. I repaired then worked in color television production for 16 years before I could afford to purchase my first new 27" console color TV with a remote control. I never thought my monochrome or small, used color TV’s were “good enough”.

Whether it was computers or home entertainment gear I definitely remember scraping by with the best I could cobble together at the time but even though those days are behind me I still 'settle' for 'good enough'.

I can't point to any of my gear and say it's the absolute best in its class or that I would keep everything exactly the same were I to win the Powerball someday. But it's more than good enough.

The differences between mid level gear and top of the line can be pretty small these days and prices are crazy. Look at the TVs available in the $1-$2k range.

There's a lot of cool stuff between 'best of the best' and 'just scrapping by' these days.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Here is your digital future. I predict this cheaper option will be smartphone only.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/12/...stings-markets

It starts. This option will be rolled out internationally shorter after imo.

Didn't we already do this one a few weeks ago?

[avs commenter]

please change thread title to 'Steedeel get's owned repeatedly'

[Vilya]

Steed's a good egg; just a little hard boiled is all.

I have been trying to correct a one letter typo in one of my earlier posts, but this website won't let me. I click on save and the same typo reappears. I am in some kind of blu-ray.com Groundhog Day cycle.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Vilya

There remains a market for expensive 4K disc players; it never "collapsed." Oppo did not vacate due to a lack of one. It may have become a bit crowded, though. Cambridge, Panasonic, and soon Pioneer are all offering high-end players that cost as much or more than the Oppo 203 did.

The Sony UBP-X1000ES has a MSRP of $700, authorized outlets sell it for $500. Has most of the features of the UDP-203 except DV. It does have the major streaming apps.

This report here shows a continuing rise in Blu-ray player sales.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by avs commenter

please change thread title to 'Steedeel get's owned repeatedly'

If none of my predictions come true I will be the first to admit that. Let’s see what happens. Long time posters will know what I mean.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by octagon

Instead of repeatedly insisting that attention spans are getting shorter mightn't it make more sense to document that claim? Maybe post a link to a research study or scholarly paper or something along those lines?



Thirty minute dramas are nothing new. From Dragnet, Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock to Enlightened, Girls and Nurse Jackie there have always been thirty minute dramas.



Whether it was computers or home entertainment gear I definitely remember scraping by with the best I could cobble together at the time but even though those days are behind me I still 'settle' for 'good enough'.

I can't point to any of my gear and say it's the absolute best in its class or that I would keep everything exactly the same were I to win the Powerball someday. But it's more than good enough.

The differences between mid level gear and top of the line can be pretty small these days and prices are crazy. Look at the TVs available in the $1-$2k range.

There's a lot of cool stuff between 'best of the best' and 'just scrapping by' these days.



Didn't we already do this one a few weeks ago?

Lest we forget Octagon, lest we forget.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by octagon

I can't point to any of my gear and say it's the absolute best in its class or that I would keep everything exactly the same were I to win the Powerball someday. But it's more than good enough.

The differences between mid level gear and top of the line can be pretty small these days and prices are crazy. Look at the TVs available in the $1-$2k range.

There's a lot of cool stuff between 'best of the best' and 'just scrapping by' these days.

I am well aware that my view on home entertainment is different than most. After all, I am a retired professional A/V person that was used to very expensive equipment. Example, my avatar, that is a $300,000 (1994 dollars) Harrison audio desk in the background. For me, good enough is when I know its the best it can be. Its nothing more than view points by different people.

You ought to see the looks on folks face when they ask the price of my remote control and I tell them $750.00 MSRP. Ever heard the saying, you want to play you got to pay?

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

The Sony UBP-X1000ES has a MSRP of $700, authorized outlets sell it for $500. Has most of the features of the UDP-203 except DV. It does have the major streaming apps.

This report here shows a continuing rise in Blu-ray player sales.

The Oppo 203 supports SACD and DVD Audio, or some such, and I believe that might be another area that sets it apart from its peers. It plays some kind of audio formats that many players no longer support if I recall accurately.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Lest we forget Octagon, lest we forget.

God forbid I let the fact that Netflix might be cutting prices in India slip my mind again.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by octagon

God forbid I let the fact that Netflix might be cutting prices in India slip my mind again.

You know what I mean.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Vilya

The Oppo 203 supports SACD and DVD Audio, or some such, and I believe that might be another area that sets it apart from its peers.

The X800 and X1000 do that as well with multi channel. My 203 is used for disc play, the 800 and 1000 is used for streaming. The exception is DV disc, I very much dislike that DV disc lock out all video controls on the 203. The Sony's are not DV players and use HDR10 which looks better on my projector.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

For me, good enough is when I know its the best it can be.

Heh, well in that case I think I speak for a lot of people when I say the answer to your original question (Can we replace “good enough” with “have to do for now”?) is a resounding no

Originally Posted by Steedeel

You know what I mean.

I honestly don't. Which is unusual, actually. You're a lot of things but indirect or cryptic are not usually among them.

[Steedeel]

I was referring to the SD and mobile only inevitability of the subscription services. Of course it’s meant to make it cheaper for poorer countries but many millions in any country love cheap and nasty.

[Steedeel]

Another aspect of a digital only landscape is the potential to lose all our cult labels. There are some wonderful labels putting out cult, never before seen or obscure titles and I fear they will go up in smoke with digital. I think digital will indeed be more mainstream and that is the worst case scenario for collectors.

Thankfully, I think the format will be short lived though. I see huge similarities between it and ITunes MP3. Subscription dominates the music landscape and I see the exact same thing happening here. Digital HD will just sit there collecting (digital) dust.

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Another aspect of a digital only landscape is the potential to lose all our cult labels. There are some wonderful labels putting out cult, never before seen or obscure titles and I fear they will go up in smoke with digital. I think digital will indeed be more mainstream and that is the worst case scenario for collectors.

Thankfully, I think the format will be short lived though. I see huge similarities between it and ITunes MP3. Subscription dominates the music landscape and I see the exact same thing happening here. Digital HD will just sit there collecting (digital) dust.

Those cult labels need to adapt or die. It's business and they need to team up or pair up with someone that will get their content into the digital landscape if they want to continue to stay viable beyond a niche market of collectors. Arrow Video is doing good in that regard, with them having a digital presence on iTunes and Amazon UK PRIME. Shout Factory on the other hand, I hear is increasing their premiums on titles. Good luck with that.

[avs commenter]

I would think digital is a great way for these small labels to grow their audience. Not a lot of shelf space for that type of stuff at stores.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by avs commenter

I would think digital is a great way for these small labels to grow their audience. Not a lot of shelf space for that type of stuff at stores.

Who cares about stores? The real collecting is done online. Cult films, foreign imports, obscure titles, boutique labels are vital to the industry. I’m not sure they have a part to play in this ugly Digital HD landscape. I stick with my original phrase from years back, serious collecting ends with disc.

The simple fact is Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray is the best way to experience film at home. That’s true now and it will be true in 15 years. The digital industry is trying to shave bitrates off not increase them. Sad sad times if disc ever dies.

[avs commenter]

"in January before going directly to Netflix. Blair had tried to get financing for the seriocomic thriller for about a year, but was unable to coax famous-enough actors to satisfy studios and investors. When he made the deal with Netflix, he said, the company supported his choice of Melanie Lynskey and Elijah Wood for the lead roles, and completely left him alone while filming.

“Yeah, it would be rad to get your movie into theaters, but either the movie happens or it doesn’t happen,” Blair said philosophically. “And, if it does happen, not only does it happen, it gets to happen with this huge amount of creative control with the actors you want, and they totally stay out of your hair."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifes...&noredirect=on

[avs commenter]

Do you care about collecting discs or the art of film? Because digital streaming has been very good for many indie film makers.