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

[NightMovie901]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

By that one would assume the best quality picture and sound is not high on your priority list. Welcome to the world of Walmart and MacDonald's.

I wouldn’t buy SD now and I wouldn’t buy HD if a 4K. I have a 4K TV but still chugging along fine with a several year old Onkyo 5.0 setup. (No Sub)

Unfortunately, it really isn’t our choice anymore. For example, if a studio doesn’t release a title in 4K then we don’t get 4K.

Sadly, things get commoditized. It doesn’t matter if I like it or not. Back in the day Yamaha made some of the best disc burners but rather than put out a cheap piece of commoditized crap to be able to compete they decided to save their name and leave the market.

[Steedeel]

When people don’t have answers, they ignore.

[NightMovie901]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Number 5. Apple haven’t changed the movie industry. Not at all. They are not even top digital retailers in the U.K.

Also, speak for yourself about the importance of movies. I consider film to be of the upmost importance. You sound like the type of guy who just jumps on the bandwagon. I dont see any real level of commitment from you to obtain high quality media.

Also, no offence but you sound out of touch. The masses have already moved on from Digital HD. Netflix, Hulu, Youtube and Amazon are top with Disney and Apple about to come out to play.

I’ll let you look at the Google results:

https://www.google.com/search?source....0.7RpsyoZqcG0

My apologies but I thought Apple’s impact on the movie industry was accepted fact.

What I posted was *my* opinion. Right or wrong. I’m pretty sure when I’m sucking my last breaths of air on this planet a movie will be the furthest thing from my mind. Again, just my opinion.

I think streaming is definitely going to see some changes going forward for sure but I think streaming also kind of makes the case for digital over physical.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by NightMovie901

My apologies but I thought Apple’s mpact on the movie industry was accepted fact.

What I posted was *my* opinion. Right or wrong. I’m pretty sure when I’m sucking my last breaths of air on this planet a movie will be the furthest thing from my mind. Again, just my opinion.

I think streaming is definitely going to see some changes going forward for sure but I think streaming also kind of makes the case for digital over physical.

I think you made some good points, and like I keep telling these guys it's all Digital now and the only difference is Bitrate. Make everything equal, and the Quality will follow. I think the direction we are going are Networks and Servers, and you can put these Servers anywhere to hold your Movie and Show Collection with all the Content in the World!

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Originally Posted by alchav21

I keep telling these guys it's all Digital now

And it's just as moronic of a statement now as it has been every previous time that you've posted it.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by NightMovie901

I’ll let you look at the Google results:

https://www.google.com/search?source....0.7RpsyoZqcG0

My apologies but I thought Apple’s impact on the movie industry was accepted fact.

What I posted was *my* opinion. Right or wrong. I’m pretty sure when I’m sucking my last breaths of air on this planet a movie will be the furthest thing from my mind. Again, just my opinion.

I think streaming is definitely going to see some changes going forward for sure but I think streaming also kind of makes the case for digital over physical.

You do realise this site is called Blu-ray.com right? Why sign up as a new member and jump straight in here?

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Amazon doesn't have anywhere to redeem codes.

I had searched but never found one, seems lame to be a MA member but no way to redeem MA codes. Another lame MA omission, no QR code for scanners. I know not all UV codes had a QR code but some did.

As for the Fire TV Ultra pendant, I guess it was not selling that well and the Fire Stick is still available with more options. I'm not big on Wireless, but for Mobile Devices it should be okay.

The Fire TV Ultra pendant had a much faster CPU than the sticks. Do you have anything wireless? As to the pendant, it could be wireless or wired with a optional adapter. Don’t care about the sticks so have not looked into them.

You also had a question on Sony Ultra, the store has closed down and I was checking my Apps on my Sony UHD TV and that App is not there.

Bruce seemed to think the Ultra would remain, the statement I read said the store and everything related to the store would be removed and that would include Ultra.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by alchav21

I keep telling these guys it's all Digital now

People are at you, again! Binary audio and video has been around for decades.

D-1 or 4:2:2 Component Digital is a SMPTE digital recording video standard, introduced in 1986 through efforts by SMPTE engineering committees. It started as a Sony and Bosch - BTS product and was the first major professional digital video format. SMPTE standardized the format within ITU-R 601 (orig. CCIR-601), also known as Rec. 601, which was derived from SMPTE 125M and EBU 3246-E standards.

Streaming (binary) video started in the early 1990's. By the late 90's all the PBS programs were stored on servers and looked similar to this:

[Show spoiler]

[avs commenter]

Redeeming an MA code is about the easiest thing to do in the world

[Forestt]

Originally Posted by avs commenter

Redeeming an MA code is about the easiest thing to do in the world

Tell me how? I can't even subscribe. Because I'm not from the US.

Is this discussion only US centered? It really looks like some of you don't have a clue about the availability of digital movies in Europe and that it is by no way a good alternative if you only look at availability. And if it IS available then it is quite expensive and often buying or importing blu rays is cheaper.

Streamingservices like Netflix are limited and also offer way and way less content than what is offered in US (or UK). Amazon Prime doesn't even bother to subtitle most of its content! Yes, not everyone outside the US can understand English perfectly.

And there is a reason why we can't subscribe to US streaming services (without VPN) or buy digital movies elsewhere.. It can be distribution hell sometimes since some distributors only get the rights for a select few countries. Especially often the case for niche and arthouse titles and older titles.

Digital first have to take a lot more steps before it can be a serious (worldwide) alternative.

[NightMovie901]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

You do realise this site is called Blu-ray.com right? Why sign up as a new member and jump straight in here?

I came here for the iTunes deals & price tracker. I thought I would check out the forums and ran across this thread about physical vs digital and found it interesting.

Funny thing is I’ve been one of the most pro-physical anti-digital copy people you will meet ... until recently. It really started with thinking about clutter in general and then thinking more generally about how the market drives the tech regardless of my opinions or desires.

In any event, didn’t mean to offend. I can leave if I’m not welcome here. This isn’t personal to me (zillion miles from it) so I understand it. That is the way I am about cruises.

[avs commenter]

Redeeming an MA code is about the easiest thing to do in the USA

[NightMovie901]

Originally Posted by alchav21

I think you made some good points, and like I keep telling these guys it's all Digital now and the only difference is Bitrate. Make everything equal, and the Quality will follow. I think the direction we are going are Networks and Servers, and you can put these Servers anywhere to hold your Movie and Show Collection with all the Content in the World!

Bandwidth is definitely a huge factor. The fatter the pipe coming into your house the more that is possible. Imagine when 10 Gig fiber comes to your door !!!

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Forestt

Tell me how? I can't even subscribe. Because I'm not from the US.

Typical US arrogance and I doubt that poster knows what the QR codes are and has never used one. If they had they would not make such a lame statement.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by NightMovie901

I came here for the iTunes deals & price tracker. I thought I would check out the forums and ran across this thread about physical vs digital and found it interesting.

Funny thing is I’ve been one of the most pro-physical anti-digital copy people you will meet ... until recently. It really started with thinking about clutter in general and then thinking more generally about how the market drives the tech regardless of my opinions or desires.

In any event, didn’t mean to offend. I can leave if I’m not welcome here. This isn’t personal to me (zillion miles from it) so I understand it. That is the way I am about cruises.

You have to stay pro disc imo. If everyone had your attitude, their wouldn’t be luxury cars, top restaurants, etc.. The more people quit disc, the less chance we have of dedicated labels releasing rare stuff, desirable titles, cult titles etc..
That would be one of the biggest shames. I’m sorry, but I’m not buying that you are this great, passionate film fan. True film lovers don’t just abandon their passion.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by NightMovie901

Bandwidth is definitely a huge factor. The fatter the pipe coming into your house the more that is possible. Imagine when 10 Gig fiber comes to your door !!!

You may want to see the results here before making such statements. Considering what a small % has a 1 Gig fiber why think about a 10 Gig fiber?

Now for some real world data click here. That's right, for January the leader was 4.46 Mbps or about the same as a audio track on a Blu-ray disc.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Forestt

Tell me how? I can't even subscribe. Because I'm not from the US.

Is this discussion only US centered? It really looks like some of you don't have a clue about the availability of digital movies in Europe and that it is by no way a good alternative if you only look at availability. And if it IS available then it is quite expensive and often buying or importing blu rays is cheaper.

Streamingservices like Netflix are limited and also offer way and way less content than what is offered in US (or UK). Amazon Prime doesn't even bother to subtitle most of its content! Yes, not everyone outside the US can understand English perfectly.

And there is a reason why we can't subscribe to US streaming services (without VPN) or buy digital movies elsewhere.. It can be distribution hell sometimes since some distributors only get the rights for a select few countries. Especially often the case for niche and arthouse titles and older titles.

Digital first have to take a lot more steps before it can be a serious (worldwide) alternative.

Movies Anywhere is exclusive to USA. In the U.K., we don’t have a digital locker. The only storefront we have (Flixster) doesn’t allow playback of digital copies on a tv. They are basically the old fashioned digital codes we used to get with Blu-ray before Ultravile showed up. However, things are far worse than before because at least you could redeem in ITunes before.

If (a big if) Disc dies, honestly the best option in the U.K. is Netflix, Amazon, Sky Store/Now TV and broadcast. It’s not worth collecting digital films because we don’t have the safety net. We could end up with 400-500 films backed up in Flixster and no way to play them on a tv. What a bizarre scenario and it would be a huge kick in the bollocks going from 4K Blu-ray to having to watch copies on s phone. I would rather not bother. I would stick with cable/Netflix and call it a day. Not even worth having a HT at that point.

So to clarify, we have

ITunes
Sky Store
Amazon
Now TV
Sony PlayStation Store
Google Play
Youtube Movies
Rakuten Store
Microsoft movie store
Virgin movie store

Now, these are all decent options BUT none link to a digital locker. So, you have to pick your favourite and hope it sticks around. If all these services die, you wouldn’t have a collection in the future.

So, in s world without disc, it’s take your pick and hope for the best.

[mrveggieman]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Movies Anywhere is exclusive to USA. In the U.K., we don’t have a digital locker. The only storefront we have (Flixster) doesn’t allow playback of digital copies on a tv. They are basically the old fashioned digital codes we used to get with Blu-ray before Ultravile showed up. However, things are far worse than before because at least you could redeem in ITunes before.

If (a big if) Disc dies, honestly the best option in the U.K. is Netflix, Amazon, Sky Store/Now TV and broadcast. It’s not worth collecting digital films because we don’t have the safety net. We could end up with 400-500 films backed up in Flixster and no way to play them on a tv. What a bizarre scenario and it would be a huge kick in the bollocks going from 4K Blu-ray to having to watch copies on s phone. I would rather not bother. I would stick with cable/Netflix and call it a day. Not even worth having a HT at that point.

So to clarify, we have

ITunes
Sky Store
Amazon
Now TV
Sony PlayStation Store
Google Play
Youtube Movies
Rakuten Store
Microsoft movie store
Virgin movie store

Now, these are all decent options BUT none link to a digital locker. So, you have to pick your favourite and hope it sticks around. If all these services die, you wouldn’t have a collection in the future.

So, in s world without disc, it’s take your pick and hope for the best.

I have been a cord cutter for several years but on the cool I would go back to cable before I would go all digital and give up my DVD collection.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by mrveggieman

I have been a cord cutter for several years but on the cool I would go back to cable before I would go all digital and give up my DVD collection.

I just wouldn’t see the value of collecting digital. I have zero interest in watching films on the go and I’m not lazy enough to worry about getting off my arse to pop a disc in.

[cpr3584]

Originally Posted by NightMovie901

I came here for the iTunes deals & price tracker. I thought I would check out the forums and ran across this thread about physical vs digital and found it interesting.

Funny thing is I’ve been one of the most pro-physical anti-digital copy people you will meet ... until recently. It really started with thinking about clutter in general and then thinking more generally about how the market drives the tech regardless of my opinions or desires.

In any event, didn’t mean to offend. I can leave if I’m not welcome here. This isn’t personal to me (zillion miles from it) so I understand it. That is the way I am about cruises.

A few years ago I had the same outlook as you. Digital can be very appealing at first. I sold nearly all of my blu rays and started a digital library. I soon found that quality wasnt even close to blu ray, sorting titles in a digital locker is a huge pain, buffering issues (even at full connection the movie always starts in SD for a few seconds) and the main fact that you do not even own the movie. Maybe you do not value film like most of us on this thread. But if you want the best quality and want your movies forever you should listen to what these guys are telling you.