Hard decision, but going all digital.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Night*Wolf

I went all digital about 5 years ago and never looked back, can watch my content on all of my devices, free 4K upgrades, all stored on the cloud which makes it safer than my physical copy being damaged/lost/stolen. Physical sales haven’t been doing well for several years now, most people are shifting to digital & streaming. You still get people who want physical but all depends on what you want. I will say that some people on this site have a very old man “get off my lawn” approach when it comes to digital, don’t pay them any mind.

As for buying digital vs. streaming...I knew when Netflix came out that everyone else would jump on board and there would eventually be dozens of networks offering subscriptions. I just left cable and didn’t want to get into another monthly bill, also I don’t like shelling out money for content I don’t watch, and I cant afford subscriptions to 5 different services for the content I want so I ended up buying all of my content through itunes. Anything I want I just buy when its a good price. No subscriptions/advertisements, etc. You can price track it and pick it up when its on sale.

People switching to digital just shows how easily human beings are exploited by marketing. We now have a format that looks like it won’t last. Digital sales are only up by single digits which is very unhealthy at this early stage. So, people have abandoned the best quality you can get, to invest in a clearly inferior format. For what? The ability to watch Avengers on a 4 inch screen? Ummmmmm, great! ::

We also have a situation where control is about to be handed to the studios, so don’t be surprised to see films you own, censored and cut.

It is my opinion, that people who have switched to digital, are not true film fans.

I can’t say I’m sorry that Digital HD growth seems to be grinding to a halt.

[Night*Wolf]

Originally Posted by steedeel

people switching to digital just shows how easily human beings are exploited by marketing. not exploitation, stop over exaggerating. There are pros and cons for both, you pick and choose what meets your requirements. we now have a format that looks like it won’t last. format is lasting pretty good, your still reaching digital sales are only up by single digits which is very unhealthy at this early stage. its clear moving forward that streaming and buying digital content is the direction most if not all companies are focusing on but have not caught up to tech which is always upgrading, its slow because of the studios not the tech so, people have abandoned the best quality you can get, to invest in a clearly inferior format. For what? The ability to watch avengers on a 4 inch screen? Ummmmmm, great! :: clearly the best quality, yes...by a small margin, less than 10%. And your shot at watching content on different devices was weak, no one has 4inch phones anymore anyways

we also have a situation where control is about to be handed to the studios, so don’t be surprised to see films you own, censored and cut. Its happened to very few and the benefits have more than out weighed the studios mishaps

It is my opinion, that people who have switched to digital, are not true film fans.
you having an opinion is ok, but everyone knows...true films fans will definitely not be decided by you...or me. So lets not go there

i can’t say i’m sorry that digital hd growth seems to be grinding to a halt. well I’m sure you perceive your self to be much more than a “true” film fan so sorry your perception that digital is going bad is satisfying, im sure thats good for someone like you

You should be happy someone is watching the movie and enjoying their experience, doesn't matter the format or screen, its about being happy watching the movie with the people you love, Mr. True Film Fan

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Night*Wolf

You should be happy someone is watching the movie and enjoying their experience, doesn't matter the format or screen, its about being happy watching the movie with the people you love, Mr. True Film Fan

I never argued that subscription streaming has a big future. The problem with that is you will need several subscriptions to have the same access that disc lovers enjoy at the moment. That’s a fact.

Digital HD is dead in the water. Look at all the devices you can watch it on, yet single digit sales. There is a very good reason the industry isn’t raving about Digital HD. Surely you have noticed the lack of enthusiasm? Ownership is dying and it has become more vital than ever to own all your beloved films on disc. In the near future, you will learn why.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I never argued that subscription streaming has a big future. The problem with that is you will need several subscriptions to have the same access that disc lovers enjoy at the moment. That’s a fact.

Digital HD is dead in the water. Look at all the devices you can watch it on, yet single digit sales. There is a very good reason the industry isn’t raving about Digital HD. Surely you have noticed the lack of enthusiasm? Ownership is dying and it has become more vital than ever to own all your beloved films on disc. In the near future, you will learn why.

Ownership is not dying; it is just declining and thankfully that is all that is happening as your very longevity is dependent upon it.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Ownership is not dying; it is just declining and thankfully that is all that is happening as your very longevity is dependent upon it.

It actually is. Well, my ability to enjoy films.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

It actually is. Well, my ability to enjoy films.

There. There. Everything's going to be alright; you'll see.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

There. There. Everything's going to be alright; you'll see.

I’m deadly serious.

[The_Donster]

If everyone wants to talk about the pros and cons of both formats, might I suggest this thread?

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

People switching to digital just shows how easily human beings are exploited by marketing. We now have a format that looks like it won’t last. Digital sales are only up by single digits which is very unhealthy at this early stage. So, people have abandoned the best quality you can get, to invest in a clearly inferior format. For what? The ability to watch Avengers on a 4 inch screen? Ummmmmm, great! ::

We also have a situation where control is about to be handed to the studios, so don’t be surprised to see films you own, censored and cut.

It is my opinion, that people who have switched to digital, are not true film fans.

I can’t say I’m sorry that Digital HD growth seems to be grinding to a halt.

I only take exception to the part that I underlined. I can in no way pretend that I know how much of a film fan that someone else is, yet alone whether or not they are "true" film fans, whatever that even means.

I am inclined to believe that anyone who purchases movies is a significant fan of them. Digital customers likely buy their movies with the same enthusiasm and confidence that I do with my disc purchases.

I think their confidence in digital is misplaced, but I can not question their motivation and their love of film just because they choose a different format. They are doing what they feel is best for them, as am I, and our mutual love of movies is the one great thing that we all have in common despite all of the other differences and nuances that we debate here on these forums.

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I think their confidence in digital is misplaced, but I can not question their motivation and their love of film just because they choose a different format.

People who are buying digital fall into two categories:

A) People who trust that the studios and digital providers will always provide access to the movies they've bought.
B) People who don't care if some of their movies eventually disappear.

Type A may be just as passionate of film fans as people who are buying physical media, they're just gullible and overly trusting of giant corporations. No company has ever continued to support and spend money on products that haven't made a profit in years and they aren't going to start doing that now with streaming.

Type B clearly aren't as passionate about film. Anyone who doesn't mind if some of their favorite films disappear obviously doesn't care that much about them in the first place.

The vast majority of customers likely fall into category B. But most people posting on forums like this likely fall into category A.

[Night*Wolf]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

People who are buying digital fall into two categories:

A) People who trust that the studios and digital providers will always provide access to the movies they've bought.
B) People who don't care if some of their movies eventually disappear.

Type A may be just as passionate of film fans as people who are buying physical media, they're just gullible and overly trusting of giant corporations. No company has ever continued to support and spend money on products that haven't made a profit in years and they aren't going to start doing that now with streaming.

Type B clearly aren't as passionate about film. Anyone who doesn't mind if some of their favorite films disappear obviously doesn't care that much about them in the first place.

The vast majority of customers likely fall into category B. But most people posting on forums like this likely fall into category A.

Yea I need more meat on that bone to buy it, most people don’t trust big companies regardless of the service/product that is provided, capitalism has 1 priority and its not to make its customers/consumers satisfied but to profit from them. That being said don't confuse someone being gullible for someone having confidence in a company to provide them with a service /product that will suit their needs.

Your type A/B is wrong, there is no “one size fits all” label that you can use against someone. There are multiple factors for someone feeling/doing something that caters to them. None of my movies have ever been lost or had any issues. I even own movies that are not available in the US store anymore any they are fine. I have only heard of movies going missing from an account for region issues where you would need to use a different account to access it. In that rare event itunes will work something out with you. Can it happen, I’m sure it can, just like someone loosing or damaging a disc. There are a lot of what if’s, I just care that people are watching movies digitally/physically and we as consumers work together to continue building this community so all sided can benefit. Even though I have gone all digital, I will always support our brothers/sisters who are/go physical because I would want there support in return.

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Night*Wolf

None of my movies have ever been lost or had any issues. I even own movies that are not available in the US store anymore any they are fine. I have only heard of movies going missing from an account for region issues where you would need to use a different account to access it. In that rare event itunes will work something out with you. Can it happen, I’m sure it can, just like someone loosing or damaging a disc.

If one of my discs gets lost or damaged I can always buy a replacement. Long after a title goes out of print there will still be thousands of used copies in circulation. I can still easily replace a lost or damaged VHS tape, Laserdisc, or HD DVD even though those formats were all discontinued years ago. Every single person who owns a copy has the ability to redistribute that copy to anyone else.

But if a title gets removed from a digital provider and is no longer available then no one can possibly replace their lost copy and no new customers can buy a copy either. The studios and digital providers have absolute control over all distribution, there is no secondary market.

[-Gonzo-]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

But if a title gets removed from a digital provider and is no longer available then no one can possibly replace their lost copy and no new customers can buy a copy either. The studios and digital providers have absolute control over all distribution, there is no secondary market.

It’s a good job Apple allows you to download and store your movies to a storage device, but then so far I’ve still got access to any movies that are no longer available to buy via iTunes.
Hopefully one day the studios will see sense and allow 4K movies to be downloaded for storage too.

[rui no onna]

Originally Posted by -Gonzo-

It’s a good job Apple allows you to download and store your movies to a storage device, but then so far I’ve still got access to any movies that are no longer available to buy via iTunes.
Hopefully one day the studios will see sense and allow 4K movies to be downloaded for storage too.

DRM means those downloaded movies are only playable on the device it was downloaded to. If that device ever breaks, then whatever "OOP" titles you have downloaded on your old device is gone right along with it.

Mind, both Vudu and Amazon allow downloads as well.

There are movies where I don't care if that happens and I consider the risk low enough and the price cheap enough (when they're on sale at rental prices) that I'm willing to go digital-only. Movies Anywhere also partially mitigates the risk of complete loss (e.g. one distributor might lose a certain movie but it could still be available on other platforms).

For movies I don't want to lose, I buy on optical media (with digital copy).

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Night*Wolf

Yea I need more meat on that bone to buy it, most people don’t trust big companies regardless of the service/product that is provided, capitalism has 1 priority and its not to make its customers/consumers satisfied but to profit from them. That being said don't confuse someone being gullible for someone having confidence in a company to provide them with a service /product that will suit their needs.

Your type A/B is wrong, there is no “one size fits all” label that you can use against someone. There are multiple factors for someone feeling/doing something that caters to them. None of my movies have ever been lost or had any issues. I even own movies that are not available in the US store anymore any they are fine. I have only heard of movies going missing from an account for region issues where you would need to use a different account to access it. In that rare event itunes will work something out with you. Can it happen, I’m sure it can, just like someone loosing or damaging a disc. There are a lot of what if’s, I just care that people are watching movies digitally/physically and we as consumers work together to continue building this community so all sided can benefit. Even though I have gone all digital, I will always support our brothers/sisters who are/go physical because I would want there support in return.

By switching to digital, you are damaging the HT market. You guys will see this in time.

[rui no onna]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

By switching to digital, you are damaging the HT market. You guys will see this in time.

It's really Netflix and streaming that's doing that, not digital purchases.

[Night*Wolf]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I only take exception to the part that I underlined. I can in no way pretend that I know how much of a film fan that someone else is, yet alone whether or not they are "true" film fans, whatever that even means.

I am inclined to believe that anyone who purchases movies is a significant fan of them. Digital customers likely buy their movies with the same enthusiasm and confidence that I do with my disc purchases.

I think their confidence in digital is misplaced, but I can not question their motivation and their love of film just because they choose a different format. They are doing what they feel is best for them, as am I, and our mutual love of movies is the one great thing that we all have in common despite all of the other differences and nuances that we debate here on these forums.

Well said Sir, I truly love movies, I do admit the physical copies at this point will still give you the best picture, but with my apple tv 4k I’m pretty happy and I’m sure eventually it will get better. Honestly every time I see a physical collection I am in aww, truly appreciate the time/effort/dedication/attention to detail thats involved. I just chose to go digital for my needs/requirements.

I’m actually going to go out and buy the 1992 Aladdin and 1994 Lion King physical copy steelbook 4k, I still have the VHS versions and I want to play them side by side to see the difference. I know it will be ages better but they were my favorite movies as a child and to see it remastered will be incredible.

Apologies if some comments were offensive, no hard feelings

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Night*Wolf

Well said Sir, I truly love movies, I do admit the physical copies at this point will still give you the best picture, but with my apple tv 4k I’m pretty happy and I’m sure eventually it will get better. Honestly every time I see a physical collection I am in aww, truly appreciate the time/effort/dedication/attention to detail thats involved. I just chose to go digital for my needs/requirements.

I’m actually going to go out and buy the 1992 Aladdin and 1994 Lion King physical copy steelbook 4k, I still have the VHS versions and I want to play them side by side to see the difference. I know it will be ages better but they were my favorite movies as a child and to see it remastered will be incredible.

Apologies if some comments were offensive, no hard feelings

We are passionate about our movie hobby and passions sometimes overheat; no need to apologize, but a nice gesture all the same.

Both are great movies and contrasting the VHS releases with the 4K discs should be a revelation like going from blindness to sightedness.