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

[Wendell R. Breland]

Gosh, did not realize you could buy an AVR with immersive audio for peanuts (here).

[avs commenter]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Look unless you have to play Dolby Atmos/DTS:X, older TrueHD and DTS HD MA AVRs are quite adequate and likely to better performing as long as they got a good room equalization. Even if you got a older Dolby Atmos AVR and it doesn't pass 4K with seeing onscreen volume that is nothing to cry about. A lot of AVR improvements are nothing special. IMAX Enhanced as a example LMAO.

If there is one thing that is true is most people that claim AVR's go obsolete quickly are not into audio at all. Audio needs to be paramount (amp performance, DSP Room processing), not the rest of the extra streaming features, or in display info. The same goes for trying to have a 13.1 AVR that can't drive all channels to rated spec.

I assume most people want something as uncomplicated and with as few remotes as possible, so something like 4K hdr pass through would be critical and not in older AVR

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by avs commenter

I assume most people want something as uncomplicated and with as few remotes as possible, so something like 4K hdr pass through would be critical and not in older AVR

Probably so, simple connectivity it just works.

I watched the AVR feature implementation progression BTW and its IMHO almost sloth like.

Atmos showed up in Denon products with the X4100W and the AVR-X5200W in Sept 2014.

Since then you had the ability to pass DV come standard with All AVR-Xx400H models, still a FW was needed to support HLG pass thru. Restrospectively they also made that work with the AVR-Xx200H models.

So yeah Atmos without 4K HDR passthrough for the first out AVR's.

Took another model revision to finally get the on screen menu to work with Dolby Vision.

Since then the Denon AVR's haven't had anything really important audio decoder wise, but seeing the signs of HDMI 2.1 support coming likely in later this years AVR's. If you paid for the x8500 they offer a hardware update to be able to do that this year I recall. Video processing they are behind, not like there is any thing beyond 4k upscaling yet.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Ender14

I second that. Last movie I saw in theaters before they closed and well worth the trip. Much better than the trailers would lead you to believe.

Keeping tabs on it for sure, thanks.

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

Here are 10 movies I recommend watching during this boring time for both streamers and physical media users alike.

https://www.wifihifi.ca/LatestNewsHe...Isolation.html

Bad Boys For Life? I haven’t seen it yet and have it in the rental queue. Is this a buy?

[cheez avenger]

I just spent $81 USD for the 4K Akira disc from Japan. This will be the most expensive disc that I have bought so far since going 4K. The next expensive one was The Elephant Man 4K set from the UK.




https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/pro...t_b_prod_image

[sapiendut]

Originally Posted by gotmule

Bad Boys For Life? I haven’t seen it yet and have it in the rental queue. Is this a buy?

I bought it. I like it a lot.

[spider-neil]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

I just spent $81 USD for the 4K Akira disc from Japan. This will be the most expensive disc that I have bought so far since going 4K. The next expensive one was The Elephant Man 4K set from the UK.




https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/pro...t_b_prod_image

My most expensive single physical purchase is Ralph Breaks the Internet 3D. Only available in Japan. £60.

My most expensive physical purchase full was the Infinity Saga which cost hundreds. No regrets despite all the movies being available on Disney Plus

[SCLee]

Made the leap to digital last night and bought far too many cheap bundles on Apple TV. After watching the video below I decided having all of these discs around is archaic. It's actually been proven that too much stuff can make you feel ill - anxiety wise.

I was watching Rocky last night in 4K HDR and it's easily the best the film has looked (I'm very familiar with that film), West Side Story is £4 on Apple TV and it looks amazing. So colourful. I'm sticking to buying at rental price and as long as I watch the film once - I'm happy, let's be honest films sit there either way - whether physical or digital. If you guys have a bigger TV / projector maybe you'll notice the difference but to me (on a 55 inch TV) there isn't any.

You can't complain at these prices for 4K films. 5 Bourne films (£20), 10 Harry Potter collection (£45), Godfather Trilogy (£10) and so on...

Apple TV 4K iTunes Movies (Dolby Vision HDR) vs 4K Blu-ray - YouTube

[SCLee]

By the way, I won't be buying ANYTHING that's on Disney+ as that's just madness. I have the Marvel stuff, Star Wars etc... on physical media and they're off on e-bay. Boy is that gonna be hassle, especially in this climate. I hope you are all well

[Steedeel]

Enjoy it while you can, Rocky will probably be back to HD next week.

Yeah, those of us with a projector are going to notice a huge difference A/V wise but if you are into trade offs I guess you can enjoy it?

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by avs commenter

AVR becomes outdated all the time which IMO is a big reason the majority of people don’t have or keep an up to date sound system

AVRs are slow to become outdated; if you knew much about them, you would realize this readily. People who do not own things always seem to know the most about them.

Denon's flagship AVR, the $4000 X8500H, has been on the market for at least two years with no successor announced. AVRs often skip years before any new models come out. Compare that with TVs which see new models pretty much every single year. Are you going to forego owning a new TV because of their constantly becoming outdated?

Even when new models do come out, the new features are often minor non-essential upgrades. My 14 year-old Denon AVR 4806 supports 7.1 channels and it still outperforms any soundbar or headphones that penny pinchers choose to embrace. Even when I replace it this year with an ATMOS capable receiver, it will become my office AVR as it is too damn good a unit to retire.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by avs commenter

I assume most people want something as uncomplicated and with as few remotes as possible, so something like 4K hdr pass through would be critical and not in older AVR

A single programmable universal remote can command an elaborate home theater; the "too many remotes" excuse is beyond lame.

AVRs have offered 4K HDR pass thru for several years now, but even with that ability many people prefer to connect their 4K disc player's video output directly to their display as it simplifies potential handshake issues. It is why dual HDMI outputs are standard features on most 4K disc players; the second HDMI output connects the audio to the AVR in this popular configuration.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by SCLee

Made the leap to digital last night and bought far too many cheap bundles on Apple TV. After watching the video below I decided having all of these discs around is archaic. It's actually been proven that too much stuff can make you feel ill - anxiety wise.

I was watching Rocky last night in 4K HDR and it's easily the best the film has looked (I'm very familiar with that film), West Side Story is £4 on Apple TV and it looks amazing. So colourful. I'm sticking to buying at rental price and as long as I watch the film once - I'm happy, let's be honest films sit there either way - whether physical or digital. If you guys have a bigger TV / projector maybe you'll notice the difference but to me (on a 55 inch TV) there isn't any.

You can't complain at these prices for 4K films. 5 Bourne films (£20), 10 Harry Potter collection (£45), Godfather Trilogy (£10) and so on...

[Show spoiler]Apple TV 4K iTunes Movies (Dolby Vision HDR) vs 4K Blu-ray - YouTube

I like Vincent, but this video of his gets quoted more often than the Bible.

I own what some might call "too much stuff" and having this much has never made me ill or anxious. Why would it? It is both insurable and replaceable. That's one of the beauties of physical media: I can always get another copy, even if it is OOP.

Time to trot out another anecdote and apply it universally to all of humanity! All but one of my peers, a decided minimalist, owns a whole lot of stuff. The only difference being what that stuff happens to be, but over a lifetime they have amassed large collections of a variety of things. Go to a few estate sales and you will marvel at just how much we accumulate over our lifetimes. Whether it is discs or something else, the odds are that you will wind up with a lot of things before you are .

You and forum member stonesfan seem to vacillate between discs and digital often. His latest worry is about shelf space and I guess you are now anxious about developing anxieties.

I will keep buying discs for all of the reasons that I often stated, but I emphasize that actual unalterable ownership of the content that I buy is a non-negotiable must. Plus, many of my discs include the digital code as a little bonus. If you plan your purchases wisely, you can often get both disc and digital for about the same price as digital alone. Regardless, I am willing to pay more for something that I really own over what amounts to a lease with digital's etch-a-sketch terms that guarantee absolutely nothing.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

I just spent $81 USD for the 4K Akira disc from Japan. This will be the most expensive disc that I have bought so far since going 4K. The next expensive one was The Elephant Man 4K set from the UK.

Originally Posted by spider-neil

My most expensive single physical purchase is Ralph Breaks the Internet 3D. Only available in Japan. £60.

My most expensive physical purchase full was the Infinity Saga which cost hundreds. No regrets despite all the movies being available on Disney Plus

You guys are spoiled; you don't know what expensive really is.

In the 1990's, Criterion CAV laserdiscs routinely cost $125 each and I bought these often. Adjust that 90's price for inflation and that is equivalent to paying $211.71 for a single movie today.

After paying that kind of money regularly for a single movie back then, no import or OOP prices today faze me in the slightest.

[Steedeel]

Been waiting over six weeks for a shipment from the US. It’s stuck in Miami distribution centre. USPS must really suck. Fed ex and Amazon are coping very well with the virus.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Been waiting over six weeks for a shipment from the US. It’s stuck in Miami distribution centre. USPS must really suck. Fed ex and Amazon are coping very well with the virus.

That sucks! Who did you order from? It might be time to request a replacement or that the order be cancelled and refunded.

When I order from Amazon.uk my orders normally take about 10 days. I haven't placed any such orders since the pandemic wrought havoc upon the world, though.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

That sucks! Who did you order from? It might be time to request a replacement or that the order be cancelled and refunded.

When I order from Amazon.uk my orders normally take about 10 days. I haven't placed any such orders since the pandemic wrought havoc upon the world, though.

Vinegar Syndrome. They are normally excellent but it’s out of their hands I guess. I understood there would be delays but six weeks!

[bhampton]

Hi,

I like to declutter. I love to simplify my life in ways that enhance it. I identify with a lot of minimalist type of thinking and habits.

Having a large collection of anything means anything from a complicated chaotic mess (have you ever stepped on a DVD?) to something well organized and cared for. Movies are the ONLY thing I collect (and a little high res audio) and the collection is perfectly organized.

My movies aren't making me sick.

-Brian

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Hi,

I like to declutter. I love to simplify my life in ways that enhance it. I identify with a lot of minimalist type of thinking and habits.

Having a large collection of anything means anything from a complicated chaotic mess (have you ever stepped on a DVD?) to something well organized and cared for. Movies are the ONLY thing I collect (and a little high res audio) and the collection is perfectly organized.

My movies aren't making me sick.

-Brian

Yes, people who believe that crap are probably injecting disinfectant to beat the Corona Virus.

I’m a neat freak and it is not difficult to arrange discs in a organised, neat way.