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

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by kfbkfb

all I have now is a Pioneer PR-8210 [w/gas laser] and analog audio).

Does that model have CX noise reduction built-in or did it require the outboard box?

In the 70's I was treated to a Pioneer demo of a new fangled Discovision/LaserDics player that used a helium/neon laser. It was a rather large box. Only took a few minutes viewing before I said to myself, “got to get one of these.” It was a few more years before I could purchase the Pioneer CLD-900 for $1,100 ($2,755, in 2020 dollars).

[bhampton]

I found movies I never heard of at the dollar store.

[unberechenbar]

I bought these this week:


I watched Dune on disc a couple days ago and it gave me chills. I had already seen it in IMAX but I was able to notice a lot of things I didn't notice the first time. The audio was intense and it looked gorgeous.

[kfbkfb]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Does that model have CX noise reduction built-in or did it require the outboard box?

The PR-8210 has a built in CX decoder.

My CLD-900 has a lot of crosstalk if the LD is >55 minutes/side (Pioneer replaced the optical system under warranty, no improvement).

The first LD I bought was Flash Gordon (1981-03), mail ordered from MCA DiscoVision.


Kirk Bayne

[bhampton]

I love my Blu Ray Player the Panasonic UB9000.

[Show spoiler]

There was really nothing wrong with the Panasonic UB420 that I had until it had beer spilled on it and it still works pretty well taking that into account.

I feel like I'm wasting some potential of the UB9000 by using it's HDMI output and therefore bypassing all the nice Audio functionality but the main thing is it's well built and works great and between it and my new projector I feel like I'm just getting started in this hobby. Most things I watch seem like I'm seeing for the first time and it's so easy to put aside other thoughts and be immersed in the stories.

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I love my Blu Ray Player the Panasonic UB9000.

[Show spoiler]

There was really nothing wrong with the Panasonic UB420 that I had until it had beer spilled on it and it still works pretty well taking that into account.

I feel like I'm wasting some potential of the UB9000 by using it's HDMI output and therefore bypassing all the nice Audio functionality but the main thing is it's well built and works great and between it and my new projector I feel like I'm just getting started in this hobby. Most things I watch seem like I'm seeing for the first time and it's so easy to put aside other thoughts and be immersed in the stories.

I have been impressed with mine as well. I appreciated some of the granular setup options to really tweak it, especially tone mapping. You can still tweak the audio a bit and only route audio out of its HDMI instead of sending it out every output.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by gotmule

Apparently after 5 months waiting, my new projector finally shipped and I should have it this week. Now I need a week off to start working through the 42 movies I have been holding off on.

Freaking WOW !

I had to wait quite a while for mine but thankfully it arrived eventually.

These PJs really are great. I keep a little day planner ($3 at TJMax) to jot down what I watch this year and I'm watching quite a lot. I've never been happier with my home theater.

I wish it was here when over the holidays when my kids and step dad were visiting. I've told them that anything they have watched here they need to see it again.

[Wendell R. Breland]

One of the few times that I agreed with the Oscars:

The night’s big winner was Dune, which was intended for theaters but due to the pandemic wound up premiering on both the big screen and HBO Max in October 2021. The Frank Herbert-helmed sci-fi remake won six Oscars, more than any other film, for Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects. A sequel is already in the works, tentatively slated for release in October 2023.

[Ender14]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

One of the few times that I agreed with the Oscars:

Yes, I was pleasantly surprised Dune racked up so many. I was rooting for West Side Story to take the top prize, but CODA is worthy. Belfast would have been a good choice as well. The only best picture nominees I missed were Drive My Car, King Richard and Power of the Dog.

[Steedeel]

Got to sample some streaming via cousins Chromebook at the weekend. While I knew it was a poor substitute for a good OLED and/or projector, I wasn’t aware of just how dismal it was. Sampling Netflix, it was stuck on 720p at LESS than 1mbps! That’s not an average, it’s the max it hits due to a restriction with the Chrome browser. Apparently, the Chrome Browser can’t do full HD with a bit rate over 1mbps. Microsoft Edge and Safari are the only browsers that can handle 1080p and 4K.

That’s grim.

[bhampton]

Yeah,

My neighbor wanted to watch Scream at my place using her Paramount+ account.
But she kept getting the password wrong so I did a free trial.

And, the quality is just too sad. Streaming is awful at least at my place. If I ever have a better internet service maybe I'll see if that helps.

I have taken to using my TV for streaming and keeping the theater for discs.

One of my blind buys yesterday from Big Lots for $3, ... I loved it.





=Brian

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I feel like I'm wasting some potential of the UB9000 by using it's HDMI output and therefore bypassing all the nice Audio functionality

Depending on your AVR or AVP you may not be missing anything. In many cases it may be better using HDMI and letting your AVR or AVP do the decoding. No need for an extra A/D and D/A.

[bhampton]

Cool,

I think even using just the HDMI out it's a fantastic player. I am sure the 820 is also.
I think I found the settings gotmule mentioned for audio steering.

-Brian

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Got to sample some streaming via cousins Chromebook at the weekend. While I knew it was a poor substitute for a good OLED and/or projector, I wasn’t aware of just how dismal it was. Sampling Netflix, it was stuck on 720p at LESS than 1mbps! That’s not an average, it’s the max it hits due to a restriction with the Chrome browser. Apparently, the Chrome Browser can’t do full HD with a bit rate over 1mbps. Microsoft Edge and Safari are the only browsers that can handle 1080p and 4K.

That’s grim.

You can stream any level of resolution in a Chrome browser; I routinely stream at 1440p on my computer at youtube and other websites using Chrome (I don't own 4K computer monitors). The limitation that you experienced is due to Chrome, studios, and streaming providers not being able to reach some kind of agreement over anti-piracy measures or some other legalese crap. It is not a technical limitation of the Chrome browser.

Every time that I buy a movie at Vudu via my computer I get a warning from Vudu that only Edge and Safari browsers support video playback in HD or better. Thankfully, I do not stream movies with my computer, so it is not an issue for me. This Chrome restriction in no way affects streaming with the apps on a Google/Android smart TV.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I love my Blu Ray Player the Panasonic UB9000.

[Show spoiler]

There was really nothing wrong with the Panasonic UB420 that I had until it had beer spilled on it and it still works pretty well taking that into account.

I feel like I'm wasting some potential of the UB9000 by using it's HDMI output and therefore bypassing all the nice Audio functionality but the main thing is it's well built and works great and between it and my new projector I feel like I'm just getting started in this hobby. Most things I watch seem like I'm seeing for the first time and it's so easy to put aside other thoughts and be immersed in the stories.

I am glad that you are so happy with it.

When you feel like slumming, watch a DVD or two with it and let me know if it is as bad with DVD playback as has been widely reported. This is the one thing that has always kept me from buying one as I have a lot of DVDs in my collection.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

You can stream any level of resolution in a Chrome browser; I routinely stream at 1440p on my computer at youtube and other websites using Chrome (I don't own 4K computer monitors). The limitation that you experienced is due to Chrome, studios, and streaming providers not being able to reach some kind of agreement over anti-piracy measures or some other legalese crap. It is not a technical limitation of the Chrome browser.

Every time that I buy a movie at Vudu via my computer I get a warning from Vudu that only Edge and Safari browsers support video playback in HD or better. Thankfully, I do not stream movies with my computer, so it is not an issue for me. This Chrome restriction in no way affects streaming with the apps on a Google/Android smart TV.

However it comes about, that’s still a pretty big restriction. YouTube doesn’t have and DRM in place I believe but paid services do.

I have been out of the PC scene for a few years now, is Edge popular?

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

However it comes about, that’s still a pretty big restriction. YouTube doesn’t have and DRM in place I believe but paid services do.

I have been out of the PC scene for a few years now, is Edge popular?

Edge is the default browser that comes with Windows 10 and 11. So, yeah, it's popular.

It is a big restriction IF you limit yourself to one browser, but there is no reason to do so when browsers are all free. I have no less than two installed on my computer at any time.

Again, why would I want to stream a movie to my 32" computer monitor when I have an 85" TV and a home theater just down the hall?

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Edge is the default browser that comes with Windows 10 and 11.

It is a big restriction IF you limit yourself to one browser, but there is no reason to do so when browsers are all free. I have no less than two installed on my computer at any time.

Again, why would I want to stream a movie to my 32" computer monitor when I have an 85" TV and a home theater just down the hall?

It was more just curiosity from myself to be honest.

I may get back into the PC scene for gaming as I’m fed up of waiting for a PS5 to become available. Will decide by end of year.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

It was more just curiosity from myself to be honest.

I may get back into the PC scene for gaming as I’m fed up of waiting for a PS5 to become available. Will decide by end of year.

I haven't played a console game in many years. I can't bring myself to pay $50-$70 for a single console video game, but I can reflexively spend that for a nice edition of a favorite movie/TV show on blu-ray or 4K. I have my priorities.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I haven't played a console game in many years. I can't bring myself to pay $50-$70 for a single console video game, but I can reflexively spend that for a nice edition of a favorite movie/TV show on blu-ray or 4K. I have my priorities.

Film>gaming.