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

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

I'll be celebrating my 13th birthday in a couple of days. She got me LEAF tickets....

Is that a typo ?

I thought you were older.

oh wait - I get it ... Feb 29th.

Happy Birthday in advance if I forget.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

There is no technical reason with DVD/BD/UHD they can’t do that. After all, we already set the language, subtitle language, etc on the players. They should just let us watch the movie right away and then of we want to change something, we’ll choose from the setup menu.

I agree. The jailbreak firmware for the Oppo that I checked into does not allow one to skip certain items so I never pursued an install.

I have been playing HD .TS files since the early 2000's so this method of media play is the one I prefer. About 2 years ago I took the plunge and went all in with a large NAS and dictated media players for Blu-ray and UHD Blu-ray file play. It was a expensive and time consuming endeavor.

I just added a FLIRC to my Zidoo UHD5000 programed with keyboard function of A to Z keys. Now I do not need to scroll down the alphabetical list, I just tap the P key on my remote which jumps to all the titles listed in P. Highlight desired title, press ▶️ and off I go.

Right now I am following what Dune is doing with the new HD Pro One 8K Plus.

[apollo828]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

I have been playing HD .TS files since the early 2000's so this method of media play is the one I prefer.

My only issue with TS files is that they're so bloated. They have their use cases, but in general, if I'm doing the math right in my head, they can add upwards of 5% to a file's size compared to, say, MKV files. It can add up depending on just how much data you plan to put on the NAS.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

I just tap the P key on my remote which jumps to all the titles listed in P. Highlight desired title, press ▶️ and off I go.

Three steps just to play a movie? That's WAY too much effort. Add in the time and expense of creating that system in the first place and the advantage here escapes me. I would have rather put that money into buying more titles, more pizza, and using the time to enjoy both.

I fail to see how any of that is any easier than just pressing play from a disc menu that loads itself.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Ender14

The order I placed a few weeks ago had been sitting in my cart for months before I pulled the trigger. I had been saving my VIP one time 60% off coupon for 2 years. That's why I was able to place 2 60% off orders in one month.

Also, I think the BOGU 60% off sale ends on 2/19 so if you're going to do it you have about 3 days .

I look forward to procrastinating for three more days then.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by bhampton

My problem with laser discs is while they were more reliable they still had the quality of VHS or very close to it.

I only ever had a handful of LD - Star Wars "faces" editions, Pink Floyd Delicate Sound of Thunder, Laurie Anderson's Home of the Brave.

Now I have copies of Star Wars and Delicate Sound of Thunder that I like better. I must still have the Home of the Brave on my NAS units but I haven't been playing "files" so much lately and the NAS units are all in storage. I've also watched Laurie Anderson's Home of the Brave a LOT of times already. Most would say maybe too many times. It's brilliant for what it is (a concert video that was "faked" for the most part) but If I never see it again I think I'll be ok.

I had the pleasure of meeting Laurie Anderson and she was happy to sign my Nerve Bible (book she authored.) I told her I have to keep outdated tech to view her content and she replied "tell me about it" so I think she knows the struggle.

I still have the Star Wars The Definitive Collection CAV laserdisc set along with that Laurie Anderson laserdisc. I have made DVD back-ups of both.

I got to see Laurie Anderson at the State Street Theater in Chicago for her "Home Of The Brave" tour, but I never got to meet her.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by apollo828

My only issue with TS files is that they're so bloated. They have their use cases, but in general, if I'm doing the math right in my head, they can add upwards of 5% to a file's size compared to, say, MKV files. It can add up depending on just how much data you plan to put on the NAS.

.TS files created when recording HD content from OTA or FTA. No longer do OTA (mostly CBS) but continue with FTA (PBS distribution via Galaxy 16 Satellite at 99° W). For PBS I select and record via DVBViewer then edit using VideoReDo. DVD, Blu-ray and UHD Blu-ray rips via MakeMKV (MKV files) or Leawo (ISO files).

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

No word of a lie... It was a CAV edition of Kevin Costner's atrocity THE POSTMAN that was the last straw in my first marriage...

Having to get up every 30 minutes to flip or change discs for that film's 9 hour runtime meant that I was an active participant in her's and my own torture.

I think The Postman is underrated. I have the BD and digital HD. It's long overdue for a 4K restoration/release on disc. IMO

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Three steps just to play a movie? That's WAY too much effort. Add in the time and expense of creating that system in the first place and the advantage here escapes me. I would have rather put that money into buying more titles, more pizza, and using the time to enjoy both.

I fail to see how any of that is any easier than just pressing play from a disc menu that loads itself.

Its just how I do things, I do not advocate anyone else do what I do. As noted before the Zidoo’s do HDR→SDR a lot better than my UHD disc players and my Zappiti Neo media player.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Its just how I do things, I do not advocate anyone else do what I do. As noted before the Zidoo’s do HDR→SDR a lot better than my UHD disc players and my Zappiti Neo media player.

I didn't mean for my comment to be a criticism; I just don't see the advantage gained for the considerable amount of money and time spent on your project.

HDR>SDR conversion is not a consideration for me as I want to enjoy HDR in all of its HDR goodness on my direct view display. Are projectors still unable to utilize HDR or is it just a limitation of your particular model that you need to convert it to SDR? I'm all for giant screens, but if it means foregoing HDR then they lose some of their appeal right there.

As for back-ups, I only do that on a case by case basis. If a specific disc title has a high failure rate, or if it is a limited or rare title, I will back it up using the appropriate optical media. I have had great success overall with the longevity of this type of back-up. I am an especially big fan of Verbatim brand optical media. My selective method of making back-ups is also far easier on both my wallet and on my time. No need for expensive servers or massive hard drives neither of which will last as long as a single one of my back-up discs.

I have a handful of very technically talented friends. One thing that they seem to have in common is a penchant for taking something that is already easy and intuitive to use by almost anyone and turning it into an elaborately complex system for doing the exact same thing where few can decipher how it works. "Keep it simple, stupid" and "user friendly" are ideas completely foreign to them.

If we enjoy what we are doing then we are doing it right. In my case, I want anyone visiting my home to be able to watch a movie without needing my help.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I didn't mean for my comment to be a criticism; I just don't see the advantage gained for the considerable amount of money and time spent on your project.

The media server is a way to take the Home Theater hobby to a next level. Some great things about it - you can find out if a disc is defective pretty reliably. Watching TV series is easy with the server keeping track of progress and no changing discs for the whole series. It can make controlling the system a bit easier as the library can be searched and instantly accessed. I suppose it's a backup also which is considerable.

I did it enthusiastically for a long time. I stopped because of the energy consumption and also even if you know how to do it and have a great work flow - it's still extra work and more things needed.

Now I prefer to put the disc in the player and I always check the audio track because some discs don't default to the preferred track.

Anything related to streaming is handled by the ATV4K and my online library is sort of kind of like another backup just not a supremely reliable one.

[deatheats]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Its just how I do things, I do not advocate anyone else do what I do. As noted before the Zidoo’s do HDR→SDR a lot better than my UHD disc players and my Zappiti Neo media player.

One of the other benefits of this approach is future-proofing. Yes, someday it will likely be more difficult to purchase 4k players & drives. Those folks digitizing their collections will have a much easier time accessing their collection when this happens. Admittedly there is some time before this will occur.

Also, consider that USB size drives will eventually be able to store 1000s of movies. Within a couple of decades, it could be feasible to carry around your entire movie collection.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by bhampton

The media server is a way to take the Home Theater hobby to a next level. Two great things about it - you can find out if a disc is defective pretty reliably and watching TV series with the server keeping track of progress and no changing discs for the whole series.

I did it enthusiastically for a long time. I stopped because of the energy consumption and also even if you know how to do it and have a great work flow - it's still extra work and more things needed.

Now I prefer to put the disc in the player. Anything related to streaming is handled by the ATV4K.

What's "next level" about it? For me, it would have to yield significant A/V improvements to be described that way and not just offer consolidated file management.

If a disc is defective I will find out the old fashioned way: by playing it.

The advantage of watching a TV series off a home server just because it remembers your place and doesn't involve swapping discs is a pretty trivial advantage IMO. First, my memory is pretty good and I can remember where I left off all by myself and a single disc can offer about 4 hours worth of TV episodes and a 4 hour viewing session is about my limit, anyway.

I am watching my Babylon 5 DVDs right now; four episodes and one disc per night. Last night was season 1, disc 3. Tonight it will be season 1, disc 4. I really don't see how it can be any easier than that.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by deatheats

One of the other benefits of this approach is future-proofing. Yes, someday it will likely be more difficult to purchase 4k players & drives. Those folks digitizing their collections will have a much easier time accessing their collection when this happens. Admittedly there is some time before this will occur.

Also, consider that USB size drives will eventually be able to store 1000s of movies. Within a couple of decades, it could be feasible to carry around your entire movie collection.

Replacing servers and massive hard drives periodically is not a future I would relish.

I can still find working laserdisc players and laserdiscs only ever had about a 2% market share. If can still lay my hands on one of those as obscure as they were, I am not too worried about the availability of 4K and/or blu-ray players.

[bhampton]

I totally agree with everything you are saying.

If I can clarify what I meant but next level (and I'm not sure I can) ...

Getting into home theater as a hobby there's so much to learn. If your hobby is also fun you want to learn it all and do it all at least for the fun of it.

A media server generally doesn't offer enhanced quality. (But some users do like some software based video processing programs and others take the video of one disc and the audio of another because that's the only way to watch Gravity in 3D with ATMOS (I think).) What it does offer is a way to put more time and love into a hobby. When people come to the HT and everything is as easy to use as a streaming service but has the quality of discs it's magic and everyone thinks you are a magician. Trust me.

I prefer the way I watch now which is I put the disc in the player and make sure it's using the audio track I want and it's showtime.

I do make a point of watching new discs because defective discs can look perfect.

[crutzulee]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

I think The Postman is underrated. I have the BD and digital HD. It's long overdue for a 4K restoration/release on disc. IMO

LOL!!!!

We'll be celebrating 25 years later this year, and I think we're solid enough to risk a watch....but I'm not willing to risk it.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by bhampton

When people come to the HT and everything is as easy to use as a streaming service but has the quality of discs it's magic and everyone thinks you are a magician. Trust me.

I want everyone to have that feeling of being a magician, not just the Wizard behind the curtain, but Dorothy, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, too.

If my guests see how easy it is to enjoy this level of quality, maybe, just maybe, they will aspire to be a magician, too.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

LOL!!!!

We'll be celebrating 25 years later this year, and I think we're solid enough to risk a watch....but I'm not willing to risk it.

May you be among the first to review the 4K disc should it come to pass.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I didn't mean for my comment to be a criticism;

None taken.

I just don't see the advantage gained for the considerable amount of money and time spent on your project.

Don’t believe I have said there was one other than HDR→SDR.

Keep in mind that I am a retired technical A/V professional. Transport stream (.TS), SDI, HD-SDI, AC-3, D2, video servers, audio servers and many other terms is something I dealt with for many years. For example, in the early 90's we switched to composite digital (D2) from analog RS170 video (NTSC). D2 is still RS170 video but in digital form. By late 90's we had video servers that were used for program breaks, they used SCSI drives (remember those?). In 2000 I visited the PBS center (Arlington VA) and was the first time I got to view a large room with racks and racks full of HP HDD’s.

Point is file play is something I have worked with for many years and have done for personal use since the early 2000's. The first consumer NAS drives that I looked at were more than I wanted pay and were quite slow. Somewhere around 2011 I did procure a Synology NAS and have just added more over the years. The first Synology did die a year or two back.

Front Projection: video quality is all about dynamic range. In a dark room 500 nits is going to make you squint. IMO and others DV is a CF (read the Spears & Munsil thread). My front speakers (LCR) have the same acoustical plane, something not possible with any current direct view technology. Was watching Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in 3D recently and thinking to myself I wish other enthusiast that have never experienced 3D on a large home theater screen could have a view.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Was watching Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in 3D recently and thinking to myself I wish other enthusiast that have never experienced 3D on a large home theater screen could have a view.

Send out the invitations! I will be watching closely for mine.