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

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

..Yet I haven't a shithole's chance in hell of remembering what I had for dinner last night...

But we all eat several times a day each day. Remembering exactly what you ate each time is hard (was it yesterday, was it the day before?)

but if you saw a movie or a TV episode and don't remember at all what you saw was it really worth it? I can understand if it was "was it episode 5 or 6" two days later and you needed to check out a few minutes.


I also don't quite get the discussion. I don't own a crazy amount of TV shows and it has been a while since I saw one but don't many of them save what you saw last and continue from there?

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Ender14

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 only procrastinated until today. I placed my largest physical media order of the year to date: 13 titles.

I'm glad that I waited until today; my total dropped by $26 overnight!

Edit: I decided to order a few more odds and ends bringing today's tally to 31 titles. Three of these are intended to be gifts because physical media is the gift that shows that you care to give the very best.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

For many years I looked at HH:MM:SS:FF (SMPTE time code) that was used on all devices. Some EDL’s could have > 300 edits with the master TC (Time Code) I/O (In and Out) listed along with the source TC I/O’s, Master/Slave TC I/O’s. Never saw a reason to try and remember any TC number, that was the job of the computer editing system. I appreciate the fact that if I have to stop Nova: Why Ships Sink at 24:11:09 and resume 3 days later my device keeps that info. Makes me

Actually my memory has some trouble remembering all of those icons, settings, keys in:

[Show spoiler]BaseCamp
Cool Edit (audio editor)
Corel Draw
Corel Photo
DVBViewer
Excel
IrScrutinizer
Leawo
Mac Mini (Apple Computer)
MakeMKV
Movie Collector
Music Collector
Quattro
REW (Room Eq Wizard)
True Audio (RTA)
TSReader (Transport Stream Analyzer)
URC Complete Control Program (Remote Control)
VideoReDo (video editor)
Visual CADD
Windows 10
Windows XP
Word
WordPerfect Presentations
WordPerfect

Then there is all the hardware in the home theater with numerous settings that must be set properly. Remember what you said sometime back when I showed you just one Scene setting in my AVP (below)?

[Show spoiler]

I never stop watching a TV program mid episode, so I do not need to remember time stamps. I make it a point to finish any movie that I start, so no need there, either.

If people need mneumonic aids that's fine, but I really try to rely on my own memory. I do not even make shopping lists for trips to the grocery store as I think it is a good mental exercise to use my own noggin' to remember what I want to buy.

You're a tech wizard alright, but do you think that you could teach a guest how to operate your system and what kind of degree would that earn them? I'm guessing at least an associate's degree.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

We aren’t still at Gen X?

This is what happens when you watch movies on your phone. So .

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I never stop watching a TV program mid episode, so I do not need to remember time stamps. I make it a point to finish any movie that I start, so no need there, either.

same here. I just don't get the idea. To put it differently, there is a reason that if the TV show has an arc at the beginning of the next episode there will be a refresher, maybe someone forgot something important that happened last episode or before that. When you just randomly stop that remember what happened last time you saw is missing. It has happened where Ihad to stop a film and get back to it an other day, but I always prefer to just restart the film.

You're a tech wizard alright, but do you think that you could teach a guest how to operate your system and what kind of degree would that earn them? I'm guessing at least an associate's degree.

I don't have his system, but IMHO it is not as much about what is there and how complicate it is to connect it but how it is controlled.

Anyone can walk into my HT and click the icon to watch a BD or OTA or PS5.... anyone can click the home icon to go back and switch activity. If someone clicks OTA they can do CH+/- but there are also logos so they can just click on ABC or CTV....

yes if someone is a bit more driven they can play with the aspect ratio buttons for films but those are not needed if someone is OK watching it in the default 16:9 ratio.

I have never had anyone wonder what remote to use and then decide to just read a book.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Vilya

You're a tech wizard alright, but do you think that you could teach a guest how to operate your system and what kind of degree would that earn them?

I believe it would depend on the individual and their desires. My son, who is fairly good with techno stuff has told me he wants no part of our home theater. He is very content with flat panels and streaming.

My remote is divided into two parts, Main (all devices) and Favs (activities for you Harmony users). Someone could learn to turn-on my system in the Favs section (9 pages) and select a how to view because I have macros that does all the work. Folks familiar with Apple should be able to find their way around, same with Android, Oppo, Sony, Zidoo (2), JVC, HTPC (Windows 10 Pro). The DVB-S2 satellite receiver is probably foreign to most users. Most may find changing aspect ratio a problem because macros can not fine tune zoom and shift.

Folks can see the 9 pages of my AVP Main Device control below (not current). There is 3 more AVP devices, Tuner, Zone 2 and Zone 3, have not programmed Zone 4. As usual, a lot of the graphics you see are my custom ones and not provided by URC.

[Show spoiler]

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I never stop watching a TV program mid episode, so I do not need to remember time stamps. I make it a point to finish any movie that I start, so no need there, either.

If people need mneumonic aids that's fine, but I really try to rely on my own memory. I do not even make shopping lists for trips to the grocery store as I think it is a good mental exercise to use my own noggin' to remember what I want to buy.

You're a tech wizard alright, but do you think that you could teach a guest how to operate your system and what kind of degree would that earn them? I'm guessing at least an associate's degree.

Same, I have always completed every film I started.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

and Favs (activities for you Harmony users).

even though Harmony popularized the idea of activities, the idea existed long before Harmony came out. Most people (if anything) before harmony were used to the one for all type of remotes where they pressed TV, VCR.... and it would control only that device with maybe a bit of pass through (i.e. control TV volume while in DVD mode but if you had a receiver that was a bit useless). But some higher end systems and remotes even long before that had allowed you to do it differently (i.e. activities).

My remote is divided into two parts, Main (all devices)

I have all my remotes with their own pages but they are only accessible by me ( i have a page with a button for each device and each device has all the controls I could find/exist. but to get there someone will need to enter the pin)

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

even though Harmony popularized the idea of activities, the idea existed long before Harmony came out.

My Marantz RC2000MkII from back in the 90's had four buttons to be used as macros. Had mine for: 1 - Turned everything on, 2 - Turned everything off, 3 - prepared everything for watching LD and 4 - prepared everything for watching Betamax.

I had 8 ni-cad AA batteries, 4 in the remote, 4 charging or up next.

I over the Phillips Pronto remotes but they were out of my range, paid about $240 for the Marantz ($465 in 2024 $’s).

[Show spoiler]

[crutzulee]

My wife is the ultimate tecnophobe... and to be fair, I've personally witnessed technology act in ways around her that defy explanation. She refuses to carry a bank card after an unfortunate incident with an ATM...

Even she can navigate the dadcave. One only needs to walk in the room and say OK GOOGLE FIRE UP THE THEATER and everything comes to life with the appropriate timed delays so that one can then simply use the simple harmony remote to navigate the ZIDOO'S simple HOME THEATER app which I have programmed to open to a simple poster wall of the most recent titles ripped to the drives. The setup defaults to a 16:9 ratio at roughly 130" in the center of my 2.20:1 A/T screen. most people would not object to watching any ratio within that window, but I do have 4 ratios simply programed into the 4 coloured buttons at the bottom of the remote which everyone in the family seems to have no problem navigating... from there things like pause, play, volume up and down are pretty idiot proof...
One can simply say OK GOOGLE SHUT DOWN THE THEATRE when they're done... that accounts for 95% of what gets done in the HT...
I have identical button layouts for OK GOOGLE FIRE UP THE SHIELD (my daughter does watch a couple of NETFLIX series) and FIRE UP THE TV gets used only by me to watch hockey in 4K from my cable provider's box which also has a NETFLIX and PRIME app for 4K viewing for the tech challenged..
My daughter uses the SHIELD option for NETFLIX as I do have a somewhat convoluted setup to access certain 4K programs with ATMOS tracks through a KODI plugin that I can't seem to get working without intermittent anomalies on the TV box..

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

One only needs to walk in the room and say OK GOOGLE FIRE UP THE THEATER and everything comes to life with the appropriate timed delays so that one can then simply use the simple harmony remote to navigate the ZIDOO'S simple HOME THEATER app which I have programmed to open to a simple poster wall of the most recent titles ripped to the drives.

At one time I tried something similar using a Harmony Hub and a Google Mini. Worked for some things but was worthless if a loud movie was in progress. The Hub also had a 15 device limit so it was moved upstairs were its task is much simpler. “Alexa, begin my day” brings up Pandora on the AVR, certain lights, etc. Have 4 Google Mini’s, 1 Amazon Echo Dot and 1 Amazon Cube.

[crutzulee]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

At one time I tried something similar using a Harmony Hub and a Google Mini. Worked for some things but was worthless if a loud movie was in progress. The Hub also had a 15 device limit so it was moved upstairs were its task is much simpler. “Alexa, begin my day” brings up Pandora on the AVR, certain lights, etc. Have 4 Google Mini’s, 1 Amazon Echo Dot and 1 Amazon Cube.

I have a bunch of Google minis that I got for free from some promo when I first got their music app...
My son, who works in IT, hates like hell that I use it in the theater and would object to having them setup anywhere else in the house... between him and my wife, I can't see any use case where it would be worth the hassle...
I love the way it works in my HT for the simple automated start up and shut down through the harmony remote which is always charged and easy to find on its cradle...the 15 unit limit is no issue for me...truthfully, I'm hoping that the next SHIELD box can do what the ZIDOO can and my cable provider allows its android app to output in 4K... then everything would be under one command...

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

I have a bunch of Google minis that I got for free from some promo when I first got their music app...

After all these years I have not found anything better in my home theater than my old URC MX-980. I even have a MX-5000 that does IP, IR and RF but it is touch screen, only has one Main button and no numeric keys.

At one time I tried iRule (purchased) also purchased a iPad and Global Caché GC-100-12. iRule servers have shut down, the iPad stopped working so that > $1000 investment never did anything for me. I did try several other mobile type controls including Roomie, The Home Remote and others that I have forgotten their names. I know some want to integrate Home Assistant on their remote, does not do anything for me, if I need to change the home theater temperature I just open the app on one of the Android devices by me and make the change. If I am upstairs then I tell Google to do it.

[Vilya]

I'm not a fan of placing internet connected listening devices throughout my home just to spare me from having to press a button or to get up and adjust a thermostat. It sure is convenient for eavesdroppers that so many people are happy to bug their own homes and at their own expense.

If anyone needs me I will be rewrapping my head in tin foil....

[crutzulee]

Tin foil hats at the ready,
my wife and son are the "worriers" in our household that allow my daughter and I to live like a couple of Peter Pans...

[Steedeel]

@Wendell, Planet Earth 3 4K review up on this site now if you are looking to buy.

Show was amazing, as expected. Some great 4K moments.

[crutzulee]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I'm not a fan of placing internet connected listening devices throughout my home just to spare me from having to press a button or to get up and adjust a thermostat. It sure is convenient for eavesdroppers that so many people are happy to bug their own homes and at their own expense.

If anyone needs me I will be rewrapping my head in tin foil....

I'm under no illusions that anything in my life is private... especially from those looking to sell me something...LOL..

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

@Wendell, Planet Earth 3 4K review up on this site now if you are looking to buy.

Received last Tuesday but have not viewed yet.

Finally got around to watching Warcraft 3D. Not a great movie but the 3D was really good and the Atmos was pretty good as well.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Received last Tuesday but have not viewed yet.

Finally got around to watching Warcraft 3D. Not a great movie but the 3D was really good and the Atmos was pretty good as well.

Noah 3D was my surprise title. I go against my rule for 3D and sometimes buy stuff I am not convinced about. I found the film to be really enjoyable though, and the 3D was excellent.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I'm not a fan of placing internet connected listening devices throughout my home just to spare me from having to press a button or to get up and adjust a thermostat.

Mine came about after I recovered from:

Acute Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear and typically presents with vertigo, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, and/or hearing loss. [1] There is little epidemiological data about labyrinthitis; however, the incidence appears to increase with age.

Took the better part of 5 months to mostly recover. For two months about all I could do was sit or lie down. Had to take meclizine and Valium just to ride 3 miles to the doctors office.

During this time I decided to add voice automation to my upstairs area so I could adjust the A/C temp, make a call, control lights, get weather, etc. without moving my head.