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

[Wendell R. Breland]

Some thought Vudu was forever after Walmart procured them. Some thought UltraViolet was forever because it was backed by all the studios except Disney. Posting made at AVS after the shut down of HD DVD by POed members (many of which I believe were Microsoft employees).

Does anyone remember the next big thing was to be kiosk and thumb drives (Flix on Stix) ending the life of shiny disc? Bill Gates saying Blu-ray would be the last physical format?

They were ALL wrong. For the last few months there have been so many new titles showing up on Blu-ray it is sometimes hard to follow.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Some thought UltraViolet was forever because it was backed by all the studios except Disney.

UltraViolet needs to be not identified with digital codes redemption, there was the misconception that the digital codes were only UV codes. The problem with them was a partial studio alliance, without all the major players. They didn't succeed with getting enough PoV providers to work with them.

Their excuse for quitting.

DECE president Wendy Aylsworth said that the decision to discontinue Ultraviolet was because of the move towards subscription services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.

Thats a bogus explanation.
The fact was they didn't successfully elicit all the main VoDs with a better percentage of studio backing. Subscription services are now losing limited time licensed content back to the studios which run their own streaming services or soon will be. It why all the subscription services are buying their own content. In either case UV was doomed.

Video Services

• CinemaNow
• Flixster
• Lionsgate
• MGO (now FandangoNow)
• Nook

Companies that used to be listed as UltraViolet partners:

• Paramount
• Universal
• FandangoNow
• Kaleidescape
• Sony Pictures
• Verizon FiOS TV
• Vudu

Do you see some rather obvious VoD and studios missing when compared to MoviesAnywhere.

Partner Digital Services

• Amazon Prime Video
• Apple iTunes
• Google Play
• FandangoNow
• Microsoft Movies & TV
• Verizon FiOS TV*
• VUDU (Walmart)
• Xfinity (Comcast)

Partner Studios

• Disney (Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm)
• Sony Pictures Entertainment
• Twentieth Century Fox
• Universal Pictures
• Warner Bros.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Posting made at AVS after the shut down of HD DVD by POed members (many of which I believe were Microsoft employees).

Does anyone remember the next big thing was to be kiosk and thumb drives (Flix on Stix) ending the life of shiny disc? Bill Gates saying Blu-ray would be the last physical format?

They were ALL wrong. For the last few months there have been so many new titles showing up on Blu-ray it is sometimes hard to follow.

The rest of your post seems to be just a reinforcement of physical media argument.

Try not to utilize AVS as a factual source platform for business theory crafting, they are about as factual as REDDIT.

I do have one question where are you going with these surveys/questions, do you have a YouTube or web site?

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Try not to utilize AVS as a factual source platform for business theory crafting, they are about as factual as REDDIT.

Was just showing the difference between reality and what people believe things to be. As to UV, all the major and minor studios, except Disney were members (here). In the early days some thought Disney would become a member.

As to AVS, they have good number of very knowledgeable posters over there and cover a lot of areas that is not covered very well here. Example: projectors, AVP's, antennas, projector screens, constant image height screens, anamorphic lens, remote controls, media players, etc.

I do have one question where are you going with these surveys/questions, do you have a YouTube or web site?

No, just curious as to what posters in this thread thinks about certain devices and how they use them.

[JohnAV]

Trolls war update: Regal Cinemas says it isn't joining AMC in boycotting Universal - 4/30/20

Regal Cinemas isn't thus far, clarifying on Twitter Thursday that it "is not boycotting Universal nor any other studio." Instead, the company said it will continue to play movies that "respect the theatrical window," indicating it would show Universal films as long as they don't debut on video on demand services prior to the end of this typical 90-day window.

Still, the theater chain certainly isn't thrilled with Universal, as Regal owner Cineworld on Wednesday called the studio's actions "completely inappropriate." In an investor's call on Thursday, Shell said he doesn't see premium video on demand as a "replacement" for movie theaters, but added, "it's gonna be a complementary element and we're just gonna have to see how long that takes and where that takes us."

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by gotmule

I am curious if you see the contradictions in your post? You say that they won’t do that, and there would be no incentive to rent or buy....followed up immediately with Vudu inserting ads in a movie, which you were incentivized to actually watch for a credit.

No you guys are confused, because there are different ways to watch Movies. Vudu started offering Free Movies with Ads, but if that Movie is in your Collection it will say you Own that Movie and no Ads will be shown. With MA your Collection Ports over to your Linked Streaming Providers, and you can watch them or any other Movies or TV Shows that Provider has. You should try it out for yourself before commenting.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by alchav21

No you guys are confused, because there are different ways to watch Movies. Vudu started offering Free Movies with Ads, but if that Movie is in your Collection it will say you Own that Movie and no Ads will be shown. With MA your Collection Ports over to your Linked Streaming Providers, and you can watch them or any other Movies or TV Shows that Provider has. You should try it out for yourself before commenting.

MA doesn't work with TV shows. It would be nice.

[Wendell R. Breland]

For non US posters, does anyone provide digital codes with disc anymore? For those that redeemed UV codes, do you still have access? IIRC, Movies Anywhere is US only, correct?

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by alchav21

No you guys are confused

Now that is very coming from you. Suggestion, get a stranger to read his post and explain it to you.

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by alchav21

No you guys are confused, because there are different ways to watch Movies. Vudu started offering Free Movies with Ads, but if that Movie is in your Collection it will say you Own that Movie and no Ads will be shown. With MA your Collection Ports over to your Linked Streaming Providers, and you can watch them or any other Movies or TV Shows that Provider has. You should try it out for yourself before commenting.

Even though my post was not necessarily about the technology, but more so the mixed message contained within, I do agree that I am not an expert on streaming, nor do I need to be as I am perfectly content with the manner which I am entertained.

That being said, your comment that someone should try something before commenting goes both ways. If you take heed to your advice, that means we will not see a post from you commenting about topics such as audio or home theater in general? That seems fair to me.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

For non US posters, does anyone provide digital codes with disc anymore? For those that redeemed UV codes, do you still have access? IIRC, Movies Anywhere is US only, correct?

It’s hit and miss in the U.K. I still sometimes see codes when I buy my discs but often there is no slip these days. The code redeems in Google Play. You can then watch back from there or YouTube. From what I hear, Youtube is the better quality.

Can’t believe I just typed that last sentence. That’s how grim digital is!

If disc died tomorrow I guess I would have to rent via ITunes. They are about the closest to Blu-ray and UHD.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by gotmule

That being said, your comment that someone should try something before commenting goes both ways. If you take heed to your advice, that means we will not see a post from you commenting about topics such as audio or home theater in general? That seems fair to me.

That depends on the definition of a Home Theater, I don't have a Projector and Screen but I think my 65" UHD Sony with Simulated 7.1 Surround Sound Headphones, and a BD Player comes close. So I used Discs for many years, but now I am Digital. I just meant until you try it for yourself, you don't know that much about it and rely on other peoples views.

[sapiendut]

I had the 900E and upgraded it to 900F (I use it for my bedroom) so I know exactly what your AV experience is; no it’s nowhere near a home theatre experience. Sorry.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by alchav21

That depends on the definition of a Home Theater, I don't have a Projector and Screen but I think my 65" UHD Sony with Simulated 7.1 Surround Sound Headphones, and a BD Player comes close. So I used Discs for many years, but now I am Digital. I just meant until you try it for yourself, you don't know that much about it and rely on other peoples views.

Per Merriam-Webster its defined as"

an entertainment system for the home that usually consists of a large television with video components (such as a DVD player and VCR) and an audio system offering surround sound.

Now admittingly you have a large TV, DVD player, but not a audio system offering surround sound. The gamer headphones category that usually advertise Simulated 7.1 Surround Sound is only creating a virtual surround sound. Headphones are very bad at creating spaciousness or precise image placement. So you have made some allowances to what you are satisfied with. But there are other levels of satisfaction, and being particular to how that fares to what you experience in say a real theater.

I do not think home theater is regulated to dedicated rooms.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

I had the 900E and upgraded it to 900F (I use it for my bedroom) so I know exactly what your AV experience is; no it’s nowhere near a home theatre experience. Sorry.

Hey you Professionals stick together, the Sony looks and sounds Fantastic to me. So that is all I need, maybe bigger one like a 75" 900F or 900G. The Processor makes the difference, but these are good TV's with great Quality.

[Vilya]

I can not speak to the Sony 900E, but I enjoy my 900F immensely.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

"Dead" from a business standpoint doesn't necessarily mean "absolutely doesn't exist at all anymore". I can still find a store that sells typewriters. Are typewriters dead? I would say yes.

If you look at the share of 3D titles, it's negligible. In the U.S., the week of April 18th, the 3D title with the highest share was Aquaman with a share of 0.57%. Only four 3D titles were listed that week because sales below that were so small, but the average of those four titles was a share of just 0.22%.

The week of 4/4/20, the #1 3D title was Suicide Squad with a 0.19% share and an average share for the top 5 titles of just 0.12%.

And as others have pointed out, new TV's don't support 3D.

So is 3D still available? Sure. But it's just a niche of a niche. There's nothing wrong with niches. Some of the highest quality products are niches.

IMO, a number of strategic mistakes were made with the development and marketing of 3D. The TV's should have waited for passive 3D. The first time I saw passive 3D on a standard monitor using theatrical RealD glasses, I was amazed how great it looked. Glasses should have been compatible with any TV. And it was a mistake to issue films that were (badly) post converted to 3D and then charge extra for them at theaters. I understand why theaters charged more because they had to invest in the glasses and the cleaning of the glasses, but it caused a lot of negativity and bad 3D turned off a lot of people as well as the fact that theatrical 3D was generally very dim.

So while 3D might not be absolutely dead, it's certainly in its death throes. But for those who want their 3D, considering how low the unit sales are, it's quite nice of the studios to still issue 3D titles.

Yes, 3D blu-rays are indeed a very small niche item and I am very happy to still see anything get released on the format anywhere in the world. I am surprised it is still being supported, but I'll gladly take what I can get.

Having two different kinds of 3D TVs on the market, active and passive, with each requiring different types of glasses did the format no favors, either. The TV manufacturers greatly reduced the format's chances on home video due to the confusion they caused with this alone.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Another question for readers. What will you do if FandangoNow, Vudu, Movies Anywhere, Google, etc. starts inserting ads into your streaming movie collection?

In the beginning Vudu and Amazon Prime did not have AVOD but they have really upped the number of AVOD titles available.

Vudu only shows ads with their ever changing selection of free to view content. If they were to insert ads during the playback of titles that people purchased, I suspect that their customers would not be pleased.

Amazon Prime makes me watch a trailer for something else before playing a title that I have selected from their included with Prime offerings, but that is not as aggravating as those automatically launched trailers, and often 3-6 of them, that are found on a number of discs. Once my selection on Amazon Prime starts to play, there have been no interruptions due to any type of advertising in my limited usage of the service.

I find automatically launched trailers on my discs to be more annoying even though I know how to skip past them. Purchased content, disc or digital, should only offer trailers for other titles as an option in an extras menu.

[Boccaccio]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

For non US posters, does anyone provide digital codes with disc anymore? For those that redeemed UV codes, do you still have access? IIRC, Movies Anywhere is US only, correct?

Digital codes were never really a thing here. I don't see it a lot anymore on new movies.
I've randomly checked 50 Blu ray's in my collection and only 3 had a digital code. Jaws, Godzilla and Spider-man: Homecoming.
Can't comment on still having access as I have never redeemed a single code in my life.


And for those interested in 3D. Zavvi is having a 3D sale. 2 3D Blu ray's for 20 €.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Yes, 3D blu-rays are indeed a very small niche item and I am very happy to still see anything get released on the format anywhere in the world. I am surprised it is still being supported, but I'll gladly take what I can get.

Having two different kinds of 3D TVs on the market, active and passive, with each requiring different types of glasses did the format no favors, either. The TV manufacturers greatly reduced the format's chances on home video due to the confusion they caused with this alone.

Thankfully, 3DFA still have several titles planned this year and next. We also had a 3D release from U.K. label Indicator (The Mad Magician) and one of the very best labels out there (Vinegar Syndrome) are strongly rumoured to be releasing a 3D film this year.