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

[JayTL]

So it's okay for me to purchase a disk and resell it, but not the code that comes with it? Oh well, they can try to stop me

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by JayTL

So it's okay for me to purchase a disk and resell it, but not the code that comes with it? Oh well, they can try to stop me

If you haven't redeemed the code then that should make your sale more valuable. If code used its not like you can do anything to remove all traces of that. Its a imperfect system.

[bhampton]

I'm always surprised when a used disc comes with an unredeemed code.

I think some places sell used copies that were never used.

[Boccaccio]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I'm always surprised when a used disc comes with an unredeemed code.

I think some places sell used copies that were never used.

None of my codes have ever been redeemed. Not too many Blu ray's here that have codes though.

Never understood the appeal of it. It's like a Blu/DVD combo. If I buy the Blu ray then why would I want an inferior DVD ?

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Boccaccio

None of my codes have ever been redeemed. Not too many Blu ray's here that have codes though.

Never understood the appeal of it. It's like a Blu/DVD combo. If I buy the Blu ray then why would I want an inferior DVD ?

I never loaned out my BD, but I did loan out my DVD's. As for Codes, the prices keep going up but you can still find some deals. IMO the Quality is as good as Disc on the set up I have.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by alchav21

IMO the Quality is as good as Disc on the set up I have.

You need better gear if that the case.

For me you want the best presentation no matter what you play.

[Boccaccio]

Originally Posted by alchav21

I never loaned out my BD, but I did loan out my DVD's. As for Codes, the prices keep going up but you can still find some deals. IMO the Quality is as good as Disc on the set up I have.

Just out of curiosity. What do you pay for those codes ?
Not that I'm looking to sell or something. Just wondering.
Seems to be a whole business behind it.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Boccaccio

None of my codes have ever been redeemed. Not too many Blu ray's here that have codes though.

Never understood the appeal of it. It's like a Blu/DVD combo. If I buy the Blu ray then why would I want an inferior DVD ?

If you buy a 4K film with digital code here in the states, most of time you also acquire a 4K stream, as well being able to download a playable HD file optional. A blu-ray with digital code, gives you a HD stream and HD download optional. It’s for use with a computer or mobile device here, or a streaming app.

[Boccaccio]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

If you buy a 4K film with digital code here in the states, most of time you also acquire a 4K stream, as well being able to download a playable HD file optional. A blu-ray with digital code, gives you a HD stream and HD download optional. It’s for use with a computer or mobile device here, or a streaming app. .

So technically you can download it to your computer and then burn multiple copies of it ??

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

You need better gear if that the case.

For me you want the best presentation no matter what you play.

Hey JohnAV I respect your comments, but I'm very happy with the equipment I have that's why I said IMO. Taking about equipment, Vilya and I are very lucky to have Sony UHD TV's with Android Apps. We can access all the Major Streaming Providers, like the latest ones Disney+ and HBO Max. HBO Max is not available on Amazon Sticks or Roku. I haven't tried them, I'm content with Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Vudu.

[Boccaccio]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Hey JohnAV I respect your comments, but I'm very happy with the equipment I have that's why I said IMO. Taking about equipment, Vilya and I are very lucky to have Sony UHD TV's with Android Apps. We can access all the Major Streaming Providers, like the latest ones Disney+ and HBO Max. HBO Max is not available on Amazon Sticks or Roku. I haven't tried them, I'm content with Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Vudu.

I really don't think Vilya considers himself lucky to have streaming apps.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Boccaccio

So technically you can download it to your computer and then burn multiple copies of it ??

For computers you own you could have a copy on each, or download it a phone or tablet separately.

Found how Universal works this.
Each redemption code allows you to redeem your Digital Copy once.
So you could copy it between computers.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Boccaccio

Just out of curiosity. What do you pay for those codes ?
Not that I'm looking to sell or something. Just wondering.
Seems to be a whole business behind it.

I like when they are around $5, but depending on the Movie I'll go up to $10. If the prices are above that I'll wait till they come down. Vudu has been having some sales, and I bought some $5 Movies and TV Shows the other day.

[Boccaccio]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

For computers you own you could have a copy on each, or download it a phone or tablet separately.

Found how Universal works this.
Each redemption code allows you to redeem your Digital Copy once.
So you could copy it between computers.

I see, so it's not like you could get 10 blank discs and burn 10 copies to sell them.

[Boccaccio]

Originally Posted by alchav21

I like when they are around $5, but depending on the Movie I'll go up to $10. If the prices are above that I'll wait till they come down. Vudu has been having some sales, and I bought some $5 Movies and TV Shows the other day.

But if you wait for prices to come down you can probably get the Blu ray for that price.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Boccaccio

But if you wait for prices to come down you can probably get the Blu ray for that price.

No I prefer Digital, I gave up Discs a long time ago.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Boccaccio

I really don't think Vilya considers himself lucky to have streaming apps.

Let's just say that when I was shopping for TVs I was not placing much importance on its selection of apps.

In fairness, I am glad to have streaming apps and I even occasionally use them, but any TV that you buy today has apps.

I use Netflix (shared account), Amazon Prime (primary account holder), PBS (free), Tubi (free-ad supported) and I use the digital providers Vudu and Movies Anywhere.

I haven't watched anything on Netflix in over two months because there's just not that much there that interests me; if I am lucky one out of 10 things that I watch there is good; the rest is all mediocre disposable fodder.

I have Amazon Prime for the expedited shipping benefit as I have every year since 2005; their streaming service is just a perk, but it is also the only problematic service for me, so I seldom use it.

I used Vudu last week to watch one of their free with ads movies only to get the monthly $2 credit that they give out; now I have to decide what to do with it. I use these credits to buy something from one of Vudu's sales; it makes the purchase price about the same as the rental price.

I redeem my digital codes that are included with my discs via Movies Anywhere or Vudu, but I watch my discs when I am at home. I allow some of my friends to watch my digital collection via Vudu; so far they have not accidentally rented or bought anything outside of my digital collection.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by alchav21

No I prefer Digital, I gave up Discs a long time ago.

I googled your gear to find out why it's so bad you can't enjoy better content on it.

Seems like you don't have speakers? ... Just headphones ?...

Edit - Oh wait, maybe you use the TV speakers... Now I know why you don't believe in your gear. If you use the TV speakers for most things then yes,... streaming is for you.

Streaming isn't too bad under the right circumstances. I have 200 iTunes 4K movies that I don't have on UHD yet and for a while I was really enjoying the streaming stuff... But then I put on a DVD and remembered what good audio sounds like ... Many DVDs have lossless audio tracks that have better sound quality than 4K iTunes ATMOS titles.

Anyways,.. at the end of the day if you like what you have you win. I don't know why you would campaign against physical media if you have eliminated it from your own life but you certainly won't convince anyone who can tell there is a significant quality difference.

You don't seem to use the collection feature on this site. I hope you audit your collection somewhere if you care about things like that, just so you learn how the stuff can and will disappear. But if you're not paying attention maybe it won't matter... because when you have various streaming services there's enough that's New.

I will say something positive about streaming... My kid hounded me to buy the series Friends and then it arrived on my neighbors HBO Max account... problem solved. Also another one of my kids did buy the first 2 seasons of Teen Wolf then it arrived on Prime and problem solved... Thanks to streaming I don't have to buy crap for my kids that I'm not interested in and they don't have to buy it either. So ... it's not all bad .. just mostly bad. It does result in people not asking to borrow movies anymore which is great (but I've managed to learn to deny them if they did.. in fact someone did want to watch something recently and I just said they had to come over to watch it. )

Finally ... one of the best things about streaming is when people visit my theater they think I'm some sort of magician because they don't get sound like that at home (unless they go look for the DVDs in the attic.)



-Brian

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I googled your gear to find out why it's so bad you can't enjoy better content on it.

Seems like you don't have speakers? ... Just headphones ?...

Edit - Oh wait, maybe you use the TV speakers... Now I know why you don't believe in your gear. If you use the TV speakers for most things then yes,... streaming is for you.

My Headphones Simulate 7.1 Surround Sound, that's how I watch my Movies and I find no problem and enjoy them. Here are some Movies I watched lately:

CalloftheWild.jpg Bloodshot.jpg

Kid.jpg RealSteel.jpg

Underwater.jpg

[bhampton]

If you're enjoying it then it's a win.

I'm not going to Yuk your yum.

I believe these things are to be enjoyed and you like your stuff that's all that matters.

With those headphones, you likely would not hear a difference with the higher quality audio from a lossless track.