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

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Even when I was living in the shopping paradise of densely populated Orange County in southern California I was shopping for the vast majority of my discs online. There is no beating the online selection, or the convenience of shopping from home, no matter where you live in my opinion.

Compared to how much I buy online, I do not get that many damaged shipments and Amazon, and other online retailers, have always made things right when it has happened. I'll keep shopping in my jammies over wasting time and gas driving to a store only to leave disappointed with both their prices and their comparatively paltry selection.

If it wasn't for the self quarantine, I would say you need something to make the drive "fun", instead of trivial cost of gas.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Yes you guys like to shop online and know what you want, but the Average Person buys Movies and TV Shows at a Brick and Mortar Store. My Best Buy cut their Movies years ago. As for buying Digital, Vudu has some Fantastic Sales. $5 Weekends Specials and $10 Theater at Home Sales!

Most people, including those "average" ones that you seem to be the self-appointed spokesman for, shop online.

Online shopping is not some well guarded secret that only avid disc buyers are aware of; it is an immensely popular method of buying lots 'o' stuff. It is really the principal reason why I even have internet service as it brings the whole world's marketplace to my home.

Here's another trade secret for you : Discs go on sale, too.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

If it wasn't for the self quarantine, I would say you need something to make the drive "fun", instead of trivial cost of gas.

Like going out for pizza at the same time?

[oak table]

Originally Posted by dcx4610

My local Best Buy just moved to a new location and there is only 2 shelves of movies. Not good.

I guess most of us buy our stuff online now but it's still sad seeing it get phased out of physical stores. That basically kills any casual buying and forces it into niche territory. it also gives companies less incentive to make players and media if only collectors are going to buy them.

At least there seems to be a steady amount of releases currently but the future is not bright. My hope is that there's enough of a collectors market to justify at least limited runs of movies for us that want it.

A lot of what I buy is too niche to be sold in stores. Still, if I wanted to buy a new release I would compare prices, online, and then head to either Target, Walmart, or Best Buy. Just for reference the last new release I bought in a store was Mandy (2018) at Target.

Pre Internet dominance, when I went to a video store that had a healthy stock of titles I easily found catalog titles and/or obscure stuff. Now, good luck, even with 12 shelves.

Originally Posted by alchav21

Yes you guys like to shop online and know what you want, but the Average Person buys Movies and TV Shows at a Brick and Mortar Store.

How do you know that? If anything this statement comes across as condescending towards the average person. I guess the average person can't find their way to Amazon and run a search. Yeah, Right.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Even when I was living in the shopping paradise of densely populated Orange County in southern California I was shopping for the vast majority of my discs online. There is no beating the online selection, or the convenience of shopping from home, no matter where you live in my opinion.

before Covid-19 I liked buying in store (it creates local jobs) but even then a lot was bought on-line (not always practical to go to the store). With covid-19 there is no reason to buy films in-store, the film will be exactly the same no matter where it is bought and I don't need to risk the health of my household.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Yes you guys like to shop online and know what you want, but the Average Person buys Movies and TV Shows at a Brick and Mortar Store. My Best Buy cut their Movies years ago. As for buying Digital, Vudu has some Fantastic Sales. $5 Weekends Specials and $10 Theater at Home Sales!

So in the past we heard the average person does not buy films, that he prefers digital to physical and now he only buys disks at local stores and not online.

as for knowing what i want. Sometimes that is true, other times (very often) it is not. That is what blind buy means. I see it in front of me, it seems interesting, I buy it.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Most people, including those "average" ones that you seem to be the self-appointed spokesman for, shop online.

Online shopping is not some well guarded secret that only avid disc buyers are aware of; it is an immensely popular method of buying lots 'o' stuff. It is really the principal reason why I even have internet service as it brings the whole world's marketplace to my home.

Here's another trade secret for you : Discs go on sale, too.

don't you know it is well beyond the aversage persons competencies and internet connection to be able to go to Amazon, BB and WM to buy a physical movie but not to go to to Vudu or Netflix so they can watch a digital copy.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

So in the past we heard the average person does not buy films, that he prefers digital to physical and now he only buys disks at local stores and not online.

Alas, he seems a conflicted soul.

[Wendell R. Breland]

For anyone looking to procure a standalone streaming box may find this thread useful. Note post 1 & 14.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

For anyone looking to procure a standalone streaming box may find this thread useful. Note post 1 & 14.

Without having read the lengthy discussion in your link, I still don't see what the practical advantages are of a dedicated streaming device as opposed to my TV's built-in apps. Other than offering diagnostic detail, are there genuine performance gains to be had with one? If so, which one is the best overall?

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Without having read the lengthy discussion in your link, I still don't see what the practical advantages are of a dedicated streaming device as opposed to my TV's built-in apps. Other than offering diagnostic detail, are there genuine performance gains to be had with one? If so, which one is the best overall?

Yes I agree with Vilya on this one, Sony did it right with the Android Apps. I can access and have no problems with all my Streaming Providers. The only one I can't access is AppleTV, and no loss there.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Without having read the lengthy discussion in your link, I still don't see what the practical advantages are of a dedicated streaming device as opposed to my TV's built-in apps. Other than offering diagnostic detail, are there genuine performance gains to be had with one? If so, which one is the best overall?

Does your TV have eARC? If not then immersive audio could be a problem or not possible.

When you procure that projector on your short list then you will need that dedicated streaming device!!

Performance gains, depends on if your TV can do true 24, 25, 30 and 60 frames per second via internal apps. I have looked at couple of Sony TV spec sheets and they are not specific as to what rates they actually do. For example, they state 24 which I take to mean 23.976. If it only does 23.976 and you play true 24 content then you will have frame drops.

For some, the best is the Nvidia Shield Pro 2019. It is the one I use most of the time but it has quirks too. It will not play Atmos from Disney+ apparently because Disney only does Atmos with UHD devices that has HDR. Works fine with most other UHD sources with Atmos audio including MoviesAnywhere.

IF Apple fixes their frame rate issues in the next Apple TV then I may give it a shot.

Streaming has been/is/will continue to be a giant CF in terms of apps and hardware. No streaming standards organization and governing body.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Does your TV have eARC? If not then immersive audio could be a problem or not possible.

When you procure that projector on your short list then you will need that dedicated streaming device!!

Performance gains, depends on if your TV can do true 24, 25, 30 and 60 frames per second via internal apps. I have looked at couple of Sony TV spec sheets and they are not specific as to what rates they actually do. For example, they state 24 which I take to mean 23.976. If it only does 23.976 and you play true 24 content then you will have frame drops.

For some, the best is the Nvidia Shield Pro 2019. It is the one I use most of the time but it has quirks too. It will not play Atmos from Disney+ apparently because Disney only does Atmos with UHD devices that has HDR. Works fine with most other UHD sources with Atmos audio including MoviesAnywhere.

IF Apple fixes their frame rate issues in the next Apple TV then I may give it a shot.

Streaming has been/is/will continue to be a giant CF in terms of apps and hardware. No streaming standards organization and governing body.

The Sony 900F TVs only offer regular ARC; the newer models, the "G" series and onward, offer eARC. The Sony 900F series also only offers two "enhanced for 4K" hdmi ports. The later models offer all 4 hdmi ports as "enhanced."

I thought the work around for this was to connect a dedicated streaming device to the Oppo 203; doesn't that solve the immersive audio concern?

Is the difference between viewing 23.976 and 24 frames per second really that noticeable without actively looking out for frame drops?

With streaming being so chaotic and without any governing body or universally accepted standards, it seems like sticking with my TVs built-in apps is the right decision for now unless some clear benefit of a dedicated streaming device becomes apparent. If I ever get upgraded to ATMOS sound then having access to streaming's lossy immersive audio will gain some importance.

[Vilya]

Sad News:

Olivia de Havilland, star of 'Gone With the Wind,' dies at 104

https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/26/enter...ies/index.html

What an amazing life she had! May she rest in peace.

[cheez avenger]

Since I'm all about efficiency at this point, I decided to take the Arrow Video channel for a test drive via iTunes. They give you the first month for free and then it's $4.99 a month thereafter. Here's to catching up on a ton of their offerings in the next 30 days.

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by dcx4610

My local Best Buy just moved to a new location and there is only 2 shelves of movies. Not good.

Were the shelves full? I visited my local BB for the first time since COVID hit and the formally full four back to back rows were nearly empty of discs. When I pointed to the shelves to get the attention of the salesperson, he gave me the cut throat sign.

Right across his mask.

Originally Posted by dcx4610

I guess most of us buy our stuff online now but it's still sad seeing it get phased out of physical stores. That basically kills any casual buying and forces it into niche territory. it also gives companies less incentive to make players and media if only collectors are going to buy them.

Yes, it’s sad.

Very sad.

Originally Posted by dcx4610

I At least there seems to be a steady amount of releases currently but the future is not bright. My hope is that there's enough of a collectors market to justify at least limited runs of movies for us that want it.

Transitioning from a mass general audience market to a micro collector market will be hit and miss.

Plenty of new general release films will not receive a UHD, or in some cases, no disc whatsoever; genre catalog will get premium releases at a premium price point.

Will Blu-ray break the $1B sales mark in 2021? It appears many former Blu-ray buyers are jumping ship while DVD buyers and related sales represent the lion’s share of the shrinking physical media market.

It’s the big question mark. Regardless, I’m not worried. I’m very content with my collection, and the boutique releases have been outstanding.

And besides, I’m adaptable.

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

Since I'm all about efficiency at this point, I decided to take the Arrow Video channel for a test drive via iTunes. They give you the first month for free and then it's $4.99 a month thereafter. Here's to catching up on a ton of their offerings in the next 30 days.

I have the Criterion Channel, but may have to check that one out.

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by alchav21

The only one I can't access is AppleTV, and no loss there.

Actually, both Greyhound with Tom Hanks and Defending Jacob with Chris Evans were excellent.

And Issac Asimov’s Foundation with Jared Harris and Lee Pace is coming next year, and that will be a must watch.

The trailer is fantastic.

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

I have the Criterion Channel, but may have to check that one out.

I also have and love the Criterion Channel.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

Were the shelves full? I visited my local BB for the first time since COVID hit and the formally full four back to back rows were nearly empty of discs. When I pointed to the shelves to get the attention of the salesperson, he gave me the cut throat sign.

Right across his mask.

Yes, it’s sad.

Very sad.

Transitioning from a mass general audience market to a micro collector market will be hit and miss.

Plenty of new general release films will not receive a UHD, or in some cases, no disc whatsoever; genre catalog will get premium releases at a premium price point.

Will Blu-ray break the $1B sales mark in 2021? It appears many former Blu-ray buyers are jumping ship while DVD buyers and related sales represent the lion’s share of the shrinking physical media market.

It’s the big question mark. Regardless, I’m not worried. I’m very content with my collection, and the boutique releases have been outstanding.

And besides, I’m adaptable.

The Grim Reaper of Physical Media has deigned to visit us; lucky us.

Your Best Buy story is just as anecdotal and just as meaningless.

Physical media sales, all formats, in the U.S. hit $637.78 million after just the 1st quarter of 2020. The second quarter report should be out soon, but if we look at the weekly reports posted in the Home Video Sales thread since the first quarter, from page 68 onward, we can get an idea as to where sales stand.

https://www.degonline.org/portfolio_...inment-report/

Since the week ending April 4th through the week ending July 11th, physical media has made an additional $616.92 million bringing the yearly running total to approx. $1.2547 billion. That $616.92 million is not all that much lower than what we saw in the first quarter of 2020 which was economically pre-pandemic.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...273322&page=68

Blu-ray sales last year, which include 4K discs, were 47.2% of total sales last year. If that same general percentage applies this year, then blu-ray sales would be about $592.2 million as of July 11th. There is plenty of time for blu-ray sales alone to crack your arbitrary $1 billion threshold.

Taking these numbers into the context of a pandemic and record high unemployment is also important. It is harder to buy discs, or any luxuries, when so many people are out of work or that are subsisting on reduced hours and pay. Factor in also that there are no brand new big budget movies being released in theaters and that further dampens sales. There has always been a correlation between box office performance and disc sales and we all know what has happened to box office receipts.

I also am not worried about physical media and none of your stock & trade doom & gloominess has ever caused me any. My collection as it stands right now will keep me entertained for many, many years. With this pandemic eliminating most brand new content, it has allowed me to really expand my collection of catalog titles. A small silver lining in this pandemic cloud.