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

[Ender14]

Kino Lorber and Powerhouse are both having sales right now and Warner Archive will have their last 4 for $44 starting tomorrow. Ordered 8 from Kino but avoided Powerhouse to save for WAC sale. Expensive weekend.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

In other news, it’s been tough on shop owners in the pandemic and COVID-19 is not very nice!

Today is the one year anniversary when WHO declared that a global pandemic was present. Hang in there guys, there is light visible at the end of tunnel.

[cheez avenger]

Yeah, March 18 was the first day we were told to stay home from work and "self-quarantine." Didn't go back to work until that first week of May. I was lucky in that I still got paid throughout my stay at home orders.

There is a glimmer of hope, because next week, March 18, we have the Snyder Cut on HBO MAX! I actually requested the day off and am making a day of it.

[Ender14]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

Yeah, March 18 was the first day we were told to stay home from work and "self-quarantine." Didn't go back to work until that first week of May. I was lucky in that I still got paid throughout my stay at home orders.

There is a glimmer of hope, because next week, March 18, we have the Snyder Cut on HBO MAX! I actually requested the day off and am making a day of it.

My work from home order started March 23 and I'm still working from home. It might be May/June before we go back to working onsite.

[Steedeel]

Been able to work all the way through the pandemic.

[mdo7]

I'm currently watching Safe Haven (2013) on Netflix, and never I thought I would add this to my reason I don't trust streaming sites. Safe Haven according to IMDB, and Blu-ray.com's section page, the aspect ratio is supposed to be 2:35:1/2:39:1 (depend on where you get the information) and there's supposed to be a black bar on top and bottom (I know because I remember borrowing the DVD back in 2013 when the movie came out on home video), the one I'm watching on Netflix is 1:85:1 (which is the incorrect aspect ratio to be shown).

So what the hell, why was Netflix or whoever gave the re-cropped version of the film on streaming in a not correct aspect ratio.

So there you go, another reason why I can't trust streaming, I maybe given a film with a incorrect aspect ratio. So could somebody explain why Netflix was given a movie with a different aspect ratio from the blu-ray/home video release.

[Lee A Stewart]

Originally Posted by mdo7

I'm currently watching Safe Haven (2013) on Netflix, and never I thought I would add this to my reason I don't trust streaming sites. Safe Haven according to IMDB, and Blu-ray.com's section page, the aspect ratio is supposed to be 2:35:1/2:39:1 (depend on where you get the information) and there's supposed to be a black bar on top and bottom (I know because I remember borrowing the DVD back in 2013 when the movie came out on home video), the one I'm watching on Netflix is 1:85:1 (which is the incorrect aspect ratio to be shown).

So what the hell, why was Netflix or whoever gave the re-cropped version of the film on streaming in a not correct aspect ratio.

So there you go, another reason why I can't trust streaming, I maybe given a film with a incorrect aspect ratio. So could somebody explain why Netflix was given a movie with a different aspect ratio from the blu-ray/home video release.

Happens all the time on Tubi, Most 2.40 AR movies are shown as 1.85. Then again, Tubi is free (with ads). Also happens on the Roku Channel. Also free with Roku devices.

Don't like the change - don't watch it. Simple as that.

[mdo7]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

Happens all the time on Tubi, Most 2.40 AR movies are shown as 1.85. Then again, Tubi is free (with ads). Also happens on the Roku Channel. Also free with Roku devices.

Don't like the change - don't watch it. Simple as that.

I didn't have that problem with Tubi, most of the movie I watched on Tubi are in their correct aspect ratio (so far). But seeing Safe Haven in a modified aspect ratio on Netflix is unacceptable, and that's not OK. You're telling me this happen a lot of time, and nobody is complaining about it, I remember the time when people complain about 2:35:1 films getting pan & scan back during the VHS day. I'm expecting the same people making a big deal out of it on streaming if there are improper aspect ratio being shown that differ from blu-ray/home video release.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

Happens all the time on Tubi, Most 2.40 AR movies are shown as 1.85. Then again, Tubi is free (with ads). Also happens on the Roku Channel. Also free with Roku devices.

Don't like the change - don't watch it. Simple as that.

Or maybe these services can go to the effort of treating the film with respect and actually screening it in it’s original aspect ratio? Crazy concept I know.

[JohnAV]

Netflix Begins Test to Crack Down on Password Sharing Outside Your Household - The Streamable 3/11/21

Earlier this week, some Netflix subscribers began to notice that it might be a bit harder to “borrow” someone’s password.

In the prompt, customers are told that “If you don’t live with the owner of this account, you need your own account to keep watching.” In order to continue, they need to verify the account with a E-mail or Text Code, or create a new account with a 30-Day Free Trial.

We’ve heard the test right now is only on TV devices. A Netflix spokesperson told The Streamable, “This test is designed to help ensure that people using Netflix accounts are authorized to do so.” It isn’t clear if users in the test all need to be on the same IP address to be considered in the same household.

According to Netflix terms, an account can only be shared with members of your household: “The Netflix service and any content viewed through our service are for your personal and non-commercial use only and may not be shared with individuals beyond your household.”

Until now, Netflix has not done anything to police this except to set limits on simultaneous streaming. Their Basic plan ($8.99) allows streaming on a single device, while the Standard plan ($13.99) offers streaming on up to 2 devices, and the Premium plan ($17.99) on up to 4 devices. However, they don’t limit you on the number of devices a single account can be logged into.

There has been talk that companies will be become more aggressive on password sharing, as the industry becomes more mature.

In October 2019, Chief Product Officer Greg Peters said on the topic, “We continue to monitor it. So we’re looking at the situation (and look into) consumer friendly ways to push on the edges.” At the time, Peters said Netflix had “no big plans” to announce in terms of doing something different.

But at some point, this will likely change. Research firm Magid once measured that 35 percent of millennials share passwords for streaming. With Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus, HBO Max, and Peacock all competing for subscribers — every additional sub just means more revenue for streaming services.

[Lee A Stewart]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Or maybe these services can go to the effort of treating the film with respect and actually screening it in it’s original aspect ratio? Crazy concept I know.

Or . . . they understand their audience better than you do.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Lee A Stewart

Or . . . they understand their audience better than you do.

An audience that doesn’t give a shit about quality or integrity regarding film? Nail on head.

Thanks for 100% proving what I have been saying.

[Lee A Stewart]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

An audience that doesn’t give a shit about quality or integrity regarding film? Nail on head.

Thanks for 100% proving what I have been saying.

That water is wet? Congratulations Einstein!

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Netflix Begins Test to Crack Down on Password Sharing Outside Your Household - The Streamable 3/11/21

[Show spoiler]

None of that will stop anybody from sharing their accounts. I can easily obtain any verification code from my benefactor the same as I did their account credentials in the first place.

"Household" members don't just stream when they are at home, so tying service access to locations or to specific devices is useless. People stream wherever they happen to be with whatever they happen to have with them. People also take vacations, some own RVs and a few even own vacation homes, and they may have jobs that involve travel, thus using different TVs in hotels, second homes, or recreational vehicles is not uncommon. Kids go everywhere and they stream from all over creation with all manner of devices and they do it with the same account.

This on-screen verification message might get a few people to open their own accounts, but for most it won't change a thing.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

An audience that doesn’t give a shit about quality or integrity regarding film? Nail on head.

Thanks for 100% proving what I have been saying.

You could never please everyone, if you don't like the Streaming presentation pull out your Old Disc and Old Disc Player. That's why you guys Collect to have those options.....So use them!

[Vilya]

I suspect that most people have no idea what the correct aspect ratio for any given movie is in the first place. We also know that many people love having their screens filled no matter what, so even if they did know what the correct aspect ratio was, they would not care.

Those of us that enjoy both discs and digital have the greatest chance of finding a movie presented in its correct aspect ratio. Incorrect ratios have appeared on disc as well.

[Admiral]

Originally Posted by mdo7

I'm currently watching Safe Haven (2013) on Netflix, and never I thought I would add this to my reason I don't trust streaming sites. Safe Haven according to IMDB, and Blu-ray.com's section page, the aspect ratio is supposed to be 2:35:1/2:39:1 (depend on where you get the information) and there's supposed to be a black bar on top and bottom (I know because I remember borrowing the DVD back in 2013 when the movie came out on home video), the one I'm watching on Netflix is 1:85:1 (which is the incorrect aspect ratio to be shown).

So what the hell, why was Netflix or whoever gave the re-cropped version of the film on streaming in a not correct aspect ratio.

So there you go, another reason why I can't trust streaming, I maybe given a film with a incorrect aspect ratio. So could somebody explain why Netflix was given a movie with a different aspect ratio from the blu-ray/home video release.

I just checked Safe Haven on Netflix and it's showing the correct aspect ratio 2.35:1. Black bars at the top and bottom. It might be your TV settings that has it zoomed in.

[Lee A Stewart]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I suspect that most people have no idea what the correct aspect ratio for any given movie is in the first place. We also know that many people love having their screens filled no matter what, so even if they did know what the correct aspect ratio was, they would not care.

Those of us that enjoy both discs and digital have the greatest chance of finding a movie presented in its correct aspect ratio. Incorrect ratios have appeared on disc as well.

I own two copies of SILVERADO on DVD. One is a 1.85 AR while the other is 2.40. The movie was shot in the Super 35 format so the 1.85 edition just shows more in the frame. In theaters it was 2.40.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by mdo7

I'm currently watching Safe Haven (2013) on Netflix, and never I thought I would add this to my reason I don't trust streaming sites.

A major reason I stopped doing DVD2HDX on Vudu. DVD was 2.39 and the Vudu version was P&S for catalog titles. No matter, most of those titles I now have on BD or UHD BD. Had to import some from Europe with a few being region B which plays in the Oppo with a region mod.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

A major reason I stopped doing DVD2HDX on Vudu. DVD was 2.39 and the Vudu version was P&S for catalog titles. No matter, most of those titles I now have on BD or UHD BD. Had to import some from Europe with a few being region B which plays in the Oppo with a region mod.

It has always been about options; the more of them that you use the more likely that you will find exactly what you want. A region free disc player lets you shop the entire world for content and that opens so many doors.