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

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Seeing as Netflix licensed the show from its rightful owner, that owner is still making something by my watching it. Netflix would not license shows that are not being watched. That suggested ebay purchase would earn the studio NOTHING.

I am not particularly concerned that the studio makes money, only that it makes money from physical media so that they know to keep releasing more titles on physical media. The more money they make from other sources the more likely they are to focus entirely on those other sources and ignore physical media.

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Vilya

The show amuses me more often than it induces me to by about a 55% to 45% margin, but that is hardly an endorsement to buy it. It has zero rewatch value; why would I buy something I know I will NEVER watch again? That would be foolish.

It sounds extremely foolish to watch a show that makes you cringe 45% of the time, regardless of price. In that case I don't suggest that you buy it on Blu-ray, I suggest that you avoid it entirely.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

I am not particularly concerned that the studio makes money only that it makes money from physical media so that they know to keep releasing more titles on physical media. The more money they make from other sources the more likely they are to focus entirely on those other sources and ignore physical media.

And again buying used discs on ebay earns the studios NOTHING thereby doing NOTHING to encourage more releases on disc. Does this merry go round have an exit anywhere?

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Vilya

And again buying used discs on ebay earns the studios NOTHING thereby doing NOTHING to encourage more releases on disc. Does this merry go round have an exit anywhere?

I'd rather they earn NOTHING and aren't encouraged to do anything one way or another then them earning money from streaming and therefore be encouraged to release more titles exclusively on streaming.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

It sounds extremely foolish to watch a show that makes you cringe 45% of the time, regardless of price. In that case I don't suggest that you buy it on Blu-ray, I suggest that you avoid it entirely.

I'm laughing more than I'm not, so I'm fine with it. Even when its worthy there's sometimes a Mystery Science Theater kinda fun to be had with it. It's still a self basting turkey overall.

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I'm laughing more than I'm not, so I'm fine with it. Even when its worthy there's sometimes a Mystery Science Theater kinda fun to be had with it. It's still a self basting turkey overall.

You obviously use the word much more liberally than I would. That emoji doesn't look like he's having fun at all.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

I'd rather they earn NOTHING and aren't encouraged to do anything one way or another then them earning money from streaming and therefore be encouraged to release more titles exclusively on streaming.

You can't be this obtuse. When they make nothing from their disc offerings, such as when a used disc is sold on ebay, that is EXACTLY what encourages them to distribute their content digitally.

They are going to earn money from streaming whether we like it or not. The only question is will they make enough from the sale of new discs from official retailers to keep offering them? Buying used discs does not encourage more disc releases; from the studio's point of view it helps to make the case for digital distribution.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

You obviously use the word much more liberally than I would.

Spend that $5 and buy the used season 1 set and then find out for yourself ...even though you won't be helping physical media one iota by doing so.

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Vilya

You can't be this obtuse. When they make nothing from their disc offerings, such as when a used disc is sold on ebay, that is EXACTLY what encourages them to distribute their content digitally.

Making money from digital distribution is what encourages them distribute their content digitally. Not making money from any source doesn't encourage them to do anything one way or another.

If you had tried Arrow Season 1 via a used Blu-ray and liked it then you would have spent money on the new Blu-ray set. If you tried Arrow Season 1 and didn't like it (enough to spend more money on it) then you would have looked for something else to fill your time and likely would have spent money on a different Blu-ray.

In either case that likely would have meant more money spent on Blu-ray. But since you got Arrow for free on Netflix you ended up not buying any shows on Blu-ray.

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Spend that $5 and buy the used season 1 set and then find out for yourself ...even though you won't be helping physical media one iota by doing so.

I have the entire series on Blu-ray. I bought all 8 seasons new and enjoyed watching all of them.

[PenguinInfinity]

The used market is the primary advantage that physical media has over downloads and streaming. Only via the used market can titles remain available to everyone long after official support has ended.

A thriving used market makes titles readily available and affordable for decades after the studios and distributors deem them unworthy of supporting.

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Vilya

You can't be this obtuse. When they make nothing from their disc offerings, such as when a used disc is sold on ebay, that is EXACTLY what encourages them to distribute their content digitally.

They are going to earn money from streaming whether we like it or not. The only question is will they make enough from the sale of new discs from official retailers to keep offering them? Buying used discs does not encourage more disc releases; from the studio's point of view it helps to make the case for digital distribution.

The used market is the primary advantage that physical media has over downloads and streaming. Only via the used market can titles remain available to everyone long after official support has ended.

Streaming: Each title is only available when the studios support it and for whatever price the studios choose.

Physical Media: Each title is available for a very long time and the studios can't control the prices (both of those things are due to the used market).

If you're against the used market then you must think it's okay for studios to have full control over the availability of all titles.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

Making money from digital distribution is what encourages them distribute their content digitally. Not making money from any source doesn't encourage them to do anything one way or another.

If you had tried Arrow Season 1 via a used Blu-ray and liked it then you would have spent money on the new Blu-ray set. If you tried Arrow Season 1 and didn't like it (enough to spend more money on it) then you would have looked for something else to fill your time and likely would have spent money on a different Blu-ray.

In either case that likely would have meant more money spent on Blu-ray. But since you got Arrow for free on Netflix you ended up not buying any shows on Blu-ray.

that's not how it works; when one distribution method does not make money a business looks for one that does. When it comes to home video entertainment there are two main revenue sources: physical and digital distribution. If the former disappoints, they will, and they do, look to the latter.

My watching a show on Netflix or on TV in no way impacted my disc purchases. Repairing my computer did last month, but even with that expense I still bought 11 titles.

No matter what I watch at any given moment, or how I choose to watch it, I typically spend hundreds of $ per month on brand new discs and those purchases actually do support physical media unlike your "buy it used for cheap" from ebay advice.

I have no problem with the used market. I use it to buy OOP titles from time to time, but I do not pretend that buying used discs supports physical media. It doesn't; the studios earn nothing from used disc sales and that does not motivate them to give us more disc releases. The used market is a great post mortem should physical media actually die, but I am hoping that the patient lives a long life and buying new discs from official retailers helps to prolong that life.

I have given up on Netflux for tonight. I am going to play one of my video games; one that requires an online connection to play. The game, Diablo 3, is 9 years-old and it is still being supported by the studio that made it. In fact, its predecessor, Diablo 2, which can be played on or offline, still has multi-player online support and it is a 21 year-old game. Both are fully patched, too. Diablo 3 was a gift and I own Diablo 2 on disc, but I play the downloaded version of it as it runs better than the disc based version.

[PenguinInfinity]

The used market is the primary advantage that physical media has over downloads and streaming. Only via the used market can titles remain available to everyone long after official support has ended.

Streaming: Each title is only available when the studios support it and for whatever price the studios choose.

Physical Media: Each title is available for a very long time and the studios can't control the prices (both of those things are due to the used market).

If you're against the used market then you must think it's okay for studios to have full control over the price and availability of all titles.

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Spend that $5 and buy the used season 1 set and then find out for yourself ...even though you won't be helping physical media one iota by doing so.

I already have the entire series on Blu-ray.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

The used market is the primary advantage that physical media has over downloads and streaming. Only via the used market can titles remain available to everyone long after official support has ended.

Streaming: Each title is only available when the studios support it and for whatever price the studios choose.

Physical Media: Each title is available for a very long time and the studios can't control the prices (both of those things are due to the used market).

If you're against the used market then you must think it's okay for studios to have full control over the availability of all titles.

The used market is only an advantage for finding OOP titles and in case physical media dies. Buying used earns the studios, what's that word again? Nothing! Poor sales results discourage more physical media releases and in lieu of that we are left with what? Digital, and only digital distribution, for all titles going forward.

You'll always be able to buy The Wizard Of Oz on the used market and that's just wonderful, but physical media won't see new titles released unless brand new discs are purchased in significant quantities at profitable price points. Buying used hurts physical media whenever there is the option to buy that movie new from an official retailer.

I visit the used market to buy OOP titles ONLY. If I was against it, I would not use it at all. My instinct has ALWAYS been to buy new. Buying new motivates the studios to offer more titles and that is precisely what I want them to do.

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Vilya

The used market is only an advantage for finding OOP titles and in case physical media dies.

A thriving used market cannot exist solely on out of print titles. If only out of print titles were worth anything then many discs would be thrown out long before they ever went out of print and they would be next to impossible to find when they eventually did go out of print.

A thriving used market is necessary for titles to remain readily available after support has ended. It will only be thriving if people are able to buy and sell all titles whether they are out of print or not.

I wholeheartedly support buying both new and used titles on physical media.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

A thriving used market cannot exist solely on out of print titles. If only out of print titles were worth anything then many discs would be thrown out long before they ever went out of print and they would be next to impossible to find when they eventually did go out of print.

A thriving used market is necessary for titles to remain readily available after support has ended. It will only be thriving if people are able to buy and sell all titles whether they are out of print or not.

I wholeheartedly support both new and used titles on physical media.

The used market isn't the one that is endangered. The market for new discs is the one that is in trouble. Bargain hunters who primarily care about getting a great deal will always shop the used marketplace; their numbers are legion.

Support for physical media comes from buying new discs, not used, and that is where I throw my support.

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Vilya

The used market isn't the one that is endangered. The market for new discs is the one that is in trouble. Bargain hunters who primarily care about getting a great deal will always shop the used marketplace; their numbers are legion.

Support for physical media comes from buying new discs, not used, and that is where I throw my support.

I absolutely agree that the new market needs more support and I will always continue to buy plenty of new discs.

But if you think that any studio is paying attention to the sales of an 8 year old set you're delusional. Buying a new copy of the first season of a show that's already had 7 other seasons released isn't going to encourage the studios to release anything. You therefore might as well buy a used set at a drastically lower price.

I buy new discs when they are recently released titles that really need support. I buy whatever's cheapest when it's an old disc that the studios aren't paying any attention to anymore or an ultra popular title that will easily get all the support it needs.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

I absolutely agree that the new market needs more support and I will always continue to buy plenty of new discs.

But if you think that any studio is paying attention to the sales of an 8 year old set you're delusional. Buying a new copy of the first season of a show that's already had 7 other seasons released isn't going to encourage the studios to release anything. You therefore might as well buy a used set a drastically lower price.

A sale is a sale and money is money and a used sale earns nothing for the studios, period. While the initial release may be 8 years-old the fact that it is still offered suggests that it has had many pressings over that time. Its $26 price tag, new, suggests that it is still commanding a decent price. Businesses always pay attention to how well ALL of their products sell; if you think otherwise your ignorance is nothing short of epic.