Do you see digital as the future and if so, does that spell the nd for dedicated HT?

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by octagon

Oh for the love it...it's not bad enough you have to drag this into thread after thread. Now you're giving it its own thread?

TVs are not going to be replaced by watches.

They're just not.

I feel this Is a big enough threat that it warrants major discussion. Mobile devices are a threat to home cinema. So is OTT/streaming. If people don't grasp that, it ain't my fault.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I feel this Is a big enough threat that it warrants major discussion. Mobile devices are a threat to home cinema. So is OTT/streaming. If people don't grasp that, it ain't my fault.

'Mobile devices' have been around for generations.

The fact that they can do more things and can do them better and better every year is a Good Thing.

Cable was not a threat to home entertainment. It made it better. Digital cable made home entertainment better still.

TVs have never been bigger, better or cheaper. Home media has never been more affordable or looked or sounded better. An entire world of film and television is literally at our fingertips with quality we could only dream about not all that many years ago and all you see is doom and gloom?

I'm sorry but that's just ridiculous.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

I will never go digital... not even streaming! When I can longer buy physical media, I will no longer be growing a collection.

I even destroy digital copy codes before they can be redeemed!

[CuriousGamer]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

I will never go digital... not even streaming! When I can longer buy physical media, I will no longer be growing a collection.

I even destroy digital copy codes before they can be redeemed!

I really wish people would learn that digital is:

a) not a bad thing, limiting factor is usually the Internet speeds available

b) actually a misnomer since CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and TV are all digital. It's just a buzz word used to describe something that is downloadable or streamable.

[thecalm_7]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I feel this Is a big enough threat that it warrants major discussion. Mobile devices are a threat to home cinema. So is OTT/streaming. If people don't grasp that, it ain't my fault.

Mobile Devices are more a threat to Home Console Gaming. People have are growing to like quick pick up/play mindless activities for $1 than a true full force game that requires a dedicated sit down and play/concentrate for 30 minutes at a time.

As for the home theatre that the OP/thread title asks about. I went house looking, and through the nearly 100 houses I visited, 30 were not furnished/people not currently residing. I saw prewiring in a few. But in the homes still occupied, I saw less than a handful of anything aside from just a TV. 5 at the most had a soundbar/sub kit and those houses had some form of gaming console. But the HT were nothing like the galleries here. they were out the box no receiver, just 5.1 with a dvd player. Which made my wife question who even buys the big HT setups? Theses were 175-350k$ homes, not apartments where space is limited.

Seeing that, I truly believe HT will be here to stay, but most people don't own more than a TV with 1 media player to begin with. HT seems to be truly niche. Or maybe even in certain areas. My local Best Buys are pathetic, sound area (speaker/receivers) aren't even on open display and what they do have fits on a single sided 8foot 2 shelf isle.

[roar]

Originally Posted by CuriousGamer

I really wish people would learn that digital is:

a) not a bad thing, limiting factor is usually the Internet speeds available

b) actually a misnomer since CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and TV are all digital. It's just a buzz word used to describe something that is downloadable or streamable.

Though I have embraced digital streaming I am not at all convinced it is the quality of blu-ray. I've got a 30Mbps connection and can obtain more than enough speed to match the bit rates iTunes/Vudu/Netflix/Flixster demand and although entirely watchable it is not as good as blu-ray.

I have pretty much abandoned blu-ray purchases even for blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy where I swore I'd buy the disc I ended up buying the Digital copy. I am annoyed when I watch because I know I'm leaving something on the table but the dollars and cents just aren't adding up any more. I watch very few movies more than once and for single viewings I've accepted a digital copy as adequate. I only purchase collector pieces now and I don't even open those

[mountaindewbass]

There would need to be some major upgrades to streaming in order for it to be comparable to a Blu Ray disk. I can watch Fury in HD through ITunes, the picture and audio is not as crisp as Blu Ray. I could see digital files overtaking blu's since they are convenient and can be downloaded to all our tech gadgets..but until the quality of a 8gb iTunes file can match a 50 gb blu ray disk...pass.

tyler

Originally Posted by CuriousGamer

I really wish people would learn that digital is:

a) not a bad thing, limiting factor is usually the Internet speeds available

b) actually a misnomer since CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and TV are all digital. It's just a buzz word used to describe something that is downloadable or streamable.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by thecalm_7

Mobile Devices are more a threat to Home Console Gaming. People have are growing to like quick pick up/play mindless activities for $1 than a true full force game that requires a dedicated sit down and play/concentrate for 30 minutes at a time.

As for the home theatre that the OP/thread title asks about. I went house looking, and through the nearly 100 houses I visited, 30 were not furnished/people not currently residing. I saw prewiring in a few. But in the homes still occupied, I saw less than a handful of anything aside from just a TV. 5 at the most had a soundbar/sub kit and those houses had some form of gaming console. But the HT were nothing like the galleries here. they were out the box no receiver, just 5.1 with a dvd player. Which made my wife question who even buys the big HT setups? Theses were 175-350k$ homes, not apartments where space is limited.

Seeing that, I truly believe HT will be here to stay, but most people don't own more than a TV with 1 media player to begin with. HT seems to be truly niche. Or maybe even in certain areas. My local Best Buys are pathetic, sound area (speaker/receivers) aren't even on open display and what they do have fits on a single sided 8foot 2 shelf isle.

Destroy gaming? That's almost as bad a scenario lol.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CuriousGamer

I really wish people would learn that digital is:

a) not a bad thing, limiting factor is usually the Internet speeds available

b) actually a misnomer since CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and TV are all digital. It's just a buzz word used to describe something that is downloadable or streamable.

I think everyone understands the Digital thing. It's just the word people use.

It is a bad thing if it kicks off a scenario where smartphones rule for home entertainment. It is a very very bad thing.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by CuriousGamer

I really wish people would learn that digital is:

a) not a bad thing, limiting factor is usually the Internet speeds available

b) actually a misnomer since CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and TV are all digital. It's just a buzz word used to describe something that is downloadable or streamable.

Exactly. I wonder how many people who say they will never go digital watch cable or satellite or OTA TV broadcasts.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by CuriousGamer

I really wish people would learn that digital is:

a) not a bad thing, limiting factor is usually the Internet speeds available

b) actually a misnomer since CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and TV are all digital. It's just a buzz word used to describe something that is downloadable or streamable.

I am fully aware of all of this. Does not change my stance. I will no longer watch content that is available only via streaming or downloading if that becomes the only option available. I refuse to rent my content. If I pay for it, I want to keep it and I want a hard copy for the price that I initially paid.

Never will I pay for Netflix or any service like that. Never will I sign up for VUDU or any service like that. Like I said, I even destroy Digital Copy codes before ANYONE can redeem them.

[thecalm_7]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Destroy gaming? That's almost as bad a scenario lol.

I don't know about destroying gaming, but gaming mags have been posting articles and company financials are showing too. Nintendo expressed great concern at some interviews about how cell phone gaming is hurting them. Now they say this fall they may even start releasing their own mobile gaming.

I see the point in detesting streaming as some of you do, but I use Hulu, Netflix, and HBOGo. The quality is limited to internet speeds and audio isn't as good, but it is nice for some things. Testing the waters with films. I'm probably in the minority here, but I purchase nearly all that I watch on Netflix. Without being able to hop down the street to the local video store, I watch the films and if I like them, I add them to my amazon wishlist, and buy them later. Hulu has a Criterion channel that greatly helps. I've purchased more films after watching them on Hulu than if I were standing in a store staring at the price tags.
Netflix also offers movies/TV shows that are not available to purchase in physical format, or at least not in certain countries. I enjoy house of cards streaming, but day 1 Blu-ray purchase for me.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by octagon

'Mobile devices' have been around for generations.

The fact that they can do more things and can do them better and better every year is a Good Thing.

Cable was not a threat to home entertainment. It made it better. Digital cable made home entertainment better still.

TVs have never been bigger, better or cheaper. Home media has never been more affordable or looked or sounded better. An entire world of film and television is literally at our fingertips with quality we could only dream about not all that many years ago and all you see is doom and gloom?

I'm sorry but that's just ridiculous.

agree 100%

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by CuriousGamer

I really wish people would learn that digital is:

b) actually a misnomer since CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and TV are all digital. It's just a buzz word used to describe something that is downloadable or streamable.

yup

a) not a bad thing, limiting factor is usually the Internet speeds available

yes and no.

1) If someone does not care about quality being limited by internet speeds is not a bad thing but if one does care and they can't get the quality they want then it is by definition a bad thing and reason enough to use.

2) I have been buying films on physical media since the 80's and technically I could watch any one of them today if I felt like it because they were bought on physical media and the physical nature gives me rights. On the other hand http://appadvice.com/appnn/2015/02/t...own-next-month

A little more than a year after launching, retailer Target announced today that it is shutting down the Target Ticket video-on-demand service.

Starting March 7, 2015, if you have purchased digital movies/TV shows from Target Ticket, you may access this content on CinemaNow, provided it is also available on CinemaNow. CinemaNow is available at no cost to you. We have partnered with CinemaNow, a leading provider of premium pay-as-you-go digital entertainment, to ensure a smooth and easy transition.

If you choose to register with CinemaNow, you must agree to have your library of purchased titles and existing account credits transferred from Target Ticket to CinemaNow in order to maintain access to your titles purchased through Target Ticket. You can transfer your library on or after March 7, 2015.

days weeks or months after you purchase a virtual copy (I prefer that term because it is more precise) you might not be able to watch that film you supposedly purchased because if you can watch it or not is out of your control.

[jc480]

Digital is just a media.

My home theater works streaming or using physical media.

[CuriousGamer]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

1) If someone does not care about quality being limited by internet speeds is not a bad thing but if one does care and they can't get the quality they want then it is by definition a bad thing and reason enough to use.

I just meant that if Internet speeds were faster like they are in some countries then the bandwidth would be there to support HD audio streams and higher bitrate video. The technology exists for all of these things today but the average Internet speeds are what is limiting it's adoption.

Why should *insert content provider here* invest in higher bitrate content and hardware for maybe 1% of their customers that can actually take advantage of it (much less for 4K). It's just a business decision but if more people were able to take consume that quality of streaming there isn't any reason that it shouldn't be available.

[schan1269]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

I am fully aware of all of this. Does not change my stance. I will no longer watch content that is available only via streaming or downloading if that becomes the only option available. I refuse to rent my content. If I pay for it, I want to keep it and I want a hard copy for the price that I initially paid.

Never will I pay for Netflix or any service like that. Never will I sign up for VUDU or any service like that. Like I said, I even destroy Digital Copy codes before ANYONE can redeem them.

That is just as shortsighted as the "gloom and doom" of this thread...

I have a disdain for "stream only" as well.

Yet...

Acolyte Cinema
Fandor
(Others, not at home to look...)

Have film that will never see a DVD.

Several Latin American studios now sell DRM files that you can make 1 disc of. Movies that are good...and available nowhere else.

I'll ask this, again...cause it has never been given a straight answer(it may not have one)...

When you watch Netflix, obviously they know what device you are using. When that device(phone or tablet) is connected(MHL/WiDi/Chromecast etc...) to your TV...

Does that still count as "watched the film on a mobile device"?

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by CuriousGamer

I just meant that if Internet speeds were faster like they are in some countries then the bandwidth would be there to support HD audio streams and higher bitrate video. The technology exists for all of these things today but the average Internet speeds are what is limiting it's adoption.

Why should *insert content provider here* invest in higher bitrate content and hardware for maybe 1% of their customers that can actually take advantage of it (much less for 4K). It's just a business decision but if more people were able to take consume that quality of streaming there isn't any reason that it shouldn't be available.

agree and that is why I said "yes and no". I did not disagree that the "limiting factor is usually the Internet speeds available" and that theoretically it is possible to have a virtual and physical copy be identical in A/V. That was the yes part.

But there is also the "no part" that you hit on the head in your second paragraph with "Why should *insert content provider here* invest in higher bitrate content and hardware for maybe 1% of their customers that can actually take advantage of it", streaming will always need to be a "lowest common denominator" tech (what BW makes sense for most in the country) and so it will always be hard for it to reach what is needed. It also has the difficulty that if I am watching X on one display and someone else Y on an other display in the home with disk there is no difference, but with streaming I will only have 1/2 the BW available for each and if it is three people 1/3.... It does not matter if in theory the two can be exact copies when there is little or no chance of it happening for many reasons.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by schan1269

That is just as shortsighted as the "gloom and doom" of this thread...

I have a disdain for "stream only" as well.

Yet...

Acolyte Cinema
Fandor
(Others, not at home to look...)

Have film that will never see a DVD.

Several Latin American studios now sell DRM files that you can make 1 disc of. Movies that are good...and available nowhere else.

I'll ask this, again...cause it has never been given a straight answer(it may not have one)...

When you watch Netflix, obviously they know what device you are using. When that device(phone or tablet) is connected(MHL/WiDi/Chromecast etc...) to your TV...

Does that still count as "watched the film on a mobile device"?

short sighted? Not really. Nothing wrong with sticking to his guns. I certainly will be. I won't degrade my setup by feeding it some pixelated crap via streaming. Nor will I watch movies on a shitty little postage stamp sized screen. Not now, not ever. When I can't collect, I stop buying. If I can't have that item in my display cabinet it ain't worth it. I become a renter.

[schan1269]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

short sighted? Not really. Nothing wrong with sticking to his guns. I certainly will be. I won't degrade my setup by feeding it some pixelated crap via streaming. Nor will I watch movies on a shitty little postage stamp sized screen. Not now, not ever. When I can't collect, I stop buying. If I can't have that item in my display cabinet it ain't worth it. I become a renter.

Then you are not a cinephile.

You are merely a person that watches movies.

What DVD did I buy this weekend...

L'Enfant, La Segunda Noche, 5x2, L'Auberge Espagnole, Vivere, Don't Tell(Mezzogiorno), El Camino(Moss), Le Silence De Lorne, A World Without Thieves, En Tu Ausencia, Mammut/Mammoth, Dogville(replaced a borrowed copy), A Chinese Torture Chamber Story and An Affair of Love.

Dogville is on Blu, which is what my borrowed copy is. L'Auberge Espagnole I think has a Blu.

The rest...doubt it.

Online, some.(illegally on YouTube doesn't count)

I have 40g of internet allotment per month. I've already watched 4 movies this month that had no physical copy(I always check...as I'll buy and resell. As it costs $15 per g over 40....last month used 56).

I would have missed out on those 4 movies.