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

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by whipnet

HAHA, don't hold your breath on full priced codes only. Remember I am a physical guy first like you. There are only maybe 10 movies in existence that I would pay full price for a digital code only. 90% of my digital I obtained from $0-$5.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

That's what I mean. Why are Digital copies not worth full price? over to you Digital lovers.

It's all about Supply and Demand, if the Supply is high the price comes down, if the Demand goes up the price does too. We all shop for the best prices, even you Disc Lovers. I only watch Digital HD now, so I shop for the best price. You can get Recent Releases for around half the price of Disc, but after the Release Date the prices start to come down. Now the hottest thing is 4K, and with Digital you don't need a Player as long as you have a compatible interface. The Sony UHD TV has opened up my eyes to a whole new world, UV here in The States has no boundaries. The people that lock themselves into the restrictive Apple iTunes will regret their decision.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by alchav21

It's all about Supply and Demand, if the Supply is high the price comes down, if the Demand goes up the price does too. We all shop for the best prices, even you Disc Lovers. I only watch Digital HD now, so I shop for the best price. You can get Recent Releases for around half the price of Disc, but after the Release Date the prices start to come down. Now the hottest thing is 4K, and with Digital you don't need a Player as long as you have a compatible interface. The Sony UHD TV has opened up my eyes to a whole new world, UV here in The States has no boundaries. The people that lock themselves into the restrictive Apple iTunes will regret their decision.

Not if they own iPads, iPhones and MacBooks they won't.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Not if they own iPads, iPhones and MacBooks they won't.

No XBOX/PS4 apps, won't work with Chromecast or the Fire Stick. Unless you have an Apple TV box you can't view them on your TV/Projector/Etc without doing some more technical and time consuming work-arounds. UV works on everything, including Apple Devices.

[Texan26]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Not if they own iPads, iPhones and MacBooks they won't.

I've got Vudu on all three of those devices plus the Roku, blu-ray player, and Xbox One.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by alchav21

It's all about Supply and Demand, if the Supply is high the price comes down, if the Demand goes up the price does too. We all shop for the best prices, even you Disc Lovers. I only watch Digital HD now, so I shop for the best price. You can get Recent Releases for around half the price of Disc, but after the Release Date the prices start to come down. Now the hottest thing is 4K, and with Digital you don't need a Player as long as you have a compatible interface. The Sony UHD TV has opened up my eyes to a whole new world, UV here in The States has no boundaries. The people that lock themselves into the restrictive Apple iTunes will regret their decision.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Not if they own iPads, iPhones and MacBooks they won't.

You're right, and Apple is counting on that. They love you guys that all you want are Apple stuff, but for the rest of us UV is a GodSent. We are not locked into one Company, we can Stream from anyone. So you guys are like Clones, the Blind leading the Blind right into the Abyss!

[cmleblanc]

Originally Posted by alchav21

You're right, and Apple is counting on that. They love you guys that all you want are Apple stuff, but for the rest of us UV is a GodSent. We are not locked into one Company, we can Stream from anyone. So you guys are like Clones, the Blind leading the Blind right into the Abyss!

I am a huge collector of movies, first DVDs, then Blu-rays and now Digital. And I have a very large collection of both UV and Itunes. But I think the statement above is wrong. I feel like with UV, I am locked into Vudu. All the other providers are either out or struggling. I don't feel like it's safe to purchase anything now that cannot import into Vudu, such as from CinemaNow.

I also have movies that are AIV that are locked into the Amazon ecosystem.
Each of these 3 main ecosystems have their own devices and you can't get the others on it. I have heard that AIV and Vudu may be coming to the Apple TV.
But for now, I use an Apple TV for my Itunes stuff and a Roku for the UV and AIV stuff.
This is why I love DMA. DMA is not specific to any one provider or ecosystem. You buy the movie once and can get it everywhere.
I had thought this is what UV would be about but sadly, it never turned out that way.
As an owner of over 2000 UV movies, it is my most frustrating collection and is not consistent across providers. I have some movies that are UV but not available on Vudu and then have to figure out how/where I can watch them. The same is true for the 4K stuff.

I don't use GooglePlay at all but that is another main ecosystem not compatible with the others. But DMA works there too.
So it seems to me that Disney is the only true provider/hardware independent studio out there. And am hoping that more and more studios will join there as opposed to the other way around.

UV has been around for 4 years and the myuv.com site and the customer service is a horrible joke.

Just my 2 cents, FWIW.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Groot

No XBOX/PS4 apps, won't work with Chromecast or the Fire Stick. Unless you have an Apple TV box you can't view them on your TV/Projector/Etc without doing some more technical and time consuming work-arounds. UV works on everything, including Apple Devices.

Yes but how is that any different to just going out and buying a fire stick or a Chromecast? You don't need it to be on a PS4 or other console. You just need a Apple TV. If you already own Apple stuff it's a non brainer. Don't forget you can homeshare and even hook the MacBook up to your tv. Not something I would do, but it is a option.

Besides, it's the best option in the U.K. I just rent with Apple TV as I am Bluray through and through but we don't have any decent options for U.V playback here. Apple TV has a Netflix app, Nowtv app (top movies and tv) and I hear the Amazon app could be incoming very soon. Along with U.K tv channels, that's a lot of content.

Is it really a big deal?

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by alchav21

You're right, and Apple is counting on that. They love you guys that all you want are Apple stuff, but for the rest of us UV is a GodSent. We are not locked into one Company, we can Stream from anyone. So you guys are like Clones, the Blind leading the Blind right into the Abyss!

One thing I am not is a clone! . I just happen to love Apple products. They have always worked great for me. I also have Dell XPS laptop and a Steam account so there is no bias from me. Apple and Amazon give me the option to watch on a huge screen. UV does not due to a lack of providers. Sorry U.V but your ship has sailed.

The usual misconceptions are appearing again. Apple couldn't survive this long on loyal sheep. You need a great quality product to get that support in the first place. Apples stance with films were, we don't want buffering and quality drops.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by cmleblanc

I am a huge collector of movies, first DVDs, then Blu-rays and now Digital. And I have a very large collection of both UV and Itunes. But I think the statement above is wrong. I feel like with UV, I am locked into Vudu. All the other providers are either out or struggling. I don't feel like it's safe to purchase anything now that cannot import into Vudu, such as from CinemaNow.

I also have movies that are AIV that are locked into the Amazon ecosystem.
Each of these 3 main ecosystems have their own devices and you can't get the others on it. I have heard that AIV and Vudu may be coming to the Apple TV.
But for now, I use an Apple TV for my Itunes stuff and a Roku for the UV and AIV stuff.
This is why I love DMA. DMA is not specific to any one provider or ecosystem. You buy the movie once and can get it everywhere.
I had thought this is what UV would be about but sadly, it never turned out that way.
As an owner of over 2000 UV movies, it is my most frustrating collection and is not consistent across providers. I have some movies that are UV but not available on Vudu and then have to figure out how/where I can watch them. The same is true for the 4K stuff.

I don't use GooglePlay at all but that is another main ecosystem not compatible with the others. But DMA works there too.
So it seems to me that Disney is the only true provider/hardware independent studio out there. And am hoping that more and more studios will join there as opposed to the other way around.

UV has been around for 4 years and the myuv.com site and the customer service is a horrible joke.

Just my 2 cents, FWIW.

That sounds about right to me. For the U.K though, DMA doesn't exist. They have released a subscription streaming service instead. DMA would have been a godesend for Digital fans here as, like you say, it is the best option.

[twobelowpar]

Originally Posted by Dustin44

The Founder - UV OR iTunes

This was actually a both code. UV and iTunes.

[Dustin44]

Originally Posted by twobelowpar

This was actually a both code. UV and iTunes.

Oh, okay. Yeah there was some talk in that thread about that code, and people weren't exactly sure. So I was unsure about that one.

[huskerbear]

Originally Posted by squatting hen

All I know is, I couldn't use the digital copies before UV came along. I didn't have an Apple device. I think the idea behind UV is the way it should work. Have a locker for all of your movies, and be able to link providers to it. Apps available on just about every connected device. It makes sense. Wait....didn't Disney do something like that recently..... DMA is basically Disney's version of UV.

I agree. I think for consumers in general we need something universal. DMA has come closest on that end but lack content. UV has most of the content but itunes and the like haven't joined. Everybody is trying to stay proprietary (except UV) which is bad for the consumer. I think the best solution would be the non UV providers joining then have DMA (since they want to be separate?) at least tie the back end together so the consumer doesn't have to try to figure where to go. This would require itunes/Amazon to allow their customers to play/purchase movies elsewhere, which I think is the hold up.

I was also unable to use codes before UV. I'm just baffled at the people who would just as soon have UV die so we could go back itunes only or get the stupid studios to include an itunes code instead of asking them to join so all codes can work for everybody every place

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by huskerbear

I agree. I think for consumers in general we need something universal. DMA has come closest on that end but lack content. UV has most of the content but itunes and the like haven't joined. Everybody is trying to stay proprietary (except UV) which is bad for the consumer. I think the best solution would be the non UV providers joining then have DMA (since they want to be separate?) at least tie the back end together so the consumer doesn't have to try to figure where to go. This would require itunes/Amazon to allow their customers to play/purchase movies elsewhere, which I think is the hold up.

I was also unable to use codes before UV. I'm just baffled at the people who would just as soon have UV die so we could go back itunes only or get the stupid studios to include an itunes code instead of asking them to join so all codes can work for everybody every place

Yes, but your point of view is from a U.S consumer. Major countries like U.K , Australia, Germany have really crappy options IMO. ITunes is the constant for them.

[squatting hen]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Yes, but your point of view is from a U.S consumer. Major countries like U.K , Australia, Germany have really crappy options IMO. ITunes is the constant for them.

If there was one locker that all providers could link to, then it wouldn't matter where you lived.

UV could be just like DMA, and it tried and continues to try. Basically DMA is UV just created by Disney. A digital locker to link to providers. But like huskerbear said that, "would require itunes/Amazon to allow their customers to play/purchase movies elsewhere, which I think is the hold up." They want to lock you into their ecosystem. Guess what...it works. How many customers would buy an Apple TV if you could access your iTunes library in Netflix, Amazon, Vudu? There would be a lot less sells. I think it's funny the praise DMA gets when UV attempted to do the exact same thing, but is being "blocked" by other providers.

As a UK consumer, wouldn't you want a universal locker system you could use with iTunes, Vudu (if it ever arrived), Netflix, Amazon, and whoever else you guys have over there? Well....that's what UV wanted to do, and what they are still trying to do.

It wouldn't surprise me if UV went away one day. It really wouldn't. It would however be a huge loss to consumers and the digital industry. It also wouldn't surprise me if digital codes went away all together. If Apple didn't just think Burger King's slogan was directed solely to them, maybe things would be better. Maybe if Apple would have released an iTunes app for the Roku Xbox, Playstation and other devices, things wouldn't be where they are. Maybe if they joined UV....maybe, maybe, maybe. As it stands though, the only service (in the US) that tried to be consumer friendly and tried to create a standard is UV. Simple as that. It allowed EVERYONE to collect and use digital copies on nearly every single connected device. How the eff is that not consumer friendly? Guess what....any provider could join too. Nothing against apple. They could have opened iTunes up to other people besides Apple owners.

The best ideas don't always work, and you can't always go it alone.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by squatting hen

UV could be just like DMA, and it tried to be. A digital locker to link to providers. But like huskerbear said that, "would require itunes/Amazon to allow their customers to play/purchase movies elsewhere, which I think is the hold up." They want to lock you into their ecosystem. Guess what...it works. How many customers would buy an Apple TV if you could access your iTunes library in Netflix, Amazon, Vudu? There would be a lot less sells. I think it's funny the praise DMA gets when UV attempted to do the exact same thing, but is being "blocked" by other providers.

As a UK consumer, wouldn't you want a universal locker system you could use with iTunes, Vudu (if it ever arrived), Netflix, Amazon, and whoever else you guys have over there? Well....that's what UV wanted to do, and what they are still trying to do.

The best ideas don't always work, and you can't always go it alone.

I wouldn't want it no. You guys know my stance. However, I have to prepare for the very worst (a bit like building a bunker ) and I would need a easy transition if it ever happened. I believe U.V has lost its chance. The providers have not came forward. The further sales start to shrink (and they are shrinking) the less chance Digital HD has. We don't have a Vudu, but we do have non U.V services like Amazon, ITunes, Sky etc.. ironically, the most sucesful of those services still includes a DVD with each purchase. The longer U.V doesn't have any good store fronts the more people just lose interest and stick with those services I mentioned.

[squatting hen]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I wouldn't want it no. You guys know my stance. However, I have to prepare for the very worst (a bit like building a bunker ) and I would need a easy transition if it ever happened. I believe U.V has lost its chance. The providers have not came forward. The further sales start to shrink (and they are shrinking) the less chance Digital HD has. We don't have a Vudu, but we do have non U.V services like Amazon, ITunes, Sky etc.. ironically, the most sucesful of those services still includes a DVD with each purchase. The longer U.V doesn't have any good store fronts the more people just lose interest and stick with those services I mentioned.

Simple. Because they would prefer to be the standard. They don't want to "join" anyone. They are too good for that. Even when it would benefit the entire digital movie watching/collecting world.

All right.... I have to actually get some work done. I need to slide back into the bystander role and just observe for a while.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by squatting hen

Simple. Because they would prefer to be the standard. They don't want to "join" anyone. They are too good for that. Even when it would benefit the entire digital movie watching/collecting world.

All right.... I have to actually get some work done. I need to slide back into the bystander role and just observe for a while.

Good talking to you.

[doctor_who]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

One thing I am not is a clone! . I just happen to love Apple products. They have always worked great for me. I also have Dell XPS laptop and a Steam account so there is no bias from me. Apple and Amazon give me the option to watch on a huge screen. UV does not due to a lack of providers. Sorry U.V but your ship has sailed.

The usual misconceptions are appearing again. Apple couldn't survive this long on loyal sheep. You need a great quality product to get that support in the first place. Apples stance with films were, we don't want buffering and quality drops.

Hmm, I at least agree with you on the Apple thing...

I do collect both UV and iTunes (see my collections to the left) but I definitely prefer Apple. I generally buy iTunes movies when they are on sale for $4.99, or if a Touchstone/MGM is $9.99/$12.99 depending on the sale and the price. I also redeem every iTunes code that comes with a movie. I do not buy MGM/Touchstone/etc (any non-UV studio movies) on Vudu. Only iTunes. If Touchstone, etc. eventually join Disney Movies Anywhere, which I expect, those movies will transfer to Vudu at that point. Until then, oh well.

Apple's storefront and system is far superior. I am grateful they even include iTunes codes with any movies at all lol. It's unlike them honestly. It does suck for the Blu-rays that don't come with iTunes codes, like from Sony titles, and for those I redeem at and use Vudu happily. I also collect UHD on Vudu. If those titles go on sale at $4.99 I will buy them on Itunes even if I own them in Vudu via code or D2D.

It doesn't bother me that I use two ecosystems. I also share my Vudu account with family/friends and they love it. UV won't likely last forever but it's not ending anytime soon. And if it ends, studios will move from UV to a digital locker type service like Disney Movies Anywhere, in which case your movies will then transfer to iTunes or Amazon just as they do for Disney.

Amazon and iTunes have no incentive to join UV. I would say they are hoping studios individually join/create their own DMA style lockers if anything.

I do think Google Play should join UV, and that would be a boost. I doubt it happening but they are way behind in sales compared to those two and I think it would be a smart move for them. A lot of Vudu users would definitley prefer Google Play over time, I think. Vudu does have the benefit of being owned by Walmart. Walmart is HUGE. Do not underestimate this. Vudu/UV can be kept afloat by Walmart for a LONG time even if UV is fading.

[flyry]

I did like seeing that Get Out is $14.99 on Vudu and not the same price as the physical

[Texan26]

Originally Posted by flyry

I did like seeing that Get Out is $14.99 on Vudu and not the same price as the physical

It also came with $3.00 credit if you preordered it on Vudu. So it was basically like getting it for $11.99. That's what I did.

Logan is also $14.99 with $3.00 credit right now.

At those prices, I don't have to buy the blu-ray to get the code and I get watch the movie before it comes out on blu-ray.