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

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Sure. I understand.

Last time I watched Terminator 2 is was the UHD BD. I watched the movie and didn't even notice what everyone is upset about and that's fine with me. I could watch the Skynet Blu next time but as I understand it's not the one for the finickiest of Terminator 2 enjoyers.

I can't locate my own True Lies DVD and I don't remember if I loaned it, sold it, or simply misplaced it. I have the Abyss DVD but I don't watch it often and I did watch it not too long ago. I don't have True Lies or the Abyss in my iTunes library and I guess I'm buying those for the correct price of $0. Hope that is sending a message to someone about something.

These come with digital copies that will be enjoyed by more than just me as I share my online library with my family and I purchased each of my kids an ATV4K. As I understand you can link unlimited ATV4K to an account.

I see my copy of Aliens is already updated on iTunes. I may look into it.

T2 was scrubbed to give a cleaner appearance for the 3D, and it worked. I think they used the same master for the 2D version though. (I haven’t watched the flat version yet)

[RevolverOcelScott]

I know it's the longest shot in history, but everyone should send in requests to the manufacturer after the film comes out, like titles like Love Actually, Promising Young Woman etc and complain about the AI filter.

I know there's 99.9% chance they're not going to go back and ask them to be un-AI'd, but at the very least if lots of people do it, they will know that it's something that isn't desired by the consumer, even if sales are great.

But like I said, will probably amount to absolutely nothing.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

I know it's the longest shot in history, but everyone should send in requests to the manufacturer after the film comes out, like titles like Love Actually, Promising Young Woman etc and complain about the AI filter.

I know there's 99.9% chance they're not going to go back and ask them to be un-AI'd, but at the very least if lots of people do it, they will know that it's something that isn't desired by the consumer, even if sales are great.

But like I said, will probably amount to absolutely nothing.

The masses are used to ultra clean looking films and tv now. I guarantee that uninformed film fans will think that an ultra clean, grain free image looks better.
We are batting against the wind. That will only increase when A.I improves.
For now, it’s only a couple of studios/directors, but we already lost this war.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

And you buying 100 digital titles for $100 is just as bad as alchav's stance.

The people who buy True Lies and The Abyss a year from now for $5 will do absolutely nothing to make the studios think that AI upscaled 4K discs are a good idea. Just as the people who bought Stranger Things on Blu-ray for $5 did absolutely nothing to make Netflix think that releasing more seasons of Stranger Things on Blu-ray was good idea (unfortunately).

The amount of support makes a huge difference.

You and alchav21 have far more in common than I do. You are both extremists who only buy one format no matter what. You are both entirely rigid and inflexible in your attitudes. Which is fine by me because it has no effect upon me, but it seems like the blind fervor that comes only with fanaticism.

My buying both discs and digital, like most of us here do, is not some great betrayal to either format. I bet that I have spent as much, or more, on physical media over the past 40+ years than many people here and what I have spent on digital is trivial in comparison.

As I have said many times before, my digital acquisitions, the VAST majority of which are from code redemptions that came with, wait for it, my disc purchases, and my infrequent digital purchases, are to benefit my family and friends. I doubt that I have even watched 5% of the titles in my digital collection.

I am also spending a little bit more on digital of late because I already have about 9000 discs across four formats for my executor to deal with; I really don't want to make his already hard job harder. I will still buy a few more discs because I can't resist a hobby that I have loved for two generations, but I am applying the brakes to it.

If you purchase these discs, the studios will benefit from it regardless of how much you spend. Seeing as these are selling well at $40 each I don't think that they will be priced at $5 anytime soon, if ever. Even so, a $5 purchase is still supporting a product even if it is not what the studios hoped to get. Making nothing is always immeasurably worse.

Stranger Things was vastly overproduced; they greatly overestimated the demand. That's why these wound up in the clearance bin. The show was popular enough, but they simply made too many. Studios do a much better job at estimating sales most of the time and they produce discs in smaller batches making more only if sales warrant it.

As for Netflix, releasing titles on disc has always been an afterthought to them at best. It is not how they want people to watch movies and TV shows.

[RevolverOcelScott]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

The masses are used to ultra clean looking films and tv now. I guarantee that uninformed film fans will think that an ultra clean, grain free image looks better.
We are batting against the wind. That will only increase when A.I improves.
For now, it’s only a couple of studios/directors, but we already lost this war.

I agree almost completely, but at the same time, studios have corrected discs for issues that the greater majority of people wouldn't even notice (PYW and Love Actually perfect examples).

I do think in some cases the squeeky wheel gets the grease, but with the Cameron situation, they are almost 100% never going to be available again after these AI ones come out in any format.

I'm still buying them to see for myself (True Lies, Aliens, Abyss), but it does stink how hellbent JC is about making his movies look so damn odd.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I can't overestimate the joy of seeing you post regularly on here.

Thank you! I really enjoy being here with you all. It is time well spent because I like you guys that much and no one has to agree with me for that to be true.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

I know it's the longest shot in history, but everyone should send in requests to the manufacturer after the film comes out, like titles like Love Actually, Promising Young Woman etc and complain about the AI filter.

I know there's 99.9% chance they're not going to go back and ask them to be un-AI'd, but at the very least if lots of people do it, they will know that it's something that isn't desired by the consumer, even if sales are great.

But like I said, will probably amount to absolutely nothing.

The idealist in me applauds the activist approach, but the realist in me recognizes the long odds against success.

[russweiss1]

Originally Posted by RevolverOcelScott

I know it's the longest shot in history, but everyone should send in requests to the manufacturer after the film comes out, like titles like Love Actually, Promising Young Woman etc and complain about the AI filter.

I know there's 99.9% chance they're not going to go back and ask them to be un-AI'd, but at the very least if lots of people do it, they will know that it's something that isn't desired by the consumer, even if sales are great.

But like I said, will probably amount to absolutely nothing.

While I personally agree with you, if the sales are great then it's a moot point.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Vilya

The idealist in me applauds the activist approach, but the realist in me recognizes the long odds against success.

I think I just watched the evil AI scrubbed version of Aliens.

I'm sure I have never watched Aliens with Dolby Atmos before and I enjoyed it and couldn't be uptight about the quality even on iTunes. I can't wait to hear the lossless ATMOS track.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Anyone here with VUDU and Movies Anywhere accounts share these accounts with other family members? Send me a PM if you do not want to answer here. I ask because my digital locker accounts are never used by us except on rare occasion.

Have Google Play, iTunes, Movies Anywhere, Prime Video and VUDU. I was thinking of sharing our VUDU and Movies Anywhere accounts with our son and his family but never heard anyone mention this till I saw one of Vilya’s post.

[bhampton]

I share my Vudu with my step dad.

It's been a long time so I don't remember if he's logged into my account or there was some way of designating additional users.

He gets up to date library somehow. I almost never use my Vudu as I favor the ATV4K but I do have a "list" or folder full of the things that are only on Vudu for easy finding if they aren't in the iTunes collection.

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

I'm going to go watch my True Lies DVD now.

I just finished watching it. It was a lot of fun and the picture quality never bothered me in the slightest. I have no desire to downgrade to the 4K Blu-ray.

And that highlights a major advantage of physical over digital: people always have a choice of which version they want to watch. Studios and stores can't force the latest version on anyone.

[cheez avenger]

I did end up watching Conan the Destroyer on 4K disc last night and it was also great in terms of video/audio. The Conan Chronicles is definitely one of the best releases of the year. Wow, and it's only February!

I have a buddy that has a Disney Membership, so I'll give him the money. I still need the first two Avatar Ultimate 4K sets, so my costs are a tad bit higher since I would be getting Avatar, Avatar 2, True Lies, Aliens, and The Abyss at the same time. My total quotes is about $106 shipped, so about $21.20 per title.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Thank you! I really enjoy being here with you all. It is time well spent because I like you guys that much and no one has to agree with me for that to be true.

I echo Brian’s thoughts. The thread is at its best when we are all in it.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I almost never use my Vudu as I favor the ATV4K but I do have a "list" or folder full of the things that are only on Vudu for easy finding if they aren't in the iTunes collection.

It has been almost a year but the last time I compared Movies Anywhere had a significant higher bit rate for video compared to iTunes, Prime Video and VUDU. iTunes had the best audio bit rates but Movies Anywhere was close, Prime Video audio was the pits and still is.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I think I just watched the evil AI scrubbed version of Aliens.

I'm sure I have never watched Aliens with Dolby Atmos before and I enjoyed it and couldn't be uptight about the quality even on iTunes. I can't wait to hear the lossless ATMOS track.

I pre-ordered The Abyss and True Lies this morning, but held back on Aliens for the moment as I'd like to watch it again on my regular blu-ray first. If I'm honest, I'll probably get this one in the end anyway being a huge fan of the Alien franchise. It'll be the 6th time I bought this film across various formats.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

I pre-ordered The Abyss and True Lies this morning, but held back on Aliens for the moment as I'd like to watch it again on my regular blu-ray first. If I'm honest, I'll probably get this one in the end anyway being a huge fan of the Alien franchise. It'll be the 6th time I bought this film across various formats.

Same here. Never get sick of Alien and Aliens.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

It has been almost a year but the last time I compared Movies Anywhere had a significant higher bit rate for video compared to iTunes, Prime Video and VUDU. iTunes had the best audio bit rates but Movies Anywhere was close, Prime Video audio was the pits and still is.

That surprises me, would have thought ITunes/Apple, every single time.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

That surprises me, would have thought ITunes/Apple, every single time.

Some have posted that iTunes original content does have a fairly high video data rates. The same for Prime video, some original content does have a fairly high video data rates, as in 15 Mbps but some of that content is just 192 Kbps for the DD+ audio.

[mi_z]

I honestly don't believe we are heading for an AI future. Most filmmaker don't like it and the only major examples we have are from the unholy trinity of Lucas, Cameron, and Jackson. There's no reason yet to think it will be extended. DNR and EE have been a bane of disc buyers for years and I don't believe the problem is any worse now than it was in the past. It might even be less bad. With more boutique releases as well it is less likely because they want to retain authenticity, unless a director wishes for it.