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

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

With physical media the studios, stores, distributors, and manufacturers can't do anything to the movies and TV shows you already own.

With digital they continue to find more and more ways to screw things up:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=377658

well look they are there to make money (and if they don't they will eventually close which is not any better for consumers)

[crutzulee]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

I know you are Bell now But weren't you with Rogers back when their network ( Home internet, cable, cell....) went dark for a few days? I would consider that an major "playback glitch"

I'm pretty sure I was with BELL when that happened... but the operative word with me will always be "remember "..LOL...I have a wife in place of a memory...

We all have things that bother us more than others...I think all of us would go ballistic if a movie stuttered during playback... it's been years since I've seen that...

I don't watch a lot of NETFLIX, but they used to do this thing where the show would start in a certain quality and then ramp up in resolution until it snapped into place.. the process would usually take 2 to 5 seconds and usually on some inconsequential opening logo BS.. That used to make me crazy... they've changed that to something where I see a red circle quickly go around once or twice for about half a second and then the feature starts at full resolution...I can live with that...

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

well look they are there to make money (and if they don't they will eventually close which is not any better for consumers)

That's why it's bad to have things you "own" require ongoing support from corporations. They will either monetize or delete your existing "collection" because it costs them money to maintain it.

Physical media doesn't have that problem. No one else has to spend a cent to maintain my collection. And no one else has any way of modifying my collection either.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

That's why it's bad to have things you "own" require ongoing support from corporations. They will either monetize or delete your existing "collection" because it costs them money to maintain it.

Physical media doesn't have that problem. No one else has to spend a cent to maintain my collection. And no one else has any way of modifying my collection either.

agree

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

I don't watch a lot of NETFLIX, but they used to do this thing where the show would start in a certain quality and then ramp up in resolution until it snapped into place.. the process would usually take 2 to 5 seconds and usually on some inconsequential opening logo BS..

That is adaptive bit rate streaming at work. How long it takes to get to its highest level is dependent upon the bandwidth between you and the CDN. In 2015 when I had 25 Mbps service and streamed UHD content from Netflix it would take about 70 seconds for the video to reach 16 Mbps.

With a 500 Mbps service UHD content from digital lockers only takes a few seconds to reach max bit rate.

[Warm Gun]

Originally Posted by CV19

At least you appreciate the quality discs have to offer, although in my humble opinion, no HT would be complete without a player.

I had to stop calling my entertainment center a home theater because it was embarrassing with only a sofa. Then I switched to just a chair. If anyone actually wants to watch movies with me, they can bring in chairs from the other rooms. Those rows of leather movie seats in true home theaters don't do anything for me. Find it a little too much. Some even have concession area imitations, which I just don't get. Seems so impersonal, to take the cinema into your home.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Warm Gun

I had to stop calling my entertainment center a home theater because it was embarrassing with only a sofa. Then I switched to just a chair. If anyone actually wants to watch movies with me, they can bring in chairs from the other rooms. Those rows of leather movie seats in true home theaters don't do anything for me. Find it a little too much. Some even have concession area imitations, which I just don't get. Seems so impersonal, to take the cinema into your home.

To be completely honest with you, I don't have a proper home theater and certainly don't have a dedicated room for it. My set-up consists of a nice comfortable sofa with matching foot stool to put my feet up and that's pretty much it really - and all in my living room. The room itself is fairly large, but I don't have a spare room which I could use to convert into a home cinema.

At the end of the day, it's what you're happy with that counts. That's all that matters.

[crutzulee]

As I was commenting about in another thread, my home cinema journey began with the FISHER VCR I was gifted for my 13th birthday. It had stereo RCA outputs which I could play through my HiFi...

My desire to bring the cinema home was of course born out of my love of attending the cinema from my earliest recollection...It has taken on numerous iterations over the years and has always represented who I was at any given time.

There were times when it was more about bringing home the actual technical merits of the cinema - OAR was a huge driver of my Laserdisc fascination which led to an awakening about the merits of multi channel surround that continues to this day through ATMOS and beyond.

My introduction to front projection co-incided with a growing disdain for what cinema attendance was becoming to me - an exercise in barely tolerating the existence of other theater patrons, an increasingly careless attitude towards the art of projecting film and an increase in my own general crotchitiness...

I can appreciate a beautifully appointed HT as I went through a phase of chasing that cinema look and feel with dedicated HT chairs, a commercial popcorn machine and stadium seating... but that was generally short lived. I never really did find chairs that I was completely comfortable with. The ones that came close were so expensive that I wouldn't be able to use them in the way that I generally use all my things- with little care... I really like to use the hell out of my things and then get new things when they wear out.

As you guys know, I've eventually settled on adjustable beds. Aesthetically, the room looks like hell. It's painted all black, and although my front LCR and 2 subs are now behind my AT screen and my 6 height channels tucked up in the ceiling behind more AT fabric, there are still 4 full range channels and 2 more subs hanging out in the room....

But when the lights go down.... I've created something that rekindles the feeling of being 10 years old and slapping down my 75 cents at the ticket counter of THE WILLOW theater ( the local GRINDHOUSE around the corner of where I grew up) where I could watch a whole weekend's worth of movies that a 10 year old should not have been allowed to see... or the magic of subwaying down to one of Toronto's many iconic cinema houses, paying for the early show and then sneaking into as many features as me and my buddies could EVERY SINGLE DAY of summer break... or later adventures at the drive in ....LOL... In short...MOVIE MAGIC!

[CV19]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

As I was commenting about in another thread, my home cinema journey began with the FISHER VCR I was gifted for my 13th birthday. It had stereo RCA outputs which I could play through my HiFi...

Unfortunately my dad never bought a VCR when I was a kid. It wasn't until I started working when I bought one myself - I would have been 19 years old by this stage. It opened a whole new world to me, being able to pop into a video store and rent a movie, or even buy one in the shops despite having to wait a while before a new title became available to buy.

Just to follow on from my earlier post, I would love a home theater if I had the means to get one set up, although to tell you the truth I wouldn't go as far as to buy dedicated HT leather seating - I'd still use a sofa.

However I would certainly like a projector and screen, but I may be some way off before I can plan for anything like that.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

Yeah, it was called Dead Alive here.

I wouldn't be surprised if Turbine gets the exclusivity on those titles like they did with The Frighteners.

I have the DVD of Braindead and I'm fairly sure it was released by Universal, so I was rather hoping they would put out a blu-ray at some point.

I can't see someone like Indicator or Eureka releasing it, but Arrow or perhaps 88 Films would be the more likely of all the UK boutique labels. However thanks for mentioning Turbine, you never know. I'll keep an eye open just in case.

[bhampton]

The cost of physical media is often a topic here.

Did anyone here pay $90 to watch a boxing match on Prime last night? And, how was it?

I watched an episode of Jack Ryan and thought the price of the PPV must be a mistake. I don't enjoy boxing and think it's a bit out of place in the world of knowing getting hit in the head leads to brain damage (who knew?) .... but for anyone who still enjoys it was it really $90 and did you enjoy it enough to be satisfied with the price?

I suppose bars with crowds have no issue with the price and that must be the market. I have to hope the price was divided amongst many.

-Brian

[CV19]

Originally Posted by bhampton

The cost of physical media is often a topic here.

Did anyone here pay $90 to watch a boxing match on Prime last night? And, how was it?

I watched an episode of Jack Ryan and thought the price of the PPV must be a mistake. I don't enjoy boxing and think it's a bit out of place in the world of knowing getting hit in the head leads to brain damage (who knew?) .... but for anyone who still enjoys it was it really $90 and did you enjoy it enough to be satisfied with the price?

I suppose bars with crowds have no issue with the price and that must be the market. I have to hope the price was divided amongst many.

-Brian

I've never been into boxing either. I remember when Sky began broadcasting on satellite pay-per-view boxing matches back in the late 90's, they were charging I think somewhere around £15, which works out at around £50 in today's money. I ditched Sky several years ago now so I've no idea what they charge these days.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by bhampton

The cost of physical media is often a topic here.

Did anyone here pay $90 to watch a boxing match on Prime last night? And, how was it?

I watched an episode of Jack Ryan and thought the price of the PPV must be a mistake. I don't enjoy boxing and think it's a bit out of place in the world of knowing getting hit in the head leads to brain damage (who knew?) .... but for anyone who still enjoys it was it really $90 and did you enjoy it enough to be satisfied with the price?

I suppose bars with crowds have no issue with the price and that must be the market. I have to hope the price was divided amongst many.

-Brian

Originally Posted by CV19

I've never been into boxing either. I remember when Sky began broadcasting on satellite pay-per-view boxing matches back in the late 90's, they were charging I think somewhere around £15, which works out at around £50 in today's money. I ditched Sky several years ago now so I've no idea what they charge these days.

I like boxing, but you can’t really follow any prospects these days, as soon as they go big, they are put on box office.
It used to be great on ITV, big names and exciting fight night, then they stole it and put it on sky sports. Now, they expect people to pay for sky sports, and then box office on top. That’s where I drew the line. It’s a principle thing.

[stonesfan129]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

1) that is one guy having problem with one UHD BD player. (and one that he purchased modified)

2) why would someone having n issue with his player (for what ever reason) affect me?

3) Like always (since it does not fit your narrative) you are forgetting the Xbox series X and the PS5 including the new PS5 pro announced on Tuesday and launching Nov 7. Can play UHD BDs

4) Even if one assumes there is some validity in your claim ( let's face it eventually a day comes when there are no new UHND BD players manufactured) why would it matter?

When Redbox went into bankruptcy a couple of months ago many lost the ability to watch all the content they bought on that streaming platform. So that matters if a streaming service is dropped. But people can still watch what they bought on VHS even if there has not been a new player since 2016? people can watch LDs they bought even though the last player was produced in 2009....

While it is unfortunate that there are really only two players left in the 4KBD player game, it doesn't signal the death of the format. Decline maybe, but not death. It will stick around, even if it is just a niche, collector format. More movies are being restored on 4K than ever before. I don't think studios would waste their time if they didn't see some potential income in it.

I use a healthy mix of both. I loved having a bunch of movies in Apple when I was traveling for work. I used to just rip a couple Blu-rays and stick them on an SSD, but Apple is just so much more convenient.

As for Redbox, this is why I suggest going Apple if you are going to go digital. I feel like they have more staying power. Large companies have failed before but I don't see them shutting down their music, movie, TV stores or their online streaming platform.

Even at that, look how long CDs have been around even though I can't name a single person I know who still buys those vs digital purchases or streaming.

We keep hearing this "sky is falling" all the time yet physical movies are still here. I think people should use what they think works best for them and let others be happy.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I like boxing, but you can’t really follow any prospects these days, as soon as they go big, they are put on box office.
It used to be great on ITV, big names and exciting fight night, then they stole it and put it on sky sports. Now, they expect people to pay for sky sports, and then box office on top. That’s where I drew the line. It’s a principle thing.

Absolutely. About a year or two after Sky introduced boxing on pay-per-view, they began doing the same with Premier League football. From memory, I think it was £5 per match (early 2000's this would have been). I even remember getting a phone call from Sky offering me a 'season ticket' to watch all the PPV matches for that year and wanted £50 providing I kept my Sports subscription going. Goes without saying I told them what they could do with it.

[crutzulee]

Originally Posted by CV19

Unfortunately my dad never bought a VCR when I was a kid. It wasn't until I started working when I bought one myself - I would have been 19 years old by this stage. It opened a whole new world to me, being able to pop into a video store and rent a movie, or even buy one in the shops despite having to wait a while before a new title became available to buy.

Just to follow on from my earlier post, I would love a home theater if I had the means to get one set up, although to tell you the truth I wouldn't go as far as to buy dedicated HT leather seating - I'd still use a sofa.

However I would certainly like a projector and screen, but I may be some way off before I can plan for anything like that.

I left home at 16 to live in a basement apartment with my girlfriend... Worked full time hours and went to school full time (mostly)...didn't have much money to spare...but that apartment had a big honking 27" "console" TV (it was a substantial piece of furniture LOL) hooked up to a LD player and stereo.. We also always found money to go to the movies...which were cheaper on Tuesdays if I recall.

[crutzulee]

Originally Posted by bhampton

The cost of physical media is often a topic here.

Did anyone here pay $90 to watch a boxing match on Prime last night? And, how was it?

I watched an episode of Jack Ryan and thought the price of the PPV must be a mistake. I don't enjoy boxing and think it's a bit out of place in the world of knowing getting hit in the head leads to brain damage (who knew?) .... but for anyone who still enjoys it was it really $90 and did you enjoy it enough to be satisfied with the price?

I suppose bars with crowds have no issue with the price and that must be the market. I have to hope the price was divided amongst many.

-Brian

I definitely suffer from issues related to the many concussions I've suffered from hockey and rugby injuries in my past and a car accident from a few years ago. I don't follow boxing at all now, but I have definitely paid for PPV fights years ago and $90 doesn't seem like a lot for an "event" fight.

It's certainly cheaper than going to a bar and paying for drinks etc...

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by Warm Gun

I had to stop calling my entertainment center a home theater because it was embarrassing with only a sofa. Then I switched to just a chair. If anyone actually wants to watch movies with me, they can bring in chairs from the other rooms. Those rows of leather movie seats in true home theaters don't do anything for me. Find it a little too much. Some even have concession area imitations, which I just don't get. Seems so impersonal, to take the cinema into your home.

I see it from the other side of the fence, as in my opinion, it is making it more of a personal experience.

We are all here because of a love of movies and the cinema experience, as we can all remember those films growing up that grabbed a hold of us and shaped who we were to become and what types of film we will enjoy for the rest of our lives. For me, that experience was seeing Jaws with my family when I was 9 years old. Part of the experience was going to the theater, enjoying something from the concession stand, and sitting with family or friends in your own seat, and ultimately escaping for those two hours getting lost in the film….hopefully.

Fast forward to the past couple of decades, and you have those same people trying to recreate that experience for family and friends in the comfort of your own home. Those with the means and space to do so, go to great lengths to make the experience the same as what they remember growing up.

The world has changed however, and along with it in some cases, people also have changed, and the experience can be a frustrating one because of it.

I have attempted to hold on to the goal of making watching a movie “An event” every time I go downstairs, fire up the popcorn machine, make a cocktail, and settle into a movie I have been waiting to see after avoiding all trailers and reviews of the movie, and seeing and hearing what the director intended in an environment that surpasses what I could have had 4 months earlier. All this without the distraction of cell phones, people talking or coughing, someone kicking your chair, or in some cases a bad image or audio.

In my mind, my experience is a very personal one.

Now I don’t have a concession stand or a very large marquee, but those that do I would imagine are trying to recreate the magic they so enjoyed and looked forward to growing up. Nothing wrong with that.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Warm Gun

Some even have concession area imitations, which I just don't get. Seems so impersonal, to take the cinema into your home.

can't speak for every one, but for my house it is about having every snack any of us might want while watching a film. Would it be more personal if the candies and drinks where in the kitchen instead of a bar area in my basement?

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by CV19

Unfortunately my dad never bought a VCR when I was a kid. It wasn't until I started working when I bought one myself

almost the same experience. My dad had bought a Beta but it became almost impossible to rent them and I used the money from my first teenage job to buy a VHS player so we could use at home.