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

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by stonesfan129

And yes, I know, I flip flop more than a politician. These things are just getting too expensive for me. I per-ordered Wild Robot 4K off of Amazon, ~$39 after shipping. That's crazy when I can wait a two or three weeks and get it on digital for $9.99 or less.

Basically, if you are sure you aren’t going to be rewatching films, stick with the extended rental that is digital,I value film too much for that though, and I’m lucky that I can watch the same movie many times.

Bear in mind that digital sales are flat for 2024, that’s a very bad sign for a format that is far younger than disc. So at some point, don’t be surprised if you are asked to pay a subscription or suffer ads if you want to keep your digital collection. By law, the storefronts could shut down and you have zero protection in the worse case scenario.

Data centres have to shave off their carbon emissions and this cost will be passed on, they won’t just keep lockers open out of kindness.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Basically, if you are sure you aren’t going to be rewatching films, stick with the extended rental that is digital.

I just like to own it. My values, my opinions, my choices and on another level my media.

Keep it real.

(And, if I don't want to see it again someone else might someday so I'm happy to give them a chance.)

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I just like to own it. My values, my opinions, my choices and on another level my media.

Keep it real.

(And, if I don't want to see it again someone else might someday so I'm happy to give them a chance.)

Same, it’s been 25 years, and disc brings me just as much joy today that it did back in the exciting launch days, when colours started popping, and pausing films meant we could finally study frames in freeze mode. (And no, I didn’t pause Basic Instinct!

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by crutzulee

Had a blast with this double feature

[Show spoiler]

and

[Show spoiler]

I haven't wandered into the release threads of either on this site yet to find out what a cretin I am for thinking that both of these looked like film on my setup LOL....

Bring on NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN.... and the CRITERION bashing that will go on here!!

Welcome back! It's always great to see you here.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Bear in mind that digital sales are flat for 2024,

They are not "flat." As of the end of the 3rd quarter 2024, they are down 12.62%.

Before you take too much pleasure from that fact, digital sales exceeded those of discs by $1.01467 billion in the same period. Disc sales were just $666.45 million to digital's $1.68111 billion. Digital sales were 152.25% higher than that of discs.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

They are not "flat." As of the end of the 3rd quarter 2024, they are down 12.62%.

Before you take too much pleasure from that fact, digital sales exceeded those of discs by $1.01467 billion in the same period. Disc sales were just $666.45 million to digital's $1.68111 billion. Digital sales were 152.25% higher than that of discs.

Yeah, I was getting mixed up with last year I think. You are right about the difference, but at the end of the day, disc is a 26 year old format, EST was supposed to be the future. It isn’t.

[cheez avenger]

One False Move features one of Bill Paxton's greatest performances.

[Lord-Oakbeard]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Same, it’s been 25 years, and disc brings me just as much joy today that it did back in the exciting launch days, when colours started popping, and pausing films meant we could finally study frames in freeze mode. (And no, I didn’t pause Basic Instinct!

I did

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Yeah, I was getting mixed up with last year I think.

Digital Sales finished 2023 up 4.95%.

https://www.degonline.org/portfolio_...inment-report/

I think that the foreseeable future will continue to see the availability of physical media and digital copies with subscription streaming being far and away the most preferred of all options.

[cheez avenger]

Bose Corporation Snaps Up High-End Audio Brand McIntosh

Bose Corporation has just announced that it has acquired the McIntosh Group, the high-end and iconic U.S. audio brand that also owns the Italian premium speaker make Sonus faber. The McIntosh Group manufactures high-end amplifiers, speakers, turntables and other audio products. The move significantly expands Bose’s portfolio.

This strategic move brings together two industry pioneers with more than 175 years of technical expertise and a reputation for craftsmanship and excellent sound quality appreciated by audiophiles around the world.

The acquisition will enable Bose to infuse its innovative audio research and technology into the high-performance and luxury sector of the market while it continues to build on its premium solutions. From earbuds and Bluetooth speakers to luxurious systems for the home and car, the Bose and McIntosh Group will be able to offer consumers a unique breadth of products.

The combined forces of Bose and McIntosh Group could also open new opportunities in the automotive sector. By leveraging Bose’s 40-plus years of experience in automotive audio, as well as the McIntosh Group’s legacy of performance and design, the two brands will work together to expand their research and engineer authentic in-car experiences that redefine automotive sound.

“Over the last six decades we’ve delivered the best premium audio experiences possible; now, with McIntosh Group in our portfolio, we can unlock even more ways to bring music to life in the home, on the go and in the car,” says Lila Snyder, CEO of Bose Corporation. “We look forward to honoring the heritage of these brands, investing in their future and pushing the boundaries of audio innovation to bring customers experiences they’ve never heard before.”

“Bose’s dedication to research and singular focus on audio provides a tremendous opportunity to complement and enable our own pursuit of delivering inimitable, ultimate-quality audio experiences,” says Daniel Pidgeon, CEO of McIntosh Group. “And, gaining access to their expertise as a pioneer in automotive audio will also help us accelerate our presence and enable us to deliver solutions that are commensurate with our reputation and performance standards.”

Bose will continue to develop products and experiences in popular categories like headphones, speakers, soundbars and car audio while advancing critical technologies such as noise cancellation, hearing augmentation and immersive audio. McIntosh and Sonus faber will maintain a focus on amplifiers, loudspeakers, turntables and other high-end products. Together, the brands will deliver new products, bespoke offerings and listening experiences for music lovers around the world.

Bose acquired McIntosh Group from Highlander Partners, L.P., a Dallas-based private investment firm. Jones Day acted as Bose’s legal counsel in connection with the deal. Additional information, including financial and other terms of the transaction, will remain confidential.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/markspa...rand-mcintosh/

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Lord-Oakbeard

I did

Ok, I did.

[alchav21]

[quote=Steedeel;22633512]

Originally Posted by russweiss1

Exactly, disc is far from dead.

Keep telling yourself that, and it may happen!

[bhampton]

That makes no sense at all.

[Gotho(redux)]

Welcome back Crutzulee!

Totally off the wall question here, but does anyone know why this site is inaccessible every morning at 5 am?

[Lord-Oakbeard]

Originally Posted by Gotho(redux)

Welcome back Crutzulee!

Totally off the wall question here, but does anyone know why this site is inaccessible every morning at 5 am?

Someone else asked that question on another thread ages ago and the answer they received was it shuts down for maintenance. Here in the UK it’s always 11 am for a short time but sometimes it stays off for around 20 minutes and the kettle goes on

[Steedeel]

[quote=alchav21;22635981]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Keep telling yourself that, and it may happen!

The evidence is pretty compelling. I’m up to my chin in discs and planning for next year. Despite claims otherwise from people like yourself, for the vast majority of titles I have bought this year, I have had the option of 4K, Blu-ray or DVD. Boutique labels like VS are thriving, and special edition 4K catalogue releases just keep coming. It’s hard to keep up with.
For those of us that have quality A/V setups, it really would be a disservice to serve it up the tripe that is digital. Audio especially sounds like it’s coming through tin cans, not quality speakers.
All you are doing is watching movies, we are experiencing movies.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Lord-Oakbeard

Someone else asked that question on another thread ages ago and the answer they received was it shuts down for maintenance. Here in the UK it’s always 11 am for a short time but sometimes it stays off for around 20 minutes and the kettle goes on

Correct, same for me. 11am every day.

[bhampton]

My computer got a software upgrade with AI today.

I don't like it but ..... For some folks I guess it's better than nothing.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Welcome back! It's always great to see you here.

I second this.

[Wendell R. Breland]

A week ago made a annual Criterion Collection purchase at this Barnes and Noble in Pineville NC. A large store with a large disc section. It is only about a block away from Audio Advice were we had a look at the JVC NZ800 video projector. The JVC moves to my very short list of projectors for consideration of purchase.