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

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

No, it's like the Retina Display on Apple products. If the resolution was any higher, it would still look about the same to the naked eye. So all these phones/tablets advertising that they're 4K is pretty much overkill.

On a 65" TV, well-encoded Digital HD download/stream and a well-produced Blu-ray might look about the same overall. Sure, you could nitpick the differences in screenshots, but during playback, the naked eye generally won't tell the difference.

I'm guessing I could tell the difference!

As for retina displays, the screen on the IPhone 7 is way better than the 5. Both are retina displays.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

That's what perceptual encoding is all about. And guess what: It affects Blu-rays as well. There are plenty of BDs with obvious encoding artifacts if you know where to look.

I know that. However, at lower bit rates the artefacts become very visible. What I am saying is, even cable HD would look ok from 10 feet.

[dublinbluray108]

Out of 3,500 respondents out of this study from Limelight Networks; figures suggest here that 66% of them preferred downloading content through a smartphone compared to watching content from a DVD or Blu-ray Disc.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/new...d-crown/167184

I know this sample is very small to get a full picture. We need more studies like this with even bigger sample sizes in order to get a clearer outcome.

How many of you guys here know someone who would regularly download content through their smartphones?

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I'm guessing I could tell the difference!

As for retina displays, the screen on the IPhone 7 is way better than the 5. Both are retina displays.

True, they are, but iPhone 7 has something called a True Tone Display, which is basically WCG. If 1080p could add WCG it would look better than regular 1080p. But that's not to say that 1080p wasn't a high enough resolution. It was enhanced with more color.

Digital improves along with physical media.

If there is a new enhancement that is implemented on discs, it is also implemented on digital. 3D is available on VUDU. 4K is available on Amazon, VUDU and FandangoNow. Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos is available on VUDU.

The difference is the delivery method. One is a fixed method where it is carefully controlled before the final encode is pressed onto a disc. The other is also carefully made as to not sacrifice quality for the sake of streamability, which is becoming better and better as encoding methods and tools improve, but they can't create encodes that are as demanding as that of a disc-based encode.

That means lower bitrates without lower resolution, but that also means there could be less fine detail like grain or subtle textures. On a projector, the differences could be noticeable. But judging from the improvements we've seen so far in the last few years of Digital HD's lifespan, we should expect streaming encodes to keep getting more impressive.

But of course, if you want the absolute best picture and sound, disc is still where it's at. If you have a display or eye for detail that can truly appreciate the difference between disc and digital, by all means go with disc.

It's gotten to the point where digital gives me just as much pleasure as disc (especially iTunes). I know it's not the same, but going to a theater that does regular 4K with Dolby 7.1 versus a theater that does Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos doesn't feel like slumming it (even a theater without 4K doesn't feel like slumming it).

Why should digital feel like slumming it? Digital is our home video format of choice. Different strokes for different folks.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by dublinbluray108

Out of 3,500 respondents out of this study from Limelight Networks; figures suggest here that 66% of them preferred downloading content through a smartphone compared to watching content from a DVD or Blu-ray Disc.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/new...d-crown/167184

I know this sample is very small to get a full picture. We need more studies like this with even bigger sample sizes in order to get a clearer outcome.

How many of you guys here know someone who would regularly download content through their smartphones?

I have been saying this for years as you all know. What's worse is that folk are watching on a teeny screen rather than a laptop, tablet or computer. But, I have a tin foil hat on don't I? I am absurd, etc..

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

True, they are, but iPhone 7 has something called a True Tone Display, which is basically WCG. If 1080p could add WCG it would look better than regular 1080p. But that's not to say that 1080p wasn't a high enough resolution. It was enhanced with more color.

Digital improves along with physical media.

If there is a new enhancement that is implemented on discs, it is also implemented on digital. 3D is available on VUDU. 4K is available on Amazon, VUDU and FandangoNow. Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos is available on VUDU.

The difference is the delivery method. One is a fixed method where it is carefully controlled before the final encode is pressed onto a disc. The other is also carefully made as to not sacrifice quality for the sake of streamability, which is becoming better and better as encoding methods and tools improve, but they can't create encodes that are as demanding as that of a disc-based encode.

That means lower bitrates without lower resolution, but that also means there could be less fine detail like grain or subtle textures. On a projector, the differences could be noticeable. But judging from the improvements we've seen so far in the last few years of Digital HD's lifespan, we should expect streaming encodes to keep getting more impressive.

But of course, if you want the absolute best picture and sound, disc is still where it's at. If you have a display or eye for detail that can truly appreciate the difference between disc and digital, by all means go with disc.

It's gotten to the point where digital gives me just as much pleasure as disc (especially iTunes). I know it's not the same, but going to a theater that does regular 4K with Dolby 7.1 versus a theater that does Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos doesn't feel like slumming it (even a theater without 4K doesn't feel like slumming it).

Why should digital feel like slumming it? Digital is our home video format of choice. Different strokes for different folks.

Because I associate it with mobile and just being lesser quality by far. Look at the link Dublin posted. Does that sound like a healthy base to you?

[squatting hen]

Well...I preordered a blu ray for my second disc purchase over the past two years. Lego Scooby Doo Beach Bash. Plan is to sell off the blu and DVD disc since all I wanted was the digital copy, as I assume it will be a difficult code to find on the forum.

My previous purchase.... Guns N Roses - Appetite For Democracy 3D: Live at the Hard Rock Casino for $4.52.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by squatting hen

Well...I preordered a blu ray for my second disc purchase over the past two years. Lego Scooby Doo Beach Bash. Plan is to sell off the blu and DVD disc since all I wanted was the digital copy, as I assume it will be a difficult code to find on the forum.

My previous purchase.... Guns N Roses - Appetite For Democracy 3D: Live at the Hard Rock Casino for $4.52.

It's time codes went away. Leave the discs to the serious collectors and let all you lot pay full price if Digital is so great.

[zodwriter]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

It's time codes went away. Leave the discs to the serious collectors and let all you lot pay full price if Digital is so great.

I found this on Facebook a couple nights ago and figured I would share it as food for thought on this forum. Blu Ray is now becoming a simple delivery mechanism for content. It's not better than Digital because Digital is only going to continue to improve. That includes codecs, Bitrates, Audio etc. Blu Ray is not going to improve over time and that is why companies are releasing SD on Blu Ray because of storage and people wanting to save physical space in their homes. After seeing this image I am convinced more than ever that backing digital makes the most sense!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DE9-KrNVoAAP9rT.jpg:large

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by zodwriter

I found this on Facebook a couple nights ago and figured I would share it as food for thought on this forum. Blu Ray is now becoming a simple delivery mechanism for content. It's not better than Digital because Digital is only going to continue to improve. That includes codecs, Bitrates, Audio etc. Blu Ray is not going to improve over time and that is why companies are releasing SD on Blu Ray because of storage and people wanting to save physical space in their homes. After seeing this image I am convinced more than ever that backing digital makes the most sense!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DE9-KrNVoAAP9rT.jpg:large

Bluray hasn't stayed the same it's just moved to 4K. 4K UHD is an extension of the Blu-Ray format. Digital has been talking the talk but still, it is far inferior to disc.

The image you posted is not uncommon. That was happening a couple of years into Blurays life span. It makes perfect sense for titles that aren't going to benefit from Blurays full HD high bit rate quality. Common practice and a good idea.

I rate your post a D- must try harder.

[zodwriter]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I rate your post a D- must try harder.

The source material has never been released in High Definition! There is literally no benefit to putting SD material on Blu Ray except storage on fewer discs. That isn't really even a benefit upon further thought because Blu Ray players will upscale any SD DVD. It's not as if these SD Blu Rays could be played in regular DVD players. The point being that Blu Ray is now being utilized as a storage container for SD media which shows that it's on it's last legs. SD content stored on a Blu Ray disc isn't going to make the video quality any better either. I rate you constant sky is falling posts a lot lower than a D-and it's evident I am not alone!

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by zodwriter

The source material has never been released in High Definition! There is literally no benefit to putting SD material on Blu Ray except storage on fewer discs. The point being that Blu Ray is now being utilized as a storage container for SD media which shows that it's on it's last legs. I rate you constant sky is falling posts a lot lower than a D-and it's evident I am not alone!

We are heading towards mobile with Digital Zod. That's the sky falling for me anyway.

As for the storage thing, like I said, they have been doing this for many years. Eight years ago actually. You answered your own question. It has never beeen released in HD.

It makes perfect sense to have many more episodes one one disc. I would have bought SD material this way if anything took my fancy. It's been happening since the very early days of Bluray.

[randian]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

It makes perfect sense to have many more episodes one one disc. I would have bought SD material this way if anything took my fancy. It's been happening since the very early days of Bluray.

You could fit an entire TV season on a single disc, in higher quality too if you re-encoded your DVD master in AVC or VC-1 instead of MPEG-2. The upcoming Buffy 20th Anniversary boxed set is 39 discs, I'd much rather have 7 discs.

[zodwriter]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

We are heading towards mobile with Digital Zod. That's the sky falling for me anyway.

As for the storage thing, like I said, they have been doing this for many years. Eight years ago actually. You answered your own question. It has never beeen released in HD.

It makes perfect sense to have many more episodes one one disc. I would have bought SD material this way if anything took my fancy. It's been happening since the very early days of Bluray.

I'm going to buy this when it is released as my final Blu Ray purchase. The sheer nonsensical novelty of it is so epic! I love this anime so it will be a fitting last disc set. I was not aware that SD on Blu Ray had been a thing for so many years. I stand corrected!

[abbottd]

Does anyone know what this is all about (seen on Zu's House of Data) Google+ Page:

"Movies Anywhere appears to be the as-yet-unannounced initiative to make non-Disney movies use the same underlying technology that Disney Movies Anywhere uses (KeyChest). At this point there are over 6,500 movies as part of Movies Anywhere including studios like Fox, Sony, Warner, Universal, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, and more. (Paramount seems to be a holdout so far, at least from UV participants.) It's been in the system since June 30th."

Zu also said "I'm not sure if the name has been finalized but it's being used internally at a minimum."

[wolfpackTri]

You would think we would hear more about this. I wonder why we haven't?

[shinobipopcorn]

I can't see providers like Criterion or Ghibli hopping on the digital bandwagon the same way everyone else is. If you think certain video game DMR is too restrictive, imagine the hoops you'd have to jump through to get a Ghibli digital copy. (They always punish the lawful customers, don't they?) That's why I'm fine with my discs. Digital is handy at times, but I'm not about to rely on it as my only means.

[Zu Nim]

Originally Posted by wolfpackTri

You would think we would hear more about this. I wonder why we haven't?

Because it hasn't been announced. I wouldn't at all be surprised if there are people in this forum (or thread!) who know all about it but aren't permitted to say. I am not one of those people. I freely explained Vudu's Mobile D2D and Movies On Us programs before they were announced, and probably more, and I've never broken an NDA to do it.

[abbottd]

Originally Posted by Zu Nim

Because it hasn't been announced. I wouldn't at all be surprised if there are people in this forum (or thread!) who know all about it but aren't permitted to say. I am not one of those people. I freely explained Vudu's Mobile D2D and Movies On Us programs before they were announced, and probably more, and I've never broken an NDA to do it.

Whoa! I had no idea you were a part of this forum Zu! Or even blu-ray.com. Here I am quoting you and asking if anyone knew about this. Anyway, thanks for the info on this! This is really exciting news and I can't wait for an official announcement! Let's hope it solves a lot of the issues we saw with UV and finally makes our collections truly available anywhere!

[abbottd]

Originally Posted by Zu Nim

Because it hasn't been announced. I wouldn't at all be surprised if there are people in this forum (or thread!) who know all about it but aren't permitted to say. I am not one of those people. I freely explained Vudu's Mobile D2D and Movies On Us programs before they were announced, and probably more, and I've never broken an NDA to do it.

Quick Q, Zu; out of curiosity, you don't happen to know of an estimated timeframe for an announcement, do you?