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

[alchav21]

Talking about Home Theaters, as it relates to Disc or Digital, here is an interesting Interview with an Expert in my Sound & Vision Magazine. It seems even the Experts don't want to commit to answering the question Disc or Digital. The consensus seems to be, it's too early to tell. Discs are on the decline, but the last Format being UHD is in question.

https://www.soundandvision.com/conte...inment-heading

[JacksonQWonderful]

Hey everyone, I’m new here. Would someone please give me a link to the trading digital movies page? Can’t seem to find it anywhere. Thanks in advance.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by JacksonQWonderful

Hey everyone, I’m new here. Would someone please give me a link to the trading digital movies page? Can’t seem to find it anywhere. Thanks in advance.

Here you go, here's the page that will give you some options.

https://www.blu-ray.com/uv/

[Vilya]

This is a website dedicated to the blu-ray format, and now, by extension, the 4K UHD format. Coming here and promoting digital over blu-ray and 4K discs is almost like visiting a philatelist website and extolling the virtues of email.

Before any heads explode, I just think that is a funny way to look at the back and forth that has occurred in this thread. I know it is not a perfect analogy. Carry on.

[flyry]

Originally Posted by Vilya

This is a website dedicated to the blu-ray format, and now, by extension, the 4K UHD format. Coming here and promoting digital over blu-ray and 4K discs is almost like visiting a philatelist website and extolling the virtues of email.

Before any heads explode, I just think that is a funny way to look at the back and forth that has occurred in this thread. I know it is not a perfect analogy. Carry on.

You're in the digital subforum

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by flyry

You're in the digital subforum

And I knew you would be the very first to object to my remark. Like shooting fish in a barrel with a bazooka....

How do you feel that this forum rule applies to this thread:

"If your only purpose on this forum is to question Blu-ray as a format and bringing negativity to the forum, then you are not welcome."

I hope that does not cause you to have a stroke.

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Vilya

This is a website dedicated to the blu-ray format, and now, by extension, the 4K UHD format. Coming here and promoting digital over blu-ray and 4K discs is almost like visiting a philatelist website and extolling the virtues of email.

Before any heads explode, I just think that is a funny way to look at the back and forth that has occurred in this thread. I know it is not a perfect analogy. Carry on.

Others have made that same argument in the past. It’s kind of odd, because yes we’re on a Blu-ray website, but this is a sub forum about digital.

Digital is so entwined with Blu-ray that this sub forum was created. Now it feels like it’s standing relatively on its own two feet.

I, for one, was once an avid collector of DVD, followed by Blu-ray, both for many years. Now I almost only buy my movies digitally. When I was transitioning from Blu-ray to digital, I went back and forth. Now even with a movie like Star Wars: The Last Jedi, I’ll probably buy it on VUDU in 4K because I know the digital copy included with the 4K combo pack won’t redeem in 4K. So for me, I feel it’s not even worth getting the physical version. All I’m going to ultimately watch is the digital copy, so I may as well get the best digital version.

There are several examples like this. Annabelle Creation, Happy Death Day and many others don’t have 4K discs, but they have 4K digital versions. So I’m all digital with those.

There are very few exceptions where I’m going to go with the physical version of movies/TV shows these days. And this is coming from someone who didn’t even care about collecting digital four years ago. I joined this site before I went digital. I’m glad this sub forum (and digital deals sub forum) exists. It’s not the only section I visit, but I visit this section way more often than I visit the regular Blu-ray section anymore.

I see nothing wrong with that. It’s a format that basically came out of Blu-ray as a bonus copy, but now with things like Movies Anywhere, it’s obvious that it’s here to stay. So are we.

[Vilya]

I was not offering that as an argument. I was just amused by that very same oddity that you mentioned.

I get content the way I like it; you get content the way you like it. I'm happy; You're happy; Who isn't happy? I can guess already.

[huskersports]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

What difference does it really make if it comes with a DVD or not? It's one thing if there's a major price difference or something (which more often than not, there isn't).

You just said that you got Smokey and the Bandit super-cheap a month ago. It sounds like the price was right. So what if there is an extra disc in the case that you won't use? It's not hurting anything being there, and 1 to 3 disc cases are generally the same size, so it is taking up no more shelf space than the Blu-Ray only version would.

It just seems really odd that when all other things are essentially equal, and you are purposely double dipping by buying these movies both digitally and physical through separate purchases, that you would go out of your way just to avoid having an extra disc that isn't harming anything by being there.

What's even more odd is that if it is the 40th anniversary edition of Smokey and the Bandit that you got, it comes with the Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital copy. Two out of the three of those you apparently want, and you get them all for one price in the same package. But instead going forward for other movies released in similar manners, you are planning to buy the digital version and then later buy it again physically just to not get a DVD for some reason (apparently even if the Blu-Ray / DVD pack includes the digital copy). It doesn't sound like this plan is really going to save you much money, and will probably cost you more - at least in instances where the combo pack includes the digital version anyway.

In looking up these Smokey and the Bandit releases, while the prices could change, right now if buying or preordering directly through Amazon, the new release without the DVD is actually slightly more expensive than the one with it. And the packaging looks the same with the exception of the "+DVD" in the blue bar on the top of the cover art stating what formats are included. So it's not even like this is a situation where there's significantly different artwork or packaging type that you might have a preference for.

My mistake. I meant I will RENT Universal titles and then buy the inevitable re-release. I just really don't want the DVD. I didn't upgrade to Blu-Ray to be forced to buy the DVD with it. I understand it's an economics issue with physical releases nowadays. Studios are getting the most bang for their buck /killing 2 birds with 1 stone by releasing combo packs, and retailers are saving shelf space by not having 3 releases (BD/DVD, BD and DVD) taking up shelf space. I can always sell the Digital HD if needed.

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I was not offering that as an argument. I was just amused by that very same oddity that you mentioned.

I get content the way I like it; you get content the way you like it. I'm happy; You're happy; Who isn't happy? I can guess already.

I see what you’re saying. I’m not one of the individuals here arguing that the other side has it wrong, or is missing out on something better. I only argue that my way is also good. Not better. For me, it works better. But I can fully understand why people choose physical over digital. There’s many reasons. None of those reasons concern me, though. So it’s nice that we both have choices.

[flyry]

Originally Posted by Vilya

And I knew you would be the very first to object to my remark. Like shooting fish in a barrel with a bazooka....

How do you feel that this forum rule applies to this thread:

"If your only purpose on this forum is to question Blu-ray as a format and bringing negativity to the forum, then you are not welcome."

I hope that does not cause you to have a stroke.

I support both formats. I've purchased 4 4K discs the past month and have a few more on pre-order.

Space is becoming an issue so if its a movie that isn't on 4k or one i liked but don't love i'm fine with getting it digitally.

Even movies I loved like Paddington 2 I have pre-ordered UHD digital (if only temporarily due to there not being a US release listing yet).

But either way I will not be opposed to possibly being fully digital in the very near future once I'm completely out of space. Especially when VUDU finally adds HDR for my TV.

I watch tons of tv via streaming so it only makes sense that I eventually view my movies that way.

I find it interesting though you've made your stance and are questioning the existence of this thread/subforum yet you have by far posted the most out of anyone the last few pages.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by flyry

I support both formats. I've purchased 4 4K discs the past month and have a few more on pre-order.

Space is becoming an issue so if its a movie that isn't on 4k or one i liked but don't love i'm fine with getting it digitally.

Even movies I loved like Paddington 2 I have pre-ordered UHD digital (if only temporarily due to there not being a US release listing yet).

But either way I will not be opposed to possibly being fully digital in the very near future once I'm completely out of space. Especially when VUDU finally adds HDR for my TV.

I watch tons of tv via streaming so it only makes sense that I eventually view my movies that way.

I find it interesting though you've made your stance and are questioning the existence of this thread/subforum yet you have by far posted the most out of anyone the last few pages.

I am not questioning the existence of this thread/ subforum; I was trying to have a little fun with the inherent irony of a thread about digital on a website dedicated to physical media, namely blu-ray.

Your remarks are valid and I can understand this point of view even though it differs substantially from my own. And maybe I have posted too much (lots of free time), so I will step back for awhile.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I am not questioning the existence of this thread/ subforum; I was trying to have a little fun with the inherent irony of a thread about digital on a website dedicated to physical media, namely blu-ray.

Your remarks are valid and I can understand this point of view even though it differs substantially from my own. And maybe I have posted too much (lots of free time), so I will step back for awhile.

This Web Site was started when Blu-ray was King, but my main argument has always been it's all Digital now, you Stream from a Blu-ray Player or a Server. Like that Article in Sound & Vision and the concept of Moore's Law, Streaming HD Video will be as good as Disc. Just in the span of this Thread, people with the right set up and Bandwidth can't see a difference between Streaming HD and Disc. It's just the Natural Order of things, Streaming HD is the next Big Step!

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Originally Posted by alchav21

but my main argument has always been it's all Digital now, you Stream from a Blu-ray Player or a Server.

And this argument has been thoroughly debunked many times over.

Some could go around saying the sky is plaid over and over again. It doesn't make it true.

[whipnet]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

And this argument has been thoroughly debunked many times over.

Some could go around saying the sky is plaid over and over again. It doesn't make it true.

He's correct. Taped media is analog. Laserdisc, CD's, DVD's, HD-DVD, Blu-rays, hard drives, flash drives are all forms of digital media. 1's and 0's.

A bluray player streams the data from the disk, processes it and displays it. A Roku streams from a server, processes it and displays it.

Digital video from a server from current providers is compressed and does not stream at the same bitrates of a disk. But it's all digital.

*

[bubbamoo]

Originally Posted by whipnet

Digital video from a server from current providers is compressed and does not stream at the same bitrates of a disk. But it's all digital.

*

oh wow, this makes sense. i wonder when or if there will be any uncompressed streaming sites?

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by whipnet

He's correct. Taped media is analog. Laserdisc, CD's, DVD's, HD-DVD, Blu-rays, hard drives, flash drives are all forms of digital media. 1's and 0's.

A bluray player streams the data from the disk, processes it and displays it. A Roku streams from a server, processes it and displays it.

Digital video from a server from current providers is compressed and does not stream at the same bitrates of a disk. But it's all digital.

*

Digital data can be stored on TAPE. Also, LDs are ANALOG video though there can also be DIGITAL sound.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

And this argument has been thoroughly debunked many times over.

Some could go around saying the sky is plaid over and over again. It doesn't make it true.

Originally Posted by whipnet

He's correct. Taped media is analog. Laserdisc, CD's, DVD's, HD-DVD, Blu-rays, hard drives, flash drives are all forms of digital media. 1's and 0's.

A bluray player streams the data from the disk, processes it and displays it. A Roku streams from a server, processes it and displays it.

Digital video from a server from current providers is compressed and does not stream at the same bitrates of a disk. But it's all digital.

*

Thanks Whipnet, because the Bitrates on Streaming keep going up, and when they match Disc the argument will be Bunked. All that is needed are better access and location of Servers, and more Bandwidth. With all the Providers going Streaming, these two things will happen sooner than later.

[whipnet]

Originally Posted by bubbamoo

oh wow, this makes sense. i wonder when or if there will be any uncompressed streaming sites?

Good question. VUDU and Amazon stream at the highest rates last time I tested.

Originally Posted by Brian81

Digital data can be stored on TAPE. Also, LDs are ANALOG video though there can also be DIGITAL sound.

Talking about consumer movies here, but I did not know that about Laserdisc. Thanks.

Originally Posted by alchav21

Thanks Whipnet, because the Bitrates on Streaming keep going up, and when they match Disc the argument will be Bunked. All that is needed are better access and location of Servers, and more Bandwidth. With all the Providers going Streaming, these two things will happen sooner than later.

I won't disagree with this.

*

[flyry]

I've streamed about 30 episodes of 4K tv the past month and hit 700 gb of my 1tb monthly limit.

I can't imagine how much data 8K will use in the future