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

[Rocket Richard]

Originally Posted by tiger_qc

I'm a huge Blu-ray fan but I'm also on Netflix since 2013, it's a must nowadays.

Netflix is great and this and other streaming services will only improve quality wise in the future. And you don’t pay more when their movie quality improves.

Blu-ray will be old technology and will be obsolete in a few years with 4K & the advent of 8K looming.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Rocket Richard

Netflix is great and this and other streaming services will only improve quality wise in the future. And you don’t pay more when their movie quality improves.

Blu-ray will be old technology and will be obsolete in a few years with 4K & the advent of 8K looming.

4K will be irrelevant. People will have long since switched to SD on their phone. Remember, the scheme (which will be brought in) makes all the 'Digital will just get better and better' bollocks moot. Cheap and nasty wins the day. You know that Dick!

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by applemac

The fact that I still dont have access to a digital version of Spartacus thats been restored.

I have Spartacus in my Collection in HDX, maybe not in iTunes. Kirt Douglas is outstanding, and the Movie looks Great!

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I do. I have always admitted I have it. I watch tv on it.

Me too. My streaming subscriptions to Netflix and Hulu (and Amazon too) is for the TV shows, not the movies. Yes, I watch the occasional movie on them, but the majority of the content I watch is TV shows.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

No different to your agenda. I love Bluray. I see the danger that Digital represents. That is all.

What exactly is my agenda? I support UHD Blu-ray, regular Blu-ray, Digital UHD and Digital HD/HDX. I'm not claiming that the end is near. Home video is still going quite strong in various formats. I understand your concern about everyone on earth moving to mobile devices for their content, but that seems a little extreme.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

Me too. My streaming subscriptions to Netflix and Hulu (and Amazon too) is for the TV shows, not the movies. Yes, I watch the occasional movie on them, but the majority of the content I watch is TV shows.



What exactly is my agenda? I support UHD Blu-ray, regular Blu-ray, Digital UHD and Digital HD/HDX. I'm not claiming that the end is near. Home video is still going quite strong in various formats. I understand your concern about everyone on earth moving to mobile devices for their content, but that seems a little extreme.

Just my opinion but you are defending a format that you wanted to fail originally. I remember you saying as much in one of the other threads. See how easy people turn? You atre not the only one by the way. Mobile will be next. The end is nigh and Digital fanboys helped it along. Expect to see a world of films on mobile phones and watches within ten years.

[PCFan]

Originally Posted by Rocket Richard

Netflix is great and this and other streaming services will only improve quality wise in the future. And you don’t pay more when their movie quality improves.

Blu-ray will be old technology and will be obsolete in a few years with 4K & the advent of 8K looming.

If you want 4k in Netflix you have to pay extra.

[applemac]

Anyone mentioning that going with bluray instead of digital is still bad because bluray still has compression...is missing the point entirely. Its like picking a 64kbps MP3 over a 320kbps (5mbps netflix/vudu vs 30mbps blu) because the 320 would still be compressed. I guess you wouldn't be happy seeing anything in 4K at a theater either, since there is JPEG2000 compression on each frame.

[GuyIncognito]

Originally Posted by Rocket Richard

Netflix is great and this and other streaming services will only improve quality wise in the future. And you don’t pay more when their movie quality improves.

Blu-ray will be old technology and will be obsolete in a few years with 4K & the advent of 8K looming.

You don't pay more when quality improves? Maybe I'm misunderstanding their pricing model then
https://www.netflix.com/getstarted?forceCountry=US

seems like SD is $8 per month, HD is $10 per month, UHD is $12 per month.

Or even if you don't want UHD but you want the ability to watch on more than two devices at once, you have to pay $12 per month. If I were to get Netflix, I only need one device at a time but I want that to be in HD. I will be forced into their middle plan with two screens just because they don't have a one screen option with HD. But then even if I want to see new movies, I have to wait until Netflix is allowed to show it.

But why are we arguing this anyway? Haven't any of you seen Paycheck? The screen itself will be obsolete once Ben Affleck is finished reverse engineering

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Originally Posted by Rocket Richard

Netflix is great and this and other streaming services will only improve quality wise in the future. And you don’t pay more when their movie quality improves.

Blu-ray will be old technology and will be obsolete in a few years with 4K & the advent of 8K looming.

Originally Posted by GuyIncognito

You don't pay more when quality improves? Maybe I'm misunderstanding their pricing model then
https://www.netflix.com/getstarted?forceCountry=US

seems like SD is $8 per month, HD is $10 per month, UHD is $12 per month.

Or even if you don't want UHD but you want the ability to watch on more than two devices at once, you have to pay $12 per month. If I were to get Netflix, I only need one device at a time but I want that to be in HD. I will be forced into their middle plan with two screens just because they don't have a one screen option with HD. But then even if I want to see new movies, I have to wait until Netflix is allowed to show it.

But why are we arguing this anyway? Haven't any of you seen Paycheck? The screen itself will be obsolete once Ben Affleck is finished reverse engineering

And besides the cost difference for the different tiers of quality, there's just the issue of comparing streaming services like Netflix to buying individual titles.

As I said previously, I have both a Netflix and Hulu subscription. And I'm sure that a lot of other people who still collect physical media also subscribe to these and/or similar services. My wife and I were just watching on e of Hulu's original programs earlier tonight.

But as I've also said previously, these services bare more similarity to premium cable channel subscriptions than they do buying or even renting physical media.

Content, especially movies, are constantly being switched out. There's no guarantee that a movie that is up there now will be there 6 months from now.

Even IF Netflix ever surpasses the quality of the best physical media format available, it does me absolutely no good if I want to watch a particular title and they don't have it.

While I haven't really been much of a renter since the late 90s (when I got on board with DVD and became a collector), and as inconvenient as physical renting from a rental store was (having to bring the movie back.... late fees, and so on), generally speaking, those stores didn't just arbitrarily get rid of titles.

Back in the hey-day of video rental stores, odds are most if not all stores would at least have major popular titles. Imagine walking into a video rental store in the late 80s or during the 90s and find out that they don't carry Ghostbusters. Now it would be one thing if they had it, but it was rented out, or if it was lost/stolen. But aside from that, odds are most any video store would have had it, and they wouldn't just arbitrarily get rid of it for a time after having it.

The way that these streaming services work, with movies being swapped out constantly due to how the rights work for streaming, you can't count on them having your favorite film anymore. Netflix did have GB at one point, but then it was later taken down.


I collect as I want access to the content that I buy. I don't want it arbitrarily taken away.

I still subscribe to Netflix and Hulu (and cable with HBO) as they have original content that I enjoy, and it can be a great way to try out movies that I haven't seen to find out if I would want to add them to my collection, or to even simply watch a movie (when available) that I feel like watching again, but don't necessarily feel the need to buy.

But I can't see myself ever buying content digitally... especially not if said content is also available on physical media.

And while quality is important to me, it has been and always will be a balancing act of priorities. I would like the best quality, but when I buy content, I'll opt for the physical release. So if the only physical releases are of lower quality than the best digital versions, I'm still going to opt for physical when making a purchase.

Going back to my example of Ghostbusters, if the day comes where streaming qualitydoes surpass the best physical media option (a day that I feel is still a LONG ways off), then perhaps when that movie happens to come around to a service like Netflix and I'm in the mood to watch it, I'll opt to stream is rather than reach for my physical copy if the quality truly is better. But you can bet your ass that I'll be keeping my physical copy handy for when the movie isn't available through any streaming service that I have subscribed to.

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Just my opinion but you are defending a format that you wanted to fail originally. I remember you saying as much in one of the other threads. See how easy people turn? You atre not the only one by the way. Mobile will be next. The end is nigh and Digital fanboys helped it along. Expect to see a world of films on mobile phones and watches within ten years.

I wouldn't say that I ever wanted digital to fail originally. I wasn't very interested in it before, and was adamant about opting for the Blu-ray when one was possible, but I wasn't actively against the digital format as far as I can remember. At least not at the level of you and your buddies on here.

I redeemed the iTunes copy of Star Trek Into Darkenss that came with my Blu-ray, because I wanted the iTunes-exclusive commentary, and redeemed the iTunes copy of Hellboy 2 that came with the Blu-ray before I had a Blu-ray player, but other than those movies, I didn't do much digital. Btw, with those two movies, I watched them on my laptop, not my phone or iPod or something.

I enjoy the convenience of digital and find the quality is acceptable most of the time. I definitely don't want to see it fail now, since I've invested my time and money into Vudu and iTunes these past several months. But I also don't want to see physical media fail. I appreciate its quality much more than digital, especially on my 65" TV. Whenever I pop in a Blu-ray Disc, I'm reminded just how incredible they can look. 3D even moreso.

But to basically reduce fans of digital to looking like moronic heathens, I can't say it sits well with me. Just because people may choose digital over physical doesn't mean they hate quality or hate big screen TVs or underappreciate movies or will someday be watching their movies on a smart watch.

Is your argument that the only way we will be able to watch movies someday is on a smart watch? You think the world will even change that much in 50 years? No, you think it'll be 10 years from now that that becomes normal. That's quite a predication. I don't even like watching TV shows on my phone, much less movies, and I'm on the iPhone 6s Plus, not some dinky little phone. I'm okay watching TV shows on my 9.7" iPad Air, though. Still, not movies. Movies I reserve for my TV.

I'm telling you, I agree that physical media is of a higher quality and it's closer to recreating the theatrical experience more than digital. Blu-ray is the only way to watch Transformers: Age of Extinction in 3D with variable aspect ratio AND Dolby Atmos audio. But for individuals not crazy about 3D and/or object-based audio, the Digital HD version can probably suffice on an entertainment level. It may not be top-of-the-line, but it's no worse than watching it on cable. Just an example.

I respect your opinion, minus the judgmental aspects and pessimistic future predications. Please try not to dismiss my perspective either.

[Mr Kite]

I have put this question two or three times now, quite a few films have had fantastic remasters done for Blu Ray with many hours spent making sure colour, contrast, grain, and encode etc are perfect (or as good as it can be). What will happen to them if digital wins the day?

[PenguinMaster]

The studios prefer digital as it is cheaper to provide and they have full control. With that being the case there is no chance that digital will ever fail no matter how small of market share it has.

I therefore don't understand why anyone is advocating for digital over physical. No amount of popularity of physical media will hurt the choices for digital supporters.

The opposite unfortunately can't be said. If every title was available both digitally and physically I wouldn't be bothered in the slightest by people buying digital. But that isn't the case, as support increases for digital and decreases for physical more and more titles will not be available physically.

[knight17]

Originally Posted by PenguinMaster

.

The opposite unfortunately can't be said. If every title was available both digitally and physically I wouldn't be bothered in the slightest by people buying digital. But that isn't the case, as support increases for digital and decreases for physical more and more titles will not be available physically.

Unfortunately that is out of our control. With that being said however, I will probably be content with all the stuff I have by then. If I am not being too modest, maybe a collection in excess of 1000 movies at the bare minimum.

At the very least my collection (as well as the rest of the members) will remain intact.

[PenguinMaster]

Originally Posted by knight17

Unfortunately that is out of our control. With that being said however, I will probably be content with all the stuff I have by then. If I am not being too modest, maybe a collection in excess of 1000 movies at the bare minimum.

At the very least my collection (as well as the rest of the members) will remain intact.

If customers don't believe they have any control then they will give up the control they have.

That's why I believe strongly in supporting physical media and try to convince as many people as possible to do the same. More support for physical media means more titles will be available on physical media. I won't let the studios dictate how I can watch my content so they won't get a cent from me for any digital content.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

I wouldn't say that I ever wanted digital to fail originally. I wasn't very interested in it before, and was adamant about opting for the Blu-ray when one was possible, but I wasn't actively against the digital format as far as I can remember. At least not at the level of you and your buddies on here.

I redeemed the iTunes copy of Star Trek Into Darkenss that came with my Blu-ray, because I wanted the iTunes-exclusive commentary, and redeemed the iTunes copy of Hellboy 2 that came with the Blu-ray before I had a Blu-ray player, but other than those movies, I didn't do much digital. Btw, with those two movies, I watched them on my laptop, not my phone or iPod or something.

I enjoy the convenience of digital and find the quality is acceptable most of the time. I definitely don't want to see it fail now, since I've invested my time and money into Vudu and iTunes these past several months. But I also don't want to see physical media fail. I appreciate its quality much more than digital, especially on my 65" TV. Whenever I pop in a Blu-ray Disc, I'm reminded just how incredible they can look. 3D even moreso.

But to basically reduce fans of digital to looking like moronic heathens, I can't say it sits well with me. Just because people may choose digital over physical doesn't mean they hate quality or hate big screen TVs or underappreciate movies or will someday be watching their movies on a smart watch.

Is your argument that the only way we will be able to watch movies someday is on a smart watch? You think the world will even change that much in 50 years? No, you think it'll be 10 years from now that that becomes normal. That's quite a predication. I don't even like watching TV shows on my phone, much less movies, and I'm on the iPhone 6s Plus, not some dinky little phone. I'm okay watching TV shows on my 9.7" iPad Air, though. Still, not movies. Movies I reserve for my TV.

I'm telling you, I agree that physical media is of a higher quality and it's closer to recreating the theatrical experience more than digital. Blu-ray is the only way to watch Transformers: Age of Extinction in 3D with variable aspect ratio AND Dolby Atmos audio. But for individuals not crazy about 3D and/or object-based audio, the Digital HD version can probably suffice on an entertainment level. It may not be top-of-the-line, but it's no worse than watching it on cable. Just an example.

I respect your opinion, minus the judgmental aspects and pessimistic future predications. Please try not to dismiss my perspective either.

It depends. Again, I refer to the 'pay by screen size' plan. Don't you think that destroys film as an art form? Don't you think a sudden choice of cheap mobile rental or more expensive tv rental will just mean people tolerating two hour films on their mobile, even in their living rooms? Younger people are going without tv in the first place. That would just exasperate the situation. I just can't be happy given that possibility. Why can't others see the devastation (to our hobby) that would cause?

Imagine a family. Now, Netflix on the big screen for a set fee, fair enough. A child wants to watch it on his laptop? Ok, that will be another 3 dollars! Another child wants to watch on their phone? Another 2 dollars Wait, you can have a bundle for just 3 dollars more than your usual subscription.
Wait? You want HD on the big screen? You will need our big data plan! We can do another bundle on that.
4K? Well, that is our top bundle.

Do you see? The pay by screen size will suit all the suits! Subscription, rentals, purchases etc..

I do respect your opinion by the way. It just angers me that people are so laid back about the possible destruction of home cinema.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by tele1962

I have put this question two or three times now, quite a few films have had fantastic remasters done for Blu Ray with many hours spent making sure colour, contrast, grain, and encode etc are perfect (or as good as it can be). What will happen to them if digital wins the day?

Data caps will make them the preserve of the rich.

[Mr Kite]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Data caps will make them the preserve of the rich.

I would love for one of the digital enthusiasts to help us out with this question, as so far not one has answered.
Which begs the question are they only interested in the latest Hollywood Blockbuster?

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by tele1962

I would love for one of the digital enthusiasts to help us out with this question, as so far not one has answered.
Which begs the question are they only interested in the latest Hollywood Blockbuster?

Hollywood as a creative force has been on life support for years.

[knight17]

Originally Posted by PenguinMaster

If customers don't believe they have any control then they will give up the control they have.

That's why I believe strongly in supporting physical media and try to convince as many people as possible to do the same. More support for physical media means more titles will be available on physical media. I won't let the studios dictate how I can watch my content so they won't get a cent from me for any digital content.

Perhaps I should have made it a bit more clear. I am like you and hate having any studios controlling my purchases (i.e telling me which device I can view it on, for how long I could view it on etc).

What I meant by being out of our control is whether physical releases dwindle in the years to come, as to turn that tide, a healthy number of purchases should continue (blu ray i.e).

Nevertheless I am a big fan of physical media and like you I am willing to let people (who will bother to listen) know that digital cannot (not now and never will) be anywhere close to the experience provided by physical media.

Just a note for the digital enthusiasts - Let us say that a blu ray takes up about 40gb (for a 50gb dual layer disc) for the movie (including audio and video), you do realise that this will be compressed to around 3-5 gb for streaming or downloading, right?

P.S - By the way I just grabbed two more blu ray boxsets lol

[PenguinMaster]

Originally Posted by knight17

Perhaps I should have made it a bit more clear. I am like you and hate having any studios controlling my purchases (i.e telling me which device I can view it on, for how long I could view it on etc).

What I meant by being out of our control is whether physical releases dwindle in the years to come, as to turn that tide, a healthy number of purchases should continue (blu ray i.e).

Nevertheless I am a big fan of physical media and like you I am willing to let people (who will bother to listen) know that digital cannot (not now and never will) be anywhere close to the experience provided by physical media.

Just a note for the digital enthusiasts - Let us say that a blu ray takes up about 40gb (for a 50gb dual layer disc) for the movie (including audio and video), you do realise that this will be compressed to around 3-5 gb for streaming or downloading, right?

P.S - By the way I just grabbed two more blu ray boxsets lol

I understood that you were on the side of physical media, it just sounded like a defeatist comment to say it is out of our control. Too often even people who prefer physical media say that an all digital future is inevitable so we might as well accept it, not realizing that accepting the digital future will cause it to happen.

I'm glad to hear that you are advocating for physical media to everyone who will listen, I do the same thing.