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

[drush9999]

I'll be collecting movies on physical media for life.

I just searched for Charles Bronson on Netflix UK as an example and it came back with 5 movies out of the 57 I own on DVD and Blu-ray (One I don't own, but he's barely in it). There might be a handful more on other services. Another issue is movies disappearing from streaming services after a time, moving to other services etc. There's also no way in hell I'll ever pay for a digital download either.

I think there's enough of a hardcore of us, to maintain a decent physical media market.

[Moonlight Shadow]

I'm afraid the Blu-ray format will last longer than I will.

[JustinB13]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

To me that's always been beside the point.

The question is, when does blu-ray become a dead technology?

...meaning when do they stop producing new content on blu-ray?

That's when it becomes the new VHS.

It’s really not though. They will keep producing new content on blu-ray as long as people realize that it’s the best option for owning a movie forever.

[Just Jimmy]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

VHS is the future

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKYQ5ibxslI

[dcx4610]

I think the mainstream prefers subscriptions these days. It blows me away how many people have Spotify and that's the way they consume music.

That's unfathomable to me to listen to music that way. I want my music when I want to hear it. Not a virtual radio station. The same goes for Netflix. You watch what they have available.

Most people just aren't passionate about music or movies. They'll take what is spoonfed to them.

[deto]

Hell, I still buy VHS.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by dcx4610

I think the mainstream prefers subscriptions these days. It blows me away how many people have Spotify and that's the way they consume music.

That's unfathomable to me to listen to music that way. I want my music when I want to hear it. Not a virtual radio station.

Have you ever tried the full version of Spotify? It's not a virtual radio station. You can hear any music you want when you want it, and they rarely remove songs. It's like having instant access to a huge library for a very moderate fee. It also allows you to easily discover and try new music that you would otherwise never hear.

The same goes for Netflix. You watch what they have available.

Video subscription services today are quite different from music subscription. They have a limited and constantly changing selection, and no new releases (except for their own original content). This is why they are no substitute for (physical or digital) movie purchases. If there was something comparable to Spotify for movies (i.e. you'd pay iTunes or Amazon a moderate monthly fee and get access to every movie in their store) that would obviously change things.

Most people just aren't passionate about music or movies. They'll take what is spoonfed to them.

Yes, owning lots of shiny discs makes you a better and more passionate person.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Have you ever tried the full version of Spotify? It's not a virtual radio station. You can hear any music you want when you want it, and they rarely remove songs. It's like having instant access to a huge library for a very moderate fee. It also allows you to easily discover and try new music that you would otherwise never hear.
Video subscription services today are quite different from music subscription. They have a limited and constantly changing selection, and no new releases (except for their own original content). This is why they are no substitute for (physical or digital) movie purchases. If there was something comparable to Spotify for movies (i.e. you'd pay iTunes or Amazon a moderate monthly fee and get access to every movie in their store) that would obviously change things.
Yes, owning lots of shiny discs makes you a better and more passionate person.

Well it makes you a person with good taste and high standards. Nothing wrong with that.

[joluboga]

If there's still an ancient Kodak forum somewhere, we'll see threads from 20 years ago, with people talking about how digital cameras will never replace film, because of the lack of quality and things like that.

Nowadays, we use OUR PHONES (not even digital cameras, unless you're a professional photographer) to take pictures and a huge stock of unused film must be rotting on some random landfill.

You guys can say whatever you want, and buy as many discs as you want, that's your prerogative, but the future is digital and there's not much anyone can do about it, except trying to delay the end as long as they can.

[Member-222782]

The way I see it, physical media has been around since the late 1970's. The introduction of the internet has no doubt made a dent in the physical sales but we're currently experiencing the best the medium has to offer in terms of PQ, convenience and price - there's not going to be a sudden stop of media sales. As long as people keep enjoying movies, there will always be a market to sell to. Smaller market, but it's still a market. Plus, physical media still generates revenue for the studios - there's just no way studios will let go of that revenue.

[cynatnite]

Originally Posted by joluboga

If there's still an ancient Kodak forum somewhere, we'll see threads from 20 years ago, with people talking about how digital cameras will never replace film, because of the lack of quality and things like that.

Nowadays, we use OUR PHONES (not even digital cameras, unless you're a professional photographer) to take pictures and a huge stock of unused film must be rotting on some random landfill.

You guys can say whatever you want, and buy as many discs as you want, that's your prerogative, but the future is digital and there's not much anyone can do about it, except trying to delay the end as long as they can.

I don't think anyone is denying that digital is the future. Hell, it's here now. But digital is not going to kill the DVD, BD, and UHD markets.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Yes, owning lots of shiny discs makes you a better and more passionate person.

I wish this was true; I likely would have been beatified by now while I work towards full sainthood.

[CinephileKing]

Originally Posted by joluboga

If there's still an ancient Kodak forum somewhere, we'll see threads from 20 years ago, with people talking about how digital cameras will never replace film, because of the lack of quality and things like that.

Nowadays, we use OUR PHONES (not even digital cameras, unless you're a professional photographer) to take pictures and a huge stock of unused film must be rotting on some random landfill.

You guys can say whatever you want, and buy as many discs as you want, that's your prerogative, but the future is digital and there's not much anyone can do about it, except trying to delay the end as long as they can.

How is the future digital if it's already here? It's not the future, it's the present. No one knows exactly what the future technically is going to be. Also, your photography comparison to the home entertainment platform matter is rather apples to oranges as it's not exactly the same situation. But back to the topic, if digital for the home entertainment platform is so certain & such a sure thing? Then psychical media would be gone already (a few years ago actually) but yet, it's not by any means & according to various statistics and data, the market overall is highly diverse in what it wants even the home entertainment industry is exceedingly decisive. I could go much further but I'll digress.

[Vilya]

All of this prognosticating going on and none of it answers any of my burning questions. Maybe some of you Nostradamus-es can tell me?

Where is my flying car? When can I go on a lunar, or even a Martian, vacation? Where is my food replicator? Where is my holodeck? Where are my household android servants? I would ask for the winning numbers for the next Powerball drawing, but I know none of you soothsayers would share that information.

When is the next extinction level event and what form will it take? Maybe an asteroid with our planet in its cross hairs? Overpopulation reaching critical mass with resultant shortages of essential resources leading to catastrophic human conflict? Perhaps time travelers altering the past and damning the future? Where is that cure for cancer already? I have many more questions, but these will do for now.

The future of blu-ray seems less significant to me, largely because I do not feel it is going anywhere anytime soon. My monthly bank statement routinely attests to the ready availability of titles to purchase, including behemoth blockbusters and obscure oddities and everything in between.

If the doomsayers are correct; I will save a small fortune because I will not buy a movie that is not on some form of physical media. I want that data frozen in amber and held in the palm of my hand.

If discs disappear, I will embrace the youthful model of not paying for anything and simply turn to the torrents. From which, ironically, I will make a physical copy.

[filmo70]

How much time does blu-ray have left?

Heaps

[ccunning1]

Originally Posted by cynatnite

I don't think anyone is denying that digital is the future. Hell, it's here now. But digital is not going to kill the DVD, BD, and UHD markets.

Never can tell, but I hope you are right.

[JimSmith]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

I really wonder what everyone thinks in terms of the longevity of blu-ray?

My main concern is that the TV releases are becoming more and more uncommon. I'm not sure how much of the market 4kUHD takes, and streaming seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

I would like to believe that the mainstream films will continue to be released, but who knows.

I think catalogue titles will be OK, as there are hardcore collectors that keep those guys afloat. Still, nothing is certain.

Just wondering what everyone thinks?

Streaming quality is usually crap, it has to buffer and all of that other stuff. I refuse to believe that people would pick that over the physical media of Blu-ray but then again people are so stupid in worshipping a little piece of plastic that they look down at which makes them fall into manholes. Hopefully Blu-ray will be around for the next 20 or so years.

[whiteberry]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4Ik18QswHo

[Brad1963]

Don't put the final nail in the coffin yet. As long as there is money to be made the studios will still support physical media. But I would imagine the production number of units would vary and unless it is a proven seller like Jaws, Star Wars, Wizard of Oz etc. catalog titles will either be a MOD situation or released by an indie label.

[Captain Flint]

Seeing as to how DVD is still around and outselling Blu-ray, Blu-ray isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Too many companies are getting into the streaming craze and it's fragmenting the market, many people are upset and canceling their subscriptions. Not enough to kill streaming outright, but it's only going to get worse for the services out there.