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

[Ender14]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

You make a door knob look smart. The fact that you not only responded, but in this manner, just shows how daft in the head you are.

I made that statement as a joke because you seem to only have knowledge of wiring (etc.) infrastructures, and little to no comprehension about most other aspects that go into this.

Go back and read Ender14's post, which you conveniently dodged replying to (because it would require you to address something that you clearly do not understand).

The removal of net neutrality would allow ISPs to do what Ender14 descried, and charge services like Vudu, Netflix, etc. for preferential speeds.

Even if you live in an area with the absolute best infrastructure for internet in the entire country, the rate at which how much data that wiring and infrastructure is capable of providing becomes a moot point if the ISP purposely throttles it. As in Ender14's example, if Comcast tells Vudu to pay them money to allow the connection to their service to run as a speed capable of providing full 4K quality, and Vudu says no, then Comcast can throttle that connection to run at a lower speed/data-per-second rate that would prevent that from being possible.

It's like taking a gallon container and putting 4 ounces of water in it. The fact that the container is capable of holding up to a gallon really doesn't matter if the person filling it is only willing to put 4 ounces in it.

Metaphorically speaking, if the ISP is only allowing "4 ounces" of data to move through an infrastructure capable of quickly moving "a gallon" of data, then that infrastructure being fiber really makes no god damned difference. What part of this don't you understand?

I was just about to respond that he didn't address what I was saying, but you handled it expertly.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

You make a door knob look smart.

[Show spoiler]The fact that you not only responded, but in this manner, just shows how daft in the head you are.

I made that statement as a joke because you seem to only have knowledge of wiring (etc.) infrastructures, and little to no comprehension about most other aspects that go into this.

Go back and read Ender14's post, which you conveniently dodged replying to (because it would require you to address something that you clearly do not understand).

The removal of net neutrality would allow ISPs to do what Ender14 descried, and charge services like Vudu, Netflix, etc. for preferential speeds.

Even if you live in an area with the absolute best infrastructure for internet in the entire country, the rate at which how much data that wiring and infrastructure is capable of providing becomes a moot point if the ISP purposely throttles it. As in Ender14's example, if Comcast tells Vudu to pay them money to allow the connection to their service to run at a speed capable of providing full 4K quality, and Vudu says no, then Comcast can throttle that connection to run at a lower speed/data-per-second rate that would prevent that from being possible.

It's like taking a gallon container and putting 4 ounces of water in it. The fact that the container is capable of holding up to a gallon really doesn't matter if the person filling it is only willing to put 4 ounces in it.

Metaphorically speaking, if the ISP is only allowing "4 ounces" of data to move through an infrastructure capable of quickly moving "a gallon" of data, then that infrastructure being fiber (or a "gallon container") really makes no god damned difference. What part of this don't you understand?

You should have a huge problem with this given your pro-streaming, pro-cord-cutting stance on things.

Thanks for fielding this one; I feel like I got a day off with pay.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

The removal of net neutrality would allow ISPs to do what Ender14 descried, and charge services like Vudu, Netflix, etc. for preferential speeds.

Even if you live in an area with the absolute best infrastructure for internet in the entire country, the rate at which how much data that wiring and infrastructure is capable of providing becomes a moot point if the ISP purposely throttles it. As in Ender14's example, if Comcast tells Vudu to pay them money to allow the connection to their service to run as a speed capable of providing full 4K quality, and Vudu says no, then Comcast can throttle that connection to run at a lower speed/data-per-second rate that would prevent that from being possible.

Originally Posted by Ender14

I was just about to respond that he didn't address what I was saying, but you handled it expertly.

Yes I know what you guys are talking about, and abuses can happen but these big ISP's are made up of people like us. I have always been optimistic, and looked on the bright side of things. As you guys know I worked for AT&T, and it was all about providing the best Service for their Customers. The Pendulum does swing, and things could change but for the most part big Corporations are not out to get anyone they just want to make an Honest Dollar!

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Yes I know what you guys are talking about, and abuses can happen but these big ISP's are made up of people like us. I have always been optimistic, and looked on the bright side of things. As you guys know I worked for AT&T, and it was all about providing the best Service for their Customers. The Pendulum does swing, and things could change but for the most part big Corporations are not out to get anyone they just want to make an Honest Dollar!

Oh, brother!

There's naive and then there's just delusional.

It took less than 5 minutes of searching to find these:

Federal commission wants AT&T to pay $4 billion in fines for misleading DirecTV ads:

http://bgr.com/2017/08/18/att-direct...omplaint-fine/

FCC to fine AT&T $100M for slowing speeds:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money...lion/28863455/

AT&T Is Spying on Americans for Profit:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/atandt...ans-for-profit

AT&T and DirecTV face thousands of complaints linked to overcharging, promotions:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/complai...-overcharging/

AT&T Helped U.S. Spy on Internet on a Vast Scale:

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/16/u...t-traffic.html

AT&T Is Paying $7.75 Million in Refunds and Fines Over Sham Calls:

http://fortune.com/2016/08/08/att-sham-calls/

F.C.C. Fines AT&T $25 Million for Privacy Breach:

https://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/...rivacy-breach/

AT&T Fined $105 Million by FTC for 'Cramming' Charges in Customer Bills:

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/mobile/...-bills-n221426

AT&T Forced to Refund $80 Million for Years of Scammy Billing:

https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/a...scammy-billing

AT&T Fined Yet Again For Shady Behavior, This Time For Milking Low-Income Lifeline Program:

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20...-program.shtml

"AT&T was finally fined for abusing the IP Relay network for the hearing impaired." AND "AT&T apparently "forgot" to audit its Lifeline subscriber rolls and purge them of non-existent or no-longer-eligible customers, allowing it to continue taking taxpayer money from a fund intended to aid the poor:

AT&T fined $106K for overcharging schools in Florida under E-rate program:

https://www.fiercetelecom.com/teleco...e-rate-program

There's your "honest" AT&T for you right there. They even rip-off schools, the disabled, and the American taxpayer!

[Ender14]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Yes I know what you guys are talking about, and abuses can happen but these big ISP's are made up of people like us. I have always been optimistic, and looked on the bright side of things. As you guys know I worked for AT&T, and it was all about providing the best Service for their Customers. The Pendulum does swing, and things could change but for the most part big Corporations are not out to get anyone they just want to make an Honest Dollar!

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

How did I know you were going to bring up working for AT&T? They certainly instilled a lot of loyalty in you. Was brainwashing part of their training program?

Some garments come pre-washed, too.

[Steedeel]

Going forward, the likes of Netflix, Amazon, Disney and Apple will be fine but I can see services like Shudder, Filmstruck, BFI etc.. really struggling. Whatever happens, it won’t be good for consumers.

[Vilya]

E.T. The Extra Terrestrial 4K UHD Limited Edition is just $9.99 at Amazon! It even includes a CD of the soundtrack. Who says you can't find bargains on 4K UHD?

[Groot]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Yes I know what you guys are talking about, and abuses can happen but these big ISP's are made up of people like us. I have always been optimistic, and looked on the bright side of things. As you guys know I worked for AT&T, and it was all about providing the best Service for their Customers. The Pendulum does swing, and things could change but for the most part big Corporations are not out to get anyone they just want to make an Honest Dollar!

AT&T over-billed me $2,000 last August and it took until April to get fixed, threatened me with shutoff if I didn't pay for items and service I didn't even have. I spent over 40 hours on the phone or chats, spoke to 30+ agents, finally had to file a formal notice of dispute and arbitration to get it resolved.

AT&T sucks.

[veritas]

Originally Posted by Vilya

E.T. The Extra Terrestrial 4K UHD Limited Edition is just $9.99 at Amazon! It even includes a CD of the soundtrack. Who says you can't find bargains on 4K UHD?

you should take a look at frys this week they also have these for 9.99 for the next 2 days:
The Bourne Identity (4K+Blu)
The Bourne Supremacy (4K+Blu)
The Bourne Ultimatum (4K+Blu)
The Bourne Legacy (4K+Blu)
Jason Bourne (4K+Blu)
Despicable Me (4K+Blu)
Despicable Me 2 (4K+Blu)
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial: 35th Anniversary Limited Edition (4K+Blu)
Fast & Furious 6 (4K+Blu)
Furious 7 (4K+Blu)
The Fate of the Furious (4K+Blu)
Fifty Shades Darker (4K+Blu)
The Great Wall (4K+Blu)
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (4K+Blu)
Minions (4K+Blu)
The Mummy (2017) (4K+Blu)
The Secret Life of Pets (4K+Blu)
Sing (4K+Blu)
Trolls (4K+Blu)
War for the Planet of the Apes (4K+Blu)
Warcraft (4K+Blu)

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

How did I know you were going to bring up working for AT&T? They certainly instilled a lot of loyalty in you. Was brainwashing part of their training program?

Originally Posted by Groot

AT&T over-billed me $2,000 last August and it took until April to get fixed, threatened me with shutoff if I didn't pay for items and service I didn't even have. I spent over 40 hours on the phone or chats, spoke to 30+ agents, finally had to file a formal notice of dispute and arbitration to get it resolved.

AT&T sucks.

Like I said, I'm very obtimistic and try to see the best in people. AT&T has always been good to me, as an Employee and Customer. I started there back in the '60's running jumpers in a Central Office, then ComTech, C.O. Supervisor, Trunk Provisioning and Maintenance Supervisor, and Service Manager working with Marketing. I wanted to be an Airline Pilot, that's why I enlisted in the Army to fly, and went to Vietnam flying that BirdDog. Things didn't work out, but AT&T was always there with open arms and it was a great work environment and made some good friends.

I know Companies like AT&T are looked upon as the Evil Empire, and they make Movies about them like The President's Analyst but they are made up of people like you and I. We all make mistakes, Companies too. So we will have to see how things shake out, but I'm confident we have a Bright Future!

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Like I said, I'm very obtimistic and try to see the best in people. AT&T has always been good to me, as an Employee and Customer. I started there back in the '60's running jumpers in a Central Office, then ComTech, C.O. Supervisor, Trunk Provisioning and Maintenance Supervisor, and Service Manager working with Marketing. I wanted to be an Airline Pilot, that's why I enlisted in the Army to fly, and went to Vietnam flying that BirdDog. Things didn't work out, but AT&T was always there with open arms and it was a great work environment and made some good friends.

I know Companies like AT&T are looked upon as the Evil Empire, and they make Movies about them like The President's Analyst but they are made up of people like you and I. We all make mistakes, Companies too. So we will have to see how things shake out, but I'm confident we have a Bright Future!

AT&T's long standing criminal record does not disappear because you liked working for them. AT&T is the very embodiment of the term "habitual criminal."

For AT&T, crime does pay. It's why they keep breaking the law. They make so much money from their criminal activities that paying the fine when they are caught is regarded as nothing more than a cost of doing business as usual. These are not mistakes; they are wilful and repeated decisions to break the law because breaking the law is both inconsequential for AT&T and also quite profitable.

Those 11 articles I linked to above, and that you myopically ignore due to your blind love for AT&T, only cover about the last six years of AT&T's latest crime spree. AT&T's illegal activities actually span decades. AT&T is effectively a criminal enterprise. AT&T cheated schools; they cheated the disabled, and they robbed the taxpayer and you will defend them to your last breath, of that I have no doubt. If a person had a rap sheet a fraction as long as that of AT&T, they would be rotting in prison for the rest of their lives.

[Groot]

After dealing with AT&T customer service over 40 hours, I'd say only 1 out of 5 agents aren't just wanting to get you off the line and the 1 that does help you gets over-turned in another department by someone who is lazy, a moron, or a shill. I've never been so pissed off with a company in my life, outside of business related issues. I got lied to for four months and it took a litigation motion to get my account fixed and the arrogant sods wouldn't even give me back my hourly rate for my time and that's still pending. No one should be subjected to spending a 40-hour work week on fixing an obvious billing error.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Vilya

AT&T's long standing criminal record does not disappear because you liked working for them. AT&T is the very embodiment of the term "habitual criminal."

For AT&T, crime does pay. It's why they keep breaking the law. They make so much money from their criminal activities that paying the fine when they are caught is regarded as nothing more than a cost of doing business as usual. These are not mistakes; they are wilful and repeated decisions to break the law because breaking the law is both inconsequential for AT&T and also quite profitable.

Those 11 articles I linked to above, and that you myopically ignore due to your blind love for AT&T, only cover about the last six years of AT&T's latest crime spree. AT&T's illegal activities actually span decades. AT&T is effectively a criminal enterprise. AT&T cheated schools; they cheated the disabled, and they robbed the taxpayer and you will defend them to your last breath, of that I have no doubt. If a person had a rap sheet a fraction as long as that of AT&T, they would be rotting in prison for the rest of their lives.

Well to set the record straight, in California I started with Pacific Telephone Company, and after Divestiture it became PacBell. So the best years I had was working for PacBell. Then SBC took them over, and then the name change back to AT&T. So what's in a name, it all comes out in the wash right?

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Well to set the record straight, in California I started with Pacific Telephone Company, and after Divestiture it became PacBell. So the best years I had was working for PacBell. Then SBC took them over, and then the name change back to AT&T. So what's in a name, it all comes out in the wash right?

No, it does not. AT&T's shameful record remains and you still defend them. You won't even acknowledge a single one of their multitudinous crimes as anything more than an innocent "mistake."

Instead, you are now trying to deflect attention away from them.

AT&T owned 89.8% of Pacific Telephone until the break-up of 1984, so nice try suggesting that Pacific Telephone was ever anything but AT&T's property prior to that "divestiture."

Further, in a previous post you said you retired 22 years ago (https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=9272), which means 1996. SBC did not acquire Pacific Telesis Group (holding company for both Pac Bell and Nevada Bell after the 1984 break-up) until 1997- a year after your retirement. SBC did not complete its acquisition of AT&T until 2005, a full 9 years after you claim to have retired.

In this post of yours, you said you retired from AT&T: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=9201 The timeline above suggests that you actually retired from Pacific Telesis Group. I would ask you for clarification about this, but I already believe so little of what you say as it stands now and I am done with even pretending to care.

"Prior to the AT&T breakup in 1984, AT&T held 89.8% of Pacific Telephone."

"After the breakup,...Pacific Telesis was formed as a holding company for PacBell's interests, with PacBell and Nevada Bell (which PacBell had owned since 1913) as its operating companies."

"In 1997, Pacific Telesis Group was acquired by SBC Communications."

"On November 18, 2005, SBC completed its acquisition of AT&T Corp. to form AT&T Inc."

All quotes from:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Bell

Whoever you really worked for and whoever you really retired from are immaterial. Your attempt at deflection has only resulted in the revelation of discrepancies in your story about your own work history. None of it changes the fact that AT&T is a disreputable, dishonest, and criminal company with a repeat offender's record that reaches back across several decades.

A stink weed by any other name is still a stink weed.

[dublinbluray108]

Just on the many points raised about AT&T in this thread. I just read on the news tonight that they got approved by a U.S. federal judge to complete their official acquisition deal in buying Time Warner, WB & DC for $85.4 billion.

DALLAS — AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) has completed its acquisition of Time Warner Inc., bringing together global media and entertainment leaders Warner Bros., HBO and Turner with AT&T’s leadership in technology and its video, mobile and broadband customer relationships.

“The content and creative talent at Warner Bros., HBO and Turner are first-rate. Combine all that with AT&T’s strengths in direct-to-consumer distribution, and we offer customers a differentiated, high-quality, mobile-first entertainment experience,” said Randall Stephenson, chairman and CEO of AT&T Inc. “We’re going to bring a fresh approach to how the media and entertainment industry works for consumers, content creators, distributors and advertisers.”

Stephenson said the future of media entertainment is rapidly converging around three elements required to transform how video is distributed, paid for, consumed and created. Today, AT&T brings together:

Premium Content: Broadly distributed, robust premium content portfolio that combines leading movies and shows from Warner Bros., HBO and Turner, along with more targeted digital content from Bleacher Report, FilmStruck and AT&T’s investment in Otter Media, among others.

Direct to Consumer Distribution (D2C): AT&T has more than 170 million D2C relationships across its TV, video streaming, mobile and broadband services in the U.S., mobile in Mexico, TV in Latin America, in addition to D2C digital properties such as HBO NOW, Boomerang, FilmStruck and CNN.com.

High-Speed Networks: AT&T‘s leading wireless and fiber network, including investments in new technology such as 5G, will provide the network bandwidth required as customers increase engagement with premium video and emerging 4K and virtual reality content.

Company Structure, Executive Leadership

AT&T Inc. consists of four businesses. This structure allows each business to operate independently and move quickly, while at the same time innovating across AT&T with content, connectivity and advertising. The four business are:

AT&T Communications provides mobile, broadband, video and other communications services to U.S.-based consumers and nearly 3.5 million companies – from the smallest business to nearly all the Fortune 1000 – with highly secure, smart solutions. Revenues from these services totaled more than $150 billion in 2017.

AT&T’s media business consists of HBO, Turner and Warner Bros. Together, these businesses had revenues of more than $31 billion in 2017. A new name for this business will be announced later.

AT&T International provides mobile services in Mexico to consumers and businesses, plus pay-TV service across 11 countries in South America and the Caribbean. It had revenues of more than $8 billion in 2017.

AT&T’s advertising and analytics business provides marketers with advanced advertising solutions using valuable customer insights from AT&T’s TV, mobile and broadband services, combined with extensive ad inventory from Turner and AT&T’s pay-TV services. A name for this company will be announced in the future.

Jeff Bewkes, former chairman and CEO of Time Warner Inc., has agreed to remain with the company as a senior advisor during a transition period. “Jeff is an outstanding leader and one of the most accomplished CEOs around. He and his team have built a global leader in media and entertainment. And I greatly appreciate his continued counsel,” Stephenson said.

As previously announced, leading the four businesses and reporting to Stephenson will be:

John Donovan, CEO of AT&T Communications;
John Stankey, CEO of AT&T’s media business;
Lori Lee, CEO of AT&T International and Global Marketing Officer of AT&T Inc.; and,
Brian Lesser, CEO of AT&T’s ad and analytics business.
All of Jeff Bewkes’ direct reports will now report to John Stankey.

Acquisition Financial Details

Under the terms of the merger, Time Warner Inc. shareholders received 1.4 shares of AT&T common stock, in addition to $53.75 in cash, per share of Time Warner Inc. As a result, AT&T issued 1,185M shares of common stock and paid $42.5B in cash. Including net debt from Time Warner, we now have $180.4B in net debt.

We will begin consolidating Time Warner Inc. results effective June 15, 2018.

The company expects the acquisition to provide significant financial benefits:

Accretive year-one adjusted earnings per share and free cash flow; strengthened dividend coverage
Increased synergies to $2.5 billion
$1.5 billion in annualized cost synergies by end of year 3 following close
$1 billion of annualized revenue synergies by end of year 3
Maintain solid balance sheet and improved credit metrics
Net debt to adjusted EBITDA 2.9x at close
2.5x at end of year 1; return to historical levels by end of year 4

https://batman-news.com/2018/06/14/a...-85-4-billion/

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by dublinbluray108

Just on the many points raised about AT&T in this thread. I just read on the news tonight that they got approved by a U.S. federal judge to complete their official acquisition deal in buying Time Warner, WB & DC for $85.4 billion.

If it is good for AT&T, it is all but certain to be bad for the consumer.

[dublinbluray108]

Originally Posted by Vilya

If it is good for AT&T, it is all but certain to be bad for the consumer.

If DC try to launch their new streaming service in the future; how much would it cost to the consumer every month? Will it cost a fair bit of money?

Would there be any new incentives in place for AT&T customers to benefit people who will eventually sign up to it or through HBO Go?

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by dublinbluray108

If DC try to launch their new streaming service in the future; how much would it cost to the consumer every month? Will it cost a fair bit of money?

Would there be any new incentives in place for AT&T customers to benefit people who will eventually sign up to it or through HBO Go?

I will hazard the following guesses. A new streaming service will be cost comparable to already existing streaming services. Whether or not that is a "fair bit of money" depends on how much money one has and what value one places on such a service. Personally, I think subscription streaming services are very affordable and therein lies their primary appeal to the masses.

Incentives would be offered if AT&T felt it was necessary to promote the new service, but incentives are only temporary and usually come with other conditions, so always read the fine print.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the upcoming Powerball numbers.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by dublinbluray108

If DC try to launch their new streaming service in the future; how much would it cost to the consumer every month? Will it cost a fair bit of money?

Would there be any new incentives in place for AT&T customers to benefit people who will eventually sign up to it or through HBO Go?

It’s going to be mobile concentrated I hear.