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

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by flyry

Courtesy of Steedeel

Umm, I correctly predicted the demise of UV and the Disney service replacing it, I correctly predicted the rise of streaming at the EXPENSE of Digital HD, I correctly predicted that streaming is just the new cable etc.

Speaking of that, I read Netflix is going to charge more for HDR 4K. It’s not being reported as a price hike but according to some trials in Italy, people on the standard pack will lose the option to stream to two devices, effectively forcing a family to move to the $13.99 option to get more than one stream. Worse still, it is strongly rumoured that the most expensive tier ($16.99) will be the ONLY package that allows four streams at the same time. The days of cheap streaming are over, by 2020 I predict the top package will be $20. Of course the cheapest package will be the SD only single stream, anyone see where this is going? Like, you know, what Steed has been telling you lot for years. Digital is about convenience and NOTHING else. SD will be the order of the day.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

No you didn't. Digital HD is still widely available.

I didn’t say it isn’t, but are you arguing that it hasn’t had a huge impact on EST?

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

Of course it has. But offering EST doesn't hurt their subscription business. More revenue streams means more profit.



Netflix's current pricing plan (in the US) is:
$7.99 for SD and 1 stream
$10.99 for HD and 2 streams
$13.99 for 4K and 4 streams

This has been true for years. As far as I know they have always charged more for HD, 4K, and additional streams. I have never heard any indication that they are going to drop the more expensive options; it wouldn't make any business sense to do so. Therefore your predictions that everything is only going to be available in SD and mobile continue to be absurd.

I am saying people are being priced out of the more expensive package. If you have kids, you will NEED the most expensive package if everyone watches Netflix. Check the reports but as I understand it Netflix haven’t denied it.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

Of course it has. But offering EST doesn't hurt their subscription business. More revenue streams means more profit.



Netflix's current pricing plan (in the US) is:
$7.99 for SD and 1 stream
$10.99 for HD and 2 streams
$13.99 for 4K and 4 streams

This has been true for years. As far as I know they have always charged more for HD, 4K, and additional streams. I have never heard any indication that they are going to drop the more expensive options; it wouldn't make any business sense to do so. Therefore your predictions that everything is only going to be available in SD and mobile continue to be absurd.

Again, I didn’t say it’s hurting their subscription business, I am saying the complete reverse!

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

You seem to be contradicting yourself. Stating that everyone will be buying only SD so that will become the only available option. While also stating that people will NEED to buy the 4K package to accomodate their needs. Which is it?



While subscriptions are a much larger revenue stream, EST has much higher profit margins. No company is going to give up on either of them.

I am saying rather than a choice, its a must. If you cant afford it you either go SD cheap option or you look for your provider offering Netflix free as part of your package. This isnt far fetched as soon these merged companies will be doing that exact thing. Mobile only, SD only.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

You seem to be contradicting yourself. Stating that everyone will be buying only SD so that will become the only available option. While also stating that people will NEED to buy the 4K package to accomodate their needs. Which is it?



While subscriptions are a much larger revenue stream, EST has much higher profit margins. No company is going to give up on either of them.

Music albums were much higher profit margins, how are they doing?

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

But why would they ever stop offering the more expensive options? Their insidious plan is to force people to spend less money?

If most people use SD it may be too expensive to maintain UHD HDR content.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

They are still available and they will continue to be available.

Available yes. So are VHS players.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

I absolutely think it will be too expensive to maintain unpopular content long term. Thousands of unpopular titles will disappear after a while; I've stated this many times.

But the idea that everything will be SD and/or mobile only is ridiculous. The existence of cheap cars doesn't prevent luxury cars from being available. The existence of fast food restaurants doesn't cause all fancy restaurants to fail. The existence of apartment buildings isn't causing all the large homes to be torn down.

Everything has tiers and the lower-end tiers are always more popular, this is no different.

Yeah, time will tell.

[Forestt]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Speaking of that, I read Netflix is going to charge more for HDR 4K. It’s not being reported as a price hike but according to some trials in Italy, people on the standard pack will lose the option to stream to two devices, effectively forcing a family to move to the $13.99 option to get more than one stream. Worse still, it is strongly rumoured that the most expensive tier ($16.99) will be the ONLY package that allows four streams at the same time. The days of cheap streaming are over, by 2020 I predict the top package will be $20. Of course the cheapest package will be the SD only single stream, anyone see where this is going? Like, you know, what Steed has been telling you lot for years. Digital is about convenience and NOTHING else. SD will be the order of the day.

I also read this in the dutch news today. It's only not $16,99 but 16,99 euro, which is $19,70. So your prediction might be true sooner than 2020 (at least for EU countries).

[stonesfan129]

As long as physical formats are profitable, these companies will keep making them - whether it's a DVD, CD, vinyl record, Blu-ray, 4K UHD, etc. Streaming is convenient, but I think it's dumb to stake your collection on it long term.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

[Show spoiler]

Spent the better half of the afternoon playing catch up in the thread from Hawkins, Texas. Currently piggy backing into the home owners WiFi and phone coverage is spotty here if you are on an AT & T cell plan. Family and I made it here about 3 weeks ago, but been preoccupied with finding a new home. Going to be settling in Gilmer, Texas once we get an ETA on a couple of things. Sounds like eTex is king around this area, but haven’t been able to confirm other options at the moment. While having the same reliable internet was important, having a house mortgage free that my wife loved was even more important. Anyway, hope to be back more once we are moved in and operational. Once I am I’ll let you know how things are between Western Washington State and NE Texas

I am glad you got there safely. I am looking forward to reading your posts again when you have time for such things.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

Yep. Thousands of titles continue to be released on all those formats every year. To think that will end anytime soon is crazy.



A popular product is increasing in price? This is shocking news!

Increasing (possibly) just a year after the last hike. Hardly the cheap brave new dawn is it? It’s just cable all over again.

[The_Donster]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Nope, didn’t miss you.

Clearly, because you are back to you are old song and dance

Originally Posted by Vilya

I am glad you got there safely. I am looking forward to reading your posts again when you have time for such things.

Thanks. Sorry to hear you are still having internet issues. Hopefully you can get it sorted soon.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

As far as I know they have always charged more for HD, 4K, and additional streams.

Not in the beginning, many of us was grandfather into the new pricing structure for about two years. Do not remember all the details.

A FYI for mobile streaming: Comcast Throttling Mobile Hotspot Speeds, Lowering Video Resolution.

[flyry]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Umm, I correctly predicted the demise of UV and the Disney service replacing it, I correctly predicted the rise of streaming at the EXPENSE of Digital HD, I correctly predicted that streaming is just the new cable etc.

Speaking of that, I read Netflix is going to charge more for HDR 4K. It’s not being reported as a price hike but according to some trials in Italy, people on the standard pack will lose the option to stream to two devices, effectively forcing a family to move to the $13.99 option to get more than one stream. Worse still, it is strongly rumoured that the most expensive tier ($16.99) will be the ONLY package that allows four streams at the same time. The days of cheap streaming are over, by 2020 I predict the top package will be $20. Of course the cheapest package will be the SD only single stream, anyone see where this is going? Like, you know, what Steed has been telling you lot for years. Digital is about convenience and NOTHING else. SD will be the order of the day.

You're about 2 years late on that. I had to switch to the 4K plan years ago. Not sure what Italy has to do with it. Hell Italy didn't even have Netflix when I went on my honeymoon 3 years ago.

SD will never be the order of the day for streaming.

Hell Disney doesn't even give you the option to purchase their digital movies in SD anymore. Just HD and UHD.

I really don't recall these other predictions but you know what they say about a broken clock..

[The_Donster]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Not in the beginning, many of us was grandfather into the new pricing structure for about two years. Do not remember all the details.

A FYI for mobile streaming: Comcast Throttling Mobile Hotspot Speeds, Lowering Video Resolution.

We were grandfathered into the price of our plan at the time for another year if memory serves. I was on the HD streaming and 2 disc plan. I ended up dropping the 2 disc plan down to 1 for a bit. Once I picked up my KS8000 and Netflix had more 4K content I bumped both services back up.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by flyry

You're about 2 years late on that. I had to switch to the 4K plan years ago. Not sure what Italy has to do with it. Hell Italy didn't even have Netflix when I went on my honeymoon 3 years ago.

SD will never be the order of the day for streaming.

Hell Disney doesn't even give you the option to purchase their digital movies in SD anymore. Just HD and UHD.

I really don't recall these other predictions but you know what they say about a broken clock..

Yes, but now there is going to be another premier tier. If you are on the 4 streams, you may be downgraded to. Two from What I have read.

Read up about it, it’s all over the tech news.

[flyry]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Yes, but now there is going to be another premier tier. If you are on the 4 streams, you may be downgraded to. Two from What I have read.

Read up about it, it’s all over the tech news.

I found it.

It's just being TESTED.

I don't see it flying.

The casuals are fine with what they have.

And those of us who know what HDR is will not let it fly to have to pay more just for it or be stuck with 4k SDR.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by flyry

I found it.

It's just being TESTED.

I don't see it flying.

The casuals are fine with what they have.

And those of us who know what HDR is will not let it fly to have to pay more just for it or be stuck with 4k SDR.

Might not have a choice. What can you do? If you refuse to pay it, that’s just sending out the message you are not interested in better quality.