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

[stonesfan129]

As previously stated, streaming is convenient. I love being able to just power up my Xbox and be able to stream a movie through VUDU. Quality is more than acceptable. I just think it's dumb to stake your collection on it long term. You don't control the content and nothing says they can't just close up shop and shut off your access at any time. What recourse do you have if that happens? With disc, it will work as long as the disc is playable and you have a player for them.

[Forestt]

Maybe in the USA digital is a nice, cheap option with a great amount of available movies to watch, but in the Netherlands digital/streaming is NOT (yet) cheaper and there is far less choice in available digital films. Much new blu-rays, including shipping costs, are even cheaper then a digital version (in HD) or almost the same price. And not every digital version even has subtitles (besides English).

Digital rights/distribution can also be problematic in EU since every country has their own deals. We can import region B blu-rays to increase availability of movies we can watch but we can't do that with digital movies (without VPN). Blu-ray is the best choice for availability here and only for this 'fragmented digital distribution model' reason alone I hope blu-rays (or other physical) will still be available for years.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by flyry

I'm not here to argue semantics. Some of you geeks just take it way too far. You know exactly what I meant and are just arguing for arguing sakes. A little too much free time since you retired so early if you ask me.

Of course I know what you meant. I was trying to be funny; sorry you did not see the humor in it. My comedy routine may be lacking, but it is priced right.

You can never have too much free time.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Groot

Yeeeeppppp.

You seen them jump like sharks over Halloween 5 (my original mistake, still mentioned Rudd in H6). I paid a big majestic $5 on got it on VUDU and enjoyed it twice the same night. After I watched it with the family, I watched it again in bed. I like the perk of instant access.

Every time I read this thread I think of:



Folks can enjoy both, it's okay!

I'm pretty sure flyry's comment:

"The only fear mongering in this thread is the anti-digital contingent in here talking about disappearing movies and EULA."

qualifies as an "absolute." I am enjoying the image of him as his avatar, Humphrey Bogart, dressed as a Sith Lord, however.

People can enjoy both physical and digital. They are free to do as they please. I suspect that many people use a mixture of both and that only some of us use one or the other exclusively.

As for my prognostications, I think both options will remain for the rest of my lifetime and likely beyond it. I will continue to enjoy my preferred choice, physical media, while other people will enjoy their choices. I firmly believe that there is, and there will always be (uh oh: an absolute!), a sustainable market for physical media.

Streaming, in all its forms, will remain a rental option and a purchase research tool for me. It is hard to appreciate it with the Stone Age internet I have here in Hooterville. If I could stream reliably, I would rather have 3 or 4 such services than cable TV service any day. Even a half dozen such subscription services would cost cost me far less than a cable package- and I would not have to endure 19 minutes of commercials per hour.

Purchases, for me, will always be on physical media. I have given my reasons why a few times already.

Lively thread this morning! Until I showed up, that is. I am actually happy to see it. Opinions may not be changing much in this thread, any more than they do in other threads, but I enjoy reading the different points of view.

I do not feel entitled to anyone's intellectual property, but if they put it on the market and sell me a copy of it, I do expect access to it and for a long time, something slightly less than forever will do nicely.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PenguinInfinity

My collection should make it pretty obvious that I'm willing to pay.



If they released them on physical media they'd get additional funds from those of us who aren't willing to subscribe or can't subscribe.



So why don't you import it? Complaining about something that already has a physical release is ridiculous.

Because i have limited funds, my Oppo gave up the ghost a year ago i have a limit. However, you are missing the point. There is nothing preventing netflix exclusives being unavailable to all regions.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

One word doesn't make his post invalid and I'm tired of trying to explain it to people who refuse to listen. So stop looking for an apology you'll never get.

flyry's post was not invalid- to me it seemed an exaggerated expression of frustration with us pro physical media types, but it was incorrect and inaccurate.

I, for one, will always listen. I can't guarantee that I will agree with what I hear, though. While you were not addressing me, I also never asked for an apology. I am not offended by your remarks or by your position regarding this now rather notorious comment by our illustrious Bogie Sith Lord- I am still enjoying that image.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Because i have limited funds, my Oppo gave up the ghost a year ago i have a limit. However, you are missing the point. There is nothing preventing netflix exclusives being unavailable to all regions.

I am sorry to hear that your Oppo player failed.

I watched Annihilation 4K and I enjoyed it a lot. I think the Best Buy exclusive stranglehold on this edition ends in October; it should be widely available thereafter.

May I suggest watching Halloween 6 in the meantime? It has Paul Rudd in it and there's been a lot of buzz around this title recently.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I am sorry to hear that your Oppo player failed.

I watched Annihilation 4K and I enjoyed it a lot. I think the Best Buy exclusive stranglehold on this edition ends in October; it should be widely available thereafter.

May I suggest watching Halloween 6 in the meantime? It has Paul Rudd in it and there's been a lot of buzz around this title recently.

Nah, I fancy Halloween 5!

[Show spoiler]I am joking Groot, no offence.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I am sorry to hear that your Oppo player failed.

I watched Annihilation 4K and I enjoyed it a lot. I think the Best Buy exclusive stranglehold on this edition ends in October; it should be widely available thereafter.

May I suggest watching Halloween 6 in the meantime? It has Paul Rudd in it and there's been a lot of buzz around this title recently.

It’s a Netflix stranglehold here in the U.K. I doubt I will be able to get hold of a 4K edition anytime soon.

[Wendell R. Breland]

It would appear some here sign on to this board but do not bother to read the rules they agreed to. So I will post a couple of them:

• 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.
• Blu-ray.com reserves the right to revoke or deny to anyone for any reason at any time without warning or prior notice access or membership to this site and its public forums.

So if you are not here in support of Blu-ray as a format then why on earth are you here? Are there no streaming oriented sites that you would rather be at?

[Ender14]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

It would appear some here sign on to this board but do not bother to read the rules they agreed to. So I will post a couple of them:

So if you are not here in support of Blu-ray as a format then why on earth are you here? Are there no streaming oriented sites that you would rather be at?

I posed this same question a while back and was met with hostility by certain members. I understand streaming is now a part of the entertainment landscape, and the forums cover a wide range of topics, but the site is called blu-ray.com. Not home-entertainment.com.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Ender14

I posed this same question a while back and was met with hostility by certain members.

If they attack you then I would suggest you report them. I have witnessed some members being banned from Blu-ray.com

I understand streaming is now a part of the entertainment landscape, and the forums cover a wide range of topics, but the site is called blu-ray.com. Not home-entertainment.com.

Something I never tried, just did a search for "streaming oriented forums" and "streaming forums" and did not see any streaming oriented forums. Not sure why there are none. One would think with all the providers they would come together and provide a common site. But then again in this day and age of every man for himself it probably will not happen.

[flyry]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

It would appear some here sign on to this board but do not bother to read the rules they agreed to. So I will post a couple of them:

So if you are not here in support of Blu-ray as a format then why on earth are you here? Are there no streaming oriented sites that you would rather be at?

I find it a silly question.

It would be like going on to the DVDtalk forums and asking why they are talking about Blu-ray or 4K and not DVD.

Things evolve in the tech world.

[brap hawg]

Originally Posted by Groot

When it makes it easier and more convenient for me, sure. I’ve been buying and rebuying titles since VHS. I don’t care to do it again. Just like I buy clothes when ones get worn out or go drop $180 on new basketball shoes when I want or need new ones. Commerce makes the world go round and I’m not fighting it. I don’t even keep my cellphones past a year or so. I’m all for embracing new tech. If it bites me in the ass and I gotta buy movies again when I’m older, that’s cool.

And also given I’m part of their industry I have no problems with it.

"MUH CONVENIENCE" "Convenience above everything else"
You digital "people" are going to end up like the humans from Wall E

[Ender14]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

If they attack you then I would suggest you report them. I have witnessed some members being banned from Blu-ray.com

Nah, nothing that bad. Just the usual combative rhetoric when someone feels they are being criticized even though that was not my intent. Nothing bad enough for a ban.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Ender14

Nah, nothing that bad. Just the usual combative rhetoric when someone feels they are being criticized even though that was not my intent. Nothing bad enough for a ban.

Sarcastic gifs seem to be the order of the day regardless of age. Sad times.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by flyry

I find it a silly question.

It would be like going on to the DVDtalk forums and asking why they are talking about Blu-ray or 4K and not DVD.

Things evolve in the tech world.

Except that streaming is not an advancement in tech evolution. The quality of it does not match the corresponding disc format in either video or audio. Digital provides no control over the content when purchased, either. It isn't better at anything.

Essentially, all streaming offers is convenience. It also offers economy in subscription form; cheap access to a lot of content. It has not improved upon either the viewing (PQ) or listening aspect (AQ) of the home entertainment experience.

Some may see convenience and economy as an advancement, but not if it comes at the expense of quality.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Ender14

Nah, nothing that bad. Just the usual combative rhetoric when someone feels they are being criticized even though that was not my intent. Nothing bad enough for a ban.

I do not report people unless they are flat-out abusive. I have no expectation that all of my posts will be met with approval, nor do I want them to be.

I learn a great deal from opposing points of view. I would never attempt to stifle them.

[flyry]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Except that streaming is not an advancement in tech evolution. The quality of it does not match the corresponding disc format in either video or audio. It isn't better at anything.

Essentially, all streaming offers is convenience. It also offers economy in subscription form; cheap access to a lot of content. It has not improved upon either the viewing (PQ) or listening aspect (AQ) of the home entertainment experience.

Some may see convenience and economy as an advancement, but not if it comes at the expense of quality.

I never said it was an advancement or offers better quality, but it's still where home entertainment is headed.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by flyry

I never said it was an advancement or offers better quality, but it's still where home entertainment is headed.

No, you did not directly say that. But when one mentions "evolve" in the context in which you used it, it is often interpreted as meaning an improvement.

From Collins English dictionary:

"If something evolves or you evolve it, it gradually develops over a period of time into something different and usually more advanced."

More of those semantics for you

Semantics: "the branch of linguistics and logic concerned with meaning."- Oxford English dictionary

When did logic and meaning become a bad thing?