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

[neoz]

This is one reason to never be dependent on digital.

We may, upon reasonable notice to you, terminate any UltraViolet Library that is inactive for one year. We may modify, suspend, or cease providing the Services or any portion of the Services at any time without notice or any liability to you or any third party.

Another reason, is look at Hulu. Hulu just dropped a ton of anime shows and people are whinging about it. That is another risk you take. You never truly own the content. You are basically paying to rent cloud space.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by huskerbear

There hasn't been any new number (market share) for quite some time but Vudu was at 5% 5 or 6 years ago and I believe it has grown a lot since. I'm sure itunes is still the largest though.

http://www.fierceonlinevideo.com/sto...ojo/2011-08-24

That is just speculation mate. You/we dont know if Vudu are even in double figures.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you connect a laptop to the TV and stream it (or playback a download) via PC or MAC with iTunes installed?


Yes, it's possible that many people are using digital primarily for mobile devices, as much as I hate to think about it. I only use them on mobile devices when I'm away from home. Other than that, it's all about watching it on the TV through my dedicated streaming devices.

There really is no perfect delivery method for movies it seems. Everyone has a preference, and none of those preferred methods are guaranteed to be around forever or be the studio's main focus. For all we know, digital could be replaced by something else years from now. Who knows what that would be or when that would be or why that would be. Heh

Thats why i become a renter if 4k bluray is the last disc format.

[huskerbear]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

That is just speculation mate. You/we dont know if Vudu are even in double figures.

This is true, we don't know, which was my point. However when Walmart bought Vudu nobody had even heard of them, I believe that has changed significantly.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by huskerbear

This is true, we don't know, which was my point. However when Walmart bought Vudu nobody had even heard of them, I believe that has changed significantly.

Oh they have given themselves a fighting chance for sure. It is strange that we have a major supermarket (Asda) owned by Walmart here but no Vudu. Maybe there is a reason law wise.

Regardless itunes is my flavour of ice cream if i dont have my current options in future.

[master gandhi]

This thread has given me lots to be paranoid about regarding digital. I look at it through somewhat rose-tinted glasses when it comes to the potential of digital and how it appeals to me.

Others are sharing their concerns, and I can't help but be open to their theories to some extent. I truly hope digital doesn't deliver the death blow to ownership. I hate the thought of such a thing. I want to at least have the feeling of ownership, even if it isn't really mine.

I feel like UV was a botched idea. It probably started out with them thinking it could unite the various digital providers and carry your purchases everywhere (much like DMA), but since Amazon and iTunes don't participate, it's just a hodgepodge of UV-equipped providers like Vudu, Flixster, CinemaNow and FandangoNow in America. Do we really need all those providers? In America, I'd be happy with Amazon, iTunes and Vudu surviving.

FandangoNow could use a big-time overhaul, as it's basically just M-Go with a re-branding, with all of its flaws in tow. If they could fix FandangoNow, I'd love the idea of getting a digital copy included with my movie ticket purchase through Fandango (this idea hasn't been announced, but it seems like a natural thing for Fandango to do). The bad thing about that is it could then quickly dominate the other providers, and I don't want the others to disappear. There is no win-win here. There will be the inevitable growing pains.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

This thread has given me lots to be paranoid about regarding digital. I look at it through somewhat rose-tinted glasses when it comes to the potential of digital and how it appeals to me.

Others are sharing their concerns, and I can't help but be open to their theories to some extent. I truly hope digital doesn't deliver the death blow to ownership. I hate the thought of such a thing. I want to at least have the feeling of ownership, even if it isn't really mine.

I feel like UV was a botched idea. It probably started out with them thinking it could unite the various digital providers and carry your purchases everywhere (much like DMA), but since Amazon and iTunes don't participate, it's just a hodgepodge of UV-equipped providers like Vudu, Flixster, CinemaNow and FandangoNow in America. Do we really need all those providers? In America, I'd be happy with Amazon, iTunes and Vudu surviving.

FandangoNow could use a big-time overhaul, as it's basically just M-Go with a re-branding, with all of its flaws in tow. If they could fix FandangoNow, I'd love the idea of getting a digital copy included with my movie ticket purchase through Fandango (this idea hasn't been announced, but it seems like a natural thing for Fandango to do). The bad thing about that is it could then quickly dominate the other providers, and I don't want the others to disappear. There is no win-win here. There will be the inevitable growing pains.

Exactly why i invest in bluray and soon 4k bluray.

Like i said, i would have to adapt to rental if bluray became obsolete.

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Exactly why i invest in bluray and soon 4k bluray.

Like i said, i would have to adapt to rental if bluray became obsolete.

I saw Anomalisa (with bonus featurette) on sale for $9.99 HDX on Vudu, and I'm drawn to it, but thanks to these discussions, I'm convincing myself to wait an extra week for the Blu-ray, which will include both UV and iTunes redemptions (for a heftier fee, mind you), thanks to it being a Paramount title with dual providers' digital copies included. You guys have me feeling a little uncertain at this moment as to which provider/format will last the longest. Ugh. Heh

On titles that have 4K Blu-rays, that's what I pick up.

I dislike renting, so I only do it occasionally. This year I've rented Sicario (and plan to purchase the 4K BD in the future) and The Martian (and have pre-ordered the extended 4K BD). If they let you rent big movies that are still in theaters, I'd be for that, but not so much when they're available to own. I like to watch things on my own time, and not at the exact moment (or same day) I've paid for it.

[larrs]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Exactly why i invest in bluray and soon 4k bluray.

Like i said, i would have to adapt to rental if bluray became obsolete.

I often wonder if I would be better off if I just stop buying and rent away. My shelves (and my cloud, BTW) are full of discs that have only been watched a couple of times and only a few watched a lot. Since my kids grew up and into high school and college, there are even less in the latter category than there used to be.

Add in how many places there are to get entertainment today, and I'm not sure how the future goes for this hobby.

[darkknightman]

For me, digital needs to work like Disney Movies Anywhere. No matter what storefront you buy a movie from, it should exist on every platform. This would open the door to competitive pricing and reduce the fear of losing movies. If everyone could get on the same page, digital would catch on faster. The way it works now, it is like having to own separate players for different types of formats.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

I saw Anomalisa (with bonus featurette) on sale for $9.99 HDX on Vudu, and I'm drawn to it, but thanks to these discussions, I'm convincing myself to wait an extra week for the Blu-ray, which will include both UV and iTunes redemptions (for a heftier fee, mind you), thanks to it being a Paramount title with dual providers' digital copies included. You guys have me feeling a little uncertain at this moment as to which provider/format will last the longest. Ugh. Heh

On titles that have 4K Blu-rays, that's what I pick up.

I dislike renting, so I only do it occasionally. This year I've rented Sicario (and plan to purchase the 4K BD in the future) and The Martian (and have pre-ordered the extended 4K BD). If they let you rent big movies that are still in theaters, I'd be for that, but not so much when they're available to own. I like to watch things on my own time, and not at the exact moment (or same day) I've paid for it.

It's a no brainer IMO. It has to be the Bluray with the digital codes.

I, also feel uncertain about the future. (I kept that quiet!)

By the way, that film is smashing.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by larrs

I often wonder if I would be better off if I just stop buying and rent away. My shelves (and my cloud, BTW) are full of discs that have only been watched a couple of times and only a few watched a lot. Since my kids grew up and into high school and college, there are even less in the latter category than there used to be.

Add in how many places there are to get entertainment today, and I'm not sure how the future goes for this hobby.

I would continue to collect if it was all disc based. Not so, if it is digital files.

I see your point, Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, BBC, Sky, HBO, C4, Hulu, BFI etc.. There are q lot of ntertainment choices. You guys (U.S) have even more options.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by darkknightman

For me, digital needs to work like Disney Movies Anywhere. No matter what storefront you buy a movie from, it should exist on every platform. This would open the door to competitive pricing and reduce the fear of losing movies. If everyone could get on the same page, digital would catch on faster. The way it works now, it is like having to own separate players for different types of formats.

It's up to each storefront to maintain things, advertise, offer quality levels etc., some just couldn't give a crap about offering a high quality service IMO. For every Netflix, there is a Flixster IMO.

[8traxrule]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you connect a laptop to the TV and stream it (or playback a download) via PC or MAC with iTunes installed?

You could do that (I do most of my internet surfing on the big screen via laptop) but you won't get 5.1 audio and the picture is never as good as a streaming device. I don't even consider that an option.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by 8traxrule

You could do that (I do most of my internet surfing on the big screen via laptop) but you won't get 5.1 audio and the picture is never as good as a streaming device. I don't even consider that an option.

It's always struck me as a really naff way to do things.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

On the subject of Vudu, I did an extensive search and the constant theme seems to be of Lip-sync issues and dropped frames. That simply wouldn't do for my home cinema.

Finally, I like Apple because their model works well. As with Netflix, they cater to all people not just the U.S.A. (I hear Australia has it bad with UV also) That is my idea of a good business model. In terms of ITunes, they fall way short of Blu-Ray and always will IMO. But for me, they would be the best of a bad bunch come the nuclear fallout (the end of optical media)

If you can show me figures that disprove ITunes has the biggest share, I'm listening.

Yes I looked into the problems others are having with Vudu, because I don't experience any problems. I did experience a lot of Buffering with Flixster, but that is why I changed to Vudu. Like I said, you need good Bandwidth to Stream Movies with no problems. I have Fiber at 35Mbps, and my Streaming is through a Hard Wired Panasonic Blu-ray Player. The Vudu Server I use must be Co-Located or very close, because my HDX Movies come in Solid with the highest BitRate, PQ, and Sound.

I also use Amazon Prime, and that comes in Solid too. So with these two Streaming Providers I think I am well covered, and I don't even think about iTunes, share or no share.

[PenguinMaster]

Originally Posted by ArmyOfDarknessAW

I can't understand an aversion to Netflix even if you hate digital. The content that Netflix produces is stellar.

Netflix doesn't produce any content, they are just the channel that the content is shown on. Orange Is The New Black is produced by Lionsgate. House of Cards and Bloodline are produced by Sony. Daredevil and Jessica Jones are produced by Disney. Marco Polo is produced by Weinstein. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is produced by Universal. Arrested Development is produced by Fox.

I have no problem with any of these shows and I'll gladly support them on physical media. But as long as they are only available on Netflix distribution is completely controlled by the studios. I don't see Netflix as any worse than broadcast TV but I won't support that either. Physical media is the only way that the customers retain control of the content.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by hogger129

I want to know when downloads are going to = Blu-ray quality. I just bought two Blu-ray discs from Amazon and it's $5.98 for S&H. That is ridiculous. But what's the alternative? Buy a terribly compressed download that I can only watch in iTunes or sign into some online streaming site for a monthly rate...

Downloads will never equal Blu-ray Quality, only Streaming might come close. I use to Rip and Back-up my Blu-rays, but The Studios even frowned on that. So if you want Blu-ray Quality it's Physical Disc or a good Streaming Provider.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by PenguinMaster

Netflix doesn't produce any content, they are just the channel that the content is shown on. Orange Is The New Black is produced by Lionsgate. House of Cards and Bloodline are produced by Sony. Daredevil and Jessica Jones are produced by Disney. Marco Polo is produced by Weinstein. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is produced by Universal. Arrested Development is produced by Fox.

I have no problem with any of these shows and I'll gladly support them on physical media. But as long as they are only available on Netflix distribution is completely controlled by the studios. I don't see Netflix as any worse than broadcast TV but I won't support that either. Physical media is the only way that the customers retain control of the content.

Subscription Providers want you to come to them for Original Content. They might not Produce these shows, but they have exclusive rights. I can see you are a Hard Liner against Digital HD, and the Preservation of the Arts. I don't think you have to worry Physical Media will be around a very long time it will just cost more to own. Like I said before, it's all Digital so in the future you will access it from a Physical Disc or from a Server from your Digital HD Provider to a Cinema, Home Theater, or Mobile Device.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by huskerbear

There hasn't been any new number (market share) for quite some time but Vudu was at 5% 5 or 6 years ago and I believe it has grown a lot since. I'm sure itunes is still the largest though.

http://www.fierceonlinevideo.com/sto...ojo/2011-08-24

You will notice that this old number combines EST and VoD. EST alone was around 1% back then.