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

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by neoz

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.

Uhm, Hulu is exclusively a subscription service with a rotating catalog. Anybody who "whinges" that titles come and go obviously didn't bother to read what they signed up for (assuming they even paid for it and don't use the free tier).

[ArmyOfDarknessAW]

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.

That isn't what I meant by produces great content. I didn't literally mean "producer" I meat more along the lines of they are the reason for the content existing( in most cases). They control the fact that many of these shows even exist. Most of these would've never found a place on another channel. Even something like Arrested Development they specifically went to acquire the rights to make a new seals because the old seasons did so well on their service.

As for your second part that is all your call. I don't agree with it, but that isn't my call. I personally would never pass up the amazing shows they have just because they aren't pressed onto a disc. I would rather have the content vs not have it at all.

[ArmyOfDarknessAW]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Uhm, Hulu is exclusively a subscription service with a rotating catalog. Anybody who "whinges" that titles come and go obviously didn't bother to read what they signed up for (assuming they even paid for it and don't use the free tier).

I'm surprised people didn't know that. It was never stated shows would stay on there in perpetuity. They need to drop the rights to some things to acquire them for others. HULU can go out of business today and nobody was screwed over for their money. You're paying strictly for the right to watch their catalog for the month.

[Fiffy]

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.

The same was said when Best Buy acquired CinemaNow. Didn't end too well. We'll have to see if Walmart is more successful than Best Buy and Target. I believe for them it's primarily a defensive measure (i.e. using Instawatch to slow the decline of disc sales).

BTW, Amazon seems to be testing a similar strategy. There are reports that they are testing an "Autorip" service for BDs and DVDs in Germany, similar to what they already do for music CDs.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Downloads will never equal Blu-ray Quality, only Streaming might come close.

Well, that's already false. Sony has a UHD download service which blows all the other OTT providers out of the water in terms of encoding specs (file sizes are 50GB+).

[PCFan]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Well, that's already false. Sony has a UHD download service which blows all the other OTT providers out of the water in terms of encoding specs (file sizes are 50GB+).

There is also a system called Kaleidescape. You can download blu-rays in digital form if you purchase through them if you own a Kaleidescape. But they cost a few thousand dollars. Also you can purchase a digital license for a blu-ray from them for a few dollars if you own the blu-ray so you don't have to insert your blu-ray everytime you want to watch it since it would be stored in the hard drive in digital form. This is probably the best it's going to get, at least legally, if you want blu-ray quality in digital format, but it's very expensive.

[vindicated08]

Physical all the way. I rarely use the codes to download digital copies but I like having that as an option.

[PCFan]

I sold most of my blu-rays because I got tired of throwing away the packaging for most of them and storing them in binders so that I could conserve space on my shelf. I only kept the Alfred Hitchcock Essentials Collection and Batman: The Complete Television Series. It's a good thing I kept the packaging for those otherwise I would have sold those as well, for barley anything if I didn't have the packaging, because I think a big part in collecting physical media is the packaging. I may never go back to rewatch any of those Alfred Hitchock movies from that boxed set but I like the packaging and it looks good in my shelf. Same with the Batman Television Series set, I just like the packaging, and it looks good on my shelf. I rewatched a few episodes but there is a very slim chance I will rewatch other episodes from that series. I'm mainly digital these days, primarily UV only because of Vudu. If Vudu did not exist as a UV provider, I probably would use iTunes as my digital movie provider. I can't stand Flixster or CinemaNow.

[huskerbear]

Originally Posted by PCFan

There is also a system called Kaleidescape. You can download blu-rays in digital form if you purchase through them if you own a Kaleidescape. But they cost a few thousand dollars. Also you can purchase a digital license for a blu-ray from them for a few dollars if you own the blu-ray so you don't have to insert your blu-ray everytime you want to watch it since it would be stored in the hard drive in digital form. This is probably the best it's going to get, at least legally, if you want blu-ray quality in digital format, but it's very expensive.

Iv'e done a little reading on Kaleidescape, I'm considering that for my dedicated home theater when I get it done. They are another Ultraviolet provider so my 1400+ UV movies will work with it. Streaming is fine but I cannot currently get enough bandwidth to play 4K.

[larrs]

Originally Posted by PCFan

I sold most of my blu-rays because I got tired of throwing away the packaging for most of them and storing them in binders so that I could conserve space on my shelf. I only kept the Alfred Hitchcock Essentials Collection and Batman: The Complete Television Series. It's a good thing I kept the packaging for those otherwise I would have sold those as well, for barley anything if I didn't have the packaging, because I think a big part in collecting physical media is the packaging. I may never go back to rewatch any of those Alfred Hitchock movies from that boxed set but I like the packaging and it looks good in my shelf. Same with the Batman Television Series set, I just like the packaging, and it looks good on my shelf. I rewatched a few episodes but there is a very slim chance I will rewatch other episodes from that series. I'm mainly digital these days, primarily UV only because of Vudu. If Vudu did not exist as a UV provider, I probably would use iTunes as my digital movie provider. I can't stand Flixster or CinemaNow.

I agree on Vudu. They have by far the best UI and UV and non-UV titles are stored and accessible together. FandangoNow (was MGO) has a lot to offer but the UV titles are separate from your FN purchases and have limited sorting, etc.

The downside to UV is simply the mess that are the streaming services that provide access to the content. Some titles are UV on some services but are non-UV on others so your catalog of titles looks different on every service. Add to that the fact that some list multi-sets (like TV series) as one title and others as individual titles, it is a real PITA to ever figure out how many titles you own (and whether they are all there or not).

Right now, I refuse to buy or redeem a digital title anywhere but Vudu so at least I know (to the best of my ability) what is there and what is not. I also log each title here to make sure they match with Vudu. Again, a real PITA. At least Vudu is backed by a company that is probably not going out of business any time soon (Wal-Mart is a company with nearly $500B in annual sales).

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by larrs

I agree on Vudu. They have by far the best UI and UV and non-UV titles are stored and accessible together. FandangoNow (was MGO) has a lot to offer but the UV titles are separate from your FN purchases and have limited sorting, etc.

The downside to UV is simply the mess that are the streaming services that provide access to the content. Some titles are UV on some services but are non-UV on others so your catalog of titles looks different on every service. Add to that the fact that some list multi-sets (like TV series) as one title and others as individual titles, it is a real PITA to ever figure out how many titles you own (and whether they are all there or not).

Right now, I refuse to buy or redeem a digital title anywhere but Vudu so at least I know (to the best of my ability) what is there and what is not. I also log each title here to make sure they match with Vudu. Again, a real PITA. At least Vudu is backed by a company that is probably not going out of business any time soon (Wal-Mart is a company with nearly $500B in annual sales).

Agreed. I really dislike the way FandangoNow is set up. It makes it really unappealing for someone like me who has been racking up lots of UV titles to then see them cordoned off into their own section and have every individual Breaking Bad episode listed separately. *shudders* Makes it a real task scrolling through your UV titles on there. And some titles don't look playable. It's a real mess.

Not that Vudu is perfect either. Not all my Adventure Time episodes transfered from Flixster (where they were redeemed) to Vudu. In fact, it has Volume 4 listed on Vudu (not season 4, I guess), and it has the first two episodes of the volume as not being owned, so I'd have to purchase them. If only UV was more efficient, it could have been so much more.

I'd redeem every UV code on Vudu if they all worked on there. Certain WB codes only redeemed via Flixster (like Adventure Time, Fringe and the Friday the 13th Collection).

These are some of the reasons I prefer iTunes. But Sony and WB are UV-only when it comes to their codes. No other choice.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

Agreed. I really dislike the way FandangoNow is set up. It makes it really unappealing for someone like me who has been racking up lots of UV titles to then see them cordoned off into their own section and have every individual Breaking Bad episode listed separately. *shudders* Makes it a real task scrolling through your UV titles on there. And some titles don't look playable. It's a real mess.

Not that Vudu is perfect either. Not all my Adventure Time episodes transfered from Flixster (where they were redeemed) to Vudu. In fact, it has Volume 4 listed on Vudu (not season 4, I guess), and it has the first two episodes of the volume as not being owned, so I'd have to purchase them. If only UV was more efficient, it could have been so much more.

I'd redeem every UV code on Vudu if they all worked on there. Certain WB codes only redeemed via Flixster (like Adventure Time, Fringe and the Friday the 13th Collection).

These are some of the reasons I prefer iTunes. But Sony and WB are UV-only when it comes to their codes. No other choice.

You know, the more I think about it, the more I think I will just rent once Bluray is obsolete. Pretty much made my mind up now. Do you guys think all the current services like ITunes, Google Play and Amazon will stick around for a long long time?

[PCFan]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

You know, the more I think about it, the more I think I will just rent once Bluray is obsolete. Pretty much made my mind up now. Do you guys think all the current services like ITunes, Google Play and Amazon will stick around for a long long time?

The problem with renting digitally is that once you start watching a rented digital movie, you only have a 24 hr window to watch it, at least with Vudu.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by PCFan

The problem with renting digitally is that once you start watching a rented digital movie, you only have a 24 hr window to watch it, at least with Vudu.

Wouldn't be a problem. Movie night for me has been the same (Saturday) for last 20 years!

By the way, I here Amazon are testing a new scheme in Germany where a Bluray or DVD comes with a free digital download that you can watch on a tv, laptop or mobile.

[ArmyOfDarknessAW]

Originally Posted by PCFan

The problem with renting digitally is that once you start watching a rented digital movie, you only have a 24 hr window to watch it, at least with Vudu.

Some movies have a 48 hour window . I think it depends on the studio.

[Krizzle1]

Originally Posted by ArmyOfDarknessAW

Some movies have a 48 hour window . I think it depends on the studio.

iTunes has a 48 hour window....regardless of the studio

[knight17]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Picture Quality and Sound will only be limited by the amount of Bandwidth you have.

This is not entirely true as server capacity also comes into play. That is why digital downloads had to be compressed in the first place.

[Steedeel]

I can't believe I am even contemplating renting down the line. Shows how worried I am about the future.

However, if Amazon take it beyond an experiment (digital copy with every Bluray or DVD) that at least will give me hope that the future won't be a Flixster cluster****!

[knight17]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I can't believe I am even contemplating renting down the line. Shows how worried I am about the future.

However, if Amazon take it beyond an experiment (digital copy with every Bluray or DVD) that at least will give me hope that the future won't be a Flixster cluster****!

No point in worrying about the future.

On the other hand you can make it future proof by grabbing all your favorite movies on blu ray.
There are still DVD players around so nothing is going to make the blu ray obsolete any time soon.

For the stuff that never ends up on Blu ray, well at least there are DVDs.

Anyways do yourself a favor and stop worrying.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by knight17

No point in worrying about the future.

On the other hand you can make it future proof by grabbing all your favorite movies on blu ray.
There are still DVD players around so nothing is going to make the blu ray obsolete any time soon.

For the stuff that never ends up on Blu ray, well at least there are DVDs.

Anyways do yourself a favor and stop worrying.

I know, it's part of my personality though. . I try to arrange things in my head so that I have a process going forward of maintaining the things I love.

It's hard work!