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

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by NightMovie901

I'm buying movies for $5 when the disc still costs $20.

Have you read the TOS/EULA where you are redeeming those $5 codes? The studios TOS/EULA for said titles? You are supposed to have that titles physical disc in your possession when you redeem a code, just saying.

I have access to all my movies from everywhere.

You can stream going down the road? Parked in an RV park with no internet? Dude, you sound like a typical city/urban dweller that believes everyone has highspeed internet everywhere, all the time. Do you have Netflix, if so, ever checked your speed during prime time? Amazon has no way to check and VUDU removed their 3 quality bars, don’t know about Google Play and others.

Finally, I realize some movie studio could try to yank the rights out from underneath us some movies but if that happens people will scream bloddy murder and there will be lawsuits, etc. to correct it.

That is just it, you have no rights and nothing to correct, you relinquished them when you agree to the TOS therefore no grounds for a lawsuit. I have already posted several EST streaming/download services that have shut down and AFAIK no lawsuits.

[PenguinInfinity]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

That is just it, you have no rights and nothing to correct, you relinquished them when you agree to the TOS therefore no grounds for a lawsuit. I have already posted several EST streaming/download services that have shut down and AFAIK no lawsuits.

And if there ever are lawsuits the customers certainly won't win them, nor should they. No business should be required to continue supporting a product that is losing them money. I choose to buy products that don't require continued support to function.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Odds are any such lawsuits would at best result in people getting refunds for the content that was taken away.

While that would be better than the content being taken away and receiving nothing in return, it still wouldn't resolve the issue of the content, itself, being taken away if what you are most concerned with is having access to that content. If any of the movies and/or TV shows that get removed are simply not legitimately available through any other service or means, you are basically screwed and unable to watch it.

[Wendell R. Breland]

For years I have suggested folks read the TOS for digital content before they redeemed codes or made a digital purchase. I bet very few do this. UV shutting down is the best example of what can happen in the digital realm. When Microsoft got out of the music business I believe folks lost their tunes, anyone remember what happened?

IMO, the studios will not remove content before offering folks the opportunity to pay for continued access (covered in the TOS). When the content starts to lose them money they will remove it. Digital content is losing them money now but it is a loss they were willing to take to try and move everyone to digital. It has failed so the digital future is an unknown at this point.

[Steedeel]

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/new...hly-customers/

It starts!

Exactly what I was explaining on here a couple of years ago. Tie in deals with mobile contracts. It seems I wasn’t completely crackers after all. Expect the same in the USA very soon.

Take note:

Octagon
Fly
Donster
Vilya

And many others.

[mrveggieman]

Originally Posted by NightMovie901

I don't disagree with that for the most.

In fact, all you guys make a great case for physical over digital. I can't disagree with a LOT of your points.

However, I know I'm late to the party and I'm buying up iTunes movies like crazy. Part of it is due to cost. People are separating the digital copy codes from the discs and selling those. (or selling/trading their own) So I actually need discs to stay around big time to keep that up. I'm buying movies for $5 when the disc still costs $20.

Also, I just like the convenience of it. I have access to all my movies from everywhere. Also, 95%+ of my physical movies are on DVD which means I need to buy replacement blu-rays or watch them in a lower quality. (and that sucks)

Furthermore, the discs just take up a lot of space and I'd like to downsize that part of my life. Digital makes it easy.

Finally, I realize some movie studio could try to yank the rights out from underneath us some movies but if that happens people will scream bloddy murder and there will be lawsuits, etc. to correct it.

I haven't paid $20 for a movie since I first started buying DVDs when I got my first PS2 around 2001. Between the thrift store, pawn shop, walmart and ebay I can easily pick up dvds and blu rays for $1-5 bucks some of them include both the disc and the digital code.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Expect the same in the USA very soon.

In the US, Verizon has been there (Go90), done that and it is now extinct. They only invested $1.2B on the failed venture.

Remember I said sometime back that media folks are turning over every rock to see if there is money to be made. Expect it continue.

[NightMovie901]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

Why does it have to come down to either buying the digital version OR one of the pricier exclusive physical versions?

Good point.

I'm starting to think that Physical with Digital Copy is a good choice as it gives you the most options. Although it seems like some % of discs don't come with digital copy.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

In the US, Verizon has been there, done that and it is now extinct. They only invested $1.2B on the failed venture.

Remember I said sometime back that media folks are turning over every rock to see if there is money to be made. Expect it continue.

These deals seem to exclude streaming to a tv. A very worrying trend that I saw coming years ago.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/new...hly-customers/

It starts!

Exactly what I was explaining on here a couple of years ago. Tie in deals with mobile contracts. It seems I wasn’t completely crackers after all. Expect the same in the USA very soon.

This isn't anything new. I forget which carrier it is offhand, but in the US that is one where you get Netflix for free if you sign up with their plan, and using it on the phone won't count against your data limit.

However, the difference between these actual examples and your predictions is that you were predicting that they would be receiving lower quality streams made for phones that would look terrible on a TV, pushing people to watch the content on their phones instead of on a TV.

With these real examples, as far as I can tell people are getting the same quality of service and can therefore use the free memberships on their TVs, Rokus, game systems, etc. It just also gives them the option to watch the content on their phones without effecting their data usage, which could come in handy in some instances, i.e. when traveling, or if someone commutes daily by train or bus and wants to kill the time by watching something. It doesn't necessarily mean it is their preferred way of watching the content.

Honestly, as an existing Netflix subscriber who currently pays for the service, if a phone company that I'm planning to do business with anyway for my smart phone service were offering something like a free Netflix subscription included in the plan, I would likely sign up for it (assuming that the cost of that plan doesn't exceed the cost of paying for a plan without Netflix included + the cost of paying for Netflix separately).

[NightMovie901]

Originally Posted by octagon

Which of those do you think has gone away?

Not even the most ardent physical media supporter is arguing that physical media will carry the day or even return to the lofty perch it held during the peak DVD years.

They're just saying that people who want to take rides in horse drawn carriages will still be able to do that years from now no matter how successful the automobile might be.

And they're probably right. In fact they're almost certainly right.

A valid point but that means you may not have access to *new* horses and carriages in the future.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Originally Posted by NightMovie901

A valid point but that means you may not have access to *new* horses and carriages in the future.

This statement makes no sense.

[NightMovie901]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Have you read the TOS/EULA where you are redeeming those $5 codes? The studios TOS/EULA for said titles? You are supposed to have that titles physical disc in your possession when you redeem a code, just saying.

You can stream going down the road? Parked in an RV park with no internet? Dude, you sound like a typical city/urban dweller that believes everyone has highspeed internet everywhere, all the time. Do you have Netflix, if so, ever checked your speed during prime time? Amazon has no way to check and VUDU removed their 3 quality bars, don’t know about Google Play and others.

That is just it, you have no rights and nothing to correct, you relinquished them when you agree to the TOS therefore no grounds for a lawsuit. I have already posted several EST streaming/download services that have shut down and AFAIK no lawsuits.

I have not read the TOS or EULA and have no intention or desire to do so.

I actually live in unincorporated county area so I don't get the cutting edge bandwidth. (far from it)

What I really mean by taking it with you is tablet/phone. I'm going on a road trip soon and I just downloaded 3 of my iTunes movies and 5 TV shows I have on my Dish Hopper to my iPad. I tested that I can view them without network connection and all is good.

I will say that AT&T LTE internet is very good as long as you stay on the interstates. I actually have streamed videos going down the road. (in the passengers seat --- before anyone says anything LOL)

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

This isn't anything new. I forget which carrier it is offhand, but in the US that is one where you get Netflix for free if you sign up with their plan, and using it on the phone won't count against your data limit.

However, the difference between these actual examples and your predictions is that you were predicting that they would be receiving lower quality streams made for phones that would look terrible on a TV, pushing people to watch the content on their phones instead of on a TV.

With these real examples, as far as I can tell people are getting the same quality of service and can therefore use the free memberships on their TVs, Rokus, game systems, etc. It just also gives them the option to watch the content on their phones without effecting their data usage, which could come in handy in some instances, i.e. when traveling, or if someone commutes daily by train or bus and wants to kill the time by watching something. It doesn't necessarily mean it is their preferred way of watching the content.

Honestly, as an existing Netflix subscriber who currently pays for the service, if a phone company that I'm planning to do business with anyway for my smart phone service were offering something like a free Netflix subscription included in the plan, I would likely sign up for it (assuming that the cost of that plan doesn't exceed the cost of paying for a plan without Netflix included + the cost of paying for Netflix separately).

No, I didn’t just say that. I said why would people pay for streaming services when they could get it free on their phones?

[NightMovie901]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

Odds are any such lawsuits would at best result in people getting refunds for the content that was taken away.

While that would be better than the content being taken away and receiving nothing in return, it still wouldn't resolve the issue of the content, itself, being taken away if what you are most concerned with is having access to that content. If any of the movies and/or TV shows that get removed are simply not legitimately available through any other service or means, you are basically screwed and unable to watch it.

I'm thinking more of an option for a DRM free download or something like that if they closed the service. If the go out of business there isn't much that can be done though.

[NightMovie901]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

... so the digital future is an unknown at this point.

As much as I have opinion or speculate on it, I couldn't agree more. We just don't really know until it plays out. If I did I would be buying certain stocks. hehe

[NightMovie901]

Originally Posted by mrveggieman

I haven't paid $20 for a movie since I first started buying DVDs when I got my first PS2 around 2001. Between the thrift store, pawn shop, walmart and ebay I can easily pick up dvds and blu rays for $1-5 bucks some of them include both the disc and the digital code.

I generally don't buy used.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

No, I didn’t just say that. I said why would people pay for streaming services when they could get it free on their phones? Where in that link does it allow streaming to a tv by the way?

You have said such things in the past on several occasions. Maybe there were other occasions in which you brought up this general concept without the specifics of it being of lower quality that I don't recall offhand, but more often than not your arguments have been with that caveat.

And I don't see a reason why it wouldn't work on a TV or other devices. You are basically just not having to pay for the membership, but you are still getting the membership. You'll still likely have to associate an email address and password with the service, regardless of how it is being paid (directly by you or through your phone plan). I see no reason why entering that same email address and password for that same streaming service from other devices wouldn't work. While the article doesn't specify this one way or the other, I would imagine that if you were completely limited to using the service ONLY on your phone, that would be specifically spelled out. People these days are used to being able to sign into these streaming services from different devices and not just being limited to one at all times.

[NightMovie901]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

This statement makes no sense.

What I'm saying is that even though you may retain the ability to watch your movies on an older format new movies may never be available on that format.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Dynamo of Eternia

If have said such things in the past on several occasions. Maybe there were other occasions that I don't recall in which you brought up this general concept without the specifics of it being of lower quality that I don't recall offhand, but more often than not your arguments have been with that caveat.

And I don't see a reason why it wouldn't work on a TV or other devices. You are basically just not having to pay for the membership, but you are still getting the membership. You'll still likely have to associate an email address and password with the service, regardless of how it is being paid (directly by you or through your phone plan). I see no reason why entering that same email address and password for that same streaming service from other devices wouldn't work. While the article doesn't specify this one way or the other, I would imagine that if you were completely limited to using the service ONLY on your phone, that would be specifically spelled out. People these days are used to being able to sign into these streaming services from different devices and not just being limited to one at all times.

Well, let’s see.