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

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by wolfpackTri

I don't think it's too big of a cluster****. The hard part is figuring out which service you want to use. Really, it all comes down to iTunes or UV. Amazon, Google Play, and other non-UV just isn't worth it.

I prefer the convenience of digital. I sold all my 3D movies and I'm thinning out my Steelbook and bluray collection. I am buying 4k UHD discs because I want to get a 4k TV next year.

It's just a whole lot easier to turn on my Apple TV or Vudu App on my Smart TV and just watch something then to get up, open up the disc, start the bluray player, etc.

If I really want to see a movie in high quality, I use the disc. If I don't care, it's Apple TV or Vudu.

Why are Amazon a waste of time? (Not worth it)

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

Yeah, for the most part, it's pretty straightforward. Like you said, where it gets complicated is choosing which provider is best for you.

I like iTunes the most overall (mainly because of all the special features), but my wife and I use Vudu more. It's on our Roku, which automatically turns on when we turn on our TV, and I have over 400 titles on Vudu (all in HD at the minimum, plus a couple in UHD), versus over 250 on iTunes (some of which are in SD, due to being redeemed from old codes).

I really like digital because it's convenient and the quality is still quite good IMO, but I'm not planning to thin my physical collection anytime soon. You never know when you'll need it. The other day, we were scrolling through Vudu and decided we'd watch The Fifth Element. Instead of just watching it through Vudu, I popped in the new Blu-ray, which was fortunate, since the internet went out temporarily while we were watching the movie, and it didn't affect our playback one bit.

It's nice that our movie didn't get interrupted or paused, not that that happens very often. If it did, I'd be very against digital.

Like I said, we don't have a suitable provider. It's either iTunes or Amazon for us if we decide yo go that route. That's Why I was kind of hoping it becomes a rental market. I don't care about collecting digitally and there are no requirements for UV with renting so I can use whatever the heck I want.

Of course, the best option would be for Streaming to go away altogether but.......

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by wolfpackTri

I don't think it's too big of a cluster****. The hard part is figuring out which service you want to use. Really, it all comes down to iTunes or UV. Amazon, Google Play, and other non-UV just isn't worth it.

I prefer the convenience of digital. I sold all my 3D movies and I'm thinning out my Steelbook and bluray collection. I am buying 4k UHD discs because I want to get a 4k TV next year.

It's just a whole lot easier to turn on my Apple TV or Vudu App on my Smart TV and just watch something then to get up, open up the disc, start the bluray player, etc.

If I really want to see a movie in high quality, I use the disc. If I don't care, it's Apple TV or Vudu.

Is it that much effort to get up and grab a Bluray? Especially considering the better A/V quality? Is this what it's coming too? What next, portable urinals?

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Why are Amazon a waste of time? (Not worth it)

I'm not sure that it's a complete waste of time, but it doesn't seem competitive with the likes of iTunes or Vudu over here. There's almost never any sales on it, and the way they handle the special features I believe is to tack them on after the movie like on a VHS tape. Other than that, it's somewhat decent. I've only bought one movie on it, and it was using a giftcard, and it was for the Mad Max documentary that came with the Anthology collection that I didn't need because I own all the movies individually.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Like I said, we don't have a suitable provider. It's either iTunes or Amazon for us if we decide yo go that route. That's Why I was kind of hoping it becomes a rental market. I don't care about collecting digitally and there are no requirements for UV with renting so I can use whatever the heck I want.

Of course, th best option would be for Streaming to go away altogether but.......

......it's the future. Heh

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Is it that much effort to get up and grab a Bluray? Especially considering the better A/V quality? Is this what it's coming too? What next, portable urinals?

Modern humans demand efficiency.

Faster internet, online shopping, lots of on-the-go types of things. That's the future. Unfortunately that does strengthen your argument that we'll head into a mobile-only future. I don't think it will go that far as to exclude those who prefer big screens and the finest in quality, but it will probably become very mainstream.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

I'm not sure that it's a complete waste of time, but it doesn't seem competitive with the likes of iTunes or Vudu over here. There's almost never any sales on it, and the way they handle the special features I believe is to tack them on after the movie like on a VHS tape. Other than that, it's somewhat decent. I've only bought one movie on it, and it was using a giftcard, and it was for the Mad Max documentary that came with the Anthology collection that I didn't need because I own all the movies individually.


......it's the future. Heh


Modern humans demand efficiency.

Faster internet, online shopping, lots of on-the-go types of things. That's the future. Unfortunately that does strengthen your argument that we'll head into a mobile-only future. I don't think it will go that far as to exclude those who prefer big screens and the finest in quality, but it will probably become very mainstream.

Of course it will. That's been my argument for several years now. It will go the same way as MP3 music.

It's more a case of how long do we have left to enjoy the big screen. 20 years max I say.

[PCFan]

Are more and more people just not wanting to buy movies in general, whether it's digital or physical? What if there were no subscription streaming services available anymore but still you could buy movies digitally, would more people go back to just renting physical discs, and not buying movies digitally or physically?

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Of course it will. That's been my argument for several years now. It will go the same way as MP3 music.

It's more a case of how long do we have left to enjoy the big screen. 20 years max I say.

I don't think big screens will vanish entirely, but mainstream culture might view the big screen as frivolous, like a Ferari. The option will always be there to get one, but it will not be for Mr. Joe Six Pack. Unless Joe Six Pack likes it for his sports. Remember, a lot of people have big screens for sports, not necessarily movies. Sports will be popular forever. Lucky for us movie nuts.

Originally Posted by PCFan

Are more and more people just not wanting to buy movies in general, whether it's digital or physical? What if there were no subscription streaming services available anymore but still you could buy movies digitally, would more people go back to just renting physical discs, and not buying movies digitally or physically?

People would probably still buy their favorites, and rent all else.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

I don't think big screens will vanish entirely, but mainstream culture might view the big screen as frivolous, like a Ferari. The option will always be there to get one, but it will not be for Mr. Joe Six Pack. Unless Joe Six Pack likes it for his sports. Remember, a lot of people have big screens for sports, not necessarily movies. Sports will be popular forever. Lucky for us movie nuts.



People would probably still buy their favorites, and rent all else.

Which is why it baffles me why you guys promote it? It's not good enough saying 'it's the future anyway' you honestly happy with sitting in your living room watching s mobile screen? The more people that don't see the threat of such a future, the more trouble we are in.

Anyway, I doubt older people will view the big screen as frivolous, it will be more a necessity. But the generation that do, are a dying breed. Depressing times, far removed from the Golden Future that some predict.

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Which is why it baffles me why you guys promote it? It's not good enough saying 'it's the future anyway' you honestly happy with sitting in your living room watching s mobile screen? The more people that don't see the threat of such a future, the more trouble we are in.

Anyway, I doubt older people will view the big screen as frivolous, it will be more a necessity.

I'm saying that big screens won't go away, even if people aren't buying them for movies (but Joe Six Pack might want to watch movies on it after rooting for his sports team for a few hours). We still benefit from big screens existing.

That's true about older people. Every screen needs to be bigger for them due to their eye sight. And nice and sharp too, so they'd also benefit from higher resolutions.

[wolfpackTri]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Which is why it baffles me why you guys promote it? It's not good enough saying 'it's the future anyway' you honestly happy with sitting in your living room watching s mobile screen? The more people that don't see the threat of such a future, the more trouble we are in.

Anyway, I doubt older people will view the big screen as frivolous, it will be more a necessity. But the generation that do, are a dying breed. Depressing times, far removed from the Golden Future that some predict.

This is a ridiculous concept. People will still watch TV, no one likes small TVs, and watching things on a mobile screen is more of a "just because we can".

If I'm traveling, I download the movie onto my iPad. I only show people what Vudu is on my phone.

The future is not watching movies on your phone. The future is no more physical media. Why do you think all PC games don't come on disc anymore? It's so much simpler to download on Steam or EA Origins.

You can call it lazy about me not wanting to get the disc out. I call it convenience. At the end of the day, I just want to be entertained for a couple of hours. Digital enables me to do that.

The more people hold onto physical media, the more they are ignoring what is coming.

Physical media died for CDs and PC Gaming. The only thing holding back movies is the amount of storage space required for a full bluray download and internet bandwidth.

Digital is not scary. Disc rot can happen, house fires, and theft can happen. Instead of worrying so much about something like a movie, you should just enjoy diving into the movie experience that works for you.

I don't even buy physical copies of books anymore. Everything is easier on Kindle. The only books I have or will buy have to be something special like The Martian.

Owning digital copies will never go away. Renting via streaming will never go away. There's nothing wrong with Vudu injecting ads into movies if you want to rent for free. You still have options to pay to rent or own the movie.

Fear of technology is a bit ridiculous in my opinion.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

I'm saying that big screens won't go away, even if people aren't buying them for movies (but Joe Six Pack might want to watch movies on it after rooting for his sports team for a few hours). We still benefit from big screens existing.

That's true about older people. Every screen needs to be bigger for them due to their eye sight. And nice and sharp too, so they'd also benefit from higher resolutions.

I see it more as the typical two kid family. Will mam still want to watch her soaps and dramas on the big screen when settling down after a day at work? That's the core audience in the U.K. Watching a phone all night can be taxing. That's the big question. Home cinema fans like us have always been the minority.

[ArmyOfDarknessAW]

Originally Posted by wolfpackTri

This is a ridiculous concept. People will still watch TV, no one likes small TVs, and watching things on a mobile screen is more of a "just because we can".

If I'm traveling, I download the movie onto my iPad. I only show people what Vudu is on my phone.

The future is not watching movies on your phone. The future is no more physical media. Why do you think all PC games don't come on disc anymore? It's so much simpler to download on Steam or EA Origins.

You can call it lazy about me not wanting to get the disc out. I call it convenience. At the end of the day, I just want to be entertained for a couple of hours. Digital enables me to do that.

The more people hold onto physical media, the more they are ignoring what is coming.

Physical media died for CDs and PC Gaming. The only thing holding back movies is the amount of storage space required for a full bluray download and internet bandwidth.

Digital is not scary. Disc rot can happen, house fires, and theft can happen. Instead of worrying so much about something like a movie, you should just enjoy diving into the movie experience that works for you.

Omg I didn't even think about Steam. I would take Steam over an actual disc any day gaming wise. Steam is so awesome in so many way. I have a collection of over 600 on Steam and I never once thought I was at any kind of a disadvantage over having the disc. Granted gaming is another animal than movies.

[wolfpackTri]

Originally Posted by ArmyOfDarknessAW

Omg I didn't even think about Steam. I would take Steam over an actual disc any day gaming wise. Steam is so awesome in so many way. I have a collection of over 600 on Steam and I never once thought I was at any kind of a disadvantage over having the disc. Granted gaming is another animal than movies.

Sort of. Steam downloads are in the 50 to 60 gig range. Why can't we just download blurays the same way? You know Steam is also renting movies now.

[ArmyOfDarknessAW]

Originally Posted by wolfpackTri

Sort of. Steam downloads are in the 50 to 60 gig range. Why can't we just download blurays the same way? You know Steam is also renting movies now.

Yeah their selection is pretty limited at the moment. Gaming wise though I love Steam in so many ways.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by wolfpackTri

This is a ridiculous concept. People will still watch TV, no one likes small TVs, and watching things on a mobile screen is more of a "just because we can".

If I'm traveling, I download the movie onto my iPad. I only show people what Vudu is on my phone.

The future is not watching movies on your phone. The future is no more physical media. Why do you think all PC games don't come on disc anymore? It's so much simpler to download on Steam or EA Origins.

You can call it lazy about me not wanting to get the disc out. I call it convenience. At the end of the day, I just want to be entertained for a couple of hours. Digital enables me to do that.

The more people hold onto physical media, the more they are ignoring what is coming.

Physical media died for CDs and PC Gaming. The only thing holding back movies is the amount of storage space required for a full bluray download and internet bandwidth.

Digital is not scary. Disc rot can happen, house fires, and theft can happen. Instead of worrying so much about something like a movie, you should just enjoy diving into the movie experience that works for you.

I don't even buy physical copies of books anymore. Everything is easier on Kindle. The only books I have or will buy have to be something special like The Martian.

Owning digital copies will never go away. Renting via streaming will never go away. There's nothing wrong with Vudu injecting ads into movies if you want to rent for free. You still have options to pay to rent or own the movie.

Fear of technology is a bit ridiculous in my opinion.

But there is a world of difference between diving into a tech because it's in vogue and jumping in because it generally enhances the experience. I see many people going for Digital because it's the Kool aid.

CDs are nowhere near dead. You sound like a click bait blogger IMO. They still make up a significant chunk of the market despite being declared dead for fifteen years now.

As for ignoring Digital, yes I will be clinging onto Bluray with my fingertips. Digital isn't for me unless all disc formats disappear.

Finally, kindles are on their way out my friend. They are no longer doing good business I hear. Why? Hardback books are gaining in popularity again. Don't know how that happened as I think kindles are good but that's the way it is. E Readers will be the netbooks of this decade.

[wolfpackTri]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

But there is a world of difference between diving into a tech because it's in vogue and jumping in because it generally enhances the experience. I see many people going for Digital because it's the Kool aid.

CDs are nowhere near dead. You sound like a click bait blogger IMO. They still make up a significant chunk of the market despite being declared dead for fifteen years now.

As for ignoring Digital, yes I will be clinging onto Bluray with my fingertips. Digital isn't for me unless all disc formats disappear.

Finally, kindles are on their way out my friend. They are no longer doing good business I hear. Why? Hardback books are gaining in popularity again. Don't know how that happened as I think kindles are good but that's the way it is. E Readers will be the netbooks of this decade.

Generalize people much? I don't even have a blog.

I never said I had a Kindle. There is a thing called the Kindle app you know....that I use...on my iPad?

[ArmyOfDarknessAW]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

But there is a world of difference between diving into a tech because it's in vogue and jumping in because it generally enhances the experience. I see many people going for Digital because it's the Kool aid.

CDs are nowhere near dead. You sound like a click bait blogger IMO. They still make up a significant chunk of the market despite being declared dead for fifteen years now.

As for ignoring Digital, yes I will be clinging onto Bluray with my fingertips. Digital isn't for me unless all disc formats disappear.

Finally, kindles are on their way out my friend. They are no longer doing good business I hear. Why? Hardback books are gaining in popularity again. Don't know how that happened as I think kindles are good but that's the way it is. E Readers will be the netbooks of this decade.

Netbooks began in 2007 and faded off pretty fast. The Kindle began in 2007 also and is still going. They are hardly comparable.

[wolfpackTri]

I think the big difference is that some people just don't want a massive collection of discs and cases. I don't want to have shelves upon shelves dedicated to movies. I only buy movies on disc that I know I want to keep forever, have the highest quality, and that I love the most. The rest can be digital. For example, I just bought Cast Away for $4.99 on Vudu. I don't care about having the disc for that.

My list of movies I have to have on disc is small therefore most of my collection is on Vudu and iTunes. It must be terrible owning an entire collection of DVDs then bluray comes out. Then 4k bluray comes out and replaces the blurays. When does it stop?

At least with digital, I don't have to worry about formats changing. I can accept lower quality on movies that I'm not passionate about owning just so I can have less stuff in my house.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by wolfpackTri

I think the big difference is that some people just don't want a massive collection of discs and cases. I don't want to have shelves upon shelves dedicated to movies. I only buy movies on disc that I know I want to keep forever, have the highest quality, and that I love the most. The rest can be digital. For example, I just bought Cast Away for $4.99 on Vudu. I don't care about having the disc for that.

My list of movies I have to have on disc is small therefore most of my collection is on Vudu and iTunes. It must be terrible owning an entire collection of DVDs then bluray comes out. Then 4k bluray comes out and replaces the blurays. When does it stop?

At least with digital, I don't have to worry about formats changing. I can accept lower quality on movies that I'm not passionate about owning just so I can have less stuff in my house.

It stops when I can get a cinematic picture on my projector. I can now.

It must be terrible owning movies that aren't yours. They can take away the streaming storefront at any time. Sure UV may still exist but what's the point if you don have a storefront to play them on? Digital HD isn't the future. Subscription is. Digital is not showing the necessary growth (excluding Netflix and Amazon, Hulu etc..)

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by wolfpackTri

Generalize people much? I don't even have a blog.

I never said I had a Kindle. There is a thing called the Kindle app you know....that I use...on my iPad?

Never said you did. Hence the 'sound like'

Kindle app on IPad. Ok but you didn't exactly make that clear did you?