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

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by CV19

I'm assuming the big dishes you refer to are the motorised ones, which we have over here mainly for those who wish to pick up European channels as well as the UK ones.

The smaller ones are normally for one of two choices - there's Freesat, which is basically just non-subscription based channels, and there's the one I use myself for Sky, which I subscribe to really just for the sports, although you can have a movie subscription too if you wish. However with the Sky dish, you also pick up everything that's available on the Freesat service.

The satellite dish I have is larger than the conventional Sky dish, and this has the advantage of a much greater tolerance to bad weather, as you say. In all honesty Vilya, I've very rarely ever had any interruptions with the signal even on heavy downpours.

Yeah, it had a motor. I kinda liked playing with it.

I had Dish network a long time ago and my sister recently cancelled DirecTV. We both experienced many instances of pixelation and entirely lost signals during inclement weather and on windy days. Over time, these flimsy dishes easily got out of alignment requiring them to be serviced. They were unreliable, a hassle, and an eyesore. The service itself only got more expensive while never getting any better.

Many of the installers were idiots, too. Don't ever let them install a dish upon your roof unless you like a roof that leaks. I know some people that own and rent property and they forbid satellite dish installation altogether unless they personally supervised the installation themselves and they never allowed roof installs.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Vilya

….. The service itself only got more expensive while never getting any better.

Sounds a bit like Sky over here. Subscription costs keep getting more and more expensive. I used to subscribe to the whole package which included the movie channels, but frankly I spent more time watching DVD's and blu-rays whenever I wanted to watch a film - I found that I rarely ever watched the films Sky put on, so eventually I cancelled the movie subscription. I really now only keep it for the sport channels, as I do enjoy live games.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

When you guys talk about broadcast tv and antennas, it makes me wonder why you all haven’t already got them? In the U.K., nearly every single household has a tv antenna on their roof.

Europe is a completely different world then NA. Back in the 60's 70's (?) cable came out and started growing in popularity, for a small nominal fee you had perfect reception and no problems. The cable followed your telephone line into your house and then was split (like your outdoor TV antenna) to each TV in the home. In the 80's the TVs came with QAM tuners used by the cable companies that were built directly into the TV. The issue is that the broadcasters became cheap and lazy They don't need as many regional broadcasters to be in a given market and they can also save on signal strength. Not only that but it also allowed for the birth of "specialty stations" where there is no broadcast and the distributor ( be it Cable, satellite or now fiber) can charge you more for it. So over time because of Satellite and Cable (and now fiber) things got worst for OTA broadcast.

Here in Canada it is even worst, most of the big networks where bought off by distributors, Quebecor (cable) owns TVA, Bell (Satellite/Fiber) owns CTV/CTV 2 and a few months ago I read they are buying V, Rogers (cable) owns City and Shaw (Cable,Satellite) owns Global.

There is SRC/CBC that are Para public (started off by the Canadian gouvernment) and here in Quebec tele-Quebec (Quebec gouvernment), in Ontario TVO…. and possibly some other local independents.

Contrast that with Europe that standardized the DBRs standard for OTA/FTAS

[The_Donster]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Maybe they are renting from Redbox because they appreciate the higher quality offered by disc? Maybe they live in area with lousy internet service? Maybe they do have Netflix, but find the selection to be underwhelming? Netflix seldom gets recent hit movies anymore; you won't find Avengers Endgame there nor many other new popular movies.

Sorry you misunderstood what I was saying. Fixed the autocorrect issue that is causing all the confusion

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Are the millenials coming for the discs that I have already? I have a few on hand, you know. I do not see any threat here to physical media; some young people using facebook while streaming is not going to kill the disc market.

Will they make me tweet every few minutes if I choose to stream something? I already stream some and I do not use social media while doing so.

I watch how I want to watch and that will not change.

No, they aren’t coming for your discs but is that a future you look forward to? Watching a vast back catalogue and not any new content?

The article talks about something I have expressed concern with in the past. Integrated social media features. They mention Netflix wanting to keep people from leaving their site to tweet etc..

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

Sounds a bit like Sky over here. Subscription costs keep getting more and more expensive. I used to subscribe to the whole package which included the movie channels, but frankly I spent more time watching DVD's and blu-rays whenever I wanted to watch a film - I found that I rarely ever watched the films Sky put on, so eventually I cancelled the movie subscription. I really now only keep it for the sport channels, as I do enjoy live games.

Don’t you have Sky Q mate? The 4K is quite impressive.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

Europe is a completely different world then NA. Back in the 60's 70's (?) cable came out and started growing in popularity, for a small nominal fee you had perfect reception and no problems. The cable followed your telephone line into your house and then was split (like your outdoor TV antenna) to each TV in the home. In the 80's the TVs came with QAM tuners used by the cable companies that were built directly into the TV. The issue is that the broadcasters became cheap and lazy They don't need as many regional broadcasters to be in a given market and they can also save on signal strength. Not only that but it also allowed for the birth of "specialty stations" where there is no broadcast and the distributor ( be it Cable, satellite or now fiber) can charge you more for it. So over time because of Satellite and Cable (and now fiber) things got worst for OTA broadcast.

Here in Canada it is even worst, most of the big networks where bought off by distributors, Quebecor (cable) owns TVA, Bell (Satellite/Fiber) owns CTV/CTV 2 and a few months ago I read they are buying V, Rogers (cable) owns City and Shaw (Cable,Satellite) owns Global.

There is SRC/CBC that are Para public (started off by the Canadian gouvernment) and here in Quebec tele-Quebec (Quebec gouvernment), in Ontario TVO…. and possibly some other local independents.

Contrast that with Europe that standardized the DBRs standard for OTA/FTAS

Ok, thanks.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

Sorry you misunderstood what I was saying. Fixed the autocorrect issue that is causing all the confusion

Well, ok then. Carry on.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

No, they aren’t coming for your discs but is that a future you look forward to? Watching a vast back catalogue and not any new content?

The article talks about something I have expressed concern with in the past. Integrated social media features. They mention Netflix wanting to keep people from leaving their site to tweet etc..

Actually, I was looking forward to fighting off a horde of millenials more so than a bunch of vegans.

I do not fear the future as you do; I look forward to it with great anticipation. I do not fear for discs; I enjoy them and I plan to keep doing so. No need for me to be worried as you more than have that covered for all of us.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I can not even conceive of using social media while watching a movie or a TV show; I entirely ignore my cell phone during the show. My viewing experiences are meant to be immersive and they are not to be interrupted.

I am not anti-social, but if anyone wants to share the experience with me, they need to actually be here.

I am not bothered that some millenials do this as it has no impact on what I choose to do. Maybe someday they'll outgrow the need to share every reaction that they have as they have it, but either way, their choice will not change mine.

I could not have said it better myself. I also have a tray outside my HT everyone knows that any cell phones or tablets are not allowed in my HT

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Their choice won’t change yours IF Disc sticks around. If it does not, you may not have the choice.

why? if there are no disks he will be tied up and forced to text ….. (all the different social media that replaces true contact) while the film is playing or they will torture him from outside his room?

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Actually, I was looking forward to fighting off a horde of millenials more than a bunch of vegans.

I do not fear the future as you do; I look forward to it with great anticipation. I do not fear for discs; I enjoy them and I plan to keep doing so. No need for me to be worried as you more than have that covered for all of us.

Not fearing stuff is just another way of burying your head in the sand. Looking toward a time when new discs aren’t released, it’s important that we still have a HT experience and all the things I have concerns about stand in the way of that. I couldn’t possibly put up with social media integration, hopefully you can switch it off!

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

I could not have said it better myself. I also have a tray outside my HT everyone knows that any cell phones or tablets are not allowed in my HT



why? if there are no disks he will be tied up and forced to text ….. (all the different social media that replaces true contact) while the film is playing or they will torture him from outside his room?

Well, if social media aspects are ingrained in the likes of Netflix, Disney, Hulu etc.., what choice would he have if he wanted to watch new stuff?

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Don’t you have Sky Q mate? The 4K is quite impressive.

I'm looking to do so shortly I hope. At the moment, it's just the regular Sky+ HD. I've heard really good things about Sky Q for sure.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

I'm looking to do so shortly I hope. At the moment, it's just the regular Sky+ HD. I've heard really good things about Sky Q for sure.

It’s good but like you say, Sky are getting more and more expensive. I think all the catch up and box sets stuff should be free with a standard subscription.
It is a disgrace charging more for HD also.

[The_Donster]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Well, ok then. Carry on.

Probably back to bed

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Not fearing stuff is just another way of burying your head in the sand. Looking toward a time when new discs aren’t released, it’s important that we still have a HT experience and all the things I have concerns about stand in the way of that. I couldn’t possibly put up with social media integration, hopefully you can switch it off!

Living in fear serves no good purpose especially when you have no plan to even combat that fear. You never offer any solutions, just one dark outcome followed by another. You are just resigning yourself to certain defeat and that is both futile and unhealthy. I will take my happier and healthier outlook over your cheerless one anytime.

I do not share your fears in the first place, so I can in no way be hiding from that which I do not even believe in.

I am alive today and I am happy to be here. Every tomorrow that I get is another opportunity to enjoy life even more. That's how I live my life; I am excited to see what tomorrow brings and I am thankful for each tomorrow that I receive.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Well, if social media aspects are ingrained in the likes of Netflix, Disney, Hulu etc.., what choice would he have if he wanted to watch new stuff?

In all honesty, I see absolutely no need to ever hoist the Jolly Roger as I place no stock in any of your worries. I don't even care much for rum.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

It’s good but like you say, Sky are getting more and more expensive. I think all the catch up and box sets stuff should be free with a standard subscription.
It is a disgrace charging more for HD also.

Yes I agree, I seem to remember it was an extra £10 per month at the time when switching over to HD, just for getting exactly the same channels you already had on SD.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Right. We have around 65 million people in the U.K., that’s around 26 million households. Broadcast tv is hugely popular and is at around 19-20 million households. satellite has slightly over 10 million customers. Netflix has just over 9 million I think.

So broadcast (free tv) is very popular.

I am not knowledgeable of the UK in particular, but by Satellite do you mean FTAS using DVB-S (i.e. you don't need to pay to watch BBC1) or like what we mean with Satelite where you need to pay every month to watch everything and anything.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Maybe they are renting from Redbox because they appreciate the higher quality offered by disc? Maybe they live in area with lousy internet service? Maybe they do have Netflix, but find the selection to be underwhelming? Netflix seldom gets recent hit movies anymore; you won't find Avengers Endgame there nor many other new popular movies.

I thought he might have meant their mail service. But then you have the real limited selection of what you have at home at the time.