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

[hanshotfirst1138]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

It's a niche of a niche I think. Same a folk who pay full price for Amazon or iTunes digital copies.

This is part of my problem. VUDU's disc-to-digital service is cool for movies that are worth $2 to me, but I can't justify paying full price when I can get the disc for the same amount. $5-10 is the absolute top of what I'd want to pay for digital "ownership."

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by hanshotfirst1138

This is part of my problem. VUDU's disc-to-digital service is cool for movies that are worth $2 to me, but I can't justify paying full price when I can get the disc for the same amount. $5-10 is the absolute top of what I'd want to pay for digital "ownership."

At least you can console yourself that HDX is half decent quality, if Bluray goes away in the U.K we dont have a UV storefront of any quality. Certainly, one would have to jump through hoops just to get it on a big screen. It's really grim.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I'm not in trouble lol.

How do you know that? Digital HD might flatline soon. Many pundits thought iTunes downloads were the last word but look how they are fading away due to subscription. There has to be a market there, it's not a charity. All the time evidence so far points to subscription rather than est. ignore that at your peril.

I'm completely fine with subscription. Let's not act like the studios put any REAL effort into these discs these days anyway, considering what we USE to get during the heyday of DVD.

Not to mention, how many times do I have to listen to talking head actors/director/etc say the same damn thing when it comes to working on said project they're working on at the time. It's exhausting having to listen to the same lines of dialogue when it comes to how films get made.

[huskerbear]

Originally Posted by hanshotfirst1138

This is part of my problem. VUDU's disc-to-digital service is cool for movies that are worth $2 to me, but I can't justify paying full price when I can get the disc for the same amount. $5-10 is the absolute top of what I'd want to pay for digital "ownership."

There was a time I wouldn't pay more than $2.75 for a new release UV code. Of course a few years ago you could get them for that. I preferred to buy the disc with a code but, as time passed I began to not even want the disc (unless it's 3D) so if I wanted a movie that was $20 on Vudu I would buy that over $15 for the disc without a code because I want all my movies in my UV collection...I don't want to mess with discs much any more. It's just so much more convenient to be able to look at the covers on the big screen and be able to sort them over squinting trying to read movie titles on the edge of the disc covers.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

I'm completely fine with subscription. Let's not act like the studios put any REAL effort into these discs these days anyway, considering what we USE to get during the heyday of DVD.

Not to mention, how many times do I have to listen to talking head actors/director/etc say the same damn thing when it comes to working on said project they're working on at the time. It's exhausting having to listen to the same lines of dialogue when it comes to how films get made.

It depends if you stick to the mainstream or not. I have had some delightful editions this year. Camera Obscura titles like Come Cani Arriabbiati, Subkulture tiles like 'The Brutes' Criterion, Arrow with their reversible sleeves, artwork, collectors cards etc.. Camera Obscura and Subkulture offer terrific transfers as well. A real pleasure to watch these obscure films. Personally, I take great pride in them. Even some of the exploitation stuff like Pieces from Grindhouse looked way better than I could have imagined. Frankly, it's been fantastic adding those to my collection.

As for extras, it's nice just to know you have it and don't forget, many people who want to get into film can find great interest in extras. Heck, I even want a return to the themed start menus with animations and clever touches.

Digital is so boring as well as inferior.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by huskerbear

There was a time I wouldn't pay more than $2.75 for a new release UV code. Of course a few years ago you could get them for that. I preferred to buy the disc with a code but, as time passed I began to not even want the disc (unless it's 3D) so if I wanted a movie that was $20 on Vudu I would buy that over $15 for the disc without a code because I want all my movies in my UV collection...I don't want to mess with discs much any more. It's just so much more convenient to be able to look at the covers on the big screen and be able to sort them over squinting trying to read movie titles on the edge of the disc covers.

Sounds like it's glasses you need rather than a Digital collection.

[bkfountain]

I'd go digital if the streaming quality was the same as bluray. I already am all digital gaming on my xb1 and ps4.

Physical does take a hit in my mind when there's HD digital versions of a film on Amazon and Vudu that are never getting bluray releases. Lame, but a sign of the times.

[huskerbear]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Sounds like it's glasses you need rather than a Digital collection.

LOL Actually Iv'e always had good eyes but as we get older (no idea how old you are) print right in front of you gets hard to read....that's why every store has a rack of reading glasses. I think I read better with those than I could before without though. It's still just a lot easier on the big screen. I just wish I could get all the movies I have discs for on Vudu......Movies like The Jack bull, the original walking tall series (70s)...Six pack etc. are not available at all.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by huskerbear

LOL Actually Iv'e always had good eyes but as we get older (no idea how old you are) print right in front of you gets hard to read....that's why every store has a rack of reading glasses. I think I read better with those than I could before without though. It's still just a lot easier on the big screen. I just wish I could get all the movies I have discs for on Vudu......Movies like The Jack bull, the original walking tall series (70s)...Six pack etc. are not available at all.

41 or 39 depending on how pretty the woman I'm talking to is!

[dublinbluray108]

I've already made the right decision to stick with physical for Movies & TV shows. I would never ever contend with all having this stuff as a download; it would be deemed as sliding down a slippery slope of ownership for me.

My interest in streaming & downloading music has already started to become a joke though. For two years; I had a music subscription with Microsoft Groove through Windows 8/8.1 & 10. But recently I had discovered that I had lost partial or complete access to five downloaded albums while browsing the service. What I am saying re loss of albums; I mean albums that were pulled down from the store catalouge without notice. The worst thing about the albums being pulled down for sale was that I had even listened to any of the songs at all after I had purchased them as a download.

I even made a mistake of taking the option of listening with a music pass rather than re-downloading the album & burning it onto CD afterwards.

The albums affected were soundtrack albums from Batman & Superman animated movies & games & an album from Take That.

Not everything was a disaster though. I'm currently able to back-up most of my albums by burning them onto a recordable CD after I bought a rack of them in my local Tesco store for €5. I wasn't too upset with the aftermath but I'm a bit peeved off as to not getting everything backed up though.

If I had done that with any movies or TV shows being completely on digital; I would have lost the head straight away & would have felt like a total idiot.

If you want ask for more of this tomorrow. I will do this no problem. I'm off to bed now. It's getting real late for me. Nighty Night.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by dublinbluray108

I've already made the right decision to stick with physical for Movies & TV shows. I would never ever contend with all having this stuff as a download; it would be deemed as sliding down a slippery slope of ownership for me.

Well you guys in Ireland and the UK don't have access to the top Streaming Providers like Vudu, and also lump Streaming with Downloads. A Fiber Infrastructure with GigaBit Speeds is becoming the way of Progressive Cities here in The States. So with enough Bandwidth, and Direct Access to your Providers' Servers the Seamless Video Quality of Digital HD is matching Blu-ray and UHD Discs with no problem.

[PenguinMaster]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Well you guys in Ireland and the UK don't have access to the top Streaming Providers like Vudu, and also lump Streaming with Downloads. A Fiber Infrastructure with GigaBit Speeds is becoming the way of Progressive Cities here in The States. So with enough Bandwidth, and Direct Access to your Providers' Servers the Seamless Video Quality of Digital HD is matching Blu-ray and UHD Discs with no problem.

Did you even read the rest of post you're responding to? It's all about losing access to content. No matter how amazing video quality reaches on downloads or streaming that doesn't fix the problems of studios having full control of all content.

As I mentioned before: customers control discs, studios control servers. You responded saying that "studios can control discs too" but I'm still looking for an explanation for that statement.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by PenguinMaster

Did you even read the rest of post you're responding to? It's all about losing access to content. No matter how amazing video quality reaches on downloads or streaming that doesn't fix the problems of studios having full control of all content.

As I mentioned before: customers control discs, studios control servers. You responded saying that "studios can control discs too" but I'm still looking for an explanation for that statement.

Like I have said before, it's all Digital now so the Studios or who ever can put what ever they want on those Discs to Control them. They already put so much Junk that I don't know why you guys even like to watch Movies on Disc. Also these Servers can be put anywhere, and duplicated and Backed up. They can be put in your Home Network, Co-Located with your ISP, or on your Community or City Intra-Net.

[PenguinMaster]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Like I have said before, it's all Digital now so the Studios or who ever can put what ever they want on those Discs to Control them. They already put so much Junk that I don't know why you guys even like to watch Movies on Disc.

Are you talking about DRM? It's certainly possible that the studios could create discs with online DRM, but current discs don't have that. I am as just as strongly against physical media with online DRM as I am against downloads and streaming. I would never buy any discs that have any sort of online DRM.

Originally Posted by alchav21

Also these Servers can be put anywhere, and duplicated and Backed up. They can be put in your Home Network, Co-Located with your ISP, or on your Community or City Intra-Net.

No amount of back-ups can allow customers to control distribution. It is illegal to sell or give away your downloads. Therefore if the studio that owns the rights delists the digital version no one who hasn't already bought a copy can ever buy one. The used market prevents that problem from ever occurring with physical media.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Well you guys in Ireland and the UK don't have access to the top Streaming Providers like Vudu, and also lump Streaming with Downloads. A Fiber Infrastructure with GigaBit Speeds is becoming the way of Progressive Cities here in The States. So with enough Bandwidth, and Direct Access to your Providers' Servers the Seamless Video Quality of Digital HD is matching Blu-ray and UHD Discs with no problem.

I hear a lot about stuttering or the picture freezing for a split second on Vudu. I take it this is only a issue for people without super fast Fibre?

Anyway, I think the industry will focus on mobile with digital. That's where the kids are so the industry will follow. I don't think they care about folk who like quality. Disc to the end for me.

[dublinbluray108]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Well you guys in Ireland and the UK don't have access to the top Streaming Providers like Vudu, and also lump Streaming with Downloads. A Fiber Infrastructure with GigaBit Speeds is becoming the way of Progressive Cities here in The States. So with enough Bandwidth, and Direct Access to your Providers' Servers the Seamless Video Quality of Digital HD is matching Blu-ray and UHD Discs with no problem.

A similar plan is happening here in Ireland as well but not from the likes of Google. There is a National Broadband plan from the Irish Government to provide high speed broadband access for people living in Rural Ireland with speeds of up to 1Gbps per household. This will cost the government around €150 million to implement but recently we had an announcement from the Irish Minister for Communications during the Irish Budget that the project is currently delayed again due to a lack of funding. This will not affect me in any case because I don't live in Rural Ireland with little to no speeds. I live in a part of Dublin that is already 100% covered by commercial ISP's. This plan is catered for Irish people whose broadband access is extremely limited due to a lack of ISP's in their area who live or who run businesses in Rural Ireland.

This coverage map shows what areas of Ireland need to be covered. There are two colours highlighted in this map. Amber is for covering areas that is going to be targeted by the plan (There is a huge amount of amber in this map btw).The blue is the area that is covered by the commercial ISPs.

http://dcenr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/we...d05bd4&level=1

Just to give you a further update on my Groove music albums while I'm here. I have about six albums to burn onto a CD left in my collection. I will pay for some more volumes of the same album afterwards & I then also will buy some remixed music on there as well. After that work is finished; I will cancel the music pass & full time go straight back to buying music on CD's that are provided from physical CD & record shops & off Amazon. Streaming was very convenient for me but it was not the same as a physical collector. I miss all of the great artwork from the CD album covers. I recently started doing this for some albums already. I got various CD soundtrack albums in stores like the 2CD edition of Batman V Superman Dawn of Justice, Alan Partridge Alpha Papa & the Disney movie classics edition of Lady & the Tramp. I also found out on Amazon that the III (2015 edition) album from Take That also includes a concert DVD with the CD.

For movies & TV shows; I did say that I did stuck with physical copies as well as a small amount of digital copies on Flixster/Ultraviolet. This is simply because of the high cost of downloading individual titles from the Internet. The physical copies of TV & Movies are buy & large much cheaper here in Ireland because they can be bought various sales through some of it's major record stores. I did a check of one TV series that I had bought recently on Blu-ray. I had bought a second hand copy of Gotham S1 on Blu-ray for €10 in CEX in Bray in Wicklow about two weeks ago. I also got the free Digital HD copy given to me without any major hiccup on Flixster as well.

I did a check of the price of the show yesterday through the Irish Windows Store App on Windows 10. The price of the show as a HD download was a eye watering €45.50 for only season 1. If you wanted to rent an episode of season 1; 1 episode will cost you €3 each from the same app.

I am glad that I didn't buy it on Digital HD after all. If I had a high speed connection; I would look like a right fool buying that stuff only as a download.

[rui no onna]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Well you guys in Ireland and the UK don't have access to the top Streaming Providers like Vudu, and also lump Streaming with Downloads. A Fiber Infrastructure with GigaBit Speeds is becoming the way of Progressive Cities here in The States. So with enough Bandwidth, and Direct Access to your Providers' Servers the Seamless Video Quality of Digital HD is matching Blu-ray and UHD Discs with no problem.

Los Angeles must be stuck in the Dark Ages, then. Home broadband here is nowhere near gigabit speed. LTE is so congested I count myself lucky if I can get 5Mbps down and 1Mbps up.

Maybe the people living in Bel-Air and Beverly Hills get gigabit. Alas, I'm just a poor schmuck.

[mike568]

Where I live in a legacy Charter area I just upgraded from 60Mbs down to 100Mbs down for $0.67 a month difference. The only hicup is it's only 5Mbs upload. On Speedtest.net I get 135Mbs down and 6Mbs upload. ATT LTE is congrested in my area.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I hear a lot about stuttering or the picture freezing for a split second on Vudu. I take it this is only a issue for people without super fast Fibre?

Vudu is nowhere near requiring fibre. You get their best possible 1080p quality if you have about 15-20Mbps or higher (for a single stream).

Anyway, I think the industry will focus on mobile with digital. That's where the kids are so the industry will follow. I don't think they care about folk who like quality. Disc to the end for me.

I think the increasing number of 4K streaming services prove the opposite.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by rui no onna

Los Angeles must be stuck in the Dark Ages, then. Home broadband here is nowhere near gigabit speed. LTE is so congested I count myself lucky if I can get 5Mbps down and 1Mbps up.

Maybe the people living in Bel-Air and Beverly Hills get gigabit. Alas, I'm just a poor schmuck.

I grew up in L.A., and like you said it depends on where you live but AT&T must have some areas with GigaPower. So if your area is not getting it, maybe it's time to move out of The Dark Ages!