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

[Cranston37]

Originally Posted by PenguinMaster

I personally have never had any problems with using portable devices, that's not a factor in my stance against digital media. While I most commonly watch on a large TV I also have a portable DVD player for when I'm multi-tasking or not at home. People are free to watch their content however they choose, but they shouldn't let the studios retain full control over the content.

And for someone like me who obtained the digital media they watch on their mobile devices by redeeming the codes they got as part of their physical disc purchase???

Let me tell you guys a story: A friend of mine is a huge film buff. At one point he had all the Criterions arranged by spine number on his shelves. Then one day he told me that he had gotten his girlfriend pregnant. He married her, quit drinking, quit smoking, and got a bigger condo. He sold every blu-ray he had but gained a second kid and now has himself a beautiful little family.

Because he can't afford to buy any more discs, I had him start a UV account just so he could connect it to mine. Now he can watch everything that comes out for free. The black levels might be crushed and the audio not lossless, and the screen the size of his iMac, but he doesn't care.

I asked before if it was snobbery or ignorance - right now I'm leaning towards pinky finger in the air while sipping on your cup snobbery.

Cheers

[PenguinMaster]

Originally Posted by Cranston37

And for someone like me who obtained the digital media they watch on their mobile devices by redeeming the codes they got as part of their physical disc purchase???

If that's your entire digital collection that doesn't bother me at all. If your entire digital collection is counted as physical purchases it will never prevent any studios from releasing anything on physical media. When people purchase digital media instead of physical media this tells the studios that they won't lose sales if they release future titles only on digital media.

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Actually, that's not true. The masses are actually buying the HD version over the SD version at a much higher rate. That baffles me, they won't buy Bluray but they go for the HD version of a digital copy.

If you are referring to DVD over Bluray, yes you are right. Apologies if that's the case.

Finally, if everyone goes for the SD mobile version, TV sets won't exist because the model will be standard for subscription and tv channels as well IMO. (Netflix at a cheaper cost for mobile subscription etc..) Will there even be enough people to maintain a big screen market in that case?

So you're saying that the masses still want the higher quality versions of digital copies? Then why do you keep maintaining the argument that people would go with lower quality digital in the future? People choose digital for various reasons, some of which involves convenience. Some people don't care about showing off their collection on the shelves. Some people like all the little deals going on with digital. Why are you so baffled by that? Several of us here have tried to explain why we like digital. Is it not getting through?

If you say that the majority of people buying digital are buying it in HD over SD then why are you so convinced that people who like digital are just looking to watch it on a mobile device? Smart TVs are common these days. If someone doesn't own one, they likely own a game console or smart Blu-ray player with similar apps. It's very convenient for people to buy digital and watch it on their TV, no matter how old the TV might be. When I ask people who they use for TV, many people say they just have Apple TV. Those are the majority of the people buying into digital. Not kids. Kids/teens watch YouTube or use less ethical ways of watching movies.

[huskerbear]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

What is their competition doing that's so much better? I'm not exactly defending Apple, though. I like their products, but I agree they aren't as innovative as they once were. It's just that the competition's products aren't that much more innovative either IMO. As for iTunes specifically, they do digital really well. I don't like the idea that some of your purchased iTunes content could someday be removed without compensation, but maybe if that really happened on a large scale, there would be grounds for a class action law suit against them. Now that would be a shame if it came to that. That item in their Ts & Cs seems like a "just in case" and not something devious.

i kinda agree with Steedeel on this...did I just say thatlol

Seriously though, to answer your question. I switched to the S7 Edge this time and love it. It's nice to have the wireless charging and always on screen. I use a charging stand on my night table so I can see the screen and have it default to showing time and date. Water resistant, much better screen, and bigger screen in a smaller phone, and I think the best looking phone imo.

Apple still makes nice phones that work well but, they are kinda selling yesterday's tech at tomorrow's prices imo. And that's a big turn around from a few years ago but they can get away with it (for now) because of their name "Apple" imo.

[hogger129]

I would have no problem buying iTunes digital copies as long as the picture wasn't full of compression artifacts, they were priced fairly and they actually worked on more than just Apple things. In terms of what it works on, Vudu is much better. But all of these streaming services could up the quality of their 1080p streams/downloads.

[Rocket Richard]

Originally Posted by darkknightman

I found that I was not using my discs anymore. I was just buying them and placing them on my shelf. I still had two and three year old blu rays in the cellophane. It just was irrational to me. I don't want collections anymore. I only have a couple of discs left, which are essentials for me and that is it.

That’s were I’m at. I feel ripped off if I bought a blu ray, only to learn that a newer better version of the same blu ray is being re-released.

The same issue will happen to collectors who chose digital......

[Mr Kite]

Good article here:

http://hometheaterreview.com/why-blu...reaming-today/

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by tele1962

Good article here:

http://hometheaterreview.com/why-blu...reaming-today/

Good, yes. Relevant, yes. It could probably still use an update or two.

I believe that article was written a few years ago. I couldn't find a date on it, but it mentioned that Amazon doesn't go beyond 720p (when it's 4K now), nor does it mention that Netflix does 4K and Vudu can do 4K and Dolby Atmos. Also, iTunes does rival the special features of Blu-ray now, and outdoes it in some instances (because of iTunes-exclusive extras).

Still, the rest of it seems pretty accurate.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

As for Digital, I'm starting to wonder if film might in the future will mean laying on one's sofa with a mobile phone held in front of them.


It's a silly choice. I'm not pro-silly choices.

Hey Steedeel, I saw my Grandkids this past weekend, they are 15 and 19 years old. I told them about your idea of watching Movies on their Watches. They said that was ridiculous, but Phone, iPad and a small screen maybe. They said that it would cost too much to own a Big Screen Home Theater, so that would not be at the top of their priorities. So you might be right, the Home Theater is not top priority with the Young Generation.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Cranston37

And for someone like me who obtained the digital media they watch on their mobile devices by redeeming the codes they got as part of their physical disc purchase???

Let me tell you guys a story: A friend of mine is a huge film buff. At one point he had all the Criterions arranged by spine number on his shelves. Then one day he told me that he had gotten his girlfriend pregnant. He married her, quit drinking, quit smoking, and got a bigger condo. He sold every blu-ray he had but gained a second kid and now has himself a beautiful little family.

Because he can't afford to buy any more discs, I had him start a UV account just so he could connect it to mine. Now he can watch everything that comes out for free. The black levels might be crushed and the audio not lossless, and the screen the size of his iMac, but he doesn't care.

I asked before if it was snobbery or ignorance - right now I'm leaning towards pinky finger in the air while sipping on your cup snobbery.

Cheers

Watered down experience.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Hey Steedeel, I saw my Grandkids this past weekend, they are 15 and 19 years old. I told them about your idea of watching Movies on their Watches. They said that was ridiculous, but Phone, iPad and a small screen maybe. They said that it would cost too much to own a Big Screen Home Theater, so that would not be at the top of their priorities. So you might be right, the Home Theater is not top priority with the Young Generation.

Might be right? I have been telling you guys that for years! It's a fact.

Also, Ultraviolet is virtually dead in the U.K. We don't have any decent storefronts and you have to jump through hoops just to get it on a big screen. It is my belief that this situation encourages the younger generation to pirate films. Maybe it's different in th U.S with Vudu but if Blu-Ray goes away over here, we are screwed. We simply won't have a means to watch films unless iTunes and Amazon stick around for decades.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Hey Steedeel, I saw my Grandkids this past weekend, they are 15 and 19 years old. I told them about your idea of watching Movies on their Watches. They said that was ridiculous, but Phone, iPad and a small screen maybe. They said that it would cost too much to own a Big Screen Home Theater, so that would not be at the top of their priorities. So you might be right, the Home Theater is not top priority with the Young Generation.

And yet, I bet they will have TVs with reasonably big screens once they earn their own money.

BTW, how do you define "home theater"? In my mind, a home theater needs a projector with a large screen and a set of full range speakers (at least in the front). Others may consider a TV with one of these 5.1 satellite speaker + woofer HTIB sets a home theater ...

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

We simply won't have a means to watch films unless iTunes and Amazon stick around for decades.

Why wouldn't they?

I do share some of your concerns regarding UV though, especially internationally. I just don't see a viable long-term business model, seeing as UV is pretty much only alive because of digital copies packed in with physical discs (as opposed to EST sales like iTunes and Amazon).

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Why wouldn't they?

I do share some of your concerns regarding UV though, especially internationally. I just don't see a viable long-term business model, seeing as UV is pretty much only alive because of digital copies packed in with physical discs (as opposed to EST sales like iTunes and Amazon).

Just my opinion, but I feel they have given up over here. (Obviously I don't care) I know a few people who use it and they feel they have been abandoned. No app on PS4 or PS3, a long drawn out affair to get it on a Roku and now it may be getting discontinued I hear. Uncertainty about which movies will playback in HD, no Apple TV app, some mobile apps freezing or not even starting playback, no Amazon, Apple, Google, Playstation, Disney or Sky option (Sky is massive in UK and the second biggest Digital HD retailer behind Apple)

It is a mess. On top of all that, I understand that Flixster customer service is poor from what I have heard. It's like (IMO) they don't want to spend any more money on proving things. Maybe they should be begging Amazon or Sky to join THEIR ranks somehow.

Anyway, I need Bluray and 4K Bluray to stick around. The future is ghastly here in the U.K.

[hogger129]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Just my opinion, but I feel they have given up over here. (Obviously I don't care) I know a few people who use it and they feel they have been abandoned. No app on PS4 or PS3, a long drawn out affair to get it on a Roku and now it may be getting discontinued I hear. Uncertainty about which movies will playback in HD, no Apple TV app, some mobile apps freezing or not even starting playback, no Amazon, Apple, Google, Playstation, Disney or Sky option (Sky is massive in UK and the second biggest Digital HD retailer behind Apple)

It is a mess. On top of all that, I understand that Flixster customer service is poor from what I have heard. It's like (IMO) they don't want to spend any more money on proving things. Maybe they should be begging Amazon or Sky to join THEIR ranks somehow.

Anyway, I need Bluray and 4K Bluray to stick around. The future is ghastly here in the U.K.

No UV app? PS3 I know has a Vudu app. Maybe I'm misunderstanding. Either way, the quality is poor. Really hoping they change the law and make ripping/transcoding legal for things you own a retail copy of.

[twobelowpar]

It isn't 2006. Nobody buys digital to watch on a 3" screen.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by hogger129

No UV app? PS3 I know has a Vudu app. Maybe I'm misunderstanding. Either way, the quality is poor. Really hoping they change the law and make ripping/transcoding legal for things you own a retail copy of.

That's great but I'm from UK. Vudu, for whatever reason, doesn't want to expand over here.

I meant no Flixster app, Flixster is all we have over here that even gets close to being a service. (Really really poor service IMO, , but a service non the less)

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by twobelowpar

It isn't 2006. Nobody buys digital to watch on a 3" screen.

No until it's the cool things do when smartwatches take off. People are easily led.

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Just my opinion, but I feel they have given up over here. (Obviously I don't care) I know a few people who use it and they feel they have been abandoned. No app on PS4 or PS3, a long drawn out affair to get it on a Roku and now it may be getting discontinued I hear. Uncertainty about which movies will playback in HD, no Apple TV app, some mobile apps freezing or not even starting playback, no Amazon, Apple, Google, Playstation, Disney or Sky option (Sky is massive in UK and the second biggest Digital HD retailer behind Apple)

It is a mess. On top of all that, I understand that Flixster customer service is poor from what I have heard. It's like (IMO) they don't want to spend any more money on proving things. Maybe they should be begging Amazon or Sky to join THEIR ranks somehow.

Anyway, I need Bluray and 4K Bluray to stick around. The future is ghastly here in the U.K.

So this helps explain a little better why you're so opposed to digital, aside from your main arguments (lower quality than Blu-ray, encourages mobile device use, potentially kills physical media in the long run).

Digital seems to be really taking off moreso in America than in the UK. Perhaps if you were in America you would be singing an ever-so-slightly different tune. That's a big "what if" though.

To me, the future does seem brighter from this side of the pond (America). Vudu is a nice option. But even with Vudu, I still really like/prefer iTunes for its iTunes Extras and overall interface. They both have something to offer, though. I haven't chosen one over the other. That's why I own a Roku 4 and Apple TV 4. Gives me the best of everything that is digital.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

So this helps explain a little better why you're so opposed to digital, aside from your main arguments (lower quality than Blu-ray, encourages mobile device use, potentially kills physical media in the long run).

Digital seems to be really taking off moreso in America than in the UK. Perhaps if you were in America you would be singing an ever-so-slightly different tune. That's a big "what if" though.

To me, the future does seem brighter from this side of the pond (America). Vudu is a nice option. But even with Vudu, I still really like/prefer iTunes for its iTunes Extras and overall interface. They both have something to offer, though. I haven't chosen one over the other. That's why I own a Roku 4 and Apple TV 4. Gives me the best of everything that is digital.

Honestly, I wouldn't. I love the collecting part, having the discs in my display room, the special editions, the collectors editions, the booklets etc.. Match that to the best quality and you get my point?

iTunes would be my choice if the unthinkable happens over the next 5-10 years. If Flixster was still the only option, I would just rent new movies (avoid Flixster like the plague) and subscribe to Netflix. Then again, will ITunes last that long! It's interesting that Disney have released a subscription service over here but have a storefront for Digital movies in your country.

Finally, I am not convinced it is taking off to be honest. Netflix and Amazon sure are taking off. They are mega. What is Vudu's share of the market?