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

[Wendell R. Breland]

Not very many non-region A BD in my library but those few B disc make it worthwhile to have a region free player (Oppo UDP-203), IMHO of course.

If I chose a region B region title on the Zappiti and play without menu it plays straight away. If I play with menu I have to select the region. The only time I use the menu is with concert titles, do this for song selection.

[Wendell R. Breland]

For those watching TROP via Prime Video, have checked the data rate via Prime diagnostic (Shield Pro) and ATV4K HUD and both show video as 20 Mbps, audio (Atmos) is 448 Kbps. Neither indicate the HDR mode.

Other Prime UHD originals have a video data rate of 15 Mbps. Would be interesting to know who made this choice for TROP, Prime Video or Warner or both.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by gotmule

Nor do I…..but still on the radar to grab one eventually

My Panasonic UB9000 isn't region free but the only Region B disc I have recently tried plays on it if you start with the top menu key.

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by bhampton

My Panasonic UB9000 isn't region free but the only Region B disc I have recently tried plays on it if you start with the top menu key.

I read about that trick working on some titles. I need to find some titles only available outside of US that spark enough interest to grab them and try it out or buy a player and join the ranks.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Attachment 281005 Attachment 281006

I... bought The Black Phone on Sale on Vudu. Fantastic!

I just did the same. Now stop giving me ideas.

$9.99 for the 4K digital vs. $24.49 for the blu-ray made this an easy choice for a blind buy. If I end up liking the movie, I will buy it on 4K disc... if it becomes available, but in the meantime I can take this title out for a test drive AND share it with my friends.

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I just did the same. Now stop giving me ideas.

$9.99 for the 4K digital vs. $24.49 for the blu-ray made this an easy choice for a blind buy. If I end up liking the movie, I will buy it on 4K disc... if it becomes available, but in the meantime I can take this title out for a test drive AND share it with my friends.

Really liked the movie. Checked a lot of boxes. Strong audio with a cool score, solid video and camera work, and a damn creepy Ethan Hawke.

[russweiss1]

Originally Posted by CV19

I'm probably the only one here who still hasn't converted to multi-region discs. In a way, it's a mixed blessing. Although I am admittedly missing out on some fantastic American releases that are region-locked, at the same time this is also removing the temptation for me to spend even more money.

It took me a few years to buy a region free player and I actually started buying discs before I could play them. After getting the player I definitely ramped up my spending but have never regretted it. Being able to buy discs from any country is a must if you collect.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I just did the same. Now stop giving me ideas.

$9.99 for the 4K digital vs. $24.49 for the blu-ray made this an easy choice for a blind buy. If I end up liking the movie, I will buy it on 4K disc... if it becomes available, but in the meantime I can take this title out for a test drive AND share it with my friends.

Your first experience of the film will be an inferior one.

Why save money? Didn’t think it was a priority for you?

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by gotmule

Really liked the movie. Checked a lot of boxes. Strong audio with a cool score, solid video and camera work, and a damn creepy Ethan Hawke.

Liked it well enough for a Netflix rental but not well enough for repeat viewing.

Have Where the Crawdads Sing in my queue, in my young years was in the areas (Madisonville & Mandeville, LA) where the movie was shot. A very different terrain.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Your first experience of the film will be an inferior one.

Why save money? Didn’t think it was a priority for you?

I knew you would misunderstand.

It was a blind buy of a movie that I was unsure about that only cost me $10. That's less than the price of a movie ticket. I was able to see it immediately and to share it with my friends. I watched it last night.

The digital copy was in 4K and it probably looked as good or better than the blu-ray, which is all that is available at the moment on disc. It did not seem like an "inferior" viewing experience at all.

In the end I will have spent MORE money, not less. I liked the movie a lot and I will buy it on disc, preferably on a yet to be released 4K disc. This is just another example where my buying the digital copy leads to my buying the movie on disc. I will have bought the movie twice. I will have supported the movie twice. A win for both formats.

[Warm Gun]

As I am backing up my Bergman's Cinema collection again, I realize the only way to easily get the discs out is to first stick a piece of paper under. It has the worst sleeves of my entire movie collection.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I knew you would misunderstand.

It was a blind buy of a movie that I was unsure about that only cost me $10. That's less than the price of a movie ticket. I was able to see it immediately and to share it with my friends. I watched it last night.

The digital copy was in 4K and it probably looked as good or better than the blu-ray, which is all that is available at the moment on disc. It did not seem like an "inferior" viewing experience at all.

In the end I will have spent MORE money, not less. I liked the movie a lot and I will buy it on disc, preferably on a yet to be released 4K disc. This is just another example where my buying the digital copy leads to my buying the movie on disc. I will have bought the movie twice. I will have supported the movie twice. A win for both formats.

You will get splinters sitting on the fence!

Blind buy always and in the best quality.

Are you turning into Alchav?

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

You will get splinters sitting on the fence!

Blind buy always and in the best quality.

Are you turning into Alchav?

Finding a way to see a movie before deciding to buy it on disc is nothing new. I have been doing exactly that for decades.

Had I watched this first on cable TV, an even more "inferior experience", we would not even be having this conversation. You just have an irrational fear, one of many, about digital purchases. Well, except for digitally distributed video games. You have no problem buying those.

As for "best quality", I do not know that the blu-ray disc is actually better in this instance than the 4K digital copy. They are probably about equal in my guesstimation. I have not seen the blu-ray, so I can only speculate here. The 4K digital copy was very enjoyable; I never found myself grumbling about the quality of what I was watching.

You will be holding streaming watch parties on your tablet before I "turn into alchav." You are all ready "all in" with digital far, far more than I am.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Finding a way to see a movie before deciding to buy it on disc is nothing new. I have been doing exactly that for decades.

Had I watched this first on cable TV, an even more "inferior experience", we would not even be having this conversation. You just have an irrational fear, one of many, about digital purchases. Well, except for digitally distributed video games. You have no problem buying those.

As for "best quality", I do not know that the blu-ray disc is actually better in this instance than is the 4K digital copy. They are probably about equal in my guesstimation. I have not seen the blu-ray, so I can only speculate here. The 4K digital copy was very enjoyable; I never found myself grumbling about the quality of what I was watching.

You will be holding streaming watch parties on your tablet before I "turn into alchav." You are all ready "all in" with digital far, far more than I am.

True film fans buy blind and buy best.

[Show spoiler]Just pulling your plonk

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Liked it well enough for a Netflix rental but not well enough for repeat viewing.

Have Where the Crawdads Sing in my queue, in my young years was in the areas (Madisonville & Mandeville, LA) where the movie was shot. A very different terrain.

Crawdads looks to be a beautifully shot movie, but reviews are that is basically a love story. I am leaning towards renting I think. Nothing against love stories though.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Have Where the Crawdads Sing in my queue, in my young years was in the areas (Madisonville & Mandeville, LA) where the movie was shot. A very different terrain.

Have Crawdads arriving today. Took my family to see it and everyone I personally know who saw it and or read the book loved it.

I see it had plenty of bad press but thankfully, I saw it before knowing much about it.

I would say it was the movie event of the year for me because the only other movie I saw this year in theaters was Nope and Crawdads was better. I will buy Nope also.

Edit - ALso have the newer Dr Strange movie arriving today. I alchaved it once on D+ but can't wait to watch it in full quality.

[crutzulee]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Finding a way to see a movie before deciding to buy it on disc is nothing new. I have been doing exactly that for decades.

Had I watched this first on cable TV, an even more "inferior experience", we would not even be having this conversation. You just have an irrational fear, one of many, about digital purchases. Well, except for digitally distributed video games. You have no problem buying those.

As for "best quality", I do not know that the blu-ray disc is actually better in this instance than the 4K digital copy. They are probably about equal in my guesstimation. I have not seen the blu-ray, so I can only speculate here. The 4K digital copy was very enjoyable; I never found myself grumbling about the quality of what I was watching.

You will be holding streaming watch parties on your tablet before I "turn into alchav." You are all ready "all in" with digital far, far more than I am.

Welcome to the dark side... we've been expecting you..

[bhampton]

I recently bought one of my daughters a record player. She's having so much fun collecting music and I have purchased a couple of nice albums for her recently including Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here.

She buys used albums and so far I don't think she's had any problems with damaged discs. She enjoys cleaning them and storing them and just everything about the whole hobby. She's inspired me to be more interested in my own media and have more fun with it.

I can't wait for friday because one of my favorite records gets a high res multi channel Blu Ray Audio release.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

True film fans buy blind and buy best.

[Show spoiler]Just pulling your plonk

That's pretty rich coming from someone that can't play discs from any region. A region free player is very affordable and allows a true film fan to shop the entire world for the movies that they desire. It's hard to buy the "best" when you are restricted to just your home region. Some times the "best" edition comes from another region. Some times you have to import or do without. A true film fan would never willingly do without.

It's also funny how you don't hold TV shows to the same standard. Quality doesn't matter so much there.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by bhampton

She buys used albums and so far I don't think she's had any problems with damaged discs. She enjoys cleaning them and storing them and just everything about the whole hobby. She's inspired me to be more interested in my own media and have more fun with it.

Record albums are typically referred to do as "platters." Back in pre-historic times when they ruled our stereos I never recalled anyone calling them "discs."

I am glad that your daughter is enjoying her new found hobby. I always hated the fragility of LPs and all of the maintenance and care that they required... all of which could be undone in an instant if you had an accident with them.

I never cared for their "snap, crackle, pop" noise, either. I was never "wowed" by their "flutter."

I, too, am a Pink Floyd fan. You have good taste.