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

[ArmyOfDarknessAW]

Netflix isn't comparable to Vudu at all. Vudu is just for renting and purchasing. With all the original shows and movies Netflix has to offer they are more like HBO than they are Vudu. I can't understand an aversion to Netflix even if you hate digital. The content that Netflix produces is stellar.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by ArmyOfDarknessAW

Netflix isn't comparable to Vudu at all. Vudu is just for renting and purchasing. With all the original shows and movies Netflix has to offer they are more like HBO than they are Vudu. I can't understand an aversion to Netflix even if you hate digital. The content that Netflix produces is stellar.

Don't know who you are referring to? If it's me, I have Netflix.

[ArmyOfDarknessAW]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Don't know who you are referring to? If it's me, I have Netflix.

It was in general, but I didn't think you had Netflix either haha. I thought you were 100% against digital. As I said it is more HBO than anything. Cool to see you have Netflix at least.

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

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?

I wish I knew. I'd venture to guess that Vudu is doing well enough to be considered successful, but that's not exactly based on any hard evidence or raw data.

I see iTunes sticking around a good while, considering how prominent it is and how it is almost synonymous with Digital HD. I do wonder how that would all change if Apple's iPhones started significantly losing business or ultimately become discontinued a decade from now. Would the iPod also disappear? Does anyone even use an iPod anymore? Would iTunes just be used for Apple TV? How long would that last after the iPhone is no more?

I noticed that you have the Disney subscription service over there. That's very interesting. You never had Disney Movies Anywhere did you? The digital landscape is kind of a mess, that's for sure. Way too many different providers and subscription services, with no way of knowing which will stand the test of time.

Ultimately, I wish there was just one universal digital provider to help keep things simple. But even that would be bad for consumers because there would then be no competition, therefore potentially no deals, and some might dislike the interface or something. There will probably always be different providers, and we're probably better off for it.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by ArmyOfDarknessAW

It was in general, but I didn't think you had Netflix either haha. I thought you were 100% against digital. As I said it is more HBO than anything. Cool to see you have Netflix at least.

I am the same as you. I see it as a cable option. My concerns lie with films. I very rarely watch films on Netflix. For stuff I have no interest in owning, Netflix is fine. The demand for quality isn't there because it's watch once stuff. For tv shows I love, I ALWAYS buy the Blu if available.

[hogger129]

I want to know when downloads are going to = Blu-ray quality. I just bought two Blu-ray discs from Amazon and it's $5.98 for S&H. That is ridiculous. But what's the alternative? Buy a terribly compressed download that I can only watch in iTunes or sign into some online streaming site for a monthly rate...

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

I wish I knew. I'd venture to guess that Vudu is doing well enough to be considered successful, but that's not exactly based on any hard evidence or raw data.

I see iTunes sticking around a good while, considering how prominent it is and how it is almost synonymous with Digital HD. I do wonder how that would all change if Apple's iPhones started significantly losing business or ultimately become discontinued a decade from now. Would the iPod also disappear? Does anyone even use an iPod anymore? Would iTunes just be used for Apple TV? How long would that last after the iPhone is no more?

I noticed that you have the Disney subscription service over there. That's very interesting. You never had Disney Movies Anywhere did you? The digital landscape is kind of a mess, that's for sure. Way too many different providers and subscription services, with no way of knowing which will stand the test of time.

Ultimately, I wish there was just one universal digital provider to help keep things simple. But even that would be bad for consumers because there would then be no competition, therefore potentially no deals, and some might dislike the interface or something. There will probably always be different providers, and we're probably better off for it.

I would guess if the iPad, iPod and iPhone were gone, Apple would be just about finished in the media world.

No, just the subscription service. Probably because of poor Digital sales here?

The market is indeed a mess. People have a go at me for posting in these threads given my loyalty to Bluray. To me it's like a nuclear war. I may not want it but I sure as heck want to be prepared and stocked up underground if it does happen.

Ironically, the mess that is Flixster (IMO) is probably pushing digital fans to iTunes even more so than usual. Bet UV didn't see that coming?

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

What is Vudu's share of the market?

Vudu sits somewhere around 5% in EST, and about 15% in VoD (rental). For comparison, iTunes has about 65% in EST and 45% in VoD.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Vudu sits somewhere around 5% in EST, and about 15% in VoD (rental). For comparison, iTunes has about 65% in EST and 45% in VoD.

Thanks, that's pretty shocking considering it's a few years old. In the U.K Sky only offered their digital HD service in the past 18 months and already have the second biggest marketshare behind iTunes.

[8traxrule]

For comparison, iTunes has about 65% in EST and 45% in VoD.

Don't see how that's possible considering the only device that works with that is the Apple TV. Vudu is available on practically everything.

[echopulse]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Vudu sits somewhere around 5% in EST, and about 15% in VoD (rental). For comparison, iTunes has about 65% in EST and 45% in VoD.

How old are those numbers, and what is your source? The last time I saw a survey report was 2013. I'd imagine it's increased a lot since then.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by 8traxrule

Don't see how that's possible considering the only device that works with that is the Apple TV. Vudu is available on practically everything.

It backs up my argument that digital is used mostly on mobile devices.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by 8traxrule

Don't see how that's possible considering the only device that works with that is the Apple TV. Vudu is available on practically everything.

You'd think so, but the Apple TV has an installed base of around 30 million units in the US. Together with iPads and computers running iTunes, it's apparently enough for iTunes to maintain its market lead.

I suspect devices like smart TVs and BD players are primarily used for non-EST types of streaming (subscriptions and rental). This would partially explain why iTunes' lead is a lot smaller in the VoD market. People who are invested in digital purchases probably don't have an issue buying a dedicated streaming box.

The data I have are from a 2015 industry report (which is not freely available).

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by 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.

Well that is my Grandkids, and it goes back to the parents, what kind of priorities they had. I think the biggest HDTV they had was a 32", and that's because they didn't have room for anything bigger. So in their world Home Theater was small, and they still go to the Cinema a lot.

So if you don't have UV and no Vudu, I can see why you don't like Digital HD. Here in The States UV is growing faster each day, and we have a ton of UV Stores. I keep saying it's all Digital now, even the Cinemas have gone Digital Projectors. So I say the future is a Fiber Infrastructure, and Picture Quality and Sound will only be limited by the amount of Bandwidth you have. Cinemas, Home Theaters, and Mobile Devices will access their Movies from their Provider's Servers.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by 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 ...

I guess it all depends if their priorities change, but they feel Big Screen Home Theaters cost too much for them to afford. Right now they feel even with a good job, buying a Home Theater will not be at the top of their list.

As for Home Theaters I'm with you except for the Projector, even though I have a DLP which is Rear Projector. Now I feel the Home Theater is in the 65" or bigger category, with the appropriate Sound System.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Well that is my Grandkids, and it goes back to the parents, what kind of priorities they had. I think the biggest HDTV they had was a 32", and that's because they didn't have room for anything bigger. So in their world Home Theater was small, and they still go to the Cinema a lot.

So if you don't have UV and no Vudu, I can see why you don't like Digital HD. Here in The States UV is growing faster each day, and we have a ton of UV Stores. I keep saying it's all Digital now, even the Cinemas have gone Digital Projectors. So I say the future is a Fiber Infrastructure, and Picture Quality and Sound will only be limited by the amount of Bandwidth you have. Cinemas, Home Theaters, and Mobile Devices will access their Movies from their Provider's Servers.

Well, UV doesn't seem to be growing that much. iTunes is still the daddy and that is Digital HD not UV. Same with Amazon. Vudu apparently, has a small share of that pie. Indeed, the Vudu spark has flopped apparently.

By the way, we do have UV, just no decent store fronts. That is an ongoing situation and I guess the non UV guys are doing enough business without having to concern themselves with joining.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Well, UV doesn't seem to be growing that much. iTunes is still the daddy and that is Digital HD not UV. Same with Amazon. Vudu apparently, has a small share of that pie. Indeed, the Vudu spark has flopped apparently.

By the way, we do have UV, just no decent store fronts. That is an ongoing situation and I guess the non UV guys are doing enough business without having to concern themselves with joining.

Well I don't know where you get your information, but UV has grown 50% in the last two years. I know you Apple Lovers think iTunes is the Daddy of Digital HD, but the numbers show otherwise. People like UV over iTunes because you can use it with more Devices, Apple likes to stay proprietary.

WalMart bought Vudu back in 2010, and the stock did take a dip but it has been coming back. WalMart is in a tough fight with Amazon, and their stock is $700+.....Very strong. For now Vudu is holding it's own, and I think has the biggest collection of Digital HD Movies. You can buy or rent any Movie you want, and their Disc to Digital and InstaWatch are un-matched. So I feel Vudu Digital HDX is the best of any Provider, and will be around a very long time.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Well I don't know where you get your information, but UV has grown 50% in the last two years. I know you Apple Lovers think iTunes is the Daddy of Digital HD, but the numbers show otherwise. People like UV over iTunes because you can use it with more Devices, Apple likes to stay proprietary.

WalMart bought Vudu back in 2010, and the stock did take a dip but it has been coming back. WalMart is in a tough fight with Amazon, and their stock is $700+.....Very strong. For now Vudu is holding it's own, and I think has the biggest collection of Digital HD Movies. You can buy or rent any Movie you want, and their Disc to Digital and InstaWatch are un-matched. So I feel Vudu Digital HDX is the best of any Provider, and will be around a very long time.

But those numbers have grew from a very low starting point. It probably just means more people have activated an account to redeem the codes from their Bluray. Sure Vudu seems to be popular but I don't see how (in the face of Itunes, Amazon, Google) they can compete long term. If the share percentage figures are correct, that is not great. Six years and still not making that much progress.

On the subject of Vudu, I did an extensive search and the constant theme seems to be of Lip-sync issues and dropped frames. That simply wouldn't do for my home cinema.

Finally, I like Apple because their model works well. As with Netflix, they cater to all people not just the U.S.A. (I hear Australia has it bad with UV also) That is my idea of a good business model. In terms of ITunes, they fall way short of Blu-Ray and always will IMO. But for me, they would be the best of a bad bunch come the nuclear fallout (the end of optical media)

If you can show me figures that disprove ITunes has the biggest share, I'm listening.

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by 8traxrule

Don't see how that's possible considering the only device that works with that is the Apple TV. Vudu is available on practically everything.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you connect a laptop to the TV and stream it (or playback a download) via PC or MAC with iTunes installed?

Originally Posted by Steedeel

It backs up my argument that digital is used mostly on mobile devices.

Yes, it's possible that many people are using digital primarily for mobile devices, as much as I hate to think about it. I only use them on mobile devices when I'm away from home. Other than that, it's all about watching it on the TV through my dedicated streaming devices.

There really is no perfect delivery method for movies it seems. Everyone has a preference, and none of those preferred methods are guaranteed to be around forever or be the studio's main focus. For all we know, digital could be replaced by something else years from now. Who knows what that would be or when that would be or why that would be. Heh

[huskerbear]

There hasn't been any new number (market share) for quite some time but Vudu was at 5% 5 or 6 years ago and I believe it has grown a lot since. I'm sure itunes is still the largest though.

http://www.fierceonlinevideo.com/sto...ojo/2011-08-24