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

[RandomNinjaAtk]

Originally Posted by hogger129

Vudu looks promising. I like that I can convert my own Blu-ray discs to digital for $2.00. I guess the question is why I have to pay $2.00 for a lower quality version.

Originally Posted by ArmyOfDarknessAW

It is a different format. DVD is a lower quality and you still have to pay for it if you have a Blu-ray. If you're concerned with the quality pay nothing to VUDU and continue on with discs.

But if you convert 10 or more discs at a time, they give you 50% off. So it effectively makes it $1.00 for blu-ray conversions to Digital HD and $2.50 for DVD conversions to Digital HD per disc.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Come on guys, when we talk about outstanding Digital HD we're talking Vudu HDX at 25+Mbps. iTunes doesn't even come close to that, no wonder you guys hate Streaming. So get some good equipment, and access a decent Provider then you can comment on Digital HD.

Vudu HDX actually uses 4.5 Mbps (see here).

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Vudu HDX actually uses 4.5 Mbps (see here).

Yeah, I don't understand why people go on and on about Vudu being lightyears better than iTunes in terms of picture quality. They each seem acceptable to me and each has their pluses and minuses. I sometimes feel like there's more visible compression on Vudu than iTunes. Like their compression algorithms aren't on equal levels. I'm not an expert, but I'd say iTunes has a fairly consistent quality, but when Vudu is at its best, it can look better than iTunes. It just isn't always at its best throughout an entire movie. That's my two cents about that for now.

[Krizzle1]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Vudu HDX actually uses 4.5 Mbps (see here).

Thats their recommended/minimum bandwidth requirements to stream HDX movies, not the actual video bitrate :/

If you can download VUDU titles, i'd be interested to see average bitrates

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by Krizzle1

Thats their recommended/minimum bandwidth requirements to stream HDX movies, not the actual video bitrate :/

Yeah, it's possible that they use adaptive streaming. But you also have to distinguish between average and peak bitrates. Generally, people overestimate how much bitrate you need for good quality. Codecs have made significant improvements in recent years (and H.265 is another big jump).

Anyway, Vudu's HDX (which is really nothing but good old 1080p HD) is nowhere near 25Mbps.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

Yeah, I don't understand why people go on and on about Vudu being lightyears better than iTunes in terms of picture quality. They each seem acceptable to me and each has their pluses and minuses.

Vudu used to be visibly better a few years ago. But iTunes has improved quite a bit. Bitrates have been creeping up as well (I noticed that file sizes for downloaded movies have gotten bigger over time).

[Mr Kite]

Originally Posted by tele1962

This is what I can not figure out, why would you prefer shelf space over picture quality. Bit like these super ultra thin TV's, I mean what is the point, it's not as if your going to pick them up and carry them to the bathroom with you?

No one answered this one.

[Krizzle1]

Originally Posted by tele1962

No one answered this one.

As for the 'ultra slim' TVs, its pleasing to the eye whenever you walk around the room (you're always looking at it head on), similarly, the iTunes movie library/layout looks more pleasing than a stack of Bluray spines

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by tele1962

No one answered this one.

Depends on how big your collection is. Once you reach 500 or so, shelf space does become an issue if you want to keep the boxes (I have actually thrown away most of my boxes and put the discs in two of those 600-disc aluminum storage cases).

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Depends on how big your collection is. Once you reach 500 or so, it does become an issue if you want to keep the boxes (I have actually thrown away most of my boxes and put the discs in two of those 600-disc aluminum storage cases).

It's only an issue to those that treat their home like a show home (rather than enjoying it to it's full extent and properly living in it), and always want it to look like it belongs on the cover of architecture monthly.

With nice shelves a collection out in the open can look nice, even to those that prefer to keep their collection hidden. My shelves are custom made (out of solid Tasmanian oak), they are a modern design, and achieve this IMO. No-one has ever said that they see them as an eyesore.

[Fiffy]

Originally Posted by Cevolution

It's only an issue to those that treat their home like a show home (rather than enjoying it to it's full extent and properly living in it), and always want it to look like it belongs on the cover of architecture monthly.

With nice shelves a collection out in the open can look nice, even to those that prefer to keep their collection hidden. My shelves are custom made (out of solid Tasmanian oak), they are a modern design, and achieve this IMO.

I find it pretty amazing how you accuse others of "treating their home like a show home" based on nothing at all, and then go on to brag about your "Tasmanian oak" shelves in the same posting.

[Cevolution]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

I find it pretty amazing how you accuse others of "treating their home like a show home" and then go on to brag about your "Tasmanian oak" shelves in the same posting.

I'm not sure why you took that as bragging, can't people mention these things when it has some relevance to the discussion without someone thinking this? If you thought that was bragging, then perhaps you have some insecurities. You hard drive collectors often mention that you think homes look ugly with movies out in the open, which you and another member are implying a few posts above, so I was merely giving another perspective. There is a difference between having pride in your home, and going to extremes by not purchasing certain things that are considered normal around the home, due to an obsession with wanting your home to look nice.

Edit: You obviously don't like movies to be displayed out in the open, if this isn't due to wanting your home to look nice, then what are your reasons for this?

[PCFan]

Originally Posted by Fiffy

Depends on how big your collection is. Once you reach 500 or so, shelf space does become an issue if you want to keep the boxes (I have actually thrown away most of my boxes and put the discs in two of those 600-disc aluminum storage cases).

Personally, I would never get rid of the cases/boxes if I was into blu-ray collecting again, even if I don't have the shelf space. I had most of my blu-ray collection stored in 3 medium sized CD binders. It actually was more of a hassle for me taking the disc out of a binder and putting the disc back in the binder because of the sleeves, finding which movie is in which binder, than just taking the disc out of the case and putting it back in the case. It also lowered the resale value of my collection drastically, especially without the artwork. I finally recently sold the majority of my blu-ray collection because I felt guilty about getting rid of the cases and art work each time I bought a blu-ray just to have the space to store it and I was throwing money out the window by doing it that way. I was able to resell by blu-rays with the binders but I got around $1.27 per blu-ray + $10 for each binder - shipping - ebay and payal fees. 2nd hand stores in my area do not accept blu-rays without cases and artwork, so my only choice was selling them online for the ones without the cases and artwork. Reason I got rid of the cases and artwork was because I was not planning on selling my blu-rays but collecting blu-rays is just not the same if you get rid of the cases and artwork and it feels like I was degrading my collection. I did not want to degrade my collection just because I did not have space. I still own a few blu-ray boxed sets and I'm keeping those, at least for now.

[Cevolution]

^ I've seen you mention that you have trouble being able to fit as little as 200 movies in your place PCFan, if you don't mind me asking, why is this? i.e. - Are you a student that lives on campus? Do you live in share accommodation with people that are not your immediate family, and only have one room to store most of your stuff? Does your partner dictate how much space you are allowed for these things? Can you only afford an extremely small dwelling?...

[Rocket Richard]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I have so many happy memories of my local VHS store. I was around when videos first came out. Carrie, Halloween, The Exorcist, American Werewolf in London, Dawn Of The Dead! Happy days.

Those were the days, eh? Picture quality sure has come a long way from those tiny Tube TV’s!!!

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Rocket Richard

Those were the days, eh? Picture quality sure has come a long way from those tiny Tube TV’s!!!

There was nothing tiny about our tube tv. Regular broadcast looked great as well.

Long way? Depends if you are watching Netflix on a phone with 'binge on' or watching on a projector in 4K.

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

There was nothing tiny about our tube tv. Regular broadcast looked great as well.

Long way? Depends if you are watching Netflix on a phone with 'binge on' or watching on a projector in 4K.

How about Netflix in 4K? I have that, and it's quite nice. Obviously I plan to watch UHD Blu-rays as well, though. Who would have thought home theaters would get this good? We're all very lucky.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

How about Netflix in 4K? I have that, and it's quite nice. Obviously I plan to watch UHD Blu-rays as well, though. Who would have thought home theaters would get this good? We're all very lucky.

Netflix 4K is no great shakes. Just not the same experience as 4K Blu-Ray.

[master gandhi]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Netflix 4K is no great shakes. Just not the same experience as 4K Blu-Ray.

I'll take your word for it, and I'll be able to watch my 4K Blu-rays as soon as another manufacturer puts out a 4K Blu-ray player in the U.S. other than Samsung. I don't want the first player to market. Do you have the Panasonic version?

If 4K really takes off, there should be a 4K Apple TV in 2-3 years, I imagine, with 4K digital copies on iTunes. In the meantime, I'm all over 4K Blu-ray. And I'm sure I'd continue to balance physical and digital.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by master gandhi

I'll take your word for it, and I'll be able to watch my 4K Blu-rays as soon as another manufacturer puts out a 4K Blu-ray player in the U.S. other than Samsung. I don't want the first player to market. Do you have the Panasonic version?

No, my friend has it. Couldn't wait. I am biding my time for a Oppo and hoping the new PS4 supports playback so I have a stand by.

No rush, I want to get it right. I swear by Oppo, had a DVD player and Bluray player and they are both tanks. Great players.