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

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Apple did amazing updates to the Music streaming service including compressed ATMOS, spatial audio and even high res audio. Streaming Audio can be good for music.

It doesn't compare well to Blu Ray Audio which is still much better. I think a lot of music fans don't realize you can get easily accessible lossless high res surround sound on Blu Ray Audio.

Last time I sampled Apple Music, I thought it was flat and lifeless. Granted, that was about 2 years ago.

[stonesfan129]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Last time I sampled Apple Music, I thought it was flat and lifeless. Granted, that was about 2 years ago.

That wasn't my impression. I always found 256k AAC files (through Apple's encoder) to sound excellent compared to a lossless source. I have quite a few of the "Apple Digital Master" albums from iTunes and they sound great. To me, AAC is a far better lossy format than MP3.

[bhampton]

I'm convinced Apple Music is the best and for me there's no doubt as my kids have all Apple tech and I can share it with the whole family.

Apple music pays the artists the most per stream.

They didn't want to migrate from Spotify at first. The only thing I liked better about Spotify is there were links to any tours if the artist was on tour. I never took advantage of it but it was nice to see it there.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by stonesfan129

That wasn't my impression. I always found 256k AAC files (through Apple's encoder) to sound excellent compared to a lossless source. I have quite a few of the "Apple Digital Master" albums from iTunes and they sound great. To me, AAC is a far better lossy format than MP3.

I”m far from convinced.

[Ender14]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Well I'm glad all you guys think you are so knowledgeable, and have the best equipment and media money can buy. My old Sony Headphones finally bit the dust, so I upgraded to the new Sony WH-L600 Wireless Digital Surround Dolby Audio Sound Headphones. They sound Terrific, and give me that Immersive Sound when watching my Digital Movies and TV Shows...Like Disney+ Mandalorian!

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Though we never agree on anything, I use those headphones and can attest they sound great. Not as good as a true surround setup but I generally watch movies after everyone else is asleep so it's my best option at the moment. The bass from the Bumblebee UHD actually rattles the headphones on my head. And even though it's simulated surround, there is nice separation of the surround channels.

That being said, they are not new. I've had mine for 3+ years now.

[Wendell R. Breland]

For those with Atmos and Prime Video, check out the opening music for S2 of Carnival Row. Seems there is a lot of “horny people” in that series.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by bhampton

When he said the AVR is rated at 165Watts into 1 channel and then you realize that amplification stage is shared to 7 speakers - I guess they hope you don't like math.

Agreed, Sony and other AVR manufactures should state the power available for each channel when all channels are driven. Checked Yamaha and Marantz < $1000 AVR's and none list the power available with all channels driven.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Well I'm glad all you guys think you are so knowledgeable, and have the best equipment and media money can buy.

Some here do not think they are knowledgeable, they know they are and have degrees in various fields related to electronics, pictures and sound. Some have Linkedin accounts where you can read more about them. Have not updated my account in a very long time. I'm no longer a member of SMPTE or AES, do wish I had the latest SMPTE TV and Film standards and recommended practices. Mine are almost 20 years old.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Well I'm glad all you guys think you are so knowledgeable, and have the best equipment and media money can buy.

I'm still learning a lot. I have the best that I am able to buy. My most recent purchases being used components.

I have finished dialing in my new audio system and just finished experiencing Kubo and the Two Strings.



I'm stunned, it was so beautiful. I have a lingering feeling of pure satisfaction.

Whatever your equipment is be open to striving to get the best from it and also letting it do it's magic and you can't go wrong.

There is always a next level and it's always worth reaching for.

-Brian

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I'm still learning a lot. I have the best that I am able to buy. My most recent purchases being used components.

I have finished dialing in my new audio system and just finished experiencing Kubo and the Two Strings.



I'm stunned, it was so beautiful. I have a lingering feeling of pure satisfaction.

Whatever your equipment is be open to striving to get the best from it and also letting it do it's magic and you can't go wrong.

There is always a next level and it's always worth reaching for.

-Brian

I have the more recent versions on BD and they are great. I've been meaning to upgrade to 4K disc for Kubo, Boxtrolls, Coraline, and Paranorman.

[cheez avenger]

Just finished watching Boston Strangler on HULU (in 4K HDR / 5.1) and will be seeing Shazaam 2 in Dolby Cinema tonight.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by alchav21

All these Movies might be coming in UHD in Vudu, I have Avatar and Titanic in HDX!

they might also come to Beta Not that I would care if they do or don't but if they were announced that they are coming to VUDU at least you would have a reason to post as informative to others that might care. Any title might come to any format at any time why post your assumption and wishful thinking as if it matters?

[cheez avenger]

Shazam 2 was awesome! The Dolby Cinema presentation was great and the 4K disc should be great. Phenomenal Atmos sound! It's not tracking well in terms of making money, so this may be the only weekend you can catch it on a premium screen. John Wick 4 is next week and that's gobbling up all the premium screens.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

they might also come to Beta Not that I would care if they do or don't but if they were announced that they are coming to VUDU at least you would have a reason to post as informative to others that might care. Any title might come to any format at any time why post your assumption and wishful thinking as if it matters?

I'm just saying if the Scans make it to Disc they also make it to Digital Streaming. You guys put Disc so far above Streaming, but the Quality is very Subjective and dependent on your equipment and setup. I have these Movies in HDX and now available in UHD!

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JohnWick.jpg

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by alchav21

I'm just saying if the Scans make it to Disc they also make it to Digital Streaming. You guys put Disc so far above Streaming, but the Quality is very Subjective and dependent on your equipment and setup. I have these Movies in HDX and now available in UHD!

If we tell you some facts you'll just say I can't see the difference or hear the difference. But everything you utilize now for streaming content is more compressed and has a lower bit-rate than the blu-rays or UHD Blu-rays. Thats a fact that you need to live with.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by alchav21

I'm just saying if the Scans make it to Disc they also make it to Digital Streaming.

if the powers that be have a 4k + master they can release it on UHD physical or digital. On that we agree. Does it necessarily mean it will be available in UHD on Physical and all the digital platforms. No, sometimes they don't release on physical and most often then not it is not available on every digital streaming platform because that would mean they need to sign agreements with all of them and often there tends to be exclusivity agreements because the different platform owners want people to use their system.

If you would have said hope they also make it to Vudu, I don't think anyone would have said anything as movie fans we all want content to make to our format of choice.

But in a best case scenario it came of as wishful thinking pretending to be some secrete insider info, and worst as a petty person trying to crap over some cool news for some physical media fans.

You guys put Disc so far above Streaming, but the Quality is very Subjective and dependent on your equipment and setup.

quality is not subjective no matter how much you state that BS. It is measurable and testable and so objective. How much someone cares for it is subjective. The same way some person with limited ncome might go with a medium size over large to save 1$ to save 1$ while a super rich person, might noty bat an eyelid on 1M$ Yacht upgrade because that more expensive colour is more in trend right now.

as for equipment and set-up. I don't fully agree with you. Christmas 2006 when I went to my sisters I could have brought some DVDs but instead I brought my PS3 and BDs even if it was connected to an old tube SD TV and TV speakers. If the source is lesser quality the final result will be lesser quality (unless the device(s) is truly defective) no matter what equipment is used. And to me that better quality for the few days we would all be there was important.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by alchav21

I'm just saying if the Scans make it to Disc they also make it to Digital Streaming.

It took a long time before some of my disc titles that were 2.39 to make it to my digital lockers and replace the P&S versions. You assume all digital locker content is the same, it is not. Do I really need to post links to videos on this subject, again?

You guys put Disc so far above Streaming, but the Quality is very Subjective and dependent on your equipment and setup.

As pointed out to you specifically, several times, encodes can be measured objectively. Common amongst all codecs being used, the higher the bit rate used the more true to the uncompressed source the encode will be.

FACT, most streaming is targeted to the masses, who, like you deems the quality “good enough”. And I concur, I see artifacts from time to time but I would wager 99.5% of the viewing audience will never see them. Does not take a business heavy weight to know you do not spend large sums to satisfy that .5%.

FACT, I own my disc and they can not be altered, removed, charge more to continue to view them, etc. MA sent me an email recently saying I must re-link my MA movies to my other digital lockers which I did. Now my Apple iTunes via the ATV4K shows 4 titles rather than my several hundred, a glitch but an aggravation just the same.

[gotmule]

Movies and tv shows are considered Art, and are interpreted and enjoyed in different ways across the board by the masses who view them. Some go to greater lengths and cost to experience them in the best conditions possible or within their means, all the while protecting the art to ensure it is not altered or removed. Does that make those that do elitists or snobs? Not so sure nor do I really care.

Music is definitely art, and going to see a show is similar in the sense that some of us spend considerably more money for great seats in order to experience the music from both an auditory and visual spectacle. Some just want to spend $20 for lawn seats and sit on a blanket next to a bunch of soccer Moms who have had too many White Claws and watch the show on the video screens on the side of the stage because they can’t see what is happening on the stage from where they are, nor can they appreciate some of the subtleties with the music due to the mix being dialed in for an area a few hundred feet in front of them. Once again, does that make those who spend the money for the best seats elitists? Not sure nor do I care.

Or is it the soccer Moms who are elitists as they get in their $80,000 SUVs to head home? Not sure nor do I care.

The difference between these examples however is that those who prefer buying lawn seats do not talk about nor prognosticate a time when the great seats go away, and we are all sitting on that blanket watching the show on a Jumbotron taking glee in that fact.

But when it comes to disc vs digital, there are definitely those who do all of those things and maybe more, and think that those of us who go to greater lengths and cost to enjoy the same art as it is intended to be enjoyed are the crazy ones, elitists, or home theater snobs because of our gear.

Do those who buy lawn seats enjoy the show? I would hazard a guess and say yes. Is it the same experience to those who have seats within the first 10 rows? Definitely not. Do those who stream content listening to tv speakers or wireless headphones enjoy the movie or tv show? Absolutely yes. Is it the same experience as watching the same movie or tv show on a 4K disc in a calibrated home theater of a certain level? Hell no…..and stop pretending that it is.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

FACT, I own my disc and they can not be altered, removed, charge more to continue to view them, etc. MA sent me an email recently saying I must re-link my MA movies to my other digital lockers which I did. Now my Apple iTunes via the ATV4K shows 4 titles rather than my several hundred, a glitch but an aggravation just the same.

Why don’t you just go into settings for your profile and the link you have a problem with disconnect and then add it again? I had no such problem with the re-link retailers. (Locker)

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by alchav21

I'm just saying if the Scans make it to Disc they also make it to Digital Streaming.

Not true.

Some things remain exclusive to disc some things remain exclusive to streaming.

To give an instant example, West World Season 1 is available on UHD disc and unavailabe for 4K streaming.



When trying to make a point about something, it's better to either know what you are saying or do a tiny bit of research at least.

Any rational person has the ability to do both giving them access to anything available they want to enjoy.