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

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

HDMI: One Cable to rule them all, One Cable to find them, One Cable to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

Apparently, this show has really stated to gather momentum, I may need to start watching.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by alchav21

You tell me I don't have Apple TV. Greyhound is a good Movie, I saw it in Texas when it came out on a Cousin's OLED TV that had Apple TV. So when you watch it over Wireless do you see all the Artifacts and does it Stream smooth with no breaks or Pixelation? Then when you Stream over Ethernet is it the same or does it look better?

I guess I am the only one that doesn't have any problems Streaming from any Provider. Wendell wants some Diagnostics Proof I'll see if I can work on that. I think I have an idea why my Network is better. My ISP CSN uses CenturyLink to access the Telco Fiber Backbone. So I have Fiber all the way!

That’s the point, it’s no different. Picture break up and buffering is a thing of the past for me. All I’m seeing (as John and pretty much everyone else point out) is the artefacts common to streaming. Namely banding, dropped frames (occasionally), and background pixelation in dark scenes or backgrounds with areas of the same colour.

Less so with Disney and Apple content at 4K.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

One thing I have't noticed with modern WiFi6 routers is any issues with a reasonably active WifI spectrum, there is never a instance that the signal levels cause any reason for the router to switch channels being used, they simply are all distinct and not interfering with each other.

For those so inclined, I use a Wi-Fi channel analyzer and set my router Wi-Fi and access point Wi-Fi channels manually.

[Show spoiler]

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

For those so inclined, I use a Wi-Fi channel analyzer and set my router Wi-Fi and access point Wi-Fi channels manually.

[Show spoiler]

My recent triple band Netgear RX70 features automatically channel selection based on the router's built in channel analyzer. It's also breaks up the WiFI connections used 802.11N vs 802.AC vs 802.11AX into the three bands. Works very well as an alternative to what you use.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

My recent triple band Netgear RX70 features automatically channel selection based on the router's built in channel analyzer. It's also breaks up the WiFI connections used 802.11N vs 802.AC vs 802.11AX into the three bands. Works very well as an alternative to what you use.

RAX70?

Have had a Linksys WRT1900ACS for several years now and it works fairly well. Added another TV this year that is ≈ 55', one floor and several walls from the Linksys so the Wi-Fi signal level was on the low side. Have a wired connection across the hall but I did not want to run another cable so I procured a Netgear WAC104 access point for cheap . Dual band and serves as a 3 port gigabit switch.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

RAX70?

Have had a Linksys WRT1900ACS for several years now and it works fairly well. Added another TV this year that is ≈ 55', one floor and several walls from the Linksys so the Wi-Fi signal level was on the low side. Have a wired connection across the hall but I did not want to run another cable so I procured a Netgear WAC104 access point for cheap . Dual band and serves as a 3 port gigabit switch.

Yes, its RAX70-100NAS otherwise marketed as Nighthawk AX6600.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Apparently, this show has really stated to gather momentum, I may need to start watching.

I am having a great time watching it. You might also. Just don't expect it to be a literal canonical approach to Tolkien's work. It is very much an adaptation.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I am having a great time watching it. You might also. Just don't expect it to be a literal canonical approach to Tolkien's work. It is very much an adaptation.

Nice one. 👍

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I am having a great time watching it. You might also. Just don't expect it to be a literal canonical approach to Tolkien's work. It is very much an adaptation.

Probably a lot of people like a bit of back story into a prequel of LORT/Hobbit. I was hoping someone would take on the historic concepts of The Silmarillion for a show, but Amazon took the easy route.

The tales of The Silmarillion were the underlying inspiration and source of J.R.R. Tolkien's imaginative writing; he worked on the book throughout his life but never brought it to a final form. Long preceding in its origins The Lord of the Rings, it is the story of the First Age of Tolkien's world, the ancient drama to which characters in The Lord of the RIngs look back and in which some of them, such as Elrond and Galadriel, took part.

(yes I have read the Silmarillion)

But getting back to these prequels, I can't say I am a fan of them if they don't put into an effort to directly relate to books, in short they were made up storyline. That goes for the "House of Dragons" and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power".

I actually like when each studio content creator takes on a new fantasy book for make a live actors adaptation. Examples Wheel of Time, Shadow and Bone.

Eventually I will force myself to watch HBO, Amazon content, but either is a tough act to follow versus the originals.

[unberechenbar]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Good job! You'll be ordering by the dozen plus before you know it.

I was undecided about Bullet Train, but I am more inclined to get it after your enthusiastic endorsement. I don't generally pre-order stuff unless it is a limited edition, so I will wait until its released.

I noticed elsewhere that you were not a big fan of Thor Love And Thunder. How bad is it?

I don't think it's that bad. I'd give it a 3/5. It's just more disappointing for me since I thought Thor Ragnarok was great. There were too many jokes. I watched it in 3D and the 3D looked lackluster as well.

[Warm Gun]

Forewent my nightly movie to watch the two hour series premiere of Miami Vice. Surprisingly stylish and cinematic, above what I thought television was supposed to be at that time. Detected its DNA in Heat, then read "Executive Producer Michael Mann" in the end credits. Of course. I don't expect most of the show to live up to this. Shame the Blu-rays look like this.

[unberechenbar]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Have not viewed Crawl or Bullet Train yet, have Old Henry and Allegiant. Viewed but passed on the other titles. If you like westerns then Old Henry should be a good addition to your collection, IMO, Allegiant was the best of that series.

I bought Old Henry partly based on the recommendations in this thread. I don't have many Westerns but have enjoyed the ones I have blind bought.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Probably a lot of people like a bit of back story into a prequel of LORT/Hobbit. I was hoping someone would take on the historic concepts of The Silmarillion for a show, but Amazon took the easy route.

(yes I have read the Silmarillion)

But getting back to these prequels, I can't say I am a fan of them if they don't put into an effort to directly relate to books, in short they were made up storyline. That goes for the "House of Dragons" and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power".

I actually like when each studio content creator takes on a new fantasy book for make a live actors adaptation. Examples Wheel of Time, Shadow and Bone.

Eventually I will force myself to watch HBO, Amazon content, but either is a tough act to follow versus the originals.

If what I have read in The Rings Of Power thread is accurate, Amazon does not have the rights to The Silmarillion, or The Unfinished Tales, and they can not directly reference anything unique to them.

All that they have the rights to are The Appendices found at the end of The Return Of The King and they may make references to The Lord Of The Rings books. That is all that they have to work with and this series is based upon events that took place in The Second Age of Middle Earth. The Silmarillion is primarily about the events of The First Age (except for Part Four The Akallabêth and it's only 30 pages long). The concluding part of The Silmarillion spends another 20 pages upon events of The Second Age. There's only 50 pages total about The Second Age in The Silmarillion- and Amazon can't use it.

Tolkien wrote surprisingly little about The Second Age despite it spanning 3,441 years and much of what was written about it Amazon does not have the right to use. As a result, Amazon has to rearrange/collapse the timeline and omit quite a bit, which leaves them with lots of holes to plug considering that they are basing a 5 year planned series on The Appendices alone. They are also limited to no more than 8 episodes per season due to another contractual requirement.

Despite all of these huge challenges, I am enjoying this show immensely. I watched episode 6 tonight and it was far and away the best episode so far.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by unberechenbar

I don't think it's that bad. I'd give it a 3/5. It's just more disappointing for me since I thought Thor Ragnarok was great. There were too many jokes. I watched it in 3D and the 3D looked lackluster as well.

I had read that the movie was practically a comedy...and not a particularly good one, either. I haven't heard any enthusiastic praise for it. I might have to see this one before considering a disc purchase.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Vilya

He probably still uses an ancient B or G router and thus has no idea how far router technology has advanced since then.

I do have a Linksys Gigabit Router in our Network probably with N, but the Wireless is only for our Phones everything else is Hardwired Ethernet. I have two Fiber Fed Switches, one for the IPTV STB's and the other for my Internal Network connecting my two Workstations and Cannon Color Laser Printer through the Router. The Sony UHD TV comes right off the Switch with it's own IP Address for the Android Apps.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by alchav21

I do have a Linksys Gigabit Router in our Network probably with N, but the Wireless is only for our Phones everything else is Hardwired Ethernet. I have two Fiber Fed Switches, one for the IPTV STB's and the other for my Internal Network connecting my two Workstations and Cannon Color Laser Printer through the Router. The Sony UHD TV comes right off the Switch with it's own IP Address for the Android Apps.

N routers are seriously outdated having been launched in 2009 and you should not base the performance and reliability of today's wireless networks upon tech that is in many ways obsolete.

https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-wireless-n-818280

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Vilya

N routers are seriously outdated having been launched in 2009 and you should not base the performance and reliability of today's wireless networks upon tech that is in many ways obsolete.

AC was 2014 so about 8 years old. Even his older N should connect at speeds close to his 75 Mbps ISP speed.

The weird part, no testing to see just how well or bad his Wi-Fi may work. Its as if he is afraid to see how something really works.

Me, I really don't like networking and all that it entails to make things work properly but have taught myself to network because of the benefits. Have 6 computers on my network but no server, have had a NAS for many years as a central data repository and media server.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by deatheats

Since it doesn’t sound like this is a very popular subject, I’ll try to keep it brief

Wireless introduces many variables which can drastically change a users experience. Routers, protocols, antennas, walls, distance, interference, other wireless users, etc. can all make the wireless experience vary to quite an extent depending on the combination of the above factors. Ethernet (within a given speed class), on the other hand, will provide the exact same experience to every person using it…there is very little variance based on the above factors.

If you have a solid Wi-Fi setup, like many have said, there won’t be a huge difference for media streaming, but I personally like the consistency, speed, security and ease of setup (no password) of Ethernet for all networking equipment that supports it.

I agree that environment can play a role for wired. As some might know/remember, because of the way my HT is built no radio signal (wi-fi/cell) can go in or out.

But that being said.

if someone is streaming on their phone it is wireless and there is no router on the other hand all wired systems need routers and or hubs unless we are talking about a null cable between two devices.

Also wired systems can have interference on the cable or cables might be chewed by rodents or damaged in other ways can create an issue on transmission just like wireless does.

It is nowhere near as simple as wired is always good while wireless might be bad. In some instances, wired might fare better while in others it might be wireless.

Either way it is immaterial. If someone has a perfect 10Gbps internet connection that is 100% wired or a 100mbps internet connection with a not too problematic wi-fi the result will be the same. Yes, what is in your home can have an impact on quality but most likely what happens over the network and at the video provider is a lot more likely to be the real limiting factor.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Okay the Key Phrase is "Good Enough," what most of you think of Streaming. So that means Streaming over Wireless is "Good Enough!" So like deatheats says, everyone will have to decide for themselves Hardwired Ethernet or Wireless. If you want better Streaming Quality go with Ethernet, or settle for "Good Enough" Wireless!

good enough can mean two things depoending on context.

let me put it this way, if someone asks "did you like the meal", and the answer is "it was good enough" what it means is that it was not realty appreciated but it met some minimum standard for the person. If someone asked, "are you full now" and the answer is "it was good enough" it means the person is not full and they would prefer more but it was enough to fight their hunger a bit. In both these scenarios "good enough" could be better and if it was people would be happier.

On the other hand, if someone asks, "is there enough place on my credit card for the meal" and the answer is "it is good enough". then there is enough place left on the card for the person to pay for the meal and that is all that is important.

Same here, good enough AV for some people is not good enough for people looking for the best presentation because there is much better options out there but if wi-fi is good enough then like the credit card example it means that it has no impact on that presentation so who cares how much better it could be.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

The weird part, no testing to see just how well or bad his Wi-Fi may work. Its as if he is afraid to see how something really works.

You would think that someone that used to work for a Telecom would be all about testing their networks to see how well they were performing. He just doesn't want to deal in facts.

I just upgraded my internet plan to 1Gbps with a 6TB monthly data cap. My ISP gave me the choice of sticking with my existing plan (500Mbps, 2TB data cap) for an increase of $18 per month or this new plan for an increase of $10 per month.

Another year, another promo offer.