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

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

Man, I hope Vilya is well too.

Back on topic: It’s been awhile since I’ve bought physical and have been streaming when I’ve not been playing Xbox Game Pass games. I signed up for a free month of Paramount+, but only watched a few things on it. I did enjoy the Reacher series on Prime.

Good to hear from you Donster, I hope Vilya is okay too.

Yes I think the name of the game now is having good access to all the Streaming Providers. I still have my basic three, Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Vudu/Fandango. On Prime finished up Night Sky, Netflix it was Ozark, then on VuduDeath on the Nile and No Time to Die. On deals I have added Disney+ watched [I]OBI-WAN KENOBI, Hulu want to watch Candy, then Peacock Angelyne. Only way to Go Stream On!

[unberechenbar]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Yeah, your first example. Although more elaborate examples are possible (not to the extent of your second example though) Think floating holograms that are crystal clear.

Have you seen Free Guy? There's some holograms in there that would be pretty cool if you could put glasses on and see them in real life.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by unberechenbar

Have you seen Free Guy? There's some holograms in there that would be pretty cool if you could put glasses on and see them in real life.

I have mate. Enjoyed it.

I think AR has huge potential if done right. It could be incredible for movie lovers who live in apartments for example.

Education is another exciting possibility. A 3D hologram you can examine and interact with from various angles would be cool.

Computing with the ability to have 3 screens at once also, not to mention instant access to gaming staples like ping pong tables, pool tables, board games etc..

So many exciting possibilities.

I want 8K, high bit rate video on a giant screen while I’m in the bath!

Probably won’t replace my projector though, at least not for another 15 years or so!

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by unberechenbar

Have you seen Free Guy? There's some holograms in there that would be pretty cool if you could put glasses on and see them in real life.

You do realize Free guy takes place in a game environment, so there are no holograms or AR glasses. But I get what you are saying. But I would not want to put on those AR glasses and find I am an NPC

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I have mate. Enjoyed it.

I think AR has huge potential if done right. It could be incredible for movie lovers who live in apartments for example.

Education is another exciting possibility. A 3D hologram you can examine and interact with from various angles would be cool.

Computing with the ability to have 3 screens at once also, not to mention instant access to gaming staples like ping pong tables, pool tables, board games etc..

So many exciting possibilities.

I want 8K, high bit rate video on a giant screen while I’m in the bath!

Probably won’t replace my projector though, at least not for another 15 years or so!

If the right tech comes along and everyone uses it I am willing to ditch my Projector and HT. At this point in time they are needed to get a big picture experience.

As for AR I still disagree with you what is needed is MR or VR.

I found this better and actual AR picture



if instead of that menu that box was your film screen would you want to see the ghostly image of the tree canopy, clouds and drone?


That is why IMHO VR glasses with a camera that create MR is the way to get there.

people look at Pokemon go and think of it as AR, but that is not AR glasses that is an image/video created by the phone that replaces part of reality captured by the camera with the pokemon. With AR glasses you can't do that, it is real reality with nothing virtual or the same spot will show a mixture of both.


And it is not just about apartments. I can't bring my HT in waiting rooms, public transportation, my car.... It sure would be nice in a future with driverless cars if I can get into mine press play on the EE of LOTR and get the HT experience for the 4h drive to my sisters cottage.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

If the right tech comes along and everyone uses it I am willing to ditch my Projector and HT. At this point in time they are needed to get a big picture experience.

As for AR I still disagree with you what is needed is MR or VR.

I found this better and actual AR picture



if instead of that menu that box was your film screen would you want to see the ghostly image of the tree canopy, clouds and drone?


That is why IMHO VR glasses with a camera that create MR is the way to get there.

people look at Pokemon go and think of it as AR, but that is not AR glasses that is an image/video created by the phone that replaces part of reality captured by the camera with the pokemon. With AR glasses you can't do that, it is real reality with nothing virtual or the same spot will show a mixture of both.


And it is not just about apartments. I can't bring my HT in waiting rooms, public transportation, my car.... It sure would be nice in a future with driverless cars if I can get into mine press play on the EE of LOTR and get the HT experience for the 4h drive to my sisters cottage.

MR will be part of AR glasses. It will be necessary for games amongst other stuff.

That example you gave wont be an issue with true AR glasses. They will be capable of solid projections with no transparent distractions.

Also, true AR glasses will absolutely be able to project holograms into your environment that can run behind trees or objects and thus become invisible until they re-emerge.

I expect early glasses will simply leverage the smartphone to display in sight text and graphics, with the endgame at the end of the decade to have true AR glasses with all the tech built in and 3D holograms.

Eventually, projections without transparency will be possible. We are a good way away from the endgame.

[Anthony P]

what creates the display that is shown (i.e smart phone) is not that important.



MR describes the whole spectrum from AR to VR

you do have switchable glass that can be transparent or opaque but even when it is Opaque it does not completely hide what is behind it. It is in the nature of glass to hide it.


I don't know if it is todays AR+ switchable glass that can completly hide reality or todays VR+cameras on the glasses that will make the MR of the future.

IT is just that IMHO the latter is the easiest, fastest and best track to get there, since it opens up space for different techs (i.e. think of a projector, SXRD is reflective so it can't be used for AR as easily as LSD but it can for VR). the issue is either way your view needs to fill a display even if some of the display is off (AR) or some of it shows reality streamed from the camera.

Either way where ever it comes from I Hope we can agree that what everyone will most likely want is a lot more virtual (film screen) and a lot less reality (shapes and stuff around them) when they are sitting in the chair with their glasses on.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

what creates the display that is shown (i.e smart phone) is not that important.



MR describes the whole spectrum from AR to VR

you do have switchable glass that can be transparent or opaque but even when it is Opaque it does not completely hide what is behind it. It is in the nature of glass to hide it.


I don't know if it is todays AR+ switchable glass that can completly hide reality or todays VR+cameras on the glasses that will make the MR of the future.

IT is just that IMHO the latter is the easiest, fastest and best track to get there, since it opens up space for different techs (i.e. think of a projector, SXRD is reflective so it can't be used for AR as easily as LSD but it can for VR). the issue is either way your view needs to fill a display even if some of the display is off (AR) or some of it shows reality streamed from the camera.

Either way where ever it comes from I Hope we can agree that what everyone will most likely want is a lot more virtual (film screen) and a lot less reality (shapes and stuff around them) when they are sitting in the chair with their glasses on.

Well, if it doesn’t deliver that I stick with the projector and a nice OLED tv!

I’m all about immersion as we all are. 👍

[JohnAV]

Box Office: Tom Cruise’s ‘Top Gun 2’ Rockets to Record $160.5M Opening - Hollywood Reporter 5/31

The sequel — earning a coveted A+ CinemaScore — scored the biggest opening of Cruise's career and the biggest Memorial Day weekend ever.

Superheroes and horror aren’t the only game in town anymore at the pandemic-era box office.

In a promising sign for the summer season, Paramount and Skydance’s Top Gun: Maverick scored the best Memorial Day opening of all time with a projected three-day domestic haul of $126.7 million and $160.5 million for the four days. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End was the previous record holder with a treasure chest of $153 million, according to Disney.

A better-than-expected Sunday and Monday pushed the estimates higher than the original $151 million weekend reported by Paramount on Sunday, and revised $156 million weekend reported on Monday.

Maverick’s launch is without a doubt a career best for Tom Cruise, and is the first time he has had a film open to $100 million or more.

Top Gun 2 started off with a massive $51.8 million on Friday — including $19.3 million in previews — as it opened in more than 4,700 theaters in North America.

Overseas, Top Gun 2 is doing equally impressive business, considering it isn’t playing in either China or Russia. The film opened to $124 million from 62 markets over the weekend for an early global haul of $300 million through Monday, including an updated foreign tally of $139.5 million. The movie marked Cruise’s top opening weekend ever in 32 markets and Paramount’s biggest live-action bow in 18, led by the U.K. ($19.4 million) and followed by France ($11.7 million) and Australia ($10.7 million). Top Gun 2 lands in South Korea next month.

The release of the long-awaited sequel to the iconic 1986 movie is a defining moment for box office recovery, which so far has been largely fueled by superhero fare propped up by males ages 18 to 34.

More than 70 percent of Top Gun 2‘s audience was over the age of 25, including 55 percent over age 35, 38 percent over 45 and 18 percent over 55. Ticket buyers bestowed the film with a glowing A+ CinemaScore. And Imax and premium-format screens turned in a whopping 37 percent of the gross. Imax alone turned in a four-day Memorial Day record gross of $32.5 million, including $21 million in North America, and prompting CEO Richard Gelfond to gush in a statement: “If you thought movies were dead, go see Top Gun: Maverick and then let me know what you think. This film heralds the return of the summer blockbuster and is a catalyst that will accelerate demand for moviegoing like an F-18 breaking the sound barrier.” (Some of the film was shot with Imax cameras.)

Heading into the holiday weekend, Paramount tried to temper expectations, since tracking showed the $170 million film opening to $92 million-plus. Yet many pundits believe the critically acclaimed sequel could soar well north of $100 million domestically. But tracking — one of Hollywood’s favorite pastimes — has become fraught in the pandemic era. Exhibitors were especially bullish on the pic and were already thinking it could hit $125 million to $150 million.

The film’s release was delayed for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. Cruise, a relentless promoter, went on a global marketing tour in recent weeks that saw him make stops at a world premiere in San Diego, the Cannes Film Festival, a Royal-sponsored screening in London and another premiere in Japan.

Cruise may be one of the world’s biggest movie stars, but his films — including the Mission: Impossible movies — have never sported the sort of mega-openings that superhero tentpoles or other franchise installments can enjoy (think Jurassic World or Fast & Furious). Instead, his films can play and play.

To date, 2005’s War of the Worlds ranks as Cruise’s top domestic opening with a three-day gross of $64.9 million, followed by 2018’s Mission: Impossible — Fallout at $61.2 million, according to Comscore and not adjusted for inflation. The rest of his films have opened to less than $60 million.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, Top Gun: Maverick sees Cruise return as the ultra-gifted and confident Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.

The film, which presently sports a stellar 97 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, co-stars Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell and Ed Harris, while Val Kilmer also makes a brief appearance as “Iceman,” Maverick’s onetime nemesis-turned-pal. The film also features Lady Gaga’s ballad “Hold My Hand,” while the producing team includes Jerry Bruckheimer, who guided the 1986 film.

Looking to provide counter-programming, Disney released 20th Century’s The Bob’s Burgers Movie in more than 3,400 theaters in North America. The PG-13 pic, based on the popular TV show that’s a favorite of teen girls, posted a subdued three-day tally of $12.4 million and a projected $114.8 million for the four.

May 28, 8:15 a.m.: Updated with revised numbers.
May 29, 8:10 a.m.: Updated with revised numbers.
May 30, 7:30 a.m.: Updated with revised numbers.
May 31, 7:10 a.m.: Updated with revised numbers.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Box Office: Tom Cruise’s ‘Top Gun 2’ Rockets to Record $160.5M Opening - Hollywood Reporter 5/31

The sequel — earning a coveted A+ CinemaScore — scored the biggest opening of Cruise's career and the biggest Memorial Day weekend ever.

Fully deserved.

[cheez avenger]

Knocked out the Arrow Video Candyman set in 4K and The Untouchables on 4K. Both winners.

Might watch the Arrow Video of Wild Things on 4K disc tonight. My copy of The Batman 4K disc also arrived today.

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Fully deserved.

I love the fact that Cruise dug his heels in refusing to release the movie on a streaming service during shutdown. Say what you will about him, but the guy approaches his movies like no other.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by gotmule

I love the fact that Cruise dug his heels in refusing to release the movie on a streaming service during shutdown. Say what you will about him, but the guy approaches his movies like no other.

Totally agree, he is fantastic value for money. Can’t wait for MI 7!

[cheez avenger]

Been watching some tv series the last few days. Wrapped up current season of Fear the Walking Dead and started up the Final season part 2 of regular Walking Dead. Also watched a bunch of episodes of 80's show Hunter on Peacock.

[unberechenbar]

Watched Top Gun: Maverick last night. It was amazing. Intense action sequences and great emotional moments. Best movie I've seen this year.

[alchav21]

There are a lot of Discs coming out, but like cheez avenger pointed out having some choice Streaming Providers is very essential now. They all have their Original Content, so which ones will you pick?

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by alchav21

There are a lot of Discs coming out, but like cheez avenger pointed out having some choice Streaming Providers is very essential now. They all have their Original Content, so which ones will you pick?

If we are talking film, I will always pick disc (preferably 4K). It’s that simple.
I subscribe to Disney+, Apple, Netflix, Amazon and Sky tv (includes HBO/Warner content) and I enjoy watching stuff on there (mostly tv series) but it’s a totally different feel when I watch a film exclusive to one of those services.

When I watch a film on disc, it’s a big deal. I fire up the HT, I order some food, the lights go out and I’m totally immersed I the A/V quality. For example, I can’t wait to watch Top Gun:Maverick and The Batman in there!

When I’m streaming, it’s just a casual, ‘tired after work’ slump down in the armchair in front of tv type of deal. Casual watching, if you will.

Don’t get me wrong, I can still get immersed in a film, however it’s just not the same.

HT is movie night basically, that’s what I spend the majority of my money on. The streaming is a pleasant distraction unless there is a tv show I’m really craving badly (which doesn’t come along that often).

[bhampton]

The best thing about streaming is no one asks to borrow my discs anymore.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by alchav21

There are a lot of Discs coming out, but like cheez avenger pointed out having some choice Streaming Providers is very essential now.

There are millions worldwide that do not have streaming and many would argue their quality of life is better than yours or mine. Streaming is nothing more than another outlet for A/V content and certainly not essential. We do enjoy good content when available like Prehistoric Planet with David Attenborough on ATV+. Looking forward to The Green Planet on UHD BD in August.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

There are millions worldwide that do not have streaming and many would argue their quality of life is better than yours or mine. Streaming is nothing more than another outlet for A/V content and certainly not essential. We do enjoy good content when available like Prehistoric Planet with David Attenborough on ATV+. Looking forward to The Green Planet on UHD BD in August.

Can’t go wrong with Attenborough docs.