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

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by octagon

[Show spoiler]

It seems we have more activity in this thread when we do venture outside the boundaries. Look what happens when anyone tries to call us back into formation: everyone just clams up.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Vilya

It seems we have more activity in this thread when we do venture outside the boundaries. Look what happens when anyone tries to call us back into formation: everyone just clams up.

It's when we venture outside the boundaries that I get a chance to post comments on this thread, seeing as I know next to nothing about streaming movies.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by CV19

It's when we venture outside the boundaries that I get a chance to post comments on this thread, seeing as I know next to nothing about streaming movies.

I like you even more now!

[flyry]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I'm gonna go off topic

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

Yeah, our plan just bumped up in price, but we're getting ready to move to another state and not changing anything for the moment. We don't have the phone plan, we do have some package that included Encore. Which was great before Xfinity pulled a fast one and wouldn't support the app on my KS (I refuse to hook up a box to it) once Starz lumped it into their app. My wife's been doing the internet research in the areas, but it is such a low priority. Finding a house that we both like that suits our needs and accommodates my MiL without taking out a mortgage is our main focus once we get there.

Okay Donster, you are moving and you say Internet is low priority. I think you better move that up a little. Depending on where you are moving, they have a lot of new housing developments. Like I said, it's nice to have Fiber, or at least AT&T or Verizon. I know you guys don't think high Bandwidth, but with all the Streaming that is where we are going. Pick a house with at least Structured Cat5/6 Wiring, and plenty of Electrical Outlets. If you like Barbequeing don't forget the outlet on your covered patio.

[The_Donster]

Originally Posted by CV19

It's when we venture outside the boundaries that I get a chance to post comments on this thread, seeing as I know next to nothing about streaming movies.

Please take this the right way because I do enjoy our conversations, but I'm confused...We have to be off topic for you to have an opinion on anything in this thread? That would be like me going into a PS4 thread and talking about Xbox games. I mean, I've been part of the forum long enough to know that happens occasionally in some threads, but it makes no sense when it does

Originally Posted by alchav21

Okay Donster, you are moving and you say Internet is low priority. I think you better move that up a little. Depending on where you are moving, they have a lot of new housing developments. Like I said, it's nice to have Fiber, or at least AT&T or Verizon. I know you guys don't think high Bandwidth, but with all the Streaming that is where we are going. Pick a house with at least Structured Cat5/6 Wiring, and plenty of Electrical Outlets. If you like Barbequeing don't forget the outlet on your covered patio.

Move along

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

Please take this the right way because I do enjoy our conversations, but I'm confused...We have to be off topic for you to have an opinion on anything in this thread? That would be like me going into a PS4 thread and talking about Xbox games. I mean, I've been part of the forum long enough to know that happens occasionally in some threads, but it makes no sense when it does





Move along

Maybe, just maybe, and it’s just an opinion, the guy feels like he will be on the receiving end of sarcasm, insults and bombarded with insulting gifs if he makes a comment that is not technically accurate or seems outlandish to others?

Just a thought.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

Please take this the right way because I do enjoy our conversations, but I'm confused...We have to be off topic for you to have an opinion on anything in this thread? That would be like me going into a PS4 thread and talking about Xbox games. I mean, I've been part of the forum long enough to know that happens occasionally in some threads, but it makes no sense when it does

Well, I'm hardly likely to expect anybody to deliberately go off-topic for my benefit. That would be silly. However, if a conversation veers in a slightly different direction to what this thread is about, I may be tempted to post a comment if it's on a subject I know about.

[Groot]

For those against buying digital films, as I’m too lazy to re-read all the posts, do most of you avoid streaming services like Netflix despite their original content or do you watch those and just still prefer physical media?

There’s a back on topic post for ya.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Groot

For those against buying digital films, as I’m too lazy to re-read all the posts, do most of you avoid streaming services like Netflix despite their original content or do you watch those and just still prefer physical media?

There’s a back on topic post for ya.

I use Netflix but it’s just a compliment to cable for me. I watch it for the tv shows. Sometimes I watch Netflix exclusive films because I simply have no choice. Can’t get Hush Or Annihilation on Blu-ray in my country or indeed any other country (Region B)

I obviously adore Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray and the source is very important. Streaming is still woefully short of the very best disc quality.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by CV19

Well, I'm hardly likely to expect anybody to deliberately go off-topic for my benefit. That would be silly. However, if a conversation veers in a slightly different direction to what this thread is about, I may be tempted to post a comment if it's on a subject I know about.

And I feel you are welcome to do so, especially when no one was discussing anything on topic at that time. The thread police are a vigilant bunch.

Sometimes people monitor a thread on a subject they are not well versed on, but interested in, because they want to learn more about the topic.

It has been pointed out that it "Looks like it is the same script, different day for most." It's not exactly a surprise that the same regular posters post the same opinions; I doubt many minds ever get changed in these "vs." type threads and I, for one, never had changing anyone's opinion as a goal.

While I am staunchly a fan of physical media, I have learned quite a bit about digital and streaming that I did not know before. I, for the first time, have a digital library with 97 titles in it- but haven't watched anything in it as I have all but one of those titles on disc and I don't want to feel unclean.

I have also experimented with subscription streaming, namely Netflix, and while the overall quality was quite good, I found the selection of movies to be a big disappointment. Their strength lies in their low cost, original programming, and TV show offerings. Even so, I grew bored of it and I have suspended my service.

I have Amazon Prime, but I have seldom used the streaming aspect of it. I started to dabble with it more since coming to this thread. I found that Prime streaming is often a teaser service that offers you the first season of show in the hope of getting you hooked and then getting you to either subscribe to one of their many channels or to rent episodes- a ploy that I am sure works on many, but not stubborn ol' me.

I have been a Prime member since the program's inception in 2005 and a regular customer there since 2004. Clearly, the benefit of Prime for me is the two day shipping of discs.

In concluding my morning sermon, I must add that in the time that I have been here, methodically destroying this thread , I have met some very interesting people, not all of whom agree with me, but nonetheless are fun to converse with, both on topic and off. I'd treat you all to lunch if I could.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I use Netflix but it’s just a compliment to cable for me. I watch it for the tv shows. Sometimes I watch Netflix exclusive films because I simply have no choice. Can’t get Hush Or Annihilation on Blu-ray in my country or indeed any other country (Region B)

I obviously adore Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray and the source is very important. Streaming is still woefully short of the very best disc quality.

Awe. I don’t find the Netflix quality terrible, at least here in the states. Now Amazon Prime has some questionable quality as they compress the hell out of some movies. An example, the ending of Dirty Dancing looks completely red. I noticed it was on there and scrolled to the end to watch it and was horrified at how bad it was.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Groot

Awe. I don’t find the Netflix quality terrible, at least here in the states. Now Amazon Prime has some questionable quality as they compress the hell out of some movies. An example, the ending of Dirty Dancing looks completely red. I noticed it was on there and scrolled to the end to watch it and was horrified at how bad it was.

No, it isn’t awful quality. The 4K looks smashing but it’s still not disc. For something like The New Avengers film, I wouldn’t dream of watching a streaming version.

It’s just the way I am.

Amazon I have only sampled once. It was 1080p and it looked fine. Like you say though, it didn’t hold up to various demanding scenes.

[Leslie Dame]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I use Netflix but it’s just a compliment to cable for me. I watch it for the tv shows. Sometimes I watch Netflix exclusive films because I simply have no choice. Can’t get Hush Or Annihilation on Blu-ray in my country or indeed any other country (Region B)

I obviously adore Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray and the source is very important. Streaming is still woefully short of the very best disc quality.

I don't do any kind of streaming services, but I was interested in Hush and Gerald’s Game. My niece has Netflix so I watched both at her place last year. I thought Hush was ok and Gerald’s Game vastly overrated. The way people praised Gerald’s Game on message boards made you think it was the new The Shining or something. Also watched The Babysitter which was awful. We binged the first season of Iron Fist and it was so boring it literally put us to sleep.
There is very little Netflix has to offer that appeals to me. Their movie selection pretty much sucks, most of their documentaries are cheap and lame, and I'm not the least bit interested in their original series.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Leslie Dame

I don't do any kind of streaming services, but I was interested in Hush and Gerald’s Game. My niece has Netflix so I watched both at her place last year. I thought Hush was ok and Gerald’s Game vastly overrated. The way people praised Gerald’s Game on message boards made you think it was the new The Shining or something. Also watched The Babysitter which was awful. We binged the first season of Iron Fist and it was so boring it literally put us to sleep.
There is very little Netflix has to offer that appeals to me. Their movie selection pretty much sucks, most of their documentaries are cheap and lame, and I'm not the least bit interested in their original series.

I watch a lot of Louis Therous Docs who I think is top class and there is a boatload of his stuff on there. Also stuff like The UK Office, Derek and loads of BBC and ITV drama that I somehow missed from way back. I love Stranger Things also.
Geralds game was worth watching but like you say, hardly a masterpiece.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Groot

Awe. I don’t find the Netflix quality terrible, at least here in the states. Now Amazon Prime has some questionable quality as they compress the hell out of some movies. An example, the ending of Dirty Dancing looks completely red. I noticed it was on there and scrolled to the end to watch it and was horrified at how bad it was.

Originally Posted by Steedeel

No, it isn’t awful quality. The 4K looks smashing but it’s still not disc. For something like The New Avengers film, I wouldn’t dream of watching a streaming version.

It’s just the way I am.

Amazon I have only sampled once. It was 1080p and it looked fine. Like you say though, it didn’t hold up to various demanding scenes.

Well I think I'll put my two cents in here, I want to comment on your Streaming. As you know I have Fiber feed to a Switch, no Modem my ISP set up is more like a Network. It's a Gigabit Switch so all the Ports have the full Symmetrical 75Mbps. Each Port gives a separate IP Address, so my Sony UHD TV has it's own Port and the full Bandwidth for the Streaming. I Stream from Amazon, and their 4K is Fantastic and their 1080P HD is Disc Quality to me. That's why I say Streaming is all dependant on your equipment and set up. Wireless is good for Mobile Devices, but not for your Home Theater.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by alchav21

That's why I say Streaming is all dependant on your equipment and set up.

You forgot one thing; it is very dependent upon your ISP.

I have adequate hardware, both modem and router, and my ISP is still as lame as it can be. Even if I bought the latest and the greatest home networking hardware, I would still be stuck with my same sorry arse ISP.

I went a full week with no internet service between 8 PM- 10 PM. Nothing I own, or could own, would have compensated for their lousy service.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I'd treat you all to lunch if I could.

And if I lived in the States, I'd gladly accept.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Vilya

You forgot one thing; it is very dependent upon your ISP.

I have adequate hardware, both modem and router, and my ISP is still as lame as it can be. Even if I bought the latest and the greatest home networking hardware, I would still be stuck with my same sorry arse ISP.

I went a full week with no internet service between 8 PM- 10 PM. Nothing I own, or could own, would have compensated for their lousy service.

Yes you're right, you need a dependent ISP, and it looks like they found your problem for now. Those old Cable Providers are on an old system, that depends heavily on Load Balance where heavy users are moved to balance the system. As Streaming becomes more popular, everyone is a heavy user. Streaming is going to expose the weak Providers and the Facilities they use.

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Sometimes people monitor a thread on a subject they are not well versed on, but interested in, because they want to learn more about the topic.

That's really the reason I started to read the posts on this thread. Although I am a physical media fan and always will be, I would still like to expand my knowledge on other alternatives, and this thread is a good source of information for that.