| Author |
Message |
virusc
Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Posts: 358
Location: Massachusetts
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2023 9:37 pm Post subject: Anyone worried this could be last year of Blu/UHD DISCS? |
|
|
|
With Best buy pulling all of them next month or so I am sure many more retailers are close to doing the same thing. The variety at all the big retailers have dwindled the last few years to slim pickings anyway but is this the death of Bluray and UHD discs?
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26706
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2023 8:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Everything has moved to streaming - unfortunately. I still prefer a disk in hand to an internet connected stream. Audio is better and I just own it.
Also when traveling I would stay at places that are far out, many with no internet so you run what you brung. Usually a bluray player and LCOS projector of soem sort. Or in my case a 1252 from Toronto to Newfoundland. That was a GREAT vacation!
_________________
Tech support for nothing
CRT.
HD done right!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kal
Forum Administrator
Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Posts: 18114
Location: Ottawa, Canada
TV/Projector: JVC DLA-NZ7
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ron W
Joined: 07 Aug 2009
Posts: 860
Location: Mississauga
|
| Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 7:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| kal wrote: | Discs need to do better if they want people to buy them: No more forced trailers/advertising that you can't skip over. Disc in, next thing you see should be the main menu. And for the love of god, remember where I left off next time I put the disc in the same player (time to dump BD-Java).
Kal |
There are a number of enthusiasts on YouTube that have channels directly related to discussing upcoming releases on both regular and 4K Blu-Ray discs and contrary to the general opinion on the subject of BR vs streaming, it would seem the demise of physical discs is somewhat premature. Apparently, even Disney who originally was going to phase out discs has changed their mind. If you haven't done so already, check them out. Best Buy has been gradually diminishing their physical disc supply for years, however, Amazon certainly hasn't and there are a few retail outlets in my area selling them and they are regularly getting the new releases.
Granted, it isn't like it was and it has become more boutique in nature, however, I would submit compare a a 4K/HDR physical disc to streaming and, especially with audio, there generally is no comparison. In addition to Panasonic and their players(which aren't coming down in price)there are also newer companies like Reavon and Magnetar who have recently introduced more high-end multi-format type players selling in the $2000-3000 range that look like they have been built on the former Oppo platform, so one would assume that these companies believe, even at that price, there is still a market for their players.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kal
Forum Administrator
Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Posts: 18114
Location: Ottawa, Canada
TV/Projector: JVC DLA-NZ7
|
| Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 12:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Ron W wrote: | | I would submit compare a a 4K/HDR physical disc to streaming and, especially with audio, there generally is no comparison. |
Indeed. Lossless audio is definitely one reason, and video side is similar: Compare something like Blu-ray at "only" 1080p which is about 40mbps. Streaming the same thing at 1080p on Netflix is around 5mbps. Codec with possibly different levels of compression efficiency aside, you're losing more info when you stream. So yes, the fine details are lost.
It's why you have people wondering why their 1080p Blu-ray looks better than 4K streaming like this:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluray/comments/ohfv92/1080p_blu_ray_looks_better_than_4k_streamed/
It's not just the "resolution" so to speak but many don't get it. 4K is better than 1080p right? I could scan and master a movie in digital at 100K resolution but use 0.1 mbps bitrate. It would still be 100K resolution but would look like ass.
Now that said, I get streaming and do tend to use it mostly as frankly I haven't cared that much as the convenience is great. Especially if you're on a small(ish) TV with only a speaker or two. But for true reference stuff, I really do get and enjoy Blu-ray (and Blu-ray 4K). The difference watch in a good home theater is much more noticeable.
Unfortunately I'm not helping things as I do find that saving the $25 and waiting ~6 months to get it streaming for "free" in most cases is worth it for most "watch once" non-reference movies. So the number of movies I buy these days is severely limited. I'm not sure I'll ever fill the extra shelves I have empty:
(Shelves are bit more full now as this pic was from 2012, but they're not that much different).
Kal
_________________
Support our site by using our affiliate links. We thank you!
My basement/HT/bar/brewery build 2.0
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
El Duderino
Joined: 23 Jan 2011
Posts: 4653
Location: Portland, OR
|
| Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 4:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
https://variety.com/2023/film/news/oppenheimer-4k-james-cameron-physical-media-1235837539/
Streaming revenue sharing and residuals for actors and writers vs studios was a sticking point in the recent SAG strike in the US. It seems like as with music distribution, the talent thinks they're getting a smaller cut than they did with physical media distribution.
I've bought a lot of physical media in my life, (maybe a 1/10 of Kal  but haven't for many years. Buying music on a disk? decade(s). Yep, streaming is convenient and convenience sells.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
km987654
Joined: 25 Jul 2007
Posts: 2874
Location: Australia
TV/Projector: Barco BG809s
|
| Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2023 4:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| El Duderino wrote: | https://variety.com/2023/film/news/oppenheimer-4k-james-cameron-physical-media-1235837539/
Streaming revenue sharing and residuals for actors and writers vs studios was a sticking point in the recent SAG strike in the US. It seems like as with music distribution, the talent thinks they're getting a smaller cut than they did with physical media distribution.
I've bought a lot of physical media in my life, (maybe a 1/10 of Kal but haven't for many years. Buying music on a disk? decade(s). Yep, streaming is convenient and convenience sells. |
No physical media could mean less choice as media companies try to maximize profit from new or newer releases by reducing what's available on a streaming channel. If you can't access alternate titles from a non streaming source then streaming companies control what you view and what you pay for access. While it could be said this already happens its a fact that reduced sources helps this paradigm and when I say sources I mean physical media sales.
Apart from the above there is almost a type of censorship when you consider that you can only watch whatever is available on any and all streaming services (if you can afford all services) which may be narrower that all that is possible.
Just my view.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kal
Forum Administrator
Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Posts: 18114
Location: Ottawa, Canada
TV/Projector: JVC DLA-NZ7
|
| Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2023 1:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Very true.
It's supposedly one of the reasons Netflix physical media existed as long as it did (they shut it down in October 2023 for good). It was mostly used by people who were interested in more obscure movies or even not that obscure but older movies. Also for the extras and commentaries. Not because people couldn't get internet access for streaming.
Streaming services licence most of the content they show to viewers, usually for 1-2 years. After that there's often no point in them keeping paying to licence the content if viewership has dropped off. They look at the numbers and often will not renew something if it's no longer worth it.
So content comes and goes on most streaming services. Exception would be exclusives, like the many specials Netflix has made itself not available elsewhere, or Disney's content like Star Wars / Marvel / etc. They own that stuff outright so there's licencing costs, so odds are it'll never go away.
Kal
_________________
Support our site by using our affiliate links. We thank you!
My basement/HT/bar/brewery build 2.0
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ron W
Joined: 07 Aug 2009
Posts: 860
Location: Mississauga
|
| Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 8:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| kal wrote: | Very true.
It's supposedly one of the reasons Netflix physical media existed as long as it did (they shut it down in October 2023 for good). It was mostly used by people who were interested in more obscure movies or even not that obscure but older movies. Also for the extras and commentaries. Not because people couldn't get internet access for streaming.
Streaming services licence most of the content they show to viewers, usually for 1-2 years. After that there's often no point in them keeping paying to licence the content if viewership has dropped off. They look at the numbers and often will not renew something if it's no longer worth it.
So content comes and goes on most streaming services. Exception would be exclusives, like the many specials Netflix has made itself not available elsewhere, or Disney's content like Star Wars / Marvel / etc. They own that stuff outright so there's licencing costs, so odds are it'll never go away.
Kal |
It is rather interesting to note since my previous comment, I have seen a number of interviews with people in the streaming eco-system who have stated maybe the future of streaming is not so rosy after all. Netflix has been losing subscribers and Paramount+ along with Disney+ have never made money to the point now since Paramount itself is up for sale along with its subsidiaries, it is predicted that the Paramount+ streaming service will be dumped by the new owners. I have always believed as streaming has grown, with all the fragmentation of content going on among the various services, add up the monthly costs PLUS the cost of the internet itself, for the so called "cut the cord" or "physical media is dead" crowd, maybe it is not so advantageous after all. Amazon Prime is starting to place ads in its content, hence, who knows how that will affect their current subscriber base. What Amazon has got going for them that the others don't is their Prime service which, if you order from them online, you will get additional benefits that in most cases, includes free shipping of your purchases.
In any case, it will be interesting.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
virusc
Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Posts: 358
Location: Massachusetts
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
km987654
Joined: 25 Jul 2007
Posts: 2874
Location: Australia
TV/Projector: Barco BG809s
|
| Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2024 8:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
If Sony buy up all the streaming businesses then it can jack up prices.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
virusc
Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Posts: 358
Location: Massachusetts
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2024 9:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
I still think that video physical media is in trouble. I have been buying some discs lately that I normally would not. I really do not want to buy all the movies I want right now as my theater is still not completed in my unfinished basement as I need to re pour the cement floor and rebuild. This all makes me nervous. I wanted to get a Kaleidescape a while back but I can't justify the 10k price point of entry and I have concerns over them surviving too. I think if physical media goes away Kscape is the only download service? They already technically went out of business a few years ago and they have not refreshed there hardware in many years or there GUI . The new hard drives in their NAS does not count as new hardware either and as there only new offering makes me feel uneasy like they felt they had to offer something new and that is the only thing they could budget. There business model is tough and I hope they survive but still. At what point will a studio decide not to release discs? It happened with laserdisc I remember well. Streaming is the new DVD for most people. I think if we see a major studio drop out others will follow. Best buy pulling out is a major hit. I heard 13% of all video media sales was best buy or something like that.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
km987654
Joined: 25 Jul 2007
Posts: 2874
Location: Australia
TV/Projector: Barco BG809s
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2024 7:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
| virusc wrote: | | I still think that video physical media is in trouble. I have been buying some discs lately that I normally would not. I really do not want to buy all the movies I want right now as my theater is still not completed in my unfinished basement as I need to re pour the cement floor and rebuild. This all makes me nervous. I wanted to get a Kaleidescape a while back but I can't justify the 10k price point of entry and I have concerns over them surviving too. I think if physical media goes away Kscape is the only download service? They already technically went out of business a few years ago and they have not refreshed there hardware in many years or there GUI . The new hard drives in their NAS does not count as new hardware either and as there only new offering makes me feel uneasy like they felt they had to offer something new and that is the only thing they could budget. There business model is tough and I hope they survive but still. At what point will a studio decide not to release discs? It happened with laserdisc I remember well. Streaming is the new DVD for most people. I think if we see a major studio drop out others will follow. Best buy pulling out is a major hit. I heard 13% of all video media sales was best buy or something like that. |
I think laser disk went away because of other physical media that had greater consumer benefits. It didn't die because people didn't want physical media.
Streaming has threatened physical media however like electric cars the reality is different to the promise. With streaming services the market is fractured. How many streaming service can someone pay for?
Lets see what happens but for my 2 cents I would like physical media to stay. Its mine and I can watch it any time even when the
politically correct police say no.!!!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
virusc
Joined: 11 Apr 2007
Posts: 358
Location: Massachusetts
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2025 7:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
Latest update LG has ceased production of Bluray and UHD drives and players. Target no longer stocking disks in stores. Things are not looking good but hopefully a long slow death until I no choice but to get a Kaleidescape system.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
