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Do you still buy physical media? (DVD/BR)

  • YES

    Votes: 314 55.0%
  • NO

    Votes: 186 32.6%
  • STREAMING ONLY (Netflix/Prime etc)

    Votes: 71 12.4%

  • Total voters
    571
Huh? All the theaters I have attended are digital. Since many films are now filmed with digital cameras, theoretically there is no loss of resolution.

I was referring to when they showed movies using 35mm film.

Not really. There aren't that many great recordings or performers. There are a ton of bad ones. Chesky has some great stuff, but they are pricey.

There's a lot more than you think. Try looking somewhere other than audiophile labels. I have a ton of great recorded anime music, for example that is more like modern orchestral with some pop elements thrown in once in awhile. Not all rock recordings are bad either. Pink Floyd is quite good, for example. Tori Amos has a lot of good recordings (Boys For Pele is reference quality, IMO).
 
It's unclear to me whether there is sufficient dynamic range in older films to make an HDR release reasonable. I just got Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and wasn't that impressed. I'd be interested in hearing from others if they have found old movies which have great HDR.
I don't know how old is old, but something from a 35mm film can definitely be transferred to HDR with good results, as the DR of film exceeds Rec.709 DR.
As a proof, you can take a look at E.T. or T2.
 
Don't confuse HDR with WCG. They typically lump them together on the box in advertising (almost no one advertises WCG). HDR messes with the contrast of the film and film really doesn't display at those contrast levels naturally (they alter it, which the exposure may allow, but playing with things in the equivalent of Photoshop isn't my idea of historical accuracy). Now the color on film may very well exceed previous 2K HD signal levels (WCG). The resolution on the master may approach 4K, but as I've pointed out, no one ever viewed it at that resolution when it was a at a movie theater. A 70mm transfer might retain 2K or slightly more than 2K resolution, but it's still a 3rd generation print so there's no way it was 4K even in 70mm theaters.

No some people don't care about historical accuracy. Fine. But I've had huge arguments with people on the Blu-ray forums where they go postal on me about the audio not being Atmos/X back then so something like Alien should not have more channels than the 70mm soundtrack offered (roughly comparable to 5.1 in 1979), but they're fine with extracting every last bit of resolution that no one really saw in 1979 so it looks good on their new 4K sets and HDR? Yes please! Anything to make it look better on that 4K set! But update the audio? Noooooo. We wouldn't want Atmos. That wouldn't be historically accurate! :rolleyes:

E.T. did look darn good, I'll admit and thank god it wasn't that updated 2002 version.... It had DTS:X on Blu-Ray 4K, but stayed similar to the original soundtrack much of the time (the alien ship flying overhead really passed overhead quite well, though, a good example of a tasteful update that used the overheads where it made sense, but didn't go nuts either).
 
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  • Available between:
  • Saturday 11th May - Saturday 18th May
LaCie 1TB Porsche Mobile Hard Drive

Quantity
1
£59.99

That's my i3 128gb ssd storage being increased.
Finding some time for some blu ray/dvd copy and upload to infuse and view movies via Apple 4K t.v.
That LaCie drive is getting seriously decent reviews.
This could result in dvd collection finally being removed from disc format and uploaded.
Think 1 tb should suffice.

Thanks!
 
  • Available between:
  • Saturday 11th May - Saturday 18th May
LaCie 1TB Porsche Mobile Hard Drive

Quantity
1
£59.99

That's my i3 128gb ssd storage being increased.
Finding some time for some blu ray/dvd copy and upload to infuse and view movies via Apple 4K t.v.
 

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Oh wow dude that's the same one that I have! Bought from the Apple store in 2013 - I use it as a TimeMachine backup once a week and six years on still perfect!
Very silent in operation and slick!
 
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So here is the rub, I'm being forced to stream/digital download. Here is what happened. In Portugal where I live, either the local distributor or Disney has decided, that is no longer viable to make Blu-ray version of their movies and distribute them in Portugal, since Black Panther (with the exception of Avenger: Infinity War).

They probably saw the sale figures that was not profitable to make Blu-rays or 4K disks of their movies. So any future releases of Disney movies (either animation or real actors), will gonna be release only in digital or in DVD format.

I'm really p*ss about this, because I'm physical media defender, after having a 4k Apple TV, the experience has not been that steller (mostly because if my internet speed and powerline), but the thing is, I'm one of those that doesn't see the difference between a 4k Blu-ray and Itunes 4k. Also I can't shake the feeling that when buying a a movie with Itunes, i'm buying a license to see the movie, then actual owning the physical form of the movie (holding the actua case of the movies).

I'm actual at the cross road of the 2 (physical and digital), but if I go digital I want to make the decision by myself, not being forced into that option. Also i think it is getting harder to get movies in phisical format (either Blu-ray and DVDs) in my country.
 
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All of my books, music, movies, etc. are 100% digital.....well, almost. Some friends run a comic/hobby shop so I do purchase physical comics/graphic novels from there occasionally and I recently did buy the physical copy of GRRM's The World of Ice and Fire simply because it's a nicely illustrated coffee table book and my iPad wouldn't do it justice. I guess I would have to answer yes to the poll but physical media is a very small percentage of my media purchases.
 
I still buy physical media for all music, and any video I feel I'll want to see more than once. Streaming is convenient, but between the geographic restrictions on content licensing and the fragmentation of content among providers, I don't want to have to hunt for the stuff I know I like.
 
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In Portugal where I live, either the local distributor or Disney has decided, that is no longer viable to make Blu-ray version of their movies and distribute them in Portugal,

Do you object to watching movies in English? If not then simply order them from other locations. I'm in the U.S. and occasionally order physical media from other Amazon locations (Australia, UK, Germany) when they are unavailable or too expensive locally.

Unfortunately physical sales have dropped dramatically (~50% in 5 years). UHD sales are very small: ~58% DVD, ~4% 4K. In contrast digital sales have increased ~34%:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/201...arly-halved-over-five-years-mpaa-report-says/
 
Do you object to watching movies in English? If not then simply order them from other locations. I'm in the U.S. and occasionally order physical media from other Amazon locations (Australia, UK, Germany) when they are unavailable or too expensive locally.

Unfortunately physical sales have dropped dramatically (~50% in 5 years). UHD sales are very small: ~58% DVD, ~4% 4K. In contrast digital sales have increased ~34%:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/201...arly-halved-over-five-years-mpaa-report-says/

I don't object at all. Half of my blu-ray collection I order from Amazon.co.uk. I don't really have problem watching movies without any subtitles or in english. That is beauty of Portugal, we only have movies voice over in portuguese is Disney and animation movies for the little kids, the rest is always in the original language.

But, there are some (mostly family), that are not as fluent as in the english language and Portuguese subtitles normally helped (for example: I struggle with french, so when i buy a french movie (like their comedies) Portuguese subtitles are mandatory). That is why I bought normally Disney movie and animation movies in Portugal. Guess I have to rethink my strategy on that front. The issue in this case is that normally, not all movies in other countries have a Portuguese subtitles or the subtitles are in Brazillian, which is not the same has there noticeable differences between the 2. I wouldn't mind if the European Union force Movie companies to include all European Union nations subtitles in their european blu-ray/dvd releases. But I guess that is not on their priority political things to do.

I think the way forward is digital (I'm fully digital for music and games, and books I'm at probably 90% digital with Kindle, has some books I only have in my native language), and I don't dislike the idea of digital format, as long Itunes or any other distributor guarantees if I purchase a movie I have access to it whenever I want. It also has few plus, like not occupying shelf space or have to dust every 3 months, the price is way cheaper then a Blu-ray disk (at least here in Portugal), but it fits well in my wanting to have less stuff (minimalism), as many of my shelves where stuff with too many stuff. Also since I don't have a detailed eye to see the difference between digital 4k image and a 4k Blu-ray disk, I was inclined to it when I tries in my iMac and works brilliantly, that I bought the Apple TV 4k for the living room, but the buffering man... and I have the internet speed to see 4k movie twice over, but either there are times my internet speed goes kaput or the powerline it starting to show its limitations.

But for example Itunes doesn't have all movies. Neverending story is not there and as all french movies are not there as well.
 
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So here is the rub, I'm being forced to stream/digital download. Here is what happened. In Portugal where I live, either the local distributor or Disney has decided, that is no longer viable to make Blu-ray version of their movies and distribute them in Portugal, since Black Panther (with the exception of Avenger: Infinity War).

They probably saw the sale figures that was not profitable to make Blu-rays or 4K disks of their movies. So any future releases of Disney movies (either animation or real actors), will gonna be release only in digital or in DVD format.

I'm really p*ss about this, because I'm physical media defender, after having a 4k Apple TV, the experience has not been that steller (mostly because if my internet speed and powerline), but the thing is, I'm one of those that doesn't see the difference between a 4k Blu-ray and Itunes 4k. Also I can't shake the feeling that when buying a a movie with Itunes, i'm buying a license to see the movie, then actual owning the physical form of the movie (holding the actua case of the movies).

I'm actual at the cross road of the 2 (physical and digital), but if I go digital I want to make the decision by myself, not being forced into that option. Also i think it is getting harder to get movies in phisical format (either Blu-ray and DVDs) in my country.

Hi there Grade!
Firstly, lucky you living in Portugal! It's beautiful - I surf near Lisbon each time that I visit :)

Secondly, it's not just Portugal. It seems that outside of the US, films simply don't get released to BluRay and I guess it's simple - it's last century or at least pre 2010 in reality. It's all about multi platform in this amazing digital world and something that plays on a MacBook Pro, iPad, iPhone and Apple TV. It's about availability etc.
I can name so many favourite films of mine that never saw a Region 2 BluRay release along with most independent film (My Art, Summer of 8, This summer feeling) and all of my incredible life changing surfing and skateboarding film. Even brand new releases such as 'Paris can wait' by SONY don't get a BluRay release - instantly goes to iTunes HD.

It what sells, it how the world has moved on. We are all using iPhones etc and we have got used to be able to do everything on very few items now. In fact, if you look at me - I only own THREE electrical things in my entire world now - a MacBook an iPhone (which does what 250+ products used to do) and Apple TV 4K - I also have a new iPad Pro which is solely used as a digital portfolio for client use. Discs simply do not fit into this and the majority of people's lives. I guess people are doing more things and IF they have the time for a film, maybe decide on the spot or simply turn to Netflix. Discs are dead and even the most hardcore vloggers of YouTube are posting the same views. It's a bad investment.

DVDs in Portugal are speed up by 4% in order to make 25fps - so you really are not hearing or seeing the real deal. An iTunes HD or even SD film would be a million times better for any European DVD buyer because of this.

I hope that your internet becomes fibre - i'm sure that it will - five years ago, we had 6mbps now we have 900mbps as an option where I live! And it's been 100% reliable!

I'm truly excited with the future of streaming film. Just last week, Netflix increased their audio bit rate and put everything out at DD+ replacing DD. This is a H U G E deal. It's clear that Apple have the world's best servers along with investment and quality control/attention to detail - things are simply going to get better and better. It's wonderful - compare that to 15 years ago when the majority of people were watching DVD or even VHS video on a 28" CRT TV or smaller with fuzzy analogue picture / broadcasts. Just look at how the iPhone has changed the world in 10 years - 10 years ago we were filming in 480p - now we expect pro quality 4K 60 frames per second from something as tiny as an iPhone - something that also holds an entire music library, all of your HD iTunes films, all of your photo albums, has a beautiful camera AND camcorder, is a SAT NAV, an alarm clock, an egg timer, connects to a Pioneer CDJ for DJ'ing or professional radio broadcasting, a FaceTime device anywhere in the world for no cost, a social media device, syncs to your MacBook, a business tool and er, a phone! Amazing really isn't it! :)

I hope that you continue to enjoy the beauty of Portugal.
[doublepost=1557744494][/doublepost]
I don't object at all. Half of my blu-ray collection I order from Amazon.co.uk. I don't really have problem watching movies without any subtitles or in english. That is beauty of Portugal, we only have movies voice over in portuguese is Disney and animation movies for the little kids, the rest is always in the original language.

But, there are some (mostly family), that are not as fluent as in the english language and Portuguese subtitles normally helped (for example: I struggle with french, so when i buy a french movie (like their comedies) Portuguese subtitles are mandatory). That is why I bought normally Disney movie and animation movies in Portugal. Guess I have to rethink my strategy on that front. The issue in this case is that normally, not all movies in other countries have a Portuguese subtitles or the subtitles are in Brazillian, which is not the same has there noticeable differences between the 2. I wouldn't mind if the European Union force Movie companies to include all European Union nations subtitles in their european blu-ray/dvd releases. But I guess that is not on their priority political things to do.

I think the way forward is digital (I'm fully digital for music and games, and books I'm at probably 90% digital with Kindle, has some books I only have in my native language), and I don't dislike the idea of digital format, as long Itunes or any other distributor guarantees if I purchase a movie I have access to it whenever I want. It also has few plus, like not occupying shelf space or have to dust every 3 months, the price is way cheaper then a Blu-ray disk (at least here in Portugal), but it fits well in my wanting to have less stuff (minimalism), as many of my shelves where stuff with too many stuff. Also since I don't have a detailed eye to see the difference between digital 4k image and a 4k Blu-ray disk, I was inclined to it when I tries in my iMac and works brilliantly, that I bought the Apple TV 4k for the living room, but the buffering man... and I have the internet speed to see 4k movie twice over, but either there are times my internet speed goes kaput or the powerline it starting to show its limitations.

But for example Itunes doesn't have all movies. Neverending story is not there and as all french movies are not there as well.

Is your Apple TV connected via Ethernet or 5G setting on the Wifi?
 
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Hi there Grade!
Firstly, lucky you living in Portugal! It's beautiful - I surf near Lisbon each time that I visit :)

Secondly, it's not just Portugal. It seems that outside of the US, films simply don't get released to BluRay and I guess it's simple - it's last century or at least pre 2010 in reality. It's all about multi platform in this amazing digital world and something that plays on a MacBook Pro, iPad, iPhone and Apple TV. It's about availability etc.
I can name so many favourite films of mine that never saw a Region 2 BluRay release along with most independent film (My Art, Summer of 8, This summer feeling) and all of my incredible life changing surfing and skateboarding film. Even brand new releases such as 'Paris can wait' by SONY don't get a BluRay release - instantly goes to iTunes HD.

It what sells, it how the world has moved on. We are all using iPhones etc and we have got used to be able to do everything on very few items now. In fact, if you look at me - I only own THREE electrical things in my entire world now - a MacBook an iPhone (which does what 250+ products used to do) and Apple TV 4K - I also have a new iPad Pro which is solely used as a digital portfolio for client use. Discs simply do not fit into this and the majority of people's lives. I guess people are doing more things and IF they have the time for a film, maybe decide on the spot or simply turn to Netflix. Discs are dead and even the most hardcore vloggers of YouTube are posting the same views. It's a bad investment.

DVDs in Portugal are speed up by 4% in order to make 25fps - so you really are not hearing or seeing the real deal. An iTunes HD or even SD film would be a million times better for any European DVD buyer because of this.

I hope that your internet becomes fibre - i'm sure that it will - five years ago, we had 6mbps now we have 900mbps as an option where I live! And it's been 100% reliable!

I'm truly excited with the future of streaming film. Just last week, Netflix increased their audio bit rate and put everything out at DD+ replacing DD. This is a H U G E deal. It's clear that Apple have the world's best servers along with investment and quality control/attention to detail - things are simply going to get better and better. It's wonderful - compare that to 15 years ago when the majority of people were watching DVD or even VHS video on a 28" CRT TV or smaller with fuzzy analogue picture / broadcasts. Just look at how the iPhone has changed the world in 10 years - 10 years ago we were filming in 480p - now we expect pro quality 4K 60 frames per second from something as tiny as an iPhone - something that also holds an entire music library, all of your HD iTunes films, all of your photo albums, has a beautiful camera AND camcorder, is a SAT NAV, an alarm clock, an egg timer, connects to a Pioneer CDJ for DJ'ing or professional radio broadcasting, a FaceTime device anywhere in the world for no cost, a social media device, syncs to your MacBook, a business tool and er, a phone! Amazing really isn't it! :)

I hope that you continue to enjoy the beauty of Portugal.
[doublepost=1557744494][/doublepost]

Is your Apple TV connected via Ethernet or 5G setting on the Wifi?

Most major cities in Portugal have fibre 1GBPS as an option in lot of places, but not all places. I live in big city and as I said my speed is well enough for a 4K streaming. Maybe it some sort limitation of the powerlines i'm using at the house. The Apple TV 4K, it is connected with ethernet via powerline, so it is not entirely apple TV 4k fault here. I need to find a work around, so that buffering will stop for good.

Yes, i'm enjoying my wonderful country, I hope one you do enjoy this country. Eat the Pastel de Nata, to give an extra boost on you next workout. :p See ya.
 
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Most major cities in Portugal have fibre 1GBPS as an option in lot of places, but not all places. I live in big city and as I said my speed is well enough for a 4K streaming. Maybe it some sort limitation of the powerlines i'm using at the house. The Apple TV 4K, it is connected with ethernet via powerline, so it is not entirely apple TV 4k fault here. I need to find a work around, so that buffering will stop for good.

Yes, i'm enjoying my wonderful country, I hope one you do enjoy this country. Eat the Pastel de Nata, to give an extra boost on you next workout. :p See ya.
WOW that's incredible 1gbps - Europe really does seem to be doing well with its broadband infrastructure same over in France and Barcelona where I love spending lots of time :)

Not too sure what a power line is but I hope that you can get a clean connection. I used to have 50mbps fibre and the Apple TV 4K performed 100% perfectly when streaming 4K HDR/Dolby Vision film. We now have 400mbps and of course, everything is just... wow!!! Downloading iTunes film to my Mac or iPhone in 1080p takes 2 or 3 minutes :)
 
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You know what's really GREAT about streaming media? When Apple mysteriously downgrades your bought and paid for Harry Potter Collection in 4K to 2K with no explanation what-so-ever. No notes. Nothing. And it's not just me. They're all gone. They can do this on a whim any time they want. That's the danger of streaming. (Fortunately, I have the 4K DTS:X versions here on disc, which had a code for the streaming versions).
 
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As far as I can remember, every service I've ever "bought" from has eventually revoked something that I previously had access to. I always buy discs whenever they're available, otherwise you should treat your "purchases" as long-term rentals.
 
As far as I can remember, every service I've ever "bought" from has eventually revoked something that I previously had access to. I always buy discs whenever they're available, otherwise you should treat your "purchases" as long-term rentals.

But surely a disc is a long term rental as something better appears a few years later and you buy the new version of your favourite film i.e. VHS to DVD to BluRay to 4K Disc?
[doublepost=1557833564][/doublepost]
You know what's really GREAT about streaming media? When Apple mysteriously downgrades your bought and paid for Harry Potter Collection in 4K to 2K with no explanation what-so-ever. No notes. Nothing. And it's not just me. They're all gone. They can do this on a whim any time they want. That's the danger of streaming. (Fortunately, I have the 4K DTS:X versions here on disc, which had a code for the streaming versions).
That explains why Apple don't charge any extra for 4K film. You simply buy the HD version for the HD price.
 
That explains why Apple don't charge any extra for 4K film. You simply buy the HD version for the HD price.

In another forum I frequently use this was posted by one of the members which if true seems to give some insight as to why they don’t charge extra for 4K.

I spoke to a guy in the local Apple store the other week and he told me the reason Apple only charges HD prices for its 4K movies was because the distributors won’t allow downloading the 4K version so Apple argued they should only charge for the HD version as that was the only version you can ‘own’. Disney disagreed and that’s why they don’t do the Disney stuff in 4K.
 
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You know what's really GREAT about streaming media? When Apple mysteriously downgrades your bought and paid for Harry Potter Collection in 4K to 2K with no explanation what-so-ever. No notes. Nothing. And it's not just me. They're all gone. They can do this on a whim any time they want. That's the danger of streaming. (Fortunately, I have the 4K DTS:X versions here on disc, which had a code for the streaming versions).
I've heard so many stories like this that is blows my mind that there are people who are serious about their movie quality who still rely entirely on streaming.
 
I've heard so many stories like this that is blows my mind that there are people who are serious about their movie quality who still rely entirely on streaming.
Not at all. What if the choice of film - like the majority of my independent films are not released on 4K BluRay or even BluRay but are released on HD iTunes?

Don't believe other people's views on things. Try it our for yourself, use your own eyes and ears and see what makes you smile.
Yes, there's plenty of mainstream American Hollywood stuff on disc but seriously, that's the kind of stuff that the majority only watch once or twice.

You can have the best old skool disc formats in the world BUT if spectacular films don't get released on disc, then it's not much use is it? It's a bit like talking about fossil fuel supercars as the world is evolving to clean, renewables! Those 'supercars' will be pretty useless soon!
[doublepost=1557846337][/doublepost]
In another forum I frequently use this was posted by one of the members which if true seems to give some insight as to why they don’t charge extra for 4K.
To me, that sounds 100% right and EXACTLY what my intellect told me on the first day of people complaining about not being able to download 4K iTunes. You buy the HD and have the luxury to stream it in 4K IF you own an Apple TV 4K. FairPlay IMO. Apart from a few, who would want to keep 4K iTunes films downloaded at 25GB each?
 
But surely a disc is a long term rental as something better appears a few years later and you buy the new version of your favourite film i.e. VHS to DVD to BluRay to 4K Disc?
[doublepost=1557833564][/doublepost]
That explains why Apple don't charge any extra for 4K film. You simply buy the HD version for the HD price.

Geeze, make a flipping excuse for everything.... I bought and paid for the 4K discs that came with 4K streaming versions, DUDE. I paid for them. WTF is this "extra" NONSENSE? They're STILL 4K on Vudu and everywhere else part of the "Movies Anywhere" system for that reason (because I bought 4K, not 2K "upgraded" by Apple). If I buy the 4K streaming version, I should get the 4K streaming version. PERIOD.

If you're referring to Apple's upgrade to 4K only if you bought it directly from iTunes, that doesn't really apply here or for most people at this stage since 4K is now the standard. They sell 4K. They only sell 2K if Disney won't cooperate or it's some old film that hasn't been converted yet. In other words, the 'upgrade' thing was so several years ago. Nor does it give them the right to just take it back if they feel like it. Or maybe it does? And hence, the reason everyone should buy physical media so they don't get screwed.

As for upgrading from VHS to DVD to BD, etc. That stuff is OVER. Only someone that doesn't understand the formats in the slightest would buy an 8K movie and expect to actually see a difference short of a 250" screen. 4K is as far as the average consumer will EVER need to go. These are no permanent archive copies, save the "lying" 4K titles that are really just 2K up-converts using 2K DIs.
 
Don't believe other people's views on things. Try it our for yourself, use your own eyes and ears and see what makes you smile.
For somebody who is constantly preaching about "to each their own" you really seem to have a problem with people having a different viewpoint from you. Why is it so hard to understand that other people want a higher quality picture, guaranteed every time (not just when Apple wants to give them access to it), and that people watch movies on devices that aren't a laptop screen or smartphone?

Nobody is forcing you to change what you do, but you really seem to have a problem with other people who don't live up to your standards of minimalism.
 
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