orangerunner

I think it would be a fair (but not perfect) compromise for both the theatre owners and the studios.

The theatre owners would still get their steady stream of local moviegoers and those that are too far away from a theatre (who wouldn't go anyway) will have a chance to add to the studio's revenue.

As I said, if you live in a major city that shows virtually every movie in a theatre this box wouldn't be worth it. If you live in a smaller city where you can watch Star Wars within 20 miles but you may not be able to watch something like "Brooklyn", this might be a viable option.

big e

This device, to me at least, seems to be aimed at people who don't want to go to/deal with theaters.

I'm wondering if we'll see movie DRM become less of a PITA as/if downloads become more mainstream? We've already seen it done music downloads once they became mainstream.

dfmaverick2

I thought this was already being done, albeit as a more expensive option (Prima Cinema), than this proposal which would aim more at the masses. I suppose it will all depend upon if money flows to the right people.

I think the Prima Cinema was like $35,000 for the hardware and $500 per movie, but that was a few years ago when I first heard of it. Now, that, was aimed at the high-end, rich, home theater owner.

slop101

The biggest issue with having first-run movies streaming to homes at the same time as they're in theaters is that they would be pirated immediately.

big e

They're already being pirated as-is, so I don't think much difference would be made on that issue.

latweek

I* should clarify that my perspective in bringing the Screening Room topic up here, is that I belong to the school of thought that the underlying driver behind consumer decision making is one of psychology and attachment, rather than features.

Sometimes, features are part of creating the consumer attachment, but sometimes its more the "appearance of features" that is indistinguishable to consumers than the reality.

I believe that if the content providers can create an attachment in consumer's minds to streaming by delivering first run movies, UHD, etc., they will continue to use streaming to displace physical in order to increase profit margins.

What does Screening Room provide? Conspicuous consumption. Consumers are driven by a "look what I have that you don't have" compulsion. Unfortunately, I can just see the "prestige" of asking ot go over to Johny's house to watch Superman vs. Batman vs. Aquaman vs. BlaBlaman PT 127........Mom, why don't we have that???

They may not have actually gotten a better value, but Madison Ave. has made a fortune from selling things to us that we don't need, and the phrase "New and Improved" has become a parody of itself.

*Disclaimer - I like physical media.

zyzzle

Most first-run titles are of such ephemeral value, low quality junk, that they're not even worth pirating. Catalogue titles, on the other hand....

Brian T

Now that the day's apparently coming when every movie ever made, probably from everywhere, can be fit into something the size of a Lego brick, everything seems so insignificant.

http://phys.org/news/2016-04-technic...ry-bottle.html

milo bloom

I was just looking at the thread's for Michael Mann's Manhunter, with all it's myriad of versions on DVD and Blu. That's always been my issue with streaming only: when someone like Mann or Lucas gets it into their head to change something, all they would have to do is change the original data file on the server and all of a sudden we find out Jar Jar is actually Anakin's father, turns out his full name is JarJar Midichlorians Binks.

Some of my old DVDs are starting to show their age on my 60" display, but at least I have proof they existed in that form at one point.

Josh-da-man

Yeah, it's really insane isn't it?

I have an box full of 3.5" floppy discs from my old Windows 3.11 PC that I used to back up and store data from its 400mb hard drive.

I now have thumb drives, barely larger than the cap of a ballpoint pen, that can hold the equivalent of 100,000 of those discs. It's mind-blowing.

Chuckle

Nope. I have a massive library with aisles upon aisles of releases. Of course there's no telling how many 1080p and 720p rips I have on my servers for titles not available on disc yet.

OldBoy

I'm really starting to consider more and more streaming stuff, like Vudu for my purchases. It's just getting out of hand. I have room in my walk in closet on the shelves. They are in drawers now. Think I posted what somewhere here. If Vudu can give me the movie and all the extras for $15 I'm all for it. Sure I'll still get physical but streaming is just getting easier and easier.

So do prefer streaming or physical now?

AaronSch

If and when physical media dies, sites like VUDU, Flixster, and iTunes will begin charging fees to maintain your library. Read the fine print. The terms are there and the groundwork is already being laid. You think these sites are simply there for your convenience? I'll tell them to erase my library and shove it up their collective asses. There's no way they'll get a dime from me for the UV library. I have my discs.

Jay G.

Well, with Vudu and Flixter, most of the films are transferrable via Ultraviolet, so if one service tries to charge fees, people will simply move to the other. Or, a third UV compatible site will pop up that people will migrate to. The same with Disney Movie Anywhere titles.

With iTunes, while nothing aside from DMA will migrate, they're still competing for new sales with Vudu, Flixter, Amazon, Google Play, etc. People are going to be less likely to buy more on a platform charging fees.

So, either way, competition is likely going to keep away any attempt at charging fees to maintain your library.

It's not like these companies need "maintenance fees" to be profitable. Storing the videos are a minimal cost in aggregate, and streaming costs pennies to them. They probably make enough from one sale of a digital title to host/serve videos to you for a decade.

JOE29

One reason why I buy so much is so that i'd have it years from now.
So if it went away, I would still have my collection to use no matter what else would happen.

AaronSch

You are a dreamer. Why would they put that in the fine print if there is no intention? There is competition for cable and satellite, yet costs remain quite high. When you have an entirely digital world, companies will seek to increase profit. However, I don't believe physical media will entirely disappear in 10 years and perhaps not even in 20. But I will always prefer physical media until they lay me in the cold hard ground. I laughed during mothers day dinner, 'cause I asked my step sister what she shells out for Cable + Internet + Netfiix + Hulu + Amazon Prime...and then I told her I paid just $57.99 for my high speed internet...that's it. I have Mohu Leaf HD antennas for each display and my growing blu-ray collection...and I don't even have time to watch much of what I buy. So, I watch what I want when I want and don't pay for crap I don't watch or lack the desire to watch. Once you shell out that $200+ a month for the collective services, that money is gone for good. No thanks. I enjoy spending my money on more important pursuits.

Why So Blu?

Looks like she got the last laugh there.

Jay G.

Can you point to the fine print you're referring to? I don't see anything in Vudu's terms of service about charging fees to maintain your library:
http://www.vudu.com/termsofservice.html

Coral

If I'm going to purchase something to own, it will be physical media.. not digital. That will always be the case.

My intention is that I will only purchase movies that I love and has great replay value... and can be purchased very cheaply (under $10).

However, even with that criteria - I"m finding less need to actually own the title now.
I'm realizing that even if it's got great replay value, I'm still not watching it very often at all. Maybe every few years. Why can't I just stream it every few years? Why do I need to pay money for it to take up space and collect dust?

With the amount of quality TV productions via cable channels and streaming services like HBO, Netflix, Amazon, etc - I already have a tough time keeping up with new movies... nevermind being able to rewatch old shows/movies.

I think I've finally reached the point where I have very little desire to own anything. Life's too short and money is too limited.

NOTE: I would probably purchase Blu-Ray concerts of artists I love if they ever release anything I would like. That would probably be the only things worth owning.

Coral

No kidding. He's bragging about spending money on stuff that he doesn't even have time to watch. Not sure why throwing money away is considered smart.

AaronSch

Nope, i don't think so spud. She didn't get the last laugh. She has no bank account to speak of....My discs are there when I am ready to watch. With your logic I would have to view everything immediately after purchase. It's a library. The point is, once you shell that money out to various services, ALL of that money is gone. I could still sell or trade titles in my collection..there is still value beyond my ownership. Good try. Well, not really. Plus, there is the shear pleasure of hunting and collecting. That of course is subjective and intangible.

If you disagree, why argue? Just sell off your physical media, stop posting in these forums and be done with it.

AaronSch

Via UltraViolet:

You accept the Terms by accessing or using the Services or by otherwise indicating your consent. We may change these Terms or modify any features of the Services at any time. We will post notice of modifications to these Terms on this page. Changes will become effective 14 days after they are posted, except that changes due to laws, regulations, code of practice, or similar requirements or to reflect new features are effective immediately. You accept any changes to the Terms by continuing to access or use the Services after we post the changes.

Via VUDU:

YOU AGREE THAT VUDU MAY ELIMINATE OR OTHERWISE MODIFY ANY OR ALL ASPECTS OF THE VUDU SERVICE, VUDU COMMUNITY AND VUDU COMMUNITY FEATURES OR ANY OTHER ASPECTS OF THE VUDU SERVICE AT ANY TIME, WITHOUT COMPENSATION OR NOTICE TO YOU.

And there's more...

By using the Vudu Service, you are expressly agreeing that Vudu is authorized to charge you any applicable rental, subscription or purchase fees or taxes and any other charges you may incur in connection with your use of the Vudu Service to the payment method you provided during registration (or to a different payment method if you change your account information). The fees and charges for selected Content, applicable taxes and any other fees incurred will automatically be charged to your payment method in your Vudu Account. For preorder rentals or purchases, you may be charged up to 24 hours prior to the time the Content is released and available. Fees are payable only in U.S. dollars. Vudu may change the fees and charges in effect or add new fees and charges from time to time. There may be a temporary disruption of your access to the Vudu Service until Vudu can verify the validity of any new credit or debit card information. Pricing errors may occur on the Website. In the event of a pricing error, Vudu reserves the right to restrict your access to Content, with no further obligations to you, even after your receipt of Content or confirmation of Content availability. Vudu may, in its sole discretion, either contact you for instructions or restrict access to Content.

Okay, that was easy.

morriscroy

(From a contrarian perspective).

Spending cash and bragging about it in such a manner does not always fall into rational thinking/behavior.

Such spending patterns has more to do with non-rational + emotional type of reasons.

I don't fault anyone for spending tons of cash in a non-logical/non-rational manner. It is perfectly normal human behavior, albeit defying any rational explanation.

AaronSch

Whatever the f*ck that means. In layman's terms, when you buy something tangible it is yours to keep, sell or trade. These digital services are paid for and ALL of your money is gone. POOF! Gone, gone gone. And your ownership is severely limited. Period. Case closed. Fin.

And what's with the psycho babble? Is this not a website devoted to the purchase and collection of DVDs, Blu-rays and UHD Discs? Any collection-size envy is your problem, not mine. If I earn more to make discretionary purchases, I make no apologies. I work hard and enjoy the fruits of my labor. Jealous? get off the sofa and get a better job.

morriscroy

My primary motivation nowadays for still buying discs, is unrelated to collecting a library of movies.

I'm still very fascinated by how the copy protection DRM functions on optical discs, and what new "rube goldberg" type structures the movie companies are still using on their current dvd/bluray releases. It's like attempting to decipher and figure out how a contraption designed by Wile E Coyote or MacGyver functions.