Entertainment (Movies and TVs) Format Preference

Wiede on 02/01/2018 - 11:29

I had a lively discussion with some of my friends in regards to digital distribution vs physical disc in terms of home entertainment (Movies and TVs only, let's leave gaming and music out of this for now). and I prefer digital distribution format exclusively myself as they are portable and convenient (I buy some of my movies from itunes and google play mostly combined with Netflix account and (ahem) “other” sources). My friends being old school dinosaurs that they are prefer BluRay disc as at least you can sell them when you are bored with them. To be honest I was quite surprised that alot of people still prefer physical media.

So my question: which format do you prefer for your TVs and Movies?

Poll Options

  • 1
    Digital download (Google Play, iTunes)
  • 17
    Digital Streaming (Amazon Prime, Netflix, others)
  • 17
    Physical Disc (Bluray/4K, DVD)
  • 0
    Disc? I still have my VHS/Betamax player!
  • 2
    I only watch theatre you uncultured plebes!
  • 30
    I umm, use “alternative source". On an unrelated note, do you have time to talk about Plex/Kodi?
Entertainment

Comments

  • bobbified on 02/01/2018 - 11:52
    +3

    I prefer mp4, wmv, mpeg or any other common format that I can simply copy across using a file explorer, without having to worry about compatibility issues on mobile media apps.

    Something that I don't need to rely on an internet connection to validate the DRM etc, etc.

    I've used Netflix to download movies and then when I travel etc and get to another country, it says that my downloaded video is not available to be played in this region.

    • Wiede on 02/01/2018 - 13:15
      +1

      yes, I too "backed up" my medias :)

  • Halo375 on 02/01/2018 - 11:54
    +5

    For my home theatre I prefer blurays for the best video and audio quality - if just watching a regular tv or a tablet then streaming has the greatest convenience.

    • Wiede on 02/01/2018 - 13:15

      you can download 4K medias now also

      • Halo375 on 02/01/2018 - 13:37
        +2

        I know but my internet is terrible and I prefer the HD audio streams from a disc.

  • theguyrules on 02/01/2018 - 13:15
    +1

    I mean I prefer 4K UHD Blurays, but they get expensive, so I use Netflix + other sources.

  • Axelstrife on 02/01/2018 - 13:42
    -1

    If digital where cheaper than disc based media it would dominate but as it stands they charge the same if you are lucky, normally digital is more expensive for no reason at all.

    Ill stick to my Plex and "Alternative Sources"

    • bobbified on 02/01/2018 - 13:54

      normally digital is more expensive for no reason at all

      It's a charge for convenience.
      (Yes, it costs them less, but they rape us for more!)

      • Axelstrife on 02/01/2018 - 14:01
        +2

        And they wonder why people tun to "Alternative Sources".

        • Wiede on 02/01/2018 - 16:51

          The reason I have my 16TB NAS :)

  • lupiter on 02/01/2018 - 14:08
    +1

    I'm a member of ANU Film Group which is where I see most movies. So I picked "I only watch theatre you uncultured plebes!". :P

    Otherwise, Netflix for things that are on it and then plastic disks if they're not on Netflix. I do have some purchased iTunes movies but the DRM is very annoying so I stopped using that.

    I have a great love for BBC history documentaries - most of which never come to Aus broadcast (or I miss them) and aren't on streaming or DVD. So I also use a VPN to access iPlayer or hunt them out on YouTube.

    • bobbified on 02/01/2018 - 14:17
      +3

      I have a great love for BBC

      ummm.. okaaay! ;)

      • manshrew on 02/01/2018 - 14:57
        +1

        I think those are different types of "movies".

    • Wiede on 02/01/2018 - 16:54
      +1

      Holy hell you people are really out there :)

      Funny story, I actually knew (past tense) someone who exclusively watch those broadway type theatre. He was born in 1987 which makes it more annoying. Also ate only organic food and listen only to classical music. I don’t judge but he wont stop talking about this so f him

      • lupiter on 02/01/2018 - 21:35
        +1

        Ha, you should meet some of the other people at film group! They’re really great though, it’s always fun to see movies there and I see stuff I’d never bother with otherwise.

        But the BBC do the best history docs. The don’t talk down to you and they get on some people who really know their stuff.

        • Wiede on 02/01/2018 - 22:43

          Doubt they’ll talk to someone who just watched Dude Where’s my Car again just now haha

        • lupiter on 03/01/2018 - 08:17

          @Wiede: I don't know about that. They show whatever members request and they can get a hold of; sometimes that's weird French films, but often it's American blockbusters. I'll be seeing The Last Jedi there for the third time :).

        • acoma on 03/01/2018 - 15:08

          @lupiter:

          Why three times?

        • lupiter on 03/01/2018 - 15:54

          @acoma: First time because I wanted to see it, second time because I wanted to see it with my family, third time because I want to see it at film group. And since Film Group is an annual membership fee, no extra cost for the third time. I'm pretty sure the third time will be the best ;)

  • Savas on 02/01/2018 - 14:43
    +3

    Whatever's cheapest - usually the library, TPB or Netflix trial.

    • Wiede on 02/01/2018 - 16:55
      +2

      The last option is the cheapest :p

    • silverrat23 on 02/01/2018 - 17:19
      +2

      How many credit cards have you used up for Netflix trials? (or am I missing something?)

      • Savas on 02/01/2018 - 18:10
        +1

        Haven't checked if it still works, but if get the Netflix app on Android you can use Google Play billing. Then you can reuse a prepaid VISA. I'm not sure if you have to delete the card every time off the google account but that is what i do. Also remember to cancel the subscription in google billing immediately. Here is the original deal that prompted me to check Andriod.

  • Steve K on 02/01/2018 - 16:45

    I have the plex lifetime pass from ~7 years ago which serves me well. I am no longer alt source since netflix arrived, but I do back up using playon lifetime pass. Wish it could access Stan and I view, but it is a USA centric software. No longer have torrent stuff installed, but if the streaming service fragmentation that is happening in the USA happens here, that may change.

    • Wiede on 02/01/2018 - 16:56

      Have you try the aussie amazon prime? It seems to be a good complement to our netflix if you want to stay on the legal side

      • Steve K on 02/01/2018 - 18:32
        +1

        Not yet. It would displace either netflix or Stan, which wife and kids all watch and would have to agree to. I mostly watch YouTube or University lectures now, so no skin off my nose either way.

  • myusername on 03/01/2018 - 09:34

    how about torrents?

    • eyeballz2770 on 03/01/2018 - 11:06

      I think that qualifies as “alternative source". :)

    • bobbified on 03/01/2018 - 12:59

      how about torrents?

      That's completely illegal and you'll go to hell for it!

      (I'll see you there! haha)

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