DS9 on blu ray?

[The Transformed Man]

Even if blu-rays, aren't in DS9's future, I do hope they do remaster them for streaming/syndication. It'll be a shame not to get all those wonderful special features that the blu-ray releases offered, but I can live without them.

Actually studios are finally beginning to examine that and are offering "special features" as part of their streaming packages, so I suspect that will be part of the strategy.

What's really interesting is waaaaaaaayyyy back in 2007 during the Format Wars Microsoft and Toshiba were working on new streaming technology which would essentially stream the complete image of an HD-DVD including menus and bonus features... it would have essentially been a disc on demand.

I think we will finally get there in the years ahead.

 

[MakeshiftPython]

Very interesting.

Still, it's too bad disc based content sales are falling. Streaming has yet to match in video quality.

 

[The Transformed Man]

Very interesting.

Still, it's too bad disc based content sales are falling. Streaming has yet to match in video quality.

The reality is most people don't notice the difference. And to be fair I have seen some outstanding encodes of streaming films that look quite good. But the reality is the home video market has been bleeding for years, and studios have desperately tried to find the "next big thing" to woo back consumers... first it was 3-D, now we've moved on to 4K.

Physical media will still be available as there is a niche market of collectors and film/TV connoisseurs who want there shows/film in some kind of physical form. I suspect future runs of shows like DS9 would have a small pressings in some sort of "limited" edition. But by and large streaming and download will be CBS' format of choice.

Yancy

 

[MacLeod]

I suggest you guys read this:

http://www.computerworld.com/s/arti...and_and_streaming_options_are_gaining_on_you_

Blu-ray is on its way out the door, and many studios are re-evaluating their long term support for the format.

There's far more money to be made by offering shows as downloads via Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, iTunes, etc. The money those services would offer would simply dwarf whatever monies CBS hoped to make with disc releases. Add to that potential dollars from syndication packages in HD, and there's no way CBS walks away from that.

I suspect whatever delay there is in any announcement for a DS9 release is probably more related to lining up a downloadable/streaming strategy than whether or not Season 6 & 7 of TNG sell well on blu ray. Based on those first week sales figures for TNG and sales trends for BD TV series sets, most of the TNG sets (with the exception of Season 1) likely topped out around 25,000 to 30,00 in total sales.


Yancy

And for those of that can barely stream SD never mind HD, what are we supposed to do. Whilst physical media might not be selling as well as it used to, it still sells and it's not a good buinsness decision to exclude potential customers, until such time as a particular prodct is no longer profitable. It should be an either or thing. You use as many profitable revenue streams as possible. Sure 25% of revenue might come physical media instead of 30% but that still 25%.

For example in the UK blu-ray sales grew by 10% in 2013 vs 2012.

 

[The Transformed Man]

I'm not suggesting whether it's right or wrong; I'm just telling you that's where the business model is heading. It's far more profitable for CBS to cut down production costs and forgo physical media. Additionally it eliminates middle man by removing distributors from the equation and allows studios to deal directly with companies like Netflix or Amazon.

 

[LOKAI of CHERON]

Very interesting.

Still, it's too bad disc based content sales are falling. Streaming has yet to match in video quality.

The reality is most people don't notice the difference. And to be fair I have seen some outstanding encodes of streaming films that look quite good. But the reality is the home video market has been bleeding for years, and studios have desperately tried to find the "next big thing" to woo back consumers... first it was 3-D, now we've moved on to 4K.

Physical media will still be available as there is a niche market of collectors and film/TV connoisseurs who want there shows/film in some kind of physical form. I suspect future runs of shows like DS9 would have a small pressings in some sort of "limited" edition. But by and large streaming and download will be CBS' format of choice.

Yancy

Well, I for one, notice the difference. Beyond the inferior picture quality - I think I'm correct in saying none of the streaming/download services offer DTS HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital True HD etc.

For those of us with quality home cinema systems, the highest quality presentation in both sound and picture is of premium importance.

The thought of having to accept whatever "compromise" quality/file size ratio Apple et al deem adequate sends shivers down my spine!

 

[Rarewolf]

[it's not a good buinsness decision to exclude potential customers, until such time as a particular prodct is no longer profitable.

Yes, can't imagine I'd ever pay to stream something I already own a copy of, even if that copy is just SD.

 

[ATimson]

I'm not suggesting whether it's right or wrong; I'm just telling you that's where the business model is heading. It's far more profitable for CBS to cut down production costs and forgo physical media. Additionally it eliminates middle man by removing distributors from the equation and allows studios to deal directly with companies like Netflix or Amazon.

What middleman is being eliminated? How is CBS selling their discs to Amazon/Target/Walmart, and from there to the consumer, a longer chain than CBS selling their video file to Amazon/Netflix, and from there to the consumer?

 

[The Transformed Man]

I'm not suggesting whether it's right or wrong; I'm just telling you that's where the business model is heading. It's far more profitable for CBS to cut down production costs and forgo physical media. Additionally it eliminates middle man by removing distributors from the equation and allows studios to deal directly with companies like Netflix or Amazon.

What middleman is being eliminated? How is CBS selling their discs to Amazon/Target/Walmart, and from there to the consumer, a longer chain than CBS selling their video file to Amazon/Netflix, and from there to the consumer?

Because with smaller vendors you don't have to go through a local/regional distributor; they are cut out of the process. Even delivering physical media to a larger chain store that handles their own distribution is streamlined. The process is simply more efficient and less costly to studios.

Physical media sales have dropped 96% since 2004 while streaming/download sales have increased 256% just since a year ago. Again physical media will still be around for legacy users and collectors, but the industry is changing, as is the delivery method of media.

Yancy

 

[BillJ]

As much as I love Netflix, I don't ever envision it or streaming in general ever having as much quality as physical media. Plus, the ability for content providers to pull material at any time is a huge red flag for me.

I'll just keep the DS9 and Voyager DVD's I have.

 

[Salinga]

Well, there is one advantage of streaming-only-media: You know who watches and when. Physical media makes it anonymous, streaming puts a spotlight on who is consuming, an information which the producer of the content can collect and uses as he wants to.

NSA is only the beginning...

 

[borgboy]

I may be old fashioned, but I want my media in a physical form. Even when I buy mp3s, I make a cd hardcopy. I don't trust that the digital copy will go away, and I have had some indie press ebooks I've bought become unavailable to redownload in the future when the company went out of business.
I won't be buying download only tv shows and movies. I'll keep my blu rays and DVDs. I will rebuy DS9 and Voyager if tptb release them on blu ray, but won't be buying them on digital only. If it comes down to it, I will always have the DVDs.

 

[MacLeod]

I'm not suggesting whether it's right or wrong; I'm just telling you that's where the business model is heading. It's far more profitable for CBS to cut down production costs and forgo physical media. Additionally it eliminates middle man by removing distributors from the equation and allows studios to deal directly with companies like Netflix or Amazon.

What middleman is being eliminated? How is CBS selling their discs to Amazon/Target/Walmart, and from there to the consumer, a longer chain than CBS selling their video file to Amazon/Netflix, and from there to the consumer?

Because with smaller vendors you don't have to go through a local/regional distributor; they are cut out of the process. Even delivering physical media to a larger chain store that handles their own distribution is streamlined. The process is simply more efficient and less costly to studios.

Physical media sales have dropped 96% since 2004 while streaming/download sales have increased 256% just since a year ago. Again physical media will still be around for legacy users and collectors, but the industry is changing, as is the delivery method of media.

Yancy

Source?

According to this Forbes article is 30% fall

http://www.forbes.com/sites/dadehay...s-still-make-money-and-wont-die-anytime-soon/

But is there a difference between CD's for music and DVD/BR's for film/TV are we more willing to go a digital format for music but less keen for Film/TV?

Can't they co-exist? If there is a film/TV show I really like I want to be able to buy a copy of it, not rely on a OnDemand service. Other potnetial issues with OnDemand services, odo Proiver A signs an exclusive contract for a particualr program, you have Provider B, so do you switch or does Proiver B also have some exclusive content you want? Do you end up having both?

 

[Rarewolf]

I'm not suggesting whether it's right or wrong; I'm just telling you that's where the business model is heading. It's far more profitable for CBS to cut down production costs and forgo physical media. Additionally it eliminates middle man by removing distributors from the equation and allows studios to deal directly with companies like Netflix or Amazon.

That's a fraction of the restoration costs though.

Perhaps they could do away with retail versions, and sell Blu ray direct to the customer. Perhaps even limited editions like the soundtracks.

It of course would work out more pricey for those of us not in the US, but it would at least be an option.

 

[The Transformed Man]

What middleman is being eliminated? How is CBS selling their discs to Amazon/Target/Walmart, and from there to the consumer, a longer chain than CBS selling their video file to Amazon/Netflix, and from there to the consumer?

Because with smaller vendors you don't have to go through a local/regional distributor; they are cut out of the process. Even delivering physical media to a larger chain store that handles their own distribution is streamlined. The process is simply more efficient and less costly to studios.

Physical media sales have dropped 96% since 2004 while streaming/download sales have increased 256% just since a year ago. Again physical media will still be around for legacy users and collectors, but the industry is changing, as is the delivery method of media.

Yancy

Source?

According to this Forbes article is 30% fall

http://www.forbes.com/sites/dadehay...s-still-make-money-and-wont-die-anytime-soon/

But is there a difference between CD's for music and DVD/BR's for film/TV are we more willing to go a digital format for music but less keen for Film/TV?

Can't they co-exist? If there is a film/TV show I really like I want to be able to buy a copy of it, not rely on a OnDemand service. Other potnetial issues with OnDemand services, odo Proiver A signs an exclusive contract for a particualr program, you have Provider B, so do you switch or does Proiver B also have some exclusive content you want? Do you end up having both?

http://www.worldtvpc.com/blog/blu-ray-and-dvd-sales-continue-to-decline-as-streaming-takes-hold/

And Sony cited and industry surge of streaming/digital downloads of 256% in their latest earnings report.

I'm not advocating digital only, but it is the direct the industry is heading. Physical media will continue to coexist with digital in the next few years ahead, but at some point in time the industry will cut physical media loose like they did when they made the decision to drop support for VHS and got strictly to DVD.

 

[Tosk]

As long as there is money to be made, you'll still see discs released.

 

[ChristopherPike]

My genuine fear is that Blu ray releases end with TNG.

I see streaming as the future of TV, and as a way of watching brand new episodes someday when traditional stations die off. I don't see it as the future of archive, personal collections and the like.

I don't want to be beholden to the internet and regular monthly subscriptions that cost highly for unlimited GB. I prefer the admittedly somewhat old fashioned concept of a bookcase and keeping everything I can't live without on that... You know, just in case I ever got banished to a post Nuclear War bunker, where there's electricity and that's about it. All I'll need is that bookcase, my TV and a player.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I see streaming as the future of TV, and as a way of watching brand new episodes someday when traditional stations die off. I don't see it as the future of archive, personal collections and the like.

That's where the iTunes Store comes in handy.

 

[benjaminh]

I've just about given up hope for DS9 on blu-ray, and I'm beyond disappointed. But last night I was brainstorming with my teenage son for a complete fantasy of how DS9 could be redone.

Ready?

All we need to do is convince Jeff Bezos to have Amazon Prime foot the bill. What would it cost? Hard to say, but maybe $12 million or so? In exchange Amazon would get exclusive streaming rights to to DS9 in HD—PLUS, first crack at a separate deal for a new Star Trek miniseries set in the Prime universe!

I know, it's a total fantasy. But in this fantasy something like this could also work for Netflix.

A new Prime Trek miniseries, with some guest stars from the casts of TNG, DS9, and Voy would be a HUGE draw. And I think Prime Trek and JJA Trek can just peacefully coexist as alternate timelines. This is sci fi, after all, and so that's possible. Not only would DS9 in HD and on blu-ray be a great way to celebrate TREK'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY, but so would a new Trek miniseries in the Prime universe that started it all.

Okay. Time to wake up.

 

[dub]

That's a nice fantasy, and I agree that it's fantasy and ain't gonna happen. . By the way, someone should totally create a "coexist" bumper sticker with a scifi theme! I could see one for Trek alone as well!