AVS Discussions
Video Source Devices => Blu-ray => Topic started by: SRW1000 on October 12, 2023, 10:36:52 PM
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In case you missed it, The Digital Bits is reporting that Best Buy will no longer be carrying any DVDs, Blu-rays, or 4K discs either in store or online. That also means their exclusive covers and steelbook will be gone as well.
Here's a link to the full article: BREAKING/EXCLUSIVE on The Bits: Best Buy is exiting the physical media business for good in 2024 (thedigitalbits.com) (https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/101223-1100)
Another reminder to buy the movies you want while you can. There may be a day when the only way you can watch is via streaming or a digital copy.
At least there's still Amazon for now.
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That news a few months ago about Disney (and others I think?) ceasing sales of physical media in Australia was said by some here to be not very applicable to the US market. I hoped they were right but was pretty sure they weren't and this is evidence of that. Virtually none of my friends buy physical media any more. There may be a dwindling niche market that sticks around for a while but I wonder how long that will last, a la Laserdiscs.
I definitely have mixed feelings. I don't buy nearly as much as I used to and the shelving space needed is a not so small factor in that. But similar to the change from cable/sat linear TV to streaming, it's not just about a change in delivery format but in the data and control the media/content companies have over it. We're seeing more commercials creep into streaming - many folks naively assumed that the early days of cheap, commercial free streaming were the way it would always be. But once the critical mass is achieved the incentive to push the profit up can't be ignored. I do kind of wonder if that will eventually cause some regret & backlash, leading to at least a modest resurgence of physical media like we've seen with LPs.
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In case you missed it, The Digital Bits is reporting that Best Buy will no longer be carrying any DVDs, Blu-rays, or 4K discs either in store or online. That also means their exclusive covers and steelbook will be gone as well.
Here's a link to the full article: BREAKING/EXCLUSIVE on The Bits: Best Buy is exiting the physical media business for good in 2024 (thedigitalbits.com) (https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/101223-1100)
Another reminder to buy the movies you want while you can. There may be a day when the only way you can watch is via streaming or a digital copy.
At least there's still Amazon for now.
I think Bill pulled this story down (or at least that's what I read over at AVS).
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sad, but the quality OF STREAMING IS DEF GETTING BETTER...SO THERES THAT
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OOPS sorry for the caps
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It will be years before discs go away. I buy 99% of my movies from Amazon, or direct from Kino Lorber etc. Ironically I just bought a 4K Blu-ray from Best Buy, but it's rare for me.
Besides, Bill mentioned many studios are moving towards sell movies on disc to Amazon - where I always buy them anyway.
I don't stream at all. I'll be less inclined to stream once we have our camper van next year. I'd just be burning up subscription money when I'm not home.
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I think Bill pulled this story down (or at least that's what I read over at AVS).
The story is still there. Also, more movies coming to 4K -
" I can also confirm that Warner will finally be releasing David Fincher’s Se7en (1995) on 4K Ultra HD next year, along with Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity (2013). Both films were originally planned for 4K release this year, but Fincher and Cuarón took their time in approving the remastering work. (Fincher was personally involved, as he revealed to Variety back in July, and he’s notorious for taking his sweet time with such things. By the way, don’t expect Fight Club in 4K anytime soon for this very reason) ".
4K Ultra HD catalog updates: Little Shop of Horrors, Se7en, Gravity, The Color Purple, Aliens, True Lies, The Abyss & more! (thedigitalbits.com) (https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/101123-1300)
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It’s been confirmed by Best Buy
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It’s been confirmed by Best Buy
Bummer that I won't be able to pick up discs locally, but at least Amazon delivers by the next morning in most cases (and even sometimes the same day). It's great having an Amazon warehouse in town :)
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But similar to the change from cable/sat linear TV to streaming, it's not just about a change in delivery format but in the data and control the media/content companies have over it.
This is one of the key points for me in favor of physical media. Not only availability of titles, but also the unaltered version of them. It wasn't that long ago that The French Connection was edited on Disney Plus (https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/the-french-connection-disney-criterion-b2353180.html), and we've seen plenty of cases lately where books have been changed substantially without any involvement by the author so as not to upset modern audiences.
So even if a movie is available via a streaming service, there's no telling if it will be the actual movie, or some altered version of it.
Regarding Best Buy dropping discs, there will still be other outlets to buy them for now, but it does reduce competition which typically ends up harming consumers. From my own experiences during the yearly Black Friday sales, most of my purchases had been typically split between the Best Buy and Amazon, with on or the other having a difference in price or offerings.
Scott
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This is one of the key points for me in favor of physical media. Not only availability of titles, but also the unaltered version of them. It wasn't that long ago that The French Connection was edited on Disney Plus (https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/the-french-connection-disney-criterion-b2353180.html), and we've seen plenty of cases lately where books have been changed substantially without any involvement by the author so as not to upset modern audiences.
So even if a movie is available via a streaming service, there's no telling if it will be the actual movie, or some altered version of it.
Regarding Best Buy dropping discs, there will still be other outlets to buy them for now, but it does reduce competition which typically ends up harming consumers. From my own experiences during the yearly Black Friday sales, most of my purchases had been typically split between the Best Buy and Amazon, with on or the other having a difference in price or offerings.
Scott
Well said Scott. My wife would agree with you 1000%. It's one reason why she doesn't "trust" streaming.
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This is one of the key points for me in favor of physical media. Not only availability of titles, but also the unaltered version of them. It wasn't that long ago that The French Connection was edited on Disney Plus (https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/the-french-connection-disney-criterion-b2353180.html), and we've seen plenty of cases lately where books have been changed substantially without any involvement by the author so as not to upset modern audiences.
So even if a movie is available via a streaming service, there's no telling if it will be the actual movie, or some altered version of it.
Regarding Best Buy dropping discs, there will still be other outlets to buy them for now, but it does reduce competition which typically ends up harming consumers. From my own experiences during the yearly Black Friday sales, most of my purchases had been typically split between the Best Buy and Amazon, with on or the other having a difference in price or offerings.
Scott
We are going to have to start checking Walmart's pricing now!
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I have not step into Best Buy in ages. For this topic, I typically go to Amazon. I guess that will continue for me. :)
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I have not step into Best Buy in ages. For this topic, I typically go to Amazon. I guess that will continue for me. :)
I only ever bought movies from Best Buy online anyway - never in the store.
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There have been a small number that I've ordered online at BB and picked up in person. For some reason, occasionally a movie will be available for pickup but not delivery.
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I rarely go to my closest BB, mostly because they are a 45-minute drive from me. However, the once-a-year time that we do drop by (because we're in the area) there are more and more mobile phones, Ring doorbells and cameras, and high-end appliances.
When they get rid of all physical media, there will be more room for the Roomba vacs.
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Went to a BB today in Portland, OR, and they had no media section at all.
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Went to a BB today in Portland, OR, and they had no media section at all.
Maybe it got shoplifted already. It is Portland after all.
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Great article -
A Digital Bits Editorial: Hollywood Can Reap the Rewards of Physical Media Again, But Only If… (thedigitalbits.com) (https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/102323-1200?fbclid=IwAR0fnRrLBtHO68591QhVYAfXlzQq8AwbXUmqdv9h-3IZurdOvuMe22Wukww)
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Sound & Vision published a humorous take on the current situation by Ken C. Pohlmann in its latest issue.
Here's a link to the version on their website: Another Last Hurrah | Sound & Vision (soundandvision.com) (https://www.soundandvision.com/content/another-last-hurrah)
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Looks like the end is here, at least for their online store. I went to see if there were any clearance items listed today, and while you can still reach individual titles, the physical movie section has gone bye-bye:
(https://i.imgur.com/5ShdMGM.png)
Clicking on the SteelBook Collector Hub takes you back to the home page. I may check out our local store to see if they have anything left on the shelves or if it's all vanished.
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I stopped by the closest Best Buy today to see if they had anything left. All of the movies were gone.
Talked to a couple of the guys there and they told me that they packed everything up about two weeks ago and shipped them back. There's a rumor that they're going to end up in the $5 bins at various Walmarts on 4/2, but that's unconfirmed. I'll be checking out two different stores that day just to check.
The Best Buy guys also told me that they were told they'd still be getting movies over the Black Friday season, so there still may be opportunities for deals from them in the future.
That's when I was buying most of them anyways, so this may not be as bad as I originally though.
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I stopped by the closest Best Buy today to see if they had anything left. All of the movies were gone.
Talked to a couple of the guys there and they told me that they packed everything up about two weeks ago and shipped them back. There's a rumor that they're going to end up in the $5 bins at various Walmarts on 4/2, but that's unconfirmed. I'll be checking out two different stores that day just to check.
The Best Buy guys also told me that they were told they'd still be getting movies over the Black Friday season, so there still may be opportunities for deals from them in the future.
That's when I was buying most of them anyways, so this may not be as bad as I originally though.
Over the past couple of months, Amazon has been a bear to find Blu-rays and UHDs when you use their search function. It always wants to push a movie available on "Prime." I've found that the best way to find a title on Amazon is to actually search for it on Google and then it will link to the proper Amazon page. Somehow I think Amazon is doing this intentionally.
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Over the past couple of months, Amazon has been a bear to find Blu-rays and UHDs when you use their search function. It always wants to push a movie available on "Prime." I've found that the best way to find a title on Amazon is to actually search for it on Google and then it will link to the proper Amazon page. Somehow I think Amazon is doing this intentionally.
Yes, I've noticed the same thing. Really frustrating when you know what you want.
The same thing applies to other stuff, too. I'll type in very specific terms of what I'm looking for or choose from the filters on the side, but it'll return a bunch of stuff that shouldn't be included. Some of it is listed as sponsored, but not all of it.
I've resorted to the same web search solution. It's an extra step and totally unnecessary. I guess most people don't care that much and just pick from the first few results that Amazon shows.
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When searching for 4K physical media I always include "UHD" in addition to 4K in the search term as that seems to bring up the disc fairly reliably.
In general, Amazon searches show a lot more "promoted" results at the top now then a few years ago. At least they still have that tag to alert you that it's a paid placement. (Of course there are other ways that the results are skewed, with tons of fake 5* reviews for some products. I've also bought a few things that came with an inducement to leave a 5* review in exchange for something, which is unethical and I do not do even if I end up liking the product. A couple of times I even left a review but with a * deducted for this practice.)
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Ours only has the new release packet in the front of the store. But no media section
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Over the past couple of months, Amazon has been a bear to find Blu-rays and UHDs when you use their search function. It always wants to push a movie available on "Prime." I've found that the best way to find a title on Amazon is to actually search for it on Google and then it will link to the proper Amazon page. Somehow I think Amazon is doing this intentionally.
I just keep scrolling past the Prime option. You can also use links from Digital Bits or bluray.com.
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Over the past couple of months, Amazon has been a bear to find Blu-rays and UHDs when you use their search function. It always wants to push a movie available on "Prime." I've found that the best way to find a title on Amazon is to actually search for it on Google and then it will link to the proper Amazon page. Somehow I think Amazon is doing this intentionally.
We were just talking about this a week ago, and this pops up on my YouTube recommended list:
https://youtu.be/WNnJNJ305E8?t=68
TLDNW: No, they're not trying to kill off Blu-ray discs. You might have better luck searching if you narrow down the category from All to Movies & TV.
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I don't seem to have any problem finding and buying discs at Amazon. Just got Ferrari, Trading Places on 4K, Contagion on 4K, The Roaring Twenties on 4K, and pre-ordered Dune 2 on 4K, The Departed on 4K, and have 8 or 9 other movies in my " Movies " list awaiting a price drop. If anything, I'm too good at finding movies - I need to space them out purchase wise.
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I don't seem to have any problem finding and buying discs at Amazon. Just got Ferrari, Trading Places on 4K, Contagion on 4K, The Roaring Twenties on 4K, and pre-ordered Dune 2 on 4K, The Departed on 4K, and have 8 or 9 other movies in my " Movies " list awaiting a price drop. If anything, I'm too good at finding movies - I need to space them out purchase wise.
Blu-ray.com always lists the lowest prices on discs too. So thats a good place to check for best prices. If the Amazon tracker doesn’t always work
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Blu-ray.com always lists the lowest prices on discs too. So thats a good place to check for best prices. If the Amazon tracker doesn’t always work
I always start there, to check specs, quality, reviews, etc. I have also been using 'CamelCamelCamel' for several years, which I imagine works like Amazon tracker - I put in a desired price point for each disc I'm interested in, and it emails me when it drops below that level. Seems to work well, with no spam or other problems with it.
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I always start there, to check specs, quality, reviews, etc. I have also been using 'CamelCamelCamel' for several years, which I imagine works like Amazon tracker - I put in a desired price point for each disc I'm interested in, and it emails me when it drops below that level. Seems to work well, with no spam or other problems with it.
Oh good to know. I’ll check that out. Thanks
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Blu-ray.com always lists the lowest prices on discs too. So thats a good place to check for best prices. If the Amazon tracker doesn’t always work
I also check this list for the latest 4K Blu-rays coming out, and click through to Amazon or where ever they are being sold -
The 4K Ultra HD Release List (US/UK/DE) (thedigitalbits.com) (https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/the-4k-uhd-release-list/4k-uhd-list-01)
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I use high def digest for releases