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How do we watch high quality movies legally?

shifttymike

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I’ve been battling with this recently. I currently have subscriptions for
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime
- Showmax
- DSTV Now
- Apple TV+

When movies come out, some of them eventually come out on one of the above platforms. Alternatively, they can be rented on Google Play Movies. But most of the time, it’s virtually impossible to get hold of movies legally.
The obvious alternative is Blu-Ray, except there are barely any Blu-Ray players on the market and honestly it seems like that platform is dying. I’ve also discovered that the Android TV boxes since Android 9 downmix 5.1 into 2.0, which is annoying when playing media from… alternative sources.
So, the question: how are we supposed to legally watch movies? I have no issue paying to watch a movie, but it doesn’t seem like there are a lot of options.
 
Set sail for the high seas m8'y
I mean sure, but for a second let’s pretend that I don’t understand what you’re talking about, is there something that I’m missing? Some other way to do this?
Also that stereo downmix thing is really annoying. I’m starting to think that even for that, I’m going to need an HTPC just for watching movies.
 
Google Play worked fine until they discontinued the app on smart TV's, it's a hassle to view through youtube.

I find that renting via iTunes (Apple TV) is usually the easiest. Although the South African store doesn't always have every movie I search for. It helps to have a US account with some credit for the odd case.
 
Google Play worked fine until they discontinued the app on smart TV's, it's a hassle to view through youtube.

I find that renting via iTunes (Apple TV) is usually the easiest. Although the South African store doesn't always have every movie I search for. It helps to have a US account with some credit for the odd case.
Interesting. I have the ematic box and Play Movies is still there, I guess it’s just a matter of time…
Good point about the US account, I’ll look into that.
 
Battling with this as well. I can only get true 24p 4K HDR uncompressed with Dolby Atmos on the high seas in the form of remuxes. Juddery, compressed, artifacty lossless streaming blockbusters is unacceptable to me.
 
I mean sure, but for a second let’s pretend that I don’t understand what you’re talking about, is there something that I’m missing? Some other way to do this?
Also that stereo downmix thing is really annoying. I’m starting to think that even for that, I’m going to need an HTPC just for watching movies.
Honestly theres no legal way around this if you want access to everything, multichoice made sure of that.
that downmixing issue though, are you using a 5.1 speaker setup ?
 
Honestly theres no legal way around this if you want access to everything, multichoice made sure of that.
that downmixing issue though, are you using a 5.1 speaker setup ?
I am. HDMI cable into a receiver. It’s an issue with multichannel PCM streams, from what I can tell it’s on all devices with Android 9. DD and DTS are all good. I’m engaging with the local guys who distribute the Ematic box about it, but my guess it’s a piracy deterrent.
 
Wow i ended up at the right place lol!

Apple TV+ has the highest streaming bitrate as far as i am aware. Also quite a good range of movies to buy/rent.

Google play movies pulled out(On my samsung TV at least) as they are migrating to Youtube movies but YT movies is not available in SA. So they shot themselves in the foot there. That was my go-to as it has HDR10+ with an excellent catalogue to choose from.

I fortunately have a UHD BD player in my PS5, but can't afford R500 a movie :/



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So, the question: how are we supposed to legally watch movies? I have no issue paying to watch a movie, but it doesn’t seem like there are a lot of options.
We use Boxoffice at home to watch some of the movies we really keen on and don't want to wait for (to get to streaming). While I cannot attest to the quality of the sound (i sometimes use a crap headset, by order of wife), there seems to be nothing wrong with the quality of the picture.

Not sure if their "HD" is still 720 or if it is actually 1080.
 
We use Boxoffice at home to watch some of the movies we really keen on and don't want to wait for (to get to streaming). While I cannot attest to the quality of the sound (i sometimes use a crap headset, by order of wife), there seems to be nothing wrong with the quality of the picture.

Not sure if their "HD" is still 720 or if it is actually 1080.
I haven't actually looked at Box Office, kinda forgot about it, but will have a look. In general the DSTV app only does PCM audio streams (no Dolby anything, even when the Dolby logo appears on MNet movies for example).
Don't know whether it's 2.0 or 5.1 because all PCM gets mixed down by the box anyway. Could be different for on demand media, although I think catch up is stereo only as well.
The video quality is decent on catch up. I care more about the sound personally, as long as the video is watchable.
 
We use Boxoffice at home to watch some of the movies we really keen on and don't want to wait for (to get to streaming). While I cannot attest to the quality of the sound (i sometimes use a crap headset, by order of wife), there seems to be nothing wrong with the quality of the picture.

Not sure if their "HD" is still 720 or if it is actually 1080.
oh wow I wasn't aware I could watch box office via their website. I thought it was exclusively to the decoders etc setup, this is nice to know
 
I haven't actually looked at Box Office, kinda forgot about it, but will have a look. In general the DSTV app only does PCM audio streams (no Dolby anything, even when the Dolby logo appears on MNet movies for example).
Don't know whether it's 2.0 or 5.1 because all PCM gets mixed down by the box anyway. Could be different for on demand media, although I think catch up is stereo only as well.
The video quality is decent on catch up. I care more about the sound personally, as long as the video is watchable.
@shifttymike Which 5.1 formats are downmixing to 2.0? I cant remember all my research on the subject, but As far as I can remember the device need to be licensed for DTS. So if your box can do that then not bad, I know Google TV doesnt support DTS. Also, the ONLY streamer box that supports lossless codec passthrough is the Nvidia shield. You will be able to get DTS or DDP+ on your box but even if your AVR can decode Dolby true HD and Atmos or DTS-HD MA, it wont work(although you will only find these codecs on physical copies) . I also remember that the HDMI passthrough setting ect can be a pain to let the AVR do the decoding, especially with HDMI-ARC

As far as your original question, Bluray players are available, just look at proper AV stores. Just keep in mind a proper player is in the region of R8k-R10 and then buying the Blurays At R700 a piece from Raru or something.

The alternative is a media server with plex, Nvidia shield and the high seas and an eye patch.
 
Pay your TV license. It's the right thing to do.
Actually, the irony in this...

h8RdA5j.jpg
 
The obvious alternative is Blu-Ray, except there are barely any Blu-Ray players on the market and honestly it seems like that platform is dying.

Noticed this too. Only real options are to go for a cheap console with a BluRay drive like the Xbox One S.
 
I am using apple TV and enjoy apple movies on it , with a 4K tv and a dolby atmos sounds .

it works lekker but is a bit a of a mission to setup .
 
How would I be able to watch an anime movie releasing at a cinema (I dont want to drive 350km for 2 hours)
 
I am using apple TV and enjoy apple movies on it , with a 4K tv and a dolby atmos sounds .

it works lekker but is a bit a of a mission to setup .
AFAIK Apple TV4k only support certain Dolby formats and not DTS. The "Atmos" soundtrack on streaming services are still only lossy formats, i.e. dolby digital plus with object based sound, which is basically an upmixing. I guess it should suffice for most casual viewers.

@yourang +1, I actually pay my TV lic even though I don't have a TV anymore and only use a projector which doesn't have an antenna. Seems like a hassle to cancel.
 
@shifttymike Which 5.1 formats are downmixing to 2.0? I cant remember all my research on the subject, but As far as I can remember the device need to be licensed for DTS.
Sorry, forgot to reply to this. DTS/Dolby work 100% as this is what Netflix/Apple TV streams are delivered in. The receiver detects it and starts decoding and the media box volume control stops working. Annoying, but I understand why.
The issue is with PCM streams (AAC and the like) that you usually find on… backed-up content. Regardless of the number of channels, it gets down mixed to 2.0. Play the same file on the TV directly with audio over ARC and you get 5.1 or whatever. This is why I think it’s a piracy deterrent.
 

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