My ISP (UK, Sky) has recently started blocking torrent/magnet sites. So I'm not convinced.
Too Many Video Streaming Choices May Drive Users Back To Piracy
231–240 of 556 posts
Re: Too Many Video Streaming Choices May Drive Users Back To Piracy
#232I don't think this is as big a threat as these comments make it seem. For the tech savvy, setting up a Plex server or whatever can be done in an afternoon's time. The majority of consumers won't go through the "hassle" of setting up their own infrastructure and will make judgement calls on what platforms align with their interests.
I'd bet on Netflix (incumbency), Prime (bundling), Apple (integration with iPhone) and Disney (best back catalog) being the leaders in this space for the next 5 years. Despite major networks getting into the game its hard to see them going all in and cannablizing their TV business just yet
Re: Too Many Video Streaming Choices May Drive Users Back To Piracy
#233In 2018, there was a report published by Sandvine saying that BitTorrent traffic had increased on their network for the first time in years (Engadget link: https://www.engadget.com/2018/10/03/streaming-exclusives-may...)
It seems perfectly rational to me. Streaming platforms' competitive advantage vs piracy is convenience (being legal and easier to use). As their convenience declines, users who are not averse to piracy will naturally gravitate back towards it.
Re: Too Many Video Streaming Choices May Drive Users Back To Piracy
#234"May" drive them back? This has already happened in my circles.. People who had cut the cord but all but walked away from casual piracy and signed up for Netflix and HBO (and probably Prime Video because they had Amazon Prime already) are openly talking about the fact they're definitely not signing up for more streaming services, and are seeking out torrenting again for the stuff that's being pulled from Netflix (esp…
> People who had cut the cord... As long as you don't care about the zeitgeist... That's not really what it's about. You have no idea how utterly janky Plex and torrenting is. People on Hacker News find IT stimulating, so their experience is basically moot. It's like trying to predict trends based on a nerd's hot take of the iPod. It has always been about enforcement. Seen in this lens, the hassle of pirating movies…
> That's not really what it's about. You have no idea how utterly janky Plex and torrenting is.
I don't know anything about Plex, but torrenting is pretty effortless compared to figuring out which streaming service what you want to watch is on, figuring out how to get that, evaluating other content it has trying to justify the price, figuring out how to get it to your tv, and figuring out how to use it. The only thing I've seen that confuses people about torrenting is having to open a port.
I think the thing that limits torrenting is the ISP emails, not any of this "nobody cares about your nerd stuff" know-nothing pseudo folk wisdom. People figure it out in five minutes, it looks too easy so it feels criminal, then they get an email from their ISP, so they retreat back to the difficult stuff out of paranoia because they vaguely remember stories about people getting in absurdly disproportionate trouble for it.
For your conspiracy to be valid, I'd have to see significant evidence that internet costs have gone up in the US. Mine have gone down. Evidence that it's cheaper in other parts of the world is utterly irrelevant.
Re: Too Many Video Streaming Choices May Drive Users Back To Piracy
#235Just fix your FOMO and you don't have to pay for all crap you will never use. I did not watched any episode of GoT and I don't feel like I missed something in my life. Occasionally I don't get some reference. I also don't run into people who are "omg you really did not watched any of it? so great series", even if I would run into this kind, I could not care less about it anyway.
There's something to this. Of course it's a convenience to have better pickings for shows we want to watch, but seeing it all means spending an inordinate amount of time watching tv. Most of it is dull filler. People think too much of it.
A lot of people seemed to enjoy GoT in the earlier years, and the barriers to watching it are ridiculous. It's cheaper to shell out $100+ for the dvd set even for a single watch. There's a reason it's the most pirated show of all time.
Re: Too Many Video Streaming Choices May Drive Users Back To Piracy
#236Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's unclear which you ascribe to but it's curious that you don't take offense to either being compared to Evangelicals. In either case, they're both almost a Cult of personality. The fans are so adorant of their object that they often overlook glaringly evil deeds. At the same time, the level of manipulation exhibited and the devotion demanded by the personality is extreme to the point that outsiders see it as absur…
But to be fair R. Kelly is being accused of pretty awful crimes which I don't see an equivalent from Disney...
Perhaps not in depth of harm but in breadth it far surpasses R. Kelly.
Disney has been accused of gross labor and environmental violations across the globe. So while R. Kelly has caused severe damage to a few, Disney has caused minor to moderate damage to a great number.
Re: Too Many Video Streaming Choices May Drive Users Back To Piracy
#237Earlier quoted context omitted.
> People who had cut the cord... As long as you don't care about the zeitgeist... That's not really what it's about. You have no idea how utterly janky Plex and torrenting is. People on Hacker News find IT stimulating, so their experience is basically moot. It's like trying to predict trends based on a nerd's hot take of the iPod. It has always been about enforcement. Seen in this lens, the hassle of pirating movies…
> That's not really what it's about. You have no idea how utterly janky Plex and torrenting is. I don't know anything about Plex, but torrenting is pretty effortless compared to figuring out which streaming service what you want to watch is on, figuring out how to get that, evaluating other content it has trying to justify the price, figuring out how to get it to your tv, and figuring out how to use it. The only thin…
>> torrenting is pretty effortless compared to figuring out which streaming service what you want to watch is on, figuring out how to get that, evaluating other content it has trying to justify the price, figuring out how to use it, and figuring out how to get it to your TV
Damn. You just nailed this. In fact, hearing it this way makes me confused as to why anyone would ever use a streaming service to start.
I live in Canada - which is just an awful country to be in for seeing the message 'this video is not available in your country'. For years, I exclaimed 'this is dumb and just makes me visit the Pirate Bay next, it won't be long before other people do, too'.
You know what I wish was still open? Blockbuster. I miss walking out to a store, picking out a movie, pretty much any movie I wanted (new releases might be picky/choosy) - and renting it for a couple days for $2-3. That...honestly seemed like the best all-around deal for movie producers and consumers.
Re: Too Many Video Streaming Choices May Drive Users Back To Piracy
#238"May" drive them back? This has already happened in my circles.. People who had cut the cord but all but walked away from casual piracy and signed up for Netflix and HBO (and probably Prime Video because they had Amazon Prime already) are openly talking about the fact they're definitely not signing up for more streaming services, and are seeking out torrenting again for the stuff that's being pulled from Netflix (esp…
> People who had cut the cord... As long as you don't care about the zeitgeist... That's not really what it's about. You have no idea how utterly janky Plex and torrenting is. People on Hacker News find IT stimulating, so their experience is basically moot. It's like trying to predict trends based on a nerd's hot take of the iPod. It has always been about enforcement. Seen in this lens, the hassle of pirating movies…
Anecdotally I have several "non techy" friends who pirate movies. They just bought a pre-loaded "stick" plugged it into their TV and bam, it works. They don't even fully realize (or admit) they are pirating.
Re: Too Many Video Streaming Choices May Drive Users Back To Piracy
#239"May" drive them back? This has already happened in my circles.. People who had cut the cord but all but walked away from casual piracy and signed up for Netflix and HBO (and probably Prime Video because they had Amazon Prime already) are openly talking about the fact they're definitely not signing up for more streaming services, and are seeking out torrenting again for the stuff that's being pulled from Netflix (esp…
I have those three services and I won't be adding any more monthly charges. Anything not on those three might as well not exist because it's not worth the risk of pirating (and my ISP blocks bittorrent anyway). So good riddance Disney, CBS, and anybody else. Your content is all dead to me.
Re: Too Many Video Streaming Choices May Drive Users Back To Piracy
#240Another factor in the mix is how poor a job a lot of the streaming services do at the mechanics of running their business. I, for instance, pay for streaming packages from both the NFL and Formula 1, but more often than not the best way to watch the actual events is to download a torrent that some random guy recorded, edited, and posted. The video quality is just plain better. It's not missing the pre-event buildup c…
Thats because there is more competition amongst pirates than rights holders Turns out complaining about free things is actually an effective strategy for improving quality
Not that surprising since the "currency" is basically pride and appreciation for your work (insofar as you can really apply that kind of thinking to these social situations)