Viewing Formats
It was so simple when we only had DVD as a format however, there are now 4 purchase options, DVD, Blu-ray, On-demand or Digital downloads.
DVD, we are already familiar with play at standard definition of 720p and cannot be improved on and will appear of a lower quality when played on modern large smart tv’s.
Blu-ray is a high definition option but requires a Blu-ray player and plays at 1080i however it does contain the highest quality file type.
Both DVD and Blu-ray are physical copies that arrive on a printed disc in a case.On-demand using the Vimeo player is a streaming option on a yearly subscription. Files play at 1080p however they are very heavily compressed in order to play online which can effect the overall quality slightly. It’s also a format that is never owned unless you maintain a yearly subscription.
Digital Download is a file you can save to a computer hard-drive or usb and accessed via a one-time use download code sent via email set up using the Vimeo platform. It is compressed the same as a Vimeo file nevertheless still plays in high definition at 1080p and you can keep your own permanent copy.
DVD’s and digital downloads tend to be the preferred choice, probably because they cost less than streaming or Blu-ray but for many it’s because with DVD’s you get a physical copy and digital downloads for those that no longer have a DVD player and prefer a high definition file they get to keep.