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Poll: Linear or VOD ?


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Emerje



Joined: 10 Aug 2002
Posts: 7328
Location: Maine
PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 2:03 pm Reply with quote
VOD has a lot of potential, but is rarely well maintained. I'm not just talking about TAN, but all of VOD seems to be negligent when it comes to episode chronology and consistency. Linear television usually sticks to an accurate schedule, VOD on the other hand will start shows at odd episodes, skip episodes, end without warning, and overall just feel like a random clumping of shows. TAN VOD is horrendous and guilty of all of the above and then some (mislabled episodes, episodes in the wrong blocks, etc.), definitely not as great as they want people to believe it is. Unless things change linear will stay ahead in my opinion.

Emerje
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writerpatrick



Joined: 29 Mar 2006
Posts: 670
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 2:45 pm Reply with quote
One of the biggest differences between Linear and VOD is the price. A linear channel for the month may run about the same as a single episode on VOD. It is far cheaper to recieve shows on a Linear station.
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Animedude35



Joined: 29 Jul 2005
Posts: 98
Location: Dallas, Texas
PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 2:52 pm Reply with quote
writerpatrick wrote:
One of the biggest differences between Linear and VOD is the price. A linear channel for the month may run about the same as a single episode on VOD. It is far cheaper to recieve shows on a Linear station.


I have to agree with him on this one. Linear stations are run by sponsors (commericals) and that they reduce the amount of money the consumers pay. Usually VOD is a blessing, but with Tivo and PVR in alot of homes, you can record those episodes on Linear T.V and watch it at your leisure at any time, rather than paying for a 24 hour period.
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Kiyoko



Joined: 27 Jul 2003
Posts: 131
Location: Pennsylvania
PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 3:06 pm Reply with quote
Linear is also better, because not everyone has Digital Cable. I live with very old-fashioned people who have more authority then I do, saying they don't need to pay more money for digital cable when we have more then enough channels on basic cable. My sister lives out in the boondocks of New Hampshire, and her cable company doesn't even carry digital cable. So linear is definitely better in my opinion.
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tripperdan99



Joined: 14 Feb 2006
Posts: 136
PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:03 pm Reply with quote
I agree that Linear is the most stable and is easiest to use with a DVR. I voted for VOD because of the idea of how VOD can be, not how it is today. VOD still has promise.
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Crawly



Joined: 19 Feb 2006
Posts: 204
PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:08 pm Reply with quote
Linear stations - English only. Biggest strike against them. Sometimes you might get lucky and find some Japanese language programming on at 1AM, if you're really lucky. Also, you're restricted to their schedule. Better not forget to set the VCR for that show that comes on while you're at work/school or while you're sleeping. More likely to be edited because it's being viewed by masses of children with soccer moms.

VOD - the better potential for Japanese language programming because it won't interfere with the viewing of the masses. What you want to watch when you want to watch it. And it doesn't necessarily cost anything. The VOD services so far in my area have been offered free of charge, and have run on a fairly consistant schedule. Less likely to be edited, because there is no "family viewing hour" and soccer moms would actually have to put some effort into viewing it. Soccer moms just like to hit one button and then walk away, leaving the latest cartoon network to babysit their kids.

As someone who doesn't watch anime in English, I've yet to find a use for either VOD or a linear station. However, VOD offers me the most potential and is the better choice for my viewing habits. Linear stations are just as prone to messing with thier line-up and canceling shows as a VOD station (I'd say even more so), and both can be free with a standard digital cable bill. Some free VOD does use sponsors in the same way cable stations do, and I see this increasing as the format gains popularity.
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Tempest
I Run this place.
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Joined: 29 Dec 2001
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:36 pm Reply with quote
writerpatrick wrote:
One of the biggest differences between Linear and VOD is the price.


Kiyoko wrote:
Linear is also better, because not everyone has Digital Cable.


I hope neither of you voted "Linear" for those reasons. The poll states "given similar price" and it implies you can actually chose (meaning that VOD is available to you).

For example a Free on Demand (ad sponsored, no fees) compared to a free (ad sponsored) linear.

Or a Subscription on Demand (monthly viewing fee, no fee for individual shows) compared with Pay TV (monthly fee). May or may not be ad-free, but compare like-to-like in your mind, either no-ads on either, or ads on both...

Or transactional VOD (fee for individual shows, no ads) versus Pay Per View (fee for individual shows, no ads).

-t
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daxomni



Joined: 08 Nov 2005
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:43 pm Reply with quote
Anything wrong with DVD rentals? I watch lots of anime and yet I don't even have my primary display hooked up to any cable or satellite connection. I can't think of any service that gives you a better selection with better quality at better prices than DVD rentals. I have a couple mail-order rental accounts and an account at the local anime rental store for when I have a craving that just can't wait. I never once had to worry about any of the issues already mentioned about VOD. I'm sure the time will come when VOD takes over; in time it will simply cost much more to press, package, and ship a bunch of plastic around the globe than simply zapping it around on fiber-optic cables. For now, however, the era of VOD is still not very desirable based on current commercial examples.

To the VOD folks, if you're not getting what you wanted be sure to complain about it. Just giving up won't get the message across. You need to tell them what bothers you about VOD before they'll fix it.
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Steroid



Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 329
Location: At home, where all good hikikomori should be
PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 5:04 pm Reply with quote
I'm curious: how much unique content would each type put out each month. Would a VOD channel's lineup for a given month be able to fit into a linear lineup? Or would it be, say, a mere hundred episodes or so a month?
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SoloButterfly



Joined: 12 Jul 2005
Posts: 239
Location: Masaki Residence
PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 5:22 pm Reply with quote
I voted for VOD. I had TAN on VOD before my recent provider switch and I really really liked it. Being able to watch an episode when I wanted, and pause it and rewatch it again during that week it was available if I wanted, nice stuff. I watched a few whole series that way without missing an episode and watching it in order (a big peeve of mine is not getting to see episodes in order).

My experience with linear now that I've switched and have the Funimation Channel has not pleased me quite as much. Unless I check the website, I don't know which episode is airing and when and I usually end up missing some of my favorite shows do to being occupied with other things. And I find that episodes are aired out of order a lot.

I've had both at no extra charge on top of the basic cable, and my preference is definately for VOD, I would consider paying for a VOD service over linear.
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Josh7289



Joined: 27 Aug 2005
Posts: 1252
PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 5:41 pm Reply with quote
Why is linear in the lead? With VOD, you can watch when you want. That alone makes it superior, and since this is a theoretical poll, we cannot include realistic variables like availability and quality of the individual services.

I think the only reason linear is winning is because most people are voting without respect to the way the poll is supposed to work. (i.e. if both were the exact same, except for their inherent differences).

Sheesh...
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Tempest
I Run this place.
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Joined: 29 Dec 2001
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 5:56 pm Reply with quote
Steroid wrote:
I'm curious: how much unique content would each type put out each month. Would a VOD channel's lineup for a given month be able to fit into a linear lineup? Or would it be, say, a mere hundred episodes or so a month?


For this discussion, lets say same number of shows and episodes.

-t
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Nagisa
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Joined: 19 Aug 2003
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Location: Atlanta-ish, Jawjuh
PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:08 pm Reply with quote
Simply put, if I want to choose what to watch, I already have numerous means open to me, be they perfectly legal ones like snagging a cheap box set, or (if the show is not licensed and said box set is not available) not-so-legal ones like snagging fansubs. And of course, I could always rent DVDs from one of the like, three different anime rental shops in my area or one of the dozens of Hollywood Videos and Blockbusters, or simply borrow stuff from friends. If there's something I want to watch, I already have a means of attaining it without having to be offered five or six "choices" per month via VOD by my satellite provider. Besides, if the linear anime channel is a 24-hour deal (or even a 12-hour one), it'll likely have plenty of time to cycle through all the "choices" I'd have with a VOD service in that alotted time anyway, and all I'd need to do is set my VCR.

Nevermind the fact that my satellite service, at the level of subscription I have right now, doesn't offer VOD, and a linear channel has a greater chance of landing within my viewing package free-of-charge. I know we're not supposed to factor price into this, but it is a pretty darn big factor.

But doing my very bestest to ignore the price factor for a second, it's still linear for me by a fairly decisive margin. I can already watch just about anything I want to, I already have that choice most everywhere else, I may as well just let the TV run whatever the heck it wants. Besides, I've run across quite a few unexpected jems by not having a choice about watching them or not. If I had a choice, as with VOD, I'd have never given such surprisingly enjoyable titles as The Galaxy Railways or Tenchi Muyo! GXP (or even utter lemons like Baki the Grappler, Spiral, and Negima) a chance like I have through FUNimation's linear CoLours block. I'd have never seriously set myself down and started on s-CRY-ed or Bleach (or that abomination, Trinity Blood), or possibly even Eureka Seven, had Adult Swim not run them on a linear setup. I watched them because I didn't really have a choice, because I wouldn't have bothered with them if I did and would have thus missed out on the opportunity...if that makes any sense.
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MorwenLaicoriel



Joined: 26 Feb 2006
Posts: 1617
Location: Colorado
PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 11:42 pm Reply with quote
I voted Linear. I enjoyed having TAN on demand (while it was free), it even introduced me to one of my favorite shows, but....well, it was just slow to update. I enjoy the feeling of anticipation of "ooh! it's that special time of the day!"...plus, with DVR I have all of the special stuff that Video On Demand has (without a time limit!). Soo...even considering that both would be available to me, free, the linear just seems more flexible.
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therealssjlink



Joined: 30 Apr 2005
Posts: 118
PostPosted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 1:05 am Reply with quote
I voted linear for one reason. While watching general TV, I tend to leave the TV on while do other things. Because of this, shows I wouldn't normally watch happen to come on. I end up watching them and enjoying them because they were given the chance to be on screen without my personal input. If I wanted to watch a specific show, I would pop in a DVD or something. I've never used VOD for anime and I probably will never (No special features/rewatching that way).
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