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mutantsushi on 28 November 2016
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V-r0cK said:
Barkley said:

If they're the same video file then streaming and downloading would take exactly the same data.

According to netflix streaming 1 hour of there 4k content will use approximatley 7gb of data, compared to 3gb for HD.

Thanks for the info!

Crazy just thinking that if you were to stream BvS extended edition (or Titanic) in 4K that's 21gb of bandwidth.  I know some of my friends and family members have around 60-80gb a month for bandwidth so I doubt they'd want to stream anything 4K just yet.

I believe you both misunderstand the meaning of the term "bandwidth".  
It refers to the RATE of data transfer, not the total amount.
So indeed, you can download the same size file with an arbitrarily smaller bandwidth, it just takes longer.

And to the broader point, it ISN'T the same video file, current 4k streaming is massively compressed vs. what UHD discs provide.
Netflix is talking about 4k streaming being 15mbs, while non-UHD BD spec is 54 mbs... UHD-BD is 84-128mbs! (almost 10x streaming)
People like to talk about cost of BD and UHD-BD discs (seemingly focusing on purchasing, rather than rental scenario),
but consumers will need to pay for higher bandwidth internet AND providers will have higher costs to recoup.
(afaik, Netflix is already offering less choice of streaming than it does from DVD mail service)

I've heard that the sales curve for UHD TVs and the like is significantly outperforming original HD TVs.
So curious how that reflects oh UHD-BD.  Could very well be that HD was not considered worth it, while UHD is.
And it also is due to profiteering by media companies wanting to charge premium prices for BD, and now UHD. 
I think there will also be a future dynamic from if streaming gains enough, physical channels will want to compete more.
(and the ultimate potential profits from price-gouging UHD-BD discs becomes less than if charged reasonable price to larger market)
So they might very well insist on getting UHD-BD discs at non-price-gouging prices, to better compete with streaming.
And at that point, media companies may well play along, so that they will not be prisoner to streaming oligopolies.
(sure, relatively little direct barrier to new streaming service, but consumers want to pay one fee to one streaming library service)