Just an FYI to any SLR subscribers or potential ones. It’s been brought to my attention that SLR which had long offered an “original” version of their videos for subscribers at a high bitrate is removing this feature.
They are removing high quality x265 downloads and instead replacing them with AV1 encodes that must be paid for on a video by video basis.
The AV1 codex is fine. But as a subscriber you won’t have access to download the highest quality versions anymore without buying each video a-la-cart.
Just a heads up.
Things seem to still be being implemented so I don’t know how all the details will shake out.
But I believe it is confirmed that “original” bitrate downloads are no longer part of the subscription. They will now only be available as a $7 purchase.
They seem to be using the AV1 codec change as a means of removing existing features and trying to get additional purchases. Currently the most recent SLR Originals video has a lower quality x265 download available with a higher quality version available for Streaming and PPV purchase going forward.
I don’t know if that will stay for a while or be removed later on since they seem to be in the middle of making these changes to the service.
Every time i see SLR in a title, I just KNOW it’s going to be about them making changes that will alienate their subscribers. And when I read it I’m proven right. Every, single, time…
You can’t currently stream the original quality versions. I suspect they do not intend to add that feature, since it would be difficult for most users to stream reliably at that higher bitrate.
Are there any solid SLR alternatives yet? I occasionally check the video partners site for the handy and never see anything new on there. Or SLR has a lot of the channels already included.
Are they talking about the “Raw” original uncompressed edit?
I thought it was a great idea to include these, but there was just no way I was downloading a 45 GB file.
I always downloaded the highest resolution h264/5 lossless version.
At best, this was a nice to have, but I get cutting them since they were generally 2X or more the size of the similar resolution videos.
That, and if I’m not fixing one of their AI-Generated Funscripts or grabbing a video because it’s leaving, I stream everything anyway.
I’m really hoping for an alternative platform in the future with a bit more of a community focus. As in ‘don’t keep alienating your users’, but right now the script streaming with MFP is just to comfortable.
They slowly switch to streaming only which not many will pay for. The problem is switching while you have a subscription. Changing the rules in a contract is the shady part.
Like it wasn’t enough already that their 8K streaming versions were very low bitrate too. Some studios outside SLR go as high as 50+Mbit/s, while many SLR ones (especially “SLR Originals” studio) are only around 25-30 (some older ones even less). No, 25Mbit/s is NOT enough for 8K@60fps when rendered on high-res screen panels. If you look closely and have checked your eyes with your doctor beforehand, you can clearly see many blocking pixels and artifacts. Sometimes I even have to increase video sharpness, because some scenes look blurry, unlike those from other studios. Such a beautiful way to ruin the video @SLR, because of, what, 20-30% smaller file? I’m aware many don’t have a stable 50Mbit/s internet connection, but this way they are ruining the experience for all members.
If the decreased operating cost is higher than the income loss due to lost subscribers it’s a win at the bottom line for SLR.
Traditional streaming services do the same. They increase the subscription price and as long as the additional income is higher than lost income due to lost subscribers it’s a win.
I’ve always been a fan of slr but it’s soo freaking hard to defend these guys nowadays. Really, it’s like they have a recurring monthly reminder set: “piss off loyal customers”.
Touching downloads like this is really not okay though and if this plays out that downloads become useless due to inferior quality they might have actually lost me this time.
