Premium vs app

[Schroinx 10]

I just got the message of where the ET is going.

 

One thing in that thread that some got wrong is about the paying customers. I have already paid for the iOS versions as I like the project and has been a supporter of it. But paying 18DKK for one iOS and to pay more each month is quite a way, as I have no use for trailers and other nifty stuff. I just wanted a basic Teater version that was stable and with good picture quality. Now I get a monster for a monster price and having been promised a new version of MBT since a year ago and as a paying customer I do feel disappointed. MB2/3 was free at the core and the bells and whistles costed money which to me was fair, and a app costed money too, but not 99 USD or 5 USD/Month.

 

My problem is I think 99 USD is too much and I don't want a monthly subscription, and I don't need it nor need all the fancy stuff that otherwise could justify the price. I need a good basic option at a basic price and then I'll be happy to pay 10-15 USD now and 10-15 USD in a year when you mak the next major upgrade, that offers new functionality worth paying for. It keeps you on your toes as you have to deliver then. I think a lot of people will pay such an amount but not 99 USD. Sorry. I have been with a long time, and I have been waiting a long time, as I have been told this new thing would come around a solve my issued. Now I am told it is 99USD.

 

Not gonna work as I don't need any of the premium stuff. I will go for the free options or a different solution if I cannot get a app that I pay for once and then own - at a reasonable app price. The premium stuff was never part of the deal with the basic MB functionality, and many of us don't need the extra that it offers. Please don't make it so now. 

 

So that is my suggestion. A basic version at a basic price. 

Edited January 27, 2016 by Schroinx

[Jdiesel 1431]

I think there is a lot of misconception about the new ET and the $5/month or $99/lifetime fee. I feel like many people think it is too expensive for what it is, and they are very much correct, however the cost of Emby Premiere should not be used to value the cost of the new ET. Emby Premier is a reward to supporters that allows them access to all the paid apps and special rewards such as early access to beta software. If you are not interested in the benefits of Emby Premiere by all means do not purchase it, especially so if all you want is ET. I recall the Emby team saying that the new ET will most likely be made for purchase much like the other apps when it is ready. Could you imagine if the new ET was made available for purchase right now? People would be complaining about the missing TV guide, external player support, lack of offline support and other bugs. Right now supporters have been given the reward to test out the new ET before it is finished. I think that too many people view this situation as paying for Emby Premiere to get ET rather then being rewarded early access to test ET for being a supporter of the Emby team. If all you want is ET then wait for it to be released and purchase it by itself, if you want to try it now support the project.

 

This wasn't meant to be directed at you @Schroinx, there has been a lot of confusion since the beta version was released and many people, in my opinion, have misunderstood what the new version of ET is at this stage. In fact Luke even refers to it as being in more of an alpha than a beta stage even though it is very useable at this stage of development.

Edited January 27, 2016 by Jdiesel

[Schroinx 10]

I may have missed it in the now locked tread (which is also a bad way to deal with unhappy costumers and unhappy potential future costumers btw).

 

If that is the case JD, I think it will mollify a lot of unhappy users. So let's hear it from the guys then.

[Jdiesel 1431]

Understood, there was a lot of confusion around the release of the test version of the new ET. I don't speak for the team nor do I want to put words in anyone's mouth so I will not link to any of the posts where this was mentioned. Hopefully Luke will clear things up for those who are unhappy with the business model.

[Deathsquirrel 745]

It's entirely possible it could be possible to purchase emby theater separately like you can the android tv app in the future.  Some have suggested it in various other discussions.  I imagine that would require the app to be a bit more developed though.  This really is more of a preview release.  It's not yet feature complete.

[Schroinx 10]

I think that is a good idea but the team seems to be quite silent on the matter.

 

If it was an app and priced as the others apps I would buy it today, feature complete or not.

[ebr 16169]

I think that is a good idea but the team seems to be quite silent on the matter.

 

Two reasons:

 

1) It isn't ready yet and

2) There is no marketplace from which to purchase it.  We will have to build one.

[CrossCech 8]

Two reasons:

 

1) It isn't ready yet and

2) There is no marketplace from which to purchase it.  We will have to build one.

 

For Windows ... wouldn't Windows App store be the marketplace? Would think that with the majority of ET users looking to install on Windows 10 (since WMC isn't directly available anymore) that'd be the place they'd be looking for it. No?

[Latchmor 584]

Still lots of Windows 7 users out there.

[Deathsquirrel 745]

For Windows ... wouldn't Windows App store be the marketplace? Would think that with the majority of ET users looking to install on Windows 10 (since WMC isn't directly available anymore) that'd be the place they'd be looking for it. No?

 

There is already an Emby app on the windows store.  I don't think ET could be distributed that way as it doesn't run on the techs that app store apps are supposed to use.  Perhaps they have, or plan to, change those store requirements though, I haven't had cause to look recently.

[ebr 16169]

For Windows ... wouldn't Windows App store be the marketplace? Would think that with the majority of ET users looking to install on Windows 10 (since WMC isn't directly available anymore) that'd be the place they'd be looking for it. No?

 

No as that is a marketplace for a very specific type of app and, as pointed out, only on Win 8+.

[Koleckai Silvestri 1154]

There is already an Emby app on the windows store.  I don't think ET could be distributed that way as it doesn't run on the techs that app store apps are supposed to use.  Perhaps they have, or plan to, change those store requirements though, I haven't had cause to look recently.

 

App Store is more than Tablets these days. Any Windows 8.X and Windows 10 PC can use Apps from the store.

[Deathsquirrel 745]

App Store is more than Tablets these days. Any Windows 8.X and Windows 10 PC can use Apps from the store.

 

Yes but this app isn't built on the media foundation MS has required of similar apps on their store in the past.  Maybe they've changed to allow any kind of app to be published, I haven't checked recently, but historically anything on the store had to be built on a specific set of windows apis and libraries.

[techywarrior 689]

MS does, or said they would, (having a hard time finding one) allow traditional desktop apps in the Windows store via their desktop app certification program. Not sure if they dropped that plan or if it hasn't really gotten traction yet.

[ebr 16169]

We will just create a way for you to do it on our website if need be.  I don't think this app would meet the specifications of a "Windows Store" app, that would limit it to only 8+ and it would cost more to the end user.

[Deathsquirrel 745]

We will just create a way for you to do it on our website if need be.  I don't think this app would meet the specifications of a "Windows Store" app, that would limit it to only 8+ and it would cost more to the end user.

 

Not to mention the 30% cut they'd take

[techywarrior 689]

@@ebr, look into the desktop app certification. It essentially is a listing in the Windows store that directs people to your website for download/purchase. It would be in addition to having it on the website and MS doesn't take any cut of the sale (since it happens outside of the store).

 

Just not sure if the program is actually open for submissions yet or if they scrapped it. You should be able to find the information in your MS store account.

[Schroinx 10]

I don't think it matters how it is distributed. It is more that we can buy it as an app without having to pay for the premium stuff. I don't mind paying 50% extra for the windows version than for the android version, if you have to run the servers and stuff yourselves and need to pay for that. You are doing that already, so you know how to do it - and can take credit cards, so even if you cannot get it in the store, then you have all the puzzles to sell it as an app/piece of software without an app store.

[ebr 16169]

I don't think it matters how it is distributed. It is more that we can buy it as an app without having to pay for the premium stuff. I don't mind paying 50% extra for the windows version than for the android version, if you have to run the servers and stuff yourselves and need to pay for that. You are doing that already, so you know how to do it - and can take credit cards, so even if you cannot get it in the store, then you have all the puzzles to sell it as an app/piece of software without an app store.

 

We will just create a way for you to do it on our website if need be. 

 

[eraser8 55]

I think there is a lot of misconception about the new ET and the $5/month or $99/lifetime fee. I feel like many people think it is too expensive for what it is, and they are very much correct, however the cost of Emby Premiere should not be used to value the cost of the new ET. Emby Premier is a reward to supporters that allows them access to all the paid apps and special rewards such as early access to beta software. If you are not interested in the benefits of Emby Premiere by all means do not purchase it, especially so if all you want is ET. I recall the Emby team saying that the new ET will most likely be made for purchase much like the other apps when it is ready. Could you imagine if the new ET was made available for purchase right now? People would be complaining about the missing TV guide, external player support, lack of offline support and other bugs. Right now supporters have been given the reward to test out the new ET before it is finished. I think that too many people view this situation as paying for Emby Premiere to get ET rather then being rewarded early access to test ET for being a supporter of the Emby team. If all you want is ET then wait for it to be released and purchase it by itself, if you want to try it now support the project.

 

This wasn't meant to be directed at you @Schroinx, there has been a lot of confusion since the beta version was released and many people, in my opinion, have misunderstood what the new version of ET is at this stage. In fact Luke even refers to it as being in more of an alpha than a beta stage even though it is very useable at this stage of development.

 

So, in fact, you would like me to pay $99 to test an application? I work in the apps development and it's the first time I hear that. Normally, the tester are paid... But overall, I totally agree about the emby team to charge us for the work they do, and it's normal. They work really hard and I have a good idea of the amount of work they need to do. I could tell you that you need to hier a good marketing employe, but this will cost us just much

 

To the Emby team:

I think you are currently working to do separate license for different module. I'm not sure this is the way to go. IMO, I think you could have a lot more money by keeping only the EMBY license that include: Server, TV apps and emby for WMC. But instead of $99, go down the price to $39 (like a normal media app). ALL people will buy it at this price... If you do a separate license, the people will only buy the MT at... which cost $10 or $15? Do the calculation. 90% don't really need the Premium stuff. They just need a good player.

 

Also, you said that the EMBY is not totally develop. For now, why I would like to pay the stardard app's price ($39) for an incompleted app? If you want supporters (which is totally understandable) you need to see them like an investor. The investors must have advantage over "normal" buyer. In this case, the advantage could be for example to pay $20 or $25 but came with the risk for the "investor" to don't have what he would like to have...

 

In brief, currently I would sell it for a limited time at a discount price (don't forget that many of us including me take so much time to test EMBY in our home) like $20. By limited time, I would say about 1 week. This will profit to the more active user. After that period, continue to sell it at a reasonable price like $39. I think you could be much more profit like that.

 

The only thing is for people who already bought it at 99$ this will be a headache. This point need to be fixed depending on the number of current license bought, etc...

 

N.B.: For other mobile platform like Android, IOS, etc... I would keep them on separate buy, just like they currently are.

Thanks to listen me

 

BTW, awesome work guys, I love your app! 

Edited January 30, 2016 by eraser8

[techywarrior 689]

So, in fact, you would like me to pay $99 to test an application?

 

No, being able to test/use the application first is a bonus of being a premium user.

[Deathsquirrel 745]

I think you are currently working to do separate license for different module. I'm not sure this is the way to go. IMO, I think you could have a lot more money by keeping only the EMBY license that include: Server, TV apps and emby for WMC. But instead of $99, go down the price to $39 (like a normal media app). ALL people will buy it at this price... If you do a separate license, the people will only buy the MT at... which cost $10 or $15? Do the calculation. 90% don't really need the Premium stuff. They just need a good player.

 

FYI Plex, the most direct competitor to Emby, is $150.  This is not a simple movie player and the people using it are not looking for a paid replacement for mpc-hc or vlc.  If those programs represent what you want then use them instead.  They're excellent players that in no way compete with Emby or Plex.

[Schroinx 10]

FYI Plex, the most direct competitor to Emby, is $150.  This is not a simple movie player and the people using it are not looking for a paid replacement for mpc-hc or vlc.  If those programs represent what you want then use them instead.  They're excellent players that in no way compete with Emby or Plex.

 

 

You can always find something that is more expensive.

I think the issue is that the other EMBY clients are priced much lower. Pricing is not where you get most high paying users. It is where you get most profit. As distribution of software is close to nothing and development costs are fixed, as they are, then the best spot is where the price multiplied by costumers is highest. The number of the latter is depending on the former, as more will adopt it with a lower price, but will also earn less on each costumer. For a price of say 3 USD everyone will try it out cause everyone can afford it, and if you don't like it, the 3 usd will not bankrupt you. At say 10 USD it still a bit so, but less. At 30 USD you get people in who want it and have tried it. At 99 it is the hardcore fans. The optimum? Hard to say. Only a few will pay 99 but many will pay 3.

 

I personally never got to Plex as I was using MB and it was free while Plex costed money. OTOH I bought the iOS apps just to try then, even that I hardly use them. At 3 USD it docent matter. I think it is worth considering if the optimum pricing for ET is down at the low range of 3-30 USD, as it will keep the whole setup with different clients quite a bit cheaper than Plex.

EMBY has developed into becoming a good platform. I understand that it cannot remain entirely free of charge, but I believe that it is also a good thing to deliver good software at a reasonable price and not getting greedy. I paid 30 usd for Pages on may mac, as Word would have set med back 150 USD here in DK and I would never use 90% of it features. 

Edited January 30, 2016 by Schroinx