Do you still buy physical media?

[fanboy-ish]

I wanted to add to the topic, do books count?

Over the last couple of years I've tried eBooks, but they don't work for me, I always end up missing having a real book, I don't really know why, but a real book feels, somewhat, more satisfying.

 

[opeter]

I'm here with news from the future. The year is 2022, all of your BluRays are probably piled in boxes in the garage. 4K streaming is commonplace. And we're all wearing masks. Buy Pfizer stock. Don't ask, just thank me later.

You forgot to mention, that 3D is dead.

 

[unrigestered]

I wanted to add to the topic, do books count?

yes, books for me too, though i'm not a particular book worm.

DVDs/Blu-Rays only my absolute favorite films and from one or two of my favorite directors

CDs only from my favorite band, but even there i'll be listening only to the MP3s from iTunes.

 

[HDFan]

I wanted to add to the topic, do books count?

Over the last couple of years I've tried eBooks, but they don't work for me, I always end up missing having a real book, I don't really know why, but a real book feels, somewhat, more satisfying.

On one of my moves I had some 3 tons of books. Finally got rid of them all, due to space concerns and the smell as they deteriorate over time. My library is digital which is quite convenient since I can read any book in my library at any time wherever I may be.

 

[fanboy-ish]

On one of my moves I had some 3 tons of books. Finally got rid of them all, due to space concerns and the smell as they deteriorate over time. My library is digital which is quite convenient since I can read any book in my library at any time wherever I may be.

Yes, ebooks are definitely more convenient, it's hard to explain what I'm missing from reading real books, I still haven't figured out if it is the reading experience itself or the object itself felt more practical.

Consider that I'm mostly using the basic iPad as an eReader, I know it's not the best choice, but it works surprisingly well.

 

[MarkC426]

Yes, ebooks are definitely more convenient, it's hard to explain what I'm missing from reading real books, I still haven't figured out if it is the reading experience itself or the object itself felt more practical.

Consider that I'm mostly using the basic iPad as an eReader, I know it's not the best choice, but it works surprisingly well.

Although I have many a book/graphic novel/comic/magazine in digital, it is refreshing to give your eyes a break from a 'screen' now and again, with a print edition.

 

[AL2TEACH]

I wanted to add to the topic, do books count?

Over the last couple of years I've tried eBooks, but they don't work for me, I always end up missing having a real book, I don't really know why, but a real book feels, somewhat, more satisfying.

Lol, I used to feel the same way then I had to move 300+ hard cover books. I've learned to appreciate books on my iPad, lol.

 

[AL2TEACH]

You forgot to mention, that 3D is dead.

Not for me. I luv 3D and when my 3D tv dies, I will think about a projector.

 

[Grade]

The idea of exploring digital media, really comes to someone's mind, when the space available in your house is running out or already did run out. I'm running out of space. Not only my love for Movies and Lego, but my brother's love for books is another thing that adds up.... how he starting to like Legos but has a love for the Smurf pvc figurines.

With that concern, we now only buy 4k movies (with Blu-ray) or blu.-ray if there isn't a 4k release, the films we love. The rest is a digital format. Also, the option of new movies being released in physical format is nonexistent in my country (Portugal) and also starting to see diminishing releases in amazon (Spain) as well.

 

[OverTheHill]

Selectively in terms of 4k. Have too many BDs to count.

When Apple goes to 8K which will likely match 4k physical in picture quality and DTS comes available I’ll reconsider. Physical is the only way to get DTS and there is literally a stockpile of DTS physical media. And no, streaming 4k video is not the same.

 

[OverTheHill]

You forgot to mention, that 3D is dead.

Dead, but fun to pull out and watch from time to time, because…physical media.

 

[OverTheHill]

I got about 250 DVDs just sitting there wonder what I should do with em. Some of them I'd like to turn into digital files, I guess I should grab Handbrake to "back them up".

I’d do an inventory. Most can probably be had on a BD for a song on Amazon or in iTunes for even less. Keep the ones you can’t find and gradually replace the rest either via BD or iTunes. With digital copy you get both anyway. The PQ on iTunes is far better than DVD. DVD is truly dead as a format and the resolution is a joke anymore. I have one DVD left and the PQ is horrid... The Abyss…where the hell is this film in at least 1080p Mr. Cameron?

 

[OverTheHill]

There is 1 movie that I cannot find anywhere online to download/stream other than Start: Young Frankenstein. It is still available as DVD and I might buy it, rip it even though I do not have a DVD player anymore ... and no, not going to subscribe to Start to watch it, I want it in my library with is s mix of ripped and iTunes.

Get the BD. It’s $10 on Amazon.

 

[topcat001]

Not for me. I luv 3D and when my 3D tv dies, I will think about a projector.

I watch a lot of stuff online, but not getting rid of the flawless picture and audio from my blu rays anytime soon. I project everything and even small compression artefacts are painfully obvious.

In my experience ATV+ has by far the best streaming quality; nearly perfect. Netflix OTOH is quite bad.

Speaking of projection, once one has experienced a JVC LCOS projector on a 100+ inch screen in a perfectly dark room even OLED (which I also have) is kind of meh Well, till they release gigantic rollable screens. Still there’s something about the perfectly uniform projected images which look the same from any angle. Also this is now the only option for 3D.

 

[Pugly]

I used to be into physical media, but I think I'm done with most of it. I have a CD collection, but that's all ripped... I was keeping the CDs for the quality but the music is all ripped in lossless and I haven't used the CDs in 10 years. Once Apple offered the CD-quality level on Apple Music, I reconsidered since that was the main reason for keeping the CDs. The time it takes to rip and manage the collection is just not worth it compared to $9.99 a month. I still buy digital tracks from bands I like, usually off bandcamp.

I also tried to have a modest collection of movie favorites on DVD and Blu-Ray. But don't want to deal with a Blu-Ray player, and tried to get a drive for PC and Mac... and that experience is garbage. I then noticed a deal on movies/tv shows through I guess iTunes.. not sure what it's called now... and I was impressed with the value. Good movies for $5 or less, sometimes full series of TV shows for under $50.

My MacBook Air is the center of my digital media life, so hooking it up to a monitor with 1 usb-c cable is more convenient than any media player I've owned. My monitor was factory calibrated and the colors are all setup nice for the Mac.

I keep a backup of the movies incase any shenanigans happens with rights and media availability...and with the random deals I've been pretty happy.

I'm still old-school enough to like having a collection, so I don't like streaming services. And I use movies anywhere, and Vudu has a scan a dvd blu-ray or barcode into a digital license. Once I got over my initial reservations of non-ownership of the media, I've been really happy buying media this way. I thought I have a steam library and some digital games on consoles that I have no problem with... what makes buying movies any different? And as long as I'm diligent about keeping a download I'll have a copy of my own.

I guess there's no exit strategy out of Apple's orbit for me now...

I never want physical media to go away though. There always should be something physical made to put into this world of any media created I think... even if it's just a print run of 1000 units. Despite digital copies being perfect... if the servers come crumbling down there should be something physical to fall back on.

 

[Nermal]

on a 100+ inch screen in a perfectly dark room

I have a 120" scope (2.39:1) screen in a perfectly dark room (equivalent to a 133" TV when watching 2.39 movies since there are no black bars).

 

[MarkC426]

I’d do an inventory. Most can probably be had on a BD for a song on Amazon or in iTunes for even less. Keep the ones you can’t find and gradually replace the rest either via BD or iTunes. With digital copy you get both anyway. The PQ on iTunes is far better than DVD. DVD is truly dead as a format and the resolution is a joke anymore. I have one DVD left and the PQ is horrid... The Abyss…where the hell is this film in at least 1080p Mr. Cameron?

This is partly why I moved to iTunes (mostly), over the past 30+ years, formats constantly changing.
I didn't want to replace all content, every time the technology is upped, hence multiple formats of media.....😬

In my case, more recently DVD - HDDVD (I know....silly me) - Blu-ray.
What I did like about HDDVD is they where NOT region locked.

 

[Grade]

The 4k UHD is region-free, for now.

 

[AL2TEACH]

Also, the option of new movies being released in physical format is nonexistent in my country (Portugal) and also starting to see diminishing releases in amazon (Spain) as well.

Same here (U.S.) but you can always order the discs. Amazon, Disney and etc...will want us to ditch physical media for their streaming.

 

[AL2TEACH]

DVD is truly dead as a format and the resolution is a joke anymore.

Only for some.

DVD and Blu-ray sales nearly halved over five years, MPAA report says

The MPAA report is chock-full of interesting figures about a changing industry.

arstechnica.com

the article was written in 2019

 

[AL2TEACH]

Also this is now the only option for 3D.

True and it's a wowser. A buddy has a short throw laser projector with a 100 screen and it's really something.

 

[jollydogfellow]

Very curious to see who still buys dvds and blu-rays and why? Or why did you stop?

Of course I buy DVDs.
Firstly, the movie I want to watch are often not on streaming services at all.

Sometimes you can "buy" them, but as has been addressed multiple times, you're not really buying anything.
When the service ceases operation, or you move countries, or they take the movie down, you're screwed.

And even then, at least here in Europe, "buying" a movie on Amazon Prime is about 8 quid, whereas actually buying it form the used bin or on eBay is often 2-4 quid.

For less money it's yours for life, you can rip it or watch it on any system, you can borrow it, you can bring it over at your mate's house, and you can talk about your collection with your guests.

Who will often borrow **** and never return it, but that's another matter.

 

[jollydogfellow]

DVD is truly dead as a format and the resolution is a joke anymore.

I really don't know about that.

It seems very much alive to me, players and discs are being manufactured; cartloads the latter are sold in developing countries (although they don't always show up in MPAA figures, because of a sizeable grey market).

There's still boatloads of excellent Hollywood movies that are only available on DVD, as well as foreign and indie productions.
Just to name one major director, as an exercise you can do a quick list of how many Sidney Lumet movies are available in a format other than DVD in most regions.

(Answer: less than 30%)

As for the resolution, on my 32" TV at standard viewing distance they look perfect when played on my upscaling Sony BD player.
On my 48" not so much, but a majority of people still have smaller screens (if they have a TV at all - especially people who share a flat).

 

[jollydogfellow]

While physical media is the ideal solution to keeping recordings what is the point when you eventually leave this earth and can't take it with you?

I do enjoy my late father's records on a near daily basis.
In a way it's almost as if he's still here cranking that **** up on Sunday mornings, you know.
That's his music, beautifully curated, full of rarities and obscure stuff.
His taste. His sense of humour.

 

[jollydogfellow]

DVD is truly dead as a format and the resolution is a joke anymore.

On a second thought, you’re bound to see some regional variations here I think.
NTSC has worse resolution and pulldown artifacts.
PAL has speedup, but I think only musicians are bound to notice that 😉