Obsolete Streaming vs. Blu-ray/DVD

[InfiniteBakuphoon]

So recently I've been exposed to the joys of Netflix. For just over $10 per month, an almost hilarious amount of content has been available to me, and it can be hard to not get lost in it all sometimes. From my experience, it's easy to see why streaming services like Netflix are almost certainly going to supplant physical media in the near future... it's relatively inexpensive for what you get while offering picture and sound quality that most people will be happy with (provided that one's internet connection is good enough, of course). And why go the store to buy or rent some movie you're interested in when you can just get what you want instantly from the comfort of your own living room?

That said, I can't really say that streaming has changed my preference for physical media like DVDs and (especially) Blu-ray discs. Because as conveinent as services like Netflix are, for me there's no substitute for actually having discs for the movies and TV shows that I really care about. Why? Well, while streaming picture and sound quality is pretty good for what it is, it's not perfect... and Blu-rays, at their best, are perfect. Which isn't a big deal for stuff that I only intend to watch once or twice, but for stuff that I'd want to watch over and over? Yeah. Also, I like the idea of being able to simply pull out a disc and watch something whenever I want with absolutely zero chance of failure, instead of being at the mercy of an internet connection that may sometimes be slow or even not work at all. It can also make things a lot easier on the internet bill, especially if you're streaming at 4K resolution...

So, what do you guys think about streaming vs. physical media like Blu-rays and DVDs? Would you instantly trade one for the other, or is there room for both in your media consumption lives?

 

[ReturnofMCH]

I never use netflix much whenever I do have it, as I prefer pshyical copies

 

[Kharixi]

I would probably use Netflix more if it was more up-to-date with things.

 

[Stratelier]

In a long-term, philosophical viewpoint ...

Streaming/subscription based services are dependent on somebody continuing to offer said service. When the day comes that said service shuts down, everything on it disappears.

Physical media and devices are playable forever, or at least as long as said media and device exist in working form.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

I’m in the same boat as ^. I can’t possibly understate the value of the Internet, since it’s usually how I watch a movie/show for the first time, but if I have something I’ve seen that I really care about, the goal is to get it in a physical format. That way if I’m trapped on a desert island that for some reason has electricity but no Internet, I can still watch my shows and movies.

 

[Dorothy LaRouge]

Streaming is much more convenient, but the downside is you're usually limited to whatever the service has available. For older and more obscure releases DVD is your best bet.

 

[Dolce]

I only really like buying what I will, and what I intend to use. So for me a streaming service is a lot more suited to my quirks. I will buy something on DVD that has made a lasting impression on me though, it's just very rare.

 

[Tyler53841]

For me one advantage of streaming is not to worry about taking care of CD Discs.

The drawbacks from what I have seen Amazon Video:

Not all versions of a product may be available like the unrated version of a movie (such as the Other Guys)
For anime lovers, only the English Dub is available, which I am okay with sometimes as long as I don't consider the dub to be bad or only the edited release is available.
Also for the 2003 series of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, only the first 3 seasons are available, while there is no luck the other 4 will be released.

 

[Stratelier]

The drawbacks from what I have seen Amazon Video:

Not all versions of a product may be available....

Yup, that's inherent to the streaming/subscription based model, they have total control over what is and is not available at any time and if you're looking for something that is for whatever reason not approved (e.g. Star Wars Non-Special Edition Original Trilogy) then you're out of luck.

 

[Username19]

With movies/TV I'm kinda the exact opposite of how I am with games. I generally only watch them digitally through services. The only downside to this is of course availability of the content I'm looking for and availability of an internet connection. I really only buy disc if I have a special attachment to the movie. Even then I'm pretty prone to getting rid of the disc later on because a lot of the discs come with a digital locker code now so I still have the movie just without the hassle of the disc.