Streaming vs. Physical movies/shows

[bonesaw]

Hey chums, I was just curious if anybody would care to share where they currently stand on this issue. 

I suspect most of you probably are into both a physical library while also doing the streaming thing. Personally, I am about a 95% physical consumer and resist contributing to streaming as much as I can, though I still do here and there because I share a Prime account. It helps that I do a lot of repeat viewings over the years. Its also nice having something of a physical library to scan over when deciding what to watch. I get DVDs/BluRays from eBay pretty cheap too, so $$$-wise I think buying physically once in a while is potentially much cheaper than having multiple streaming apps subs.

I never liked the idea of having movies and shows not directly in my hands. The streaming companies have too much control to the point where even when you buy a movie, there is no guarantee it will be available to you in the future. Also, we now have this...


Amazon adding adds to Prime

A lot like video games, I worry that what the streaming thing really boils down to is getting all the consumers into a place where they have less and less control and options so they can add ads, remove content when it no longer pays to have it (even after people "buy" it) and jack up prices altogether. No ability to resell, share, etc.  


Thoughts? 

[johnnypt]

It’s sort of like how I was with EZ Pass, I didn’t want to contribute to the whole toll infrastructure. Eventually you see it’s not going anywhere so you figure out how best to utilize it.

I was just thinking about this earlier how there are certain things (It Came From Hollywood, Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid, certain MST3K episodes) can’t be on DVD due to rights issues but might end up on TV where rules are less strict. It’s great to have things at your fingertips but there are certain things you can’t get in the streaming world (the uncut version of John Wayne’s Alamo, the Buckingjam-Nicks album from 1973).

I think it’s great Hulu finally worked out a deal to show Moonlightjing in its original form with music intact, which wasn’t available on DVD. I recorded all the Quick Draw McGraw shorts from TV since they’re tied up in rights issues. I love being able to sample the new Rifftrax episodes and the online season 13 of MST3K on the streaming services. You just have to properly use the tools given to you.

[cromfelge]

The question I ask myself is: Do I really need to own this movie? Do I care if I may not be able to watch it in a few years?
If the answer is yes, a physical copy is needed. Otherwise I don't care. I feel like streaming replaced TV mostly but not necessarily DVD/Blu-ray.
I have to admit that in contrast to books and comics the natively digital formats (movies, games, audio) are easier replaced by streaming or purely digital buys for me because it doesn't change the format.
If companies ever get too greedy again, we all have an old pirate's hat in our basement somewhere nowadays.

[Monster]

I like to get physical media when I can. For one thing, I live in a rural area that still does not have access to broadband or a more reliable wired internet. It is getting better with the cell service Wi-Fi, but still has its issues. I like to have real ownership of something and be able to watch it when, where and how I want to watch it. I also like to rip some of my movies and some shows, so I can put them on other devices and have backups. Sure, you can use streaming, but I have something like 40 GB of movies on my phone I can watch anywhere, at any time.

There are also just a lot of things that are still not available via streaming and hunting down DVDs and the like is the only way to go.

But, one of the bigger reasons for having physical media lately is, having a completely original, untouched version of something. More and more, things are being edited or removed, due to content issues when it comes to digital release.