I keep hearing about how physical media is dead, but, I just came home from some Black Friday shopping and let me tell you that it is NOT. Especially with video (not so much audio), there are many people buying DVDs and Blu-Rays like crazy.

Myself, I've gone digital with audio. I still need physical copies of any Prince, or P-Funk release, maybe a few others, because I have huge collections of them and enjoy adding to them. But for most music, digital copies are good enough for me. No streaming though, I never pay to RENT digital media, only for downloads that I can keep.

For video though, I still buy lots of DVDs & Blu-Rays. I don't use Netflix & I don't use Redbox, my video library consists of physical discs on the shelf and it's gonna stay that way for a long time to come.

Anyways, from what I say today, for dead formats DVDs & Blu-Rays seem to be doing just fine.

I like digitial. Me, I like having the physical media of Prince vinyl, cds, dvds, a must have.

Dvds should die, release everything on blu ray. If you're releasing something that isn't mastered in HD (like a very obscure movie or old tv show) release it on standard def blu-ray anyway. Most of my favorite shows are only released on dvd. Force everyone to buy the blu-ray version and they will make them. Basic players are cheap.

Some vinyl is a must...it will always be the whole experience for me. Vinyl in different colors and weight, full-size art, lyrics and the whole thing. Digital is next and even cds if that's the only way I can find something I'm looking for.

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As far as movies, anything I don't have is a digital download these days. Still have a huge DVD collection but space is at a premium so that's my reason for the move to digital. Now there's 4k Blue Ray and it just feels like an endless chase of technology that I could care less about.

Did have to get rid of the VHS and cassette tapes a while ago though.

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With you on streaming...

As far as CDs, I MUST have a physical copy of any album I own, if it is available! I will never be happy with just a digital download. Yes, DVD and blu-ray's are still very much alive. I was at Best Buy and Target over the last couple of days and people are still purchasing these media types in large quantities. Most of the movies I enjoy are not availabe on streaming services so I'm still buying DVD/Blu-Ray discs.

they say cassettes have better sound.

2freaky4church1 said:

they say cassettes have better sound.

Nobody who knows what they're talking about says that.

Frankly, I was so pissed that I couldn't pick up an 8-track copy of Taylor Swift's latest album for my niece as a gift, nor could I find a Betamax versision of Wonder Woman at the Black Friday sales.

That's hilarious, comparing CD & Vinyl to 8-Track or Blu-Ray & DVD to Betamax. Good one...

Meanwhile, I don't have to worry if the music I like is on a specific streaming service or worry about my favorite movies being dropped from Netflix. I don't even care about news of Disney pulling all their stuff (including Marvel & Star Wars) from Netflix, nor do I concern myself with the prospect of subscribing to multiple services.

Have fun with all that, I'll enjoy my privately curated physical library.

As a die-hard twin sl1210s

Vinyl will always be the go to.

Of course for portable digital.

Film - 70mm projection for the real deal film - or imax for new digital movies

Since most LPs come with a digital download on the side these days, if I feel I need a physical copy of something and it's available on vinyl, that's what I do. (I remember the days when, if you still bought vinyl, you had to rip it yourself.)

CDs (unless they likewise include a digital download) are useless to me because I do not have a disc drive on my computer.

Today's artist are good for digital download. Artist from the 60's-80's (or if they made music in the 90's-until now) are good for physical copies

My sister-in-law is a librarian. According to her, DVDs & CDs get checked out at an extremely high rate for "dead formats". They've noticed a great increase with the DVDs since the library & Red Box are the only places in town to rent a movie in a physical format.

djThunderfunk said:

My sister-in-law is a librarian. According to her, DVDs & CDs get checked out at an extremely high rate for "dead formats". They've noticed a great increase with the DVDs since the library & Red Box are the only places in town to rent a movie in a physical format.

I bet they get stolen too

luv4u said:

djThunderfunk said:

My sister-in-law is a librarian. According to her, DVDs & CDs get checked out at an extremely high rate for "dead formats". They've noticed a great increase with the DVDs since the library & Red Box are the only places in town to rent a movie in a physical format.

I bet they get stolen too

They do have a big problem keeping box sets complete. One disc will disappear or get damaged and the whole set has to be replaced or pulled from circulation.

A few years ago FOX stopped producing The Simpsons DVD Season Box Sets, instead pushing their online service. Fans who had collect Season 1-17 (+20) were pissed and have complained ever since.

Evidently they've relented to fan pressure. Season 18 will be released on DVD next week.

Genesia said:

Since most LPs come with a digital download on the side these days, if I feel I need a physical copy of something and it's available on vinyl, that's what I do. (I remember the days when, if you still bought vinyl, you had to rip it yourself.)

CDs (unless they likewise include a digital download) are useless to me because I do not have a disc drive on my computer.

externa lCD/ DVD drive, problem solved.

TD3 said:

Genesia said:

Since most LPs come with a digital download on the side these days, if I feel I need a physical copy of something and it's available on vinyl, that's what I do. (I remember the days when, if you still bought vinyl, you had to rip it yourself.)

CDs (unless they likewise include a digital download) are useless to me because I do not have a disc drive on my computer.

externa lCD/ DVD drive, problem solved.

I don't know what I will do if they stop making laptops with disc drives. I have two, one with a disc drive and one without. I think I've used the laptop without the disc drive maybe twice. I may try to sell it on ebay or something. I am still very much a CD/DVD/Blu-ray kinda guy. I know you can buy the external drives but for me, it would be another extra piece of equipment I'd have to keep up with and I wonder how much longer they will even continue to manufacter those.

Physical copies are for buying and collecting. Digital copies are for pirating.

The Bat-computer can play any format

U mostly look at porn Bat Brat.

2freaky4church1 said:

U mostly look at porn Bat Brat.

If you Google porn, 2freaky4church names pops up first in the search engine

Friends, family and even acquantences who know I have approx 5,000 movies on DVD/BD contact me all the time asking if I have this or that movie that Netflix dropped and the library doesn't carry.

There are soooo many movies that are not available in a legal digital format and out of print on physical format. For those I recommend Amazon, Ebay & Half Price Books.

kitbradley said:

TD3 said:

externa lCD/ DVD drive, problem solved.

I don't know what I will do if they stop making laptops with disc drives. I have two, one with a disc drive and one without. I think I've used the laptop without the disc drive maybe twice. I may try to sell it on ebay or something. I am still very much a CD/DVD/Blu-ray kinda guy. I know you can buy the external drives but for me, it would be another extra piece of equipment I'd have to keep up with and I wonder how much longer they will even continue to manufacter those.

Yeah its really crazy...

Twenty-four months ago DVD/CD's were pretty standard on a "corporate / enterprise" laptop computers, but no more. For those of use that have a medial collection and still purchase DVD/CD like the gamers.... dekstop (tower) should be considered. Or, you purchase an Apple or Microsoft laptop with a DVD/CD drive. That's why I've kept and upgraded my 2011 Macbook Pro for this very reason. I've already stocked piled on DVD/CD drives for the Apple and my Linux desktop / tower.



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[Edited 12/16/17 8:10am]

ufoclub said:

I would never buy or rent or check out a DVD unless it’s the only way an old movie (or more likely an old TV show) could be collected. I only get blu-rays or stream because a DVD on a good screen looks a bit soft focus and messed up. Everything, even your local car dealer commercials went HD years ago! DVD resolution: 720 x 480 at best, but sometimes 640 x 480. Blu-ray: 1920 x 1080 and now there are 4K discs (but you need a 4K player and 4K TV to see it). 4K is 3840 × 2160 and up. This is great if you have a huge screen to watch stuff on. Or sit really really close, lol. I still have my laserdisc player!

I've never gotten involved in Blue-Rays vs HD DVD. If your lucky the classic movies you like have been restored. If you rip your own movies, there's software out their to tweak the ripped DVD. I've found 52' inch 1080P Samsung non-smart-TV's at Best Buy in LA two years ago, I bought a couple. I'm not down with smart TVs so I doubt if I'll ever own a 2k / 4k TV, I don't see the necessity.

TD3 said: