With all this talk about BD vs. HD, one significant reason for hoping one format wins over another is no one wants to get stuck with a bunch of disks in the losing format. After all, at $40 a crack you can easily spend more on sw than hw. Why not just buy whatever player and just Netflix the movies? Seems to me that justifications around ownership of a physical format are fast becoming obsolete. Why do you buy dvd's?.

Seems to me that justifications around ownership of a physical format is fast becoming obsolete. Why do you buy dvd's?.
Who exactly do I need to justify my purchases to again? this is just an extension of my DVD collection, collectors; collect things. If this is indeed the last physical home media format, I've barely scratched the surface on how many I'm going to buy.

Why do you buy dvd's?.


I asked myself that question when I opened my PS3 to go with my HD-A1. I've been happily renting HD DVDs for months and only buying those which held special value to me like performance(Batman Begins), nostalgia(Willy Wonka), or availability(Equilibrium-JPN). Now that I've added BD to the arsenal, I can only see myself keeping in this vein.

It's a good hedge against getting stuck with the "losing" format, but it also has the effect of prolonging the war since the content makers turn on disc SALES.

Who exactly do I need to justify my purchases to again?
I'n not trying to start another argument here. I see more articles everyday about Netflix & BB working on streaming. Comcast & others are now experimenting with on-demand movies releasing the same day as dvd. I'm simply interested in why people buy the physical media given this future and the availability of Netflix.

So i can watch it whenever i want to. If i get the urge to watch a certain movie, I want to watch it right then, not a few days later when it arrives from Netflix.
And what does it matter if you get "stuck" with discs for the losing format? They will still work, it's not like they self destruct when that format throws in the towel.

I'n not trying to start another argument here. I see more articles everyday about Netflix & BB working on streaming. Comcast & others are now experimenting with on-demand movies releasing the same day as dvd. I'm simply interested in why people buy the physical media given this future and the availability of Netflix.


I also have a feelingits going to be a long while before we can stream as high quality as we get with HD DVD or BD.

Well, I have both media types, and I have heard nothing from either Toshiba nor Sony that they will have a self destruct mechanism in their HD players just in case the rival company wins the war that the losing company will blow up all their existing HD players so that we can no longer watch that format and thus our existing library of the losing format is not longer watchable.

On a more serious side I bought the 20 gig PS3 because I wanted to watch HD blu-ray movies, and this was my introduction to true HD movies. Then I got my Toshiba HD-A2 for basically $199.00 after I returned my Sony 75 upconverting player, got BB to price match Techdepot, and then got $100.00 worth of HD-DVDs free. If HD-DVD does lose the war, I still have one of the best upconverting DVDs out there, and if Blu-Ray loses the war, I can still use it to play games here and there, especially Gran Turismo-HD whenever they decide to release it. I'm not a big gamer, but I do love Gran Turismo.

I also have a feelingits going to be a long while before we can stream as high quality as we get with HD DVD or BD.

I agree. While watching LOTR Two Towers on TNT- HD, the whole part where Gandalf and the Balrog are falling and having that great battle (favorite part of the move) was turned into a smorgisborg or macroblocking crap since it was all moving very quickly. I have yet to see this happen in any HD-DVD or Blu-Ray presentation, if its not fast action then I can say it looks pretty damned good on TNT-HD, but as soon as action sets in, macroblocking comes alive.

With all this talk about BD vs. HD, one significant reason for hoping one format wins over another is no one wants to get stuck with a bunch of disks in the losing format. After all, at $40 a crack you can easily spend more on sw than hw. Why not just buy whatever player and just Netflix the movies? Seems to me that justifications around ownership of a physical format are fast becoming obsolete. Why do you buy dvd's?.

First of all, I'm paying $18 for my HD DVDs(non combos), and $15 for DVDs-that isn't going to break me. Why own discs? Forget the fact that Netflix doesn't have many of the Imports I like to watch. I don't want my viewing habbits to be dictated by Netflix (or anyone else). What if I wake up one Sunday morning and decide I want to watch a specific movie? Should I have to wait for someone else to send it to me? What if Netflix hasn't sent it yet? I also like to watch movies more than once, but not in the same week. I understand, if you are a casual watcher, or don't really care that much why you would prefere to rent instead of owning, but personally, I prefer owning.
J

So far we've got:
Netflix doesn't carry the selection I want
I want to see them more than once
I like to collect them
I buy in advance and watch when convenient w/o waiting

And what does it matter if you get "stuck" with discs for the losing format? They will still work, it's not like they self destruct when that format throws in the towel.

Yea, they aren't DIVX! That was a format where their discs did, "Self Destruct" when Circuit City threw in the towel.

How about, I have this sick complusion to do so and I have the income to waste. :p

Let's face it, there will be NO downloading of any 1080i/p content for a LONG time, if ever. Cable companies can hardly keep up with the demands of HD content, phone service and internet. Their infrastructure is crammed and we have all seen the effects of macroblocking, etc. from overly compressed HD content. If that's what you desire over owning a physical HD DVD or BD, then all the power to you! As for us, the collectors, either you are a collector, or you are not. I hate having to explain why I would choose to own discs over a fully loaded PVR.

-Murray

And what does it matter if you get "stuck" with discs for the losing format? They will still work, it's not like they self destruct when that format throws in the towel.
Same thing with the pronounced "death" of SACD, DVD-A, whatever...my discs will still work just fine, thanks.

Still, I only see myself buying discs I really like, not nearly as many as the DVD purchases I made. I don't tend to watch movies over and over unless I really like them, so I don't need a "library" as such like I do with music..

There are people that like to collect and there is no financial justification--they spend much more then they would have to otherwise, but it is their thing. Some want a big collection of barbie dolls, some want a big collection of DVD/HD DVDs.

I pretty much only buy discs that I will want to watch again on a moments notice (frequently kid's movies) or ones that show off the theater.

I record to D-VHS alot more HD movies then I buy since a tape only costs me $3.50-$5.00 and can be used again if I decide I don't want the movie anymore. Heck, if there were no macroblocking in broadcast HD, I probably wouldn't buy hardly any movies--I'd just tape them.

Once streaming of quality equal to HD DVD becomes available, I doubt I will buy very many at all. There is no longer a convenience factor for owning the media--it is available whenever you want. If a streamed HD movie costs say $4 or $5, you'd have to watch it 4 or more times before buying the disc was justified. There are a precious few movies I watch more than 4 times.

Dave

Let's face it, there will be NO downloading of any 1080i/p content for a LONG time, if ever.

There already is. ;)

we have all seen the effects of macroblocking, etc. from overly compressed HD content.

Unfortunately. My FiOS picture is just as good as my HD DVD picture (I've compared KK and others) until fast motion. Then, there is the unfortunate macroblocking. Thankfully, it only lasts about 1 second and usually only occurs 1 to 3 times in a movie. Would I rather not have it--yes. Is it so bad that it is worth buying BD--no.

I hate having to explain why I would choose to own discs over a fully loaded PVR.

D-VHS is certainly a better options that a fully loaded PVR unless that PVR is a computer with lots and lots of storage. Even then, you may not be able to record to it.

Dave

Um, have you ever watched an HD DVD? Toshiba and the HD DVD studios have given us the ABSOLUTE BEST VERSIONS of our favorite films that have EVER existed! The amazing PQ, the very cool extras like the re-watchable video commentaries, the sound, and the whole package - make one realize that you are now essentially buying an absolutely DEFINITIVE release of the given title on a physical format. It's a joy to re-watch these discs again and again because of their here-to-fore unseen level of quality.

Remember too, that for many of us with very, very high-end HDTV sets - SD DVD as a format has looked like flawed sh*t to us for a long time. If you've always owned top-tier displays and are even half a videophile then you've easily been getting annoyed by how soft, full of artifacts, grain, macroblocking and other crap SD DVD is - for years now. HD DVD IS the ANSWER to the SD DVD problem. It IS the holy grail.

Unfortunately, that pesky blu-ray with it's lagging behind in features, pricing, and consistent quality means there's a "war" and people have to ask questions like in the OP.

Otherwise, everybody on earth would be enjoying HD DVD comfortably and immediately recognizing how fantastic it is.

EDIT: Oh, also - though I own about 40 HD DVD titles - I've paid, at an average, only about 14 dollars for each. Deals, coupons, promotions, and trading in SD DVDs, etc has made it REALLY, REALLY easy.

Um, have you ever watched an HD DVD? Toshiba and the HD DVD studios have given us the ABSOLUTE BEST VERSIONS of our favorite films that have EVER existed!

No one disputes this. His question was not "why do you want to watch movies on HD DVD over DVD?" His question was, "Why buy so many HD DVDs when you can rent them for a fraction of the price?"

Dave

So far we've got:
Netflix doesn't carry the selection I want
I want to see them more than once
I like to collect them
I buy in advance and watch when convenient w/o waiting

That's about right.

And the reasons for renting:
I don't have the money to buy them or
I don't want to spend the money to buy them
I don't care what movie I watch on my list
I don't care when I watch it
I don't watch movies more than once

J

I'n not trying to start another argument here. I see more articles everyday about Netflix & BB working on streaming. Comcast & others are now experimenting with on-demand movies releasing the same day as dvd. I'm simply interested in why people buy the physical media given this future and the availability of Netflix.
Like I said, I'm a collector; I collect things, I like them on my shelf not Netflix's that and I continually get throttled by them. VoD? if a download costs $5 and the disc is $20 I'll choose the disc every time.

Maybe when Netflix doesn't throttle me anymore, everyone has fiber connections and 1TB of hard drive space is cheap I'll revisit the whole digital archiving/rental/VoD thing, until then I'll just carry on the way I have for the last 20+ years, buying movies I enjoy.

No one disputes this. His question was not "why do you want to watch movies on HD DVD over DVD?" His question was, "Why buy so many HD DVDs when you can rent them for a fraction of the price?"

Dave Then your answered you own comment with your "No one disputes this" line. If HD DVD is the greatest thing to happen to movie fans in the history of time - is one of the most amazing experiences possible for anyone to ever have in their home theater that they carefully put together - then why in the HELL would you NOT want to own the product?

Why waste money renting out a pass to ride an amusment park rollercoaster - when you can just own the damn rollercoaster and enjoy it til the end of time, for a little additional cost?

All the above was the point of my original reply, phrasing in that reply.

No one disputes this. His question was not "why do you want to watch movies on HD DVD over DVD?" His question was, "Why buy so many HD DVDs when you can rent them for a fraction of the price?"

If you don't buy the discs, the studio doesn't make any money. If the studio doesn't make any money, they stop producing new discs and you stop getting High Definition content. Everybody loses.

Jeesh! Guy's this was a simple question - why do you buy DVD's given the alternatives; current & future? I didn't want to get into a discussion about the benefits of hidef, BD vs. HD or have you feel that you have to justify your purchases to me or anyone else. The real reason I asked was because I walk into BB and see rows and rows of CD's - and ever fewer people purusing them. It seems clear that iTunes (and others formats) are changing the way music is acquired. In my case, I had a large CD collection which is now ripped, streamed and sync'd. New music is purchased on line. Haven't bought a cd in a couple of years. Played in the ear, over the HT equipment and in the car w/o using a single CD. I was just curious how far movies were behind that trend.

I think it depends if you would like to watch movies more than once. I only have about 40 movies, but when I have guest over, I can just pop in a movie and show them a scene. I also rent from netflix for those movies I a curious about seeing, but don't feel like purchasing them. If I like the movie after renting, I'll probably go out and buy it. :)

Why are you asking this in a Home Theater forum chock full of movie buffs? I think the answer would be pretty self evident.

We love movies and want to see them in the best way possible!

Why do you buy dvd's?.

This morning, around 2:00AM and for absolutely no reason whatsoever (i.e. couldn't sleep), I watched three random episodes from three different X-Files Box Sets: 'Bad Blood' (Season 5), 'Je Souhaite' (Season 7) and 'Improbable' (Season 9). Until VOD or technology allows for me, at a reasonable price and speed, to download and watch anything my fickle fancy wants to see at any given time, I'm keeping my optical/VHS media handy. Because who knows what I might feel like watching next Tuesday at 5:40PM, Friday at 1:05AM or Sunday at 9:15AM. :rolleyes:

We love movies and want to see them in the best way possible!
So I am assuming you come down on the "buy" side? And what is your reason?

I'm single thus I have disposable income coming out my ears. I like movies and movies look good in HD. So I buy them...

The real reason I asked was because I walk into BB and see rows and rows of CD's - and ever fewer people purusing them. It seems clear that iTunes (and others formats) are changing the way music is acquired. In my case, I had a large CD collection which is now ripped, streamed and sync'd. New music is purchased on line. Haven't bought a cd in a couple of years. Played in the ear, over the HT equipment and in the car w/o using a single CD. I was just curious how far movies were behind that trend.

Do yo really think downloading a movie, will be the same as downloading a song? Do you think you are going to get a high quality picture? HD?
Just out of curiosity, what does your HT system consist of?
BTW, have you ever heard a high-end stereo?
J

I have a 30 mile trip to blockbuster , I'm saving gas money !!!
Not interested in waiting for them to be mailed ....
Also all are not available to rent in my area ........

I like the convenience of have movies that will be watched a bunch of times . Who can watch serenity or 12 monkeys once ??
have fun collecting !!!

Bob

Jeesh! Guy's this was a simple question - why do you buy DVD's given the alternatives; current & future? I didn't want to get into a discussion about the benefits of hidef, BD vs. HD or have you feel that you have to justify your purchases to me or anyone else. The real reason I asked was because I walk into BB and see rows and rows of CD's - and ever fewer people purusing them. It seems clear that iTunes (and others formats) are changing the way music is acquired. In my case, I had a large CD collection which is now ripped, streamed and sync'd. New music is purchased on line. Haven't bought a cd in a couple of years. Played in the ear, over the HT equipment and in the car w/o using a single CD. I was just curious how far movies were behind that trend. Then instead of the topic, original paragraph you posted - you should have just asked the question: "Is video-on-demand a viable solution?". The answering to that is an insanely loud and resounding "NO!"

The reasons why have been discussed numerous times to death on several previous threads. Do a search.

To just briefly summarize why though here are the reasons:

-Movies are not music. Music has always been a generally "portable" format.
Movies are not. The success or promise of iTunes/Mp3s will and does not translate to movies for this very reason. There is no analogy between movies and music - they are completely different beasts.

-An infrastracture in the U.S. for quickly streaming HD movies to a harddrive in a convenient and easy way won't and can't exist for several years. Anything that tries to get started over the next few years will probably fail for a number of reasons. Many of which are purely technical and not able to solve easily with any amount of money or good intentions. The U.S. currently just does not have the internet speeds and adoption rates to support the huge size needed to accomodate the capacity of HD movies.

-People - and I mean everybody, even the iPod crowd - want physical media for movies. They want to feel they tangibly own it. They want to display it on their shelf. They want to be able to buy collector's editions with lavish packaging.

-The need for AWESOME stuff like advanced authoring, extras, commentaries, PiP, and high quality encodes will be much more diminished if video-on-demand does actually somehow catch on anytime soon.

-Video-on-demand already exists for SD, etc and is generally failing for a number of reasons that won't be overcome anytime soon. Many who have tried the current video-on-demand platforms have been very vocally frustrated and angry with many aspects of how it works, is supported.

-Many people just enjoy the idea of shopping locally for and collecting movies, and don't want to have to deal with slowly downloading a film or using PC-like devices to playback things - since they've always had "plug-in-play" functionality for movies since birth.

-The studios want to give us physical media for the foreseeable future whether we like it or not. Might as well appreciate it.

-Etc.

One very simple reason. Imagine you buy player X, and then you don't buy any movies for player X. You only rent them. Studios who make discs for player X aren't seeing sales. They stop releasing new movies. Player X's format dies. So it's really an ironic question. You seem to suggest not buying disc for either format because either format could go under, but it's precisely consumer purchases of discs that will drive the formats! So, to answer your question, because I support the format and want it to succeed. Also, as others have mentioned, regardless of what happens, I still have the movies to watch over and over again, whenever I want.

Do yo really think downloading a movie, will be the same as downloading a song? Do you think you are going to get a high quality picture? HD?
Just out of curiosity, what does your HT system consist of?
BTW, have you ever heard a high-end stereo?
J
Q1, Q2 & Q3 - Probably, probably & probably.
Q4 - Panny ae900, Pioneer vsx-1016, Polk SDA-SRS's, Speakercraft Aim8's, Polk csi5, Audire Forte dual mono-block, Adcom GFA-555II, Panny th42px60u and the pieste de resistance - two Cyberhome DVD players.
Q5 - Yes

Again, I'm not trying to debate owning, VOD, streaming, downloading, renting, BD or HD, if hidef is better than SD, etc. I was just interested in why people buy given the alternatives and how that may relate to what is going on in music.

With all this talk about BD vs. HD, one significant reason for hoping one format wins over another is no one wants to get stuck with a bunch of disks in the losing format. After all, at $40 a crack you can easily spend more on sw than hw. Why not just buy whatever player and just Netflix the movies? Seems to me that justifications around ownership of a physical format are fast becoming obsolete. Why do you buy dvd's?.
question of the year.

competition over.

multiple players and netflix/bb online for the win :)

it's amazing all the debate and such over discs which people purchase, even though they're improved and tweaked every 18 months since the laserdisc/vhs days. LOL>

In my case, I had a large CD collection which is now ripped, streamed and sync'd. New music is purchased on line. Haven't bought a cd in a couple of years. Played in the ear, over the HT equipment and in the car w/o using a single CD. I was just curious how far movies were behind that trend.

When they start selling MP3 in 320 kbps, I'll stop buying audio CDs.
When they start selling / streaming HD content at least as good as HD DVD plus the convenience of download as easy (and quickly) as downloading a 128 kbps MP3, then I'll stop buying DVD / HD DVD / BD.

Quality is still number one. Even 320 kbps MP3 is already a compromise to my ears.

For an audiophile, mp3's are not nearly good enough. The quality just isn't there!

For a videophile and movie lover, nothing is comparable to HD-DVD (and I'm sure BD too, but I'm only interested in one format).

Amiable-Akuma hit the nail right on the head. If you absolutely adore films and are seeking to replicate the theatrical experience in your home as closely as possible, there is no alternative. Movies and music are not comparable forms of media. Plain and simple.

DVD & cable / satellite HD are lacking in comparison quality-wise. An HD-DVR is very limited in space. Downloadable HD isn't available, isn't plausible for time factors, isn't convenient, and takes too much capacity to store. Renting does not support your format of choice, does not allow you the flexibility and convenience of ownership, doesn't give you everyday access to your favorite scenes, films, demo material, etc. And don't underestimate the importance of an HT buff wanting to own their favorite films in a tangible form! This is something the VOD supporters don't understand, and apparently never will!

Case in point -- I recently switched back to Dishnet & I absolutely adore their MonstersHD channel from Voom. I have recorded in HD Jaws, Carrie, Q - The Winger Serpent, Sinbad & the Eye of the Tiger, The Lost Boys, Halloween and Fright Night on my HD-DVR, and there are more I am looking forward to seeing. If any of these were suddenly announced on HD-DVD, however, I would jump at all of them. Not only is there a clear quality difference, but there is a need to own them in a packaged media form. And also, I will run out of room on this DVR before long and will need to delete recordings.

Packaged media for films will never be replaced. They may lose some market share to VOD and other downloadable methods with people that don't care much about films or a quality presentation, but this will be a small minority. In my opinion, there will always be packaged media for movies. And thank God for that.

I think the question should be....

Why still buy DVD's? One of the formats (BD or HD-DVD) is sure to become the next form of media. The only one that will be going bye-bye for sure in the future is DVD.

Then your answered you own comment with your "No one disputes this" line. If HD DVD is the greatest thing to happen to movie fans in the history of time - is one of the most amazing experiences possible for anyone to ever have in their home theater that they carefully put together - then why in the HELL would you NOT want to own the product?

Why waste money renting out a pass to ride an amusment park rollercoaster - when you can just own the damn rollercoaster and enjoy it til the end of time, for a little additional cost?

All the above was the point of my original reply, phrasing in that reply.

I was pointing out that you did not address the question. I did not come down on either side of the issue. I gave my personal prefs in another post.

For me, buying every disc I want to watch would be an incredible waste of money. I watch most movies once. I may watch Rumor Has It with my wife on HD-DVD once, but I sure as heck am not going to watch it enough to justify the cost of it.

You still did not answer OPs question--unless your answer is you watch every single movie 3+ times and that is why (which may be the case, but I'm not sure of that from your response. Josh Z did answer--to support the format. Your rollercoaster analogy is not a very good one since it is much more than a little extra cost.

Assuming you have netflix and watch a decent amount of movies, each HD-DVD is costing you less than $4 to rent (closer to $2.50 or $3 actually). That same HD-DVD cost you about $20 to buy, that means buying costs 400+% more then renting! Put this in real dollars:
- Cost to rent 50 movies: < $200
- Cost to buy 50 movies: ~$1000

Spending 5 times as much is not "a little additional" cost. It is a huge extra cost. By the time you hit 200 movies, you've spent over $3000 more than you had to to watch those movies.

Back to OP, people collect things, some people collect things that are a calculated risks--i.e. there is a decent chance they will go up in value (cars, antiques, etc). Other's collect things just because they like to even though it costs money--these are the things that will never go up in value. These are collected just for personal pleasre. DVDs, HD-DVDs and BDs are in this camp.

Really to answer OPs original question, there are 4 types of buyers:
1) Those who buy "favorite" movies or movies they will watch multiple times.
2) Impulse buyers -- buy a movie here and there on impulse.
3) Collectors -- they just like to have a big collection of discs.
4) People who want to support the format and/or want more high def movies released.

Really, you could do this as a poll which is "What is your main reason for buying the movies you did?" and have the top four as choices. That would give you your answer.

Dave

For an audiophile, mp3's are not nearly good enough. The quality just isn't there!

For a videophile and movie lover, nothing is comparable to HD-DVD (and I'm sure BD too, but I'm only interested in one format).

Amiable-Akuma hit the nail right on the head. If you absolutely adore films and are seeking to replicate the theatrical experience in your home as closely as possible, there is no alternative. Movies and music are not comparable forms of media. Plain and simple.

Why do so many of you in this thread miss the obvious question that OP asked?

You missed it here to. Everything you said above is still true even if you rent the disc. That is OPs question:
"Why buy such expensive software when it is so cheap to rent?"

Renting a disc vs. buying it does not make the film less good nor the experience in your theater less then it would be otherwise. Everything you said is true of renting or buying. Read his OP and answer that question.

Dave

When they start selling MP3 in 320 kbps, I'll stop buying audio CDs.
Well, the Ruskies did sell lossless.... on allofmp3:) .

Quality is still number one. Even 320 kbps MP3 is already a compromise to my ears.
Absolutley agree! 320kbps is OK in the ear but over the HT system I find it kind of thin sounding. Of course you could rip your collection to lossless.

Why do so many of you in this thread miss the obvious question that OP asked?
Dave
Thank you Dave. I've been trying to nudge posts back to the topic because I really am interested in why people buy vs. the alternatives. Sorting through this I did see some things that I hadn't thought of before - like Netflix doesn't have enough Foreign films. I also didn't realize people liked to build DVD libraries as much as they do. These two things don't appeal to me, but that's why I asked the question - to learn. My own rationale for buying is probably only for three reasons - kids like to rewatch them, I like to rewatch classics/concerts and have something around for guests.

Yea, they aren't DIVX! That was a format where their discs did, "Self Destruct" when Circuit City threw in the towel.

Glad I am not the only person to remember that scam.

Two big reasons why I buy.

1) Some movies have repeatability and if I am in the mood to watch something, I have it for immediate use.

2) Often I'll watch just part of a movie while eating dinner or working on something in that area of the house. It is convenient to have something on hand I can watch part of when I want to . Renting won't work for this and dialing up a download service and having to pay to watch half a movie won't work either.

Renting is great for a title I am curious about, but don't want to own.

With HD-DVD, it is basically the same thing. In fact, I have all but stopped by SD-DVD's. I really wish Studios would start releasing all new titles in HD-DVD or even BD. I don't want to have both players but I'd rather have one of each and ALL new titles released in some sort of HD format at the same time as the SD-DVD release than have only a few titles to pick and choose from on only one format.


Greg

Why do so many of you in this thread miss the obvious question that OP asked?
Dave
Because It's already been answered several times:

So far we've got:
Netflix doesn't carry the selection I want
I want to see them more than once
I like to collect them
I buy in advance and watch when convenient w/o waiting

What's next, why do you eat?
This whole thread is rather childish.
J

Because I'm a movie buff and I'm a tech nerd. HD DVD is the perfect marriage between the two.

Well for me I just like to have a large collection of movies at my fingertips.
I don't want to drive, wait for the download or mail just to watch a movie.

I think downloads are a long ways off. They will never fully replace the disc based format. it take a long time to download a movie. When you do only so many movies can be stored before you have to buy more HDD space. Or in the case of 360 compress the the movie hardcore. I don't understand how a disc based format takes up 30GB yet a download of the same movie in HD in under 5gb. Somethings been compresseed. Leading to artifacts.


But if a my format (HDDVD) loses I don't care. It not like they will just stop working. Ill still have sevral HD discs either way. All my LDs still work and that format is dead. I watch them all the time allthough going from LD to HD-DVD is a total shocker...

There are several reasons to purchase in my opinion.
VoD does not interest me unless they allow every movie every made that I wanna watch literally just a click away for one flat fee a month. If I have to make a purchase everytime I wanna check out a certain scene Heeeeelllll no!

Anyways, I pick up most DVD's right now between 4-8 bucks apiece. Hell just go to Blockbuster or Hollywood and pick up their 3 or 4 for $20. Always a good deal. I never spend above $10 for a movie ever. Unless it is a wild must have on the day of release type movie.
so in order

1. Convenience of being able to watch whenever I want.
2. After multiple viewings (and yes I do watch movies several times) even netflix can't compensate me for the amount of re watches compared to the price I spend per DVD
3. DVD's are cheap cheap cheap atm.
4. I am a collector. Renting is for finding out out whether you like a movie, if you like it buy it.
5. My wife watches movies as backgound noise/video for when she studies. Renting would violently hurt our checkbook because of that alone :).
6. Who wants to wait to watch their favorite movie??
7. Extras, some people don't like them but how you gonna watch all the kewl documentaries etc. without owning?? you can do that with renting but many times you don't watch the extras the same time as the movie. Different mood different watching time.

Thank you Dave. I've been trying to nudge posts back to the topic because I really am interested in why people buy vs. the alternatives. Sorting through this I did see some things that I hadn't thought of before - like Netflix doesn't have enough Foreign films. I also didn't realize people liked to build DVD libraries as much as they do. These two things don't appeal to me, but that's why I asked the question - to learn. My own rationale for buying is probably only for three reasons - kids like to rewatch them, I like to rewatch classics/concerts and have something around for guests.

Renting will never give immediate access to say the equivalent a personal collection of HD DVDs on a moments notice.

I guess it its like-

Why do people buy books they may never read again, instead of going to the library?

Why do people buy video games they will beat insted of renting them?

Why do people collect cars they rarely drive?


My best asumption is that people enjoy having libarary's and collecting. be it books, cars,baseball cards,or movies...
IMO I don't think it has much to do with conveniece, because its not that hard to drive down to your local BB everyday. I think being an "enthusiast" of anything means you love to be surrounded by your hobby and it simply makes you feel good to invest in that.

Oh god, has this thread gotten silly. To answer the OP question once and for all, here are the reasons (jeez, :rolleyes: ). They are all very good reasons and all of us "buyers" share some, if not PROBABLY ALL of the below reasons for buying instead of doing whatever else:

-renting means you can't watch the movie any time at a moments notice
-renting means you have a time pressure as to when to watch the movie and return it
-it's nice to see you have a beautiful collection sitting on a shelf
-packaging and boxart is pretty and nice to see
-collecting is fun for people who have an interest in the hobby they collect
-owning means there is re-sale value if you get sick of it
-many of us do watch all the movies we own more than once, especially over the course of a year. multiply that by the several years that a format will exist and you've easily gotten your money's worth.
-sometimes you just want to pop in a movie to have something quick to see for a little while as you eat a snack, fold laundry, etc - sometimes you want to settle in and get serious with a movie. owning allows these things to occur easier
-if you have additional players in your car, PC, vacation house, etc - owning means you can take movies you want to see with you without having to plan ahead for the ride
-it is fun to support a side in a format war
-not buying means the studios won't release more movies
-some of us have put a lot of time and money into building our home theater setups and want to be able to quickly take advantage of it with movies readily available for us, our guests, etc
-HD DVD is a great format providing unsurpassed entertainment value and people feel the gift of that experience deserves more of a reward to its creators/supporters than just a bunch of lip-service, and half-hearted renting
-renting sometimes means you deal with mishandled discs that won't play
-renting means that often the rare and/or popular movie you want is actually checked out and unavailable when you want it
-many of us would rather be more active about pursuing/supporting something we are interested in than instead being more passive
-renting is a hassle when you consider that you have to drive, browse through their big selection, waste gas, deal with lines, dumb sales clerks, etc
-owning means you can swap between friends and family more freely
-video-on-demand isn't a solution for the reasons I mentioned in a post above
-when you factor in discounts, deals, the fact that renting means you are throwing money away for a service and not a product, the fact that many of us here make more than minimum wage and can easily afford to buy a couple movies a month - then it REALLY DOES NOT cost that much more to own than rent
-we love movies. if you really love something a lot, you want to own a part of it. very natural. you don't want to disrespect something your passionate about by just paying it lip-service. maybe you guys who don't buy that much really aren't "in love" with movies that much as the rest of us. that's fine. but there's no mystery here. you probably "love" something else enough to put a lot of money toward having it/improving it.
-etc.

Also to be clear, few of us are buying just every title out there for no reason - if that's what you are thinking. Even though many of us are building big collections - we are all personally buying a particular title because we know we will re-watch it and enjoy it somehow over and over again in the future. We pick our "favorite" titles. Believe it or not - for many people, of what has been released so far - there are easily 40 or 50 "favorites" for them to have come out. There's nothing wrong with it.

And by the way - buyers aren't opposed to renting either - if that's what's troubing you. If a buyer owns 40 of the titles that have come out - then they are probably renting the other 70. But you're still buying, supporting the format, and having fun.

Jesus, all this should be obvious and have no real reason for debate. Should we instead only rent videogames instead of buy them? Should we instead only rent a boat when we have a boathouse - instead of buying one? We own home theaters - we want to own movies too! It's that simple!

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Okay, there you go. Do we seriously need to discuss this any further?!
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I think it is a pain to rent the movie, say if I want to watch the movie right now, going to BB hoping they have the movie then driving back will take atleast half hour. By then I may not want to watch the movie any more. It happened were I rent 3 dvds get home, then don't feel like watching the movie as I have to get back into movie mode.

Having the collection right their is nice say I want to watch a movie then after that watch another based on what I saw. I'm not going to drive back to BB to rent another movie.

Like yesterday I watched snakes on a plane so I felt like watching another SL jackson movie. So I watched jackie brown, may watch pulp fiction tonight..

Your dvd collection is just like your johnson, the bigger it is the happier you are :D