Purchasing series on DVD -- is it passe?

[Scotty]

I buy DVDs (Blu-Rays now) because I physically want to own the series, like I want to have a book in my hands instead of some e-reader or kindle. Also, I often borrow DVDs from friends, and they borrow DVDs from me. You can't do that with a subscription to Netflix or whatever.

 

[Nowhere Man]

I'm a little old fashioned and still believe in buying DVDs or Blue Ray. I started buying Smallville DVD's in 04 before Netflix and I haven't stopped because I want the whole series. I did buy an X-Files DVD once, but I got rid of it. If I bought every series or movie that I want or think I want, I would probably be disapointed. I use Netflix now as a filter. I think it's still ok to buy a whole series, you may not watch it for a while, but if you like the series and you want to physically have it, then go for it. I have season 8 of South Park on DVD and very happy to have it. I know i can watch any episode I want on the computer, but still I love South Park and want to have every season. I'm thankfull for Netflix though because there have been movies that I really thought I would want, then I watch it on Netflix and change my mind. I buy movie I love and I don't watch them as often as I should, but I;m happy to have them. If I have friends over or if theres nothing on TV. then I pop something in. Netflix is awsome, but it's not the be all end all, I still like to have my collections. I feel the same about music, a lot of people download music and never buy the albums. I kinow people who haven't bought music in 4-5 years. I'm not down with that, if theres an artist I like, I will go out and buy the album. The album must be full though, if there's only a few songs that I like that's when I download. I'm a big Beatles fan, I want to have every album in my cd case, I don't want them spread out song by song on itunes or whatever. I want my collection all together and I want the artwork that goes along with it. It means something to me. The new Alice in Chains album is another example, that is a solid album through and through and I plan on buying it, but I had to hear it first. I think people are not willing to take risks anymore with their money.

 

[Holdfast]

I re-watch almost all of the TV series that I have purchased on DVD... It's rare that I purchase a series on DVD that I'm not interested in re-watching.

Yeah, this is pretty much my policy too; I only buy what I'm likely to rewatch. I've made a couple of mistakes in this regard, but not many. Actually, I don't think I've bought any new series in at least a couple of years since I think I already have all the series I have the intention of rewatching.

 

[Nate]

For almost all shows/movies I find that I either get it from Netflix, either via disc or streaming. There's so much that I haven't watched that I don't find myself rewatching much of anything.

 

[jefferiestubes8]

I still love to own DVDs. Streaming is a nice supplement. It's a way to try out new shows, or to get some enjoyment out of a decent (if not spectacular) series that you liked, but maybe not enough to fork out the cash to own. I own quite a few DVD series box sets and have no regrets. One advantage that physical media has over digital and streaming media is the ability to take it with you and share it with others.

It is this reason that the old traditional model of 'I own it' will carry on for another 10-15 years.
The DVD medium will not last beyond that. The Blu-ray medium maybe 20 years.

Look what Microsoft said last week,
Microsoft says streaming digital content will kill Blu-ray

Well streaming HD content is happening but the low bit rates will keep Blu-ray with its Max Video Bitrate of 40 Mbps around for a long time.

I was amazed at CBS Home video doing TOS-R and putting out on Blu-ray and surely there will be some TNG product put out in the same way, just not necessarily the entire seasons.

I just purchased VOY season 1 on DVD today as I know it will not be remastered and put on Blu-ray so why wait? It isn't currently available now to stream on Netflix and I want it this month. Once it arrives in the mail I'll have it for years as long as I have a player that can play DVD discs.

Since Netflix allowed me to watch DVDs of many series that I probably woudn't want to rewatch 3 times I have been picky when it came to purchasing series. The only series I've so far purchased were Alias seasons 1,2,3. Band of Brotbhers, The State (MTV 1993-94 series, & VOY season 1.
Buying used DVDs when you can is a good idea. Check out the price differences on Amazon.com for new vs. used.
With digital no loss of quality (unless scratches on DVD).
Try to think 5 years down the road though and new movies & TV series on Blu-ray you could buy on Blu-ray instead of DVD. Along with HDMI output a Blu-ray player has composite and S-Video standard definition outputs that you can use with a regular TV and you wouldn't feel like you'd be double dipping in 5 years if you don't already own a HDTV.
Now that TV series are put out on Blu-ray in HD you really should get those if you are planning ahead a few years.
CSI (Las Vegas) is a show that put out its 9th season on Blu-ray but then put out season 1 on Blu-ray last year. That is a 10 year old series. It was 9 years old when they put it out but you can own it if you want in HD now.
Most new TV series in the last 2 years are available on Blu-ray.

 

[Harvey]

I like owning DVDs (and Blu-Rays), but I'm much more selective in my purchases now than in the past, especially when it comes to television (which I re-watch less frequently than films).

For example, I like Californication well enough, but after purchasing the first two seasons I don't see any reason to continue. I can catch season three and beyond through libraries, friends, on demand, or streaming. There's no real need to own that series, despite my man-crush on David Duchovny.

So, I'd say my buying habits have been far reduced, but I wouldn't call the entire venture passé just yet. I'm looking forward to owning The Twilight Zone on Blu-Ray in the future, for example.

 

[caisson2delta]

I re-watch almost all of the TV series that I have purchased on DVD... It's rare that I purchase a series on DVD that I'm not interested in re-watching.

Yeah, this is pretty much my policy too; I only buy what I'm likely to rewatch. I've made a couple of mistakes in this regard, but not many. Actually, I don't think I've bought any new series in at least a couple of years since I think I already have all the series I have the intention of rewatching.

I agree totally. Another point, with me at least, for owning entire series' on DVD is an investment in the future. I fully intend to, someday, pass along my entire collection of all my Trek series to my kids. I think it is far easier to get them involved and watching these shows when we can sit down, together, and watch a few episodes at a time on the couch.

Other good points and reasons were mentioned as well, particularly with the heavy story arc in many of the new (especially scifi) series. I was finding it quite difficult to keep up to speed with NuBSG, during the series run, with the long gaps between seasons. I've been able to watch, at my own pace, several key episodes sequentially and it has improved the experience for me.

 

[RandyS]

I re-watch almost all of the TV series that I have purchased on DVD.

And I re-watch everything I buy on DVD. If I'm not gonna watch it more than once, I don't buy it, and I have enough of an DVD/VHS library to start my own cable network.

Or satelite.

Whatever.

 

[Teelie]

I buy DVD series but only occasionally. Between the constant reruns of some series, Netflix and streaming and the price of some sets, I don't do it often. If they were cheaper and less a ripoff then I might buy them more often. But at $40 for a box set, and sometimes even only a half of a season just sounds like too much for a television series when the costs of making them (DVD's) are so cheap.

 

[zakkrusz]

I used to buy a lot of them, but now I'm bit smarter with my money now that I have bills and such. A lot of what I want to watch is available streaming legally so I either go that route or via Netflix renting. I really only buy things that I've really liked.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

I most often buy what I like. I can tell people about series through streaming, but I want my physical copy, not something that my computer can lose or I can lose if the computer dies.

 

[Jack Bauer]

I only buys shows I really like. If it's something I enjoy but don't feel the need to rewatch several times I don't buy it. I love NCIS but USA runs it constantly so there's no need to buy it. I also love CSI but there's not much in the way of ongoing storylines so I tend not to get those type of shows either. I find arc heavy shows have a lot more of a rewatchability factor than shows that are almost completely standalone.

 

[Marten]

I buy cheap ones on occasion. Used to buy more, but after having moved I don't have the same amounts of money.

 

[C.E. Evans]

Personally, I think we're reaching a point where instead of one format replacing another, we may see formats existing side-by-side with one another. There will always be something new and better on the market, but we could see older formats having much longer life-spans than they did previously as not everyone will upgrade to the next new thing if they like what they currently have well enough, IMO. The DVD market will continue to shrink no doubt, but I think it'll still be around for another twenty years, even if only as something that can still be played on blu-ray machines...

 

[Scotty]

People keep mentioning the prices of DVDs, but in my opinion this is the perfect time to buy DVDs. Prices are plummeting. In the UK you can buy entire season sets of pretty much any series for around 10 pounds, sometimes less.

The quality of streaming probably isn't as good as DVD and you are just renting the product, not owning it.

I rewatch a lot of my shows, as does my girlfriend (who at the moment is rewatching The West Wing for the second time in as many years). Streaming would not be an option for me.