Why I collect physical media | Thoughts on the past and future | 

Ooooh off the top of my head 1) The physicality, and having a product 2) The 'kid at Christmas' factor, when you know a disc/boxset is coming it arrives, and the buzz as you open it up and get your hands on it. 3) Extras- commentaries, deleted scenes, documentaries: A handful of digital downloads include this now, but thats only a small minority, way more prevalent on disc 4) I believe in paying for things you appreciate, its a vote you approve and that you want more 5) The reality is a lot of stuff is on physical which isn't on streaming- art house, cult, old movies etc. 6) To support places like HMV/Fopp which I dont want to see go 7) Because I actually think (contrary to what news articles say) we are actually in a physical media Golden Age with many interesting companies like (Arrow, Criterion, Eureka, 88 films etc. etc.) all doing quality releases 8) Its a communal format- you can lend it to friends, borrow something from someone else. Had enough of it, you can ebay it or give it to a charity shop 9) Because streaming has to compress I to be find the quality in audio and video on say, a 4K Disc to be slightly better than on a 4k stream 10) Probably a bit of subconscious personal vanity- you know how people did zoom calls in front of their bookshelves because they wanted people to think they're well read and studious...I probably want people to see my collection and think 'he's cultured in film history' etc, (and im sure there are other reasons)

I’m with you, I personally don’t see Physical Media ever dying out, especially for film. Seeing how as you mentioned with music, Vinyl is growing in popularity. That and film has an advantage like music in being an art form that many take seriously. It also has the advantage of having a lot of people that are so passionate about the art form as well as its preservation. I also especially don’t see physical media dying, especially with all of these high-end labels as well as areas where it’s still extremely popular, like Japan and the United Kingdom for example.

I wholeheartedly never want to see physical media disappear. My head tells me, companies like Amazon would relish everything being consumed through streaming along with a requisite subscription (we are already seeing them take steps with the purchase of MGM). I am very much a collector of physical media having amassed a collection approaching 5000 titles (not all unique) and in various formats, VHS, DVD, Blu-ray and 4K. I am frustrated that the vast majority are unwatched, I purchase quicker than I can watch! FOMO is a reality for me, given that some titles do become deleted and I have fallen fowl of the scalpers. I am acutely aware that I need to regulate and prioritise my purchasing. Storage is now an issue, looking at what my next move is having filled a dedicated room! Like you, I have a curiosity for film made across the globe and in many genres (horror/gore is not something I like). An example of a genre I have recently been turned on to is noir and I have been picking up the Indicator and Arrow releases. I'm also impressed by the 4K classic film releases. For me, I would relish a swathe of Clint Eastwood movies, especially the Westerns with the cinematography. Blade Runner is one of my favourite films and this is great in 4K. Looking to the future, I can see it becoming a niche activity upheld by boutique labels, but I fear for the pricing, which may have to rise to support the lower numbers of customers.

The benefit of collecting movies rather than watching them on streaming services is that a shelf full of movies looks much better than printing out a list of movies you watched on Netflix and then using it as a wallpaper.

I always go straight o the physical media whenever i visit a garage sale or a op shop The movies I bought blind have turned out to be some of my favourite movies

I love collecting because it's nostalgic for me. I love discovering new (old really but new to me) movies. There are so many that I should have seen when I was younger but I never did or I just don't remember them. I just discovered Madman maybe a year ago and it's now one of my favorite slashers. I love being able to watch any movie I want, whenever I want. I don't have to rely on a streaming site. And many of these streaming sites are actually taking movies away that people have paid for. It's crazy to me that anyone would buy a movie over streaming. It could be gone tomorrow. I have also noticed that streaming sites like Shudder tend to show you the cut versions of movies. My Bloody Valentine was on Shudder and my friend asked me if she should watch it. I checked it out and it's the cut version. I told her don't bother. Find it uncut or you're missing out. Streaming feels very cold to me. I don't get as much joy out of watching a movie that's streaming. There are a few movies I will rent on streaming to see if I like them but I will never buy anything on streaming. Unfortunately, I do feel that physical media will die out in the next decade or two. Younger people tend to not care about older movies (from my experience) and with cost of living going up so much it might become harder for people to buy the movies they want. I really hope I'm wrong and that younger people wake up and realize that streaming is not a safe way to buy movies. I hope to keep collecting until the day I die. It's just become a passion for me. There is no better feeling then discovering a movie you have never heard of and it becomes one of your favorites. I just took a chance on Flesh Eating Mothers. It's not a great movie, the acting is not great and the movie looks cheaply made but it's such a blast. It's funny, the effects are pretty good, and the dialog was hilarious. I love it! I would have never known about this movie had I not seen on Vinegar Syndrome

Man v Film, so true. Memories of video stores fav vhs as a kid all these great! I bet everyone growing up then has stories to tell. 😃👍

I recently watched " The Machinist". I thought it wouldn't be worth a look but it was Brilliant. Really enjoyed it.

Hey Graham. I always thought that physical media would continue as long as there were enough passionate collectors out there to make it financially viable. From the early 2000’s there’s been the term ‘£50 man’ that’s jokingly referred to men above the age of 40 who have a nostalgia based spending habit that have helped keep physical media alive, whether it be the CD, DVD & Blu-ray, video games, or even the resurgence off vinyl. I never really liked this expression as I’ve been a ‘£50 man’ since I was a teenager and know plenty of female collectors every bit as avid as myself. However, the term does serve as a simple representation of the spending power of a particular demographic. My wife always jokes that it’s me who single-handedly keeps HMV afloat because I can’t even walk into an HMV or Fopp without spending at least £50. The rise of the Boutiques and Phoenix-like resurgence of vinyl has been a fabulous success for those who champion physical media above their digital Streaming alternatives. Sadly, things aren’t quite so rosey, especially in the UK, I’m not quite so sure how things are in the US, shops and stores selling physical media have considerably shrunk over that last 15 years. Virgin Megastore, Our Price, Borders, Tower Records, Woolworths, Head, plus many independent outlets have all but disappeared. Of course online shopping has been somewhat responsible. HMV the last high street flagship has been on the brink of bankruptcy at least twice recently and has seen many stores close. Also there have been rumours that certain Studios are planning to slowly phase out the physical media arms of their business, and that other Distributors want to quickly kill Blu-ray in favour of replacing it with their own Streaming Services. The other worrying aspect is the continual ‘developments’ in Audio/Visual Technologies. VHS/VCRs finally stoped being produced in 2016, 3D TV Technology was thrust apron the consumer and just as quickly dropped, next generation gaming such as PS5 and XBox Series S are pushing disc-less consoles. We have an amazing selection of more advanced Televisions and Projectors but a surprisingly decreasingly small choice of Blu-ray and UHD 4K Players. Sorry, that all seems very gloomy, I don’t Mind if collecting physical media becomes niche or considered quaint. I will choose collect that way until the very end I just worry about the agenda to stop producing Discs and disc players altogether. I suppose even if I am being paranoid there is no better reason to continue collecting physical media. Streaming platforms change their content and certain films drop off without warning, while others are adopting worrying self-censorship, ‘disappearing’ whole movies or parts of their back catalogue that don’t follow current social or political ideology.

I have no words today-- just smiles :-) :-) ;-)

For me, it is a combination of the love of film and technology. I had a surround system very early on ... laserdisc timeframe. I always wanted a system with a projector and screen and was finally able to reach that at age 40 ... it was just not affordable for the level of quality I wanted until then. I collect movies and music and cannot ever imagine stopping ... I agree that movie collecting will become more and more niche.

I agree with everything you said. In addition to that I also feel like I'm helping to save some of these film. The type of films that Severin, Vinegar Syndrome, Mondo Macabro and others put out wouldn't happen if we didn't buy them. Most of those movies would rot on film and be lost forever if they didn't have these groups seeking them out, scanning them and lovingly restoring them. So I feel like my money is going towards something good. It's not just for the entertainment, it's about saving art.

Spot on! Thanks.

your reflection on the memories and nostalgia, that looking at our collection is the one of the biggest values of owning our own personal video store, hits home, brother.

Yes I'm child / teenager of the 80s I try to collect a lot of TV shows and movies that time it's very nostalgic 2 me. Having my Blu-ray and DVD collection of all the TV shows and movies that I love so much. It brings me so much joy and comfort knowing that I have those movies and I don't have to rely on streaming services to watch them especially now with the cancel culture the editing of films and TV shows I'm very happy and love my collection a lot

Hi Graham. You probably know by now i love VHS but we were burnt so many times with buying them. Most Sell-thru titles from Woolworth and HMV were probably taken from worn out Theatrical prints complete with dirt and projector burns. Some releases were not even in the correct aspect ratio and had never been restored from the original camera negative. The cost was even extortionate at around £15 for the latest blockbuster only to find after your 3rd viewing the picture didn't look as good as last Christmas. So i salute "Vinegar Syndrome" and every boutique label that has given us the best transfer and restoration possible. And everyone who was born in the last 30 years to stop winging when ther Blurays don't happen to have a slipcover or booklet.

Spot on. I just ordered the Battle Royale 4K LE set. I wanted it but it wasn't a top priority, I said I'd get it if it is still available when I have picked up other releases that are above it in my wanted list. It was still available so I just picked it up. Look forward to receiving it, it's a beautiful set.

👍

Used to collect VHS, then DVD, and now Blu Ray, not bothered with 4K as happy with the picture quality Blu Ray offers. Netflix etc mainly have mainstream movies on, I much prefer watching older movies or independent cinema. So much to discover. Talking about independent cinema, recently watched British movie Muscle, filmed in Black & White with great cinematography, it’s a great psychological drama, available on DVD/Blu-ray, it’s worth checking out, ending is pretty surreal and weird, but it’s a solid movie.

Another great video Graham. I see streaming services as a companion of collecting physical media and not a replacement. Yes it's true that physical media is becoming more niche but for me it comes down to the feeling I get when I physically hold the movie case in my hands. Also I love the way that new books and booklets smell. For me the new smell is equal to smelling a fresh autumn breeze or smelling bread being baked. It's so soothing and I will always prefer physical media.

Of course I want to open a video shop, the sooner the better! I really hope physical media doesn't die out. I highly doubt it, I think yourself or maybe someone else said they thought 4k might be the last physical media, I think cinemas will be very rare along with shops on the high street but physical media will always be available albeit through websites.

I collect mainly obscure movies not available digitally, but i'am at the point i'am see the cost of boutique sellers and it's not easy it also doesn't help when you find a new Directors films and they have become oop and expensive vs digital where you technically have an infinite amount of films and tv to watch for example last month i skipped a few titles now there all available digital on Amazon Prime saving me over £200.

Also, if movies are ever banned like some books are, it's good to have a physical copy.

Will certainly be interesting where physical media goes in the next couple of years. I do think it will stick around, though can see a shift to less and less studio releases as they shift to streaming, with some studio titles licensed out to boutiques. How are you doing on space? I had to add a couple extra bookcases last month but still have an eye on the future and know I'll need more space at some point soon.

Man v Film, hahah can't wait for Zombie Flesh Eaters in virtual reality I'll buy that👍😂

I don´t care much in particular aboutphysical media. I´m not a collector of any kind. . The things that does really bugs me about non physical media , is that one never owns any digital media one ´buys´. It´s always tied to some service and stuffed to the gills with DRM. You just rent it until they pull the plug.

Well firstly I don't think physical media is going to die out anytime soon. Not in my lifetime anyway. Maybe in many years to come but certainly not in the next 5-10.years. in terms of why? Similar reasons to yourself and what many others posted here: * Yes certainly the nostalgia factor, going to the video store etc * So much physical media content which isn't available on streaming services * The quality is best, particularly if you have decent equipment to play them on. Streaming doesn't compare though it's a decent enough SUPPLEMENT to physical media. * The knowledge building and film appreciation aspect of the extra features * The wonderful presentation and tangible aspects / display piece nature. I enjoy and like the aesthetic aspects...same goes for music, books etc. I like having shelves of these wonderfully produced items. * Some of these WILL become rare and collectable so might be a nice hand me down and maybe worth something one day? Though this is a bonus thing for me... I don't really think about that or factor that in as I buy primarily for myself. * Lack of trust in big corporations (streamers etc) and their agendas... particularly when they sell out to "trendy" causes I don't believe in and start curating and/or editing stuff to suit a narrative/agenda... This is what Orwell warns ff...this is the danger of putting this stuff into the hands of those other than ourselves. We see this already in some famous examples and of course we've all seen the impacts of other tech like socia media.... Do we fully want to abandon choice of what we own/see and leave it in the hands of big corps and government? I think not... * I love collecting things anyway...always have... Comics, cards, stamps.... You name it! * It's a library of film history and knowledge as well as the films/entertainment themselves * It's a collection of Deloreans. Watching a film is about as close to a time machine as we currently have. I find that way cool. Want to know what it's like in some US city in the 40s and 50s? Watch a noir and you'll see it. No effects. It's real... And it's the past ...preserved forever. * I can discuss/exchange with my best mate who's also a movie junkie/cinephile and collects physical media There's probably more I could come up with but that's the main bulk of why I love collecting films on a physical format (and books and CDs for that matter though these days I mainly spend my time and money on films and rarely buy books and CDs - but still do here and there when something interesting takes my fancy).

I can appreciate streaming services as I've found some cool indie films and even bigger budget studio pictures that I wouldn't have watched otherwise BUT generally speaking the selection doesn't appeal to me. I'm a huge horror fan and there is nothing even close to something like Shudder where I live (Germany) and even then they will never have everything that you want. It's just not possible. I try to find and collect things that I know I can't watch any other way and that I also know will disappear eventually. Physical media is wonderful but it's also very fleeting. Companies tend to only have a license to print something for so long and so many releases become hard to find faster than I like. That's the challenge and thrill of it I suppose.