Parmuratdeniz/Getty Images Physical media is making a comeback. It wasn’t long ago that digital streaming and downloads were struggling because they offered a convenient solution to the problem of storing movies and shows. Unlike DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, digital formats do not take up any physical space. When this technology first arrived, it seemed like a demonstrably superior alternative to formats requiring actual storage. However, it has recently become clear that there are several reasons why purchasing digital copies of movies and TV shows is not ideal for many consumers. The convenience of a digital download may not be enough to compensate for some fundamental limitations of the format. Unlike the resurgence of vinyl records, where nostalgia likely plays a large role in the re-adoption of older technology, physical DVDs and Blu-rays are becoming popular again because digital movies and shows have proven to lack certain critical aspects. Understanding these weaknesses can give you a better idea of why digital downloads might not be worth your money. You could theoretically lose access to digital movies you purchased quick stock/Shutterstock Purchasing a digital download of a movie presumably allows you to watch it whenever you want. All you need is a device, a service that provides access to content and a connection between them. However, it’s worth noting that the fine print of many licensing agreements with companies like Amazon and Fandango/Vudu emphasize that content providers can step in and prevent these companies from continuing to distribute their content. For example, maybe a movie studio is involved in some sort of dispute with Amazon. This could potentially lead to the studio deciding that it no longer wants to allow Amazon to offer its content to customers. So any of the films from that studio that you downloaded through Amazon may no longer be available to you. Of course, studios and media companies try to avoid these types of PR mistakes, but despite this, there is also the possibility of a company going bankrupt. The result could be essentially the same, with customers losing access to content they thought they had already purchased. The main point to understand is that a digital copy of a movie or TV episode isn’t necessarily something you own forever. There are at least a few theoretical scenarios where content you’ve paid for could disappear from your digital library. This is not something you need to worry about when you own a physical disk. You don’t get as much content when you buy digital film Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock DVDs and Blu-ray Discs often include additional content and features that are extremely rare in digital downloads. This content can range from behind-the-scenes documentaries to audio commentaries from filmmakers and even academic essays. With a digital download, you typically get none of that, meaning you could pay as much as you already would for a physical disc while getting a lot less content for your money. In addition to getting less content for what you spend, you also get less freedom. For example, maybe you want to lend a friend a movie. This is quite simple to do with a DVD or Blu-ray copy. With a digital download, you’ll likely need to give a friend access to your account if they want to watch the movie. For obvious reasons, you might be hesitant to do this. This may seem like a minor point, but it highlights another reason why the digital download you paid good money for has inherent limitations and restrictions that don’t apply to physical media. The image quality of digital film does not match that of physical media Lajst/Getty Images A digital download is often a compressed version of a movie. When comparing 4K Blu-ray to 4K streaming, movie fans consistently agree that the picture quality offered by a streaming movie cannot be compared to what you get from a physical disc. In addition to compression, factors such as the quality of your network connection can influence the quality of the image on the screen. Yes, technically you may be able to download a copy of a movie that doesn’t require an internet connection to watch it, but for the most part, services currently only allow users to download those copies to their mobile devices. Reasonable picture quality doesn’t make much difference if you have to watch a movie on your phone. If the points presented here have convinced you to switch (return) to physical media, just keep in mind that the equipment you use to play your discs can make a big difference in the viewing experience. In addition to researching which Blu-ray players are worth investing in, you should also learn about Blu-ray players that are notoriously unreliable. Becoming familiar with your options is essential to optimizing your physical media collection. Post navigation Why your TV’s power light stays on after you turn it off 5 Disadvantages of Smart TVs You Need to Know
Parmuratdeniz/Getty Images Physical media is making a comeback. It wasn’t long ago that digital streaming and downloads were struggling because they offered a convenient solution to the problem of storing movies and shows. Unlike DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, digital formats do not take up any physical space. When this technology first arrived, it seemed like a demonstrably superior alternative to formats requiring actual storage. However, it has recently become clear that there are several reasons why purchasing digital copies of movies and TV shows is not ideal for many consumers. The convenience of a digital download may not be enough to compensate for some fundamental limitations of the format. Unlike the resurgence of vinyl records, where nostalgia likely plays a large role in the re-adoption of older technology, physical DVDs and Blu-rays are becoming popular again because digital movies and shows have proven to lack certain critical aspects. Understanding these weaknesses can give you a better idea of why digital downloads might not be worth your money. You could theoretically lose access to digital movies you purchased quick stock/Shutterstock Purchasing a digital download of a movie presumably allows you to watch it whenever you want. All you need is a device, a service that provides access to content and a connection between them. However, it’s worth noting that the fine print of many licensing agreements with companies like Amazon and Fandango/Vudu emphasize that content providers can step in and prevent these companies from continuing to distribute their content. For example, maybe a movie studio is involved in some sort of dispute with Amazon. This could potentially lead to the studio deciding that it no longer wants to allow Amazon to offer its content to customers. So any of the films from that studio that you downloaded through Amazon may no longer be available to you. Of course, studios and media companies try to avoid these types of PR mistakes, but despite this, there is also the possibility of a company going bankrupt. The result could be essentially the same, with customers losing access to content they thought they had already purchased. The main point to understand is that a digital copy of a movie or TV episode isn’t necessarily something you own forever. There are at least a few theoretical scenarios where content you’ve paid for could disappear from your digital library. This is not something you need to worry about when you own a physical disk. You don’t get as much content when you buy digital film Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock DVDs and Blu-ray Discs often include additional content and features that are extremely rare in digital downloads. This content can range from behind-the-scenes documentaries to audio commentaries from filmmakers and even academic essays. With a digital download, you typically get none of that, meaning you could pay as much as you already would for a physical disc while getting a lot less content for your money. In addition to getting less content for what you spend, you also get less freedom. For example, maybe you want to lend a friend a movie. This is quite simple to do with a DVD or Blu-ray copy. With a digital download, you’ll likely need to give a friend access to your account if they want to watch the movie. For obvious reasons, you might be hesitant to do this. This may seem like a minor point, but it highlights another reason why the digital download you paid good money for has inherent limitations and restrictions that don’t apply to physical media. The image quality of digital film does not match that of physical media Lajst/Getty Images A digital download is often a compressed version of a movie. When comparing 4K Blu-ray to 4K streaming, movie fans consistently agree that the picture quality offered by a streaming movie cannot be compared to what you get from a physical disc. In addition to compression, factors such as the quality of your network connection can influence the quality of the image on the screen. Yes, technically you may be able to download a copy of a movie that doesn’t require an internet connection to watch it, but for the most part, services currently only allow users to download those copies to their mobile devices. Reasonable picture quality doesn’t make much difference if you have to watch a movie on your phone. If the points presented here have convinced you to switch (return) to physical media, just keep in mind that the equipment you use to play your discs can make a big difference in the viewing experience. In addition to researching which Blu-ray players are worth investing in, you should also learn about Blu-ray players that are notoriously unreliable. Becoming familiar with your options is essential to optimizing your physical media collection.
