CDs and DVDs: Are they worth collecting?

I know we have a lot of film and music lovers here. Hell, that's what this site is all about, really. Are any of you big collectors? Have any of you given up on collecting CDs and DVDs?

I was a big CD and DVD collector until recently. I thought I had to have every great film and film score in my collection. Now, I couldn't care less and, frankly, think collecting them is a waste of money. Maybe I've become too cheap, or have found better things to spend my money on. I'd rather own a few of my favorite films on DVD/Blu-Ray and extensive CD box sets. The rest I'll download or catch in a theater at some point.

I'm interested in collecting old books, though. I think they'll gain more value as the years move forward, whereas standard DVDs are 'going the way of the dodo' and CDs might be doing the same soon.

It's all about vinyl, man.

I used to collect classical CDs, but it was always for the sake of the music, not collecting for the sake of collecting. But I stopped collecting those CDs in 2000 and no longer collect CDs or DVDs of any sort. I do still buy the occasional DVD or CD, but again, only if I really crave its content.

I still buy both. Downloads don't do it for me; call me old-fashioned, but when I've spent money I like to have a tangible physical 'thing' to show for it.

I only collect movies I know I'll like. If there is one I'm not sure of, I'll rent it/watch it at the cinema. If it's something I see myself rewatching, I'll buy it. There are some films though, that I've liked and won't buy. For example, I liked Moneyball, but not sure if it should be a part of my collection just yet.

Blunt Instrument wrote:

I still buy both. Downloads don't do it for me; call me old-fashioned, but when I've spent money I like to have a tangible physical 'thing' to show for it.

Agreed...plus there are some great 2cd greatest hits type compilations on eBay for under a tenner sometimes...I got a still sealed Police Greatest Hits 2cd for $2, Scorpions boxed set, Duran Duran, Iron Maiden...I hate downloading iTunes for these artists.

My only fault with cds...the artwork inside the jewel case doesn't look as good as it does on a 12' vinyl album sleeve.

I've been slowly moving away from my dependence on physical formats. Not that I'm abandoning them completely, because I'm not.... but I have been taking a more minimalist approach than I have in the past.

I love music, so I buy a lot of it. If it is a favorite band of mine putting out a brand new record, I'll get it on either vinyl or CD. If there is an album that is an essential/personal favorite, I'll get a physical copy. For the rest of it, I just buy MP3s/single tracks as opposed to the full record. (Although.... I will confess I do buy a fair share of used vinyl due to the cheap price....)

Same thing applies for books/films. If it is a book that is a classic, a favorite, or something that will be re-read I'll buy a physical copy. If it's just your average, run of the mill thriller/mystery/piece of junk or a non-fiction book I'll only read once it goes to the Kindle.

I actually just purged my book collection for the new year. All the books I would never re-read, all the junky/ cheap titles I picked up at used book sales were donated or given away. Cut my collection down by hundreds. Now it sits at about 250 titles. It was done out of necessity (I moved to a new place and have limited space). Honestly, I plan on doing another purge at some point. I'm trying to whittle it down even more.

So yeah.... I still buy physical, but not as much as I used to. I try to balance it out half/half.

I'm pretty selective when it comes to purchasing CDs and DVDs/blus. I only buy CDs from my favorite bands/composers, otherwise it's all digital to me. Example, I get Jerry Goldsmith soundtracks on CD, while I download Daft Punk's TRON LEGACY on iTunes. I even bought the SKYFALL soundtrack on iTunes, while the only Bond soundtracks I own on CD are by John Barry with the exception of Eric Serra's GOLDENEYE.

For movies, I only purchase films I genuinely enjoy all across the board and I rarely do blind purchases (which so far have all been more than satisfactory). When I go shopping for films I'll find plenty of titles I like, but very very few that I actually feel is worth putting on my shelf. Last time I went to Best Buy with a gift card I had a really difficult time trying to determine what movies I really wanted to own and I still have plenty of credit left on my gift card but I'll save that for when a new title comes out that I want to own.

I've definitely become more selective throughout the years, and once in awhile I examine my shelf to see what titles I have that I feel I could do without. A recent example: RUDY. Good movie, I enjoy it, but don't feel like I really want to hold onto that and I don't think I'll ever watch it again for a long time. So I pack it with some other titles I felt I no longer wanted and either sell or get store credit.

I sold all of my Bond UE and SE DVDs, for about $50 last summer. CASINO ROYALE and DIE ANOTHER DAY wouldn't sell. I kept FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE.

I even listed DAD on eBay for $0.10, with no luck.

I'm gonna sell the UE DVDs too, $25 for each volume.

Blunt Instrument wrote:

I still buy both. Downloads don't do it for me; call me old-fashioned, but when I've spent money I like to have a tangible physical 'thing' to show for it.

Same here.

And (well, with the acts who still bother to include them) you get the song lyrics in the little booklet with CDs. Something else I like.

Just spotted an A-ha collection I want...on cd too...not the same being played from a flash drive stuck in my car deck although 320kbps MP3s are still cool as backups....

Like Blunty above I still buy both. I've done the odd download (from Amazon oddly) for soundtracks that I can't get or seem cheaper downloading than CD (Where Eagles Dare). I like somehow going into a shop (whereever they seem to be these days) and looking for a film I'm after or flicking through the CD rack. Like seeing the films on my shelves and whatnot.

So, yes.

Yes, I prefer the real stuff over downloads and ebooks.

Picked up a Megadeth Warchest today...mint condition, US$13 :face: This one's going in the car.

Update...Had some fun buying some original 2cd compilations for less than $10 each...Scorpions, Iron maiden and there's a new cd set that merges Depeche Mode 81-85 and 86-98 with some rearrangement of tracks I think...mine's in the post. I must be old school, I prefer my music on either cd or vinyl than MP3 or iTunes...although those formats are great on my pc too.