Hypothetical question regarding Blu-rays/Digital Downloads

[xxxJohnDrakexxx]

Setting aside DRM, if Google/Apple/Amazon/etc offered bit-for-bit "Blu-ray quality" digital downloads (50GB) and you had a fast enough internet connection, would you still buy Blu-ray discs?

[FlipperWasIrish]

yes

[MifuneFan]

Physical> Digital

[42041]

If I felt confident their licensing agreements wouldn't go tits up in a year causing me to lose access to those films, and the files were DRM-free, I wouldn't bother with physical media.

[happydood]

If there were no DRM and I could download and store the entire file I would and probably will once I'm able to afford the size of media storage I'd need.

I already do this with music because I can stream in-house and not have to worry about anybody in the cloud being up in my business or suddenly deciding I've got to pay extra for the privilege.

[atlantajoseph]

Where do special features figure in this hypothetical scenario, including commentary tracks?

[happydood]

Originally Posted by atlantajoseph

Where do special features figure in this hypothetical scenario, including commentary tracks?

Yeah, this also. Ideally, I'd want to be able to click on a file image that would open up the menu with all the options already available on the disc.

[imsounoriginal]

Depending on price and movie, yeah I would. But for the vast majority of movies I'd still want the physical copy, even if quality would be the same. I'll always have the physical copy, can't guarantee the same for digital.

[Dunemoon]

I've already transitioned to Digital via Apple TV (4th gen). Progress

[ScarredLungs]

Yes. Physical Media > Streaming

[Strapped4Cash]

Yes. I don't want downloads except when there is absolutely no other choice. When that happens then I'll get to them whenever I have bought every physical BD and/or DVD that I have any interest in, and then acquire lots of extra money to waste on downloads.

[PenguinMaster]

Even when downloads are DRM-free the studios still have absolute control over all (legal) distribution due to the lack of used market. They can at any time delist any content and make it unavailable to anyone that doesn't already have it.

With physical media the used market ensures that all content remains available for many decades after the studios have dropped support. Unless the laws drastically change physical media is the only way to ensure long term availability and preservation so it is all that I will buy.

[Thomas Irwin]

I still enjoy having a case with actual artwork, and the security of knowing I actually own it (no potential connection issues or possible denial of access at some indeterminate time), despite the physical space discs consume.

[jej826]

Originally Posted by Thomas Irwin

I still enjoy having a case with actual artwork, and the security of knowing I actually own it (no potential connection issues or possible denial of access at some indeterminate time), despite the physical space discs consume.

This

[ScarredLungs]

Originally Posted by PenguinMaster

Even when downloads are DRM-free the studios still have absolute control over all (legal) distribution due to the lack of used market. They can at any time delist any content and make it unavailable to anyone that doesn't already have it.

With physical media the used market ensures that all content remains available for many decades after the studios have dropped support. Unless the laws drastically change physical media is the only way to ensure long term availability and preservation so it is all that I will buy.

Very well stated.

[8traxrule]

What exactly would I be downloading it TO? A hard drive with limited space, which I'd have to eventually delete stuff off of to make room for more, or burn it onto a blank Blu-Ray disc?

[42041]

Originally Posted by 8traxrule

What exactly would I be downloading it TO? A hard drive with limited space, which I'd have to eventually delete stuff off of to make room for more, or burn it onto a blank Blu-Ray disc?

Wherever you want - thats the beauty of DRM-free data. Storage is cheap.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by xxxJohnDrakexxx

Setting aside DRM, if Google/Apple/Amazon/etc offered bit-for-bit "Blu-ray quality" digital downloads (50GB) and you had a fast enough internet connection, would you still buy Blu-ray discs?

Yes.

[Atreyu]

Would still buy as I still prefer physical media over digital.

[The Great Owl]

Yes. My internet collection is fast, but Comcast can be pretty spotty sometimes.