Slow day at work.

I was randomly going through some of your collections (guzzlefish, dvd profiler etc) and got to wondering, how many of you purchase DVD's more for the sake of collecting than watching? If any of you consider yourself to be more of a collector than a movie fan, what is it that attracted you to DVD's instead of other collectables?

It seems on the surface at times that some people have taken to DVD for the collectable aspect of it and will purchase just about anything regardless of whether or not it's something they would ever watch.

Not being judgemental or anything. I'm just curious (and bored!).

I've personally only blind bought 3 or 4 DVDs, but I only blind bought them because I was sure I'd like them (and luckily, I did). Other than that, I buy all of my movies because I enjoy them, and enjoy watching them. I don't buy a movie that I don't think I'll watch again a few more times. I have to admit, I do enjoy being able to look at my nice (albeit small) collection, but the main reason is so that I can rewatch the movies I love.

Buy them because they're worth watching.

Yes, the deciding factor of buying a dvd should be because you enjoy the movie because when it comes down to it.. dvd collecting for profit seems like a silly thing considering the % that are worth anything to the % of dvd's out there.

I wasn't even thinking of collecting for profit. Some people just tend to collect things for the sake of collecting them.

I actually like collecting things, and that might be part of the reason I've taken to DVD so well. I'm a bit too old to be collecting cards and/or toys. But it's not like I keep them in their wrapping and such. And I would never buy a DVD of a movie I don't like. Unless it's part of a favorite actor collection, which would explain the existence of The Astronaut's Wife in my DVD collection.

K

I only buy the DVD if I know I'm going to watch it more than once (LOTR), watch a certain part several times over (soon to be Reloaded), or if the disc has tons of extras I'm actually interested in (the new Black Hawk Down disc, for instance). I don't buy to buy, so that's why my collection is relatively modest.

Oh. And I'm a broke college student, too. That never helps.

I've only blind bought one DVD and that was Taxi Driver. I've had heard good things about so I decided to get it. It was such a great movie.

So yeah,I usually buy DVDs to watch them.

Most of my dvds are blind buys. Ive never actually hated a movie Ive purchased blind. I thought some were just ok. Ive watched most of my dvds at least twice so I guess im not just collecting.

The only DVDs I bought just to own were a number of the FOX 2 DVD sets that went OOP recently. I didn't really care for CastAway or POTA but after buying them I enoyed them more than I thought. The rest of the OOPs sets were pretty good movies that I just had to have before they were stripped down and "ruined".

I buy my DVDs to watch, but I am still building a collection. What can I say, I like to collect things.

I collect films.....I construct my film library with films/dvds I deem essential...for me. if it was not dvd...it would be another format. personally, I dont care what format it's on, as long as I can enjoy my fav films, anytime I want, for as long as I want. I never buy something as a blind buy....or buy a title I have no interest in. people I know are sometimes mis-guided...thinking I collect dvds. it just depends on how you look at it.

Yes...


I buy both to watch and collect. The fact is that I am a movie buff. I used to rent A LOT of movies and then I started realizing that I could buy them for close to what I was paying to rent. I started doing this with VHS. I would buy anything on VHS for $3 or less (used mostly), because I can sit through anything and I enjoy most everything and this was as cheap as (or cheaper than) renting. Well, then I started to do it with DVD around the $5-$10 price point for blind buys because I still felt like it was SOOO close to what I would spend to rent and by then most rental shops near here were getting $4 and change for a rental anyway. This was also sort of fueled by the fact that I have an Uncle or two that give Blockbuster gift cards every Christmas. Then I learned the ins and outs of CH and realized I can get almost anything I want (with the exception of many multi-disc or box sets) for $7-$10 per title so my collection grew exponentially. I will buy just about anything though, regardless of whether I have ever heard of it or not if it is a good deal, because I am a movie buff / bargain hunter. Plus, it's cool to see people who are famous in movies that aren't.

Anyway... probably more info than you needed, but there you have it.

A little of both. Collecting Star Wars figures quickly loses it's appeal when all you do is wipe the dust off once a week.
DVDs I can collect and watch.

I do both, too.

But, to be frank, its more about the movies than the DVDs. I only buy the DVDs because hey just happen to be the best presentation of films.

If given the choice between the nearly barebones Ballad of a Soldier or the three-disc Black Hawk Down, I'd get Ballad of a Soldier.

At first thought I would say, I buy just to watch. But after seeing how much my collection has grown through the years, I have to say its both. Plus, I dont think there is anything like when that movie you really want is coming out on a particular date, and the anticipation and excitement you feel until that date arrives. And how great it feels to buy that movie on Tuesday when it finally comes out. I think that is the closest I will feel to being a young kid again. I think that all fits into BOTH collecting and watching DVDs.

Before March, I used to buy only DVDs that I knew I was going to watch more than once. I have always love movies and want the best (affordable) presentation of them. I wasn't making any money during the LD era. But now, with usually less than $20 a pop, I buy more to collect. I have over 40 DVDs unwatched now. Plus, with my impending wedding, I better spend as I wish now before all my money becomes her money.

I look at buying DVDs as buying DVDs that I am very likely to want to sit down and watch suddenly... Some, I watch immediately (Fellowship of the Ring, Let It Ride) as soon as I get them, others, well, Fulci's The Black Cat has sat unwatched for 2 years now. Someday I will want to see it. The only thing I collect is The Simpsons seasons -- the first two are pretty bad but I still have both of them.

A movie I enjoyed watching is not the same thing as a movie I'd like to own. So for me, I only buy DVD's I'm almost positive I'd watch more than once, and can enjoy over and over again (i.e. Matrix, LOTR, Indiana Jones, etc.). I think buying DVDs just to use as decorations for your shelf is a COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY!!! But that's just what I think...

-onephatplanet

Both. I don't necessarily watch right when I get them, but I like to have them available to watch.

I doubt anyone buys just to collect.

Both, although I'll say it's probably 90/10 in favor of watching. There are some that I'll buy to collect (The E.T. Gift Set, Spider-man Gift Set, .hack//Login LE, or the upcoming Scarface Gift Set), but most of the time those collecting will be for box sets or limited issues. The rest of the time I buy movies with intention of watching them and enjoying them.

I buy for watching only which is why I don't own one of those expensive gift sets. Bare bones all the way.

I am a total film lover, thanks to my dad. I almost always buy dvds of things that I have seen before and liked. Sometimes, I have seen some films (and didn't even think about owning it), and then I end up buying the dvd because of the neat special edition stuff. I rarely buy dvds without seeing them, unless I'm almost certain that I will like them.. like when I purchased Young Frankenstein before seeing it. However, I also have a 4th category for buying dvds.. super low bargains. These dvds seem to come from MGM for some reason. As a result of their cheapness, I will buy a dvd that I may have seen once and I plan on owning it just because it may be fun to see it once in a blue moon (ie the Craft, Never say never again).

I believe that there is a high level of collectability with dvds that entices me to own more and more. However, I'm not competing with anyone else.. I just love being able to watch dvds! I think that its actually my favorite technology.. great video and sound, the ability to watch the Simpsons in French.. and great special features!

99% of mine are for watching.

I DID purchase some for collecting, due to the limited issuing or the annoucement of the discs going out of print.

However, all ended up being great screenings. Yes, even the Osmonds in Disneyland USA.

the collecting aspect of it is sorta just icing on the cake. its ALL about the movie, but at the same time who didnt say "wow, this is neat!" when they opened up the LotR: FotR Extended version dvd? it came in a really nice case with some cool artwork and stuff. it doesnt have anything to do with enjoying the film and yet it makes the dvd set a lil but more fun to have. Not sure if that makes me a "collector" or not but thats how I see it.

j