One of my colleagues is writing a paper about DVDs and the Diffusion of Technology. She is rather curious as to the phenomenon of the "DVD Collector."

Why do you collect DVDs rather than just rent or borrow or what not.

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My answer: I guess it's for two reason really...

1) I'm a fan of films. As a teenager I was an avid renter and I'd find myself renting the same movies over and over again. When the Laserdisc came out, it was too expensive for me to even attempt starting a collection, and I refuse to buy VHS tapes since the media was so 'flimsy' so to speak.

With the advent of DVD (and having a job that would allow me to actually afford it), I couldn't resist, Now I haven't flown off the handle like some do (my collection after 5 years is nearing the 600 mark), and I get films that I find worthy of a few criteria: replay value, special features, guilty-pleasures, actors and actresses, etc. I watch them over and over and over again, and I don't have to worry about them stretching or getting 'chewed' in the plater.

Plus I want these movies to be around when my children get older so that I introduce them to good film and although I know the technology will change again in my lifetime, its nice to know they'll be there.

2) The media intrigues me, much in the smae way that they Laserdisc and Audio CD did when they were released. The fact that so much information can fit on such a tiny platter was amazing to me. As a graphic designer, I have designed and authored several educational and promotional DVDs. What you can do with the media just astounds me. Multiple language tracks, subtitles, angles, chapters, etc. is rather wonderful.

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How about y'all?

Because when you rent or borrow you don't own them.

Collecting really only satisfies one criteria ultimately: having the ability to watch what one wants at any time without any due dates or contraints. For me, this is the main reason I buy DVD.

Everything else is granted for people who can afford to buy the product, we love movies, multimedia, etc., we are audio/videophiles, we're interesting in other people's stories/lives etc.

I have to have something to waste money on.

The real question is why do people go to the movies, or a play and spend MORE (way more in the case of a play) per viewing than those who buy DVDs do?

If my wife and I went to see a movie in the theater, it's going to cost us $16 MINIMUM. For pretty much the same price (sometimes a bit more, often less) we can buy the DVD instead, watch it once and be even, or watch it twice or more and be way ahead. We'll also be ahead if we watch any supplements, as you wouldn't get them in the theater.

To me, someone who rarely goes to the cinema, it's much cheaper to buy DVDs.

Now, why buy versus rent? 1) I usually only buy films I know I'm going to want to keep (movies I've already seen or films by a favorite director, etc.), and 2) I can always sell them later if I change my mind (and STILL be ahead of the cinema-goer).

I like to have an available library of DVDs to choose from. Also, I prefer to own rather than rent.

1. Watching a show is entertaining.
2. DVD offers excellent quality (at least for the current NTSC standard) and is durable.
3. Renting is a hassle.
4. Some, if not a lot, like to watch the same movie more than once.
5. DVD prices are reasonable.
6. Movie theater sucks. More specifically, the inconsiderate people who go there suck.
7. Many people prefer to watch a movie from their own couch.

For the price difference, I have something that will (theoretically) last for the rest of my life, always at my fingertips when I want to watch it. The convenience is by far the main reason for me. Plus, I'm a collector at heart and it's just another thing to collect.

I don't even like movies! I just like to show off my collection.

Most of the stuff I own can't be found at the local Blockbuster. Additionally, my movie habit prevents me from having friends, so I can't borrow, either.

I have always been into movies, starting as a child, collecting VHS piece by piece. I would much rather watch an unedited movie on tape then crummy commericial filled movies on TV, I thought, so I started to build a film library of VHS.

I didn't transition until Fall of 2001 to DVD, because I knew if I did that I would go crazy. Now, I have about 350 DVDs, and still buy one about every other week or so.

Back in 2001 I used to gamble quite a bit, so my disposable income went the way of the casinos more often then not. I started gambling less, so I had more money to play with. I got a plasma tv, continued to build a true theatre like collection.

I only rent when I know that I will not watch the movie more then once. Sometimes I end up buying a movie after renting it, but that is rare.

I just like owning the movie. A lot of times, the movies cost 50 mil to make, and it only takes 10 bucks out of my wallet. Sounds like a bargain to me!

Yep, and it's legal too! Always a plus.

In my case I buy what I like to watch repeatedly. The only person I need to impress is me!

Same here, but so far I'm not impressed.

I have had a fascination with movies for as long as I can remember. DVD is simply the newest format on which to acquire the films and TV shows that I love. Now that I am married, it is also more economical. For us to go to a movie and get just a small popcorn and drink is near $25. We can buy a new title on release day for $15 or less and enjoy in the privacy of our home. My wife and I have a decent home theater (though I do want a new TV/projector), and the experience at home is excellent. We also enjoy having people over to watch with us. The theaters around here are not that great either. If I lived in a city with nice theaters or theaters that showed the old classics, I would probably visit the theaters at least a little more because I do love going to a good theater. That brings up something else - DVD has allowed me to view and own wonderful films that I would never have seen otherwise. Again though, when it comes down to it, I love films. DVD is just the presentation medium, though a particularly nice one in my opinion.

There's nothing quite as satisfying as seeing mention of a movie on these forums or wherever, thinking "Boy that's a great movie - I haven't watched that in a while", plucking it off the shelf, popping it in the DVD player, and sitting back to enjoy.

That's reason enough to collect them.

I love movies, simple as that. The DVD medium offers great value (most of the time anyways). As mentioned above, why pay $20 or more for the family to see a movie when we can own it for ~$15 a few months down the road. For the ones I don't know if I want to own, I have Netflix.

I just like to have a big library of films.

Also, something has to balance out Louis handbags and Tiffany trinkets.

I heard that a large DVD collection compensates for a small penis.

I want to own that which I enjoy watching. Further, I enjoy being able to watch what I want when I want. I hardly watch television anymore and much prefer watching DVD's.

then my rod must be a 1 incher...because my library is swelling up at a rapid pace.

I'll answer this for the 100th time...no problem.

I'm a film buff. a freak. I want a complete, personal library of films...regardless of what format they are on...whichever gives me the films and presents them properly. dvd is it right now...so I have over 1,500 titles. having a serious passion for collecting films is what got me an interveiw in the NY Times a few months ago. do a search here at the forum and you can find that thread.

I refuse to rent, borrow or sell because I'm collecting for a purpose. I want access to any film I choose...anytime I want. it could be for personal enjoyment of historical research. I'm building a library....very simple to understand.

Because reality TV sucks and since I don't have cable, I collect DVDs so I can watch what I want when I want.

A. Collectibility - why do people collect books, stamps, coins, Hot Wheels, beer bottles, rocks, string, pocket lint, etc.?? DVDs have an advantage in that they are a useful object, as well.

B. It is cheaper to buy than to go to the movies, etc.

C. I can watch movies when I want, instead of having to mess with rentals (cost, availability, worn-out media) , edited for TV versions, etc.

D. I will be able to revisit old favorites years down the road, when they might have worn out their welcomes on TV or at the rental store.

E. For TV Shows, it is easier to watch the discs when I want, instead of sitting through commercials, having to wait for cliffhangers, or watch shows out of order on reruns.

F. DVDs, and laserdiscs before them, are not subject to wear (not counting laser rot,) and have good audio and video, as well as special features. Also, you can access any point instantly, instead of having to rewind. In addition, they are pretty much the only way to get movies in the original OAR, except for a few widescreen VHS.

I've always used the excuse... "Would you rather I was addicted to drugs?"

But honestly, I tell people it's because films have been my passion since I was a kid. It's what I love. Be it, watching... Making... Reviewing... Whatever... I've always been into movies. But for the short and sweet answer use the drug one.

Why not?

Can't believe I'm the first to offer this...