Where Does Streaming Go in 2024? (Addendum)
more thoughts, updates
When I wrote about streaming a few weeks ago, I said that I’d ask for feedback and opinions then make a follow up post given the response. Well... I posted it and didn’t get a response. Fine. We’ll complain about streaming services together whenever you guys are ready.
However—
I posted a video on TikTok asking about physical media and received quite a wonderful response. I don’t think I’ve ever had so many people so eagerly respond to anything I’ve posted online. Granted, most people did give me the same answer. Still, I appreciate it.
In the streaming post I mentioned the possibility of an alternative future (present?) without streaming, rebuilding a presence of physical media instead. I mentioned wanting to start a DVD collection, but that I hesitated, mostly because I didn’t know how to use DVDs. Or better, I know how to use DVDs, I just didn’t know, logistically, how I could use them. My computer, likely as yours, doesn’t have a CD slot. Neither does any functioning television within my vicinity. This may be where I erred.
Erroneously I assumed that the absence of a built-in DVD player on my home television that only has an HDMI on the back meant that I wouldn’t be able to attach a standalone DVD player myself, mostly because I assumed all DVD players connected through RCA ports? I don’t know why I thought that, nor do I know why I never bothered to actually check. To be honest, I haven’t seen a DVD player in years. Perhaps I assumed the technology never progressed. How naive of me. Some of the less nice comments on my video seemed confused that I didn’t know you could buy a DVD player that connected via HDMI. In hindsight I’m a bit confused about that, too.
So, if you’re like me and wanting to get into a physical media DVD collection, here’s the gist of what I collected:
Find an external DVD player that connects via HDMI, many of them do
“Old-school” DVD players can be relatively easy to find through thrift stores and online retailers
You probably don’t want to get a DVD player, at least not as your first choice
Now that I’ve been absorbed into the DVD ethos I’ve gathered that a DVD player might be the least interesting way to play a DVD, especially if you’ve got a decent budget. Apparently most recent-gen gaming consoles play DVDs, which, if you’re already planning to get a gaming console may be worth the consideration. Half of the comments on my video read something like “bro just get a PS5”, so I’m assuming this is the PlayStation 5’s prevailing feature. Does the PS4 play DVDs too? No one told me! What about XBOXs? So many questions!
PS5, according to my commenters, also supports Blu-Ray, which I’m coming to understand is just a better(?) version of DVD. That’s always confused me. Your gaming console (I’m assuming it’s not just the PS5) will also generally support up to 4K. It’s handy if you’re already into gaming, making it roughly a 2 (maybe 3?) in 1.
If an entirely new gaming console isn’t an option for you (reasonable decision), get a Blu-Ray player over a DVD player. A Blu-Ray player will play both Blu-Ray and DVD, and the consensus seems to be that Blu-Rays are “better”(?). Therefore, even if you only have access to DVDs at the moment, the flexibility of a Blu-Ray player may make for a better long term solution.
Plus, they connect via HDMI!
I admit, I’m behind on DVD culture. Maybe this is otherwise common knowledge if you’re in, but I’m not in yet! I haven’t been a DVD user since the late 2000s. I’ve been a dedicated streamer for a decade and a half.
Equally important, once you’ve selected your device, where does one find DVDs (or Blu-Rays)?
Blockbuster-style renting used to be the default, but you can still manage a facsimile of Blockbuster energy with your local library. (I love libraries, can you tell?) Libraries can have a huge variety of interesting finds from different genres, time periods, and origins, organically derived without an algorithm. Thrift stores and other secondhand marketplaces operate similarly, possibly with even more or a chance for random or niche finds. CD and record stores may have DVD sections too, depending on their size and collection.
Of course you can always find a new DVD or Blu-Ray anywhere media is sold, but where’s the fun in that? Aren’t we starting a collection?
Oh, you’re not? Then what are we doing here?
I have a growing CD collection for a similar reason to what your earlier post touched on. I like the idea of owning a collection of music that reflects me.