I installed a DVD player under the TV
I got tired of having to search and sign up for wherever my favorite movie is streaming this month, so I'm going back to DVDs for the foreseeable future, until the streaming overlords get their shit together. So... maybe forever. But at least for now.
It's nice. I put a disc in, and press play, and it plays.
I hadn't quite realize how much messing around the streaming services had added to my movie nights.
(Recover password, verify my email, sign up with a credit card, authorize the TV, remove the old iPad because of a device limit, sign in at least one extra time for no certain reason, sometimes discover I chose the wrong service and start over.)
Jellyfin and a NAS is a game changer also.
Yeah. I have JellyFin and a NAS, and I love it, but I'm so lazy about backing up my DVDs.
I feel that. Could rip them before you watch!
Being an entirely Linux house, I've found that blu-ray movies are basically not usable without MakeMKV.
Yeah, I haven't been willing to purchase Blu-ray because of the DRM escalations built into it.
I'm not willing to buy them new from a retailer, I'll buy them used from pawn shops or ebay or something.
Hmmm. That's a good point. I guess I might start thrift shopping Blueray discs after I feel more confident that I can make a backup, if I ever get that far.
Welcome to the brotherhood!
When you can, check your local library for DVDs.
I hate to give out this tip because I'm creating competition for myself, but also check thrift shops, yard sales, etc. 90%+ of my library came secondhand and cost virtually nothing.
It was always a good day when you could get a decent lot of DVDs on Craigslist or OfferUp.
Heh. No harm done. I've already been thrift shopping like crazy. Lol.
Lol, yeah. Suggesting thrift shops in Dull Men's Club does seem a bit "preaching to the choir" now that I think about it.
The remaining 10% of my collection was bought in bulk in one go; there was a Blockbuster near me that closed, and they sold off all their inventory for next to nothing.
Ooh. Good to tip. Thanks!
I’m thinking about picking up a nice blu-ray player since I read somewhere they’re shutting down production of the nicer players, I guess cheap ones are winning out or something. So easy to find at the thrift store for $3. Physical media is just more intentional and feels good too. Special features anyone? I applaud you sir.
I was actually looking at them online. I have no idea what to get. I’ll likely buy more dvd than Blu-ray but I imagine Blu-ray will trickle into thrift and second hand shops and become cheaper. Anyway, I’m leaning towards the $50-90 range for a Sony or other reputable brand
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-ubp-x700-m-streaming-4k-ultra-hd-blu-ray-player-with-hdmi-cable-black/6454118.p?skuId=6454118
This is one that I read as being a good option. Won’t be made much longer I guess.
About 10 years ago I got tired of searching through the stacks of disks and jockeying around plugging in actual physical media to make entertainment happen. I ripped everything to disk and started using PleX, found out about the *arr suite of helpers to get everything on earth and got a hdhomerun for broadcast media.
I am the master of all video media from the comfort of my couch - no disks or subscriptions required. Never going back!
Director's/actors commentary. I miss it so much.
Ooh. I was forgetting that. Something to look forward to.
It really adds to my favorite movies. I remember watching super troopers or clerks/mall rats and how they struggled to get the movie done. Gives so much more meaning to the movie.
Yar har fiddle dee dee
I love my oppo that someone was throwing away! yard sales helped my collection immensely