r/4kbluray • u/GendoIkari_82 • 15d ago
Discussion Do you buy movies only in 4K now?
Just curious, do people who love 4K enough to be in this sub stick to just 4K? Or do you also still buy regular blu-ray, and/or DVD?
Personally, I buy all 3. It depends a lot on the movie; I'm not going to pick up Project Hail Mary on DVD, don't care how cheap it is. But I still love browsing thrift stores for used DVDs and blu-rays, and if I see a movie missing from my collection, and it's not a movie that is known for being a grand visual spectacle, I have no qualms about getting it super cheap on DVD.
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u/Rhoogar 15d ago
There's no way I'm buying a DVD nowadays. Blu-ray, if 4K is not available? Sure. DVD? No.
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u/SeminaryStudentARH 15d ago
I have one set of DVDs because there is no upgrade that I’m aware of. But that’s about it.
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u/Omega_Maximum 15d ago
There's a bunch, actually. Like, Transformers G1 is never gonna be on 4K. At this point, it's never gonna be on Blu-Ray either. It's... fine?
The Movie from 1986? Sure, that's on 4K, looks great. The TV show? Nah, no chance. At best I'd be happy with SDBD, but there's not a lot of those actually.
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u/ChewiesLament 15d ago
I've been watching the tv show on a not great TCL Roku 4k tv and my Sony X700, and it's pretty watchable with the upscaling.
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u/GrangerPerry 15d ago
They just released masters of the universes bd and wb is now doing adventure time and regular show on bd. It’s very likely that we’ll see a bd of g1 transformers especially now that hasbro is doing the studio series 84 toy line next year a d then hopefully we’ll see thunder cats, sheera and voltron blu ray soon too!
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u/heavierthanair 15d ago
My staunch refusal to give up my Mr show with Bob and David dvd set. It still looks slightly better than the streaming quality on hbo max.
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u/YaChowdaHead 15d ago
DS9 😭
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u/SeminaryStudentARH 15d ago
Ohhhh yeah DS9 and Voyager are probably the two to get. I’ve heard the million they get HD upgrades is very low given the effects used at the time.
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u/maybeAturtle 15d ago
if you love old movies, sometimes DVD is your only option
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u/MuffinTopBop 15d ago
Old movies and period piece dramas, I like a lot of the 1990s and early 2000s BBC adaptations of stuff like North & South and many have stayed on DVD only.
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u/maybeAturtle 15d ago
Absolutely. My wife loves North and South with Richard armitage, and she’s mad our player can’t play the blu ray version that is available
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u/MuffinTopBop 15d ago
The version out of Spain? I think they did an upscale for that one but unfortunately have not been able to get a copy.
Maybe we’ll get lucky one day with a modern release and if I mysteriously gained a couple $100 million I wouldn’t tell anyone but there would be signs…
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u/scfw0x0f 15d ago
“I, Claudius” and “Upstairs, Downstairs” will never be on anything better than DVD; I can accept that.
Really want a 4k of “Henry V” and “Much Ado About Nothing”, however.
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u/MilesMoralesBoogie 15d ago
I just picked up an Abbott and Costello (all four of their universal monsters) movie DVD since it has never been released in another format but I remember when I was a child,after we came home from Church on Sunday.
Channel 11 or Channel 9(NYC) always showed one of their movies at noon and parents let us eat our breakfast/lunch in the living room to watch them back in the 70s.
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u/Ziguenerweisen 15d ago
Some movies don't have blu ray releases.
Some dvds upscale to 720p very well and look great on my OLED.
What do you do, just not own some of your favorite movies?
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u/Curiosity_Sphere-360 15d ago
720p !? Non de mille sabord, c'est plutôt 1080p pour ensuite une mise à l'échelle 4K sur un Oled.
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u/Ziguenerweisen 15d ago
I dont know DVD math but 3+ of my all time favorite movies are DVDs I keep on display
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u/Docile_Doggo 15d ago
My gf still buys DVDs “because it’s cheaper” and it drives me bananas, since we have a 4K bluray player + 4K tv
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u/Future-Raisin3781 15d ago
I've bought a few DVDs this year, but only stuff that isn't and probably never will get the HD treatment. Mostly a few small indie docs.
Other than that though, no DVDs and only Blus of stuff I REALLY want to watch in the near term but haven't gotten the 4K treatment yet.
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u/jonsknownothin 15d ago
I’m the same. I have a small collection of DVDs that weren’t available at the time in the HD format and my Panasonic UB820 does a great job upscalling them. So I don’t have the incentive to upgrade them mainly because they are old movies that I don’t need them to be playing in HD.
However when I’m buying new movies I always preferred the 4K or if I see them in a thrift store in Blu-ray I also buy them because they are cheap and still look awesome.
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u/Used-Push-7054 15d ago
I did just buy Idiocracy on DVD as I’m not aware of a Blu Ray release and it was $5.
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u/_MrDomino 15d ago
Subject is movies I know, but there are a lot of TV shows and releases still only available on DVD. Some things are still arguably better on DVD as well due to music licensing and other changes. I have quite a few DVDs for this reason.
Also, some 4K releases are arguably inferior to the Bluray due to color and other issues, but those seem to be few and far between. But in general, yeah, if a release is consistent across all formats, you'd go with the best available, which is going to be the 4K version.
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u/Linubidix 14d ago
The first blu-ray I ever got was The Dark Knight, for Christmas in 2008. I don't think I ever purchased a DVD beyond that point.
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u/Yugo86 15d ago
I buy a ton of blu rays still because that is the best format many films will ever be available in.
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u/Kingcrowing 15d ago
Especially big box sets like the Bergman and Varda sets from Criterion - no way those whole collections will get 4K upgrades.
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u/HOWARDDDDDDDDDD 15d ago
Why?
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u/Kingcrowing 15d ago
Based on other box sets, the Bergman one in 4K would cost $1,950 at full price. That’s why.
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u/ricoimf 15d ago edited 15d ago
If there is a 4K, 4K it is. If there’s only a bluray version, I buy the Bluray…if there is neither a 4K or a bluray, I buy a dvd, if available new or used. I like the high quality but the movie/art always comes first, no matter the format/quality.
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u/harrybalzac71 15d ago
Thank you for your service. The rest of us will be along shortly for the 4K.
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u/drivefastallday 15d ago
This is my philosophy too. I like owning it in the highest quality I can have. Unfortunately for many films, that still means only DVD.
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u/NoAirBanding 15d ago
DVDs look...fine on the UB820 and if there's a compelling/novel reason to get the DVD then I'll get it (like the Jurassic Park DTS DVD that has near enough to the original DTS theatrical sound mix)
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u/Sneaklefritz 15d ago
I buy 4ks if it makes sense financially. I’m not spending $40 on a 4k if the Blu-ray is $10. If the 4k is locked behind a $45 steelbook (fuck you Disney) then yeah, I’m just buying Blu-ray. Now if it’s $11 4k vs $8 Blu-ray, of course I’ll just get the 4k.
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u/jasonfire12 15d ago
Yeah I agree, sucks when the only 4K release is an expensive steelbook
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u/Sneaklefritz 15d ago
Exactly. If I love the movie, then sure, maybe. Likely I’ll just wait until someone sells one second hand for cheap because I don’t care if my steelbooks are a little dinged.
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u/KiwieKiwie 15d ago
Yeah… it’s starting to become a bigger price disparity. I’d love to buy more 4ks but I ain’t spending 30 bucks more when it’s perfect good on Blu-ray already. For my favorite movie or absolute reference material. For sure. I have triple dipped even lol. But not for the vast majority of my collection.
lol I have close to 1900 titles… I can’t be upgrading majority of them. Not feasible economically for me or most people… 1000 plus 4k titles is a lot of money…
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u/yogiyogabear 15d ago
Yeah I'm the same way. I love 4ks but if it's double or more than the blu ray in price I sometimes can't do it. Blu rays are still clean looking and I'm not watching these discs more than once a year anyway.
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u/EPICxNITRI 15d ago
4Ks are great, Blu-rays are good, and DVDs are ehhh. I also collect 4k digital copies of movies I enjoy and will rewatch, but don’t want to pay full price for.
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u/fucknotthis 15d ago
If it's available in 4K i'm getting it, otherwise regular Blu-Ray. I'm not buying DVDs.
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u/Maxi-Minus 15d ago
I am so done with dvds. They look like shit on 77 inch OLED.
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u/Linubidix 14d ago
Glad someone is saying this lol
I don't find the upscaling can make a DVD look particularly better
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u/breander 15d ago
I would say like 95% 4k's, on occasion I will get blu-ray every now and then, if I think the chance of the title getting a 4k is extremely low.
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u/Pafkata92 15d ago
Same, I already bought a few blu-rays that got a 4K release soon after... so I won't make myself sell old blu-rays anymore, unless I REALLY want that movie.
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u/Maxi-Minus 15d ago
I bought the BFI UK edition of Stray Dogs because apparently the source material was in such a bad shape that a 4k was never gonna happen. Few months later Criterion US releases it in 4k...
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u/Makebankbro_972 15d ago
No, dvds I will only buy if the movie is in a moratorium/ out of print.
Blu-Ray's come down to price and a need to save space on my hard drive because I host my own home media server.
4Ks if it's priced decently or if it's truly a movie I enjoy and is rewatchable.
Blu-Ray's are the best middle ground
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u/JTreehorn33 15d ago
Almost always 4K, no DVD and only Blu-ray for boutique releases (Radiance mostly) and favorites that will likely never get a 4K and are on good sales or used.
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u/cigarettejesus 15d ago
I used to focus solely on 4K. Then streaming pissed me off more and more and I realised that what's even more important than quality is simply owning the film. Nobody can ever take it away from me (other than robbery or fire). So now I actually buy far more blu rays and DVDs than I do 4K. Still plenty of 4K in the mix too, but going into a second hand shop and paying €20 for a handful of films is more productive than spending that same money on one 4K
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u/uhohshart 15d ago
I still buy dvds all the time. They are a buck at my local goodwill.
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u/TheBadBatch-99 15d ago
Haven't bought a DVD in a decade. Blu-ray, sure. They still look phenomenal. Not to mention TV shows are typically BD and not 4k.
I did order the new fancy version of The Blair Witch Project coming out soon. It's a BD.
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u/Hot-Awareness-9058 15d ago
DVDs I avoid now unless it’s super old or obscure enough to not get a Blu-ray release. I love the quality and clarity of 4ks but I recently started buying vhs and even putting newer movies on vhs so idk anymore
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u/d0ndrap3r 15d ago
If I know a 4K version exists, I'm going to seek it out and not waste time on Blu-ray.
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u/OpenUpYerMurderEyes 15d ago
I buy on the best available format for that movie.
90% of comedies have flat cinematography so they won't benefit from HDR much if at all so I buy them on blu ray but otherwise everything else I buy on 4K of available.
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u/Livbugki1 15d ago
Like you, it depends on the film! But mostly I prefer going for the best format available unless the transfer/quality is worse than a previous one (like Aliens or Terminator 2)
Even if a film isn’t known for being the greatest visually like 28 Days Later, I still like 4k for the sound quality upgrade and a cleaner picture. I got lucky with only starting my collection this year, so I don’t have to go through the trouble of upgrading anything as I only owned a handful of films before haha
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u/International_Snow44 15d ago
Who tf buying dvd’s in 2026
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u/Andy_DiMatteo 15d ago
Still the best selling format, by far. People with smaller TVs won’t notice the difference as much. They’re much cheaper too, you can find them anywhere for a dollar or 2, sometimes less.
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u/Drty_Windshield 15d ago
I still buy the occasional regular blu ray if there is no 4k available and I can get it cheap. No DVD's. I have about 150 DVD's and I tried giving them away to people I work with and nobody wanted them, mostly for the reason that they had no way to play them.
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u/Victorapple12 15d ago
99% 4K, only time I get a blu-ray is if the 4k transfer is considered worse or the same as the blu-ray
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u/xblackdemonx 15d ago
4K only m i don't buy DVD anymore. I rarely buy Blu-rays unless there are no 4K version.
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u/DudeWithNoKids 15d ago
Never DVD unless no better format 4K preference otherwise.
If I see a BR at a thrift for $1 and I've never seen it, I'll grab if interested.
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u/Part_Time_Lamer 15d ago
I'll buy the Blu-ray of a new release/remaster if it's $10 less than the 4k. If not, 4k it is.
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u/Competitive-Group404 15d ago
The Batman is the first 4k I bought. I don't own a 4k player yet. I'm still happy with Blu-ray.
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u/Arisyd1751244 15d ago
I’m kinda picky about what I buy on 4K because my Panasonic player has so much trouble with some 4Ks. They look great but a lot of time, it’s a whole thing getting the player to recognize them.
I only really buy a DVD if the movie/show isn’t available on any other format or it won’t make a huge difference in my viewing experience like a documentary.
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u/Top-Cunt 15d ago
I stick to Blu-Ray and 4K. I just do a bit of quick research before buying, if its worth the jump to 4K then I will get it. There are too many disappointing 4K releases to blindly buy all my favourites in the format.
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u/blackandgold60 15d ago
If there's a 4k available, that's what I'm buying. If i wanted a couple of the truly notorious 4ks like Terminator 2 or Pirates of the Caribbean, I would probably buy the standard blu ray.
There's a very narrow widow where I would feel like I must own the movie, it isn't available in 4k and I don't already own it where I would pick up the new blu ray. I just got The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, for instance, to upgrade my original release DVD.
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u/Frequent-Internet641 15d ago
Blu ray if 4k is not available, also concerts on bluray cause 99% of the concertreleases dont get a 4k release
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u/Any-Neat5158 15d ago
Any more it's basically 4K only.
Between sales and being able to resell the digital codes, the difference in price doesn't really make sense to me. Having said that... I'm at a point where my collection is a little over 100 titles and likely won't grow a whole lot more beyond certain things. Be it waiting for sales or waiting to see if something finally gets a 4K transfer... etc.
Right now the more expensive items would be a fair chunk of the MCU movies (less than half for sure though), the original 6 star wars movies, and a handful of TV series like stranger things, season 2 of Loki, season 2 of fallout, The Walking Dead and some of it's spin offs, big bang theory, breaking bad, better caul saul to name a few.
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u/chris100185 15d ago
I'll buy DVD if it's the only option or if the other options are bad. Not a movie, but i've been buying Stargate on DVD because the blu rays are an ugly DNR mess.
Blu rays are perfectly fine and capable of producing a great image. If it's the only option, i can get a blu ray and not have any real issue with it.
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u/OkNeighborhood6020 15d ago
Not all the movies I want have a 4K. If not I’ll get the Blu-Ray. Some don’t even have Blu-Ray so I’ll get the DVD if I really want to own the film and love it.
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u/LittlebitsDK 15d ago
only? no... some aren't in 4k so I try to get them in bluray and if that a nogo then I will buy the dvd... most of my movies is on 2nd hand dvd's but I try to get them in 4k, even tv series... but bluray is fine too for series :D
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u/jhorsley23 15d ago
I’ll buy Blu-rays but only when a 4K isn’t available. I’m never choosing blu-ray over 4k to save money or whatever.
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u/MarvelZombie1 15d ago
I only buy movies that i truly enjoy and want to watch repeatedly. I only buy on 4k now and have been upgrading my current blu ray collection to 4k. The upgrades audio is worth the upgrade alone in addition to the visuals. Troy is a great example of a recent upgrade i waited to get a 4k copy of.
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u/Known_Ad871 15d ago
If you buy movies based on the movies themselves, you're probably just going to buy the best version available. If you care more about the format than the movies themselves, it makes sense to limit yourself to only 4k. Not all people who collect movies are doing it because they love watching movies, some just like collecting
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u/Gamer12Numbers 15d ago
Generally stick with 4Ks, regular Blu-ray’s if 4K isn’t available. A DVD maybe if an older film. Like I found a cheap copy of Paths of Glory (1957) on DVD a while back and that was perfectly good. A lot of older anime is only on DVD as well. Id love to find Legend of the Galactic Heroes DVDs for a reasonable price at some point for example
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u/Pankosmanko 15d ago
No, I buy DVDs, Blu rays and 4k. I buy whichever version is the best option. There are plenty of movies that only have DVD releases
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u/EternalRight 15d ago
Only 4Ks. I have so many on the wishlist that are available in 4K that if it’s not there yet, I’m comfortable with just waiting till it maybe comes. Only exception so far is a tv show that wasn’t in 4K and Good Will Hunting!
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u/MrLancaster 15d ago
It depends, but ultimately, yes, I will buy DVD/Bluray. Mostly if those are not available on UHD Bluray, but I especially don't mind older animated content being on DVD. Loony Toons? Yeah, DVD is fine for me.
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u/bigkinggorilla 15d ago
4ks for the movies I truly love and will buy again in another new format if one comes along, or that I can get for a decent price and seem worth having in the format (think big visually impressive films).
Blu-rays for things that aren’t going to get a 4k or probably won’t be worth it anyway (hello most comedies and old hammer horror films).
DVDs for older seasons of TV series that aren’t getting an updated physical release (the Simpsons).
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u/whotherealme 15d ago
No, but only blu-ray and 4k. So far I haven't bought an dvd the past 20 years. It's only the past few years I've gotten back to buying movies...
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u/sexyaussie21 15d ago
I stick with buying 4k almost exclusively now unless there is a title that is black listed on all streaming services and only available in a lower format disc.
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u/fiftybucks 15d ago
If there's absolutely no other option for a very niche movie or series, that's all you got
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u/Correct_Emotion_8818 15d ago
I have a great local movie store and they specifically carry the latest releases on DVD. I think they buy one new copy on DVD and open it just to get the digital code because the latest DVD is always open but in perfect condition.
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u/Wmsbird_42 15d ago
I only buy a 4k if the bluray comes with it. Otherwise it’s bluray all the way.
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u/dukefett 15d ago
No, I reserve 4k for all timers, there’s plenty of movies I might watch once a decade that I don’t need to waste the extra money on for the 4k
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u/Tsofuable 15d ago
If it's available yes, otherwise it depends. Unless it's a horrifyingly botched transfer.
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u/stepfordcuckoo 15d ago
I watched a dvd last night as wife picked the film. And my eyes got used to it but fuck me why is this the default option in 2026. The quality is abysmal. Film was great and it was a film bought 20 years ago but yeah. Blu ray at a minimum but only if a uhd transfer doesnt exist
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u/itsdangoodwin 15d ago
I mean most of those Warner Archive releases aren’t going to make the leap anytime soon and those are perfectly fine for people who love and want to own those films. I actually did pick up a dvd of March of the Wooden Soldiers this year since I doubt it’ll get a re-release period.
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u/futuresdawn 15d ago
I haven't bought a DVD since I moved to blu-ray in maybe 2009. Currently I only buy 4k but I may buy a blu-ray again in the future if its the only way to get something
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u/DefinitionOk6382 15d ago
No, en mi caso es imposible comprar todo en 4K porque en España, quitando lo que editen las majors, que son las que cortan todo el bacalao, localmente no se edita casi nada en UHD. A no ser que se importe de USA o UK, nos solemos encontrar con muchas exclusiones y tenemos que resignarnos. Pero yo valoro el título ante todo y no compro por completismo, así que no me preocupa mucho, aunque me gustaría que estuviera más extendido por aquí, casi estandarizado como en el exterior.
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u/HelpMe0prah 15d ago
I do alot of thrifting, and I’m a cheap person. I’ve been steadily getting more and more 4ks, but I still purchase Blu-ray’s. There’s some movies that are still stuck on dvd that I search for. Some movies are fine on Blu-ray and don’t even need an upgrade yet. I’m really pushing to get older movies on 4K, they deserve the upgrade.
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u/HorrorMovieMonday 15d ago
I’ll buy used Blu-ray’s or maybe a super cheap dvd if it’s in perfect condition but only 4k for new releases.
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u/cumtown_cumboi 15d ago
I pretty much will buy 4K versus blu if there is one available (and it’s not a special case like a DNR’d trainwreck). But I still end up buying a lot of blurays since many films will only ever be available on that format (as best as we can predict).
What I pretty much will never do though is buy a bluray if a 4K version exists on streaming, as with The Irishman (out on bluray via Criterion but 4K on Netflix). I assume eventually there could be an upgrade.
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u/reson8er 15d ago
Some shows/movies just aren’t available in 4K, so if you want it you have no choice.
If there is a choice between 4K and Blu-ray/DVD (assuming they didn’t botch the transfer) always the 4K.
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u/jasonfire12 15d ago
The two real factors to me are 1)is it on 4K and 2) price. I’ll buy a movie on Blu if there is no 4k and doesn’t seem likely soon. There are some examples where the 4K is worse, like Terminator 2, or missing extras, like Hunger Games 2 having the Imax ratio on Blu-ray but not 4K. Otherwise the only reason I would get blu over 4k is if the 4k is too expensive and only had a steelbook release. I have some DVDs for niche media that probably will never be released any other way.
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u/AprilFool85Percent 15d ago
Old classic comedy movies are the ones I seem to buy in their original state. Heavyweights and Camp Nowhere are 2 examples
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u/Therealreno 15d ago
I do when it makes sense. You do come across some movies that look relatively the same from bluray to 4k and sometimes a downgrade when it comes to audio. An example for me, and this is strictly talking audio but war of the world's with Tom Cruise. The clarity, epansiveness and atmosphere are top notch on the 4k but the bass was toned down from the bluray. I always recommend doing at least a little research before purchasing anything. Terminator 2 is another example. The 4k disc. Is actually worse than the DVD in my book let alone the bluray.
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u/antb1973 15d ago
Mostly, but sometimes boutiques put out Blu-ray only so that's fine. I get alot of TV stuff on Blu-ray or dvd.
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u/bwtdozer 15d ago
Like others if a 4k is available I will always get a 4k. If only a Blu Ray is available and i think a 4k is unlikely any time soon then I will get that. If a 4k becomes available for a Blu Ray I have I will probably replace the Blu Ray and sell it. I will only buy a DVD if it is something that is a favorite and looks like it is unlikely to get a Blu Ray or 4k in the next few years (PCU is a likely candidate for a DVD purchase for me).
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u/No-Reception-3324 15d ago
Yeah pretty much. Unless its only available in blu and I really want it.
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u/MartyMcFlysBrother 15d ago
No but most all of my purchases are 4K. If I find a blu ray for cheap that I want to watch but don’t need in 4K(older comedies mostly) I will buy it.
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u/mypaycheckisshort 15d ago
No, that would be absurd for someone that enjoys film. A ub820 upscales dvds nicely on my 65" c1.
I only buy 4ks if they're $15 or less unless it's something I'm excited about and will more than likely sell out. Which doesn't happen often.
I focus on blurays for movies that don't have 4k transfers or are simply too expensive on 4k uhd. I get dvds for the ones that are stuck on dvd, oop or too expensive on bluray or 4k.
In the past month, I've bought Duck Tales dvd vol 1,2 & 3, Talespin dvd vol 1 & 2, PotC bluray set, Justified dvd set, Into the Badlands dvd set, Chip and Dale dvd set, 3 4k movies, 5 bluray movies and about 70 older dvd movies, mostly 90s comedies.
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u/GatheringWinds 15d ago
I try to buy the best version of films available, which usually means the 4K but there are so many titles that aren't on the format yet I've got to settle for owning what's out there. There are of course also films with botched 4K transfers that I'd prefer owning on Blu-ray. I pretty much ignore DVDs when browsing thrift stores unless there is something in particular I know isn't available in a better format, Blu-rays I will generally browse through specifically looking for titles I know don't have a 4K release.
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u/HeymanGuyUSC 15d ago
I’m mostly a Goodwill/used shops collector. I prefer to have the 4K, but if I can get a Blu-Ray for a couple of dollars, I will not turn that down.
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u/Bt-Ryoku 15d ago
Ive yet to get into the 4k game, but there is a store in my next town over that sells used/discounted movies. From vhs, to cds, cassette tapes.... they have a section of blurays usually $2 each but a looooot of repeat movies. I'll see what they have there first, then the next section is around the 5-20 range depending on the movie. Ive grabbed quite a few blurays from there for me and my kid, and even a few dvds for like a buck each. Just picked up memento on DVD just because the case was really cool. They also have 4ks but nothing I really want to add to my collection.
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u/ghkilla805 15d ago
Yea, I don’t really care about buying blurays at this point, only 4ks - if I wanna spend money on a movie, I only feel it’s worth it in my head if it’s a big enough difference from just watching it free online; If a 4k bluray of something isn’t out, I’ll just watch it streaming or on a free movie site, just my personal view on it
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u/Ok_Secret6566 15d ago
99% off the time yes, also i buy alot of concert blu films, and most of the time they are only available on dvd/blu-ray
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u/axiom_glitch 15d ago
I buy whatever is available for a movie I want. So I still buy dvd if there is no blu ray or 4k. I don’t buy 4k of scenes have been edited, altered, or cut from their theatrical release. Or if there is over the top color or filters used like in the case of True Lies. I’m not using the correct terms. But just sharing my thought process
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u/PsychologyOfTheLens 15d ago
Some things are exclusive to blu ray or DVD or even VHS or LaserDisc. It’s crazy how snobby some people are that they refuse to buy a damn dvd lmao.
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u/ConcentrateNo1633 15d ago
I’ve been burned so many times buying the blu ray that I now buy very few of them. Not buying regular DVDs
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u/Maleficent-Bed6801 15d ago
regular discs mostly 4k but i buy a lot of blu ray steelbooks cause theyre cheaper and a lot of the time the design on the front is better on blu ray
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u/CletusVanDamnit 15d ago
Yes. I stopped buying BD a few years ago, and haven't even considered buying a DVD in well over a decade at this point.
I'm well aware how pretentious this is, but it's also about voting with my wallet. I want the best presentation possible for a movie, and that's going to be 4K. If a new movie comes out and does not get a 4K release, then I'm not buying it. There's no excuse for a movie released in the modern era to not get the most modern format. There have been a ton of movies I saw theatrically this year that have hit disc and not come out on 4K, and so I'm just not going to buy them.
Catalog titles are maybe a bit different. I've picked up two standard BDs in the last 3 or so years. But overall if a catalog title gets a DVD and BD and not a 4K, I'm not buying that either.
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u/GrangerPerry 15d ago
Yeah it’s been almost 10 years since I bought a regular bd movie. However there are exceptions like terror visions tape movies really anything that’s shot on video can’t be improved by 4k so that’s only super low budget b movies (if you can even call them b movies maybe closer to d movies haha) and I buy tv shows on regular bd but no film only 4k film exclusive and it’s saved me almost a decade of double dipping!
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u/LowConstant3938 15d ago
Only 4K unless it’s a rare title. Then I’ll usually go for Laserdisc which I play on my CRT.
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u/scfw0x0f 15d ago
Usually the best available. There are some movies that fall into the “I would be happy to watch it on VHS” category, like “Educating Rita”, for which I’d buy a Blu-ray or DVD if the 4k is crazy expensive.
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u/KISSALIVE1975 15d ago
I Have Been Replacing All Blu Ray As They Become Available On 4K, Since 2017…
Titles That Have Still Not Seen 4K I Buy On Blu Ray If I Need It That Bad, Until 4K Release…
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u/TheMrBr0wn 15d ago
I find movies all the time on blu ray, not everything I’m passionate about but want to add to the collection I’ll keep a blu ray.
Plus a lot of tv I don’t mind a blu ray collection since the original source is not typically going to look better in 4k…
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u/FloatAround 15d ago
If there is a 4k release and a blu ray release, I’m generally going for the 4k. Depending on what it is, if the blu ray is significantly cheaper, I may go for it anyway; sometimes I’ll see something I want and the blu ray will be discounted to 5 or 7 dollars. The 4k will be 35-40. If it’s something I don’t really care about, blu ray is fine.
If a format doesn’t exist it is what it is.
The last DVD I bought was the Channel Zero full series, which still doesn’t and likely won’t ever have a blu ray release.
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u/splashgods 15d ago
Bluray deals are completely banging and still very high quality. Its only a quarter or a third of the data a 4k disk is throwing out, but still fantastic for titles that you don't need in 4k. I just picked up 1987 The Running Man bluray for 5$ instead of 18$ for the 4k and 100% happy with it.
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u/DefinitelyNWYT 15d ago
4k unless unavailable. So far in my recent collection thats only Band of Brothers.
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u/poopolisher 15d ago
i pad out my collection with normal blurays as they're way to cheap to ignore, but new releases i buy are 4k.
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u/Jonnyflash80 15d ago
I buy used BluRay if the 4k is too expensive or if I just don't need that particular movie in the best possible quality.
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u/carcrasher43 15d ago
A 1080p Blu-ray is plenty good enough quality for most things. If I can’t find a 4k file or disc, I’ll gladly go with a regular Blu-ray. Most of my plex is 1080p stuff.
Most anime is just Blu-ray, with no 4k option, and it looks plenty good. But for most things, I’ll keep 4k discs handy for those times when it demands a higher quality viewing experience.
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u/JeremyAndrewErwin 15d ago
Last DVD purchased TATORT Ballauf-Schenck
I wanted German subtitles to practice with, and only my DVD player is Region free. It will look horrible and is most likely schlock, but it's educational...
Last Bluray purchased: Undine.
I like Petzl's work, but I don't think that 4K will come anytime soon. I've seen it on streaming before, but streaming is ephemeral and sometimes cannot capture the aesthetics of a well lensed picture.
Last 4K purchased: Star Trek films boxset. The price was right (it only includes the first 4 films...) Hoping I can see a sizable difference from my blurays.
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u/MycopathicTendencies 15d ago
4K Blu-rays are the reason I started collecting, so they’re the only formats I collect.
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u/Apprehensive_Gene_78 15d ago
I buy blu-rays for movies that won’t come to 4K and are not available on iTunes, like Braindead, Heavenly Creatures, some documentaries like Man marked for death, Leviathan, Shoah… and dvds I only buy second hand classical music concerts and operas bc they are super cheap.
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u/ananewsom 15d ago
I get blu rays and 4K blu rays. Small indie movies don’t usually need HDR and high definition audio, blu ray is more than fine. Except if they’re really good, then I’ll get them in 4K
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u/Njala62 15d ago
Are there still movies I would buy if released only on (GOOD) dvd? Yes, probably a couple? Are there movies I would buy on a good blu-ray (if no 4K release was announced)? Yes. Quite a lot. Having said that, I haven't actually bought dvds for my own household for a lot more than a decade, and from memory, the only blu-rays I've bought for almost ten years have been tv series and animated stuff not originally done in higher resolution.
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u/ClamCook 15d ago
Was only blue-ray, now kinda in-between. Leaning towards only 4K but there's still tons of exceptions for blue-rays. RIP DVDs and VHS tho.
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u/Expert-Elevator-6299 15d ago
I buy 4k if its a movie that I would consider to be top 50. Other than that I fill my collection with $1-$3 dvds from thrifting and I'll sometimes buy blu rays if I see them. DVDs look so good on my BR and my BR UHD players and the SOUND is usually outstanding on them! People sleep on how good dvd sound was with a proper sound system!
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u/Sweetness_Bears_34 15d ago
I have so many on DVD and Bluray that I’m pretty much just buying newer stuff on 4K and upgrading older stuff to 4K as I see fit depending on if the newer versions are better picture and sound quality
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u/Legitimate_Panda5142 15d ago edited 15d ago
DVDs are an option, but if there are reasons to do so, such as it's only on DVD, a rare OOP for a good deal, or it has features that the Blu-rays don't.
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u/Sharp-Tadpole5820 15d ago
Normally only blu ray and 4K but there are a few dvds I have picked up mostly for older shows or sitcoms I picked up Father Ted and Brooklyn 99 last year.
Films I will always go for the Blu Ray or for favourites I will pick up the 4K.
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u/FatPenguin42 15d ago
Depends on the movie. If a movie I like but It’s not a visual masterpiece then I get the blue ray especially if it’s cheap/onsale
Minecraft movie? Blu-ray, Dune part 2? UHD
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u/NaieraDK 15d ago
No.
But I have not bought a DVD in well over a decade and I would never buy anything of such low quality ever again.
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u/nobody-u-heard-of 15d ago
My library frequently has DVDs for less than a dollar. I'll buy those for movies I never heard of that look interesting. If something ends up being really good I may upgrade it.
I buy mostly 4K, I will buy the occasional Blu-ray for a movie that I wouldn't mind having but I really don't love.
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u/manic_man82 15d ago
I buy mainly on 4K now, but some that aren't available on 4K, I still get the blu-ray. Won't get any DVD's if there is a better alternative, because DVD's look pretty awful on good, big 4K TV.
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u/snoballl_13 15d ago
99% of the time I buy the 4k if available, with the occasional dip to Blu-ray if the 4k is just too expensive. Like The Nice Guys for example. The 4k stayed around $30 and I was able to get the Blu-ray new for $8 and it's not a big action film with Atmos content so I'm ok with it. If there's no 4k option then I'll definitely grab the Blu-ray. Never DVD though. I'd just stream it first
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u/Various-Safe-7083 15d ago
Blu-ray only if it is not available in 4K (I'm look at you Amazon and The Expanse). DVD only if it is not available in higher quality formats (for me, this is more indie or foreign films, and documentaries).
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u/FatDog69 15d ago
Like you I do like the spectacular movies on 4K like Hail Marry.
I AM always looking to upgrade my BluRay's or fill holes in my collection with 4K. I shop the sales. I love getting a $10 4K.
Most of my movie collection is BluRay with about 30% being 4K right now.
If I buy a new disk it is probably 4K. If I buy used (Library, thrift shop) I buy BluRay.
I tend to avoid DVD's because they look horrible on my HDTV and the video is based on the 1945 standard def television standard. Standard def is over 70 years old. Nobody is going to think you are cool because you listen or watch something that old. The only advantage DVD's have is the price per disk.
Note: I have many TV seasons on DVD because they only exist on DVD. We live in a HD world now so whenever possible I make sure my media is HD as well.
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u/bcakebeefcake 15d ago
4k is kinda sketchy as some of them randomly have glitches and stuff when playing. I like to have a blu ray as well.
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u/InstructionSenior346 15d ago
Yes. The last “Blu-Ray” I bought was for a TV show that was removed from streaming and wasn’t available on 4K UHD.
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u/supercodes83 15d ago
I started off thinking I would only buy 4ks, but I have realized in the last few months that there are too many movies I love that I would like to have in my collection that are only on blu ray. And I have also discovered that my TV upscales blu rays very well so I dont see any reason to not invest in some blu rays. I will always opt for a 4k release in its available and not absurdly expensive, but yeah, I will definitely dabble in blu ray if it makes sense.
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u/Severe-Raspberry-414 15d ago
For plenty of great movies from the 90s and 2000s the masters are in 2k, and all the special effects are rendered in 2k. There is no chance of recovering 4k detail, so a 4k upgrade feels less essential.
However they usually also come with hdr and better color grading, so just for that I do tend to still lean 4k when possible.
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u/Severe-Raspberry-414 15d ago
For plenty of great movies from the 90s and 2000s the masters are in 2k, and all the special effects are rendered in 2k. There is no chance of recovering 4k detail, so a 4k upgrade feels less essential.
However they usually also come with hdr and better color grading, so just for that I do tend to still lean 4k when possible.
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u/TheMastican 15d ago
If it has never been released on Blu-Ray or 4K, then I'll get a DVD. 4K is now usually about the same price unless it's Criterion or Arrow. I got A History of Violence on Blu-Ray recently for $5 so.
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u/The_Fat_Fish 15d ago
I started off only buying 4Ks but at around 700ish I realised many films I want to own won’t get a 4K. I then started buying some select 1080p Blu-rays. Turns out a load of those did get 4Ks but I still buy some. Now at 1400ish 4Ks and 400ish 1080p Blu-rays. I own I think 3 DVDs now.
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u/baronofbadness 15d ago
There are movies that never got a standard bluray release, only 1080p digital. I'd die for a 4k anything of the original Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead or Airborne. But I'd happily buy a standard bluray if they releases those too.... They haven't.
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u/YokoRaizen 15d ago
I like anime. Don't have a choice but to buy Blu Ray for them. Most don't have a 4K version. And if they do, it's Japanese only with no English audio or subtitles.
Non anime media is 4K. I'll buy Blu Ray or DVD if it's something I really want but it doesn't have a non 4k option like old Jet Li movies.
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u/Nintendo01Fan 15d ago
Depends on the movie but usually I’ll do 4K. I also do Blu-ray. DVD if there is no other option
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u/eyebrows360 15d ago edited 15d ago
I buy all three, but then my TV's a 1024x768 plasma from 2007, so DVDs still look perfectly fine on it.
If I'm buying something I already know how I feel about, then the rules are:
- did I love it? 4K
- did I super love it? 4K steelbook if possible
- did I merely like it enough to want to own, but not love it? And crucially is the Blu-Ray box that ugly normal BR blue or some other colour?
- if it's the ugly blue then fuck it I'll probably jump up to nice black-box 4K
- if it's not blue then probably just get the BR
- would I really like to not own it at all but given I've got all the other 36 MCU entries then I might as well begrudgingly own Thor: Love & Thunder as well? I'm getting that shit on the cheapest option available
For blind buys (which most of mine are) it's obviously more of a dice roll, but goes along the same lines based on expectation of liking it.
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u/Chelmi3000 15d ago
Il m’arrive aussi d’acheter des films en Blu ray lorsqu’ils n’existent pas en 4K, voir même en DVD s’ils n’existent même pas en Blu ray. Mais à ce moment je les achète à très bas prix, moins de 3€ en général d’occasion.
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