A Return to Blu-ray as Streaming Value Evaporates

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Streaming Fragmentation and Economics

  • Many feel streaming has regressed into “cable 2.0”: multiple siloed services, exclusivity, region locks, and rising prices.
  • People resent paying for many subscriptions, some with ads, to access a modest amount of desired content.
  • Some argue streaming economics don’t work for high-cost productions at low subscription prices; others note that massive star salaries show there is still slack in budgets.
  • Several predict consolidation into a few large platforms, functionally similar to old cable bundles.

Return to Physical Media (DVD/Blu-ray/UHD)

  • Users report returning to DVDs and Blu-rays due to:
    • Content churn and removals on streaming.
    • Better, consistent visual quality vs bandwidth-limited 4K streams.
    • Desire for ownership and resistance to silent edits/censorship.
  • Used DVDs are extremely cheap; Blu-rays widely seen as a quality sweet spot, especially on large/OLED TVs.
  • Storage space for discs and drives is a recurring downside, especially in small homes.

Home Media Servers and Ripping

  • Many rip discs to Plex/Jellyfin/Infuse/Kodi, effectively building personal streaming services.
  • Technical barriers: firmware flashing for 4K ripping, deinterlacing/upscaling older content, server/NAS maintenance, RAID or backup (some use LTO tape).
  • Consensus: feasible and rewarding for enthusiasts; unrealistic for most non-technical users.

Libraries, Rentals, and Alternative Access

  • Public libraries now often offer DVDs/Blu-rays, ebooks, audiobooks, games, and digital streaming (Libby, Kanopy, Hoopla), though availability varies by region.
  • Some miss DVD‑by‑mail services and speculate disc rental could become viable again as streaming fragments.

DRM, Law, and Piracy

  • Strong frustration with DRM: device internet requirements, AACS key updates, and legal restrictions on circumvention.
  • Many admit to ripping their own discs despite legal ambiguity, viewing it as ethically acceptable for personal use.
  • Growing number openly return to piracy (BitTorrent, *arr suite, Popcorn Time‑like apps) citing hostile streaming UX and disappearing/catalog-edited works.
  • Some argue copyright terms are too long and that physical media and piracy may ultimately preserve culture better than streaming platforms.