I've been an avid collector of physical media for a few years now. I think I really started with DVDs when hbo took a ton of shows down off of HBO Max and I realized that streaming is not the best long haul way to watch things. I started collecting CDs around early 2025 because I was kinda sick of spotify and music streaming in general. And from those two (and video games but I've always preferred physical games so there's no real start point for that collection) it kinda snowballed. I started collecting VHS and Vinyl as well but those collections are small right now.
Where do I find my physical media?
I mostly go to thrift stores and second hand stores to get my dvds, cds, vhs, and some older video games. Although sometimes family members will buy me cds and dvds on amazon, but I try my best to avoid using amazon for stuff that can be easily gotten at a thrift store/second hand store. For newer things I will just buy them at a regular store like target. I also burn my own cds sometimes if i have the album on bandcamp and I cant find a cd for the album i want to listen to. The only two vinyls I have at the moment were gifts but knowing my mom she got them on amazon.
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Why do I like physical media?
Physical media is important to me for a few reasons. With physical media you actually OWN what you are paying for. They can't be removed from your collection unexpectedly (unless it gets stolen or something) and the media you own can't be altered or censored (or have jokes cropped out like the simpsons). And with dvds you can get fun little menus, games, and bonus features! But the main reason I like physical media is what I said before. You actually own it. You aren't paying an ever climbing subscription fee. You pay once and you own it.
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My favorite finds so far:
- I got a Spongebob dvd from a second hand toy store and it had an extra dvd in it of Sponge Out of Water (which I already had a bootleg of...)
- I found a Phantom of the Opera CD at Savers for like 4 dollars. This is why I recommend thrifting for physical media, it's really cheap for really good shit.
- One time I forgot to check the right CD was in the case and instead of a Disney Hits CD I got the CD for the broadway version of Aladdin which imo is a much better find (It's one of my favorite musicals leave me be)
- I found the second Pirates of the Carribian movie at a church thrift store and decided not to get it because I didn't have the first one. Later that SAME DAY I found the first and third ones at a second hand book store.