Purchasing movies digitally

[spierceisu]

I know Top Gun Maverick came out early on digital this month. I have never purchased a movie digitally, but am considering it for this movie. It looks like it is the same price across all platforms/apps. Does anyone have any experience with this? What app is the best (Vudu/Redbox/Other)?

 

[Jer]

We’re big into the Apple ecosystem so use it. We have probably 125 movies purchased through it as the kids have grown (6 and 11). Personally I don’t like rewatching movies so don’t buy for myself, but would stick with Apple if I did.

Only thing that really matters is what company will likely be around in the future and I consider Apple at the top of the list compared to Vudu, Redbox, etc.

 

[snowcraig2.0]

I use Vudu, but you can link them together so you can watch what you buy on vudu on Amazon, Google, etc etc

 

[SECyclone]

Amazon

 

[CloneJD]

I honestly didn’t know people still ‘purchase’ movies. Maybe i’m something but i’m not sure why anyone would do that.

 

[Bigman38]

I’ve never noticed a discrepancy in price on newer movies between apps.

We use vudu, no specific reason, kind of just happened, but it’s been a pretty solid app.

 

[JustAnotherTimeline]

Amazon

+1

 

[tigershoops31]

I’ve never noticed a discrepancy in price on newer movies between apps.

We use vudu, no specific reason, kind of just happened, but it’s been a pretty solid app.

Another Vudu user. Bought a lot of movies when the kids were younger and used to have good luck getting codes to buy them cheaper, but those have dried up a bit as digital has become the more mainstream way to watch. As somebody mentioned above, they all link together, so we have accounts through Vudu, Google, Apple, Amazon, MoviesAnywhere, etc. Shouldn't really matter much where you buy it if you set it up right.

 

[tm3308]

I honestly didn’t know people still ‘purchase’ movies. Maybe i’m something but i’m not sure why anyone would do that.

I don't buy as many physical copies as I used to, but a big part of it is security. My general philosophy is that if it's in digital format, it can always be taken away at any time for any reason. So if there's a movie that I want to be sure I never have to go without, I buy a physical copy. Most Blu-Rays come with a code to get a digital copy, as well.

 

[aeroclone]

Not a big digital purchaser, but when I do I buy from Amazon just because I have so much stuff there already. Plus as others have pointed out, they seem like a company that will be around for a long time.

I also have all my services linked, as I have acquired a movies from other services over the years.

 

[cyfanatic]

We’re big into the Apple ecosystem so use it. We have probably 125 movies purchased through it as the kids have grown (6 and 11). Personally I don’t like rewatching movies so don’t buy for myself, but would stick with Apple if I did.

Only thing that really matters is what company will likely be around in the future and I consider Apple at the top of the list compared to Vudu, Redbox, etc.

This is solid advice (although I am into Google so I purchase thru YouTube).

 

[Clonefan94]

I don't buy as many physical copies as I used to, but a big part of it is security. My general philosophy is that if it's in digital format, it can always be taken away at any time for any reason. So if there's a movie that I want to be sure I never have to go without, I buy a physical copy. Most Blu-Rays come with a code to get a digital copy, as well.

I was just going to say, double check the license agreement. I have heard through a PS5 YouTuber, some people in Europe have had digital content removed they paid for because of loss of license by the provider. Make sure you can download a copy to a computer or device.

 

[Bader]

I don't have very many, most of the ones I do are either digital copies that came with blu rays (haven't bought one in years) or were promotional freebies. They were scattered to the wind though which was annoying. MoviesAnywhere will (with your permission and signing in) sync up all those platforms so you have your movies both in their hub and everything shows up in each other's libraries too. i.e. all my movies from all over can be seen in the Prime Video app and the Apple TV app.

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[Cyclonick182]

I use VUDU. Its great and hasn't missed a beat since Wal-Mart sold it to Fandango.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

We’re big into the Apple ecosystem so use it. We have probably 125 movies purchased through it as the kids have grown (6 and 11). Personally I don’t like rewatching movies so don’t buy for myself, but would stick with Apple if I did.

Only thing that really matters is what company will likely be around in the future and I consider Apple at the top of the list compared to Vudu, Redbox, etc.

This is my approach with video games as well. You're buying a certificate to play the game, you don't own it. Valve is king for online sales so I stick with them.

 

[HFCS]

I don't buy as many physical copies as I used to, but a big part of it is security. My general philosophy is that if it's in digital format, it can always be taken away at any time for any reason. So if there's a movie that I want to be sure I never have to go without, I buy a physical copy. Most Blu-Rays come with a code to get a digital copy, as well.

A lot of console video games have already screwed people this way. People thought they were buying the right to own a game through a content system, rather they were buying it to put it on one single device and if they don't have that device or that device breaks, they don't own it on any other device in the world.

I have a pretty big collection of bluray, dvd and even laserdisc. I have sold down a ton of it, have it refined to about 150 movies and maybe 10 tv series that are really the core of my tastes. Here or there if I see a super cheap bluray I'll buy it and sell/trade/donate the older media. I saw a really cheap blu ray set of Alien/Aliens so that was the day the giant laserdisc box sets hit ebay. At least the bluray boxes are small.

For a few of my favorites they've bounced around countless streaming services and it's just more convenient to have them...of course it sucks that i can't play them on an ipad easily, but if I want to relax at night sometimes it's literally easier to pop a bluray in than hunt for something on countless digital streaming services/rentals/etc. I like what you said about the digital code on the physical bluray purchase...it's like an extra thing, not the only thing you're buying in that case.

 

[spierceisu]

I was thinking about waiting for a hard copy, but I don't have a 4K player (only have Blu-Ray) and thought if I get a digital one I could get a 4K movie without buying a new player. I really don't use my blu-ray player much so I don't want to spend the money on a 4k player.. I have a ton of Blu-Ray and DVD hard copies but don't really have much time to watch movies since my kids are pretty young.

 

[Cyclonick182]

I was thinking about waiting for a hard copy, but I don't have a 4K player (only have Blu-Ray) and thought if I get a digital one I could get a 4K movie without buying a new player. I really don't use my blu-ray player much so I don't want to spend the money on a 4k player.. I have a ton of Blu-Ray and DVD hard copies but don't really have much time to watch movies since my kids are pretty young.

I buy the physical copy, redeem the digital and then sell the physical copy. Its worked well for me so far.

 

[HFCS]

This is my approach with video games as well. You're buying a certificate to play the game, you don't own it. Valve is king for online sales so I stick with them.

Exactly. And depending on your tastes in genre and console, physical games can turn a massive profit even just 5-10 years later.

You don't fully own anything if you can't sell it.

 

[JUKEBOX]

I second the physical + digital copy unless you can acquire digital-only for really cheap or don't care if you lose access eventually.