There are streaming options out there for media of all kinds. Movies, TV shows, music, comics, video games, if it can entertain you, you can get a whole world of it delivered straight to your hands for a reasonable monthly fee. We’ve even known some folks who’ve sworn off physical media because of it! Respectfully, we here at Back to the Past disagree with those folks. Here’s why we think it’s still worth it to be buying physical media.
Physical Media is Collectible
Bride of Frankenstein OST on vinyl, released by Waxwork Records in November 2020.
The biggest benefit to “collecting” digital media is that it won’t take over your house. And the biggest drawback is that you can’t transfer it. You’ve invested money, but it will never increase in value or be yours to re-sell. That’s not the case with physical media. While most wide releases will take quite a while to accrue collectible value, if they ever do, it is only through collecting physical media that you can find those diamonds in the rough.
There was a time not so long ago when nobody cared about vinyl records. They were obsolete, old technology, simply taking up space in basements and garages until they took up space in landfills. And then things shifted! A generation that had grown up with CDs turning into MP3s re-discovered them and took a shine to the format. Whether it was the particular warmth of the sound, the (relatively) easy storage, or just the joy of collecting, millions of Millennials began collecting records.
That’s not to say that every record is equally collectible. They are, however, much more highly sought after in general than they used to be. For the first time in decades, you can buy records at big box stores again! As the problems with streaming digital content become more and more apparent, it is entirely possible that other formats will see similar comebacks.
Batman (1989) on VHS, in factory shrinkwrap with watermark.
It’s The Only Way to Ensure Access
Hey, do you want to watch the classic Kevin Smith flick Dogma? You’re gonna have a hard time: it’s not streaming anywhere, the Blu Ray’s out of print, and the only DVDs you’ll find easily are European releases. The rights holders are currently persona non grata in the entertainment industry and refuse to sell the rights to Smith, so it’s stuck in limbo for the foreseeable future.
That’s an extreme example, but the principle applies across all streaming. Something happens behind the scenes and suddenly digital content just disappears. That even applies to content you’ve “purchased”! Rights issues can see content removed from your library without your knowledge at any time.
It is, however, much harder for media companies to sneak into your house and remove physical media. While they might try that someday, for the moment the best way to ensure you’ll have lasting access to your favorite art is still to purchase a physical copy.
Consult With Experts
We’re not saying that all physical media is automatically a good investment. If you’re buying Black Diamond Disney Tapes for any reason other than wanting to watch them, you’re likely making a bad investment. As with any field of collecting, the vast majority of what exists isn’t worth a whole lot. It takes time and research to properly monetize a collection.
If you have a collection of physical media – be it comics, records, or anything else – that you’re interested in selling, you can save yourself that effort! Just drop Back to the Past a line about your collection. We can give you guidance on how best to handle it and bring it to market for you if that’s the best move.
What’s your beloved physical media collection? Let us know in the comments or on social media @b2pcollect!
