I think it was AT&T...I think....that announced last week they were going to start charging thier customers more for internet based on usage.  I don't remember the specifics...sorry...but my point is that even though streaming vid is a great way to downsize your collection (i've thought about it) the problem is that more companies are going to follow AT&T and charge for how much time you use.  Similar to cell phones...it's coming all over, no doubt about it so you have to take that into account when you think how easy and cheap it is to stream your fav tv shows or movies.  It will probably take a few years for everyone to join in but it is coming.

You never know what you are going to want to watch.  A few months ago I got the yen to watch Romeo And Juliet (the Leo DiCaprio version) so I fished out the video tape which had followed me through half a dozen moves and which I hadn't watched in at least 10 years.  And I watched it (everybody looked so YOUNG!)

My brother laughed at me for buying a new DVD/VCR combo.  "Video tape is dead." he said.  But I have lots of movies on video that I may want to watch again.  It would cost me hundreds of dollars to rebuy all those movies (many of which a taped off of HBO for free long ago).  And what for?

And Blake's 7 isn't available on DVD in the USA.  But I still have the video tapes.

I suppose if you wanted to trim your collection you could donated the unwanted disks and/or videos to the library or a hospital or children's center (kids titles obviously).

BTW, I don't have Netflix.  But I visited some friends and we tried to watch a movie on Netflix through their gaming console.  It kept being interrupted for buffering.  We eventually chose a movie they had on DVD to watch instead (Labyrinth).  I wasn't too impressed with the quality of the Netflix viewing experience. 

Much like the printed book soon will be, having media on your shelf is pretty much dead. It simply takes up too much room. Dont get wrong, i understand the desire to have some nice cases on display, I did that too from Day 1 of the DVD's life until just a couple years ago. Now? sorry, I just cant spare the shelf space. Having transferred almost all my DVD's into digital copies on a number of multi-terabyte external harddrives, I now have all my collection at my fingertips, easy to store, easy to move, easy to watch. At this point I only keep a few actual DVD boxes on my shelf, mostly for the display value.(rubber Evil Dead Necronomicon, anyone?) 

Samurai, I disagree with you about books.  Books have been integrated into the human psyche since words could be written on paper.  I do not see books going the way of movies.  Though I will agree that Kindle might replace things like text books in school so kids are not logging around 60 pounds of books on thier back each day I just don't see it replacing novels. 

Sorry I like the way a book feels, and watching the book mark move from the front to the back, it's a sense of acomplishment..

I have stopped buying DVDs except the ones I really, really want. I find myself watching a lot of them on TNT, Spike, or any other channel I happen upon anyway. I will watch certain movies I own just cause the spirit of the moment but I no longer feel the need to own them, add that they keep changing formats wanting me to re-buy tiltle. If I can get for around $5 then I might otherwise I do Netflix and only the DVDs. I have no desire to watch movies on my computer or upgrading my TV to be able to download movies.

karas1, don't give up on Netflix too quickly, it's actually a pretty good experience provided you have a reliable and fast network connection.  There are some hiccups, I have it through my Xbox, Wii, and Blu ray player.  I think the Xbox gives the best picture but has the least reliable connection, while the Blu ray player doesn't look as nice as the Xbox, but has a more reliable connection.

good post 

 I agree with Noahbody....I love to read, and a novel is the best way, IMO. Kindle and other "readers" may be the future, for some, but not me any time soon. 

As far as DVD media goes, I have over 250 DVD's all lovingly displayed in a really nice wall case. I like the format, and being able to have the artwork/covers along with the movie. Digital storage is "convenient", sure, but the movies lose some of their "nostalgia" when they are stored that way. 

 I much prefer a book in my hands.  It is easier for me to access and I love the smell, feel and sense of accomplishment it provides.  And, I have many treasures that I've sought out in various old bookstores.  Many are leather bound.   No, I don't think a computer will replace my collection in my life time.  To each their own.  Much like we thought records were dead, many purist still seek them out.  And, good for them for appreciating that experience.