Which is practically better, a streaming or a video download service?

[Brian_G]

I've grown up with videos of one sort or another, so far prefer to have a hard copy my side. So what's the advantage over that with streaming, am I wrong and missing the plot now?
Or is it just what's on popular offer now? As I get more online it looks that way to me.

 

[epah]

Streaming is better. Downloading takes forever especially HDR movies.

 

[Brian_G]

Streaming is better. Downloading takes forever especially HDR movies.

I've found the times the same, and if not watching immediately not sure a delay of a reasonable length matters.
Unless you've experienced differences involving hours, or maybe sometimes download/stream a lot at once?

Edit: Connection speed maybe involved? I'm "slow" to start with, 5.5Mbps

 

[epah]

I've found the times the same, and if not watching immediately not sure a delay of a reasonable length matters.
Unless you've experienced differences involving hours, or maybe sometimes download/stream a lot at once?

Edit: Connection speed maybe involved? I'm "slow" to start with, 5.5Mbps

Yeah I only have a 10Mbps line so downloading an HDR movie takes about 12 hours. But i usually do this at night and then watch the following day after work.

 

[Johnatan56]

Prefer to stream as I never know when I'm going to watch something, and no point in keeping it if can just stream whenever. Have a 250Mbps line, Netflix/YT/Amazon Prime can skip through without buffering, so what's the point in downloading it?

 

[Brian_G]

Prefer to stream as I never know when I'm going to watch something, and no point in keeping it if can just stream whenever. Have a 250Mbps line, Netflix/YT/Amazon Prime can skip through without buffering, so what's the point in downloading it?

Two reasons in mind - don't have to search for it again or remember, and sometimes these things expire as I've learnt on Showmax.

 

[Johnatan56]

Two reasons in mind - don't have to search for it again or remember, and sometimes these things expire as I've learnt on Showmax.

Use something like: https://www.justwatch.com/us and make a list, if downloaded you'll still search or remove to free up space, don't see the difference.
In terms of disappear, can download it then or it's probably just moved a new streaming service.

 

[epah]

Two reasons in mind - don't have to search for it again or remember, and sometimes these things expire as I've learnt on Showmax.

You watch showmax. sies

 

[rvZA]

Download. Spend a bit more on hard drives and keep your content. With a proper fiber line you can download 18-20GB files in minutes. You are not subjected to companies pulling content all the time or region restrictions where you only get to see content months or years later.

 

[Brian_G]

if downloaded you'll still search or remove to free up space, don't see the difference.

I guess I'm spoilt there, my Explora has 2TB with great compression - 60 mostly HD movies currently and not even 30% full. And I've got an external HDD/DVD recorder. (Plus a working old video machine )

 

[epah]

I guess I'm spoilt there, my Explora has 2TB with great compression - 60 mostly HD movies currently and not even 30% full. And I've got an external HDD/DVD recorder. (Plus a working old video machine )

You have dstv and an explora. sies

 

[backstreetboy]

I've grown up with videos of one sort or another, so far prefer to have a hard copy my side. So what's the advantage over that with streaming, am I wrong and missing the plot now?
Or is it just what's on popular offer now? As I get more online it looks that way to me.

You don't have to spend money on HDD's/SSD's, no electricity costs to keep your HTPC online 24/7 you just use a low powered streaming stick you can take everywhere, no maintenance to deal with, more flexibility like when you're not at home, better for the environment since streaming is much more optimized etc. etc.

You watch showmax. sies

Yeah they have HBO stuff and last time I checked HBO max isn't available here.

 

[Brian_G]

You have dstv and an explora. sies

Just a small package here

 

[epah]

Just a small package here

I was about to be sexual but the mods have threatened to ban me if i stay off topic.

 

[epah]

Yeah they have HBO stuff and last time I checked HBO max isn't available here.

The only good HBO show is successor.

 

[Brian_G]

The only good HBO show is successor.

No, there's been some great ones, but more recently I think they lost the plot. Showmax doesn't cost me, from a friend on a farm who doesn't use it 'cos his bandwidth is too expensive.

 

[backstreetboy]

Download. Spend a bit more on hard drives and keep your content. With a proper fiber line you can download 18-20GB files in minutes. You are not subjected to companies pulling content all the time or region restrictions where you only get to see content months or years later.

To do what with? There's no way you'll get through everything.

 

[epah]

No, there's been some great ones, but more recently I think they lost the plot. Showmax doesn't cost me, from a friend on a farm who doesn't use it 'cos his bandwidth is too expensive.

Okay Foine.

 

[Brian_G]

To do what with? There's no way you'll get through everything.

Private libraries are great for some. What used to happen is the more extreme collectors would watch the same movies on DVD over and over, so this is progress even for them.

 

[Brian_G]

@backstreetboy wins with best arguments to change my mind (I didn't though).