Recently there has been much speculation and debate over whether or not digital video downloads will completely replace the need for physical copies of films or TV series. Some say that digital downloads are the inevitable future of home entertainment and that physical copies have run their course. Others, however, say that there will always be a need for a physical copy. Here are some facts and opinions that should better put the issue in focus.

Perhaps it began when digital downloads of songs started becoming more widely available for purchase. It became noticeable that the sales of physical copies of CDs were going down. Many assumed the same would happen with movies. While digital downloads would simplify the storing and organization of films, but the problem that usually remains unadressed is space on one's computer to hold the films. So, it only makes sense that physical copies of CDs would sell less than digital, because they take up significantly less space.

It also goes to the argument of paper versus pixels. Many people are unsure whether or not books will become exclusively digital or will continue to dominate in print. This too becomes an issue of computer space. Some may find it simply easier to store their books, which are also relatively small files in the long run, on their computers, but others may prefer to have a hard copy as things can always go wrong with computers, such as crashes or viruses.

The simple truth is that there are just too many factors that prevent digital downloads from being the ideal venue for home video. Lack of storage space on one's computer is a serious hindrance that would keep a movie from being able to put their cinematic library on their hard drive. Not to mention even more space would be taken up by special features. And then there is the fact that right now, digitally downloaded videos are not as high quality as physical copies, especially Blurays, which are the current best home video option. There is almost no way to get around these factors, and it is apparent that digital downloads are only for casual movie viewers. It should also be noted that many DVD and Bluray releases come with digital copies anyway, and as previously stated many prefer to have a physical copy in case their computer crashes or encounters a virus.

So, in short, physical copies of movies are not going anywhere for awhile.