Poll: Ripping Netflix

[sara_merry99]

I was talking to someone recently who is a member of Netflix and has been for as long as Netflix has been around. What said person *does* with the DVDs from Netflix is to rip them onto the computer, thereby using Netflix essentially like The Pirate Bay (only, you know, without the viruses but with some assembly required

Comments

[jlsgaladriel]

I don't get netFlix, so I haven't

[rhianne]

Amen to this as well! If I had something on 'proper' DVD and then wanted to watch it on my iPod, there's no way I'd pay for it again through iTunes - I'd just rip it from the DVDs. As you said - I'd already have paid for the performance...

[sara_merry99]

Oh, yes! Once I've paid for it, I've paid for it.

[sara_merry99]

I actually agree with you utterly about this--once I've paid for a performance and the artists/producers/powers that be have gotten my money, I figure I've done my part. If I need it in a different format, I don't feel a single qualm about arranging for that so I can enjoy the performance on, for example, my media player.

(There are also some things I've bought more than once--mostly favorite movies and music in new formats.)

I'm not sure where I'd stand about the software--especially since there's so much open-source software available now that will do most file conversions. Though that might not be the case for a Mac, I don't know.

[angelskuuipo]

I don't belong to Netflix, but I do get a lot of movies from the library. I have made copies of some of them, mostly ones that I have plans to eventually buy, but don't have to funds to at present.

[sara_merry99]

That's pretty much what rhianne said, and I can see that making a lot of sense.

Certainly, y'all buy a lot of movies, so it's not like as a general rule you don't pay for performances you enjoy--which is said person's attitude (there is no chance on earth said person is buying *any* music or movie available for free or nearly so).

[angelskuuipo]

Yeah, I'll use the file I made for our media player and watch the actual DVD once I buy it.

I don't think it's right to not pay for it in some way at some point in time.

[sara_merry99]

I love having files to put on the media player--then I can watch on PODD on airplanes and stuff. :D :D

I don't think it's right to not pay for it in some way at some point in time.

Agreed, but there are obviously a range of opinions here...

[eafm]

I've been a Netflix member for years, and I've never ripped a DVD I've gotten from them. I've never considered it. I'll buy a DVD used, which is interesting -- I never feel like that's taking money from the artists or technicians involved in the film, or that it dilutes my $-vote for more movies like this. But I don't feel comfortable with the idea of copying the DVDs, because that *does* bring up all the concerns above (although it also cuts down on the plastic I'm buying and throwing out, if the choice is between ripping or buying. I wish the companies themselves made the DVDs available as files, analagous to buying an mp3 of a song).

But I can't quite say I would never do it, because if there were a DVD they offered, which I loved, but which was no longer available commercially, I might, yeah. I might try to buy it used, but I might rip it.

[sara_merry99]

I agree with you about having no qualms at all about getting a DVD used--I haven't done that but I wouldn't *hesitate* if I saw something I liked available on a used rack somewhere. I guess the artists/technicians/whoever got their money from the first owner. Or something like that.

I totally agree about things that aren't commercially available--I'm not sure I'd rip them off a rented DVD, I'd find a download instead. Though I'd do that with the understanding with myself that if it ever becomes available, I'll buy it.

I agree with you about movies being available as files too. That would be awesome! I don't foresee the MPAA going for that any time soon though--not enough control for their tastes.

[thornnuminous]

I wouldn't do it. But I"m with you on the try before you buy sort of deal. I don't mind if people send me a song or two of an artist. That's how I ended up with four Moxy Fruvous CDs and Four Voltaire CDs.

Ditto with tv and film. But yeah, I think a lot of the people you will ask here are very pro-artist.

[sara_merry99]

To some extent fandom is pro-artist, yes--but there are also a lot of technologically savvy and voracious media-watchers, which maybe balances that out. I'm not sure.

I really would love to get a poll like this out to a larger audience, just to see a broader (and less potentially biased) section of the public think.

Feel free to share a link to the post with non-fannish people who might be interested, btw--I think you have to have an LJ to answer, but the post is public so you don't have to be on my flist.

[thornnuminous]

I do? o.O *scans back* I'm at work so my brain is kind of partitioned.

[sara_merry99]

I'm sorry?? I think I'm missing something with this comment. :(

[mistress_tien]

Interesting subject!

I have no problem d/l (torrents) current tv shows, but I don't d/l movies or music. If I had Netflix I might copy a DVD if I didn't have time to watch it, but since I never have time, we don't have Netflix ;-).

I feel like anything I could have caught on my VCR on my tv is fair game, but not things like DVD extras (which don't air for free on tv).

My exception is Doctor Who (I don't wait for it to air in the US.)

[sara_merry99]

I will admit that if I had a movie on order, like from Amazon, and didn't want to wait to watch it until it arrived, that I might well download it on the logic that I'd already paid for it and was just, you know, impatient. :D

But otherwise, yeah. I do agree that if I have it on my DVR it's fair game for downloading. I don't feel quite the same about it if I *could* have recorded it but didn't...though current seasons of current shows I'll download with the understanding that I'll buy the box set (if I like it) when it comes available.

I also understand having an exception. I do have one downloaded movie--Lethal Weapon, my favorite Christmas movie ever. Which I will buy if I ever see it for less than $10. Mel Gibson's a whack-doodle and he doesn't need any more of my money than that. :D