Buy Series on DVD or digital?
Posted by KingBrutus1994@reddit | mythbusters | View on Reddit | 12 comments
I’m definitely on a binge for Mythbusters.
I know it’s streaming all over the place, but I have found that some episodes are not on some streaming services (to my knowledge).
Let me know HBO Max has all 296 episodes.
So I thought I’d purchase the entire series.
I found on eBay there some complete series for sale.
I’m skeptical of these items because I’ve heard that no official complete series dvd box set was ever released.
Has anyone purchased the “complete series” off eBay and know the legitimacy of these DVDs?
I also know that the dvd releases are complicated as well.
Like only a few full seasons were released (no specials included).
Then collections were released but are missing several episodes.
Is there anywhere to purchase the entire series digitally or are the collection DVDs the better option?
nealbeast@reddit
This is the source where most of the current Mythbusters “complete sets” you see on eBay come from: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/MythBusters-the-Complete-Series-Boxset-74_1600789267192.html?mark=google_shopping&seo=1 Note at least one big red flag found in the “Key Attributes” section: dvd+r dvd-r.
There was another set that likely came from a similar source, which you can’t seem to find online anymore. At one point it was sold on Walmart, therefore some claimed it was legit, but was always sold by third party sellers. Can’t find the listing anymore, but I remember reading through the fairly negative reviews when it was available and seeing a lot of complaints. Discs not working, multiple sets purchased to get all discs at least functional. Quality was questionable, at best, and no reporting if actually all episodes were included. I assume the previous set is the same as the one you can find now on eBay, just with slightly different packaging. There’s also a blu-ray “complete set” that pops up every once in a while, but the consensus is there’s no chance all episodes would be included considering the low disc count.
I created this list years ago, after my own multi-year research process to try to track down all original Mythbusters episodes on dvd. Found all but one episode.
I’m honestly vaguely curious to look into the current “complete set” you can find on eBay, but I always talk myself out of it because it’s definitely bootleg, so why bother? I’d love for someone to do the work I did with my list, to actually track all episodes in the eBay set and give definitive info on what it offers and quality. Until then, I’m always gonna say it’s probably best avoided.
Realistically, very few people probably want to do the amount of work I did to collect all officially released dvd sets, and I don’t blame them. If it’s not for you, but you want to actually own digital media files of the series that no company can take away later on, you need to pursue…other means.
thatautisticguy@reddit
Is there a way to just get one?
nealbeast@reddit
Just one what?
KingBrutus1994@reddit (OP)
Thank you for your reply. I definitely want to the DVDs to own so I can pursue other means of watching the show forever. I watched the show here and there as a kid. Became interested in STEM through the show. Would like my kids to get the some exposure.
I also wonder if Kari, Tori, and Adam have any influence to get the entirety of the show a real dvd complete series.
nealbeast@reddit
Happy to help any fellow Mythbusters fans, so my pleasure. There are a lot of us inspired by the show like you, so it’s a shame there’s not a better way for us to relive the magic, let alone pass that love on to future generations. Glad to see what you’re hoping to do for your own kids.
I need to revise my list, as the region 4 DVDs (Australia) generally have slightly longer cuts of episodes that many people might enjoy with extra footage. I think I have seasons 1-5 of those, so some more mapping to do, but don’t know how far up that collection goes. Used to be a cheaper alternative for collecting some of the series as long as you can play R4 discs, but the import charges now complicate that.
I don’t think Kari, Tory, or Adam really have much influence on getting a potential future collection released, in all honesty. I was fortunate enough to meet and speak with Adam directly a couple of years ago, and asked him this exact question, referencing this subreddit and many of us being behind the idea. He was kind and polite, but fairly doubtful about the possibility. Considering the rights to all episodes being in the state they’re in, I can’t imagine our chances are getting any better, but always hoping for a positive change to that.
KingBrutus1994@reddit (OP)
Also, thank you for the work you did in cross referencing the episodes with DVDs! You are truly keeping the show alive more than you know.
osmlol@reddit
We need a bluray release for HD in the second half of the series.
Snoo_86313@reddit
Only buy on digital if they offer you the ability to download and actually KEEP them if you want.
jim_diesel6@reddit
I've been using the "how many minutes of joy will these $ bring me" logic to buy a season at a time on Amazon. I love the show, forgot how much of my earlier years it influenced, and have been watching it for months straight now. I will undoubtedly watch the whole series a couple more times in life and will have to share with my children... When I thought on it this way it seemed crazy to NOT buy it... But I do wish I could own a hard copy
johnfkngzoidberg@reddit
Never buy digital. You don’t own it and they can (and do) take it away at any time.
soulreaverdan@reddit
The DVDs of the complete series aren’t legit. They haven’t ever released a box set for some reason. Haven’t bought them myself, but sometimes the bootlegs I have gotten of other non-available series work fine.
Volleyballmom23@reddit
Digital is usually a better picture quality, if that matters.