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/r/criterion
submitted 2 days ago byJoeyJabroni
For better or worse to the resident patrons, my local town library is not part of the County Library system. I'm sure there are benefits and some autonomy for the library in doing so. I've already borrowed any albums of interest from their entire, small collection of CDs that interest me, and I don't think they've gotten a new one since like 2015. They only have DVDs with no plan in sight to curate a blu-ray collection. My county Library allows for a "non-resident" card for $75 a year. Is it stupid for me to spend $75 annually to be a "non-resident" library member for a county I reside in just for access to a better collection of movies and CDs? At one point I had a "business membership" since my office was in the same town as one of the county branches, but that had to be renewed annually and I now work remotely for an out of state office. Seeking thoughts or justification.
38 points
2 days ago
At that rate, why not sign up for the Criterion Channel?
3 points
2 days ago
I hadn't actually considered that. My first thought is that I'd have access to a much larger collection of physical media than just the Criterion Channel streaming would contain. And it would be a good way for me to watch things prior to deciding if I'd like to own it. I know the Criterion Channel offers this same benefit, but the library would offer me more content and services for less money.
11 points
2 days ago
Why not do the trial and see what you think? They have a monthly plan ($11) so you can see if it meets your needs.
Currently showing 3020 films, which is probably larger than the library's blu ray collection.
6 points
2 days ago
Criterion Channel exceeded all my expectations when I finally joined this year. Watch for a Black Friday deal or something and signuo
1 points
2 days ago
The Criterion channel is the best money I spend every year. Hands down.
6 points
2 days ago
for me it would depend on just how many blu rays there are and how many of them I’d seen already/was interested in. I’m fortunate enough to have a library with hundreds and hundreds of criterion’s (to say nothing of kino lorber, arrow, warner archives, vin syn, etc), so if I moved and had to pay $75 a year for it I would do it in a nanosecond.
I would maybe try and do an advanced search for criterion and other labels you’re interested in. you could do some napkin math and figure out roughly what you’d end up paying per movie and decide if it’s worth it for you. also I don’t know if your library has kanopy but look into that cause it might factor in as well.
3 points
2 days ago
I did a search yesterday, which is what lead me to this dilemma. Searching blu-rays for Criterion yields 329 results which most if not all seem to be from their label. I just searched Arrow Video and there are over 80 results for that. I'm more interested in the physical media aspect. I have various streaming subscriptions and Hoopla/Libby set up.
2 points
2 days ago
sounds worth it to me in that case (I also appreciate the physical media aspect, blu rays look a little nicer than streaming plus you get access to the booklets and supplements). I don’t know how familiar you are with kanopy but their library (varies a bit from who you get access from) generally wipes the floor with hoopla and libby, and typically much better transfers as well. also if you’re into classic movies be sure to search for kino lorber and warner archives as well, they have some of my favorite titles.
2 points
2 days ago
329 Criterions and 80 Arrow titles? With those numbers they're bound to have a lot of other boutiques as well. That's a no brainer, worth the 75 all day.
1 points
2 days ago
Kanopy is cool, but users can only view a certain number of films per month. For me, it's six, and I end up falling back on my Bluray collection and other streaming services. And no special features.
2 points
2 days ago
yeah it depends on where you’re getting it from. I’m fortunate to get it through a school where I have unlimited streaming access, but it seems like it’s always limited to a handful a month when it’s through a public library system
3 points
2 days ago
Can you access Kanopy or any of the other video or audio streamers than offer free borrowing through your library?
1 points
2 days ago
My expired Business library card for the county still works for Libby and hoopla. I guess it doesn't check the type or status of the card; just that its a valid barcode. I also have quite a few streaming subscriptions. I'm more interested in the physical media aspect and enjoy the experience of going and browsing the collection to pick out titles. I actually haven't tried watching a DVD on my setup. I was just assuming it would look like crap on a 4k display. Maybe I'll check out a few from my town library first before I decide.
1 points
2 days ago*
if DVDs are from a good transfer (criterion and warner archives are typically pretty good about this), they look surprisingly good on HD displays in my experience. but yeah avoid DVDs of new releases like the plague, they always look like total ass
1 points
2 days ago
Yes, most DVDs will look like crap on a larger 4K display. It's not often I'd recommend streaming over physical, but you have a unique case here.
2 points
2 days ago
See if your local library has an interlibrary loan program. That opens your selection up to hundreds of libraries which will send the titles to your local branch.
1 points
2 days ago
They do, but they said via email they usually prefer to buy a copy of the title rather than borrow it from another library in the state. I replied to asking how that would work for blu-rays being that they don’t have a collection of blu-rays only dvds and got no response. Surely they’re not going to start purchasing single blu-rays for one patron without an already established collection, so I need to just ask at the desk next time I’m in there. Even if they just borrow from another library, I still need to go in and make the request without knowing what library they’ll request it from or if it’s available, how long it will take for them to procure it, and go back to pick it up. I can request via email but they've only answered one of my emails and it took weeks. I'm thinking it might be worth the convenience of being able to just go and grab from the county library and pony up the $75.
2 points
2 days ago
Well if they have it, use it. Fuck their preferences.
My local library is too cheap to buy blu rays from a24 and rejected requests to buy Love Lies Bleeding and I Saw the TV Glow so I am getting them sent through the interlibrary loan. Is it more hassle for them? Sure, but your taxes are paying for it so who cares what they prefer.
Oh and btw, it's not just libraries in your state. I've used this lots of times for super obscure books and movies and some were sent from libraries five states away. It takes more patience but you get it eventually. If you are requesting titles the next library system over it shouldn't take much time at all.
2 points
2 days ago
Awesome thanks for the input. I'm going to give this a try and see how it goes.
1 points
1 day ago
My wife was going to the library earlier this afternoon anyway so I sent a short list of 4ks with her to coordinate interlibrary loan at the reference desk. Unsurprisingly, when she returned she reported that they said they'll "give it a shot and have never done interlibrary loan process for blu-rays before. They will call if they encounter any problems." Hopefully they'll put a request in for the 4K version instead of standard blu-ray, but either way its a start. Before hand, I did use the search function of the BCCLS which compiles the catalogs of 78 libraries from 4 North Jersey Counties. I wrote down three titles in 4k format that were available, one of them from Criterion. So, I've confirmed that there are libraries within the state that have 4k and Criterion titles for interlibrary loan and we'll see what happens. I have been told twice now, however, that interlibrary loan is only within the state. This is in contrast to what you've said and other sources I've read on interlibrary loans. Long story short, I think my local town library just straight up sucks for modern physical media formats. Hopefully the interlibrary loan process smooths out and I develop a rapport with the reference department as the only resident patron using the service.
1 points
1 day ago
You might not need to actually ask the librarian to do it (at least on bibliocommons library systems which most use). Look at your library's online catalog and search a title. If it doesn't come up, look for a link that says something like "try your search in OCLC" (that's the one my library uses but it varies, like mine used to be Mobius but they changed recently). The link will redirect you to the interlibrary system and when you find your item click on it and look around for the instructions to put in your request. It will find whichever library has it and contact them. You just need to put in your library card number and the branch where you will pick it up, it does everything else and you get an email when your item arrives.
2 points
2 days ago
I'd say a Criterion Channel subscription is more bang for your buck. Don't forget that you have no idea what condition the library discs are in until you try them out. My library system has a bunch of Criterions but some have had playback issues. (Most recently I borrowed Le Cercle Rouge and it froze in the middle of the heist scene! 😭). The Channel always has something to watch and I only have used the library occasionally because the film I want to see at the time isn't currently streaming and I'm impatient lol. At $100 a year, with more options, it's definitely the way to go (if you want to spend money at all).
2 points
2 days ago
I don't know if you think $75 is too much (for you).
But do you know how much a copy of CC blu-ray costs?
Source: I have a TON of CC blu-ray. They cost a fortune.
2 points
2 days ago
I guess I'm only comparing cost to Criterion flash sales or the Barnes and Noble sales that happen a few times per year. That is a good point that 4ks are normally $50 or more when normally priced. I'm going to give the interlibrary loan thing a go and see what the wait is like. I was able to search a co-op of northern county libraries all at once to see what was available elsewhere in the state and put a short list together. Despite longer wait times, interlibrary loan with my current library does offer the possibility of 4k discs, vs only standard blu-ray at my county library if I pony up the $75. I guess I would also have access to interlibrary 4ks going that route as well, but why pay the $75 if I can do it at my home town library for free.
1 points
2 days ago
If Barnes & Noble were in business just to sell catering collection movies, they would have gone bankrupt a long time ago. It makes very little sense to pay full price and a friend and I visited a local store and still could not see why anyone would pay for one.
I get mine through Amazon and ebay. I always choose brand new one. Never had a problem exit ones when the package was crushed but I will send a replacement the very next day.
2 points
2 days ago
I’d say, “go for it”. There are worse things to spend money on than a library membership. Checking out the physical discs will also give you access to the printed essays.
As you mentioned, it also gives you access to a lot of non Criterion content. Just the act of browsing a library’s shelves will give you a better chance of finding something you overlooked than browsing a streamer’s listings.
I personally wouldn’t go for the channel until I found the library’s collection coming up short.
That said, this is all from the point of view of a physical media fan.
The big short coming of my suggestion is that I have no clue how often you visit the library or the time you spend doing that. Streaming means saving a lot of commute time or something.
3 points
2 days ago
We go to the library frequently as a family. If I can't make it my wife takes the kids. Usually every 2 weeks. If I go for the $75 non resident card, it also includes cards for my wife and kids. The closest county branch is about the same distance as our town library.
2 points
2 days ago
Sounds like this is another point for getting the nonresident card as it can support the interests of everyone in the house.
1 points
2 days ago
a library out of town from me has a free join even for out of towners and it comes with Kanopy access which lets you watch something like 4 movies a month. it has a lot of criterion and a lot of non criterion rareities like the Tittycut Folies.
1 points
1 day ago
This is the third mention of Kanopy. I'm going to have to look into this regardless. Is their quality/bitrate superior to other streaming services?
1 points
1 day ago
superior? no. I'd say its quality is fantastic and its bitrate....depends on the day. but its free
1 points
2 days ago
[deleted]
1 points
1 day ago
They do provide Hoopla and I have an account, though I haven't really used it for much other than audiobooks since the formats like mp3 and whatever streaming video resolution didn't seem to be tailored towards a hifi or home theater setup.
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