Is collecting excessive amounts of TV shows on DVD a hobby OR an obsessive-compulsive disorder? (1 Viewer)

Ron Lee Green · Feb 11, 2018

After 30 years, I have so many TV shows on videotape and DVD, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m a compulsive hoarder. LOL
I have dozens of VHS video recordings on tape that I haven’t watched in years, and some DVD sets I’ve never finished watching–yet I continue to collect and record old TV shows on DVD.
I think it probably all stems back to my pre-VCR childhood. A time where you could only watch a TV show on television once, and not see it again unless it was re-run. If I loved a show bad enough, there was always this yearning to watch it again and not being able to. That all changed when VCR’s became affordable.
Recently, I started recording the old soap opera, The Doctors. I enjoy watching the show daily now, but will I want to watch it all over again in a few years? Probably not, but I can’t help thinking that maybe I will.
I think I record stuff now, so I will always have it in my possession if I ever get a craving..
Nowadays, one can find almost anything on youtube. It may get...

JamesSmith · Feb 11, 2018

I can tell I struggle with getting all the episodes of watched of DVD sets I have. I'm trying to get caught up and some times I fall behind. Telling myself I don't need to buy anymore until I get everything I already have watched is a new strategy.

James

jcroy · Feb 11, 2018

This is very subjective.

If you do not believe it is OCD, then there is nothing more to talk about.

If you do believe it is OCD, then only you can deal with it. For me, the only way to jump off a particular OCD compulsive collecting "treadmill" is complete utter burnout and total abstinence subsequently. (As extreme as this may sound).

John*Wells · Feb 11, 2018

I keep saying Im not going to start anymore collections. Then, I bought The Andy Griffith Show and discovered That you could only complete it if you got Mayberry RFD. I also started Perfect Strangers and only Season 1 and 2 are out. Warner Archive says they plan to Complete the series .. After that and Mayberry RFD Im done and Im serious this time. The only thing that would change my mind is if A Full Uncut release of Gomer Pyle USMC Came out

jcroy · Feb 11, 2018

John*Wells said:
I keep saying Im not going to start anymore collections. Then, I bought The Andy Griffith Show and discovered That you could only complete it if you got Mayberry RFD. I also started Perfect Strangers and only Season 1 and 2 are out. Warner Archive says they plan to Complete the series .. After that and Mayberry RFD Im done and Im serious this time. The only thing that would change my mind is if A Full Uncut release of Gomer Pyle USMC Came out

This is the type of scenario I try to avoid in regard to my OCD compulsive "completionist" collecting. Basically my OCD is screaming "I WANT IT ALL" repeatedly.

Unfortunately I am not always successful in avoiding such situations.

tlc38tlc38 · Feb 11, 2018

I'd say both apply for me.

I love watching old TV shows on DVD so therefore I want to collect them.

At one point, I was buying shows that I didn't even really like....I had to stop that and eventually sold those from my collection.

Now, I only buy the shows that I really want and intend on actually watching but I still have lots in my collection and it'll take forever to watch it but at least it's there when I want it.

Ron Lee Green · Feb 11, 2018

jcroy said:
This is very subjective.

If you do not believe it is OCD, then there is nothing more to talk about.

If you do believe it is OCD, then only you can deal with it. For me, the only way to jump off a particular OCD compulsive collecting "treadmill" is complete utter burnout and total abstinence subsequently. (As extreme as this may sound).

I beginning to think it might be. A few years ago, I didn't even know what OCD was. I thought that -maybe- by talking to others, I might be able to solve or identify this problem. I never used to think it was a problem, but recently, sorting through my collection, I started thinking: this is not normal. I think I'm reaching the "burnt-out" stage. None of my friends or family members have this "hobby", so I turned to this forum for some answers or enlightenment. Thanks for your responses.

jcroy · Feb 11, 2018

Ron Lee Green said:
I beginning to think it might be. A few years ago, I didn't even know what OCD was. I thought that -maybe- by talking to others, I might be able to solve or identify this problem. I never used to think it was a problem, but recently, sorting through my collection, I started thinking: this is not normal. I think I'm reaching the "burnt-out" stage. None of my friends or family members have this "hobby", so I turned to this forum for some answers or enlightenment. Thanks for your responses.

Another way I was able to determine whether it was genuine OCD for me, was examining other parts of my life unrelated to cd/dvd/bluray.

It turned out this compulsive "completionist" collecting mentality was running theme in other niches/hobbies in my life. For example, such as books, comics, etc ... and previously vinyl records. (Also other unrelated niches, which will remain unnamed).

tlc38tlc38 · Feb 11, 2018

^Yeah, I'm a completist, too. It gets so annoying but what's the point if the set isn't complete?

Carabimero · Feb 11, 2018

I finally realized if I didn't start traveling while I could still get around, I was going to regret it at the end, right along with working too much and not spending enough time with friends and family. My point: I have 7000+ discs. Enough. So I made a deal with myself. I wrote the five sets I dream about owning on a piece of paper and put it in an envelope and gave it to my wife. If one of those sets is released, I'm all in. Otherwise, I stopped buying set after set and started watching all the great sets I had piling up in shrink wrap, like Hawaii Five-0. I'm having a ball. And I save thousands of dollars to put toward travel now. It's a win-win. Best thing I've done in the last ten years. Truly.

jcroy · Feb 11, 2018

tlc38tlc38 said:
It gets so annoying but what's the point if the set isn't complete?

At a core fundamental level, my OCD thinking is completely irrational and very emotionally charged.

I have long given up on trying to understand it in a logical / rational manner. It is an exercise in futility for me.

Nick*Z · Feb 11, 2018

You are talking to someone who owns 5000 movies on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K; not to mention nearly 100 TV shows on DVD and Blu-ray. My boss who had no interest or taste in movies once commented, "Wow, that's kind of an obsession, isn't it?" to which I slyly replied, "No, at a thousand movies it might have been an obsession. At 5,426 it's called 'mental illness'...but I have decided to find it charming!"

Don't worry, Ron Lee Green - you are normal. As normal as I am. Take that with as large or as few grains of salt as you will. And best and congrats on your formidable collection. As long as you enjoy it, it isn't a waste of time. Some people collect spoons, power tools, vintage sports memorabilia and other stuff you and I couldn't give two hoots about. That's them. This is us. Take care. You're doing just fine!

Blimpoy06 · Feb 11, 2018

I've found that if I buy the first season of a show I tend to want to have them all on the shelf. Whether I have the time or inclination to watch I still get satisfaction knowing it's there. Part of it is fear of availability in a shrinking physical media world. Have you priced Season 1 of Hazel recently? If I start a show that I'm not 100 percent on board for, I sell it. No more desire for a complete set.

Mark-P · Feb 11, 2018

Carabimero said:
I finally realized if I didn't start traveling while I could still get around, I was going to regret it at the end, right along with working too much and not spending enough time with friends and family. My point: I have 7000+ discs. Enough. So I made a deal with myself. I wrote the five sets I dream about owning on a piece of paper and put it in an envelope and gave it to my wife. If one of those sets is released, I'm all in. Otherwise, I stopped buying set after set and started watching all the great sets I had piling up in shrink wrap, like Hawaii Five-0. I'm having a ball. And I save thousands of dollars to put toward travel now. It's a win-win. Best thing I've done in the last ten years. Truly.

Quitter!

jcroy · Feb 11, 2018

Mark-P said:
Quitter!

**** Give in to your addiction *****

**** Resistance is futile *****

**** You will be assimilated ******

Scott Merryfield · Feb 11, 2018

tlc38tlc38 said:
^Yeah, I'm a completist, too. It gets so annoying but what's the point if the set isn't complete?

What's the point of having a complete TV series if you don't like certain seasons? Why have something on your shelf you don't enjoy? I do not buy a lot of TV on disc, but I have both complete and incomplete sets. Some series just run out of gas in later seasons and are not that appealing to me, so I don't see the point in owning those seasons.

I do have some complete seasons where I don't care for the later seasons, but those were purchased as complete series because it was cheaper than buying individual seasons.

Carabimero · Feb 11, 2018

Mark-P said:
Quitter!

Ah, but I didn't quit. I have those five set titles written on a sheet of paper stored in the Holy Grail. If and when those sets are released, I will throw my money at them. I'm still game to buy. I'm just being selective. Plus, as long as I am actively watching sets I previously bought, I am still a player!

DaveHof3 · Feb 11, 2018

If you watch every DVD film/TV season set within 3 months of purchasing it, and are likely to revisit that content at some time in the future, it is a hobby and you are a fan. If you just buy dozens/hundreds of DVDs to sit on a shelf with no current or future plans to watch them, it might be something else. You still qualify as a collector, I suppose, but this material is designed to be watched and not just displayed, so you're buying something without deriving any pleasure from it. It's like buying a painting and putting it in a closet.

Ron1973 · Feb 11, 2018

I'm probably more into music than home video (I have my series I want obviously, some I'd give my eye tooth to get), but I can still answer. I have around 30,000 songs on my computer. That number is growing with digital downloads and a friend who constantly gives me CD's and DVD's full of mp3's and old Grand Ole Opry/Louisiana Hayride shows from the 50's. Will I ever listen to some of this beyond the initial time or two? Probably not. Will I get rid of it? Not a chance. Storage is cheap!

Neil Brock · Feb 12, 2018

I like the idea of having everything just because maybe I might want to watch it at some point and its there if the mood strikes me. Or if someone asks to see something, it would be pretty likely I have it or can get it easily from a fellow collector. Is it logical? No. Does it hurt anybody? No. On the scale of compulsions, like alcohol, drugs, gambling, smoking, sex, etc., I would say its a lot more harmless.

Home Theater

Entertainment & Streaming Content

Physical Media

Home Theater Equipment and Hardware

Other Diversions

Bargains and Classifieds

Home Theater Forum

Archives

Is collecting excessive amounts of TV shows on DVD a hobby OR an obsessive-compulsive disorder? (1 Viewer)

Screenwriter

Stunt Coordinator

Screenwriter

Stunt Coordinator

Screenwriter

Screenwriter

Stunt Coordinator

Beverly Hillbilles nut extraordinaire

Similar threads

Users who are viewing this thread

Sign up for our newsletter

and receive essential news, curated deals, and much more

Forum statistics