I understand that, but the process seems to be rip, watch, delete due to limited storage. I’m sure I’m missing something but I don’t know what benefit this process adds over just watching the DVD.

Truthfully, probably it would just be easier to watch the DVD for watching on the TV, but Plex lets you watch on all devices.

I really don't need instant access to tons of movies, but my kids watch a lot of the same ones over and over, so I keep those on Plex, rather than paying for Disney plus or whatever.

After ripping I usually increase the crf a little to reduce the file size to host on plex. Movies that we are watching a lot live on Plex, but if we stop watching something, or it seems like a one-time thing, then they can be removed from the library.

The burned DVDs are really more of a personal archive. Those movies could get added back to Plex someday. I don't need all of Lost or Breaking Bad on my Plex server, because I've recently watched them, so they'll live in the DVD drawer for a few years.

Ah, that makes sense, thanks. I’m past my days of the same episodes of The Wiggles over and over (although I still know all the songs), so didn’t think of that aspect.

Do DVDs in the last (~10?) few years still have non-skippable adverts at the start? That could be one potential benefit.

But otherwise, I don't see any real plus. Unless you have such a large collection that the search/recommend features are useful. You still have to take the DVD out, put it in the computer, run some program, etc.

> Do DVDs in the last (~10?) few years still have non-skippable adverts at the start?

I honestly don't know, because I rip all my content and play it on Plex. :)

This could be the answer and once you're ripping content anyway, Plex is a decent way to stream it to whichever devices.