The future of streaming isn’t looking very bright – but I have no fear thanks to this retro tech

I installed my first HTIB, or “home theater in a box,” in 1995. It was a 5.1 Sony system that, as the number implies, consisted of two front speakers, a center channel speaker, two rear surrounds, and a subwoofer. I immediately popped on the DVD of my favorite action flick at the time, Blade, and it sounded better at home than in theaters. I was gobsmacked! Those days seem long gone now, but there are many reasons in 2026 to move back to physical media, and I’m ready to explore them.