>The comment was very focused on the download method, even though that should be basically irrelevant.

No, the download method is very much relevant. People download from torrents files they DON'T own any license for (from DVDs or whatever).

The just casually pile on new movies to watch.

Oh, and they are not previewing the movie to "consider it for purchase" either.

I've torrented a bunch of things I own. Ripping videos especially can be a waste of time.

Also think about how awkward it is to record free broadcast television on a computer compared to letting someone else package it.

>I've torrented a bunch of things I own. Ripping videos especially can be a waste of time.

Sure. But that's like 1% of use cases. Most people download movies they don't own -- to see new stuff without having to buy the DVD or go to the movies. Nobody I know (in several countries) downloads only (or even mainly) movies he owns from torrents.

That's how you get screeners on the most popular torrent lists. I seriously doubt those people own the DVD when it's not even released yet.

So, while you do that, and I sometimes do it (rarely), it's not representative of what is usually done.

1% of movies, maybe, but I bet the majority (or at least a very significant portion) of TV downloads are shows that are broadcast free for anyone to watch/record. Those need subtitles just as much.