Streaming sites and Apple's iTunes store might slowly be killing off physical media, but there is still something about the real thing that cannot be beaten. HMV and other major stores charge high prices, so where can one get affordable DVDs, CDs and other media in Hong Kong?
Your first stop should be Sino Centre on Nathan Road in Mong Kok, a veritable geek's paradise within a five-floor shopping mall. Head down into the basement for an entire floor dedicated to shops selling affordable DVDs and CDs. Second-hand goods are sometimes sold, but many stores prefer new items, with prices at least half that of the big outlets.
This is because of their import methods, with the stores buying consignment goods from warehouses in Japan, Europe and occasionally the US, which means that true collectors can often find cheap limited-edition items.
On a recent visit, a new Jack White CD was selling for HK$50, DVDs of recent Hollywood blockbusters for as low as HK$20 and a rare Italian Blu-ray import of Suspiria for about HK$100.
Similarly, the Oriental 188 Shopping Mall on Wan Chai Road might focus mostly on video-game stores, but a few brave owners have opened CD and DVD outlets.
Most sell second-hand selections, but bargains are still to be had - a local Blu-ray of Source Code was just HK$40, some rare Nirvana CDs were HK$50 each, and for those who still have the defunct hi-def player, a whole bunch of HD-DVDs were available for just HK$10.