Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.
The essentials
- For a DVD collection or a Blu-ray collection, the format, the region and the publisher identify the exact edition.
- Collector’s editions, steelbooks and box sets are told apart by their case, their number of discs and their extras.
- Barcode scanning from your phone speeds up the inventory of a film library.
DVD, Blu-ray and VHS films: what to keep track of
A film library grows quickly, and you end up buying a film you already had again, or no longer knowing who you lent a box set to. For a collector, the title is not enough: the same film exists on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K, in standard or collector’s editions, in several regions and from several publishers.
For each film, note the director, the format, the region, the publisher, the edition, the case, the number of discs, the running time, the languages and the subtitles. Add what makes the copy special: numbered edition, metal case, film still sealed, signature.
What a film entry contains
| Field | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Title, director, year | Identify the film. |
| Format (DVD, Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, VHS, LaserDisc) | Tell apart the versions of the same film. |
| Region / zone | Know whether the disc will play on your player. |
| Studio / publisher, edition | Recognise a collector’s or limited edition. |
| Case (standard, steelbook, digipack, box set), number of discs | Describe the object and check that it is complete. |
| Running time, languages and subtitles | Choose the right disc for a screening. |
| Sealed | Flag a copy that has never been opened. |
| Barcode, photos, purchase price | Find the film with one scan and track its value. |
Sub-categories separate DVD, Blu-ray and 4K, VHS, box sets and collector’s editions.
Duplicates, loans and wanted films
The inventory saves you from buying the same film twice. Mark your duplicates for swapping, keep a list of the films you are still looking for, and note who you lend a box set to and when it is due back.
Value and insurance
Several hundred films represent a significant sum, and out-of-print editions sometimes resell for high prices. For the insurer, keep an up-to-date list with photos of the shelves and of the valuable editions, and the invoices. The method is detailed in our guide to making a home inventory for insurance.
Succession and inheritance
A film library inherited without a list often ends up given away in bulk. Flag the editions that have value, say where they are and note your wishes.
Photos from your phone and sharing
Photograph the front and back of the case, the slipcover and the extras of a collector’s edition. To offer a selection to a buyer, share it through a password-protected, time-limited link. To choose between a spreadsheet and software, see our comparison Excel spreadsheet or collection software; if you also collect music, see vinyl records.
With Collectalia
Collectalia keeps one entry per film: director, format, region, publisher, edition, case, number of discs, running time, languages, sealed or not, photos taken from your phone by scanning a QR code. Quick inventory creates entries by scanning barcodes, even offline. Import your existing Excel list, track loans, duplicates for swapping and wanted films, and produce PDF or Excel reports. Free trial, free read-only access.
Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.