It's not a scam, Robert. It is an increase in product quality at a lower price.
As with computers, nobody's holding a gun to your head to upgrade.
I never do download video. I've got better things to do with my storage space. The DVDs that I replace with blu-rays end up at my used bookstore where I get credit and cash for them. I rarely buy blu-ray movies and product right out of the gate, since most of them end up on some kind of super sale price if I'm patient. This is especially true of large packages like "Firefly."
It is annoying to have "special versions" keep coming out of the same thing (*cough* Disney *cough*), but I've learned patience on that, too. I didn't buy the original "Lord of the Rings" non-extended blu-rays, and I haven't bought the new ones yet either. The price will drop.