So I brought alot of the physical books before I found out about this site. Is there a way, like a code or something in the books, that allows me to redeem them online or do I need to buy all the digital versions of the books I already have?

No, there is no way to redeem a digital content here on DDB with the corresponding hardcover.

You don't need to buy the whole book. You could just buy the character options for the builder, or you could use the free homebrew tools to recreate character options in your book (just don't try to publish those).

If you would like more information on the range of purchase options (including homebrewing for free), you might find the Buyer's Guide which is linked in my signature helpful.

Quote from DxJxC >>

You don't need to buy the whole book. You could just buy the character options for the builder, or you could use the free homebrew tools to recreate character options in your book (just don't try to publish those).

 I'm a DM, and having all the info would help out, also lugging around six books plus my laptop to the the player's house that we meet at is not a fun time for me.

Depending on whether or not you need the character builder and the listings (monsters, spells, etc.), one option would be the compendium only purchases.  That's a little less that the "whole" book.  I will say, though, that as a DM I find the spell and monster listings really handy.

They should really add that 

It's unfortunately something that can't just be added. D&D Beyond and Wizards of the Coast are two different companies, the former licensing content from the latter. D&D Beyond needs the revenue from books and subscriptions to pay for things like hardware, staff and all the other good stuff that goes into keeping things running and new, exciting features coming out.

Davedamon,

You should have a canned statement to cover this question.  It seems like we hear it every two weeks.  Is there a pinned post you could just provide the link?  I wish folks could make the connection that these are two different companies.

along these lines....I have purchased the Online resources, Players Manual, Dm, etc....what happens to these if I downgrade or don't resubscribe....do I loose access to them....???

Quote from MusicScout >>

Davedamon,

You should have a canned statement to cover this question.  It seems like we hear it every two weeks.  Is there a pinned post you could just provide the link?  I wish folks could make the connection that these are two different companies.

I agree. For some reason, a minority of D&D players do not seem to grasp the difference between digital and physical products, despite customers everywhere else understand the concept perfectly fine, and digital and physical products have been released side by side for at least two decades now so this is not something new either that would catch people by surprise.

It honestly does not even matter if Wizards and Beyond are the same or different companies. Even if the ownership is the same, the company is well within their rights to separate their digital and physical products and sell them separately. Wizards does not owe it to anybody to bundle their products together.

No, you do not lose access to any purchases if and when you cancel, you simply lose the subscriber benefits (unlimited characters, etc.)

The problem with pinned threads is: nobody seems to reads them. They either just have a blond(e) moment (aka "brain fart", or "brain glitch" as I prefer), or they're too lazy or too stupid. Whatever the cause the pinned threads get ignored so very, very often. Hence the bajillion posts about "my spells of the mark isn't adding spells?!?1?" or the beyond numerous posts "the CR/Ravnica/etc stuff isn't showing" despite the clearly named pinned thread often having an animation visually showing how to toggle them on.

Sometimes they even post in that pinned thread, still asking, because it somehow just doesn't occur to them to read that first post (that never ceases to hurt my brain).

Pinned threads haven't done a darn thing to quell the annoying repetitiveness of such questions. Making a new one for this particularly questions is unlikely to help.

Ah well, moving on.

Quote from Rob_Bee >>

along these lines....I have purchased the Online resources, Players Manual, Dm, etc....what happens to these if I downgrade or don't resubscribe....do I loose access to them....???

 
Hero sub controls number of character slots, ads and adding other peoples homebrew. If this sub expires you will be restricted to 6 character slots (if you have more the rest become locked), you will see ads again (unless you have ad blocker), and you will be unable to add other people's homebrew but you can continue to use the ones already added. The sub also grants early access to Alpha tools (tools currently in Alpha testing) so you will lose those tools if you lose the sub.

Master sub includes the Hero sub plus the ability to share purchased content in a campaign. If you lose this then you can no longer enable content sharing on campaigns and those you were sharing on will be disabled.

If you purchased books and character options you keep access to these, they are completely independent to subscriptions so losing a sub has no effect.

This kind of question comes quite often indeed, I guess we'll need more time until everybody is used to digital and they will see their value for D&D books too.

Other businesses seem to don't have this problem, for example I never saw a post saying something like "I bought the physical copy of these games, but I'm traveling a lot, do I really need to buy all the digital copies too? Why they don't give redeem codes so I have my whole collection in digital too?"

Quote from Durandir_Bonhart >>

This kind of question comes quite often indeed, I guess we'll need more time until everybody is used to digital and they will see their value for D&D books too.

Other businesses seem to don't have this problem, for example I never saw a post saying something like "I bought the physical copy of these games, but I'm traveling a lot, do I really need to buy all the digital copies too? Why they don't give redeem codes so I have my whole collection in digital too?"

 To be fair the digital options of other games is usually just a pdf.  I think Paizo used to offer PDF downloads for 10 bucks each not sure if they still do or not.  Personally I would love a similar low cost pdf option.  

The confusion to some degree is DDB/WOTC's fault since DDB did not launch at release of 5e.  If it had the people who wanted the digital option could have started that way.  By having print only at release it leads to bad feelings for people who bought at launch then it rolls out with digital option.  5e should have never launched without the digital toolset being ready. 

Quote from 1stsonofkrynn >>

Quote from Durandir_Bonhart >>

This kind of question comes quite often indeed, I guess we'll need more time until everybody is used to digital and they will see their value for D&D books too.

Other businesses seem to don't have this problem, for example I never saw a post saying something like "I bought the physical copy of these games, but I'm traveling a lot, do I really need to buy all the digital copies too? Why they don't give redeem codes so I have my whole collection in digital too?"

 To be fair the digital options of other games is usually just a pdf.  I think Paizo used to offer PDF downloads for 10 bucks each not sure if they still do or not.  Personally I would love a similar low cost pdf option.  

The confusion to some degree is DDB/WOTC's fault since DDB did not launch at release of 5e.  If it had the people who wanted the digital option could have started that way.  By having print only at release it leads to bad feelings for people who bought at launch then it rolls out with digital option.  5e should have never launched without the digital toolset being ready. 

 WotC did not intend to have a digital toolset. After 5e released, a completely separate company came along and said “Hey WotC, you wanna partner up so we can make a digital toolset for your product?” When WotC said yes that other company then created DDB.

IIRC they did intend for a digital toolset but the in house team couldn't get it done then 5e launched and then DDB came into the picture.  Regardless not having the digital option ready at launch is the driving factor behind these threads.  The only thing that matters is the customer experience. The digital launch was completely mismanaged since it did not meet the customer expectation of being available at launch causing customers who would have bought the digital option to buy print instead.  Then it does finally launch people try and switch and are told you need to buy them all over again.  Its not the customer's fault wotc/ddb couldn't meet the deadline so a little understanding would go along way.  

Personally though to me if your only going to use one medium print is the better option.  Since you will always have access to it.  You actually own the book not a simple digital license that can be revoked at any time no matter how much money you spend.  No one has said how long we will have access to the material on here is it forever or until we get a new edition?

So if you are so distrustful of DDB, and loath their business model so much, why are you here? I’m curious.

Like I loath and distrust Twitter, so I don’t have a twitter account.

Im not distrustful at all nor do I blame DDB if they did cut all 5e content once a new edition does.  I trust them to do what makes business sense.  They aren't here for any altruist reason they are here just to make money.   Its the nature of the tech business.  You force adoption and charge again.  Look at digital games you bought on your ps3 you need to buy them again on the ps4 and will need to do so yet again most likely on the ps5.  Works the same everywhere its a major downside that is rarely discussed but one should be aware of this prior to spending hundreds of bucks on something with an unknown shelf life (pun shamelessly intended).  

I am a slow adopter in nearly everything because I want to make sure I am getting my money's worth.  Not really understanding why that is a bad thing.  I still buy books no ereader here, still buy physical blu-rays, physical games, etc...  

I do use DDB for some stuff like spells and magic items everything else I stick to the books.  For me DDB will never replace my books but its a good complement to them.

I just still have my PS3 and PS2. If I want to go back and play I can.

But I never do.

I still have all my old 2e and 3/3.5e stuff too. I never use them either. I expect that DDB will support 5e through 6th for no other reason than to avoid the PR nightmare if nothing else. And by the time they drop it I will have also moved on and won’t care anymore because I will be playing 7e by then.