Question for those who have done this: the digital download has been established to not contain cinematics nor the ability to play cinematics. From http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=27187849287&sid=1#2

"Just wanted to add a bit more information to the thread and inform you that when using the new digital installer for the 4.0.X streaming system you will no longer be downloading the game cinematics and as such they will not load initially and you will not be able to access them once the game is installed. This change comes to help decrease the overall size/download requirement of the game and the cinematics can always be view at the Blizzard Entertainment YouTube page."

So, with this system, will you have access to cinematics if you later purchase the hard copy? Or will simply having the 4.0.3 file already loaded on your system make it look like Cata's already installed, preventing an install containing the cinematics?

And why would Blizz do something like this? The cinematics are important for setting the scene, especially the ones we've seen for worgen and goblins. Leaving them out to save a few electrons from getting dizzy going through the series of tubes seems like an odd, counterproductive choice.