Also dying in a corner store near you NOW!

[PeterG]

The DVD rental business that is.


Netflix and other film streamers are now doing for the DVD what Spotify, Rdio, Deezer and other music streamers continue to do for the CD i.e. killing it off.

Evidence of this I see increasing every day, so as a result, about 3 months ago a large supermarket near me took the DVD rental price war to a new level when it was the first shop to drop DVD daily rental to under a dollar.

Those shops who couldn't afford to rent out DVDs so cheaply at least dropped their daily charges quite considerably, often by up to 50%.

Now in the last month or so with Netflix & other streamers now extremely popular and in many homes some of the smaller shops are using other approaches. I saw a sign outside a corner store today stating you could rent 3 films for a week for only about 12 dollars. Well, that is still 4 bucks per film, letting me rent them for a week isn't an incentive. I can watch 3 in one evening! Maybe a good idea for large families wanting to watch alone or with friends rather than family or at different times and locations in the house, whatever, it's all evidence of the dwindling popularity of renting DVDs and the DVD format as a whole.

The only area I see expansion in DVD is in box sets of TV series, that has exploded in the last couple of years.
I now buy Blueray over DVD, often at the same price!

[Progmatic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV8TDe9Pvf8

[East New York]

Struth. For a few years, rental stores in LA have flat-out died.

[Magnashine]

Over here it died when people moved to digital cable and satellite. There is still one rental near my area but it is a cover for some other business.

[sonic]

Over here it died when people moved to digital cable and satellite. There is still one rental near my area but it is a cover for some other business.
:lol
We have those too. A thin veneer of family entertainment in the front and a shit load of 'pron' in the back.

[80s were ok]

Video stores might be out but physical media is still popular and demanded. I'm sure Netflix and Hulu and what-ever-streaming-thing-you-use will do fine but so will physical media. They can and will co-exist. If anything, I'm finding the demand for physical media gets stronger the more the media says that everyone is turning to streaming. People still want DVD's (and CD's) with great value added content, packaging etc. So I'm not dissing streaming video, they can both co-exist.

[Trane]

I never used those rental stores anyway... Their selection was simply too mainstream for me.... even the self-appointed "more alternate" ones simply were ghastly in their selections >>> 99% of their stock was either US or European mainstram or exploitation niches (porn, kung-fu, etc...)... So while my library system was not competitive in terms of price (though of late, they've made a solid effort) and proximity, they clearly won out in terms of width of the catalogue

there are still a few of these Vid Rental shops alive in Brussels, but I won't miss them if they close up >> it must've been hell to live next to one of those, because usually there was a Night-Shop next to it or combined with it >> traffic, light pollution (fucking neons), etc... Good riddance really

[trurl]

It's a combination of streaming/On-Demand for catalog titles and kiosks like Red Box for new releases.

[nosebone]

Yup!

What pisses me off is that now the price of Blu Ray titles has fallen, I'm stuck with dozens of regular DVD's that don't look as good!

[80s were ok]

Yup!

What pisses me off is that now the price of Blu Ray titles has fallen, I'm stuck with dozens of regular DVD's that don't look as good!
while Blu-ray is cool, don't let the media make you feel you need to replace all your DVD titles with blu-ray. Unless the Blu-ray releases have additional solid bonus content, I usually do not upgrade.

[80s were ok]

It's a combination of streaming/On-Demand for catalog titles and kiosks like Red Box for new releases.

The Red Box (and the like) are pretty good. They get new releases immediately and it costs like $1.20. I don't stream, but if you ordered a new release on demand or something, wouldn't it cost you like $5? I can walk to the Red Box by me so I get a nice walk out of it too. The only bad thing about Red Box is that a lot of times you are getting a special DVD release of the film that ONLY includes the film, not the commercial release that might have commentaries and other special features. But if you just want to see the move for $1.20...i mean you can't go wrong.

[nosebone]

while Blu-ray is cool, don't let the media make you feel you need to replace all your DVD titles with blu-ray. Unless the Blu-ray releases have additional solid bonus content, I usually do not upgrade.

Speak for yourself.

I only purchase my favorite films ( about 100 titles) and I want them to look as good as can be.

[Jerjo]

I love that karma finally came around and bit Blockbuster in the ass. Those bastards had it coming: exorbitant late fees (a major revenue stream for them), only mainstream titles, and running all those mom & pop video stores out of business. Screw those asswipes.

[PeterG]

but physical media is still popular and demanded.


But not across the board. As I said, the greatest expansion and demand in DVD is for boxsets of entire series, which CAN very well compete with streaming, because TV series is the one weak area in streaming, millions of films, but only hundreds of series. I know several people, myself included, who can't be bothered to follow the best leftfield fringe series at the inhumane times that TV channels air them once a week, and so wait for the box set instead.

The other expansion area in hard copy of course is new vinyl. And 2 disc Blueray with lots of extra material.

And don't let anyone fool you into thinking that a DVD player & DVDs look and sound better than Blueray.



People still want DVD's (and CD's) with great value added content, packaging etc.
The evidence around me doesn't support that, both from what is available in stores and what friends,colleagues,neighbours are buying.

[PeterG]

I love that karma finally came around and bit Blockbuster in the ass. Those bastards had it coming: exorbitant late fees (a major revenue stream for them), only mainstream titles, and running all those mom & pop video stores out of business. Screw those asswipes.

Exactly! I remember back in the early 90s paying £2.50 to rent a video! And a £2.50 penalty fee it you were late by even a few minutes. B*st*rds!

[Vic2012]

I used to rent from Blockbuster all the time. In the last couple years the two BB stores near me went kaput. Now I'm screwed. There've been a bunch of movies I've been wanting to rent but I probably won't see them for years. No, streaming, Netflix, and all that stuff is NOT an option for me at this stage in my life. I'll just have to do without for a while. I may consider buying the films if I can find them at a sale or something, but I'm really not interested in starting a big movie/DVD collection. All the DVDs I own are music/concert/documentary DVDs that I enjoy viewing over and over.

I've seen those kiosk things but I'm a little cautious about renting DVDs from a vending machine. I'm not curious enough to really give 'em a try. I'd imagine that you have to use a credit/debit card to rent a DVD. How does it work? You just return the DVD to the box when you're done? What happens if you just keep the DVD? I guess they send you a bill, or somethin.'

[Jerjo]

Vic, they bill your credit/debit card for the inflated cost of the DVD.

When I lived in a big city we'd go to the library once a week and check out a stack of DVDs. It was free, the selection was haphazard but fun to work through, and you could get several titles at once.

[Ken]

Check out your local library, Vic. You may be surprised at the vast quantities of stuff you can check out for free or a nominal price. I watched box-sets of the Sopranos, Curb your Enthusiam, other HBO shows, all checked out of the library for free. Obviously I had to wait until the season ended, but you can't beat the price. The same goes for CD's. My library has plenty of blues/jazz/classical Cd's along with the popular stuff, but no prog. It also is part of a suburban group of about sixty systems that share their catelogues, so you can request something from another system and have it delivered to your local library.

Perhaps your is the same.
http://www.mdpls.org/databases/databases.asp

[Vic2012]

I keep forgetting about the library. There are a couple not too far from me. I keep meaning to look into that. Thanks for the reminder guys.

[tom unbound]

Here's another local store that closed a while ago . :(

This is not Photoshopped or anything like that ! (US 19 and Route 52, Hudson Fla.)

658

And it is spelled : M E G A F L I C K S

[sonic]

And it is spelled : M E G A F L I C K S
You could have fooled me. :lol
Maybe they went out of business for false advertising. :lol

[Vic2012]

^ :lol

[spellbound]

http://www.progressiveears.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=658&d=1354554207&thumb=1

Is that the Capitol building where Congress meets? I've never been to Washington DC, but I know what they do there.

[Trane]

Check out your local library, Vic. You may be surprised at the vast quantities of stuff you can check out for free or a nominal price. I watched box-sets of the Sopranos, Curb your Enthusiam, other HBO shows, all checked out of the library for free. Obviously I had to wait until the season ended, but you can't beat the price. The same goes for CD's. My library has plenty of blues/jazz/classical Cd's along with the popular stuff, but no prog. It also is part of a suburban group of about sixty systems that share their catelogues, so you can request something from another system and have it delivered to your local library.



Word...

The only problem is that you might have to wait quite a bit... coz there are many people on the vein... especially for novelties just being released on the market... which generally arrives on library shelves two months later (minimum in Belgium or France)

It's through my library system that I discovered Anglagard back in 92 or so...

[Smörgåsbord]

In my area small shops and gas stations have seized this dying market.

Personally I find boxsets of TV-series still being a good idea. I buy the boxsets new or used, see the episodes (ripp to mp4/videofiles, stream them (locally) them to my AppleTV from computer harddrive) and then I sell the box sets and delete the files. The cost is maxiumum a McDonald's Cheezeburger per episode.

[Yanks2014]

The death of the video store is not surprising or disappointing, their time is done. I have dozens of movies I've recorded on my DVR, most without commercials. I have an "on demand" service from my cable company with lots of choices. And to fill the gaps, I have a Blockbuster on-line account. I really have no use for a brick and mortal video rental store.

[80s were ok]

In my area small shops and gas stations have seized this dying market.

Personally I find boxsets of TV-series still being a good idea. I buy the boxsets new or used, see the episodes (ripp to mp4/videofiles, stream them (locally) them to my AppleTV from computer harddrive) and then I sell the box sets and delete the files. The cost is maxiumum a McDonald's Cheezeburger per episode.

when you do that, does it carry over any audio commentary tracks?

[AcousticWalden]

It's just a matter of time before spotify/Netflix type services steam all the video you want (except of course out-of-print titles). This said, industry probably has another decade

[80s were ok]

It's just a matter of time before spotify/Netflix type services steam all the video you want (except of course out-of-print titles). This said, industry probably has another decadebut when you stream, you don't get all the extras...commentaries, documentaries, deleted scenes etc etc etc. I live for that stuff and so do many others - it's why physical product will remain strong for a long time and why the physical product of today will be worth big bucks tomorrow.

[Yanks2014]

but when you stream, you don't get all the extras...commentaries, documentaries, deleted scenes etc etc etc. I live for that stuff and so do many others - it's why physical product will remain strong for a long time and why the physical product of today will be worth big bucks tomorrow.

You make a good point. Now I don't want that for every movie I watch, but certainly for my favorites.

[spellbound]

I love that karma finally came around and bit Blockbuster in the ass. Those bastards had it coming: exorbitant late fees (a major revenue stream for them), only mainstream titles, and running all those mom & pop video stores out of business. Screw those asswipes.

Completely agree. In addition to that, they pissed me off by allowing someone else (I never learned who, but they never had my card) to use my account to check out movies, then accusing me of not returning those same movies, then refusing to believe me when I told them they had made a mistake. And I always preferred the mom & pop video stores before Blockbastard drove them out of business. I talked to an independent guy in that business once and he told me the movie companies made it expensive for him to rent out DVDs because they are only interested in selling the movies, not in renting them. He went out of business rather than charge his customers a high rental fee.

I do wish that there were a reasonably-priced brick-and-mortar place to rent DVDs. I lack the internet speed to stream movies, and would prefer to watch them on my TV rather than my computer. Of course, all that could be solved by a large infusion of cash, but for now I can't afford a modern entertainment center, cable, satellite, or DVR. If I see a movie, I found the physical DVD at the public library. I own a few, but seldom watch them over again.

I have seen a handful of movies on DVD where the extra features are entertaining. I like to see how they film the stunts, or do unusual things like claymation. The majority of extra features put me to sleep. You just finished watching a good movie and then you get one or two deleted scenes and and endless film of the people who made the movie patting themselves on the back for what a great movie they made and how awesome they think they are all the time. Then, if they have room on the disc, you get more of the same. Everything to do with green screen bores me to death. I don't need to see how they made half the film on a computer.

[80s were ok]

Watching movies on TV is my choice too. I live for all the supplemental features which is why I love buying DVD's vs just streaming them (if the DVD's have special features). I think in time, those DVD's which choice special features will maintain there value as they become more scarce.

[Yanks2014]

And I always preferred the mom & pop video stores before Blockbastard drove them out of business.


They didn't do anything wrong, they were just a better business model and the mom and pops couldn't compete. They were successful, so thats a reason to not like them? Never understood this. Sorry, the major video chains always had larger selections than the mom and pops. We had a local video store I was always loyal to. But a couple trips to Blockbuster changed all of that, they had a much better selection and a lot more copies of popular titles, I could always find what I wanted. And now, the whole video store idea is obsolete. It's either mail order, online downloads or buying the discs outright. Its called progress.

[Facelift]

I love that karma finally came around and bit Blockbuster in the ass. Those bastards had it coming: exorbitant late fees (a major revenue stream for them), only mainstream titles, and running all those mom & pop video stores out of business. Screw those asswipes.

I have to admit, it has been somewhat gratifying to see Blockbuster all but destroyed. Dish Network bought them last year for a bargain-basement price, but they're still expected to cease operations entirely in the next year or two, as the brand has continued to fail.

The future of video is probably not on physical media.

[ronmac]

They didn't do anything wrong, they were just a better business model and the mom and pops couldn't compete. They were successful, so thats a reason to not like them? Never understood this. Sorry, the major video chains always had larger selections than the mom and pops. We had a local video store I was always loyal to. But a couple trips to Blockbuster changed all of that, they had a much better selection and a lot more copies of popular titles, I could always find what I wanted. And now, the whole video store idea is obsolete. It's either mail order, online downloads or buying the discs outright. Its called progress.

Thomas, you need to talk to the store owners, including those who used to sell CDs. I recall my local CD retailer telling me that the Best Buys of the world would get such great deals from the Big Six publishers that they could sell them cheaper than what the independents paid at wholesale. This was and still is common practice. So, if you think the playing field is level and it's survival of the fittest, I suggest you ask a few who were driven out of business. It's not progress; it's abuse.

[Chain]

HMV

[Yves]

HMV

Is going bankrupt... Although HMV Canada was sold by the main company a few years ago. It is doing fairly well. Of course, it has become the main brick and mortar music/DVD store in most Canadian cities. From what I read, CDs and DVDs still sell fairly well in Canada, and the addition of low cost/high profit margin items like T-Shirts and various music-related memorabilia has help keep it afloat.

[Digital_Man]

Sucks. Does anyone else hate Redbox? I don't see that dying anytime soon.

[Jerjo]

Streaming movies from Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, etc. will kill Redbox. Not now, not real soon, but it will happen.

[Digital_Man]

Hmmm 40 inch screen tv vs 18 inch computer screen(or whatever it is). Hmmmmm. No brainer for me. Movies were meant to be watched(and enjoyed)on the tv and not the computer imo.

[80s were ok]

Streaming movies from Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, etc. will kill Redbox. Not now, not real soon, but it will happen.

i'm not a big rental movie fan, but what is wrong with Redbox? For $1.20 I can see the latest and greatest DVD releases. Sometimes the rentals are barebones editions but othertimes they are the commercial versions with special features. I can rent and return to any Redbox and have one even within a nice 20 minute walk of my house. So Redbox is ok with me. I don't know what it costs on Amazon or Netflix or whatever, but if it's a movie that I'm not interested in adding to my collection, but rather, just to watch, $1.20 is pretty good.

By the way, the same company that ownes Redbox ownes the Coinstar machines. Those are great too because you can change money commission-free if you choose the gift card option, which includes Amazon.com. I'm always buying stuff from Amazon so it works out nicely.

[80s were ok]

Hmmm 40 inch screen tv vs 18 inch computer screen(or whatever it is). Hmmmmm. No brainer for me. Movies were meant to be watched(and enjoyed)on the tv and not the computer imo.

i laugh at all the commercials advertising how you can watch movies on your Smartphone, etc. They spend years convincing everyone they needed to watch movies on bigger and bigger AND BIGGER TV's....now they want you to watch them on 7-inch i-pad screens or whatever. Really- WTF?

[80s were ok]

Thomas, you need to talk to the store owners, including those who used to sell CDs. I recall my local CD retailer telling me that the Best Buys of the world would get such great deals from the Big Six publishers that they could sell them cheaper than what the independents paid at wholesale. This was and still is common practice. So, if you think the playing field is level and it's survival of the fittest, I suggest you ask a few who were driven out of business. It's not progress; it's abuse.

Ironically, it's the mom and pop stores that will survive. Best Buy, Target, etc have all shrunken there movie inventory, FYE is (little by little) reducing store count and....that just leaves Mom and Pop. The Mom and Pop stores that have survived this far I think have a very bright future.

[ronmac]

Movies were meant to be watched(and enjoyed)on the tv and not the computer imo.

Tell that to the theater owners.

[ronmac]

Ironically, it's the mom and pop stores that will survive. Best Buy, Target, etc have all shrunken there movie inventory, FYE is (little by little) reducing store count and....that just leaves Mom and Pop. The Mom and Pop stores that have survived this far I think have a very bright future.

I just don't see it. It all comes down to technology and convenience. If mom and pop can't deliver to the home, they will not survive, as sad as it is. I haven't used a rental place in years. Yesterday, I finally got my HD service and now have on-demand. While I haven't been renting, I'm now further away from doing so, because it's now at my fingertips.

[Facelift]

I just don't see it. It all comes down to technology and convenience. If mom and pop can't deliver to the home, they will not survive, as sad as it is. I haven't used a rental place in years. Yesterday, I finally got my HD service and now have on-demand. While I haven't been renting, I'm now further away from doing so, because it's now at my fingertips.

Agreed. Mom and Pop will exist in some form, but mostly because what they sell isn't wanted by very many people any more. If lots of people wanted to rent or buy physical media this market segment would be dominated by big companies - which it was, back when people wanted to rent or buy physical media. Now that consumer demand for these products has, for the most part, drastically shrunk to where it's only a niche market, the big guys are either out or on their way out. But as long as there is *some* demand, mom and pop will be there, and you'll pay more than you used to for their wares, because that's the way it works with small independent stores.

[80s were ok]

I just don't see it. It all comes down to technology and convenience. If mom and pop can't deliver to the home, they will not survive, as sad as it is. I haven't used a rental place in years. Yesterday, I finally got my HD service and now have on-demand. While I haven't been renting, I'm now further away from doing so, because it's now at my fingertips.

your post was referring to CD sellers like Best Buy - that is what my response was based on....

[Jerjo]

Hmmm 40 inch screen tv vs 18 inch computer screen(or whatever it is). Hmmmmm. No brainer for me. Movies were meant to be watched(and enjoyed)on the tv and not the computer imo.

With most Blu-Ray players you can stream right onto your big screen TV.

[meimjustalawnmower]

i laugh at all the commercials advertising how you can watch movies on your Smartphone, etc. They spend years convincing everyone they needed to watch movies on bigger and bigger AND BIGGER TV's....now they want you to watch them on 7-inch i-pad screens or whatever. Really- WTF?
Obviously they are marketing that feature for the frequent traveller and such.

[ronmac]

your post was referring to CD sellers like Best Buy - that is what my response was based on....

Except that you wrote:


Best Buy, Target, etc have all shrunken there movie inventory, FYE is (little by little) reducing store count and....that just leaves Mom and Pop.

[davis]

This place seems to be doing fine--> http://www.wandwvideo.com/

[80s were ok]

In new episodes of "Parking Wars" that were filmed in the bronx, they follow one tow truck operator who tows cars who park illegally in a Blockbuster parking lot. So they are still around, especially in cities.

[davis]

i'm not a big rental movie fan, but what is wrong with Redbox? For $1.20 I can see the latest and greatest DVD releases...

Netflix works well for me. they have plenty of cult/b/film noir & some great docs. and more than enough 'popular' stuff for my wife.

[spellbound]

Does anyone else hate Redbox? I don't see that dying anytime soon.

I have seen those things around, but I don't see ever giving my credit card number to a box. Since they have taken humans out of the equation, what do you do if you pay your money and the DVD you rent is scratched and won't play?


It's either mail order, online downloads or buying the discs outright. Its called progress.

It may or may not be progress. I prefer the type of progress that makes my life better. And, as Ron said, you need to talk to the CD/DVD store owners, as I have done. They are being abused by the publishers, and the playing field is anything but level.

[meimjustalawnmower]

I have seen those things around, but I don't see ever giving my credit card number to a box. Since they have taken humans out of the equation, what do you do if you pay your money and the DVD you rent is scratched and won't play?
Do you swipe your credit/debit card at the grocery store or at the gas pump? It's the same thing. I've used Redbox for years. Never had a problem in this area. If your disc won't play, which is a very rare occurrence, you just call and speak to a "human" who will then credit your account.

[Yanks2014]

Thomas, you need to talk to the store owners, including those who used to sell CDs. I recall my local CD retailer telling me that the Best Buys of the world would get such great deals from the Big Six publishers that they could sell them cheaper than what the independents paid at wholesale. This was and still is common practice. So, if you think the playing field is level and it's survival of the fittest, I suggest you ask a few who were driven out of business. It's not progress; it's abuse.

That's crazy! It's business, someone came along with a better business model, the old models change or die out. Fairness has nothing to do with it, and shouldn't. People want better prices, better selection, and loyalty only goes so far. I can't see feeling sorry for someone with an outdated approach. I'm thankful for this, as I do nearly all my shopping online, much easier for a disabled person. Thank goodness I don't have to rely on brick and mortar.

[80s were ok]

I have seen those things around, but I don't see ever giving my credit card number to a box. Since they have taken humans out of the equation, what do you do if you pay your money and the DVD you rent is scratched and won't play?



It may or may not be progress. I prefer the type of progress that makes my life better. And, as Ron said, you need to talk to the CD/DVD store owners, as I have done. They are being abused by the publishers, and the playing field is anything but level.

Red Box is as safe as anything. I've done it plenty of times, never an issue. Never had a bad disc, but there is an 800-number you can call if you had an issues. I'm sure they'd make it right by refunding your $1.20.

[meimjustalawnmower]

Convenient as Redbox is, there's the downside of their not having major titles until a month after the fact, which is what's gonna kill them ultimately and they know it. I've been told by someone on the inside that the focus is primarily on the Coinstar kiosks and gift cards, and that the future of Redbox is limited. In the meantime, I'll rent the games so my kid can test them out before he buys. Plus, if there's a movie I really wanna keep, I can just copy it with DVD Fab.

[ronmac]

That's crazy! It's business, someone came along with a better business model, the old models change or die out. Fairness has nothing to do with it, and shouldn't. People want better prices, better selection, and loyalty only goes so far. I can't see feeling sorry for someone with an outdated approach. I'm thankful for this, as I do nearly all my shopping online, much easier for a disabled person. Thank goodness I don't have to rely on brick and mortar.

Thomas' endorsement of international slave labor for his convenience. :roll

[Facelift]

Thomas' endorsement of international slave labor for his convenience. :roll

Hey, "someone came along with a better business model," and "fairness has nothing to do with it."

[80s were ok]

That's crazy! It's business, someone came along with a better business model, the old models change or die out. Fairness has nothing to do with it, and shouldn't. People want better prices, better selection, and loyalty only goes so far. I can't see feeling sorry for someone with an outdated approach. I'm thankful for this, as I do nearly all my shopping online, much easier for a disabled person. Thank goodness I don't have to rely on brick and mortar.

I'm all for lower prices but I also like to support small independent business even if the price is a little higher. For example, Sears might be able to come over and fix my washer/dryer but I'd rather call a local independent repairman who lives in my area and has been living and working here for years (decades) even if it will cost me 10 or 15% more.

[ronmac]

I'm all for lower prices but I also like to support small independent business even if the price is a little higher. For example, Sears might be able to come over and fix my washer/dryer but I'd rather call a local independent repairman who lives in my area and has been living and working here for years (decades) even if it will cost me 10 or 15% more.

And all that local guy wants is a level playing field.

[tom unbound]

That's crazy! It's business, someone came along with a better business model, the old models change or die out. Fairness has nothing to do with it, and shouldn't. People want better prices, better selection, and loyalty only goes so far. I can't see feeling sorry for someone with an outdated approach. I'm thankful for this, as I do nearly all my shopping online, much easier for a disabled person. Thank goodness I don't have to rely on brick and mortar.

First they stop paying royalties to the artists, then they have them bootlegged in China, next they sell them on-line .........

[Scott Bails]

Fairness has nothing to do with it, and shouldn't.

That's right! Fuck fairness! Fairness sucks!

[ronmac]

That's right! Fuck fairness! Fairness sucks!

You want fair? Fair is a placed where they judge hogs for ribbons!

[Plasmatopia]

I have seen those things around, but I don't see ever giving my credit card number to a box.

I think what some people have done is used those pre-paid credit cards or whatever they're called. You pay cash for it at a store and use it in the machine.

[Plasmatopia]

Hmmm 40 inch screen tv vs 18 inch computer screen(or whatever it is). Hmmmmm. No brainer for me. Movies were meant to be watched(and enjoyed)on the tv and not the computer imo.

You can buy Blue Ray/DVD players that do streaming, there is Roku, Apple TV, the Wii, and/or you could just hook up a computer to a big screen TV. And there are probably other options I'm not familiar with.

[80s were ok]

I think what some people have done is used those pre-paid credit cards or whatever they're called. You pay cash for it at a store and use it in the machine.

you pay cash + $4.95 service or whatever for those silly things. Paying in Red Box is no different than swiping your card into a Gas Pump. It's probably safer than using your ATM card in a ATM machine that could be skimming.

[Plasmatopia]

you pay cash + $4.95 service or whatever for those silly things. Paying in Red Box is no different than swiping your card into a Gas Pump. It's probably safer than using your ATM card in a ATM machine that could be skimming.

I didn't say it was a great idea, but it certainly limits one's liability (for a price). At one time I think people were doing it to get (steal) their DVDs with an untraceable payment method.

[spellbound]

Blockbuster announced yesterday that one of the stores they are closing in their "nationwide downsizing" will be the only one left in this town. Two more weeks, and then no Blockbuster.

[ronmac]

Blockbuster announced yesterday that one of the stores they are closing in their "nationwide downsizing" will be the only one left in this town. Two more weeks, and then no Blockbuster.

I believe they are laying off 5000 workers.

[Scott Bails]

For anyone using Redbox, here's a code that will save you $.50:

HZZ7DKG6

Good until 1/27

[80s were ok]

I believe they are laying off 5000 workers.

it's 3,000 workers as they close 300 stores....leaving them with 500 stores left.