Where to Rent Blu-Rays? - Blu-ray Forum

coljohnmatrix · 07-23-2012, 05:21 PM

Forgive me if this thread has been started elsewhere, but I'm at a loss.

Every video store within 100 miles of me has closed. I don't like Jason Statham, movies from Asylum entertainment or DTV horror sequels, so Redbox isn't an option, either (ha).

There are countless movies I would love to watch in blu-ray - especially catalogue releases and classic films. But I don't want to have to blind buy any movie I'm interested in. The same goes for TV shows. The first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation is $60 more than I can spend right now. I highly doubt Netflix will order it. I regrettably tried Blockbuster Online for a while, since they appeared to have a slightly better selection of blu-rays. They fail to mention that most titles are "unavailable", despite advertising them on their website.

Hulu has a few Criterions available in HD streaming, but it's no where near 1080p quality, tends to be buggy and doesn't include special features. Countless blu-ray reviews on this site and others say "Rent it First". Where? Is there an option I'm missing out on? I understand the industry is changing, and if this is the future we're faced with, I'll just have to accept that the only way I'll see these movies is if I buy them all.

Again, I apologize if this has been discussed elsewhere, but any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

XXXsdesdeXXX · 07-23-2012, 05:36 PM

As long as you have high-speed internet at home & a blu-ray player, with Vudu on it, you could use the Vudu service to rent movies in 1080p -- yeah the sound is not TruHD, but it's at least 5.1. You can also buy the Ultraviolet copies, when one exists for a movie, for about $2.00 in the digital copy forums -- that way you only pay $2.00 (similar to a rental fee), but you get to keep it. You can rent movies on Vudu, and you can also preview trailers prior to purchase. I'd say, check-out Vudu.com

coljohnmatrix · 07-23-2012, 06:19 PM

Thanks for the tip.

I am aware of digital copies and Ultraviolet, but if I'm not mistaken, they tend to only be included with popular new films. The films I'm interested in (catalogue titles, TV shows, classic films, Criterions, etc.) rarely if ever include a digital copy or ultraviolet copy. And I believe the films that offer digital copies are already available for rent with most services.

Vudu seems to be a better option. While they do have a much larger back catalogue of older films, not many of them are available in HD. Though they do have Ingmar Bergman's Persona (the film in my avatar) in 1080p!

I suppose you could argue I'm being picky, but I'm really looking for an alternative to blind buying blu-rays of films and TV shows. Perhaps I've been spoiled by HD, but it's hard to talk myself into paying $3-4 to watch a crummy non-anamorphic transfer of a classic European film on a streaming service (especially since you can buy some of the DVDs for that price now), when a crisp blu-ray copy has been recently released with a beautiful restoration and great supplemental features. I feel like that's the best way to experience a film for the first time. Oh well, I guess I'll just be a frugal hermit and buy everything.

XXXsdesdeXXX · 07-23-2012, 06:51 PM

If you don't like it enough to keep it, sell it off on eBay . You'd be amazed at what people pay on eBay. A few days ago, I took the DVD copies out my Blu-ray combo packs and stuck them on eBay with the disc only (no case, no artwork; just the dvd) and at least 5 of them are currently at, or near, $9.00 with the buyer paying $1.50 extra for shipping. Also, Walmart now converts movies you own, to Ultraviolet for you for very cheap -- even if they aren't actually available on Ultraviolet currently. Here's a link to an article on it.

Livelong420 · 07-23-2012, 07:04 PM

Netflix has most everything on blu-ray. I rented Star Trek the original series from Netflix on blu.

The_Donster · 07-23-2012, 08:15 PM

I also use Netflix and it is the way to go if you are unsure about a movie. I use it for that reason alone. There are just some movies that I like to watch occasionally and don't need in my library. So I rent BD's for me and mainly stream for the family. Since most of my toddler's shows are on Netflix.

07-23-2012, 05:21 PM	#1
coljohnmatrix Active Member Member since:Jan 2010 Location:Nashville Blu-ray collection:169 DVD collection:173 Blu-ray reviews:12	Where to Rent Blu-Rays? Forgive me if this thread has been started elsewhere, but I'm at a loss. Every video store within 100 miles of me has closed. I don't like Jason Statham, movies from Asylum entertainment or DTV horror sequels, so Redbox isn't an option, either (ha). There are countless movies I would love to watch in blu-ray - especially catalogue releases and classic films. But I don't want to have to blind buy any movie I'm interested in. The same goes for TV shows. The first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation is $60 more than I can spend right now. I highly doubt Netflix will order it. I regrettably tried Blockbuster Online for a while, since they appeared to have a slightly better selection of blu-rays. They fail to mention that most titles are "unavailable", despite advertising them on their website. Hulu has a few Criterions available in HD streaming, but it's no where near 1080p quality, tends to be buggy and doesn't include special features. Countless blu-ray reviews on this site and others say "Rent it First". Where? Is there an option I'm missing out on? I understand the industry is changing, and if this is the future we're faced with, I'll just have to accept that the only way I'll see these movies is if I buy them all. Again, I apologize if this has been discussed elsewhere, but any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

07-23-2012, 05:36 PM	#2
XXXsdesdeXXX Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2010 Location:San Diego, CA Blu-ray collection:325 Digital collection:925 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:396	As long as you have high-speed internet at home & a blu-ray player, with Vudu on it, you could use the Vudu service to rent movies in 1080p -- yeah the sound is not TruHD, but it's at least 5.1. You can also buy the Ultraviolet copies, when one exists for a movie, for about $2.00 in the digital copy forums -- that way you only pay $2.00 (similar to a rental fee), but you get to keep it. You can rent movies on Vudu, and you can also preview trailers prior to purchase. I'd say, check-out Vudu.com Last edited by XXXsdesdeXXX; 07-23-2012 at 05:41 PM.

07-23-2012, 06:51 PM	#4
XXXsdesdeXXX Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2010 Location:San Diego, CA Blu-ray collection:325 Digital collection:925 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:396	If you don't like it enough to keep it, sell it off on eBay . You'd be amazed at what people pay on eBay. A few days ago, I took the DVD copies out my Blu-ray combo packs and stuck them on eBay with the disc only (no case, no artwork; just the dvd) and at least 5 of them are currently at, or near, $9.00 with the buyer paying $1.50 extra for shipping. Also, Walmart now converts movies you own, to Ultraviolet for you for very cheap -- even if they aren't actually available on Ultraviolet currently. Here's a link to an article on it. Last edited by XXXsdesdeXXX; 07-23-2012 at 06:55 PM.

07-23-2012, 06:19 PM	#3
coljohnmatrix Active Member Member since:Jan 2010 Location:Nashville Blu-ray collection:169 DVD collection:173 Blu-ray reviews:12	Thanks for the tip. I am aware of digital copies and Ultraviolet, but if I'm not mistaken, they tend to only be included with popular new films. The films I'm interested in (catalogue titles, TV shows, classic films, Criterions, etc.) rarely if ever include a digital copy or ultraviolet copy. And I believe the films that offer digital copies are already available for rent with most services. Vudu seems to be a better option. While they do have a much larger back catalogue of older films, not many of them are available in HD. Though they do have Ingmar Bergman's Persona (the film in my avatar) in 1080p! I suppose you could argue I'm being picky, but I'm really looking for an alternative to blind buying blu-rays of films and TV shows. Perhaps I've been spoiled by HD, but it's hard to talk myself into paying $3-4 to watch a crummy non-anamorphic transfer of a classic European film on a streaming service (especially since you can buy some of the DVDs for that price now), when a crisp blu-ray copy has been recently released with a beautiful restoration and great supplemental features. I feel like that's the best way to experience a film for the first time. Oh well, I guess I'll just be a frugal hermit and buy everything.

07-23-2012, 07:04 PM	#5
Livelong420 Expert Member Member since:Nov 2011 Location:Denver, CO Blu-ray collection:58	Netflix has most everything on blu-ray. I rented Star Trek the original series from Netflix on blu.

07-23-2012, 08:15 PM	#6
The_Donster Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Dec 2010 Location:Deep in the heart of NE Texas 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:216 DVD collection:231 Trading Score:14	I also use Netflix and it is the way to go if you are unsure about a movie. I use it for that reason alone. There are just some movies that I like to watch occasionally and don't need in my library. So I rent BD's for me and mainly stream for the family. Since most of my toddler's shows are on Netflix.

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