BDs: buying vs renting - Blu-ray Forum

Yeha-Noha · 01-31-2008, 11:19 PM

It seems from the signiture blocks of folks posting here, some have collected several dozen BD movies and a few over a hundred

I thought it might be interesting and enlightening to me and to others, what you perfer to do: buy or rent BD movies and your reasons.

I have a tendency to rent rather than buy. There are some BD movies, perhaps few dozen or so, that I would definitely buy because I would likely be watching them more than an half dozen times. Rent one 5 or 6 times and you've paid the cost of a new one! Some BD movies just don't appeal to me enough content wise that I would want to own them despite their exceptional PQ and AQ. They would just sit on the shelf

JJ · 01-31-2008, 11:22 PM

First, I bought all the ones I loved on DVD over again on Blu-Ray. Then I went for the ones that had amazing PQ/SQ and a decent storyline. Then, anything new, I rent first - then if I like it, I buy it from Amazon so it doesn't get too expensive.

I've blindly acquired Sunshine, Blade Runner, and 3:10 to Yuma - looking forward to viewing them all.

But, I have to keep my college student budget in mind here, so my collection pales in comparison to some of the epic ones on this forum.

JJ · 01-31-2008, 11:25 PM

Oh but - one more thing...ALL of my movies must have rewatch value. If I can't see it more than once, I'll trade it off on the Trading thread - i.e.,

Apocalypto, Rescue Dawn, Prestige...

...but I could watch any of my current titles over and over again.

Blu-Raider · 01-31-2008, 11:26 PM

I rent more than I buy. The world's a tuxedo and I'm a pair of brown shoes. (thanks to George Gobel)

cdot2four · 01-31-2008, 11:26 PM

im all about renting movies that i haven't seen and buying the ones i have see too. after my 3:10 to yuma purchase i will never blind buy again. Im so glad i rented blade runner it was one of the worst movies i have ever seen, the same with shoot em up and war both horrible movies.

Blu-Beard · 01-31-2008, 11:34 PM

I would rent if my BlockBuster had a better selection than I do and that's not saying much considering I only have 28. For now I just buy all the ones that I know I already love and will rewatch many times.

And as for cdot2four not liking 3:10 and BR, I have to say that I'm shocked

I personally thought those were two great movies. I'm not talking any smack or anything I just thought those were both good titles

But I agree with you about blindbuys being a bad idea unless one has $ to burn.

JJ · 01-31-2008, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu-Beard

I would rent if my BlockBuster had a better selection than I do and that's not saying much considering I only have 28. For now I just buy all the ones that I know I already love and will rewatch many times.

And as for cdot2four not liking 3:10 and BR, I have to say that I'm shocked

I personally thought those were two great movies. I'm not talking any smack or anything I just thought those were both good titles

But I agree with you about blindbuys being a bad idea unless one has $ to burn.

+1. Missed that post.

NutsAboutPS3 · 01-31-2008, 11:40 PM

As I pay my monthly subscription to lovefilm no matter what, renting is effectively free, so I will rent any movie I haven't seen before, and then may buy it if it's exceptionally good. I really don't want to be buying more than perhaps 6 new releases a year, I just don't have the shelf space for any more than that when you add in important catalogue titles as well. What I intend to do now is to wait till the end of the year, then look back at the ratings I gave movies on lovefilm and perhaps buy my 6 highest rated movies at the end of each year.

Catalogue titles that I've seen before and really like, e.g. Blade Runner, I'll just buy without renting first. In most cases, these are replacing a DVD, so shelf space isn't an issue.

jdc115 · 01-31-2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu-Beard

And as for cdot2four not liking 3:10 and BR, I have to say that I'm shocked

I personally thought those were two great movies. I'm not talking any smack or anything I just thought those were both good titles

But I agree with you about blindbuys being a bad idea unless one has $ to burn.

I started to do more blind buys, but I look at it this way. Maybe it was a movie I would have gone to the theatre to watch but instead I just send the money on the disk which I can often pick up soon after the movie is in the theatre. No Country for Old Men will start here in a couple of weeks, I can just wait 2 more weeks and buy it, same with 3:10, it released on BD in the US at the same time it hit the theatres here. In those cases, I can rationalize making blind buys.

Yeha-Noha · 02-01-2008, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdc115

I started to do more blind buys, but I look at it this way. Maybe it was a movie I would have gone to the theatre to watch but instead I just send the money on the disk which I can often pick up soon after the movie is in the theatre...I can rationalize making blind buys.

Good point. We blindly take a risk seeing it first at the theater. That's partly why I have stopped going to the theaters after I bought my BD player. The other reason is that the theaters don't have the sharply detailed 1080p PQ that I get at home

I really wasn't aware of that until I went Blu-ray.

Blu-Beard · 02-01-2008, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdc115

I started to do more blind buys, but I look at it this way. Maybe it was a movie I would have gone to the theatre to watch but instead I just send the money on the disk which I can often pick up soon after the movie is in the theatre. No Country for Old Men will start here in a couple of weeks, I can just wait 2 more weeks and buy it, same with 3:10, it released on BD in the US at the same time it hit the theatres here. In those cases, I can rationalize making blind buys.

I agree with you under those circumstances. I would rather watch a crystal clear Blu in the comfort of my own home, rather than watch a semi-fuzzy version in a stinky theater with loud obnoxious cattle surounding me

Grisle · 02-01-2008, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdot2four

im all about renting movies that i haven't seen and buying the ones i have see too. after my 3:10 to yuma purchase i will never blind buy again. Im so glad i rented blade runner it was one of the worst movies i have ever seen, the same with shoot em up and war both horrible movies.

War and Shoot Em Up were terrible, but Blade Runner and 3:10 to Yuma were awesome...what kind of movies do you like?

jdc115 · 01-31-2008, 11:28 PM

I like to buy the few titles I would watch over and over but would rather rent the majority of the movies that I watch. But I do not have the option to rent where I live so I do make more blind buys then I would normally do. At the moment I own about 30 BD and have 5 more I want to buy in the next few months, but that is about the limit of what I want to own out of what is released.

Since I can not rent, I do trade BD with a few others that live in the area. Our tastes tend to be different so it works out ok, I get to borrow those that I really would only rent.

mikeuk · 01-31-2008, 11:31 PM

I like to see a film before I buy it so if I've seen it at the cinema and I like it, I'll buy it. If not then I'll rent it and then buy it. Here in the UK some video rental stores used to allow you to rent a movie and if you wanted to buy it, they would deduct the price of the rental from it. That seems less common recently.

Mike

BTBuck1 · 01-31-2008, 11:33 PM

I buy for the sake that I am either too busy or too lazy to go to the video store be it to pick it up or to return it.

And Netflix has horrible turn around time and scratched discs that will never see the light of day in my machines.

JJ · 01-31-2008, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTBuck1

I buy for the sake that I am either too busy or too lazy to go to the video store be it to pick it up or to return it.

And Netflix has horrible turn around time and scratched discs that will never see the light of day in my machines.

Oh, that too - I hate the lack of responsibility among some users of rental programmes. Sheesh.

Yeha-Noha · 02-01-2008, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdc115

I like to buy the few titles I would watch over and over but would rather rent the majority of the movies that I watch. But I do not have the option to rent where I live so I do make more blind buys then I would normally do. At the moment I own about 30 BD and have 5 more I want to buy in the next few months, but that is about the limit of what I want to own out of what is released.

Since I can not rent, I do trade BD with a few others that live in the area. Our tastes tend to be different so it works out ok, I get to borrow those that I really would only rent.

That's another option, trade BDs, that I didn't think of. Thanks for mentioning it

I live in a small town but we do have one Blockbuster, one Hollywood Video, and a few local homegrown shops too. If this wasn't a college town, I'd probaby be in the same boat as you. Blockbuster and Hollywood Video rent BDs on line, but I have not tried that option yet but it might be another one for you

broganreynik · 02-01-2008, 12:19 AM

I like to see movies before I buy them, but if I like 'em I usually buy them. Reason is, I never know when I'm going to be in the mood to watch a certain movie. I don't know how many times I've wanted to watch Boogie Nights or Event Horizon and couldn't because I haven't bought them on DVD (and won't, because I won't buy anymore DVD's). But I do know when I get that hankerin' to watch Full Metal Jacket, I can just pop it in, as opposed to going to Blockbuster, hoping they have it in stock and renting it for $5. Or putting it on the top of my Netflix list only to wait 2 weeks because it's not in stock.

ScarredLungs · 02-01-2008, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

..........But, I have to keep my college student budget in mind here, so my collection pales in comparison to some of the epic ones on this forum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by broganreynik

I like to see movies before I buy them, but if I like 'em I usually buy them. Reason is, I never know when I'm going to be in the mood to watch a certain movie. I don't know how many times I've wanted to watch Boogie Nights or Event Horizon and couldn't because I haven't bought them on DVD (and won't, because I won't buy anymore DVD's). But I do know when I get that hankerin' to watch Full Metal Jacket, I can just pop it in, as opposed to going to Blockbuster, hoping they have it in stock and renting it for $5. Or putting it on the top of my Netflix list only to wait 2 weeks because it's not in stock.

I agree. i normally watch a movie before i buy it, i but if i like it, i'll buy it. Who knows when you or a friend will want to watch a certain movie. It is easier and more convenient if you own the movie then trying to find it when you want to watch it. It's overall less hassle just to buy a movie then to rent. Generally speaking, if my college funds can support it, i just buy my movies.

Kristin Simard · 02-01-2008, 01:14 AM

With DVD I mostly rented. With Blu-ray I mostly buy.

This is what I don't like about rentals:

The one you want to see is often rented out (all copies) so you have to wait, even if you were in the mood for seeing that one.

Late fees. Getting the damn things back on time when you are busy with other things in your life.

Damaged discs that freeze in your machine. It sometimes looks like people have been eating burritos when they used the disc, judging from the finger marks on the playing side of the disc. It's like they don't think of it as optical media!

Renting a disc but having to return it unwatched because something came up and you couldn't watch it when you had planned. If you own the disc it is always there for you, and if it is damaged you have no one to blame but yourself.

You can't reference discs very well if they are rentals. (Like when I want to look at one certain scene.)

I'll rent a Blu-ray if it's a film I'm uncertain about. But usually I'll buy it if it looks at all interesting. Then, of course, there are those films I really like and will "double dip" to have them in the best format.

I hate making a special trip to a rental store just to pickup or drop off a film. It's easier to go to your bookshelf.

01-31-2008, 11:19 PM	#1
Yeha-Noha Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Blu-ray reviews: 43	BDs: buying vs renting It seems from the signiture blocks of folks posting here, some have collected several dozen BD movies and a few over a hundred I thought it might be interesting and enlightening to me and to others, what you perfer to do: buy or rent BD movies and your reasons. I have a tendency to rent rather than buy. There are some BD movies, perhaps few dozen or so, that I would definitely buy because I would likely be watching them more than an half dozen times. Rent one 5 or 6 times and you've paid the cost of a new one! Some BD movies just don't appeal to me enough content wise that I would want to own them despite their exceptional PQ and AQ. They would just sit on the shelf Last edited by Yeha-Noha; 01-31-2008 at 11:22 PM.

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01-31-2008, 11:22 PM	#2
JJ Blu-ray Count Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Miami, FL Home Theater Gallery:99 4K collection:619 Blu-ray collection:1293 DVD collection:31 Digital collection:5 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:203	First, I bought all the ones I loved on DVD over again on Blu-Ray. Then I went for the ones that had amazing PQ/SQ and a decent storyline. Then, anything new, I rent first - then if I like it, I buy it from Amazon so it doesn't get too expensive. I've blindly acquired Sunshine, Blade Runner, and 3:10 to Yuma - looking forward to viewing them all. But, I have to keep my college student budget in mind here, so my collection pales in comparison to some of the epic ones on this forum.

01-31-2008, 11:25 PM	#3
JJ Blu-ray Count Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Miami, FL Home Theater Gallery:99 4K collection:619 Blu-ray collection:1293 DVD collection:31 Digital collection:5 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:203	Oh but - one more thing...ALL of my movies must have rewatch value. If I can't see it more than once, I'll trade it off on the Trading thread - i.e., Apocalypto, Rescue Dawn, Prestige... ...but I could watch any of my current titles over and over again.

01-31-2008, 11:26 PM	#4
Blu-Raider Expert Member Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Dark Side of the Moon Home Theater Gallery:12 Blu-ray collection:64 Blu-ray reviews:2	I rent more than I buy. The world's a tuxedo and I'm a pair of brown shoes. (thanks to George Gobel)

01-31-2008, 11:26 PM	#5
cdot2four Special Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Metro Detroit PSN:cdot2four Blu-ray collection:158 Blu-ray reviews:23 Trading Score:4	im all about renting movies that i haven't seen and buying the ones i have see too. after my 3:10 to yuma purchase i will never blind buy again. Im so glad i rented blade runner it was one of the worst movies i have ever seen, the same with shoot em up and war both horrible movies.

01-31-2008, 11:34 PM	#6
Blu-Beard Banned Member since:Jan 2008	I would rent if my BlockBuster had a better selection than I do and that's not saying much considering I only have 28. For now I just buy all the ones that I know I already love and will rewatch many times. And as for cdot2four not liking 3:10 and BR, I have to say that I'm shocked I personally thought those were two great movies. I'm not talking any smack or anything I just thought those were both good titles But I agree with you about blindbuys being a bad idea unless one has $ to burn.

01-31-2008, 11:40 PM	#8
NutsAboutPS3 Expert Member Member since:Apr 2007 Location:UK Blu-ray reviews:1	As I pay my monthly subscription to lovefilm no matter what, renting is effectively free, so I will rent any movie I haven't seen before, and then may buy it if it's exceptionally good. I really don't want to be buying more than perhaps 6 new releases a year, I just don't have the shelf space for any more than that when you add in important catalogue titles as well. What I intend to do now is to wait till the end of the year, then look back at the ratings I gave movies on lovefilm and perhaps buy my 6 highest rated movies at the end of each year. Catalogue titles that I've seen before and really like, e.g. Blade Runner, I'll just buy without renting first. In most cases, these are replacing a DVD, so shelf space isn't an issue.

01-31-2008, 11:28 PM	#13
jdc115 Special Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Singapore Home Theater Gallery:7 Blu-ray collection:87	I like to buy the few titles I would watch over and over but would rather rent the majority of the movies that I watch. But I do not have the option to rent where I live so I do make more blind buys then I would normally do. At the moment I own about 30 BD and have 5 more I want to buy in the next few months, but that is about the limit of what I want to own out of what is released. Since I can not rent, I do trade BD with a few others that live in the area. Our tastes tend to be different so it works out ok, I get to borrow those that I really would only rent.

01-31-2008, 11:31 PM	#14
mikeuk Junior Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:UK	I like to see a film before I buy it so if I've seen it at the cinema and I like it, I'll buy it. If not then I'll rent it and then buy it. Here in the UK some video rental stores used to allow you to rent a movie and if you wanted to buy it, they would deduct the price of the rental from it. That seems less common recently. Mike

01-31-2008, 11:33 PM	#15
BTBuck1 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Oceanside, CA. Blu-ray collection:507 DVD collection:1	I buy for the sake that I am either too busy or too lazy to go to the video store be it to pick it up or to return it. And Netflix has horrible turn around time and scratched discs that will never see the light of day in my machines.

02-01-2008, 12:19 AM	#18
broganreynik Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Nebraska Home Theater Gallery:60 4K collection:124 Blu-ray collection:2113 DVD collection:111 Blu-ray reviews: 4 Trading Score:46	I like to see movies before I buy them, but if I like 'em I usually buy them. Reason is, I never know when I'm going to be in the mood to watch a certain movie. I don't know how many times I've wanted to watch Boogie Nights or Event Horizon and couldn't because I haven't bought them on DVD (and won't, because I won't buy anymore DVD's). But I do know when I get that hankerin' to watch Full Metal Jacket, I can just pop it in, as opposed to going to Blockbuster, hoping they have it in stock and renting it for $5. Or putting it on the top of my Netflix list only to wait 2 weeks because it's not in stock.

02-01-2008, 01:14 AM	#20
Kristin Simard Special Member Member since:Aug 2007	With DVD I mostly rented. With Blu-ray I mostly buy. This is what I don't like about rentals: The one you want to see is often rented out (all copies) so you have to wait, even if you were in the mood for seeing that one. Late fees. Getting the damn things back on time when you are busy with other things in your life. Damaged discs that freeze in your machine. It sometimes looks like people have been eating burritos when they used the disc, judging from the finger marks on the playing side of the disc. It's like they don't think of it as optical media! Renting a disc but having to return it unwatched because something came up and you couldn't watch it when you had planned. If you own the disc it is always there for you, and if it is damaged you have no one to blame but yourself. You can't reference discs very well if they are rentals. (Like when I want to look at one certain scene.) I'll rent a Blu-ray if it's a film I'm uncertain about. But usually I'll buy it if it looks at all interesting. Then, of course, there are those films I really like and will "double dip" to have them in the best format. I hate making a special trip to a rental store just to pickup or drop off a film. It's easier to go to your bookshelf.

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