Blockbuster Puts Itself Up For Sale

[OrlandoEastwood]

Drug Mart has Blu-ray and DVD rentals. The one I go too has 79 cent Mondays. I don't go often since I got my Netflix account. I have the two at a time plan that comes to $16 after tax is added up. I watch my Netflix straight away if I'm not working that day or watch that night as soon as I get home. I get about 4 movies a week if I return them the next day. That's 16 movies a month, that averages to $1 each.

[girohome]

Yup. Hard to feel sorry for Blockbuster, as they killed the small chains

[kris26]

guyz where i live
they are shutting down three of its sores with in 10 mile radius and these three stores are for 4 cities
now its good time to opo back up on mom and pop shops
i love to see these stores comeback

now officially family video is the only rental retail store

[steve1971]

It is sord of sad to see Blockbuster in such a state. I always have liked going to their store where I live and I still do from time to time. The employees there are always freindly and helpful. From what the manager told me they are keeping the store open, one of only a handful so thats cool. If they do decide to close up shop as they say there still is online renting and steaming plus buying. It is sad to see so many places going under. CC, Ultimate Electronics, Borders and now it looks as though Blockbuster may be headed in the same direction.

[gammonk]

Yes it sad to hear they going under I've always enjoyed going in and looking at the new titles coming in also it was nice to have an actual person to talk to when checking out movies. Hopefully their online renting will not go away that some company will take over it I do like that they always get older titles in Blu-Ray when they're released where Netflix doesn't.

[Allforce]

I'm actually shocked by how many people in here admit to shopping at Blockbuster anymore, I switched to NetFlix years ago and never looked back. 5 dollars for a 2 night rental, give me a break.

And what's the problem with streaming? I think I use the Netflix Instant more than any other service on my 360 and that includes playing games. Hell I have the 1 disc plan with Netflix and can't even remember the last disc I had out, I think we sent back Marley & Me months ago and I never bothered to put another title in my "DVD Queue". It's all Instant Queue for me.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Allforce

I'm actually shocked by how many people in here admit to shopping at Blockbuster anymore, I switched to NetFlix years ago and never looked back. 5 dollars for a 2 night rental, give me a break.

I don't use BB and I don't rent, but BB also has had for some years mail order rental like Netflix, I don't know what they offered as packages, but I have seen a few posts on here on the subject to realize that maybe what you don't get is that you are stuck with an outdated notion.

And what's the problem with streaming? I think I use the Netflix Instant more than any other service on my 360 and that includes playing games. Hell I have the 1 disc plan with Netflix and can't even remember the last disc I had out, I think we sent back Marley & Me months ago and I never bothered to put another title in my "DVD Queue". It's all Instant Queue for me.

I don't think there is a problem with streaming exactly. It is like asking what is the problem with VHS or DVD. Some of us actually care for quality and would rather see and hear a movie as close to how it should look and sound as possible. Streaming, VHS and DVD just don't cut it in that regard. Why settle for streaming when you can watch a BD. It is like asking what is the problem with a 5 year old Lada, if you don’t have a choice, then nothing, but why would anyone pick it over a brand new BMW if there would not actually be a big (or any) price difference.

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by Allforce

I'm actually shocked by how many people in here admit to shopping at Blockbuster anymore, I switched to NetFlix years ago and never looked back. 5 dollars for a 2 night rental, give me a break.

And what's the problem with streaming? I think I use the Netflix Instant more than any other service on my 360 and that includes playing games. Hell I have the 1 disc plan with Netflix and can't even remember the last disc I had out, I think we sent back Marley & Me months ago and I never bothered to put another title in my "DVD Queue". It's all Instant Queue for me.

Same rental by mail plan, and if you have a store nearby, you can return a title in store. What's not to like? Neflix streaming is fine for what it is, but if you like AQ and VQ then it is nothing but a crapshoot. Unless you pick a Starz movie, they all suck. Crappy sound, 4:3 crops and spotty VQ at best. And now Criterion titles are on Hulu. And Amazon just jumped into the mix as well. Maybe now Netflix will actually work on their streaming quality instead of attempting to force everyone away from disc. Hmmm, actually improving their product instead of trying to make everyone choose it by price hikes, and punitive policies on their disc customers. What a novel concept.

[Allforce]

Eh I'd look at your internet connection then, the HD movies stream just fine on NetFlix for me without a hitch.

Comparing Blockbuster to a BMW, that's a stretch lol. They ran themselves out of business with their outdated model and sticking their fingers in their ears when the industry moved on. Good riddance I say

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Allforce

Eh I'd look at your internet connection then, the HD movies stream just fine on NetFlix for me without a hitch.

who said there is a hitch? It just looks and sounds like crap if you care what your movies look or sound like. It has nothing to do with internet connection (at least directly), it has to do with resolution and compression. The max Netflix streams is 4mbps, you can't getter better quality then that, on the other hand BD has a max of 40Mbps (just for video). 10x the BW makes a big difference in what you see and what you hear. Have you even watched a movie on BD? If not then I can understand why you just don't get what we are talking about.

Comparing Blockbuster to a BMW, that's a stretch lol. They ran themselves out of business with their outdated model and sticking their fingers in their ears when the industry moved on. Good riddance I say

Who compared BB to BMW? I said Blu-ray is like a BMW where streaming or DVDs are like a Lada. It does not matter if someone uses/used BB or Nertflix, they both offer BD and low quality streaming. You asked “what's the problem with streaming?” and that was what I (and rob) explained. There is nothing wrong with it as a concept but you are willing to live with a Lada to save 1$ or 2$ a month over a BMW. Most people here care a lot more for the big difference in images and sound and a lot less for the small price increase of a 1-2$. After all, it is meant to be one of the simple and easily accessible pleasures in life so why not go for the good stuff when there is practically no price difference.

[connect42]

Originally Posted by Blu-ray Fanatic

I'd hate to see Blockbuster go, they've always been good to me. If they go, where in the hell am I gonna rent blu-rays? I hate Netflix and Redbox. Maybe there'll be another service that has blu-ray and no 28 day wait. I'm certainly not blind buying unless I know its gonna be good.

I totally agree. I love my Blockbuster Online service. The in store trades are great.

[Allforce]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

who said there is a hitch? It just looks and sounds like crap if you care what your movies look or sound like. It has nothing to do with internet connection (at least directly), it has to do with resolution and compression. The max Netflix streams is 4mbps, you can't getter better quality then that, on the other hand BD has a max of 40Mbps (just for video). 10x the BW makes a big difference in what you see and what you hear. Have you even watched a movie on BD? If not then I can understand why you just don't get what we are talking about.

Well that's your opinion I guess, its not right or wrong. Streaming works fine for me, looks and sounds amazing and I will continue to pay for the service and encourage others to as well. I guess I should check out a movie on Blu-Ray sometime, is there a website or forum that has news or reviews of this new format that you know of?

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Allforce

Well that's your opinion I guess, its not right or wrong. Streaming works fine for me, looks and sounds amazing and I will continue to pay for the service and encourage others to as well. I guess I should check out a movie on Blu-Ray sometime, is there a website or forum that has news or reviews of this new format that you know of?

no one is telling you not to use it, you came in a BB thread to ask why people don't like streaming and so I answered your question. If you can't handle the truth then don't ask the question.

If a person has extremely low standards then yes streaming could be good enough, but that is as far as opinion goes. The fact is that there is what the movie should look and sound like, how close BD is from that ideal and how extremely far what Netflix offers today is from it. That difference between BD and Netflix is not an opinion, that is measurable, and is fact.

If one day Netflix adds 7.1 lossless audio and high bitrate (60Mbps+) 1080p then we can discuss opinions on how Netflix looks and sound. But now there is no question, like comparing a Lada that is several years old to a BMW.

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by Allforce

Well that's your opinion I guess, its not right or wrong. Streaming works fine for me, looks and sounds amazing and I will continue to pay for the service and encourage others to as well. I guess I should check out a movie on Blu-Ray sometime, is there a website or forum that has news or reviews of this new format that you know of?

Saying that Blu-ray has better PQ and AQ compared to Netfix is not opinion, it's common sense. Not to mention fact. Streaming may be "good enough" for you, it just isn't for most who have spent the time, money and effort to have a nice home theater. It is at best a way to see films not yet available on the format. Even then, in a lot of cases the DVD far exceeds what is available through streaming. Provided you have a proper set-up.

[DimeMecka]

Its pretty bad when they cant even compete with RED BOX!!!

[Blu-ray Fanatic]

Whats going on with Blockbuster now? In my newest Home Theater magazine, it says they're gonna have the 28 day window for Fox, Universal, and Warner releases but it doesn't affect their kiosk machines. It doesn't matter because the kiosk machines near me don't carry blu-ray. Is this how studios are trying to make more money?

I'm freakin pissed now.

[FlipperWasIrish]

Originally Posted by Blu-ray Fanatic

Whats going on with Blockbuster now? In my newest Home Theater magazine, it says they're gonna have the 28 day window for Fox, Universal, and Warner releases but it doesn't affect their kiosk machines. It doesn't matter because the kiosk machines near me don't carry blu-ray. Is this how studios are trying to make more money?

I'm freakin pissed now.

I think you got it backwards (I could be wrong).

I'm pretty sure the agreements ONLY effect the kiosks. The stores will be the same as usual.

[mytran80]

Originally Posted by DimeMecka

Its pretty bad when they cant even compete with RED BOX!!!

they have blockbuster box same as redbox but the vending machine is blue instead of red , they are competing.....

[Hunk Golden]

Originally Posted by OrlandoEastwood

Drug Mart has Blu-ray and DVD rentals. The one I go too has 79 cent Mondays. I don't go often since I got my Netflix account. I have the two at a time plan that comes to $16 after tax is added up. I watch my Netflix straight away if I'm not working that day or watch that night as soon as I get home. I get about 4 movies a week if I return them the next day. That's 16 movies a month, that averages to $1 each.

That's for the Streamflix DVD plan, right ($16)? They've raised prices recently (Blockbuster did too). With the 7% state tax it's now $25.67 for 3-out w/Blu (Blockbuster is $21 and change).

I must say that Streamflix online is light years ahead of Blockbuster online (service-wise, not movie availability-wise), at least living here in Eastern IA. As long as I have open spots in my Q Monday morning, Streamflix mails me all the new releases (almost never fails). Blockbuster is exactly the opposite. They'll skip me over, refusing to ship "available" new releases until days after the release date, at which point they're now a "long wait." I'd be lucky to get them shipped in the first few weeks. I always have to have any random older release sent and exchange those for new releases in store. Blockbuster's mailing time is a joke too...3-4 days (Streamflix is 1 day).

Being a new release guy, Streamflix sucks. They'll have periods in which they get a good # of new releases, but often they don't get 1/2 of them (Universal & Fox releases, for sure). The streaming is fine, but I'd rather they charged for it and took it off my account, lowering my costs. I rarely stream. I watch new release Blu's I've rented and bought...and I watch HD programming on Dish Network. Streamflix' streaming HD can't compete with that. Given that I don't use it, I shouldn't be charged for it.

[Hunk Golden]

Originally Posted by steve1971

It is sord of sad to see Blockbuster in such a state. I always have liked going to their store where I live and I still do from time to time. The employees there are always freindly and helpful. From what the manager told me they are keeping the store open, one of only a handful so thats cool. If they do decide to close up shop as they say there still is online renting and steaming plus buying. It is sad to see so many places going under. CC, Ultimate Electronics, Borders and now it looks as though Blockbuster may be headed in the same direction.

Agreed. Madison, WI has 2 Borders locations. They're closing the nice one in the great location because it's part of a 17-store lease they want to break.

I don't sympathize with these big guys because they killed all the mom & pops. In that sense, they deserve what's coming to them. It'll just blow when the consumer has even less choice than they have now though. It'll blow when you can no longer walk into a bookstore, get a Starbucks, and sit there with your stack of books and mags, deciding what to buy. Borders is always a good place to buy Blu-ray combo packs long after Amazon/Target have stopped selling them.