How many of you buy because renting HD is so expensive?

[Beta Man]

I remember back in the day, video stores would get VHS copies however long after the movie was in theaters, and then a few months later, you could purchase the film on VHS. I remember if you lost a VHS that wasn't released yet, you had to pay a LOT of money.

Once DVD came along, the second the video stores got the new releases, they were available for purchase. I think this was a great idea by the studios.... rather than charge a ton to give video stores access to their films, that would ultimately get pirated etc... just release it for sale to the masses at a reasonable price.

[dtrush]

I just purchase because it's more enjoyable in many ways:

1. No need for the hassle to rent it especially if it's at a B&M Store and needing to return it.
2. Hassle to get to the theaters with all of the time needed, annoying people there, etc.
3. You can watch the movie later, and loan it out to your friends.

Much easier to purchase it

[Beta Man]

I haven't been to the theater in quite awhile, but wanted to go for a couple things, but never did. Some movies (like Star Wars) I'm willing to put up with the nonsense at the theaters for..... I've probably seen 2 films at the theater since Star Wars though, so it's few and far between.

[Johk]

I buy because the selection from "brick and mortar" places is bad where I live (they have like 10 titles on blu-ray) and with online distributors it was already bad getting new releases from them on DVD so I won't even bother...

I still rent some DVDs (not very often) that are not planned to come out on Blu-ray but not that often and I watch movies on the movie network in HD (It's not blu-ray quality but it's not that bad and I get some series from HBO, showtime, etc).

Anyone in the region of Montreal renting movies?

[CAB]

I buy because I'm terrible about returning them. Pretty sure I still have Slaughter University and Techno Bowl out from 1992. The rental store went out of business and sold to Hollywood Video a decade ago. Buying turns out to be much cheaper. When Netflix and Blockbuster get their mail services for BD squared away, I may re-evaluate my strategy.

P.S. Oh and because of my massive ego.

[cdot2four]

sweet my local video rental has blu rays the same price as dvd rentals only $3. Video exclusive rules!!!!!!!!!!

[Beta Man]

My local Hollywood video doesn't have any Blu-Rays..... Does anyone know if that is franchise wide, or do I just happen to live by the world's worst Hollywood video?

[LynxFX]

Got it backwards, I rent because HD buying is so expensive. Renting SD vs HD is the same for me, although in the past 2 months Netflix has gotten horrible with BD.

I'll only purchase if the disc is below $20 preferably below $15. With that said I do own over 70 discs now all purchased in that range, and I've rented close to 100.

[tntkain]

I buy, because there is no place that rents blu in my area. We do have a blockbuster, but the last I knew, they didn't have blu yet

[LynxFX]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I remember back in the day, video stores would get VHS copies however long after the movie was in theaters, and then a few months later, you could purchase the film on VHS. I remember if you lost a VHS that wasn't released yet, you had to pay a LOT of money.

That was part of the 'rental window' way of doing business. Rental stores would actually purchase the tapes for around $100 each. So yeah, if you lost it they weren't too happy. Once the window was through then they did a sell through of normal price for the tapes. They came very close to doing this same thing with DVD but ultimately found that people were more willing to purchase DVD's and thus began the boom of the home theatre business.

[Smallville206]

I've never rented a movie or game. I don't blindly buy something, I still go off of reviews/word of mouth etc...so far I have never been upset for the most part.

[Petey2133]

Originally Posted by BLUNT

After getting hooked on HD video and sound, I think the biggest reason I ended up on this site was to read reviews on bd movies I was thinking of buying. I even appreciate the reviews on movies I'v seen hundreds of times (like Goodfellas). My main point is, normally I would just rent a movie and judge its quality for myself then decide if I want to buy it, but because renting is so damn expensive it doesnt make much sense to rent a BD for $6.00-$7.00 from Blockbuster, etc.... only to confirm that its a movie I want to pay another $20.00+ to add to my humble collection. So thank you for your fair and accurate reviews. You've saved me money.

my block buster rents blu rays for $3.50 each. and its a week rental also


I do on the other hand read reviews very thoroughly before buying any movies.

For instance, i am a huge Terminator fan, but after reading many mixed reviews I have come to the conclusion that unless i get them for under $13 per movie, i probably wont buy them until they are remastered as some think they will be eventually.

I hardly rent though, i figure if the movie is like $4 to rent and $20 to buy +- a few bucks, i might as well fork it out all at once and just get it over with...

Plus it adds to the collection!!!

[Sonny]

I buy so I can look cool to a bunch of people, that couldn't care less & I'm still 'Baby D!cked' &

[bajor27]

I rent through RogersVideoDirect.ca - basically a canadian netflix. It works out pretty well - definitely cheaper than renting in store.

I have a few blus on there right now - just finished watching payback: director's cut a few days ago through them. I actually had bought that movie on blu already, however, thankfully I read some reviews before opening it and ended up returning it. Definitely not as good as the theatrical version IMO.

[newguy7]

I use the online/store rental from Blockbuster for blu rays that i don't deem i NEED to own. THe rest i buy.

[blu-backer]

I rent to see if a movie is worth paying $20 for. I don't see a lot of movies in the theaters, and I find that I don't necessarily agree with a lot of critic's reviews of movies anyway.

The way I see it, Netflix costs $8.99 for one movie out. Even if I just rent four a month, that's $2.50 per movie. Cable rarely has the movies that I'm interested in.

For example, we just recently rented Flags of our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima, and Blood Diamond on BD from Netflix. I'm probably going to buy the last two based on watching it for myself.

[BLUNT]

I agree with smallville206 his comment comes closest to what I do and thats why I origionally posted. all of your comments and reviews have helped me make good decisions on the titles I have bought so far. Fortuantely I have not needed to rent because if I think I want to buy a new BD and it gets poor reviews I stay away. Good reviews, I buy.

[HDPlasma]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

My local Hollywood video doesn't have any Blu-Rays..... Does anyone know if that is franchise wide, or do I just happen to live by the world's worst Hollywood video?

I live by 3 BlockBuster Videos and 2 Hollywood Videos.

Only 1 HV has both Blu-ray and HD DVD rentals.
Only 1 BB has Blu-ray rentals.

Selections are slim on the catolog releases but both have been getting Day and Date releases since last Nov.

[Manmangler]

I haven't rent any HD-movies yet because

I own 50% of those rented HD-movies. Well that movie is 300. Yep we are spoiled for choices, you can rent 300 and one other movie

[Denzelio]

I have never believed in Renting as i only believe in paying for something 'material'. So in the case of being unsure i'll buy a cheaper 'DVD' version before the Blu-ray version and for games which i don't buy to often if i dislike it i always get between 70%-85% back on Ebay.