Redbox

[Alton deFlat]

Does anyone use Redbox for movie rentals? I've seen them in a couple locations where I live, but haven't used them yet. Do you have to reserve them online, and then pick them up, or can you just make your selections at the kiosk?

[WoodDraw]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I think your getting a subscription service confused with a rental service. The subscription service stuff is cheap because its older titles or tv seasons a year or two old.

The new stuff is always going to cost more.
Posted via Mobile Device

Well you brought it up. Pestilence wanted to know how the streaming library was, and you said you could "pay more" for new releases. Which is a bit like me asking you how Spotify is and you saying, "Yeah, it's great. You can just pay for everything they don't have."

Fragmentation in online streaming blows. The studios refuse to license a lot of times, or license exclusively (even back market stuff), or even worse, launch their own proprietary service. I dream of the day I can have a movie version of Spotify that reliably has most movies older than "x" years. But right now, they're still stuck on the old PPV/rental business model.


As for new stuff, I know it will cost more. Fine. Let me give you an example using Snow White and the Huntsman, because I just watched that the other day. Here are the prices:

Amazon DVD: $12.99 ($19.98 reg)
Digital download: $9.99
Digital rent: No option on Amazon or Google.
Buy used: Around $4, plus $4 shipping.


That's not the newest movie, I admit, and it takes awhile for the economics to work out. But that's why I still buy a lot of physical media. It's relatively DRM free, I get all of the extras that come with it, and it's normally cheaper or the same price of the digital copy. And once I own it, I can do whatever I please. I'd love to have a cloud solution to this, but none exists.

I've bought plenty of perfect condition used movies for less than it'd cost to rent it through my cable company.

[Deberg_1990]

How much would you pay a month for a subscription service that includes new releases? It will probably change someday, but for now, I guess they are trying to protect their decades old rental model.

Yea, that's messed up about Snow White. I've noticed that too....after awhile they just disappear from the rental market and you have to pay full price for a digital download.

[WoodDraw]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

How much would you pay a month for a subscription service that includes new releases? It will probably change someday, but for now, I guess they are trying to protect their decades old rental model.

Yea, that's messed up about Snow White. I've noticed that too....after awhile they just disappear from the rental market and you have to pay full price for a digital download.

I'm not sure that in the near future new releases will make financial sense for streaming. I don't think the studios will license, regardless. And the prices would be too much.

My hope is more that studios will begin to open up their back catalog stuff, and license them out. I don't think I'll ever live in a world where I can just pay Netflix a few bucks a month, but I'd be willing to pay Netflix, Amazon, and HBO, let's say. Especially if all three of them produce top, original stuff as well.


Right now I use netflix mainly for it's supply of TV shows. I can watch the west wing, doctor who, firefly, etc. all on demand without worrying about dvds. But I think their movie library mostly blows. But I hope that changes soon. Once everyone stops being so scared of cable companies. It's going to take a couple more years at least.

[007]

Originally Posted by WoodDraw

I'm not sure that in the near future new releases will make financial sense for streaming. I don't think the studios will license, regardless. And the prices would be too much.

My hope is more that studios will begin to open up their back catalog stuff, and license them out. I don't think I'll ever live in a world where I can just pay Netflix a few bucks a month, but I'd be willing to pay Netflix, Amazon, and HBO, let's say. Especially if all three of them produce top, original stuff as well.


Right now I use netflix mainly for it's supply of TV shows. I can watch the west wing, doctor who, firefly, etc. all on demand without worrying about dvds. But I think their movie library mostly blows. But I hope that changes soon. Once everyone stops being so scared of cable companies. It's going to take a couple more years at least.

Why be scared of cable companies? Oh, because they rape your wallet.

[silver5liter]

Redbox instant steaming catalog is terrible. I had the trial for about 10 minutes before I ended it. Like free crackle app territory

[007]

Originally Posted by silver5liter

Redbox instant steaming catalog is terrible. I had the trial for about 10 minutes before I ended it. Like free crackle app territory

While I am not incredibly impressed, I'm sure it will get better in the future. Netflix was horrible then got better then went back to horrible. As far as movies go that is. I'll ride out my free month for the 4 free DVDs then cancel.