Where to get BD Discs?

[ahblaza]

Guys,
My local Video Store where I rented all my Blu Rays has gone under like so many others. Where do I go to get the actual hard copy Blu Rays. Netflix, Blockbuster or RedBox. need suggestions, have capable streaming devices but prefer the actual media, (short of buying at local Walmart). Thanks.
Jeff

 

[jostenmeat]

Guys,
My local Video Store where I rented all my Blu Rays has gone under like so many others. Where do I go to get the actual hard copy Blu Rays. Netflix, Blockbuster or RedBox. need suggestions, have capable streaming devices but prefer the actual media, (short of buying at local Walmart). Thanks.
Jeff

You should run search functions to get all of the varying opinions. I am exactly like you in that I always prefer the physical media, whether it's video or music, so that I have the best possible playback of what I enjoy.

I use Netflix. However, I don't remember which studios are involved, but many new releases will not be available for one month after release with Netflix. The reason is because streaming has become so popular, they wanted to make a deal with the studios. Netflix enjoys more material from the studios to stream, where the studios hope to make more money in sales since the rentals aren't available to those who simply can't wait for a month.

I thought I had changed back yet again to 2 rentals a month for $6, but it appears I am still at 1 at a time unlimited (is it $12?). I have 4 in the queue, and I am going to get my money's worth. Hm lemme see what's even in there:

Looks like in order, for the moment, Ghost Writer, Gone Baby Gone, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, and Coco Before Chanel. I've never seen any of them. My last rentals were Book of Eli, Robin Hood, and I can't recall what was before.

 

[ahblaza]

You should run search functions to get all of the varying opinions. I am exactly like you in that I always prefer the physical media, whether it's video or music, so that I have the best possible playback of what I enjoy.

I use Netflix. However, I don't remember which studios are involved, but many new releases will not be available for one month after release with Netflix. The reason is because streaming has become so popular, they wanted to make a deal with the studios. Netflix enjoys more material from the studios to stream, where the studios hope to make more money in sales since the rentals aren't available to those who simply can't wait for a month.

I thought I had changed back yet again to 2 rentals a month for $6, but it appears I am still at 1 at a time unlimited (is it $12?). I have 4 in the queue, and I am going to get my money's worth. Hm lemme see what's even in there:

Looks like in order, for the moment, Ghost Writer, Gone Baby Gone, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, and Coco Before Chanel. I've never seen any of them. My last rentals were Book of Eli, Robin Hood, and I can't recall what was before.

Jost, thanks for answering all my posts and queries, it's great talking with you about all this stuff. I got a free Netflix trial with my Panny player, I may as well give it a shot, I think I will go for the three rental program as a trial and see how it works out. I don't mind waiting a month for new releases, my video store closed two weeks ago so I'm already behind a bit. I really enjoyed The Book of Eli, have not seen Robin Hood! Gone Baby Gone great movie. While we are on the subject I also prefer media for music, I have just refurbed as much as I could my Sota Sapphire 111 table that has been dormant for several years, purchased in 1986. It is fully operational now with new Denon DL-110 cart and Music Hall phono preamp, only one problem, after many moves and houses, my hundreds of vinyl LP's are gone, I'm left with only a few favorites with much wear and scratches on them. Do you have any suggestions where to find good quality vinyl resonably priced? I may just do a search and check out Ebay, I like classic Rock, jazz, blues and classical music. All suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks Jost for listening and taking the time to respond.
Jeff

 

[jostenmeat]

Again, you're welcome. I had no idea Robin Hood was directed by Ridley Scott until the end credits rolled. I thought during the movie, closer to the end, wow this is a pretty big budget film, and then when I saw the director, I was thinking, ok makes sense. It had somewhat mixed reviews, and hence the rental.

I've never bought an LP ever, but there are a few here who are really into it. I had once picked TLS Guy's brain to help choose a TT and cartridge for a friend, and this friend enjoys this particular recommendation the most out of everything I had recommended.

You might want to scan around this vinyl thread:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47017

 

[ahblaza]

Again, you're welcome. I had no idea Robin Hood was directed by Ridley Scott until the end credits rolled. I thought during the movie, closer to the end, wow this is a pretty big budget film, and then when I saw the director, I was thinking, ok makes sense. It had somewhat mixed reviews, and hence the rental.

I've never bought an LP ever, but there are a few here who are really into it. I had once picked TLS Guy's brain to help choose a TT and cartridge for a friend, and this friend enjoys this particular recommendation the most out of everything I had recommended.

You might want to scan around this vinyl thread:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47017

Jost, Thanks for the link, looks very promising. Yeah I picked the Doc's (Mark) TLS Guy's brain a few times, he does not pull any punches but tells it like it is, I respect him for that, he turned me on to a device for my table made in the 50's or 60's called The Dust Bug, it turned out to be an invaluable tool. Sorry for saying thanks so many times but I truly appreciate all you have done, I think there is one more question for you from me in the BD analog outs thread. OK my friend it has been a pleasure.
Jeff

 

[j_garcia]

I use netflix and redbox for all my BD rentals and between the two, I am very pleased with my ability to get most anything I want to watch. Occasionally I will have to wait, but it is no big deal. If I am willing to wait to rent it, then I can wait until it is available

 

[darien87]

I do Blockbuster. Netflix throttles if you rent too much for their taste. But if you're only going to rent a few a month you should be fine. I believe that Netflix charges more for BD rentals, Blockbuster doesn't.

 

[j_garcia]

I do Blockbuster. Netflix throttles if you rent too much for their taste. But if you're only going to rent a few a month you should be fine. I believe that Netflix charges more for BD rentals, Blockbuster doesn't.

I don't think it is too much for their taste, it is too much for the plan you have If you rent a lot, they want you to get a higher plan...

 

[ahblaza]

I don't think it is too much for their taste, it is too much for the plan you have If you rent a lot, they want you to get a higher plan...

Thanks John, I'm really dissappointed my local friend's mom and pop video store had to close it's doors two weeks ago after eight years of prosperity, it was so convenient, I'd get there tuesday morning and had first choice of all the new BD releases, $4 for five days. I will do as you do, I'll check the Redbox, there are two real close and I have a free trial Netflix that came with my Panny 85. Thanks again.
Jeff

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Blockbuster will have some BDs that Netflix does NOT have and vice-versa.

For example, Blockbuster has Deadwood S3, Chuck, Dexter S4, V, and 24 S9 on BD, but Netflix dose NOT.

Netflix has the movie "The Illusionist" on BD, but Blockbuster does NOT.

I'm sure there are other examples.

Netflix ships a lot faster for me than Blockbuster.

Netflix costs more than Blockbuster, but also has HD streaming via Roku and other NetCast players.

Thus, I subscribe to both at the same time.

 

[j_garcia]

Redbox is pretty limited, since they can only hold so many discs, but now that they've added the "find blu-ray", you can search for a box that has the movie you are looking for and reserve BD online (you could not do that about 6 months ago when they added BD). For big new releases, they seem to be pretty good and the fact that there is no contract or monthly fee, it works pretty well.

Netflix obviously has a much larger catalog, but no, they don't have everything and they don't have everything on BD either.

 

[jostenmeat]

If there was one implementation I wish Netflix had, it would be some sort of filter so that I could take away all DVD (and streaming for that matter) from the selection I am currently browsing. IOW, I only want to see what is available on BD on my screen.

So far, I've made one mistake in getting a DVD in. Foreign film, same guy from Secret in Their Eyes. Didn't even notice it was a DVD when loading it, but soon as it started, I knew. Took it out, sent it right back. Anyways, it would make browsing a lot easier for me.

 

[j_garcia]

If there was one implementation I wish Netflix had, it would be some sort of filter so that I could take away all DVD (and streaming for that matter) from the selection I am currently browsing. IOW, I only want to see what is available on BD on my screen.

So far, I've made one mistake in getting a DVD in. Foreign film, same guy from Secret in Their Eyes. Didn't even notice it was a DVD when loading it, but soon as it started, I knew. Took it out, sent it right back. Anyways, it would make browsing a lot easier for me.

Yes, that is a problem. You can setup your preference for BD when adding to your queue, but if they don't have it, it doesn't tell you unless you LOOK. I have to add things to the queue to see if they are on BD or not, then remove them when they are not. Redbox lets you filter by BD for a specific box.

 

[jostenmeat]

Yes, that is a problem. You can setup your preference for BD when adding to your queue, but if they don't have it, it doesn't tell you unless you LOOK. I have to add things to the queue to see if they are on BD or not, then remove them when they are not. Redbox lets you filter by BD for a specific box.

Yeah, I do have BD as, um, the "default", and I typically am pretty good about making sure. Except for that one particular time . . . Here it is:

Just to take this discussion completely off course, since I'm talking about foreign+crime stuff, I enjoyed this many years ago on DVD:

 

[just-some-guy]

NETFLIX. it is easy to tell if it is Bd or DVD. all you have to do is put you cursor over the movie, a window opens with some details, and there it is.

 

[j_garcia]

Yeah, I do have BD as, um, the "default", and I typically am pretty good about making sure. Except for that one particular time . . . Here it is:

I've done it at least twice myself

This is one of the films I am most interested in right now: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1164999/

NETFLIX. it is easy to tell if it is Bd or DVD. all you have to do is put you cursor over the movie, a window opens with some details, and there it is.

Yeah, but that means I have to wait 2 seconds to see it I usually do that to see if it is available for streaming, that way I can check out a little bit to see if it looks like it is worth adding to the queue to get on disc.

 

[ahblaza]

Redbox is pretty limited, since they can only hold so many discs, but now that they've added the "find blu-ray", you can search for a box that has the movie you are looking for and reserve BD online (you could not do that about 6 months ago when they added BD). For big new releases, they seem to be pretty good and the fact that there is no contract or monthly fee, it works pretty well.

Netflix obviously has a much larger catalog, but no, they don't have everything and they don't have everything on BD either.

John,
Thanks for the info "find blu-ray" that is a big help. Do you need to open an account with Redbox to get started or just go to the locations.
Jeff

 

[j_garcia]

John,
Thanks for the info "find blu-ray" that is a big help. Do you need to open an account with Redbox to get started or just go to the locations.
Jeff

I was actually pretty impressed with their system. You create an account online and put in your card info. Then when you go to the box, you swipe your card and it knows who you are which makes using the box extremely quick (no logging in) - you've already been charged before you get there, you only swipe at the box so it knows who you are. You can reserve online or just go to the box and pick a movie, but you do need to create the account first I am pretty sure - you need to do that anyway to get the first free movie. You can also set "preferred" boxes online, so you get the ones that you expect to use in your area when you log in. I also signed up for the "free rental via TXT" where they TXT you a code every few weeks that you enter at the box to get a freebie. Another nice thing is that you can pick up at one box and return it at any other one. The only caution is, make sure you pick the right box I picked the wrong one and was ticked off. I called them and they immediately cancelled it and gave me a code to use at another box, so their customer service is pretty good so far too.