Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Blockbuster & Blue-Ray

This is topic Blockbuster & Blue-Ray in forum The Afterlife at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 01-25-2009, 06:14 PM:

I have been an on line Blockbuster member for almost two years and has been very pleased with their service. Although I do not have an HD set yet, I now have a Blue-Ray player and as most of you know I am very pleased with it. I went on line this morning to change my rental choice to BD and at first I had no problem when I had acknowledged I have a player that can play the BD discs. It than asked me if I had an HD television and the proper cables. I did not respond to these two questions and because I did not, I was told I was not ready to receive BD titles from them. When I was told this, I just went back and 'lied' that I had a HD set and cables and now will be able to get BD titles ----- when they are available [Confused]

Imagine my surprise when I checked my que. to learn that titles that were immediately available on DVD now require that I either wait a short or a very long time for the BD version. Is this the same with Netflix? The problem however is not that bad because I have a membership that allows me to take all of the discs I receive in the mail to a Blockbuster store and get an even exchange for every title I return. All of my online discs arrive by Thursday and I am ready to return them by the following Tuesday on the day new stuff comes out. I always make an effort to go just about the time when the stores open and have no problem selecting new Blue-Ray releases.

-Claude

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 01-25-2009, 06:50 PM:

I don't know about the online rental service with Blockbuster, but have heard plenty of complaints from Netflix customers about long wait times for Blu-ray discs.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 01-25-2009, 09:05 PM:

I recently joined NetFlix, with the Blu-ray option ($1 extra per month). Filled up my queue with Blu-ray titles, received the first 2 right away, no delay: There Will Be Blood and Kung Fu Panda. So far so good.

BTW, KFP looks amazing on Blu-ray. [beer]

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 01-26-2009, 09:25 AM:

Claude. Yes there can be a short or long to very long wait for a Blu-ray titles with Netflix. And sometimes they will get that title from another part of the US if your area depot is out of the title. They only buy so many per depot/market area of Blu-ray titles, the SD versions are bought in larger quailities. If everybody changed their format listing to Blu-ray they would buy more of that format per area and also charge more in their fees for them.

Posted by Scott Jentsch (Member # 1681) on 01-26-2009, 09:58 AM:

Some people report that there are long waits for Blu-ray titles from Netflix, but in the 12 months that I've been renting Blu-ray discs from them, I've only had to wait for a few (maybe 2-3?). My experience was the same for renting HD DVD's from them as well.

I've actually had very good success in getting new releases sent to me on the date of release!

Every region is going to be different, I think, so what works for me in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, may not work for you in Hawaii. All I can say is that my experience has been very positive renting Blu-rays from Netflix, to the point where buying the discs is basically a waste of money, except for the really special deals or those movies which will get a lot of repeat viewings.

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 01-26-2009, 05:19 PM:

It is good to know all of you are enjoying your membership with Netflix and getting good service from them. Their three movies at a time deal for $17.99 sounds great but if you watch a lot of movies at home like I do, Blockbuster is better. For about $38.00 , I get about twelve movies sent to me each month and when I return them at a Blockbuster store, I can get twelve more and they are all new movies on the exact day they are released. If any of them were also released in Blue-Ray, I would be able to get it as part of my membership at no additional charge. Once rented, they are due back in two days but there is a one week grace period. If I go beyond two days like I always do, there is no late fee charge.The Blockbuster store where I get my movies also has a good selection of BD titles both current and the classics.

Honolulu has a Blockbuster online distribution centre that has been sending me new movies exactly two days after I had returned the previous weeks movies at the store and that is fast!.

-Claude

Posted by Scott Jentsch (Member # 1681) on 01-28-2009, 09:33 AM:

I think everyone's experience varies with Blockbuster and Netflix. Those that don't have good luck with one may have better luck with the other. I do like how Blockbuster leverages their store locations, but I was under the impression that they had changed that recently...

I also have the good fortune of a nearby distribution center. I mailed in two discs to Netflix yesterday, and my queue has already been updated that two new discs are being sent out today.

I'll have them in my mailbox tomorrow, which is certainly spoiling! I've definitely curbed my buying habits since getting Netflix so many years ago. For me, it's just too convenient to make buying worthwhile, unless the movie is really compelling and/or will have a high chance of multiple viewings (movies for the kids).

I just reviewed Pride and Glory on Blu-ray, and there's nothing in that package to warrant a purchase, unless you're a huge fan of the movie. It's worth renting from Netflix/Blockbuster, though...

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 01-28-2009, 03:47 PM:

Scott,

I rented PRIDE& GLORY last night in blue ray and the movie did nothing for me. I also rented a BD copy of LAKEVIEW TERRACE from Blochbuster and I enjoyed that very much last night. Yes I agree, a purchase is only necessary if a movie is something you will watch more than once.

-Claude

Posted by Joe Tommassello (Member # 4632) on 01-30-2009, 10:24 AM:

Claude - I have been using Netflix for Blu-ray. It seems just this month it had started taking a little longer to get new titles...probably due to new and existing subscribers adding the blu-ray option. It seemed to get better with titles in the past two weeks. It took me three weeks to get "Dark Knight". I got "Bangkok Dangerous" and "Righteous Kill" within days of release. I have "Lakeview Terrace" at home now. I suspect they are quickly adjusting their blu-ray buys to compensate for the greater demand. Also they have a wider selection than Blockbuster which should appeal to a dedicated movie buff like you. My uncle wanted "Somebody Up There Likes Me" and BB didn't have it so I got it for him from Netflix. I don't know if they have a DC in Hawaii but I get my discs turned around in two days in PA.

BTW have you been following their stock? It's one of the top performers in the past two months!

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 02-03-2009, 03:31 PM:

I just returned from Blockbuster just now and was able to get three brand new BD titles that was released today without any problem when I returned the three discs I received in the mail last Thursday. They are THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, NICK & NORA'S INFINITE PLAYLIST and ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO. Because it is Blue Ray, I can keep them for a week but I intend to return sooner.

For some reason, Netflix seem to be more popular than Blockbuster but in my opinion I feel Blockbuster has a better deal. There is no way you can watch a brand new BD the day it is released and will have to wait your turn with Netflix. Not so with Blockbuster! I have a membership that allows me to receive three movies a week in the mail from my online membership with Blockbuster and they all usually arrive by Thursday. This gives me four night to watch them and I am always done with them by the following Tuesday when the store gets their new stuff for me to trade with my online discs. I have found Blockbuster service trouble free ever since joining and highly recommend them.

-Claude

Posted by Joe Tommassello (Member # 4632) on 02-03-2009, 03:42 PM:

Claude - have you been a subscriber to Blockbuster's home delivery service long? I heard they stopped offering the store trade-in option to new members quite some time ago.

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 02-03-2009, 03:57 PM:

Joe,

As I had stated when I started this thread, I have been a Blockbuster member for almost two years. I did not know the in store exchange part of the Blockbuster membership I am enjoying has been discontinued for new members. That is too bad. I recall the original plan I am enjoying that allows me three movies at a time with even store exchange was about $18.00 but because of the very generous nature of the plan, Blockbuster was not making too much money and had to charge more. My membership now cost about $38.00 a month and I still feel it is a good deal because of the opportunity I have to get twenty four movies a month with half of them being new releases in BD.

-Claude

Posted by Joe Tommassello (Member # 4632) on 02-03-2009, 04:11 PM:

I tried to do a little research at Blockbuster online to consider whether it would be a better option for me but it seems you have to sign up for an account before they will even show you the the different membership plans and prices. How annoying. Since I don't want the years of spam I will just stay with Netflix.

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 02-03-2009, 07:13 PM:

Joe,

You can get Blockbuster membership information by going to Google and type in the search box BLOCKBUSTER ONLINE MEMBERSHIP PLAN . When the first page opens up, click on BLOCKBUSTER ONLINE REVIEW 2009-TOP TEN REVIEWS at the top and you will find a favorable Blockbuster review. You will also find all of the various Blockbuster membership plans at this site.

-Claude

Posted by Joe Tommassello (Member # 4632) on 02-04-2009, 04:48 PM:

Claude - Thanks. That worked. I see how they changed it too. Originally you had the unlimited in-store exchange in the under-$20 plans. Now it costs more for that benefit. Still you are getting your money's worth. Also you seem to have more access to the latest blu-ray releases. Theoretically though I could watch a movie every night of the month from Netflix on their $23 (four-at-a-time)plan since it is a two day turnaround on returns in my area. Going to stick with them for now - but thanks for directing me to the information.

Joe