DISQUS

Jandy · 3 weeks ago

I never rent things when they come out anyway. Just throw it in my Netflix queue and when it gets to me, it gets to me. If I'm in a hurry to see something, I'll see it in theatres. This idea seems more likely to encourage piracy than anything else.

thisguy · 3 weeks ago

Doesn't really affect me. I stopped going to rental stores after I got Netflix, and all the new release films you can get off the internet several weeks before they're available.

adamcharles · 3 weeks ago

I don't think it's possible for me to buy any more dvds than I already do. So, no.

Christopher_M · 3 weeks ago

I rarely buy new DVDs I usually wait until my rental place sells them as previously viewed...it's the difference between spending 30$ on a new release or 10$ on a previously viewed DVD with a lifetime guarantee...they overcharge new DVDs they should be less if Blu Ray/Downloading is a threat to sales...

adamcharles · 3 weeks ago

I'd certainly be more prone to buy blu-rays when they reach the current standard-def price marks, rather than wait for used copies (which doesn't help the studios at all). When new blu-ray discs begin to reach the opening week sales prices of dvds ($15.99ish) I'll start dishing out for new blu-ray discs, and the studio can profit off of me.

PHiL · 3 weeks ago

who cares...really. I buy old movies that I haven't seen from when I was younger.
TEEN WOLF TOO, BABYY!!!!!

Alex (FS.net) · 3 weeks ago

I may be an exception because I write about movies for a living, but anyway... It wouldn't affect me because I don't ever rent that many movies. I usually got out and buy new releases from the store as is. If I want to watch something new that I haven't seen, I either Netflix it or just outright buy it (if I've heard it's good). Renting from Blockbuster is a rare occasion.

The other question is if this will affect Netflix at all. Will they not be able to ship new releases until 4 weeks after DVDs are released to buy? Not that I use Netflix all that often for new releases, but I think that would hurt more people than Blockbuster. I thought those brick and mortar stores were all slowly dying anyway.

Meh. It wouldn't really affect me, but I'm sure plenty of others will be annoyed.

Regi_S · 3 weeks ago

As much as I love movies, there aren't many that I've seen the past couple of years that give the "I've got to have it on DVD feelings" after seeing them in theater. But when I get those feelings about a movie I usually buy it with in the first week. Otherwise I do as everyone else and put it in my Netflix queue and watch it whenever it gets here.
Also how big is the decline in DVD sales compared to the increase in ticket sales movie studios have been talking about in theaters this year?

djjeffhall · 3 weeks ago

Speaking for myself this is great. I never rent movies, only purchase them. (Purely due to time. <lol> If I own the DVD I can watch it at my leisure and when I get to it.)

As for what will cause consumers to purchase DVD's? This isn't the way to go about it. If someone is planning on purchasing a DVD, they are going to purchase it. Back when I rented movies it was an either/or situation. If I liked the movie enough to buy it, I did. If I was so-so about it, I rented. I cannot recall one instance where I rented a film and then purchased it later. (That might also be a reflection of how often I go to see movies in the theaters as well. I average 40-50 films a year on the big screen. If I'm not interested enough to see it, I can't imagine having interest owning it.)

I think the best solution in getting me to purchase a DVD is by giving my a good and complete package. There are how many different versions of Watchmen available? To damn many if you ask me. Do you want the Best Buy Version, the Amazon version of the Target version, all of which have unique packaging and features? Why not wait for a version that has all of them compiled? (Of course, if sales lag then the elusive "Big Picture" package never materializes. Catch 22)

Also, don't spend time jerking around the customers. I loved Casino Royale, bought the DVD the day it came out. What happens later when Quantum is released? The "Deluxe" version of Casino is released and I feel screwed. Did I purchase Quantun Of Solace when it came out? No. I'll wait for the "Deluxe" packaging. (Yes, I enjoyed Quantum enough to purchase it even if it doesn't hold a candle to Casino Royale.) If I remember that is.

lucascott · 2 weeks ago

indeed. I have like 4 different sets of the Lord of the Rings because every so many months they released new ones with new features. Very annoying. My Harry Potter obsessed siblings will likely have to buy the 'complete collection' when that happens, even with owning them as they came out because there will probably be new features on that which they will have to have.

myself, I download more than I buy discs. and by download I mean legally not all this cam crap while the movies are in the theatre. Or I netflix. the home video industry needs a complete overhaul cause they are trying to continue a dying game. Downloads are growing in popularity but the studios aren't working with that market. they are just trying to keep the physical disks going. despite being higher in production costs, creating more trash etc.

Cole_Abaius · 3 weeks ago

I thought they did the exact opposite with The Brothers Bloom. Correct me if I'm wrong but, it was available for rent for several weeks before it went on sale. I wasn't sure what the thought process was there, either.

I'm sure the studios and other entities involved are doing their own market research (or I hope they are), but this seems like they are trying to create false demand in the marketplace which is usually not good in the long run. Paying more for the privilege of ownership isn't all that new a concept, though. I'm just not sure it works with something like this.

In my oversimplified view of the market, there are two basic types: collectors and casual fans. People who buy a ton of DVDs won't be affected by this because they plan on buying anyway. The casual DVD purchaser also won't be affected by this because they buy movies they like and rent movies they haven't seen. If they are affected, the extra DVD they feel pressured into buying per year probably won't do much for a waning business.

But my real question is how the rental outlets would benefit from this. It seems like it could only hurt them if it worked. In that rare possible world, once people start buying more DVDs, they can loan them to friends or all watch together, cutting down the number of people renting that title. Which brings us back to Jandy's point about piracy. Can't rent it? Don't want to pay 20-30 bucks? Might as well download it!

ladyofthelake · 3 weeks ago

I buy tons of dvds myself, but this won't effect my buying. I only buy what I really really really want. Usualy it's classic movies or old movies that are coming out on dvd for the first time, or tv dvds. I'm a costume drama whore, so I usually buy them period pieces right off the bat. The rest, I put it in my neflix queue and when it comes it comes. If I like what I see enough after I rent it, I'll buy it. It won't help in sales, not until they lower the prices. There are some places like Costcos or WalMart that sell bluerays older/newish at 10/15 bucks. But 30/40 bucks is hard for most people at this time, myself included. $40 for Cut Throat Island on blueray, your joking right? Who's buying that crap. Adjust your priceing, you might sell more. It's not rocket science.

Osiris3657 · 3 weeks ago

I buy DVDs anyway, so this won't make a difference to me.
Check out my sweet collection!
http://osiris3657.dvdaf.com/owned?rc=1

I also have Netflix but don't use it for new releases, mainly older films, TV shows, and documentaries.

Elizabeth · 3 weeks ago

Absolutely not. I will not change my buying habits for any stupid shennanigan that the distro companies pull because my budget and my space have neccesitated the way I buy DVDs, which is that I don't unless I've seen the film and loved it.

I can think of ONE movie in the last year that I bought as soon as it came out, and that was Coraline. And I probably wouldn't have purchased it immediately except my sister gave me money specifically for it for my birthday.

I wrote up all about why I think this is a bad plan on my own site: http://www.onegirlsopinion.net/2009/10/dvd-rent...

lostinvegas · 3 weeks ago

i just buy the pirated copy for 3 bucks when it is still in theaters. best option really.

tylerdurden1681 · 3 weeks ago

1. I hardly ever buy brand new dvd's unless they are something I know I will watch a lot and not just some spur of the moment interest.
2. It won't be hard to wait since I usually have to wait 2-4 weeks to see a new release movie using Netflix so it isn't going to change much.
3. Won't be surprised if illegal downloading goes up slightly thanks to this.