DVD Rental Guide Blog

LOVEFiLM has signed a major new UK deal with MGM Studios to enable its customers to watch their favourite MGM movies online.  Most LOVEFiLM packages now include access to a limited range of films to watch online, MGM classics will be included within this range.

New releases such as “Hot Tub Time Machine” will be available on a pay per view basis.

Simon Calver, CEO of LOVEFiLM commented: “We’re delighted to bring MGM’s legendary content to LoveFilm. With the digital revolution underway, our opportunity for growth is huge and the addition of MGM titles is a substantial development in enhancing our digital catalogue.”

Here’s three of the Top New Releases available this week:

Hot Tub Time Machine

Four best friends who are bored with their lives get a second chance.

After an outrageous night, and yes a dunk in the hot tub they wake up in the 80’s.   With the beauty of hindsight they get a second chance to change the direction of their lives.  Starring: John Cussack,  Rob Corddry and Craig Robinson.

Whip It

Beauty Pageant contestant Bliss, (Ellen Page) leaves the circuit to join a roller derby team much to her mother’s disappointment.

This is Drew Barrymore’s debut as a director.

Sherlock (tv series)

A contemporary take on the classic Arthur Conan Doyle stories, Sherlock is a thrilling, funny, fast-paced adventure series set in present-day London.

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman and Rupert Graves.

The way that we watch movies is changing.  We used to go to the Cinema.  Then with technological advances we got cinema quality entertainment at home. We used to go to the video store then we swapped for postal DVD rental services.

Technology continues to race forward and now paying to watch movies online (streaming) is starting to catch on.   The basic technology has around for some time.  There are a proliferation of sites offering free and largely illegal content, but a paid for service hasn’t really been viable due to three factors: the availability of decent broadband,  TV’s lacking internet capabilities and agreements with the movie industry to distribute films by this means.

Who are the players?

LOVEFiLM is actively pursuing this medium. LOVEFiLM have been running a postal DVD rental service for several years.  They have been offering streaming as part of their unlimited packages but they have recently upped their game by including restricted amounts as part of most of their other product offerings.

Netflix offer a streaming service in the US alongside their postal DVD service and rumours abound that they will be expanding into the UK offering a streaming only service.

Apple offer movie to rent or buy via their market leading itunes portal.

Blinkbox are an online movie and tv site.  You can watch free content, or buy & rent content.

Sky and Virgin Media offer pay as you go movie offerings.  Sky have many new releases first but they have a limited set of films that are available at any one time.

BT Vision have also recently launched a pay for view movie service which you can use if you purchase their Vision+ freeview box.

Success in this medium will depend on three factors:  the pricing model, the range of movies and the technology.  When we’re streaming clips for free we might be willing to put up with a bit of latency but as soon as it’s paid for we’ll expect DVD quality viewing.

So is streaming the new DVD rental?.  Yes and no.  It’s clear that this technology will make an impact. However with the vast back catalogue of DVD’s that you can rent – DVD’s will be around for a while yet.

So an interesting battle will play out over the next few years.   Watch this space.

It’s the summer holidays – 6 weeks feels like 6 years.  Its raining  and the kid are bored.  Here’s one simple way to entertain them – a free DVD rental trial!

We know that we should all be entertaining children in creative and active ways but after a full on day of Blue Peter style activity its good to get a little “me time” with the kids engaged (and quiet) in front of a favourite movie.

All their favourite films are available from Pixar classics like Toy Story though to recent releases like Up and with no late fees you can keep the films as long as the kids are still enjoying repeat viewings!

Of the big players both LOVEFiLM and Blockbusters are offering a month’s trial. LOVEFiLM is free and Blockbuster’s £1. Blockbusters offer includes free or reduced price in store rentals.  For a list of offers from the main suppliers click here.

Why rent DVDs Online?

Online DVD Rental allows customers to rent DVDs from the comfort of their own home.  Its more convenient – no more late night trips to the video store, there’s more choice and there’s a package for everyone, which means you get more for your money.

How does it work?

Most suppliers have the concept of a list.  You select a bunch of films that you’d like to watch, put them in order of priority and off you go.  DVD movies are then sent to you through the post,  you can keep them as long as you want as there are no late fees and then return via the post.  Once the DVD is received and booked back in (which can take a couple of days) a new DVD will be posted to you.

Limited or Unlimited?

With an unlimited DVD package there is no limit on the total number of DVD’s you can watch, but there is a limit on the number that you can have out at any time.  The quicker you watch the films and return them the more value you get from the package.  Typically you can pay more to have 2 or 3 DVDs at any one time.

Limited packages allow you to watch a certain number of DVD’s a month and also limit the number of DVD’s you can have at any one time.  If you’re an occasional viewer these can represent better value for money.

What about the Free DVD Trials?

There’s no better way to get a new customer than offering them a free trial on the service.  Most of the major players offer a free DVD trial or a reduced price offer.   LOVEFiLM are currently offering one month’s free trial, with Blockbuster and Tesco’s snapping at their heels with their 2 weeks free or reduced price offers.  Click here for a full list of offers.

So what’s the catch?

If you’re organised there is no catch.  Simply return your DVD’s before the end of the free trial period and there will be nothing more to pay.   To avoid an extra months fees you do need to keep an eye on your trial end date.

What else is worth knowing?

One of the disadvantages of online DVD rental is that you can’t exactly be sure which film you’ll have at any one time.   If you want a specific film for a Saturday night then this can be a problem.

Blockbusters have got around this by having free or reduced price in store rentals included within their packages.  You can pick  up your popcorn and fizzy drinks at the same time!

LOVEFiLM have selected DVD’s to watch online included within their unlimited packages, and are set to build upon this offering in the future.