6 ms·

Blockbusters used to be really good for this. You could even get a movie for a whole week for less than YouTube will rent it to you for 24 hours. Maybe they'll

Blockbusters used to be really good for this. You could even get a movie for a whole week for less than YouTube will rent it to you for 24 hours. Maybe they'll make a comeback?

adamrezich 5y ago
what will users insert physical media into, these days?
- NegativeLatency 5y ago
  USB ports?
- tomcooks 5y ago
  One use QR codes?
vlunkr 5y ago
Well blockbuster itself no longer exists, so don't count on that one.
- jbay808 5y ago
  Of course I meant their business model, but... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockbuster_(Bend,_Oregon) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockbuster_(Bend,_Oregon)
NortySpock 5y ago
Redbox automated movie rental machines, perhaps?
thayne 5y ago
This. I don't understand why streaming a movie is so much more expensive than renting a physical DVD or VHS from a brick-and-morter store. If I want to watch a new movie, it is generally much cheaper to rent a DVD from redbox than watching it from any of the streaming services that allow you to rent it online.
- ghaff 5y ago
  You can also still subscribe to the Netflix DVD service, although it's degraded compared to what it used to be. They're obviously not replacing a lot of disks when they wear out.
- rhino369 5y ago
  It's because of the first sale doctrine. Redbox and family video can buy DVDs and Blu-Rays (at a maximum) at the same price as consumer DVD/Blu-Ray--and rent them out without permission from the copyright holder. That means video rental stores can undercut the VOD prices. Consumers are willing to pay more for VOD because its easier. Having to return the disc is a pain in the ass.
  - thayne 5y ago
    It seems like there should be a similar mechanism for VOD. Although, VidAngel tried to do that and was sued almost to death by big media.
    - rhino369 5y ago
      It's not possible to lend digital media out without making a copy(remotely streaming it still copying), which isn't protected by the first sale doctrine. Redbox isn't making a copy. That's the big difference.
      - jbay808 5y ago
        Is it possible to play a DVD without making a copy in the DVD player's RAM? What if I extend an HDMI cable from my DVD player to your TV? My library manages to lend ebooks; they even have wait lists for them.
        d110af5ccf 5y ago
        > My library manages to lend ebooks; they even have wait lists for them. Those are made available in that format by the publisher. No equivalent for movies is available (as far as I am aware). Also my understanding is that it was never entirely clear if lending ebooks like that in the US was legal or not. The publishers and lenders both carefully avoided the issue going to court IIUC. (Prior to the Internet Archive's actions, that is.)

Blockbusters used to be really good for this. You could even get a movie for a whole week for less than YouTube will rent it to you for 24 hours. Maybe they'll make a comeback?

adamrezich 5y ago

what will users insert physical media into, these days?

NegativeLatency 5y ago
USB ports?
tomcooks 5y ago
One use QR codes?

vlunkr 5y ago

Well blockbuster itself no longer exists, so don't count on that one.

jbay808 5y ago
Of course I meant their business model, but... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockbuster_(Bend,_Oregon) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockbuster_(Bend,_Oregon)

NortySpock 5y ago

Redbox automated movie rental machines, perhaps?

thayne 5y ago

This. I don't understand why streaming a movie is so much more expensive than renting a physical DVD or VHS from a brick-and-morter store. If I want to watch a new movie, it is generally much cheaper to rent a DVD from redbox than watching it from any of the streaming services that allow you to rent it online.

ghaff 5y ago
You can also still subscribe to the Netflix DVD service, although it's degraded compared to what it used to be. They're obviously not replacing a lot of disks when they wear out.
rhino369 5y ago
It's because of the first sale doctrine. Redbox and family video can buy DVDs and Blu-Rays (at a maximum) at the same price as consumer DVD/Blu-Ray--and rent them out without permission from the copyright holder. That means video rental stores can undercut the VOD prices. Consumers are willing to pay more for VOD because its easier. Having to return the disc is a pain in the ass.
- thayne 5y ago
  It seems like there should be a similar mechanism for VOD. Although, VidAngel tried to do that and was sued almost to death by big media.
  - rhino369 5y ago
    It's not possible to lend digital media out without making a copy(remotely streaming it still copying), which isn't protected by the first sale doctrine. Redbox isn't making a copy. That's the big difference.
    - jbay808 5y ago
      Is it possible to play a DVD without making a copy in the DVD player's RAM? What if I extend an HDMI cable from my DVD player to your TV? My library manages to lend ebooks; they even have wait lists for them.
      - d110af5ccf 5y ago
        > My library manages to lend ebooks; they even have wait lists for them. Those are made available in that format by the publisher. No equivalent for movies is available (as far as I am aware). Also my understanding is that it was never entirely clear if lending ebooks like that in the US was legal or not. The publishers and lenders both carefully avoided the issue going to court IIUC. (Prior to the Internet Archive's actions, that is.)