Blockbuster to Rent Movies Out at SD-Card Kiosks
The rentals will cost $1.99 and users can bring their own SD cards and download the movie to the card. An upside is the consumer obviously doesn't have to return the movie, but a DRM will be employed that has an expiration date for the film. Once the film is downloaded, you can watch through any SD-enabled device like mobile phones, laptops or televisions, although there are still many devices that aren't SD-ready at this time.
It was said that the higher picture quality from these SD cards is an attempt to lure customers back from streaming services like Netflix. It also wasn't clear when Blockbuster would start rolling out these kiosks either.
to read more on these new SD kiosks.
Comments (16)
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CBF
"No the problem with Blockbuster is it costs $10 to rent a movie for like 3 days."
Not true. I don't know what Blockbuster store rents out 3-day rental new releases at 10 dollars a pop, but please don't over-exaggerate, as that is completely besides the point here. Most Hollywood Video and Blockbuster rentals (new releases) are between 4-5 bucks, when I used to work for Blockbuster in 2003-2004 it was about $1-1.50 lower than that, so like between $3.50-4. Games are high, yes, some Blockbusters have those Game Rush sections inside like Hollywood Video and Game Crazy (rip-off central). But overall you keep the game for a few days longer, and yes, if you are talking about games they are like $8 bucks or something, and it is just better to buy the game straight up, never rent, otherwise it's a waste of money. But movie rentals are not $10 and they never were.
2 years agoby @comicbookfanFlag
Zynthos
lol Yeah if people want to get up early they get a good deal. I go to Cinemark for $2 on two thursdays a month. No people=awesome. Man I tried redbox once.....I don't want to talk about it
2 years agoby @heir-of-isildur0Flag
CelluloidDreams
The rentals will cost $1.99 ...ROFL!! Redbox is onnly $1.00!!!
Go to any Blockbuster Video store and U end up paying $5.00 for a "New Release" ...when for the same price of $5.00 you can go to any AMC theater before 12:00 Noon and pay only $5.00 for a new film on the big screen!
Thank G-D for Redbox!!!
2 years agoby @2movieguysFlag
Zynthos
"No the problem with Blockbuster is it costs $10 to rent a movie for like 3 days."
The blockbuster I go to has 5 day rentals for 4.99 so...
2 years agoby @heir-of-isildur0Flag
builder20
Now if the concept were for USB 2.0 (since most blu-ray players have those), and SD cards I could see the concept working. Pay a flat monthly fee of 10 bucks and rent as many HD (not Standard D.) films as you want. Anything less is not worth the wait, or the gas.
I wonder if the machines are protected from giving out "free" viruses with your movie rental?
2 years agoby @builder20Flag
halo_wars360
No the problem with Blockbuster is it costs $10 to rent a movie for like 3 days.
2 years agoby @halo-wars360Flag
Zynthos
"Why the hell does it cost almost the same amount of money to rent a film as it does buy it?"
So where are you buying brand new movies that just came out for 4.99? I can see where renting old movies kinda fits into that but come on they have a loyalty program where on certain days if you rent a movie you get one old movie for free or something like that. The one problem everyone has with Blockbuster is their fees. If everybody would just own up and return their stuff on time everybody would be happy lol.
2 years agoby @heir-of-isildur0Flag
Mizari
Penguin hit it dead on..im sick of paying $10.50 to see a movie thats hlf the price its gonna cost me to buy it..you should get a voucher for every movie you pay $10+ to see so if you decide to buy it you can get that taken off the purchase price...course that would mess up the equilibrium and companys would loose money but somethings gotta change....if not the price for the movie at least the price for the damn Conssesion food!! i can get a meal with a drink for $5-6 at any fast food chain...$5 gets me a small popcorn or drink at the theatre...Sorry for the long Rant.
2 years agoby @mizariFlag
JonSpidey07
sounds good
anything to get back in the competition
2 years agoby @jonspidey07Flag
Newkill3000
Yeah, i agree, penguin, the only way they're really going to compete with Netflix is slash there prices, for there monthly Blockbuster total access.
2 years agoby @newkill200Flag
penguin_9026
This is so stupid. This idea is about as innovative as doing a handstand in the shower when you run out of toilet paper. Come on Blockbuster, and get with the game. If you want costumers do it the old fashion way by slashing prices. Why the hell does it cost almost the same amount of money to rent a film as it does buy it? And movie ticket prices at theaters as well. Its ridiculous. It's the main reason people download torrents off the internet.
2 years agoby @penguin-9026Flag
ed_wood
This is such a bad idea.
2 years agoby @ed-woodFlag
Moviemaniack1993
I give this 6 months total. This is going to fail miserably. I mean I dont care if they say it is high quality, a standard DVD, in the end, is going to be better. First off, what if your card is not big enough to hold the film? Will it be compressed? And how many people actually have TVs with SD card slots! Major fail. No thanks I'll stick with Blu-ray and Netflix to my door for $10 a month.
2 years agoby @moviemaniack1993Flag
Oli
Ohmy...I don't think I could ever give up Netflix though lol.
2 years agoby @reviloleeFlag
CBF
Yeah, exactly. And I don't think "higher quality" than Netflix is going to drive their customers back. LOL I'm sorry, but consumers are lazy. They are not going to wanna drive to their local Blockbuster store and maybe forget their tiny little SD cards and then have to drive back..... no. They are going to sit on their lazy fat asses and wait for Netflix in the mail. The less work, the better. Besides, so many people are computer-illiterate these days, I mean if you have a computer dude in the family that could help you put these little SD card movies on your iPod, cool, otherwise, forget it Blockbuster. This is a waste, and it won't guarantee customers. Plus, newkill, you're right, I used to work for Blockbuster and believe you-me, they are stingy bastards. The expiration will most likely be 2-3 days.
2 years agoby @comicbookfanFlag
Newkill3000
Cool idea, but I bet the expiration date is like 3 days, knowing how Blockbuster works.
2 years agoby @newkill200Flag