By: Andrew Robinson August 30, 2010
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Having your DVDs and Blu-ray discs shipped directly to your door, a.k.a. mailbox, was little more than a pipe dream a few years ago; however today it has become the go-to solution for many home theater enthusiasts. Netflix, arguably the largest provider of direct mail DVD and Blu-ray rentals has garnered much of the space’s attention as well as its revenue. However times are changing and where there’s money to be made, expect competition. Enter Blockbuster and Redbox….
Netflix
• Netflix is the nation’s largest direct mail provider of DVDs and Blu-ray discs.
• Netflix is expanding their streaming movie library each and everyday with new releases being offered via streaming before they’re available to rent.
• Netflix subscription fees start at $8.99/month for one DVD or streaming movie at-a-time, as many times as you wish in a month. The price increases to $13.99 for two DVDs or streaming movies at-a-time and goes up to $47.99 a month for up to eight DVDs or streaming movies at-a-time. There is also a Limited Plan that allows customers to rent one DVD at-a-time (limit two per month) and watch up to two hours of streaming content for $4.99 per month. All prices are per month and require an active credit or check card.
• Netflix charges $2.00 per month extra to rent Blu-ray discs.
• Netflix has a 30-day delay on all new Hollywood DVD and Blu-ray releases.
Blockbuster
• Blockbuster offers the ability to rent DVDs, Blu-ray discs and video games online and have them sent direct to your home mailbox for a monthly fee.
• You can stream Blockbuster films via the Internet on PC-only capable devices.
• Monthly plans start at $8.99 for one disc at-a-time service and go up to $16.99 for three discs at-a-time. Blockbuster also offers “Total Access” packages, which include the ability to return your moves and games to any Blockbuster store with prices starting at $11.99 for one disc at-a-time and maxing out at $19.99. All prices are per month and require an active credit or check card.
• There is no up charge for renting Blu-ray discs.
• You can rent video games for your PS3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii as part of your monthly subscription.
• There is no delay on renting new Hollywood releases on DVD or Blu-ray.
Redbox
• You can reserve your movie online and pick it up at the nearest Redbox kiosk or browse the selection and rent on site.
• Rentals, be they a pickup or point of sale, require an active credit or check card.
• Rentals are for a 24-hour period at a time and cost $1.00. First time customers can rent up to two DVDs at a time; however return customers can rent up to five DVDs at a time. All rentals must be returned before 9pm the day after you rent so as not to incur additional fees. Rented discs may be returned to any Redbox kiosk anywhere in the US.
• There are no delays for new releases.
• Blu-ray disc rentals are limited and cost an additional $0.50 per disc.
• Movies can be purchased at any Redbox kiosk and are shipped directly to you.
• Redbox requires no monthly subscription or fees.
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