CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

MikeEby · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 5237 Location: Osceola, Indiana

draganm · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 8990 Location: Colorado

Brian Hampton · Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 1173

I don't have a Blockbuster near me so that factors. I have a Hollywood Video but the place is a center for bad vibes. Can't really explain that but that place scares me.

I've been happy with netflix till now. I don't believe that Blus are costing them so much more.

I do believe that some people return everything they rent with major damage. If I rent something that's not a new release I run the risk it won't play because the disc will look like it got hit by a truck.

I think that's because people take them in the car.... In the old days I was quick to bring CD's in the car and it's very hard to keep them from getting damaged.

-Brian

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:41 pm Post subject:

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:53 pm Post subject:

Oh, and I want to put a plug in for Family Video. What a nice company. Last fall, I inquired in a store about their plans for adding Blu-ray. The employee took my name and number and a local manager called me back, explained that it was a corporate decision and that she had no idea when they'd offer Blu-ray. She asked if it would be OK if somebody from corporate emailed me... I agreed and gave her my email address.

Lo and behold, a few days later, here comes a very nice email from the VP of Purchasing at the HQ in Chicago. He acknowledged me as an early adopter, appreciated my love for movies and the best possible experience, and recognized that we drive technology and innovation, and explained their situation WRT to a Blu-ray rollout. He even indulged me a little on the adoption numbers they use to judge the right time for product rollouts. Wow!

So, I emailed him again this spring to see if they'd made any headway on their plans, and they'd already rolled out BD in their stores. They don't have a great selection yet, but they're moving forward. He mentioned a couple of interesting things. First, they found out catalog titles are total losers - as in nearly zero rentals - so, they're focusing on new releases only for the moment. Second, they were surprised by the fact that used BD sales volume was much higher than used DVD sales volume (as a percentage, I assume). I attributed better used sales to BD's high retail store prices, and perhaps the demographic of the average BD renter compared to the average DVD renter.

Anyway, great guy - I told him how impressed I was that a busy executive took the time to email a customer directly to answer questions. That's absolutely astounding to me these days.

Now, I'm going to email him again to tell him they need to put all the Blu-ray's together... Right now, they're scattered all around the store with the rest of the new releases. When I go to rent, I'm going to rent a Blu-ray or probably nothin' - so I want to see them grouped together.

SC

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

draganm · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 8990 Location: Colorado

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:01 pm Post subject:

Doh! I just went and looked at Blockbuster's 2-at-a-time online subscription, and it's exactly the same price as my Netflix subscription was with the new higher Blu-ray tax - $16.99. So, Netflix just raised their price to be price-competitive with BB (unless you're talking DVD - then, they're still a big chunk cheaper). Of course, raising your prices is a PERFECT way to ensure your customers reevaluate their options and potentially jump over to the competition!

I think I'll go to Blockbuster online, but drop back to the 1-at-a-time, then get another from Family Video when or if we have the time. That way we won't have discs sitting around all the time not getting watched like we did with Netflix.

I'll probably change my mind again by tomorrow...

SC

ralpharch · Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 211 Location: Derwood

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:34 pm Post subject:

I'm looking at the 1 at-a-time for $8.99, now. That gets us one movie to watch every weekend, which is often all we can squeeze in, anyway. Then, even if we do the in-store swap and watch another couple in during the month, we're at $12.99 - which, coincidentally about what the 2-out Netflix plan was costing us. We got more with that plan, but couldn't always use it. This is better because we'll be more likely to be able to use everything we're paying for. I was probably a month or two away from cutting back for the summer, anyway. Maybe drop back to the $3.99 plan for the summer.

Adios, Netflix! Hello, Blockbuster and Family Video.

SC

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

garyfritz · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 12088 Location: Fort Collins, CO

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

Clarence · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:10 pm Post subject: Re: Reduced my plan

garyfritz · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 12088 Location: Fort Collins, CO

John, I set up an antenna next to the house (back yard is on the wrong side Smile

) and at ground level I had barely-usable signals on a few channels. Most of the transmitters are ~70mi away and I have a hill/house in the way. I suspect it would do much better if the antenna was 20-30' higher but I can't do that.

Clarence, very interesting idea. I do actually have a "dead" (no TV) cable, since I get my internet over cable now. So you think there would be free HD QAM over the wire? I assume I'd need some kind of QAM tuner? I have an old Dish 811 HD receiver, which is what I've used for OTA HD tests, but I don't think it has a QAM tuner. Will any HD cable box work? I dunno how easy / cheap it will be to find an HD-capable QAM cable box. Hopefully cheap since I'm not sure it will work. I may not be searching for the right thin but I don't see anything promising in craigslist, ebay, or google. Help?

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:38 pm Post subject:

Gary, you could try a little USB HD tuner just to see if there's a signal there...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815260023

It would probably be more like $100, but you might be able to find the Pinnacle or Diamond version at BestBuy and return it if you don't like it or there's no signal.

Here's an LG ATSC/QAM receiver and DVD recorder for $110:
http://www.amazon.com/LG-DR787T-1080i-Upconverting-Recorder/dp/B000VLR46Q

Look for anything Clear QAM-capable - I think that's the free/unencrypted digital cable that OTA locals would come in on.

SC

Clarence · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:46 pm Post subject:

Clarence · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:49 pm Post subject:

ralpharch · Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 211 Location: Derwood

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320