Whether it might be My New Software update to the Apple TV, or the HD offerings of Direct TV, I'm being forced to look elsewhere for recent HD movies. It has become nearly Impossible to get any Recent HD offerings from Netflix. So I joined BB Online hoping for better Results, just as Bad. Getting any movies within 3 months of release does not seem to be Doable anymore. I Would rent far more HD-DVD and Blu Ray than buy, my hope when I got the A2 and now the PS3. But I see this was false Hope as attaining these as rentals are nearly impossible. I've been getting most of my new stuff from Redbox in SD and upconverting it, and that was not my Desire in the HD age. Anyone else battling for HD rentals now want to give me some tips?

Whether it might be My New Software update to the Apple TV, or the HD offerings of Direct TV, I'm being forced to look elsewhere for recent HD movies. It has become nearly Impossible to get any Recent HD offerings from Netflix. So I joined BB Online hoping for better Results, just as Bad. Getting any movies within 3 months of release does not seem to be Doable anymore. I Would rent far more HD-DVD and Blu Ray than buy, my hope when I got the A2 and now the PS3. But I see this was false Hope as attaining these as rentals are nearly impossible. I've been getting most of my new stuff from Redbox in SD and upconverting it, and that was not my Desire in the HD age. Anyone else battling for HD rentals now want to give me some tips?

this happened with DVD back in the day too. It was much more difficult the first couple of years to get rentals. It's just the price we pay for a new media. Once they gain more acceptance and places feel more comfortable stocking more of them we will see much more of them floating around and much easier to get a hold of.

Yeah, I have one title that's been on my Netflix waiting list for 8 months. :mad:

It's clear that NF is aware of the probelm with HDM's, and its CFO has recently mentioned that they're considering increasing the price for HD rentals to improve their supply:

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6529766.html?nid=3511

Whether it might be My New Software update to the Apple TV, or the HD offerings of Direct TV, I'm being forced to look elsewhere for recent HD movies. It has become nearly Impossible to get any Recent HD offerings from Netflix. So I joined BB Online hoping for better Results, just as Bad. Getting any movies within 3 months of release does not seem to be Doable anymore. I Would rent far more HD-DVD and Blu Ray than buy, my hope when I got the A2 and now the PS3. But I see this was false Hope as attaining these as rentals are nearly impossible. I've been getting most of my new stuff from Redbox in SD and upconverting it, and that was not my Desire in the HD age. Anyone else battling for HD rentals now want to give me some tips?
Be patient
Wait for sales at Amazon, BB, etc.
Buy used
Vod
go without

Be patient
Wait for sales at Amazon, BB, etc.
Buy used
Vod
go without

I don't want nor can afford to buy every movie I want to watch. I made this mistake with SD leading to 1500 movies on my shelf that I rarely watch more than once. Never Again.

Yeah, I have one title that's been on my Netflix waiting list for 8 months. :mad:

It's clear that NF is aware of the probelm with HDM's, and its CFO has recently mentioned that they're considering increasing the price for HD rentals to improve their supply:

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6529766.html?nid=3511

wtH!!! raise their prices. Sheesh, that's a way to increase supply, have less people rent :rolleyes:, Renting is becoming more and more a pain to me.

I don't want nor can afford to buy every movie I want to watch. I made this mistake with SD leading to 1500 movies on my shelf that I rarely watch more than once. Never Again.
I'm always amazed when I hear of collections of that size. I'm not sure if there are more than a thousand movies i'd consider seeing once...never mind owning in a private collection. My assortment is at about 250 and I only buy new of films I've seen once at the theatre and liked. The rest I rent in sd as they barely worth renting at all. Netflix makes it cheap to do.

Sure, it would be nice if everyone got the disk on release day but how realistic is that?

Gee weez, if a new HDM release is in my queue and I don't get it I simply look forward to another film I have in my queue. Or, I watch or do something else. :)

I can't wait to see Blade Runner and HP: Order of the Phoenix in HD. Both have been in my queue for months. I know its in demand. Oh well, so I move on to something else.

Worse case scenrio, if I really, really, want to watch a movie, I go out and buy it.

I must be lucky with my NF account. I have been getting the new releases the week of their release. Saw IV, The Gameplan, The Invasion, and Across the Universe all got shipped to me their respective release dates. I do however have some catalog titles that aren't being shipped.

you can blame some of it on the economy more people staying home renting,they just
don't have the disposable income to treat the family to various outings.

this happened with DVD back in the day too. It was much more difficult the first couple of years to get rentals. It's just the price we pay for a new media. Once they gain more acceptance and places feel more comfortable stocking more of them we will see much more of them floating around and much easier to get a hold of.


I didn't have a problem almost 10 years ago with netlix DVDs and I don't have any problem now getting the HD DVD/BD titles. I remember having a problem in the early 2000's with Netflix, but that was when they really started to grow and hadn't expanded their distribution centers yet.

Yeah, its very frustrating. I mean, I can see some waiting, but they should take care of their customers better. Order more copies of the disc or something. OR, they could reward those that return new releases quicker. I usually watch my new releases right away and get them sent back pretty quickly. What a good HD sumeritan I am huh? :D

One thing you can try is just to fill your queue with movies that are ALL on Long Wait status. I did this when 300 came out and I actually got that title quickly. It doesnt always work but if they have nothing else to send you, you might get moved up in the queue.

Haven't had that specific problem yet. I've already gotten 2 HD-DVD titles from Netflix in about a weeks time. The first one I watched and sent back the next day. There is one queue item that says "very long wait" and it happens to be standard dvd lol.

My local Blockbuster has a lot of new release BDs and they are NEVER out. Same thing with Hollywood, and they even carry both HD and Blu.

i'm thinking of canceling netflix and go with blockbuster.

My local Blockbuster has a lot of new release BDs and they are NEVER out. Same thing with Hollywood, and they even carry both HD and Blu.

Ive been considering going with Hollywood myself.

Sure, it would be nice if everyone got the disk on release day but how realistic is that?

Of course expecting it the day of release us not reasonable, but should we really be expected to wait weeks or months? I wait weeks for new releases, a month is not uncommon.

Gee weez, if a new HDM release is in my queue and I don't get it I simply look forward to another film I have in my queue. Or, I watch or do something else. :)

That's the thing, new releases are really the only thing I'm interested in, I've already seen the others, and I either own them or don't care to watch again. For a while I was putting anything in my queue that was HD and "OK", but after I mailed a bunch back without even pulling them out of their envelope, I finally just pulled everything but new releases from my queue.

I can't wait to see Blade Runner and HP: Order of the Phoenix in HD. Both have been in my queue for months. I know its in demand. Oh well, so I move on to something else.

IMO months is utterly unacceptable.

Haven't had that specific problem yet. I've already gotten 2 HD-DVD titles from Netflix in about a weeks time.

Getting HD DVDs isn't a problem, getting new ones is. They'll send me "old" releases one after another, but new releases sit in my queue for weeks if not months. Also the problem has gotten worse the longer I've been with them.

Be patient
Wait for sales at Amazon, BB, etc.
Buy used
Vod
go without

What Vod service gives you HD DVD or Blu Ray quality?

My tips from the Blockbuster TOTAL ACCESS Direct Links and Renters Guide (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=977031):

Tips:
1) Put BD movies releasing next week at the top of your queue and return envelopes to the store on Sunday. New releases are easiest to get right away and it may take several weeks to a few months to get new releases if you miss this opportunity.

2) Only put BD titles in your queue or keep SD titles at the bottom. SD titles are much easier to get in the store so you're best off using your in-store exchanges to rent them.

Similar to klac, basically I add all the new releases from the list at highdefdigest. When they move from the waiting area to my queue I move them to the top of the list.

I put movies in the mail on Friday and Saturday, and they usually ship me at least one new release on Monday (the day before it comes out).

This week I received both Across the Universe and the Jane Austen Book Club, and last week I received The Life of Brian.

The only ones I have been waiting on for a while are Sunshine and Ocean's 13.

It isn't great, and it used to be much better, but this is how I get the best out of it.

BTW, Blockbuster was much worse imho, even when you had unlimited trade ins in the store.

What Vod service gives you HD DVD or Blu Ray quality?
None..Thats why I put it next to go without

Same story here, Stuff that's been out for a few months is no problem, but newer stuff is ridiculous.

I've had Stardust and Eastern Promises in my queue since just after their release. The only one I had any luck with was Disturbia.

Your best bet might be your local Blockbuster brick and mortar location rather/in addition to renting from BBO or NF. Assuming you have one of the Blu-ray enabled Blockbusters near you (which should be the case unless you live out in the boondocks somewhere), you can certainly tell the manager there that you'd like to see X movie when it comes out on their shelf.

Anyone else battling for HD rentals now want to give me some tips?I put all my "... wait" titles at the front of my queue, and every once in a while one ships. To illustrate, just this last week two of my Blu-ray "... wait" titles ("Bram Stoker's Dracula" and "Waiting") shipped.

Love the thread title! :) I've given up on NF. I put all the HD titles at the top and I just let the titles sit in my queue and sooner or later I'll get them. If I really want to see the movie I'll get the SD and sometimes that takes a long time also. I've still had pretty good luck with having a returned disc ready for a Monday ship of a new release.

larry

I have the 7 out at a time plan with netflix, and have been a member since 2002. I only exchange 2-3 movies per week. I've received pretty much every hd-dvd new release on the tuesday or wednesday it has been released. I always send in movies on Friday or Saturday, when a movie is coming out on Tuesday. I'm sure I pay a lot more per movie than most people, but I get flawless service for it.

I have had the Matrix HD-DVd at the top of my que for 3 months now. it is not like it is a new release anymore. I suspect I will be able to buy it on Bluray before I get it from netflix

this tells me that hd is being accepted faster than was anticipated with people having
to wait for older titles.

As much as I hate to spendadditional money to Netflix, Comcast HD gets the movies pretty quick

I've joined my local blockbuster's $9.99 for the year plan. It includes Blu-ray.

You get every fifth blu-ray rental in the month for free, and on mon-wed you get an older blu-ray title for free. So it pays for itself pretty quickly.

So in addition to netflix, I drive to my local BB. Now that they don't have late fees, it's not so bad. Since the WB announcement, the store is stocking more Blu-ray, but they still don't have Gameplan. Netflix lists that title as very long wait for me. Might end up having to buy it and sell it.

If you have Blu-ray you can just get your rentals at the local Blockbuster. I don't see the big deal honestly.

Whether it might be My New Software update to the Apple TV, or the HD offerings of Direct TV, I'm being forced to look elsewhere for recent HD movies. It has become nearly Impossible to get any Recent HD offerings from Netflix. So I joined BB Online hoping for better Results, just as Bad. Getting any movies within 3 months of release does not seem to be Doable anymore. I Would rent far more HD-DVD and Blu Ray than buy, my hope when I got the A2 and now the PS3. But I see this was false Hope as attaining these as rentals are nearly impossible. I've been getting most of my new stuff from Redbox in SD and upconverting it, and that was not my Desire in the HD age. Anyone else battling for HD rentals now want to give me some tips?


Where do you live? I am on Netflix' 3 at once plan ( 4 year customer ), and get NEW RELEASES of BD and HD DVD immediately as long as I have a slot open. I get about 12 movies total per month.

If you have Blu-ray you can just get your rentals at the local Blockbuster. I don't see the big deal honestly.I haven't driven to a video store for a rental since the last century.
I did it alot from the early 80's to the late 90's. But this is the 21st century. I'm not going to drive to a location to get a rental. I'll either use VOD or get it out of my mailbox. And VOD is increasingly getting more usage from me. To the point that if NEtflix tries to charge more for HD DVD/BD rentals I will drop them after being with them for around 10 years. I'm already planning to drop my membership down to 1 or 2 out at a time since I rarely use it now.

this tells me that hd is being accepted faster than was anticipated with people having
to wait for older titles.
And judging by the flawless data surfaces of every Netflix Blu-ray I've received, you'd think it would be in their favor to promote the format.

As much as I hate to spendadditional money to Netflix, Comcast HD gets the movies pretty quick

but inferior PQ and AQ than what is on disc

I rented three new BD releases at Movie Gallery the other day, and was very suprised to see more than two sections of BD movies since they had none just 2 months ago.
They also had a bit less than one section of hd dvd with BD covering the top shelf of that section.

It looks very similar at Hollywood video who seems to keep adding titles weekly while shrinking the dvd section a little bit at a time.

The BB's that stock Blu-ray are getting more new as well as catalog titles in all the time which is also a good sign.

HD optical (especially Blu-ray) is getting rental space much quicker than dvd did when VHS was king from what I am seeing.

I haven't driven to a video store for a rental since the last century.
I did it alot from the early 80's to the late 90's. But this is the 21st century. I'm not going to drive to a location to get a rental. I'll either use VOD or get it out of my mailbox. And VOD is increasingly getting more usage from me. To the point that if NEtflix tries to charge more for HD DVD/BD rentals I will drop them after being with them for around 10 years. I'm already planning to drop my membership down to 1 or 2 out at a time since I rarely use it now.


I swear when you look at America's increasing obesity epidemic the last ten years, it isn't because our food is any different. Maybe I'm in the minority but in the 21st century I still like to take walks, get out of the house, and give local businesses my money, especially when the service is better (I can get any movie I want on a whim or trade in one I'm already renting with immediate turn around) and there is a Blockbuster every 5 blocks in the city.

They closed alot in this area for lack of business.

They closed alot in this area for lack of business.

Yeah they're closing about 1/5th their stores here in Chicago. Now there is one every 5 blocks versus one every 4. ;)

VOD is definetly the future with rentals though.

I swear when you look at America's increasing obesity epidemic the last ten years, it isn't because our food is any different. Maybe I'm in the minority but in the 21st century I still like to take walks, get out of the house, and give local businesses my money, especially when the service is better (I can get any movie I want on a whim or trade in one I'm already renting with immediate turn around) and there is a Blockbuster every 5 blocks in the city.

+1

And I don't have to worry about my BB in store rental being broken when I get it. I swear, for the 3 or so months that I had netflix, every other HD-DVD that I rented was either too scratched to play smoothly, or just flat out broken. I rented about 14 of them over that 12 month period (with DVDs making up the rest of my rentals). I sent at least 7 back because of problems. I often ended up waiting a week just to see the damn movie. I'd much rather drive 2 minutes to BB and be able to select whatever DVD or BR that I want whenever I want (subject to availability of course).

+1

And I don't have to worry about my BB in store rental being broken when I get it. I swear, for the 3 or so months that I had netflix, every other HD-DVD that I rented was either too scratched to play smoothly, or just flat out broken. I rented about 14 of them over that 12 month period (with DVDs making up the rest of my rentals). I sent at least 7 back because of problems. I often ended up waiting a week just to see the damn movie. I'd much rather drive 2 minutes to BB and be able to select whatever DVD or BR that I want whenever I want (subject to availability of course).

It makes you wonder if HD DVD's easy scratchability and playback problems was one of the reasons Netflix dumped the format.

I'm always amazed when I hear of collections of that size. I'm not sure if there are more than a thousand movies i'd consider seeing once...never mind owning in a private collection. My assortment is at about 250 and I only buy new of films I've seen once at the theatre and liked. The rest I rent in sd as they barely worth renting at all. Netflix makes it cheap to do.

I think I might have 120 movies.. most of those are "family friendly" (Disney, animated)

I am moving all my content to HDM as they come out... but I do feel for people who buy all their movies. I wish I could afford to do that. But, as they haven't released that Kaliedescope Blu-Ray server I will have to wait.

i too am surprised when people talk about dvd collections in the 1000s...I buy one or two movies a year (the ones i really really like).

1,500 dvds at an average of $10 per is $15,000 -- that's almost a new car right there.

It makes you wonder if HD DVD's easy scratchability and playback problems was one of the reasons Netflix dumped the format.

Why didn't they dump DVD then? I never had a single problem with playback of any HD DVD, and have rented at least 100. Overblown exaggerated "issue"

Why didn't they dump DVD then? I never had a single problem with playback of any HD DVD, and have rented at least 100. Overblown exaggerated "issue"
- Higher cost per disc?
- Higher sensitivity to scratches?

You can't rely on personal experience only when talking about the motivations of a large corporation; they have millions of subscribers.

Personally, it seems to me like Netflix is eager (like many retailers) to crown a new successor to DVD. They hate the idea of video downloads - VOD takes money away from them, since their business model doesn't really support it at the moment, and a permanent stalemate between HD DVD and Blu-ray would accelerate rise of VOD with out a higher quality physical medium to balance the scales.

I swear when you look at America's increasing obesity epidemic the last ten years, it isn't because our food is any different. Maybe I'm in the minority but in the 21st century I still like to take walks, get out of the house, and give local businesses my money, especially when the service is better (I can get any movie I want on a whim or trade in one I'm already renting with immediate turn around) and there is a Blockbuster every 5 blocks in the city.

I also used to think that our rich American diet was the main cause of the high incidence of obesity (including mine), but then I moved to Japan. Obesity is very rare here, even though the modern Japanese diet is not much different from the rest of the industrialized world. Hell, I have office worker friends who eat at McDonalds at least 2-3 times a week and go out for nomikai (drinking parties) every Friday after work, and they still don't have a weight problem. The difference is that they walk EVERYWHERE. Most people who work in downtown Tokyo can't drive to work, so they take trains or buses. But they often have to walk a considerable distance to get from their home to the station, and then from their nearest station to their workplace. And when you have to visit a client, you can't just hop in a car and drive over. Public transportation (and more walking) is usually involved.

Even off the job, people don't rely on cars as much. Bicycles are very popular for grocery shopping and short errands. My first two months in Japan I lost 15 lbs. without even trying. I still visit my regular physician in the U.S. once a year for checkups, and he always jokes that he's going to start sending his more weight-challenged patients to Japan for a few months.

Fortunately, I have a video rental place just a 10 minute walk from where I live so I try really hard not to take a car when I have to return a rental. That said, I would sign up for a Netflix-type service if we had one, but only because it would probably offer a greater selection of obscure titles.