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Online DVD Rental Services

From Ivana Redwine,
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Below I've given some information about the two major DVD rental services. Please note that prices are usually subject to any applicable tax. Also, prices are subject to change, so check the information on the official sites before making a decision.

Netflix

Netflix claims to have over 90,000 titles ranging over a variety of genres.

You make a list of DVDs. Available titles from the list are delivered to you by mail. You return DVDs by mailing them back in prepaid envelopes. You also get several hours of video streamed to your PC.

Here is an overview of three of their plans:

  • For $16.99 a month, rent three DVDs at a time and watch unlimited video streamed to your PC
  • For $13.99 a month, rent two DVDs at a time and watch unlimited video streamed to your PC
  • For $8.99 a month, rent one DVD at a time and watch unlimited video streamed to your PC

Official Site - Netflix

Blockbuster Total Access

Blockbuster Total Access claims to have 75,000 titles available.

You make a list of DVDs. Available titles from your list are sent by mail and can be returned by mail or exchanged at brick-and-mortar Blockbuster stores.

Here is an overview of three of their plans:

  • For $19.99 a month, rent three DVDs at a time with up to five movie rental exchanges in stores
  • For $16.99 a month, rent two DVDs at a time with up to three movie rental exchanges in stores
  • For $11.99 a month, rent one DVD at a time with up to two movie rental exchanges in stores

Note: If you don't want the option of in-store rental exchanges, Blockbuster offers other plans at lower monthly rates.

Official Site - Blockbuster

Pros and Cons

Netflix

Pro

Over 90,000 titles
Easy to receive and return DVDs by mail
Option of watching streaming video on PC

Con

People who rent an extremely high volume of DVDs may experience delays

Blockbuster Total Access

Pro

Can return by mail or exchange at brick-and-mortar stores
Subscriber can get some movie rental exchanges in stores

Con

Fewer titles than Netflix
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