can the internet beat dvd rental

The only problem with downloading movies online is that it takes up to 7 hours or more to download a 2 hour movie. I know Netflix is offering a downloadable movie rate where you can pay X amount of money per month and download movies on your PC. Problem there in is that it can take up to 7 hours on DSL/Cable internet and 2 hours on Satellite internet such as Hughes Net. If you have dial up, you're going to be there for more than a day. Not many people have fast Satellite internet, so it takes quite a while. I can walk to Blockbuster, select a movie, pay for it and walk home before my cable modemed computer finishes downloading a movie from Netflix.

Until the computer's internet gets faster, I doubt that internet sales of movies will be a competition for DVD sales.

I have watched more than one episode of a TV show I missed online. That was neat, but it took a minute or two for the show to buffer properly to air, and even then, it skipped or paused every little bit to buffer more to play it, but it's better than no episode at all.

I most likely will not use iTunes to download movies. We have so many options for renting movies that I don't need that option. We currently use Amazon Unbox, and that seems to be the cheapest option to date. We don't have to watch the movies on our PC either - we can rent them through the TiVo and watch them from the TiVo box instead. The only thing with that is that it requires planning ahead. You don't have access to the movie instantly - you have to wait for it to download, and it isn't streaming, so you can't watch the movie while you download it.

We are actually in the process of contemplating upgrading our home theater, and making the BluRay decision goes along with that. It seems silly NOT to upgrade our DVD player, but at the same time, I would love it if the standard was set by the time we are ready to make a purchase.

Our technology is certainly growing fast. I think it will come down to what the general public is comfortable with. Most I don't think will want to watch the majority of their movies in front of their computer.I think dvd rentals will be fine for now. Sit on the couch. Popcorn in hand. Remote by your side, ready set, watch.

Actually it already has - think of it! It saves gas just to go down to a movie rental space, plus it costs you an arm or a leg to pay like $5 or so to rent a movie and then take it back after 1 day or 2 and then waste more gas just to get there? Forget it!

I prefer online DVD rentals - the number one growing company is Netflix - been using them for a while now - and it is only $10 a month - can't beat that with a bat!

I definately believe that with time, yes, the internet will definately take over. I have began watching my favorite t.v. series through the brocasting channels website, because it offers less commercial interuption! There for I take less time of my schedule actually watching the show and not advertisments. Apple will definately hit well as did iTunes... in technology world it whats hot right! I chose to not rent movies on the net, I like to actually have my collection of movies on display for people to choose from!

I think it'll have a serious effect on the DVD rental. As it's easy to watch or download the movies via the net. So it is no need to go to rent it and then return it next day.

I started a free trial for dvd rentals from an online company and tried to cancel, spoke to an adviser and they said as soon as my next dvds were returned i could cancel online so next day after posting back went to cancel online and they had already received back and already so they claimed sent out another two so far I have been charged £12.99 and they are due to take another £12.99 on the 21st. I cannot cancel my card details either unless i give them another valid one so i am caught in a bit of a loop. I have complained to them and it will be resolved but I will never rent online again it is cheaper to buy the dvd from hmv or amazon online which i think in the future i will do. I love to see movies but due to lack of child care usually need to wait until released on dvd, unless ofcourse it is a childrens film then i go to movies