I much prefer renting DVDs using Netflx and the Blockbuster All Access Pass (DVDs by mail). That way I can watch a DVD at my own pace. My DVD player will remember where I was even if I suddenly switch DVDs and then switch back.

Netflix is best for hard to get and arthouse films. I’m on the two-at-a time unlimited plan. If I can’t locate something on Blockbuster, I put it on my Netflix queue list. The queue is arranged with a top portion for DVDs available now and bottom list of DVDs with unknown release dates.

With my Katrina evacuation, my account was put in limbo temporarily. My monthly charge was reversed. When I returned home I just reactivated the account.

Last summer I received notice from Blockbuster that my two-at-a-time-unlimited monthly plan was going to go up beyond $27 fee. It was then I switched to the mail program. One big benefit is that it is national, whereas the previous account was with an individual Blockbuster store. This was annoying when I had evacuated to Memphis. I had to set up an account up there apart from the one back the store near me in Metairie. Anyway, back to the Blockbuster by mail.

After watching DVDs received by mail, you go to the store to return them. They are scanned in and you are then allowed to check out interim DVDs (the number in your plan) to tide you over until your next ones are mailed out. The interim DVDs are still bound by the deadlines of normal rentals. The current system gives you seven days after your deadline and then charges you as if you bought the DVD.

Since I’ve participated in this Blockbuster program, I have received a printable coupon each month for a free new release rental. I have rented enough at times to also to receive a coupon for a non-free new release rental when I check out.

One beef I have with Blockbuster is that it puts speed above what is at the top of your queue list. I recently received a DVD that was 15th (or so) on my list. Netflix ships from the to the top of your queue list. Netflix regularly sends a survey asking when you received a DVD or when you mailed in a DVD.

Both Netflix and Blockbuster have joined the web 2.0 bandwagon enabling customers to maintain a profile.

Yes I do rent a lot of DVDs. I rarely watch regular cable television.

Good for you. It pisses me off that in order to get a few channels that I like, I have to order the digital cable (Science channel, military channel) - So I tell them to fuck off and go without.

Yikes. That's interesting in its radicalness, but a very fear-inspiring prospect.

I haven't used a tangible video store in many years and the most I did with Netflix was experiment with their free trial, which went well with new videos arriving so quickly after my return. I vowed never to use Blockbuster when I was younger because I knew they charged $3+ for a single videotape.

Nowadays I just buy all new-to-DVD movies that I've already seen when they're released if I like them that much. If there's something old that's really great and worth several replays I'll buy that too. However, if there's something I haven't seen but am interested in, I just download it onto my HTPC and if it's good enough I'll buy it. (The last example of this is Jackie Chan's New Police Story which was pretty well done.)

I do have cable, but no movie channels. My only upgrades are for digital cable, a DVR box, and all standard HD programming. My cable I could not do without (unless I replaced it with satellite).

I can't imagine cutting all ties in one fell swoop that way, ydj. Where will you go? What will you do? Are you going to spend your time in that house where the hide all the books? Oh, right, the... libary, I think it's called?

I'm still learning how to make fire.

your next assignment is to burn down a walmart...

choggie, you're sounding like the rabbit from "Donnie Darko."

Now your task is to create a plate that somehow contains more than a regular plate, and make a square that can somehow roll.

Congratulations on cutting the cords; may I interest you in a nice, completely non-addictive, game of World of Warcraft, to pass the time?

I will clarify a few points, I still have basic cable TV in my apartment, and obviously I still have an internet connection...The net, it's like air, I'm hooked on the stuff.

I have mentioned it before, only briefly, that my wife and I have recently divorced after 16 years. The amount of changes that are flying at me at present are pretty dizzying. In some ways, this choice to dump some of my subs is a control issue. I can choose to make the jump on or off the bus, and not be led by my nose to "upgrade" for just a few dollars more. That sense of control is attractive right now.

Become a true dreg of society: download what you want to watch on bittorrent, and watch it on your Tivo.

Leave the tinfoil hat in the closet, it interferes with the Wi-fi.

I’m only 2 minutes from my local living museum, and continue to rent from there, so in that regard I guess I’m still part of the archaic crowd.
I also rarely watch television anymore, other than House, Bones, and the occasional sporting event. Lately I’ve been checking out Hulu to catch up on the shows I’ve missed—I’m not paying an extra $12.00/month for DVR

Good for you, YDJ. We're talking about doing the same thing. Cable was a necessary evil when we lived in the sticks, but now that we're near a large city, we hardly watch tv.

We pay almost 170 a month for the cable, internet and phone bundle. We follow like 3 shows and rarely let the children use the tv. The phone is just an annoying venue for telemarketers and we have cell phones anyway.

What bugs me is if I dump my other services, what I pay for internet will go up a little. It's almost like a penalty for not buying the other two.

I never got the hang of the bittorrent thing. I tried downloading one once and watched that little flying file transfer icon, but no movie was actually downloading.

^ ah, BitTorrent. I never did get the hang of that either, though I did get lucky and managed to download The Mole People for Raven/Zifab way back when. Took me 4 days over my 768/128 DSL...!

Bt is not too tough, try using utorrent for the PC or Transmission for Mac. Very straight forward interfaces and keeps all the hard stuff behind the scenes.

>> ^youdiejoe:
I will clarify a few points, I still have basic cable TV in my apartment, and obviously I still have an internet connection...The net, it's like air, I'm hooked on the stuff.
I have mentioned it before, only briefly, that my wife and I have recently divorced after 16 years. The amount of changes that are flying at me at present are pretty dizzying. In some ways, this choice to dump some of my subs is a control issue. I can choose to make the jump on or off the bus, and not be led by my nose to "upgrade" for just a few dollars more. That sense of control is attractive right now.


Aw, I'm sorry to hear about that - hope it works out for the best.

I would kill the basic cable - but I have the luxury of pulling in rabbit ear / antenna signals for my Simpsons fix in the fall. Now my TV watching is limited to stuff I see in pubs or other similar places.

I watch stuff on the Sift way too much for my own good anyway.

it can be done. I am commenting here as a witness. Congratulations, ydj!
If you wanna go a step further, I have been living broadcast-tv free for 5 years now. No antenna, no cable. Nada. I rent movies when I wanna watch them. Yes, from a video rental place in a building, where you have to say hi to someone to rent something.
yeay for change, AND for control, no?