I was in Staples the other day, when I saw a display of rental movies which advertised with the headline "No-Return" DVD Rental. That didn't make sense to me. Why wouldn't you return something you rented? So I asked the clerk. Apparently once you put the movie in your DVD player it activates it for two days. After the two days, the DVD will no longer play and you simply toss it out? How cool is that? How many times have you rented a movie and not gotten it back on time and had to pay late fees? This new disposable concept certainly takes care of that issue. Have you seen these new rental concept and what do you think of it?
[question posted by kbourgerie]
responses and comments:
I suppose it's good to an extent, but most rental places like Blockbuster and Hollywood VIdeo have all just about eliminated late fees, and to create so much more WASTE I don't think is such a good idea. I understand people are busy, but its creating a lot more waste and using a lot more resources to do this, so I am not in favor of it. [Bethany1202]
I guess I never thought about it from that perspective. Good point. [kbourgerie]
I haven't seen anything like that here in our place but, that concept is certainly something nice to have. I wouldn't have to trouble myself on keeping in mind when I should return what I rented and fees in case that I have to pay them. Uhmmm, would there be a possibility that those who rented the movies can copy them into their computer so that once they're gonna dispose of the discs, they still have a copy of their own in their computer? [ratyz5]
I haven't rented any film for a long time, or have I watched any films for that matter. Well, its just an idea since when they get read, disposable movies get something activated in them to only last for a few days.. I was thinking maybe it would also be not possible to copy them.. [ratyz5]
I think its a cool idea but it just ads to more and more garbage in the dumps. [saundyl]
Recycling them would be good but...i can see people not doing it because well...they rented the disposable one so they didnt have to take it back to the store now they have to take it somewhere else! [saundyl]
Okay at the risk of having wet noodles flung at me...LOL. I think the idea of disposable DVDs is a lousy one. I mean aren't we all supposed to be trying to do a "go green" effort? I mean this sounds like just one more thing that is going to contribute to our landfills with all these tossed out DVDs--so a big thumbsdown to this ideathumbdown [pyewacket]
Apparently those that came up with this concept didn't consider the "go green" effort, but does that really surprise us? [kbourgerie]
I have not seen this but it does sound like a great idea. It would be so much easier than having to return it. [judy43]
I suppose its just like anything else, it has its pros and cons. [kbourgerie]
I have not seen them... and I would not want to know about them. Just go to show how much profit the industry is making when they can afford to toss the DVD in the bin for the price of the rental. So I guess we can forget about renting an old movie for 7 days. Do those things will activate in any DVD player? Or do we need to buy a new DVD player? This concept already exist on the internet. You pay to download a movie... and it only plays a few times before it de-activate itself. You need a DivX player to play them on your television. That's probably where they got the idea from. The industry keeps crying on how piracy is killing their business. But the industry was doing perfectly fine before the selling of videos and DVDs. However... back then... Movie Star were not getting paid 20 million per movie. Nor Directors were given a 100 million budget to make a movie. While we cry about executives being given a payout of a couple of million. Is there really any justification to pay an actor 20 million for 3 months work in order to make a movie? How do you justify spending 100 million to make a movie? That's the price of 100 luxury homes... and most of us will never be able to afford to buy such an home... even after a lifetime work. But we are the very people they want to persecute and prosecute for copying a movie. Lets put things in perspective. Who are the real pirates? Us or the film industry? [Aussies2007]
Any old DVD player will do, after all, I have an older tv. I agree with you. When I think what an actor or actress makes for a movie or what a movie costs to make, in our economy it just doesn't make sense does it? [kbourgerie]
but more waste in the dump [ElicBxn]
Most seem to think so. [kbourgerie]
I don't think that is good for the environment... since it will create a lot of waste... and for sure the materials they used is not even biodegradable... i don't really rent movies often... because i prefer to just watch movies in theaters or cable tv... The disposable concept is innovative... but definitely not good for the environment... [aseretdd]
Obviously, there motivations were not to save the environment, but rather to save money by not losing to movies that are never returned or people copying discs instead of buying them. [kbourgerie]
I think they are doing this to prevent people from copying movie disc and selling them or giving them to friends and family. This way if you try to copy the disc it won't work. But, I do like the fact that the disc is recyclable. I think that is better then people having movies then when they get bored of them they discard them anywhere. I see broken disc in the street and at parks. Little kids can hurt themselves with this pieces of broken disc. What do you think? **Peace and Love get's you through everything in Life** [Carpathian]
I have seen broken discs like those too, but I think most people are responsible enough to throw them in the garbage. [kbourgerie]
Yes I like that idea of not having to take them back, for some reason I am always late taking rentals back.I guess it is just the fact of having to get up get dressed and go. So renting one and then throwing it away would be great for me. [bdugas]
I often don't rent movies for just that reason. Since I don't have a car, its probably taking a chance on returning them on time. [kbourgerie]
We bought a couple of those and they worked out well for us. We just had to make sure we were ready to sit down and watch the entire movie and not fall asleep during it. We watched it and then the kids watched it several times and then by the time they were over it, it was time to throw the disk out. It definitely is easier than trying to remember to return the dvds to the video store. [carolluvyou]
I agree. It works out well for me too. I got three of them and have only watched one, but did it when I was good and ready to do so. [kbourgerie]
I have never seen this new rental concept yet. That kind is a good idea, but in a way, but would be a total waste also. Only once or twice that I returned late dvds. Now, I don't rent dvds anymore, since I watch free movies on that On Demand from Comcast. How much were these "No Return" rentals? In my opinion, I would rather go out and buy the dvd (especially if its a movie that i really like/loved). [golddrizzle71]
If it's only 99 cents for 2 days, then it wouldn't be that bad. [golddrizzle71]
When we can download movies from the internet and watach it whenever I want,I think the DVD rental business is not so necessary as it was. But after all, the disposable disk are something interesting. [neon007]
Yes, but don't you have to pay sites to download from the internet, otherwise its pirating which they are trying to avoid. [kbourgerie]
It just seems really wasteful. Making all those DVDs just so you can watch it for 2 hours and then have to trash it. It would be okay if it was biodegradable. But it would take a really long time to degrade. [chunijole]
Actually its good for two days, but I hear what you are saying. [kbourgerie]
Yeah,but the internet may be the biggest piracy market . We almost can download everything if we want. I like movies a lot, and I will go to the cinema with my classmates to watche the newst ones.But some movies are too old to be found. I have almost 60 DVDs on my shelf, and I think the DVDs published by the right company are worthful. [neon007]
I don`t see that before,but it sounds great.There are some bore movies don`t worth for watching once more. [noquite0325]
I like the idea, kinda. Seems like more waste though. I liked it when Divx was out and available. You could buy the dvd or movie for like $3.00 and watch it once or twice and then you could either purchase the whole dvd to watch over and over whenever for a certain price (like $12 or $15.00) or you could pay to watch it everytime (like $2.00) so if it was a movie you wouldnt think you would watch too many times you just rent it per time and if it was a favorite movie that you would watch over and over it was yours to own. It was nice because basically you could try movies without having to return them and then if you liked them you didnt have to go somewhere else to buy them. I guess I would try it but then what if I wanted to keep it, then I would have to go back and buy it....blah. Maybe they could offer a buyer program where you get so much off if you have already rented the movie. [callahanb78]
I've never rented a DVD so I don't really know the drill. However, like others here I do see a waste issue and have to conclude that actually Staples are acting quite irresponsibly. I don't know about the US, but here just about every magazine seems to have a DVD or CD stuck on the front. They make great bird scarers, but they also clog up the landfill and take forever to disintegrate. It's a neat idea though - in less enlightened times. LOL. [p1kef1sh]
Thats good and bad.Very cool technology though [Radiuz]
For lazy people, this is a good system, for "green people" this is not, all these Dvds can be a big hazard to the environment, wasting our devasted planet a little bit more and a bit. You can watch movies on the net, and that is far more useful than this system, you don't have to leave the house to get some late flick and it is planet friendly. [kitli29]
I have never heard of this before honey but as you say it is such a fantastic idea - would save a lot of people a lot of money! The only worry I would have is from the point of view of recycling and ecology! xxx [mummymo]
Maybe they could make sure tehy were rewritable disks? Maybe tehy already are - it is a very good idea! xxx [mummymo]
I have never heard of it before, here in quebec we have no fees return policy like you see for blockbuster but I have never heard of no return, I think it is wonderful for the very same reasons as you mentioned. [winterose]
I still support those reasons, but after posting this also agree that environmentally speaking it may not be the wisest choice. [kbourgerie]
When we don't like those one's so we can return some people advertise their products in different way so i agree with you it doesn't make sense. [Dasari100]
As I said in response to someone else such like any other situation this new concept has both its pros and cons. [kbourgerie]
No, I've never heard of that before. What an interesting concept!! Not only does it do away with late fees, but it also gets rid of those people that actually steal the movies. Huh....interesting!! [rosey3223]
I know it will make it alot easier for me to rent movies from time to time. Or should I say watch and dispose of movies from time to time? LOL. [kbourgerie]
Wow!~ That's the latest as I've never heard of that!~ But would it be a waste of resources then as there will be more trash?confused [zweeb82]
But I guess it can be recycled right? As in they can just strip the top part of the disc & reuse the plastic part?whistle [zweeb82]
well, will that even be considered? it is not environment friendly. just imagine how much trash you will have with that? [chiyosan]
I think they were thinking more along the lines of people not pirating the movies, not the waste. [kbourgerie]
I had never heard of that. That is very different, but would be nice not to have to take back. It sounds like alot of waste though. [Thoroughrob]
Yes, alot of waste, but I like the not taking back part a lot. [kbourgerie]
Movies DVDs like many other products have their own life cycle.Th rental store needs to periodically have a watch on whether a particular movie is moving frequently enough to customers.If it does not then it means it has reached the end of its life cycle and it is just occupying space and adding to storage costs.but if they dispose it for a salvage value then they are free from this burden and they can store other hot and new movies in the market.Cheers. [karthik_404]
Wow, I'm really impressed with your knowledge. Thanks again. [kbourgerie]