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Is Online DVD Rental or Pay-Per-View the Best Way to Get Your Movies?

With renting methods such as online DVD rental and pay-per-view, it seems almost old-fashioned to go to the rental store. But with all the different ways to get the latest movies, which way is the best? Well, that depends on what is important to you. Here are some of the different ways you can get the latest movies and the pros and cons of each.

Going to the Rental Store

I guess it is like they say, sometimes you can't teach an old dog new tricks. It is hard to change from the old ways, especially when they work fairly well. If you want to see a movie, there is always a rental store nearby that should have it available. You are allowed to keep it for a couple of days for a price of around $4.00. However, if that movie is late, you have to expect some horrendous late fees (they usually will charge you an additional $4.00 as if you were renting the movie a second time; this gives you a couple of days to turn the movie again before they charge you again). For those who cannot change there ways, renting from a store is not a bad way to go, but you should at least check out the other possibilities, such as the online DVD rental system or pay-per-view, and see what they have to offer.

Online DVD Rental

The newer system of online DVD rental has its upsides and downsides. This system is for avid movie fans. In this system you usually do not pay for each DVD but instead pay a monthly fee for the DVD delivery service. With some plans as low as $9.99 a month with no late fees, you can get about any DVD delivered to your door in one business day. When you are done with that DVD, you simply send it back to receive another. This can be done as many times as you want in one month; however, there is usually a limit of how many DVDs you can have in your possession at one time (depending on how expensive your monthly plan is).

The biggest issue with online DVD rental is the waiting. You have to plan at least one day in advance what movie you want to watch which means no Friday late night movie runs. Also, you have to be renting at least 2-3 movies a month to make it more valuable then renting at your local movie store. If you watch a lot of movies and do not mind the wait, the online DVD rental system may not be a bad option for you.

Pay-Per-View

Pay-per-view has the "right now" benefit that the online DVD rental system does not have. With pay-per-view, whenever you decide you want to watch a movie, you just order it, sit down and watch it. Another benefit with pay-per-view is that you don't have to worry about scratched or skipping DVDs. Companies such as I-Satellite offer 33 pay-per-view channels and 13 sports pay-per-view channels with prices as low as $1.99 to watch a movie. This is definitely a more simplistic way of doing things. However, it can start the money can start to add up if you are an avid movie watcher. Also, with pay-per-view you do not get access to the same "bonus features" that you get with the DVD.

With the choices of renting movies from the store, online DVD rentals, and pay-per-view it is definitely easy to get your movie fix in one way or another. All three methods of getting current blockbusters have their benefits and detriments in which you will have to decide from. Personally, I like the convenience of pay-per-view. No matter when I choose, I can sit down and watch the movie of my choice from several pay-per-view channels available. However, you will have to decide which method is best for you.