107 replies to this topic

[palango]

Unconfirmed, but Mr. Hughes says it's closed?

http://www.tomatopag...d...st&p=366200

I just checked on their website under "store locator" and the nearest ones to EDH is in Cameron Park and Citrus Heights. So I guess it is closed after all.

[stangage70]

For anyone who wants to geek out on Netflix encoding, check this out:
http://blog.netflix....-streaming.html

Thanks. I was curious...

Some quotes:

"The VC1 encoders are more efficient than the WMV3 encoders, so we are currently encoding VC1AP at slightly lower birates: 375, 500, 1000, and 1500kbps"

"In general, these encodes are definitively better than SD, but won't challenge well-executed Blu-ray encodes - that would require a bitrate out of reach for most domestic broadband today."

"Today, we cannot use WMDRM to deliver AC3 or DD+ audio, which means that only stereo (delivered via WMA) is available."

I think I will stick with my 18000-30000 Kbps Blu Ray (VC1 or AVC) experience with HD audio for now. I did try the NetFlix streaming once, but wasn't overly impressed. Perhaps I will actually try watching a complete film sometime soon.

[mylo]

Stupid WMDRM >

Like I said, Netflix streaming is watchable. Not great, not good, but for "what else is on?" watching, it works, instantly!

[MrsTuffPaws]

Stupid WMDRM >

Like I said, Netflix streaming is watchable. Not great, not good, but for "what else is on?" watching, it works, instantly!

I watch a few movies a week on NetFlix streaming, with my Comcast connection, with little trouble.

[rockcrawler]

I use Netflix streaming for comedies or other non-visually oriented stuff. For big scifi or action flicks I have 'em send the bluray.

The streaming is also great for TV shows that I never watched. I'm going to try Friday Night Lights for example. Never appealed to me but I hear such great things about it I'll give it a try.

I am also watching some of the early episodes of Lost before the new/last season begins in Feb. It's amazing how much detail I missed in that first season before we knew what was going on (not that we know what's going on now).

[Oldschooler81]

I didn't read the entire thread since I last posted, but I wonder if this is more an effect of the dwindling economy rather than just downloading or stuff like Netflix? The Internet's been around since 1997/98, and ever since Bush was elected (I'm not making this political, just a fact!) the economy started already declining by '01, even before Iraq etc.

The real sad thing is people losing their jobs (hey, retail are the easiest ones to get! Plus, if CEO's are getting laid off, more of htem will need jobs like this anyway).

Also it's not just because I'm super retro and nostalgic... but I think it's a shame these places ar really going under now. I almost look as renting movies at a real store like going out to eat - sure you can do it at home, but part of the cool thing is just the EXPERIENCE of going out!

Being able to browse if you're bored or just in the area, and then maybe getting something on impulse. Redbox and Netflix can never replace that.

[Oldschooler81]

BTW I hope they don't demolish the store for my own retro sake. I'll always dig memories of going to Mr. Video as a kid around '92-94. Even if it becomes a different business, it's not totally dead if the building is still standing.

P.S. For longterm residents, I'm curious did it go straight from that to Hollywood?

[eVader]

I didn't read the entire thread since I last posted, but I wonder if this is more an effect of the dwindling economy rather than just downloading or stuff like Netflix? The Internet's been around since 1997/98, and ever since Bush was elected (I'm not making this political, just a fact!) the economy started already declining by '01, even before Iraq etc.

The real sad thing is people losing their jobs (hey, retail are the easiest ones to get! Plus, if CEO's are getting laid off, more of htem will need jobs like this anyway).

Also it's not just because I'm super retro and nostalgic... but I think it's a shame these places ar really going under now. I almost look as renting movies at a real store like going out to eat - sure you can do it at home, but part of the cool thing is just the EXPERIENCE of going out!

Being able to browse if you're bored or just in the area, and then maybe getting something on impulse. Redbox and Netflix can never replace that.

It is sad a half dozen people per store and whatever else upstream lose their jobs however a business is there to make money and if they don't succeed in that they need to change their business model, adapt to changes or innovate with new technology or model. Redbox, DVD Play and Netflix forced a change, Blockbuster tried to catch up with online but was too little, too late.

While I can get nostalgic about vacations, camping, biking, where I grew up etc, renting videos isn't one of them. For me it was like grocery shopping - go in, view what is new and worse my $1.99 or $2.49 and checkout. Redbox makes it even better for me -- get groceries, see what is available in the box and go home all in one convenient trip.

[Steve Heard]

One of my daughter's friends, a former Hollywood Video employee, came over last night. He said they were told that they were closing because the landlord owned the buildings for at least two of the stores and they were boosting the rent.

They are considering reopening some time in a new location.

In the mean time, they are still open in Citrus Heights and, I believe, Cameron Park. Customers are expected to return the movies to one of these locations. Although it may take them some time and effort to track down folks who don't, the owners do plan on enforcing the rental rules.

[palango]

One of my daughter's friends, a former Hollywood Video employee, came over last night. He said they were told that they were closing because the landlord owned the buildings for at least two of the stores and they were boosting the rent.

They are considering reopening some time in a new location.

In the mean time, they are still open in Citrus Heights and, I believe, Cameron Park. Customers are expected to return the movies to one of these locations. Although it may take them some time and effort to track down folks who don't, the owners do plan on enforcing the rental rules.

The PR nightmare over these suddenn closings will do all of them in. Thats guranteed. There is not enough demand to justify the brick and mortar stores to keep operating against the Red Boxes and netflix of the world. Some folks cannot adapt to change until change passes them by.

It reminds me of those old school assembly line workers that either refused to or were incapble of learning computers to learn new job skills. The world is changing and if you as a human being cannot accept change or adapt to change or be ahead of the curve, you are screwed and you have no one to blame, but yourself.

[Michael Hughes]

Unconfirmed, but Mr. Hughes says it's closed?

http://www.tomatopag...d...st&p=366200

Yes I went by there and they had a sign that said it was permanently closed as of December 26th and to return items to Cameron Park.

[Oldschooler81]

It is sad a half dozen people per store and whatever else upstream lose their jobs however a business is there to make money and if they don't succeed in that they need to change their business model, adapt to changes or innovate with new technology or model. Redbox, DVD Play and Netflix forced a change, Blockbuster tried to catch up with online but was too little, too late.

While I can get nostalgic about vacations, camping, biking, where I grew up etc, renting videos isn't one of them. For me it was like grocery shopping - go in, view what is new and worse my $1.99 or $2.49 and checkout. Redbox makes it even better for me -- get groceries, see what is available in the box and go home all in one convenient trip.

Yeah, that's true. I worked at a BB in this area for 5 years and when we did online (c. 2005) I remember sales and people coming in steadily declining. I have this theory that alot of businesses are behind the times and are resistant to risking a change, unless they know it'll be profitable. Trouble with that is once you know, you kinda can't do it as good as the competitors since they did it first.

I'd equate that with the music industry too, how they've been very resistant to YouTube and downloading music, assume everyone still buys cds (at high prices lol). I heard in the early 80s they hated MTV for similar reasons, when it actually increased sales and interest in new bands.

BTW when it comes to shopping I'm alot like a girl (which I mean as a complient!) in that I like to look around at everything lol. I see what you're saying though, there are plusses about Redbox etc in that you don't have to stand in a long line.

[Michael Hughes]

Yeah, that's true. I worked at a BB in this area for 5 years and when we did online (c. 2005) I remember sales and people coming in steadily declining. I have this theory that alot of businesses are behind the times and are resistant to risking a change, unless they know it'll be profitable. Trouble with that is once you know, you kinda can't do it as good as the competitors since they did it first.

I'd equate that with the music industry too, how they've been very resistant to YouTube and downloading music, assume everyone still buys cds (at high prices lol). I heard in the early 80s they hated MTV for similar reasons, when it actually increased sales and interest in new bands.

BTW when it comes to shopping I'm alot like a girl (which I mean as a complient!) in that I like to look around at everything lol. I see what you're saying though, there are plusses about Redbox etc in that you don't have to stand in a long line.

^+1

If I can't touch it, hold it, see it prior to renting/purchasing/etc., not for me.

[Oldschooler81]

Thanks Michael. Yeah, I like reading the movie boxess. Plus being on both the customer and employee side of things, it's pretty neat to talk with people about them. I'd hate to see that human element die out.

[eVader]

Thanks Michael. Yeah, I like reading the movie boxess. Plus being on both the customer and employee side of things, it's pretty neat to talk with people about them. I'd hate to see that human element die out.

Back when you were in video rental it was VHS and DVD and the customer service and browsing for movies was a big part of the store. Getting advice on a good movie or "Steve's top 5 picks" on the shelf made it even better. However, online reviews, online trailers, YouTube, online reservations\ordering etc have replaced the above. If you went to BB or HV today your movie rental experience would be similar to buying milk at the grocery - exchange greetings, scan item, exchange money then bag and leave.