[OPLINLIST] Rental versions of DVDs

[Michael Penrod]

Margaret and OPLINlist,

I was told by my Midwest Tapes sales rep that the rental version will be the 
same as what was seen in the theatre, including the same previews at the 
beginning, and that there would be no extra features.  

If this is the case, I am only going to buy the retail version (so far, I can get 
either from Midwest Tapes) because my patrons want the extra features, 
etc.  

In this era of reduced state funding, I am not going to pay extra for 
something just to have it a few weeks earlier and with no extra features.

Sincerely,
Michael



From:	Margaret Maddox <MMaddox at wcpl.lib.oh.us>
To:	"Oplinlist at Oplin.Org" <oplinlist at oplin.org>
Date sent:	Tue, 1 Dec 2009 15:01:21 -0500
Subject:	[OPLINLIST] Rental versions of DVDs

> I have a question about what other libraries are doing regarding
> rental versions of DVDs.
> 
> Fox/MGM and Paramount are producing two editions of selected
> theatrical DVDs, a rental version (for rental stores and libraries)
> and a retail version (for the consumer market such as Best Buy,
> Wal-Mart).
> 
> Fox/MGM requires distributors to sell only the rental version to
> libraries.  The good news is that both the rental and retail version
> will be released on the same date and will cost the same.  The bad
> news is that the rental version will be available only for 60 days
> after the release date through our main vendor, Baker & Taylor.
> Lately it's been hard to get the rental version from Baker & Taylor
> so we've had to order from Amazon.
> 
> Paramount will sell either the rental or retail version to
> libraries, however, the rental version will be available 6 to 8
> weeks before the retail version. The rental version may or may not
> contain bonus features and will cost about $12.00 more than the
> retail version.
> 
> Are other libraries going to pay the $12 premium to get a
> high-demand title? If so, will you be deciding to do it on a
> title-by-title basis?  For example, you'll purchase some copies at
> the higher price because the demand is expected to be high, or the
> film had a huge box office return?
> 
> By the way, our library is seeing over a 20% increase in DVD
> circulation compared to last year.
> 
> Margaret Maddox
> Technical and Information Services Manager
> Washington-Centerville Public Library
> Centerville, OH 45459
> www.wclibrary.info<http://www.wclibrary.info/>
> 
> 

Michael L. Penrod
Assistant Director
Wood County District Public Library
251 North Main Street
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
v: (419) 352-5104
f: (419) 354-0405
e: penrodmi at oplin.org
wcdpl.org