I received my new laptop computer a few months ago and it has a DVD drive. So the first thing I did was run out and buy a Targus EmPower adapter for use on Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

The second thing I did, and third, and fourth, and fifth, and so on, was to pop into used CD/DVD "exchange" stores and Blockbusters, to raid the "previously viewed" shelves. In the last few months I've purchased over 20, and tried not to pay more than $14.95, and preferrably less than $10. (There are a few exceptions, for exceptional movies.)

It occurs to me that others might be doing likewise, and that by "pooling our resources" we might all come out ahead. I haven't thought about the logistics, but I'm wondering if a user-operated library might be in the works. A place were you could swap DVD's (primarily for use on planes in my case) either temporarily or permantently.

There are a few of mine that I wouldn't mind parting with but for the most part, while I'd be happy to lend them out, I'd also like to seem them come "home" one day. I envision a web page (or maybe even just a thread in this place) where transactions could be recorded. I loan my "Usual Suspects" DVD to A, who lends it to B, who lends it to C, who hands it back to me the next time through Vancouver (or Chicago, or Toronto, or wherever.)

Thoughts? Volunteers? Titles?

On this subject, I vaguely remember a service (probably got a spam email for it) that for a certain fee per month, lent you as many DVDs as you wanted, three at a time.

Only US I think, the idea was they mailed you three, you mailed them back and got three more (or mail back just two, get two back).

I think Ken's idea is an excellent one, the problem would be guaranteeing he'd get his DVDs back (the other problem would be making sure he bought DVDs _we_ were interest in! ).

andrew

Why would you waste your time watching DVS's on a simpleton monitor with poor quality sound. If you are looking for a movie, why spend mega-bucks to watch it above sea-level?

You don't fly much, do you?

I do the same thing. I have a collection of about 15 DVDs that I carry with me when I travel. I also own a laptop power adapter (obviously). I'd be happy to enter into some sort of exchange program, but I'm not sure it would work. It can be 6 months before I finally get around to watching any particular DVD; it can be a long time before all the conditions are right.

I find that I don't watch movies on flights very often because my car is usually parked at the destination airport.

http://hollywebdvd.com/ offers something like that here in Canada. You can read about others' experience with it in the DVD forum at GoldFishLegs: http://www.goldfishlegs.net/bowl/for....php?forumid=7

I think you mean http://www.netflix.com.

I'm a regular movie watcher on planes, and use netflix as well as the InMotion service (http://www.inmotionpictures.com) though they aren't yet in airports I really need them to be in.

Thanks, I think Netflix is the one I saw before, the Canadian one sounds good too. As long as they don't insist on a single shipping address for you (for security purposes), it could work out well.

Only problem with the Edmonton one might be the additional cost of mailing from the US, and the additional time.

andrew

Ken.

If you are in Vancouver check out Amazon DVD on Broadway and Yew.

Its a rental store that sell previously viewed at pretty good prices, the best thing is the movie are all new releases...

I have brought so many from the guy that now i can pick a rental and he will sell it to me...Including new releases!.

I brought a Panasonic DVD player last year the picture quality is much better then the laptop and the battery life is 5 hours...plus you can jack it into the hoitel TV and watch movies without having to pay $15 US.!...Unless you want channel 99.!!!

I too shop at Amazon DVD.

Ken, I have a ton...just gotta figure out which ones to shoot to ya.

Dorian

I too have been collecting used DVD's at Blockbuster around $14.98 a piece. The idea might work to exchange them if users were in the same city or people took flight's which crossed paths on a regular basis. I too can't seem to predict when I will be watching them.

I'm sure Air Canada could line up a sponsor to supply each aircraft with a bunch of DVDs. Otherwise, a library in the MLL would be cool ... but where to drop them off?

Well, my first thought was to mail them around. (My local Blockbuster is starting to use a different type of storage sleeve, so I've been able to snag some of the old plastic ones, which look ideal for mailing. You can also purchase them.)

Alternatively, it was a matter of passing them on from person to person, with the expectation that they would eventually find their way home.

Finally, it occurs to me that SE's could probably put the concierge service to work, although I'm not certain how they would feel being used as "librarians."

I wasn't thinking of direct swaps/trades or loans, but rather an informal network to share DVDs. The only time I'd likely use them is on airplanes.

Okay, so we find a storage locker at YYZ, the type that uses a combination instead of a key (I've seen them in a lot of places and I used one in DFW last year). Fill it with surplus DVDs. Share the combination, and anyone who opens the locker has to pay for another 24 hours and email out the new combo.

???

andrew

I think the postal system or meetings are likely best.

I have >100...

D