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How Can I Find DVDs with Specific Features or Characteristics?<br />
Use one of the searchable databases listed previously and select the features<br />
you’re looking for (anamorphic widescreen, French audio track, Flemish<br />
subtitles, and so on). If a database doesn’t include the characteristics<br />
you’re looking for, try a different database.<br />
Why Do Some Rental Stores Not Carry Widescreen DVDs?<br />
Some rental chains such as Blockbuster and retailers such as Wal-Mart originally<br />
carried only full-screen (pan and scan) versions of movies when both<br />
widescreen and full-screen versions were available. This infuriated many DVD<br />
fans, who could never countenance watching a non-widescreen version of a<br />
movie on DVD. There was much complaining, including an online petition<br />
with over 25,000 signatures. In early 2003 Blockbuster reversed their policy<br />
with the following statement: “We made a decision to purchase the majority<br />
of titles we bring in on DVD in the widescreen format. We try to follow our customer<br />
preferences. As DVD becomes increasingly popular, they become<br />
more familiar with the features and with the benefits of letterboxing. They've<br />
learned it's a superior format to full-frame.” Wal-Mart similarly switched to<br />
widescreen versions apparently after realizing that they sold better.<br />
See “What’s Widescreen? How Do the Aspect Ratios Work?” in <strong>Chapter</strong><br />
3 for more about widescreen. See “How Do I Get Rid of the Black Bars<br />
at the Top and Bottom?” later in the chapter for the pros and cons of letterboxing.<br />
How Much Do Players and Drives Cost?<br />
The prices of mass-market DVD movie players range from $40 to $3,000.<br />
(Refer to the earlier “Which DVD Players and Drives Are Available?” for more<br />
information.) DVD-ROM drives and upgrade kits for computers sell for<br />
around $30 to $400. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) drive prices<br />
are around $40.<br />
How Much Do Discs Cost?<br />
General DVD 13<br />
It varies, but most DVD movies are listed at $20 to $30, with street prices<br />
between $15 and $25, even those with supplemental material. Low-priced<br />
movies can be found for under $10. So far DVDs have not followed the initial<br />
high-rental-price model of VHS.<br />
DVD-ROMs are usually slightly more expensive than CD-ROMs because<br />
they contain more, they cost more to replicate, and the market is smaller.<br />
But as the installed base of drives grow, DVD-ROMs will eventually cost<br />
about the same as CD-ROMs do today.
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