Red box works good.They are everywhere.

If you have a satellite TV service you can use their pay-per-view offering. Red Box is the cheaper option but not quite as convenient. You are not going to want to try streaming video via wi-fi or cellular as the bandwidth is too extensive.

Second on the Redbox........easy and everywhere.......

Ahhh...we don't have Red Box close by so I did not even think about that! Thanks everyone!

We do four things for our movie viewing - and TV series - pleasure (in the RV):

1) Netflix Discs. Yes, we keep a streaming account. But we also keep a disc mailing account. They work incredibly well for us mobile folks, because you can update your address at whim. As long as you get your address change in before they say they receive your last disc, your next disc will show up at your current location. And because they have distribution centers around the country, we usually only have a 2-day turn around period. Netflix is great for access to all movies, documentaries, concerts, indie films and TV series that are available on disc. Their library is pretty darn comprehensive. Despite their negative publicity last year when they increased fees and goofed up on splitting their services, we love Netflix - and think even at their increased prices are a perfect fit for our lifestyle.

2) Red Box. We do enjoy picking up a flick at Red Box kiosks. They're good for when one is nearby and we can easily get the disc back before paying multiple days (even if it's at our next stop). Red Box has a nice smartphone app for reserving your disc online, so it's waiting for you when you arrive. The downside of Red Box, is their selection can be rather limited - as they can only cram so many discs in at a time. Selection DOES vary by kiosk, so while the one at Walmart may not have the disc you want - the one across the street at 7-11 may have it.

3) Streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc. We have an iPad that still has a grandfathered in with an unlimited data plan. We hook it up via HDMI to view on larger screens throughout our bus. When we have 3G service, it streams pretty darn smoothly. And of course, when we have WiFi, we stream as well. (My current guilty pleasure: I'm watching an episode of Star Trek every night before bed over Netflix.)

4) iTunes. When we have access to fast reliable WiFi we'll purchase & download content to watch later - such as a season of a TV Series, a movie, etc.

- Cherie

We use Net Flex if we stay in one location and the Red Box if we are moving often. Net has been the best for our use... We watch very little of the mass media. And normally watch shows after they end their season. Streaming don't work for us, in most parks the WiFi doesn't work well. Net Flex is very efficient... Happy Trails.....

We plan on staying in a park for a "season" I did Netflix before so I will have to check into again I guess.

I know folks watch a lot more video than we do but NetFlix using DVD's appears to be pretty expensive compared to Redbox. If I have this right it's $7.99/month for unlimited streaming PLUS $7.99/month more if you want DVD's and you can only get one at a time. If you time everything prefectly you might be able to get 10 videos per month.

Bill... all depends. If Redbox serves your movie viewing needs, then Netflix might not make sense.

We keep a 2-disc plan with Netflix. Some months, we have a non-stop stream of discs coming and going and we come out ahead, and others we might only get a couple and Netflix makes out.

We find it very economical, especially since the discs are delivered to us and we can mail them back from anywhere. No need to leave the house to rent/return. The ease and convenience is worth a lot to us.

With Redbox, if you don't have time to return your movies or there isn't one nearby, you pay by the day for each day you keep the movie out. Forget to return a movie for a week, and it'll cost ya $8.75 plus tax. With Netflix, you just don't get another disc sent to you until you return the one you have. But no increased costs. I like paying a flat rate and not worrying about it.

The other benefit of Netflix is their library - Redbox can only dispense so many titles. Netflix has everything, including non-mainstream stuff and TV shows on disc. Our only other option for getting most of the stuff we watch would be borrowing the discs from a library or buying them and then trying to resell them.


For us, we use both services. Each has their advantages depending on what we're in the mood for or what our current circumstances are.

- Cherie

We use Redbox a lot when we are boon docking at Wal Mart. We pick up a movie after going inside to ask permission to park, fire up the genny and watch the movie. I usually take it back first thing in the morning before pulling out.
We have not rented a lot of movies while parked for several days but Red Box would probably be our best option there as well.

Phil

I thought you could keep multiple DVD's flying as well which is why the sites description surprised me. I wonder if they have changed their service terms again.

"During sign up, you can add unlimited DVDs (1 DVD out-at-a-time plan) for only $7.99 more a month. With DVDs by mail, you'll get an even broader selection of movies & TV episodes. You can exchange each DVD as often as you want with no due dates or late fees — ever! You can add access to Blu-ray discs to your account at any time for an additional $2 a month."

I've been a member of Netflix since 1999... no change in service, just in marketing approach (to compete with other services that have tried to mimic theirs). They've always offered different plan levels which include a certain number of DVDs out at a time.

Thanks. So are you paying more than the $16/month in order to keep multiple DVD's coming your way?

Yup. We're currently on the unlimited streaming with 2-discs, plus BlueRay plan at $23/month. But we scale it as desired.

For instance, if we're parked somewhere long term with out access to enough bandwidth, we can turn off the streaming and just pay $15 for 2 discs only.

Or if we have bandwidth but not a convenient shipping address, we might turn off the discs and do streaming only.

- Cherie

Boy, they sure do not make it at all clear on their site that you can select either service separately much less that you could add or delete either service at will. Thanks for the clarifications.

Bill - If you have a netflix account, go into "Your account & Help and click on change plan. There you will find every plan they offer and the prices for each plan.

No, I don't have a NetFlix account. I was trying to figure out why anyone does so the information I was getting was from their website. It's simply not clear that you have all of the various options that have been discussed above. I don't watch enough video to justify this kind of thing, I can't stream video and I am rarely in place long enough that I could figure out a way to get DVDs. Not my kind of service, I was just curious about the options for others. Red Box is quick and easy for us since breakfast at MCD is a regular thing and if I want a movie now I just use the DirecTV pay-per-view option.

We currently have Netflix we use at our home base but will drop it after we hit the road full time. I also have a pretty extensive DVD collection that will be going with us. I enjoy the classics, I guess I was born in the wrong era.