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Access DVD (US)
Retailer of DVDs and laserdiscs, it also buys used DVDs -- quite useful now that you're
all grown up and you decided to get rid of your complete collection of Adam Sandler movies
on DVD. Bummer: Used DVDs are not sold online but only at the company's Atlanta store.
Amazon.com
(US)
The ubiquitous dreadnought of online retailing has a comprehensive inventory of DVD and
VHS titles. Searching, browsing and ordering are easy and convenient, although DVD and VHS
titles are unnecessarily mixed. The site design has obviously been well thought-out and
there's a lot of information about individual titles, including member reviews -- although
most are all-purpose content reviews and rarely touch on the technical aspects of DVDs.
Links to related content abound.
AsianXpress (US)
Specializes in Hong Kong Movies on DVD. The DVDs are mostly in Mandarin and Cantonese but
do have English subtitles and are not region-coded. So you can find, for instance, what
seems like the complete Jet Li opus of about 20 films (by the way, you'll also learn that
Li's complete name is Jet Li Lian-Jie).
BigStar (US)
One of the largest online retailers of both VHS tapes and DVDs, with special sections on
kids' movies and many specials, plus some editorial content like interviews with Hollywood
stars. The site design is attractive, and browsing and searching for titles is very easy.
Digital Eyes (US)
Sells both DVDs and laserdiscs, and it's one of the few mainstream sites to offer adult
fare (the section, called "Adult Eyes," is set up as almost a different site).
It also buys and sells used DVDs, although it seems to only buy used laserdiscs. The site
was evidently redesigned recently, but only partly. So depending on where you click, you
may end up in the old site or nowhere at all.
Disc and Picture (Australia)
Established in 1990, it is Australia's largest laserdisc and DVD retailer. Aesthetically
and functionally the site is quite original and very appealing.
DVD Depot (UK)
Retailer of region 2 DVDs. Most of the DVD cover photos are blurry for some strange
reason. Obviously they've been blown-up from a smaller size.
DVD+ (UK)
Another retailer of region 2 DVDs. An interesting-looking site, but some of the buttons do
not work and -- is this a British thing? -- the DVD covers tend to be blurry.
dvd-plus.com (Canada)
Canadian retailer of DVDs, including Canadian editions of certain titles. The site does
not support a shopping cart (they suggest you use a Notepad to scribble down your
selections and then fill the online form provided). They handle used DVDs at their Ontario
store but not online.
DVD Street (UK)
And another retailer of region 2 DVDs. Yes, the DVD covers on the site are blurry. The
site is functional and navigation is fast.
Encore Direct
(UK)
Yet another British retailer of region 2 DVDs, Laserdiscs, CDs and video games. The site
is in dire need of a face-lift, but it works nevertheless. More blurry DVD covers to
peruse.
Evolution Audio & Video (US)
Retailer of DVDs, laserdiscs, CDs and used home theater hardware. You can also sell or
advertise your used DVDs and laserdiscs. However, most of the site is empty and confusing
-- and even worse, right now there is no way to actually buy anything online; you'll have
to e-mail or phone the proprietor.
Express.com (US)
Until recently known as DVD Express, it has recently joined forces with Game Cave in order
to offer both DVDs and video games. It is a very comprehensive and attractive site, with a
lot of information about each title. The Coming Attractions section is
excellent, the search is fast (although it chokes on the tiniest spelling error) and you
can list titles by any number of criteria. You can even see exactly how a DVD's cover
looks, from both front and back. A really well-implemented site.
gameplay.com (UK)
Primarily a British retailer of PC and video games, it also sells region 2 DVDs. Yes, yes,
DVD cover photos are blurry. Is it too much tea?
Ken Crane's (US)
Perhaps the oldest and definitely largest mail-order retailer of laserdiscs, it is now
owned by laserdisc and DVD producer Image
Entertainment. It offers a comprehensive inventory of both DVDs and laserdiscs. The
site may seem a little intimidating at first, with links upon links spread throughout the
page, but it is easy to figure out and allows you to both search and browse titles. One of
the few sites to prominently feature DTS titles.
Laser Visions Direct (US)
It used be the Laserdisc Fan Club, selling laserdiscs since the early 1990s. It now sells
DVDs, laserdiscs and a few VHS titles. It specializes in Karaoke and Anime titles and
offers many laserdisc packages at discounted prices. The site is attractive and navigation
is easy -- conveniently, your shopping cart total appears on a bottom frame and follows
you wherever you go. However, an inadvertent or intentional glitch disables your browser's
Back button, making it hard to leave the site.
Mega DVD (US)
Part of the CD Universe online supermarket, which
sells DVDs, VHS tapes, CDs and video games in a no-frills environment. Very light on title
information.
Yahoo's
list of US DVD retailers
Yahoo's
list of UK DVD retailers
Yahoo's
list of Canadian DVD retailers
Yahoo's
list of Australian DVD retailers
NOTE: Things change. Companies go
out of business, new companies enter the market, websites are upgraded (or degraded),
catalogs and practices change, etc. If you spot a change or want us to list a new online
retailer, . |
