Walgreens aiming to get DVD-burning kiosks in stores soon

We've seen this one coming for quite awhile, but now that the DVD CCA has approved its restrictive download-to-burn scheme, Walgreens is diving in head first to the movie-burning kiosk arena. Reportedly, the company is hoping to "launch DVD-burning kiosks in the next few months," and it's said that the firm is already "working with Hollywood studios" to get the technology in stores on the double. According to reports, consumers would be able to create a DVD "in about 15 minutes," and while no pricing specifics were doled out just yet, Polar Frog [a licensing outfit] Chief Executive Todd Rosenbaum suggested that studios weren't likely "to discount the DVDs." Oh, and just in case you were wondering where Blockbuster stood on the matter, spokesman Randy Hargrove stated that the firm "would examine" the situation, and if it "made sense to get into kiosks, it's clearly something [it] would do."

[Roxa @ Oct 29th 2007 12:01PM]

Not likely to be discounted? So what's the point of paying the exact same price for something you can get at wal-mart minus the 15+ minutes it takes to burn the damn thing. If anything they're showing how easy it is to just burn tons of copies which might just give people the idea to do it themselves at home minus the 20 plus dollars it costs.

[tommy @ Oct 29th 2007 1:21PM]

This could be a very convenient service for a sizable market. If you think about it, it would take 15 min. get in and out of Wal-Mart, so time factor is a wash. The market for such a service would be those without the savvy, equipment and/or connection speed to do it themselves.

Kiosks would also allow a smaller store like a Walgreens to have an inventory of movies comparable to a Best Buy or Wal-Mart without having to increase store space.

[Boynamedsue @ Oct 29th 2007 12:23PM]

they should do the same thing with electronics. Imagine being able to walk into a store, spend a bunch of time watching them assemble it, and then buy it at the same price.

you wouldn't get a box or any documentation but golly who could turn down that deal?

[Reginald @ Oct 29th 2007 1:42PM]

"...who could turn down that deal?"

most Engadget readers! After all, we're the same folk who like watching un-boxing of newly released gadgets. Watching actually being assembled would bring the geeks in droves. :-P

[Roberto @ Oct 29th 2007 12:49PM]

When I saw the title first, I read Walmart, so I started looking for an evil spin on this technology/strategy.
But now I read Walgreens, and I have to admire the corporation for being environmentally responsible (less waste) and freeing up shelf space for more profitable goodies.

[Jason Adams @ Oct 29th 2007 1:10PM]

I'm anxious to see movies that you could download to a flash drive. I would even rent movies that way. I can imagine a time when you would go to blockbuster with you 30 gig flash drive, plug it in and instantly transfer several rentals good for one week. I know there would have to be some form of time stamp involved and I am sure that someone would find away around that. Just thought that would be cool.

[skhawaja @ Oct 30th 2007 3:28AM]

Based on recent headlines:

A Sansa TakeTV Kiosk would make perfect sense - this could start a whole new life for PMP's that currently have DRM and video output capabilities.

This is a win win for the niche that it will serve - retail floor space must make money - and this would reduce the floor space required for rentals - it's an easy in for Walgreens - they have on average 11,000 sq ft for the sales floor.

This could have another twist added to it - I should patent this but who cares - on with progress - the same way the photo lab counter works - instead of a kiosk system - goto counter - order movie - go shopping - pickup movie - very nice indeed - and with DVD Production machines 15 minutes sounds reasonable if they are also printing the movie cover onto the DVD surface itself and a DVD case insert so it looks just like a retail version without the movie booklet inside.

Go Walgreens

[Eric @ Oct 29th 2007 3:21PM]

Although watching them "make" my DVD intrigues the inner geek in me, I see the main advantage being selection. For anyone who doesn't buy online (or doesn't want to wait for delivery), this is a way to go to a store and be able to select from thousands or tens of thousands of movies ... far more than Best Buy or Wal-Mart carry in stock.

[Rick @ Oct 29th 2007 3:25PM]

I must be missing something. Is this for movies that are not in stock? As opposed to walking around the corner, or sticking your head into one of their DVD bins, the 15 minute wait time has what advantage? And for BlockBuster? I mean it's 8pm on a Friday night, pizza is hot in the car, kids getting restless and you have to wait in line to then burn a disc for 15 mintues? I'm missing the draw here. Download or flash drive in the best way. If you have a permanent file that can be burned or compressed into anotehr format, who needs a hard copy?

[uberfu @ Oct 29th 2007 4:37PM]

are they still going to cost $15-$25 per copy ?

[Mack Thompson @ Oct 29th 2007 9:46PM]

FYI - It's already available in Phoenix area Walgreens. I saw it in the store at 7th St & Baseline.

[CaliforniaKid @ Oct 29th 2007 10:52PM]

Without a discount, I'm not sold on the idea. Do you know how long 15 minutes feels like? And it's not like you're gonna start the DVD recording process and then go do some shopping, as someone will walk off with your prepaid DVD.

Avoiding a trip to the video store is NOT necessarily a plus, too. Viewing racks upon racks of DVDs is something fun to do and gives you ideas.

I remember reading an article (this year, i think) that reported retired people aren't embracing all the "stay at home" type of conveniences. Respondents said they wanted an excuse to get out of the house and do something.

There's a guy in Europe (ireland, i think) that's doin' the same thing with kiosks in public areas, like train stations. IBM is working with him. People download DVDs onto thumb drives. Don't know, but this is surely faster than waiting 15 minutes.

Walgreens has zero risk in this venture, because their infrastructure is already in place. Either they make more money per square foot with this or stuff animals will take its place.

[jsmorganny @ Oct 31st 2007 8:18PM]

Unlikely that the studios would release new releases for burn, probably just long tail titles. If not, it would make more sense if supplemented by a kiosk that has latest new releases like a moviemate, redbox or dvdplay.