Bluray | 3D Blu-ray Rentals Singapore

Bluray 3D Blu-ray Rentals Singapore

Video Shops that are Renting Standard Bluray & 3D Blu-ray Titles in Singapore (as of December 2011).

Gramophone

Ratings: ****4/5 Stars (based on pricing and range of titles)


They have branches throughout Singapore and unique titles vary from store to the store. The best store with unique titles* is at Takashimaya. Gramophone's Bluray / DVD rental rates are the lowest in Singapore - currently at S$40 per month unlimited rentals. You can rent 3 Blu-ray / DVDs at any one time which can work out as low as 45 cents per disc
- assuming you have the time
- assuming they have 90 titles you want to watch in 30 days and
- assuming you can return all your rented discs daily.

There is a mandatory $100 refundable deposit with each rental package. Their packages are on a monthly basis.

There bluray catalogue is quite large by SG standands but don't expect new titles to be added quickly.  If you are in no hurry to watch new movies, then this is the place to rent bluray discs.

They have a limited range of 3D Bluray titles. Todate, their collection of 3D blu-ray titles is about 10 (including documentaries).

It would be smart to check what titles the various Gramophone stores have before starting a new rental package - provided their location(s) are convenient for you.


*NOTE: Unique titles refers to movie titles that are generally not available from other video rental companies in Singapore.

Blu-ray displays are easy to browse except for the top most shelves in Gramophone.

They buy used Blurays from customers - most of which are added to their rental collection.

They also have one of the biggest collection of blurays on sale, some at attractive prices, as they import their own BDs.  Checkout their website for info on special offers and location of their stores.






Canton Video

Ratings: ***+3.5/5 Stars

This old timer has been in the video rental business since 1996. Canton Video now have quite a big collection of Blu-Ray discs for rental. They also have quite a good range of unique titles which you should check out. They offer a coupon (they call it "Credits") system ranging from $3 to $4. Two credits = 1 Blury rental. Canton Video's flagship store is in Valley Point at River Valley Road.

There is no time limit to the usage their rental packages and no deposit is required.
They also rent 3D Blurays. Their collection of 3D is better than Gramaphone but not as good as Video Hub / Starlight Video, though their rental pricing is better than Starlight.

You can view their regularly updated bluray titles from their website (excel file format). Another plus factor is that you can book your titles over the phone (after you had paid for their rental package) and it will be delivered to you by mail, when it is available. If you have no time to return the discs, you can post it back to them by asking them for a self-addressed return envelope.

They also sell some of their bluray rental collection.





Rida Video
Ratings: ***+3.5/5 Stars


Rida Video @ Serene Centre (another old timer in the business) have a good sized blu-ray collection (including 3Ds - similar in numbers as Starlight)) for rental by Singapore standards - with some unique titles.
New titles are added very quickly.

Non-members pay $7 per blu-ray.  For members, there are 3 rental packages.  The cheapest being $200 for 40 BD/DVD rentals (or $5 per BD).  If you return the BD within one day, you'll get a $1 refund per title. Pretty good deal in my opinion!!


There is no time limit to the usage their rental packages and no deposit is required.





VideoHub / Starlight Vision
Ratings: ***3/5 Stars


Also an online DVD rental similar to HomePal and Hollywood Clicks. You can view their whole catalog online before activating your account. So far their bluray is not as large as Gramaphone though their 3D collection seems to be the largest in Singapore - so far. They accept Pay Pal in addition to credit cards and cheques.

You can also rent from their Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 ( Starlight Vision ) for those who like to browse but don't expect any online service at AMK. Their Blu-Ray collection are identical to that of their online store, so I suspect that they sharing their titles for both companies which could account for the "missing" of titles in their shop.

They charge $8 per bluray for non-package customers. Their $27 package of 4 blurays = $6.75 per bluray, and $120 package of 18 blurays = $6.67 per blu-ray. Quite expensive and very difficult to understand rental system. There is not much of a difference in their two rental packages. So it will be better to wait awhile to see if other blurey renters stock the titles you want before starting a package at Video Hub / Starlight Vision.

Their rental packages are on a monthly basis.

Their store looks run-down, typical of a HDB located shop. It is almost impossible to view the spine-displayed bluray boxes near the counter as customers standing/sitting there will be blocking your view.




Video EZY
Ratings: ***3/5 Stars

Australian video chain, Video EZY, also have branches throughout Singapore. The rentals are about S$7 per Bluray and new titles are easily available throughout their branches. Their BD collection is more updated and wider than Gramaphone's, but do bear in mind Video EZY's rental costs are higher. Blurays are stored in their original boxes and are easy to browse. They unfortunately, don't have much unique titles which makes them no different from many other bluray rental companies.

There is no time limit to the usage their rental packages.
They don't do 3D blu-ray rentals at the moment.

They are the largest video chain store in Singapore so they are a convenient with a neighbourhood store near you.  You can rent from their online portal. More information about their titles and locations can be found in their website.


They also sell a moderate collection of bluray titles.





PowerVideo
Ratings: **2/5 Stars

Power Video @ Raffles Place has a small range of Bluray rentals. It is not as good as Video EZY.
No 3D Bluray rentals here either.

Their packages are on a monthly basis - $45 for 3 BDs each time, slightly more than Gramophone. There is also a 3 month package at $120.






Video King
Ratings: **2/5 Stars

The two-store breakway outfit from Video EZY has blurays for rental.  Their range is similar to that of  Video zy. However, they do rent a small collection of 3D titles.

There is no time limit to the usage their rental packages ($7 for 2 Blurays for 2 days with a $10 refundable deposit per title. There is a $2 per day charge for late returns of blu-rays. To keep the BDs for 5 days, you'll have to take the 2 BDs for $18 package. Rather expensive.

Video King don't have a full-fledged website but you can "follow" them for basic info Facebook or Twitter pages like new releases and store locations.






Hollywood Clicks

Hollywoodclicks is a full Online store which unfortunately does not do blueray rentals.
Their rental packages are on a monthly basis. Be warned of the slow shipping turn-around and difficulty of getting some of the discs - typical of online renters.







Home Pal

Home Pal is a full Online store which unfortunately does not have blu-ray rentals.
Their rental packages are on a monthly basis.






Digit Media

Digit Media @ Tanjong Katong Road started BluRay rentals in May 2010 which unfortunately was discontinued it due to lack of demand. 
There is no time limit to the usage of their rental packages.



In summary, here is my rating of the companies (high scorers are placed on top):

3D Bluray
Video Hub / Starlight
Rida Video
Canton Video
Gramophone
Power Video
Ezy Video
King Video

2D Bluray
Gramophone
Video Ezy
Rida Video
Canton Video
Video Hub / Starlight
Power Video
King Video

Pricing
Gramophone
Canton Video
Rida Video
Power Video
Video Hub / Starlight
Video Ezy
King Video

Of course, these relative positions may change over time depending on how these companies develop their business.

This comparative study is based on their bluray collection.  Their DVD collection is not factored into this study.


If you know of other comparable companies in the bluray renting business, do let me know and I'll evaluate them as well.





Other Posts: Best DVD Rentals in Singapore

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