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MORE THAN JUST MOVIES
In spite of all the rumblings and mumblings about DVDs being a 'flash in the pan', soon to be overrun by films on CD (which we can neither refute nor confirm) there seems to be a thriving industry based on the distribution of films in this media.
If you are not, as yet, familiar with DVD movies, the ideal shipboard entertainment medium, being compact, light, easy to stow in quantity, (in a 'wallet' inside a waterproof zip-lock bag), and easy to maintain in good condition, unlike video tapes, you have a pleasant surprise in store.
Most of the titles available, bear more than just the movie itself. Interviews with the stars, 'the making of' features and commentaries from directors are a common feature of these films disguised as CDs.
At the moment, the acquisition of a new DVD film can seem a little on the expensive side if you are cruising on a budget, at around US$18 for many new titles.
Bargains are to be found in quite a few stores and on older titles and, if DVDs for rental become a widespread option, cruisers will have yet another good use for a laptop, or PC aboard!
It is possible to buy an external DVD drive without blueing the pension fund, if there is no DVD drive in the laptop or no space for one in the PC.
In 2003, a mobile (external) DVD player/CD writer combined has been
available for as little as 150 Euros, in southern Spain, and there are
doubtless such good deals to be had elsewhere, too.
These days, we look forward to watching a movie at home, wherever we feel like being at the time, whether in the saloon, the cockpit or snuggled up in bed, keeping warm on a particularly chilly evening. Although we have but a very few movies, so far, we have tried to make sure we pick titles that we know we are likely to enjoy seeing again from time to time.
The Matrix, for example, has been on our several times, and we find that we notice details that had previously escaped us with each new viewing.
Since DVDs are available for rent in many places, we can foresee many boat
owners abandoning their video setups in the not-too-distant future.
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