Meter

Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: Arts & Culture

Media Credit: Winston Mize - The Meter

TSU students looking for entertainment may not have to look much further than the second floor of the student center.

Just recently, a DVD Now kiosk was placed for the students' availability near the second floor entrance of the Kean Hall Gymnasium. The kiosk, owned by Tom Cortemeglia, is a competitor of the popular Redbox DVD rental machines, seen at several locations.

"My goal is to make money, so I can give it back, you know, if I make a profit," Cortemeglia said. "I plan to give out vouchers for various amounts that students can use for tuition and books."

The machine has a $1.99 per night charge and a $25.00 plus tax authorization fee. The buyer will not be charged the fee if the movies are returned within ten days. The machine accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

For students using the machine for the first time, they may enter the first night free rental code, found on the side of the kiosk. The code works once per card.

Also, by visiting the machine's Web site, another code can be found for another free night's rental.

"I do take personal requests," Cortemeglia said. "If there is something that (students) would like to see, send me an email. If I get an enough requests, I will see what I can do."

The types of movies in the box range from good to bad, new to old and genre to genre, but the machine does have a wide variety to choose from, depending on interest.

"I think it was a great idea," said Brian Jones, a sophomore accounting major from Detroit. "Yeah it costs a bit more than Redbox, but it is also a lot more convenient.

"[Kiosk] is right here where I am. I don't have a car, and I am not walking to a Redbox so I think it works just fine," he continued.

Renting from the machine is not the only option. For students looking for a copy of Tyler Perry's many plays, wanting that old Denzel movie or maybe a new copy of High School Musical, purchases can be made from these machines as well. New releases generally run for around $25 and older movies range from $10-$15 dollars.

"I actually haven't been by there yet to check it out, but I have been looking forward to it," said Ashley Smith, a senior nursing major from Birmingham. "I've heard people mentioning it and I want to see for myself. This may be my new thing, going to the DVD machine and getting a movie every week."

This trend of DVD Now and Redbox machines all together may eliminate store rentals.

"I did used to go the video store, but this so much easier for me," Smith said. "It's a great deal cheaper than, say, Blockbuster is."

Along with Cortemeglia's plan to give back, if he makes a profit, he plans to give away prizes with rentals across a time span of five weeks. The prizes range from fancy Obama watches to sparkling Obama pins.

"I don't know if it's a good or bad thing personally," said DeArrius Mueller, a freshman engineering major from Chicago. "My focus is school, as it has always been, and I'm not much of a movie person
myself, but I may still check it out and see if something sparks my interest."

For those who do enjoy movies, rejoice. This machine may be what some have been waiting for: a cheap and accessible way to spend some of that downtime being a little less bored, and instead being a little more entertained.

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