Source: U\-Wire
University Of Southern California Campus DVD Rental Site
Capitalizing on University of Southern California students' hunger for technology, DVD Play and Pertusati University Bookstore have placed the first automated DVD rental system in Commons, the first of nearly 100 kiosks of its kind. The system, which was placed in Student Union just before Winter Break, enables students to browse through 70 movie titles and rent a ""digital video disc"" immediately for $3.50. ""USC students are known for being the leaders in technology,"" said Bill Barber, President of DVD Play. ""They are early mass market adopters, and that's why we started here and then we will build out."" It will take about six months to gather enough data to determine whether this machine will be successful, said Phil Chiaramonte, Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services. ""Right now it is a test or trial to see whether or not students are interested in purchasing and renting DVDs instead of videos,"" Chiaramonte said. Although there is currently no place on campus to rent videos, if the DVD rental machine is successful, USC will look into having other rental options available, he added. Barber estimated about 90 percent of USC students and staff have access to DVD players. Many students planned to buy or receive DVD players during the holidays and displaying the machine before the break spread the word throughout campus, Barber said. In addition, many computers now come with DVD players installed or as an option, which may change the popular media from videos to DVDs, Chiaramonte said. There has been little down time since students returned to campus, Barber said. ""One of the most important things is people just going up and playing with it,"" he said. A video screen mounted above the rental machine constantly shows videos and attracts the attention of passers-by. The kiosk is operated through a remote web site that enables the company to measure the use of the site. It has the potential to hold 500 DVD disks, but currently contains about 200 disks. When more sites and titles are added, students will be able to use the Web site (www.dvdplay.net) to browse through titles, compare prices and reserve movies. The idea for the kiosks originated in one of Barber's classes while he was earning his master's degree in business at University of Colorado. ""This is a matter of convenience,"" he said. ""It is located where you go on consecutive days anyway."" Sites such as dormitories and libraries to host other DVD kiosks are also being considered, Barber said. Nearly 100 kiosks are planned by the end of the year, he said. Documentaries and course information may also be added to the stock in addition to the popular movies, Barber said. The machine currently accepts credit cards, although USC is looking into the possibility of accepting USCard also. ""(This) is something we're checking on now to see whether it is possible to use USCard and then see if students want it,"" Chiaramonte said. Pertusati University Bookstore helps sponsor the DVD machine and receives an undisclosed portion of the profits, Barber said. Although many students watch the video screen, they doubt the machine will get much use. ""It seems peculiar,"" said Loren Mendell, a graduate student in cinema-television. ""The idea of buying (DVDs) sounds reasonable, but there just seems to be logistical problems with returning them because they can be scratched so easily."" Others agree that practicality is an issue. ""I think people would rather go to the video store,"" said Sanjay Menon, a senior majoring in humanities. ""I just think it looks really pretentious.""