RV Road Trips

Netflix is a company that mails you whichever DVDs you want whenever you want them. 

With a database of over 100,000 movies in 200 different categories, they will send you up to 4 movies at a time for your viewing pleasure. 

So, How Does This Work When You're RVing?

Netflix has a couple of options that cater to the needs of RVers:

For Short-Term Travelers...
For the weekend camper, or short term traveler you can have the latest movies mailed to your house before you leave town, then watch them at your leisure in your RV. 

You can keep them as long as you want without fear of a late charge.  As soon as you mail one back, they mail you the next movie on your list. 

Their "unlimited" plans (which allow you to watch as many movies as you want each month) have a monthly fee ranging from $9 to $24, based on how many movies you want to have access to at a time -- anywhere from 1 to 4 movies at a time.  (Netflix also has a "limited" plan which is $4.99/mo for 1 DVD at a time, but your'e limited to 2 movies per month.)

For Long-Term Travelers...
As long as you have a mailing address near the place where you're currently parked (say, if you're working several months at a time in one location, or you happen to have relatives nearby), then you can keep getting new movies to watch on a fairly regular basis -- based on the monthly plan you've chosen. 

The good part is:  The turnaround time is usually fairly quick.  Netflix usually ships your next DVD within 1-2 business days after they receive the one you returned.  So as soon as you're done watching one, you just drop it back in the mail (in a pre-paid envelope, no postage necessary), and wait for the next movie from your Netflix Queue to arrive!

Of course this option only works if you are staying parked in one place for awhile.  And you will have to change your address with Netflix every time you move so they know where to send your movies each time.
 

For Short- AND Long-Term Travelers: Movies On Demand! 
Chances are, whether you're a weekend RV traveler or a full timer, you've probably got a computer nearby.  Most fulltimers these days wouldn't leave home without a laptop on board.

As long as your laptop has video and audio connections (most do), then you can hook your computer to any TV that has an audio/video input.  This allows you to use the CD/DVD drive on your computer to play movies.  And your TV screen becomes your computer monitor!

With Netflix, you can watch full-length feature movies right on your computer, thanks to the Internet!  Since many camping resorts, truck stops, and and other locations have wireless Internet available, it's a cinch to log on and watch a Netflix movie when you're on the road. 

And this way, you can immediately watch the movie of your choice.  No waiting for the mail service to deliver your DVD.  Plus, there is no movie that you have to return.  With each of the Netflix "unlimited" plans mentioned above, you can watch an as many movies as you want this way each month. 

NOTE:  While the Netflix database of DVD movies is well over 100,000, their database of movies & TV episodes that are available for instant viewing currently totals around 10,000.

With so many different packages and options to chose from, Netflix allows you to watch as many or few movies as you like each month.

Here's a review of Netflix and their online viewing options.

Redbox is another viable alternative for frequent travelers.

With this DVD rental service, there are over 8,000 locations where you can pick up or drop off a movie -- all across the U.S. 

How Redbox Works:
You swing by a Redbox, where they typically have about 500 new release movies available in each box.  Pay $1 per night per movie. And return the movie to any Redbox location (doesn't have to be the same one you got the movie from). 

You can keep each movie up to 24 days for $1 a day.  (At the 25th day, the movie is effectively yours, and your credit card is charged $25).

Redboxes can be found at some Walmarts, as well as a number of grocery stores and restaurants (like McDonalds, who initially funded the project) in 46 states.

They also have an interactive page on the website where you can locate a Redbox by zip code.  You can even "reserve" or request the movie of your choice, so you can be sure that your movie will be available when you arrive at a particular Redbox.

Here's a review of Redbox DVD rentals.

Other Online Movie Rental Services
With a good bit of searching I found a couple other companies that offer similar DVD rental arrangements (like Blockbuster and MovieLink). Though none matched Netflix, in my opinion.  A few (like Vongo) even offer similar online viewing options like Netflix does, but Netflix still comes out on top.

Here's a review comparing Netflix, MovieLink, and Vongo.

Perhaps, the next best thing to Netflix at this time would be Amazon. Their program is called "unbox movies" and there are a number of advanced features allowing you to "purchase" or "rent" movies online.

NOTE: In case you're wondering, when you "download" a movie from online movie rental services, usually you're either watching a "streaming" version of the movie (which means you're watching it as it's playing on their server).  Or, you're downloading a version of the movie that will self-erase a short time after you download it.  However, with Amazon, you have the option of paying for a version of the movie that you can keep and watch any time.

The Best DVD Rental Service For RVers?
For the most part, when it comes to the full time RVer who doesn’t want to mess with returning DVDs, Netflix comes out on top.  Not much can beat the convenience of watching the movie of your choice when you make the decision -- rather than when the mail comes or when you run down to McDonald's and pick out a movie.

I think the best thing about Netflix is that it's so adaptable to whatever your current situation is. And as your needs change, or your location changes, it remains one of the most convenient way to rent and watch movies.

If you're home (or at one location) for awhile, then you can get DVD movies delivered to you there.  If you'll be on the go for awhile, then you can watch movies and TV episodes on your computer with Netflix.  One membership gets you both options with no additional fees.  And, regardless of which "unlimited" plan you choose with Netflix, you can always watch as many online movies as you want.