Rental DVD's eliminate bonus features

Winter is a big time for movie rentals, since the days are short and many people are indoors.

But if you're planning to rent any DVD's soon, you may want to know about a change some studios are making that is leaving some movie fans crying in their popcorn.

DVD's Normally Packed with Features

One of the main advantages to movies on DVD -- as opposed to in the theater -- are all the bonus features you get.

But next time you visit Redbox or rent something from Blockbuster or Netflix, you may be in for a surprise.

The website The Consumerist reports several studios are now turning off the bonus features on rental movies.

Hit "menu", and instead of outtakes and interviews, The Consumerist says you may see this screen, saying "this disc is intended for rental purposes and only includes the feature film."

It urges you to "own it on Blu Ray or DVD to view these bonus features,"which means it's time to shell out another 25 bucks.

Doesn't that Stink?

And if that's not bad enough, from the "doesn't that stink" file, the previews you can't skip through on some new DVD's.

More and movie studios are making it nearly impossible to skip through the previews, or trailers, before your movie starts. Doesn't that stink?

You can try hitting the "DVD menu" button on your remote, but that doesn't always work.

The Bottom Line

So the bottom line: studios are eliminating bonus scenes from some rental DVD's, and making you sit through all the previews.

At least they don't force you to watch commercials. At least not yet.

As always, don't waste your money.

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