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 DVD Hype, based in Montreal, came in fourth place in a 2005 Financial Post rating of Canada's top services and remains a strong alternative to Zip. DVD Hype's browsing/search engine is impressive; you can search by title, actor, director and browse through 17 genres as well as upcoming releases. While definitely limited compared to Zip, they have a good inventory of Hollywood as well as Canadian films and the classics as well as Criterion editions for film buffs. They appear to stock some 11,000 titles.
DVDHype is one of the oldest online DVD rental companies, starting in 2000 in Montreal. Unfortunately, it has a no frills look and feel which could really use some updating, but is functional if not pretty. DVD Hype also has an interesting program where members who recommend new customers who sign up get cash rewards.
They also have a large online knowledge base system for answering questions about their service. However, they don't have a phone number, which is a drawback. Unfortunately, there have been complaints of shipping delays and people canceling within their free trial and still being charged, as well as customer service opening "trouble tickets" on their system and leaving them unanswered.
Prices: DVDHype's pricing policy is unique, based on how close you are to their distribution centers (and presumably how quickly you'll get the discs), which can be value for money even if you're far from Montreal. Their QProgram offers unlimited rentals for $24.95; you get three discs if you live in in Montreal and surroundings (H0-9, J3-7), you get 4 discs out if you live elsewhere in Quebec, Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver, including post codes K-N, V2P-V7Z, V8K-V9Z, and a whopping 5 DVDs out in all other areas.
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Rental Basics