If you are in the mood for a feature film in the comfort of your own home, renting a movie can be as close as your computer screen, mailbox, grocery store, retail movie store or local library.

While you shop for popcorn and soda, consider shopping for the best movie deal by weighing a services price, timeliness and convenience. Do you want hard-to-find Russian war documentaries, or just box-office hits? Do you want the cheapest option, or are you willing to pay extra for the largest selection and highest video quality? Well help you find a fit.

Store rentals

The original way to rent a movie, from way back when VHS was battling Betamax.

Go to your favorite rental store early if youre interested in renting a new release. Peruse the aisles. Generally, new releases are separated from classics.

Rentals are paid for at the counter. Prices typically range from $2 to $4.25. Be sure to note due dates and late fees, as they can vary from shop to shop. New releases usually have shorter rental periods.

Total $ = $2-$4.25 for 2-day or weeklong rentals

Rent-by-mail

Netflix and Blockbuster Total Access Plan offer online rental services, delivering movies to your door by mail, with no late fees.

Netflix plans range from $4.99 for one DVD at a time, limit two per month, to $23.99 for four DVDs at a time, unlimited per month. That includes over 100,000 titles and rare collections/TV shows. Blockbuster plans range from $3.99 for one DVD at a time, two per month and $1.99 in-store exchanges, to $34.99 for three DVDs at a time, unlimited number per month and unlimited in-store exchanges. More plans, but fewer titles (80,000), are available than Netflix. Joining a service is easy; both offer free introductory plans, but a credit card is required.

Simply create a queue online, and the discs will be sent to you.

When youre done with a movie, return in the postage-paid envelope and wait for your next disc. In addition to delivery by mail, Netflix offers many titles that you can watch on its Web site.

Blockbuster allows you to return discs in their stores, known as an instore exchange, to trade for a new movie, although the selection is limited.

Total $ = $4 to $35 for monthly packages (2 DVDs/month to unlimited)

Public library

Borrowing movies is free for those holding a library card. The Deschutes Public Library system has a growing collection of DVDs and an even more extensive collection of movies on VHS.

In addition to browsing the shelves, you can request a movie online, and when its available, it will be put on hold for you near the front desk. Visit www.dpls.lib.or.us to search for movies or suggest new titles.

The checkout process at the Bend library is self-service. If your movie is on hold, it will be waiting on the shelf at the front counter.

The library also recently began offering downloadable videos (and audiobooks) through its Web site. Visit ebooks.dpls.lib.or.us for more information.

Total $ = $0

Kiosk rentals

DVD kiosks are popping up in grocery stores and even fast-food chains.

Redbox is available in McDonalds and Albertsons, and DVDPlay is at Safeway. Renters swipe a credit card and retrieve DVDs, and are charged $1 per day or a maximum of $25. You can check inventory online, but selection is limited to what fits in the box.

Both Redbox and DVDPlay offer promotional codes, which let renters get free or discounted rentals. Sites such as InsideRedbox.com and InsideDVDPlay.com collect and make these available to everyone. The catch? Most codes can only be used once per credit card.

Be sure to note when the rentals must be returned to the kiosk. Late fees are administered because the box assumes youve chosen to enjoy the movie for another day.

Visit RedBox.com or DVDPlay.com for more info.

Total $ = $1 to $25 for a max of 25 days. After that, you own the disc.

On-demand

Rent a movie right from your couch, either through BendBroadbands Video On Demand, or VOD, service, or through another device, such as an Apple TV, XBox 360 or Amazons Unbox.

Right now, VOD movies come out a month after the films go to video, but that may be changing soon.

BendBroadband has more than 40,000 titles on VOD, including movies, shows, music videos and more.

VOD is a feature of any level of BendBroadband digital cable service. Generally, new releases are $3.99 for 24 hours, although some offer three-day viewing periods.

HD video and 5.1 surround sound are offered for 24 hours for $5.99 per rental. These movies are limited, but the titles are growing. Library titles, or older and classic movies, rent for $2.99 for 24 hours.

All BendBroadband Premium Channel Suites (HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc.) include a free package of 150 hours of VOD movies, series and specials from that programmer.

This all depends on the package you buy, but there is no added cost to watch free and premium VOD.

Total $ = $3 to $6, usually with a limited viewing window