On March 5, I complained that Netflix, the internet video rental service, wasn't available here in Canada. Well I didn't have to wait long for someone else to fill the void. In comes Zip.ca, which claims to let you rent an unlimited number movies, four at a time, for about $25/month.

So far, I've built a "Zip List" of a couple dozen DVDs that I'd like to see, and I'm very impressed with their catalog. Zip has lots of movies that the local video shop wouldn't touch (i.e., anything that requires you to think). I especially like their specialty lists (top 25 Canadian films, top international films, etc.) and their sub-categories. The science fiction category has eleven sub-categories! Geek heaven!

Here's how it works. You create a large list of movies that you'd like to rent. This "Zip List" shows their availability and lets you prioritize them. When the movies are available, they'll send them out by Canada Post along with a postage-paid return envelope. When you feel like returning them, mail them back, and Zip sends you next movies in your list.

I'll see if this works out. Already I can see potential problems with ordering multi-part DVDs. I put the first five Farscape discs on my list, but Zip mailed #4 and #5 first. Doh!

The best part for me... no late fees. Ha! Take that, Blockbuster!