Fox to offer renters stripped DVDs

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, in a move designed to bolster DVD sales, is going to be releasing two different versions of its movies on DVD beginning this month. The regular DVDs -- the ones with all the extras -- will only be available to purchasers. Renters will have to settle for DVDs with just the film and probably a few trailers.

I'm not sure this policy is going to have the effect that Fox hopes, but I do think it might move rentals away from outfits like Netflix to establishments like Movie Trading Company. Here's why: Netflix only rents movies so it and obviously its customers will only receive the stripped down versions. MTC , on the other hand, is primarily a place where consumers can purchase or sell new and used movies (as well as video games and CDs). It will receive the versions meant for over-the-counter sales. However, all the movies in an MTC outlet are available for rent as well as purchase, so those consumers wanting to rent films with commentaries et all -- even the bonus discs -- just need to visit their nearest MTC outlet.

Here are the 12 Dallas area locations for Movie Trading Company:

4115 S. Cooper St., Suite 201, Arlington

5809 Greenville Ave., Dallas

5907 Belt Line Road, Dallas

3420 W. Camp Wisdom, Dallas

4604 SW Loop 820, Fort Worth

2595 Preston Road, Suite 400, Frisco

4280 Lavon Drive, Suite 210, Garland

2305 W I-20, Suite 120, Grand Prairie

1327 W. Pipeline Road, Hurst

2620 N. Beltline Road, Irving

2397 S. Stemmons, Suite C, Lewisville

1017 N. Central, Suite 100, Plano

(Truth in advertising: I work part time at the Garland location. Come by and say hello sometime. Plus, you can go next door and have a fine burger or an excellent grilled chicken Caesar salad at Scotty P's, where you can also treat the family to two burgers, fries, rings and a bottle of Dom Perignon for $300)

Incidentally, Fox's policy will begin March 31 with Fox's releases of the Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire and the popular Marley & Me.