As we made our way round Stufflive 2008 we came across POP; a vending machine that instead of dispensing the usual confectionery or drinks, actually allows you to buy films and games on DVD, Blu Ray or to download directly to a portable storage device.

Managed by UCA, an alliance between Universal Pictures and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, POP has been undergoing a nationwide trial of 85 units with hopes of having around 200 by the end of the year. The trial has been taking place primarily in cinemas (Odeon, Real and Vue) and department stores.

The machines hold about 400 discs of physical stock when full and vend at a price that is comparable to the high street. We’d expect that there would be a reduced cost for the download only option as there is no physical product, no packaging, no disc so when we asked we were a bit disappointed to learn that the cost is the same, at least for the time being – a bit of a disincentive for download purchases if you ask us.

Aside of gripes over the cost; the download options are flexible allowing downloads to a variety of different storage acronyms: CF/MD, MS/MS Duo, SD, miniSD, MMC as well as USB – for full details see our pics. Whilst we didn’t have the opportunity to download a film we were assured it was a process that took no more than a few minutes.

Whichever you choose from the ‘more than 100 titles available’ can be paid for by credit or debit card and in order to ensure adherence to BBFC classifications, purchases of games or films rated 18 will require a credit card. The unit even has a built in webcam that connects to live help staff if you have trouble with your purchase. Neat-o.

POP have expansion plans for shopping centres, universities, train stations and airports – so expect to see one pop up somewhere near you soon.

Thanks to the photographer Paddy O’Hara for the pics from the show.

Have you come across these POP machines in the wild? Did you buy anything? Do you think the concept will catch on? Let us know in the box below.

Related posts:

1. Gizmo Vending Machine: A New Breed.
2. D-Box: Rumble in the Stufflive jungle
3. Preview: StuffLive, in association with What Hi-Fi Sound & Vision
4. Stufflive: Hands on look at the upcoming Sansa Slot Music Player
5. SanDisk Launch ’slotMusic’: A New Way of Buying Music