Hum has a varied collection of new release non - mainstream dvds but their mark-up consistently…read morehigh.

In part I'm surprised that places like this still exist, but in another way I am really glad that…read morethey do. This place is basically an old style recordshop that has an awesome selection of CDs and DVDs. In fact, when it comes to DVDs they then to carry the harder to find ones, and the classic and cult films, which is pretty awesome. Sure enough, within a few minutes I was able to find a couple of awesome films that you would simply not find in many of the other places, and not to mention the CDs as well. Certainly worth checking out, especially if you are retro like me.

I was babysitting my godson one Tuesday evening and had just fixed him a snack when he informed me…read morethat he wasn't going to eat his chicken risotto because he wasn't hungry. I pleaded. Begged. Even tried to bribe him with lollies. He simply wasn't interested in his dinner. But he WAS interested in a trailer that popped up on the telly for Rio. A short trip later to the local video rental store, and of course the kid was now hungry: "Can I have popcorn?" "Can I have M&M's?" "Look! They have magnums!" And of course, I gave in. Then, it was time to find the movie. I'm a regular here because the late fees won't make you bankrupt and the service is more personalized than the standard big players like Blockbuster. It's quite a small store which means less scanning of shelves, trying to find a flick everyone will agree on. Rio? Check. $1.95 new releases on Tuesdays? Score! There was even room for the risotto in the end. One happy 6-year-old boy and a relieved babysitter. Thanks Charlie.

Hey Standard Store, aren't you fancy?…read more This new flagship shop on Crown Street directly next door to The Trinity has definitely got "cool" in its bag. A friend of mine enthusiastically recommended it to me and said I must, must check it out. So check it out I did. I found some very interesting, "out of the norm" garments in here. I was told afterwards that most of the shop's styling is European, which makes a lot of sense. Lots of quirky pieces fill the racks, most with interesting embellishments or asymmetrical necklines. I was drawn to a patchwork and lace cardigan, but had to catch my breath after realizing it was near the $300 mark. Not that it isn't worth it, I just didn't quite see it coming. If you're after shoes, jewelry or accessories, Standard Store has a few options here, but not a ton. They are definitely taking a minimalist approach to stocking the shop, but there's probably a sales tactic here that I'm just not aware of. That or the rest of their European shipment is being held up in Australian customs.

This boutique seems to carry the Standard in hipster fashion, as all the clothes in this store fit…read morethat style of dress. The Standard Store just opened in September of this year in a little heritage building in Surry Hills. It's the flagship of the Flying Standard Distribution agency, which sells various European brands. When I walked in, there was just one employee who was helping the only other customer in the store. She didn't even glance my way to welcome me or ask me if I needed assistance, which is surely not polite service. The store itself is cute, minimally decorated, and reminded me of a miniature version of Urban Outfitters (though much more organized). Their inventory of clothes is quite small, but they do carry basics like shirt, jeans, and shoes. I saw less than ten different brands in the men's section, though there appeared to be a bigger selection for women's apparel on the opposite side of the room. Sifting through the clothing racks, I saw $150 striped shirts and $300 cardigans. I like how they carry uncommon labels, but that doesn't detract from the unjustifiably high prices. Despite liking several things I saw, I can't picture myself rushing back here for any reason.

So Music on King Street in Newtown is the ideal cd shop for the alternative music connoisseur, they…read morehave a strong focus on indie music and Australian music, with a large Australian music section right at the front of the store (which is nice to see). What is most unique is they offer one of the best collections of classical and contemporary classical music which I have found in Sydney (if you love the scary screamer Diamanda Galas) as much as I do check them out). They also have an extensive collection of World music and Soundtrack CDs. Also they have a small cabinet of collectible box sets which are really quite rare editions. So is definitely worth a look if you need that rare cd you cannot find anywhere else.

So Music drags me in with its 25% off everything sign painted onto the glass out front. It's a…read moresmall shop and so the prices are likely to only just rival the big wig competitors who bulk buy all of their stock, but I decide to venture in and give the little man a go. The range is surprisingly broad with many a different genre is displayed in the small room ahead. Classical, Soundtrack, Pop, Alternative. They even have a comedy section, though it's too small to find by myself and the lady helps me to track it down. The cork board up the back with recent reviews about CD's that the shop holds in stock is useful and could work as a great sales technique for some. A few DVD's greet you as you enter and those same DVD's wave good-bye as you leave. A friendly hello and farewell by circumstance only. The shop has a vast range for the size that it is and while they may not be as cheap as a major retailer, I think the prices will surprise you.

If video stores are a dying breed, someone's forgotten to mention that to Civic Video in Mosman,…read more'cos it always seems to have a bunch of people inside. And we're often there ourselves - it's conveniently located. I don't think it's success is due to doing anything exceptional. It's range is reasonably current and broad. It does a good spread of television series (which I think are harder to come-by elsewhere than movies) but I'd like to see them extend the loan period. It recently upgraded its layout, but to no great avail. On the days that the owners are on site I would say it was well-staffed but its collection of part-timers is a bit motley (often more interested in chatting to one another than serving you). And most disappointing of all, despite their diligently running disks through a cleaner before you borrow them, there are too many times that we've found our rental scratched or dusty.

Civic Video in Mosman is a franchise but it's owned by a gorgeous couple who are assisted by a…read moreyoung but well-DVD-versed team. The delightful Lois who owns the shop is film buff and we've had many a Margaret and David style joust. Given the wide demographic of the staff you're likely to get a good recommendation regardless of your genre preference. Being a franchise there's some insistence on the Hollywood blockbuster type films but they're placed alongside lots of intelligent alternatives. We go there for their great range of Foreign and Indie films and also the great selection of 'Television Series' DVDs including some lesser known American and British sitcoms. A well-stocked documentary section and heaps of kids titles means there really is something for everyone at this store.

I like music from really old guys like JS Bach, Brahms, Ludwig Van B, and the Rolling Stones…read more Nowadays CDs are so cheap, but the range is not so great. Until you get to Fish Fine Music. It has the most fantastic range of classical music and the most helpful people. An added advantage is that its in the QVB - an Icon. and no, I have no idea why its called Fish Fine Music.

I went to the Leichhardt Book and CD fair and it's 'fair' to say (ha) that I got carried away…read more For 11 days over November (3rd - 13th), Leichhardt Town Hall plays host to this annual fair held by 2MBS-FM classical, jazz and contemporary radio station. The Town hall is lined with tables supporting stacks and boxes of hardcovers and paperbacks of fiction, religion and philosophy, science and technology, history and biography, arts, sport and literature, food and wine (including a huge range of cookbooks), and English and international dictionaries. At the back you'll also find boxes of vinyls and old sheet music and song-books, from pop and childrens to classical and AMEB exam approved pieces. I left with two handfuls of $4 books, including The Mini Oxford School French Dictionary, Lonely Planet French Phrasebook, Orwell's Keep the Aspidistra Flying, Bronte's Wuthering Heights, a selection of Absurdist theatre scripts and Adams' Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. I left my slightly embarrassing but almost unresistable pile of cds at the counter for another visit - so for those interested, Tina Arena, Acker Bilk and the entire Rod Stewart collection are still up for grabs. This fair is definitely worth a visit and the Town Hall provides free parking just around the corner. If you miss the Leichhardt 'chapter' (I'm on fire today) then don't 'fret' (slightly irrelevant musical reference), as 2MBS-FM take their fair to Balmain in the 'preface' (like a novel?) to Christmas.

An odd yet awesome store. If you're after Anime, J pop, K…read morePop, Chinese Pop, Asian dramas or merchandise for literally any of the things previously mentioned, hit up Media Asia. Some of the stuff they sell is pretty dodgy I'll admit, I saw a couple of anime dvds with the boxes falling apart on the shelves. But hey, it's cheap, cheerful and in Chinatown - What more do you expect? Ps, they recently moved stores 19/421-429 Sussex Street. Enjoy!