Stock up on microwave popcorn; movie rentals are going online.

Only two decades after video rental outlets introduced America to the convenience of shelves overflowing with feature-length films, such stores as Hollywood Video and Video Update may soon be obsolete.

The new Web site www.sightsound.com allows surfers to click on the movie or album of their choice, enter a credit card number and relax.

“The quality is just as good as home video, and you never have to worry about returning the tape, rewind fines or late fees.” said Jennifer Pesci, marketing director for SightSound.com.

The service developed by SightSound.com may be one of the premier features of the Internet-based technology conversion of the future.

Most movies the site currently offers are B-films such as “Toxic Avenger,” “The Chosen One” (with Carmen Electra) and “My Name is Dirt” (with Jenna Jameson, Danny Masterson and David Faustino).

In the future, mainstream film producers will also use Internet providers to market their movies.

“There will always be a market for the movie theater experience,” Pesci said. “But most likely, rental movies will eventually be exclusively online.”

This may be true, but some filmmakers will produce “direct-to-Internet films” released strictly over the Internet.

“Coming this spring, we are offering the first Internet movie called, ‘The Quantum Project,’ created by the makers of ‘What Dreams May Come,'” Pesci said.

Navigation on the site is fairly simple. The main page shows a few clickable options: “Movies,” “Music” and “How To Buy.” Once accessed, each page displays an icon with a picture from the movie selected.

After selecting a movie, users can choose to download the film or first view a few short clips of the movie, similar to the previews before a film at the theater.

Renters or buyers can view the movie on their television by purchasing a “monster cable” and connecting it to their computer.

Depending on the computer, the download may take anywhere from three to 30 minutes. Users can watch their choice any number of times during the one-day rental.

Pesci noted that “SightSound.com” uses technology to show the movie at the same speed as a VCR or DVD so the viewer doesn’t have to worry about slow Internet connections.

Customers can peruse descriptions of both new releases and coming attractions. Users can also search for music and movies of any genre by clicking the “browse by genre” feature.

Information about SightSound.com and the company’s newsletter are also available at the site.

One day rentals cost $2.95, and a movie purchase costs $14.98.