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A couple of weeks ago, my DVR decided not to record one of my shows (I refuse to admit user error…ok, it was user error). Since Jack Bauer on my 15.1″ screen just isn’t the same, I booted up the PS3 with the hopes of pulling up Hulu on the PlayStation browser. Apparently I’ve been under a rock.
Back in November, Netflix brought streaming video to the PS3 making it the only Netflix-friendly device that allows for gaming, streaming video on demand, and Blu-Ray capability. But the ability to stream Hulu to my HDTV from my PS3 all of a sudden became more important.
Then I found PlayOn — developed by MediaMall Technologies — which allows you to watch all your favorite, shows, movies and sports with a networked PC and a Wii, PS3, XBOX 360, or other compliant device.
Popularity: 7% [?]
No sooner than I compare Blockbuster & Netflix video on demand pros and cons, Amazon throws a curveball in the whole thing by bringing its library to viewers via the Roku digital video player. Yes. The very same used by Netflix VOD users.
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) today announced that it will offer customers the ability to instantly purchase, rent and watch digital movies and TV episodes from its popular video service, Amazon Video On Demand
, via the Roku Digital Video Player. Beginning in early 2009, the Roku Player, which currently supports only the Netflix service, will offer access to Amazon Video On Demand’s more than 40,000 commercial-free movies and television shows, enabling Roku customers for the first time to watch new release movie titles instantly.
The service is already available to Amazon VOD users on other stand-alone devices such as a specially-equipped TiVo DVR
The great thing about Amazon’s VOD service is that new release movies are available the same day that they are released on DVD that are not currently available on the Roku Player. The service boasts instant playback with no downloading, no waiting and no subscription fee. The library includes over 40,000 movies and TV shows that stream instantly to a quality consistent with your bandwidth. And as I mentioned in the Blockbuster v Netflix comparo, the Roku player will connect to any television set using HDMI, component video, composite or S-video connections.
So, now we sit and wait while Amazon dangles this carrot in front of our faces. In the meatime Macworld attendees wait for an announcement regarding an improved Apple TV, and Blockbuster has a small window of opportunity to reinvent its offering. Better hurry.
Popularity: 12% [?]
Digital distribution of movies is becoming more than just a convenience. Video on demand (VOD) technology is becoming the status quo. As video formats have evolved, so has the method of delivery. Reel-to-reel. BetaMax and VCRs. DVD players. High-definition Blu-Ray. And now delivery of videos goes beyond format. There are an increasing number of utensils to feed your video appetite. In fact, there is a large list of video on demand services. If you have a broadband Internet connection, then you’re ready to explore the world of VOD.
So, how do you choose?
I’m a DIRECTV customer as well as a Blockbuster.com user. I’m contemplating a VOD service as an alternative to my Blockbuster service. So, I decided to take a look at Blockbuster’s VOD service and compare it to Netflix. Pretty smart, eh? Yeah…I thought so too.
BLOCKBUSTER. I’m already partial to Blockbuster over Netflix, so naturally Blockbuster.com was the first place I went to get some details. According to Blockbuster’s current offer, when you rent 25 movies in advance — which costs $99 — Blockbuster will send you one of its 2wire MediaPoint digital media players. The box includes composite, HDMI and component outputs.
Unfortunately the information available on Blockbuster.com is routine at best — an electronic brochure of the service actually. So, I contacted BlockBuster with a slew of questions.
This blogger shares his pros and cons of the Blockbuster service and related hardware.
With the lack of information available on the Blockbuster site, I decided to email them for some answers:
Dear Derrich,
Roughly 2,000 titles are currently available. The library changes frequently.
The device upscales up to 1080i resolution if used with an HDMI connection, cable not included. Some of the titles, such as the IMAX titles, are compressed with high definition, but not all titles will be in such high quality. The device also only offers stereo only for the audio.
The prices range from $1.99 to a max of $3.99.
There is no long-term storage available. Rentals are only made available for a maximum of 30 days after download. Once you actually start to watch the movie, however, there is only a 24 hour license issued to play the movie as many times as you wish. The files are auto-deleted either when the 30 day period or 24 hour watch period expires.
There are no other fees or membership requirements to use the OnDemand service. Once you have the device and use the 25 prepaid rentals, if you never rent again..you’ll never be billed.
Please let us know if there’s any other questions we can help with.
NETFLIX. The Netflix website on the other hand was refreshingly informative about its offering. Heck, it even points you in the direction of the manufacturer, Roku, for a more in-depth resume of abilities.
Right off the bat, this thing is the epitome of ‘straight foward’. Box is $99 (MSRP). Buy it, keep it. If you already have a Netflix unlimited plan (from $8.99/month), then you’re all set. The terms and conditions isn’t a bunch of legal jargon — it consists of six bullet points. Your existing Netflix plan doesn’t change. The number of movies available on demand is limited to a little over 3,500. One blogger even went so far as to compile a list of Netflix On Demand movies. Netflix claims 12,000 selections; we can assume the other 8,500 or so are TV shows. More importantly, watching movies or TV shows instantly does not affect the number of DVDs you get.
In addition to the Roku player, you can use the Netflix service with a number of other devices such as the Xbox 360
In addition to those devices, today LG announced the first broadband-enabled HDTVs with Netflix streaming software embedded directly in the TV, eliminating the need for one of the above boxes.
THE WINNER IS…. It looks like Netflix has found a way to marginalize Blockbuster. I’m tempted to take advantage of the 30-day free trial to see if I like the ‘DVD by mail’ service as much or better than Blockbuster. If so, why wouldn’t I make the switch to the company with a better On Demand product?
The bottom line is that Netflix rules the VOD battle.
While I test drive the two services, there are still some other VOD services out there for me to research such as Amazon Video On Demand
Popularity: 46% [?]
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