Blockbuster launches set-top film-download box
Can't deliver pizza though
Blockbuster has finally realised what we’ve all known for years: traipsing back and forth to its stores with discs is a pain in the bum. So the rental firm’s launched a set-top box to deliver films directly to your living room.
Blockbuster's MediaPoint set-top film box
The MediaPoint box will sit beside, underneath or on top of your telly and give you access to Blockbuster’s “OnDemand” film catalogue through an Ethernet or 802.11b/g Wi-Fi connection.
HDMI and other standard output ports let you connect the box to your TV, so you’ll be set-up for HD and standard-definition films. It’s worth noting that Blockbuster doesn’t throw in an Ethernet or HDMI cable. But the box does come with a remote control.
The unit’s only initially available in the US, where film fans can pick up the box for free with any advance $99 (£65/€77) rental of 25 Blockbuster OnDemand films. After your 25 films are up, individual titles can be rented for a minimum of $2.
COMMENTS
In the UK, you would storage for our low speed broadband
There are already a few film download services in the UK
http://www.fetchtv.co.uk/ launch end of November
http://www.filmon.co.uk/ (weird site)
would be good in sweden!
Quality arguments are getting very old - the various and virtually lossless compression codec’s that can be used today are quite suitable for providing a quality viewing experience - even on the most decent HD projectors or TV's.
As mentioned the bugger is the file size... not so good with a broadband network that’s not developing so fast, did I mention that I have 100mb connection here in Stockholm? :) (There are advantages to being in a country with less than 11 million people!)
I'm sure this service would work a treat here.
btw thats 100mb uncontented and unrestriced - There are advantages to being in a country with less than 11 million people!
@AC
Apple TV quality is excellent....
That's the only one i've ever tried but i was very impressed!
questionable
As the AC@12:10GMT said, the quality probably won't be there.
Until it's a significantly better quality alternative to downloading hooky (but generally well encoded) content from the myriad torrents sites out there I can't see this sort of thing taking off.
And like all download services..
Quality will either be abysmal (SD), or poor (HD), and take ages on current broadband infrastructures.
No thanks, I will stick with my existing DVD collection, and my ever expanding Blu-ray collection.
