What is Digg?47 Comments
- qw1j1b0, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13Lawsuits for people cracking the DRM by January of next year!
- JustMatt, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9I actually usually end up watching my DVDs on my computer just because it is convenient, but for some reason I never really got into buying movies (or music for that matter) online. There's something to be said about owning a hard copy of it, and the things that come with the movies and cds (cover art, album sleeve, etc.) Good for Netflix though, a lot of people are into that sort of thing.
- DavisFreeberg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8If Netflix launches the service and Hollywood doesn't participate then they do so at their own peril. The world was ready for iTunes long before the studios let Apple launch and if the studios try and restrict their content from the advantages of the web then they risk losing these customers to the independent producers. I can't wait to see what films they end up being able to offer.
- PacoDG, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Very smart of Netflix, taking the approach of just doing it with whoever is willing to take that step first (ie the independent films).
- deadfones, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Assuming you can download all you want but only keep 3 at a time, like their traditional plan, this could cost lots of $$$ in bandwidth for them and would probably become the burden of the consumer.
We'll also probably see a lot more instances of Comcast's infamous glass ceiling being enforced. - Britten, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5im pretty sure that people with a 1.54 Mbit connection like a T1 would be waiting longer for the movie to download than people that have a cable modem that runs at 5Mbits or more... you dont need to upload the movie when you are done... so a T1 would not help.
- XStatic, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I just want to be able to watch the downloaded movies with TiVo instead of a PC!
I know it works because TiVo has already done some test movies, just need to work this out with a studio to download new releases. - tizz66, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5ScreenSelect, probably the biggest netflix-like service in the UK has started doing this recently too, with around 900 short films available free of charge to subscribers.
- cyberghost232, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7Bit Torrent says movie downloads now!
- jumjum, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4If they distribute a no-nonsense ISO file, I'll download it. I don't have time to Hee-Haw around with beta Java player apps and the like.
- NoahK, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Link to original article: http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/may2006/sb20060525_268860.htm
- hotani, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3my computer screen *is* my TV: 37" LCD.
This is perfect, I'm just hoping it won't be a "windows only" deal. - apt11, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5If the entertainment industry continues to disallow this option to download movies they will have to consider making smaller budget films which may yield a smaller return, because they will no longer have the checkbook. People may continue to download films for free as the only alternative. The industry must conform to technology and audience desire or shrivel into an inferior entity. On the other hand, feeling the wallet pinch, they may resort to making smaller films with improved stories, better writing, and ultimately better content. So their own stupidity might force them into a situation to improve upon their product.
- HebrewHammer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I for one will not miss blockbuster!
- BassCadet, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4@NoahK
What if you want to watch the movie with someone else? Not all of us are college students holed up in dorm rooms.
What if I want to watch LOTR with my girlfriend? Is she going to sit on my lap for 3 hours while we watch it on my monitor?
If there isn't a way to transfer these downloaded files to our home theater systems this idea will BOMB. What Netflix should be doing is teaming up with Microsoft to make a remote media player connected to your TV that can stream data wirelessly from your PC. Hell, Netflix should just rent the thing out with a Netflix membership with a $50 deposit on a credit card or something. Now that is something I'd pay for. Until then, I am happy with my Blockbuster mail-in account where I get unlimited rentals plus 4 free in-store rentals a month. - ProfessorRiffs, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3When it comes to technological advances, pr0n is one step ahead of the curve on everything.
- Snay, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3It will probably be based off some dodgy proprietory reverse engineered bittorent protocol clone, thereby offloading the bandwidth costs to the consumer, it will be drm'd to hell, windows only, and awful awful resolution, and pennies cheaper than actually buying a DVD. Oh, and dvdjon will have cracked the drm about three hours after release.
Call me a cynic but Ive been burned far too many times before with this online "multimedia" malarky, - WaterDragon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2They could circumvent all those new fees on everything by just declaring all computers state-owned, and simply taxing us for all our computer use.
A computer can have a meter on it, like a taxi-meter. Just insert your credit card, and use the net all you want. It worked so great with pay toilets...why not try it with Windoze?
Or better yet, just tax our perception...and it will include computer use, reading books, everything we see, hear, taste, etc. The MIND tax!
(There's a cool film I really liked, called 'Orwell Rolls In His Grave' -- a bit off topic, but appropriate to this comment...torrent widely available) - mrmatchgame, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I hope you can choose the bit rate of the movie.
- kolop1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1yeah 5% of the 5% Mac market may be interested. That makes what 50 people?
- ReallyChili, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4Like an earlier Digged article stated, pr0n is already ahead of the curve.
- Technopundit, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3They're just groming the public to the idea of downloading movies.
Eventually, as bandwidth becomes available, processors permit better compression schemes, and local storage becomes even less expensive, DVD's will most likely be discontinued. Download once, then pay-per-view each time you watch. The DRM scheme, using a constantly changing key, will be uncrackable.
Bend over and spread 'em, citizen. - kolop1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1 I don't agree with that. Spider-man 2 made what 200 Million $ world wide?
While I think this is an interesting idea, I still like to have the actual DVD. Most people do not know how to hook their PC to a TV. So would they really be wiling to movies on there 17 inch screen? - donjo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2@Basscadet
They already have that. You can use your XBox or Xbox 360 to do it. You can also buy them as stand alone units for 200+ dollars, they are called Media Center Extenders. - Yez70, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3Don't waste your time with the PC cable to your TV. My 42" Sony has the option, so I spent $15 on a cable to connect the laptop. It reminded me of SDTV (poor quality even at 1280x1024 PC resolution) and it was 'black barred' with black bars taking up HALF the screen on the left and right.
This WAS an important selling feature to me when I was picking a new HDTV set - I envisioned buying a wireless VGA transmitter and using the laptop to access all my PC content. BAH! I wanted to cry when I saw the LIMITED use-fullness of the 'feature.' - billuverma, on 05/20/2008, -0/+1I personally feel that for legitimate free unlimited movie downloads, vongo is the best place to go. Try 14 days free trial of today's hottest online movie viewing and downloads service – Vongo
http://movies.nitinblog.com/vongo-review
Also check the review of other websites offering unlimited movie downloads at very cheaper rates.
http://movies.nitinblog.com/online-movie-download- ...
don't believe on free stuff, it comes with virus :-). - Spaz007, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Maybe then I can get DVDs faster since recently they been delaying shipping mine.
- kolop1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1 I dot see it. If i put a movie on my pc I cant take it over a friends house to watch it. Maybe I am wierd but I like owing actual media whan it comes to movies.
- kmccoll, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I'm not sure the model doesn't fit... if they can get by the licensing issues, i could see a day when netflix subscribers could opt out of DVD delivery and get only on-line delivery, but keeping the user experience mostly the same -- i.e. managing a queue on the netflix site (through the tivo interface or via the web) and you'd be allowed either a set number of downloads a month or a set number of movies on your tivo at any given point in time (or a mixture of both... this assumes they're confident about the DRM being tight). Downloads would occur in the background, ideally when your internet connection is not busy... Maybe even bittorrent style like Apple is planning.
As long as people don't expect it to be "on-demand" then the quality could be fine, particularly with the S3 tivos and their HD compression, and the convenience factor would be pretty high. They could also potentially market outside the US, althoug I'd expect some pressure from the studios on that one...
This would place Tivo well as one of the first broadband-connected consumer devices (I know it's technically a computer, but with a hugely simplified user interface) - which could open up a host of other business oportunities... The games consoles are the only competition for this position (and will probably win). - WrecksTXP, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1We all know the movie studios won't allow it. They are freaked out that more people will pirate movies that way (and they would be right). But they should still do it.
- WaterDragon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Get those hacking tools ready in 3,2,1....
- sophiaperennis, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Netflix will likely have Divx type quality, between 700Mb and 1.2gig per movie, depending on the length. I can't see them pumping 4.5Gb (or even the full 9Gb) through the pipes, for each movie you rent.
- superkendall, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4If you have a Mac mini that you use an an HTPC like I do, you may want to consider dropping Netflix a note explaining just how many people would be interested in this service if it also worked on a Mac:
http://www.netflix.com/ContactCustService?subject=Customer+Suggestion&type=101
I'm not sure if you have to be a member of Netflix or not to use the link, give it a shot.
Too many times services like these leave Mac users out in the cold by going with bog-standard Windows DRM, which then people proceed not to use. I would love to be able to download at least some movies instead of having to use the mail but I fear that Netflix will overly lock down protections on the media. If they start with indie films there's a chance they may use reasonable protections. - lemac, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I am not sure why I have never heard about Vongo before...is there some "downside" or a "catch" with Vongo? Sounds too good to be true...9.99 per month. It says you can keep the movie as long as Vongo retains the legal right to the movie and you not distributing it???? http://www.vongo.com. So what...I can keep downloading as many movies as I want as long as I am not distributing them?
- bennyboy371, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1You know, its the DRM thats going to hurt its sales. However, if they didn't have DRM, you KNOW those would make it to the P2P apps incredibly fast. I've always just watched movies on my laptop anyway, never minded much. Depending on the implementation, I may give it a go.
- Kolar, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Who really cares? It will be full of DRM, they'll probably make you rent it (meaing your licence for the DRM piece of ***** will last a week), the cost will be far more then a single DVD, good luck burning it or moving the media around anywhere and dealing with third party torrent clients and some ***** software.
If the movie is good I will go see it, if I don't and hear that it is still good I will download it THEN buy the DVD if it is worth it. Either way I wouldn't bother wasting my money, downloaders don't want to take that consumer risk. That isn't taking food out of the MPAA's mouth, in fact they could make a lot off people like me if they would change their models and ideas about downloaders. All these online movies services will never work until then. - scaaven2, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1yearend is not a word
- cybershoplifter, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2movie downloads 24/7 piratebay
- BassCadet, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4I don't want to watch movies on my 19" monitor, I want to watch them on my 42" HDTV.
And no, I'm not going to run a DVI cable from my PC to my TV. - sogracefully, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1exactly. i like netflix a lot and have used it for years, but if this inflates the normal subscription price--which i fear will happen swiftly and sneakily, ***** 'em.
- sophiaperennis, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1No kidding. This has DRM written all over it!
I have been a Netflix customer for years, satisfied for the first 2 years. After that, it went downhill when they started implementing their delay tactics. I cancelled after they changed their policy to burden people who rent in high volumes. Their delay tactics were at first not acknowledged by their customer support, but after the policy change it was crystal clear, and they could no longer dismiss what I had complained about for months.
Be aware, that Netflix can have these types of policy changes that will impact your satisfaction; with digital downloads, it either being with the heavily DRM'ed service they are going to provide, changing the time-window in which they will allow you to watch the movie, or simply reducing the quality of the movie; all this without notification to the customer.
I thought Netflix was the greatest thing at first, but now I know better. - CountOlaf, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3I'm lost as to how this is supposed to be better than going to their web site to order a movie delivered through the mail, or, using an MVP membership at the local Hollywood Video to get unlimited movies per month for one low fee.
With music tracks it makes good sense because everyone hates buying whole albums just to get the one good track (since we're all single serving people). But movies already come as single servings, thus, unless one has a T1 I don't see how movie downloads are ever going to be as popular as iTunes downloads. With music you can compress it like crazy and still get reasonable quality as it's simply audio. With movies the trend is to start selling better quality, not less. We're already unsatisfied with DVDs as they are.
The model just doesn't fit. - NoahK, on 10/12/2007, -5/+5That's your call. I, for one, will be perfectly content watching downloaded movies on my computer screen.
- Legion303, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"perhaps they'll start small with independent films."
You mean like Greencine has done for about 3 years now. Nice to see Netflix kind of catching up, I guess. - dshPls, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3I just went to blockbuster today and couldn't rent 24 because I only had my lincense....I cant wait.
- Garage81, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1oh you whiny mac user, wait to pay full price for your movie download from iTunes.
ps: im a whiny mac user. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -8/+0This can and is already being done in the United States by Vongo
http://www.vongo.com
So this is news evertime some service copies another?
I'm going to start a company called Google+1 can I get a Digg?
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