Download vs. DVD What would you prefer
Published by Admin on 6.4.06 at 4/06/2006 11:09:00 AM.
Until now, only a few of Hollywood's latest films have been available online — typically weeks after they have hit DVD — but usually only for rental on sites such as Movielink, CinemaNow and Starz's Vongo. Movielink's announcement beats to the punch a similar service scheduled to launch in the UK next week by movie site Lovefilm, Universal and America Online. Online retailer Amazon also is reportedly talking with studios about the idea.
"We're probably three to five years away from any huge market, but early adopters are very interested," says Mike McGuire of Gartner Research.
Movielink's downloads will be of lesser quality than DVD but comparable to that of digital cable and satellite TV, Ramo says. "It certainly looks good on a notebook computer, desktop computer and a TV."
It takes about an hour to download a film, but it can be viewed within minutes. Customers can burn copies to DVD, but the movies, which are in Windows Media format, can't be played on standard DVD players. Downloads can be transferred to up to two PCs. A copy can be transferred to a laptop, but not to an iPod or Sony PSP, though eventually it will be compatible with Microsoft-supported portables.
Studios that will supply films to Movielink include Universal, Warner Bros., Paramount, Fox, Sony and MGM. Talks continue with other studios, Ramo says. Link
"We're probably three to five years away from any huge market, but early adopters are very interested," says Mike McGuire of Gartner Research.
Movielink's downloads will be of lesser quality than DVD but comparable to that of digital cable and satellite TV, Ramo says. "It certainly looks good on a notebook computer, desktop computer and a TV."
It takes about an hour to download a film, but it can be viewed within minutes. Customers can burn copies to DVD, but the movies, which are in Windows Media format, can't be played on standard DVD players. Downloads can be transferred to up to two PCs. A copy can be transferred to a laptop, but not to an iPod or Sony PSP, though eventually it will be compatible with Microsoft-supported portables.
Studios that will supply films to Movielink include Universal, Warner Bros., Paramount, Fox, Sony and MGM. Talks continue with other studios, Ramo says. Link