Damn You Amazon
Monday 11th September, 2006 11:00 Comments: 0
Online retailer Amazon has launched a new download service for movies and TV shows, pre-empting the expected launch of a similar service by Apple this week.
The announcement of the service, called Amazon Unbox, is set to fuel further competition between the two firms. Apple is expected to announce the launch of a movie download service on Tuesday as part of its iTunes service, which already allows users to download TV shows.
Amazon Unbox will not be compatible with Apple's iPod (good, it's far too low a resolution). The service is solely compatible with Microsoft Windows XP and not with Macs or older versions of Windows. (I'm glad I use Windows :D although presumably it uses Windows Media files... ick).
Users of the service will be able to download permanent copies of movies (but what about permanent copies of TV shows?) directly to their PC at prices ranging from $7.99 to $14.99, with temporary movie rental costing $3.99. TV shows will be $1.99 to download per episode (£1 per episode? bargain!).
Television programs will be available to customers within a day of the episode airing on terrestrial TV, while customers must watch rented movies within 30 days of purchase and within 24 hours of initially pressing the play button.
However, and here's the big catch... "Usage: US customers only" (*sob*). You can keep purchased videos on 2 PCs and 2 portable video players at the same time.
For example, here's something I would have been interested in:
Bones Season 1
Season Price: $43.78
Season Sale Price: $35.02 (£18.75)
You Save: $8.76 (20%)
Price for each video includes both a DVD-quality video (mmmm, nice) to watch on your PC or TV, and a video file optimized for compatible portable video players.
Instant Rebate: $1.99 off your first purchase.
If they don't offer the service outside of the US, it's no surprise that so many naughty people download TV shows over the internet. At least Sky One aired Bones in the UK, it's a cool show. If I want to buy it on DVD from Amazon in the UK, it's £27.99. But at least I can play it anywhere. It's been on my Amazon wishlist for a while now, I'll probably but it at some point.
The announcement of the service, called Amazon Unbox, is set to fuel further competition between the two firms. Apple is expected to announce the launch of a movie download service on Tuesday as part of its iTunes service, which already allows users to download TV shows.
Amazon Unbox will not be compatible with Apple's iPod (good, it's far too low a resolution). The service is solely compatible with Microsoft Windows XP and not with Macs or older versions of Windows. (I'm glad I use Windows :D although presumably it uses Windows Media files... ick).
Users of the service will be able to download permanent copies of movies (but what about permanent copies of TV shows?) directly to their PC at prices ranging from $7.99 to $14.99, with temporary movie rental costing $3.99. TV shows will be $1.99 to download per episode (£1 per episode? bargain!).
Television programs will be available to customers within a day of the episode airing on terrestrial TV, while customers must watch rented movies within 30 days of purchase and within 24 hours of initially pressing the play button.
However, and here's the big catch... "Usage: US customers only" (*sob*). You can keep purchased videos on 2 PCs and 2 portable video players at the same time.
For example, here's something I would have been interested in:
Bones Season 1
Season Price: $43.78
Season Sale Price: $35.02 (£18.75)
You Save: $8.76 (20%)
Price for each video includes both a DVD-quality video (mmmm, nice) to watch on your PC or TV, and a video file optimized for compatible portable video players.
Instant Rebate: $1.99 off your first purchase.
If they don't offer the service outside of the US, it's no surprise that so many naughty people download TV shows over the internet. At least Sky One aired Bones in the UK, it's a cool show. If I want to buy it on DVD from Amazon in the UK, it's £27.99. But at least I can play it anywhere. It's been on my Amazon wishlist for a while now, I'll probably but it at some point.