Amazon replaces Unbox video store with Video on Demand

by Brad Linder Sep 4th 2008

Amazon has rolled out a new version of its online video distribution service. The most noticeable change? It's all about streaming video. Previously if you wanted to rent or purchase a movie from Amazon Unbox you had to download it to your computer. Now Amazon has killed off the Unbox name and launched Amazon Video on Demand which allows users to stream videos in a browser or to download them for offline viewing.

The video quality is pretty decent, but more importantly, the move to streaming video allows Amazon to offer its service to more customers. Amazon Unbox was PC and TiVo only. Amazon Video on Demand is available for Mac users and could also work with Windows Media Center Extenders like the Xbox 360.

Once you've purchased a TV show or movie it will be added to your online video library, allowing you to watch it any time from any computer (assuming Amazon never decides to shut off the service). If you've previously downloaded programs from Amazon Unbox, they should already be in your library. There's also a selection of free content available including episodes of Heroes and Lipstick Jungle.

Tags: amazon, amazon-unbox, amazon-video-on-demand, online-video, video-on-demand

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Koolio said 12:04PM on 9-04-2008

I tested it this morning and very impressive. Fast forwarding is very quick within 2-3 seconds compare to Netflix 30 seconds. I hope they have fixed price for unlimited show like Netflix.

chrisaroz said 12:30PM on 9-04-2008

It looks like you can still download as well, thankfully. I was worried about my Tivo Access!

From their site: "instantly watch TV shows and movies online as well as download to your Unbox player and TiVo."

Stephen Mack said 3:12PM on 9-04-2008

Yup, TiVo downloads will work as they always have; we've updated the Video Downloads application (TiVo Central -> Find Programs & Downloads -> Download TV, Movies, & Web Video) to reflect Amazon's new name.

Carl said 3:55PM on 11-11-2008

We changed internet providers on Friday from a local to Cox in order to get better MagicJack reception. Now we are unable to send movies from Amazon video demand selections to our Tivo via wireless. We are able to get the Tivo information updates such as programing via the router, but not movies. All of the movies download to our computer but nobody- either Cox or Amazon can figure out why they will not now link to our wireless router and then to our TV. Any thoughts?

Carl in AZ

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