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Filed under: Internet, Video

Amazon replaces Unbox video store with Video on Demand

Amazon Video on Demand
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.

Filed under: Internet, Video

Amazon to launch streaming video service today

Amazon Unbox
Amazon is expected to launch a streaming video service today that will either compliment or replace the company's Amazon Unbox download store. The New York Times reports that Amazon Video on Demand will let users begin watching movies the instant they click they place an order. It's not clear from the article, but it sounds like the new service is browser-based, whereas Amazon Unbox requires users to download and install Windows-only software.

About 40,000 films and movies from all the major studios will be available for rental or purchase. If you've purchased a title, it will be stored in your Amazon account, allowing you to watch the movie or TV show from any computer.

Amazon is also working with hardware makers including Sony to provide access to the video store on television sets and set top boxes.

The service will only be available to a limited number of users today, with a wider rollout scheduled soon. If you visit the Amazon Unbox landing page, you'll notice a little button on the right side of the screen asking you to sign up for a beta. We're betting that this is how you get early access.

Filed under: Internet, Video

Amazon to launch streaming video service

Amaxon Unbox

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos says the company will be adding a for-pay streaming video option to its Amazon Unbox video store sometime in the next few weeks. Currently if you want to watch a movie or TV show from Unbox, you've got to download your video. Sure, if you've got a broadband connection you can typically start watching a few minutes after you hit the download button, but who's got that kind of time?

On a more serious note, the Amazon Unbox download client and video player only supports Windows XP and Vista. That leaves Mac and Linux users in the cold. A streaming video service could conceivably work on any platform. There's no word on the pricing or launch date. But we do know that the service will be pay-per-view. There doesn't seem to be any subscription plan in the works. Amazon Unbox currently offers a mix of rental and download to own options as well as a limited number of free videos, with rentals typically ranging in price from $.99 to $3.99. We imagine the streaming videos will be similarly priced.

Filed under: Internet, Video

Amazon Unbox could add HD, streaming, other upgrades

Amazon Unbox survey
Amazon is sending out a survey to a select group of folks asking what changes they'd like to see to Amazon Unbox, the company's digital video download service. At one point, the survey asks what participants think of several possible improvements to the service:
  • Free video streaming with ads
  • Paid video streaming without ads
  • Burn downloaded movies to DVD for playback on a DVD player
  • Ability to purchase a DVD from Amazon.com and watch a streaming copy of the same movie while you wait for the physical disc to arrive
  • HD video downloads
  • Ability to purchase a DVD and get a digital media copy for a small additional fee
  • Subscription service that would allow you to watch a certain number of videos per month for a flat fee
  • Subscription service allowing you to watch a certain number of independent films for a flat fee
  • Ability to watch DVD extras when renting or purchasing a movie from Amazon Unbox
  • Browse your Unbox library on your TiVo
Now, there's no guarantee that any of these "improvements" are actually on their way. But it's nice to see that Amazon's at least considering them, because we'd kind of like to see one of each.

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