Amazon is reportedly in the midst of beta testing a VOD HD implementation for TiVo devices. The quality is apparently “outstanding,” and the progressive downloads allegedly handle surround sound quite well.
We’d heard that Amazon VOD was coming to the otherwise Netflix-wielding Roku streamer. And according to Roku forums, the Amazon functions have entered private beta.
Are you a big Amazon Unbox fan who has been insanely jealous over Netflix HD streaming? Don’t break that remote in passionate rage just yet.
Digital content makes a lot money–over US$130 billion in sales a year–but most of that actually isn’t taxed. Yet! Realising they’re leaving vast streams of green untapped, states are getting wise–nine this year have considered digital download taxes, and five of those passed them, for a total of 17 states that tax digital purchases. And don’t worry, they’re totally coming to a state near you, it’s only a matter of time.
Today Amazon is launching a beta of Amazon Video On Demand, which will stream TV and movies from all the major studios (save for Disney/ABC, which is still in bed with Apple) and take the place of Unbox. The service will instantly stream rentals or download purchases to your PC. But Amazon also has plans to bring it directly to TVs via Sony’s Bravia Video Link. Could couch-based Amazon shopping on your TV be far behind?
The already impressive Roku streaming box will expand its services beyond Netflix’s VOD adding new “big name” content providers in the near future. While the existing Netflix offerings are pretty impressive, the addition of some of the free on-demand TV options could set Roku apart from Apple TV and Vudu. Roku is taking the coy approach for now, but rumours of a flash-enabled browser to stream Hulu (which now streams at 480p resolution), Youtube and the various individual network sites are both plausible and awesome.
One year ago, we predicted that the infinite format war would rise from the ashes of the HD DVD/Blu-ray format war–that a million online services and set-top boxes would suddenly promise to deliver movies and video to your computer or TV. And that each one would essentially be their own format, since none of them are compatible, and each would promise only a fraction of available movies. We were right about our fears, but we also have a solution to a decent download collection.
While TiVo’s offered Amazon Unbox downloads for some time, apparently TiVo isn’t opposed to playing the field. The company just signed another video on demand partner, Cinemanow, to bring in Disney content. Their library is tiny with only 1,500 titles and we’re not certain whether TiVo will only be accessing their Disney content. But there are two things we really like about this deal.
TiVo has officially confirmed that Amazon Unbox will get HD content in the near future, but execs at the company say a few kinks need to be ironed out first. The current version of Unbox can’t process HD content, and availability is limited by bandwidth constraints—something cable companies are in the process of solving. If a previous customer survey is to be trusted, an HD movie rental will cost US$4.99, the same as iTunes. [Zatz Not Funny! - Thanks Dave]
