The Digital Distribution Thread: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, XBL, iTunes, etc.

Steven Clubb · 01 Mar 2005

This week I bid adieu to Netflix, as it's been mostly been ignored for the last few months. Hulu got a reprieve, as the new billing cycle had started the very day I was to cancel it... but it's probably not long for the world.

Started up Amazon Prime today and while they seem to offer a pretty good selection of stuff, I'm amazed at how clunky it is to browse and bookmark stuff for later viewing. With my pre-order of the Kindle Fire, I imagine it'll become the hub for my digital purchases for the next year. I'm not at all wild about it being available only in year-long chunks, but looks like enough free stuff to get my money's worth out of it.

Joe Mayer · 21 Jun 2006

I still love my Netflix, especially as I can plug into my phone at work if I am doing somethnig long and mindless and play old sitcoms.

Hulu I would like to try, but will wait till it is compatible with my blu-ray player as Netflix is, or till at least it is on my Tablet.

Steven Clubb · 01 Mar 2005

I think I'm sticking with Hulu. There's enough shows I follow on it to justify the cost. The alternative is paying $2 an episode.

I really wish someone would get the whole free-ish streaming thing together properly Watching half a dozen shows on Hulu, one on CBS, one on Comedy Central, one on Spike, etc. is a pain. Is it too much trouble to be able to follow all of the commercial-based streaming shows via a single service?

Steven Clubb · 01 Mar 2005

Amazon Prime is paying off early on. I had wanted to watch Terry Jones' Medieval Lives on Netflix, but it wasn't streamable.

Looks like there's a lot of great TV content on AP, which works for me. I'm much more a TV person than a movie person... if I can't be bothered to go to the cinema to see a movie, then I'm not terribly interested in streaming it. Again, it's just a pain that Amazon isn't set up very well for this purpose. I'm putting first episodes on the wishlist to bookmark the page they're on, but they really need a proper queue.

Steve · 21 Oct 2004

Supernatural coming to Netflix in January:

http://techland.time.com/2011/10/14/the ... ming-deal/

Now you all get to see what the fuss is about.

RobertSwanderson · 01 Jan 2007

HBOgo coming to Roku.

I'll have Netflix, Amazon, and HBOgo on my Roku.

Life is good.

http://www.macworld.com/article/162935/ ... bo_go.html

Quote:

On Tuesday, Roku introduced a new entry-level model to its streaming video player lineup, and announced the imminent addition of an HBO Go channel for all Roku devices.

The $50 Roku LT is the least expensive Roku model, and comes in a special edition purple color. Like the $60 Roku 2 HD, the LT supports 720p video and has built-in wireless networking. But unlike the members of the Roku 2 family (), the LT forgos Bluetooth and a microSD card slot (which also means it can't enjoy the Roku 2's new gaming options). The Roku LT should be available in early November.

At the same time, Roku announced a new HBO Go channel—a service currently available via iOS app and select cable companies—that allows those who subscribe to HBO via their cable or satellite provider to additionally stream every episode of every HBO show produced for no additional charge (more than 1400 titles, according to HBO).

Older series include The Wire, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Rome, and Deadwood. Those looking for more recent fare will find Flight of the Conchords, The Ricky Gervais Show, Entourage, Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, and True Blood. Additionally, you can use HBO Go to stream movies currently playing on HBO such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1), Get Him to the Greek, and Crazy Heart. HBO Go is expected to be available on all Roku players by the end of October.

Roku players support more than 300 channels, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, and several professional sports subscription options.

Steve · 21 Oct 2004

Black Adder II is currently free on iTunes. I grabbed it:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/bl ... d331574717

Brotoro · 12 Apr 2008

Mine!

Thanks for the heads-up, Steve.

Steve · 21 Oct 2004

http://m.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wal ... ice-299164

Let me get this straight. I bring a disc on their list into a Wal-Mart and get a cloud based digital copy for $2 and get to keep the disc? $5 for a 1080p version?

Sweet!

Li'l Jay · 28 May 2006

I just detected and awesome change on Ultraviolet. Maybe it's not new, but I've never noticed before.

I bought the Tintin blu-ray digital combo. Which means I get a free digital copy with the blu-ray. I always get this, but there have been numerous methods over the years in how the studios confer your digital copy on you (digital rights management, and all). I have a little app for WB, for Paramount, etc.

Ultraviolet was supposed to change all that and have a unified standard for getting your digital copy in a format that suits your needs and devices.

Before, I've had a couple of other Ultraviolets (Hugo, Courageous). For those, I chose Windows Media Player. It downloads a licences copy onto my hard drive.

This time, with Tintin, there was a choice for all of that, but also Amazon Video on Demand. I chose it. Never have to worry about a format change, or losing it, or whatevs. I'll have a paid for copy of it in my Amazon library to stay.

And it was cool the way it worked -- it just gave me a coupon code for $14.99 and told me to buy the digital movie from Amazon. Just like a paid copy, and it came for free with the blu-ray.

Li'l Jay · 28 May 2006

I just looked again -- I don't think it was an option under Ultraviolet. It was an alternative to Ultraviolet. In other words, the Amazon Video on Demand was I choice I made instead of adding it to my Ultraviolat library.

Yay, Paramount. Good idea.

Li'l Jay · 28 May 2006

Wow, on top of that -- I just went back in and got the Ultraviolet copy. They give you all of the above.

Li'l Jay · 28 May 2006

Just circled back and did the same thing for Hugo -- all Paramount movies, you get a free Amazon Digital movie purchase, and the Ultraviolet copy.

Steve · 21 Oct 2004

That is awesome. I hope other studios follow suit. I want all my content on Amazon.

Linda · 13 Jan 1966

That really is wonderful. I hadn't been listing the UltraViolet part of releases downstairs on our Video board because people hated UV so much and didn't consider it a real digital copy (i.e. one you download, keep and own). Amazon VOD is ideal.

(The coupon code works for purchasing via AmazWAN, BTW. Jay did this successfully yesterday.)

Rafael · 03 Dec 2006

Unfortunately, since it can't be played on iOS, Amazon Video isn't a real digital copy, either.

Li'l Jay · 28 May 2006

Rafael wrote:

Unfortunately, since it can't be played on iOS, Amazon Video isn't a real digital copy, either.

Well, if they ever do support iOS, you've got it in your Amazon library. It's still the format I would choose first, if there has to be any DRM-stink on it.

Steve · 21 Oct 2004

UltraViolet / Flixter is doing this crazy random movie giveaway thing through social media. I jumped through a couple of hoops and now I own (OWN) digital copies of Austin Powers, Michael Clayton and Blow. Been wanting to see Michael Clayton.

Awesome. DRMed to hell, but I can watch them on their app on any tablet or phone or on any PC that's logged in there.

http://www.flixster.com/msk/?userId=-1 (You'll be asked to log in to Facebook immediately afterward.)

See, this is the kind of marketing DRM-heavy companies need to do to get people to sign on. Give away free shit.

Li'l Jay · 28 May 2006

Gross. Requires Facebook app authorization. Decline.

Steve · 21 Oct 2004

After you get the free movies, clean the app off. It won't take your movies away.

Li'l Jay · 28 May 2006

I only want Michael Collins. Is there some way to get it without involving anyone else or sharing anything on Facebook?

Steve · 21 Oct 2004

Possibly? Try here:

http://www.flixster.com/collection/?mskComplete=all#_=_

If that doesn't work, just do the link above and click No Thanks twice. You'll get the free movie anyway. Then remove the app from your Facebook.

The Digital Distribution Thread: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, XBL, iTunes, etc.

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