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The days of physical discs will last for quite a while. First Amazon would have to provide a TV-centric solution that matches Bluray's power, and then they will
by inklesspen 18y ago
The days of physical discs will last for quite a while. First Amazon would have to provide a TV-centric solution that matches Bluray's power, and then they will have to provide a drm-free solution so buyers aren't tied to Windows Media.
- akronim 18y agoPlus everyone has a mailbox. Not everyone has the bandwidth to download HD on demand.
- jonknee 18y agoWhy would it have to be DRM free? DVD and Blu-Ray are riddled with DRM and they are still popular. This is to do "rental", not purchasing. Only makes sense to have some DRM on there or else the purchase business will end.
- inklesspen 18y agoDepends on the form of DRM, really. DVD's DRM doesn't bother most people, because it doesn't really pose an obstacle to what they want to do with it. But Windows Media DRM won't work nicely with set-top boxes, with Macs, perhaps even with Microsoft's own products (remember Zune not working with PlaysForSure?). And there have been well-known cases of Windows Media DRM servers going dark. The DRM the movie cartels insist on for digital downloads is just too intrusive.
- jonknee 18y agoAmazon does video on demand to Macs, PCs, XBOX, Tivo, etc. Who cares if DRM servers go dark, this is a streaming service. You watch it and then Microsoft could be fire bombed and it doesn't affect you. I agree DRM is shitty for purchased movies, but this is basically a pay-per-view service. For most movies that's all people want. Why wait for the mail man or go to a store/kiosk when you can watch instantly from your couch?
- sachinag 18y agoDigital distribution will overtake physical media when we can carry the magic one device in our pockets (read: not bloody likely any time soon). Also, Redbox is booming - and they have 10,000 "physical distribution centers" and don't even carry Blu-ray.