Washington, D.C. (November 25, 2008) -- Blockbuster says it's rolling out a $99 player that can deliver High-Definition quality movies from the Net to home TVs.
That's according to an article by Reuters.
The video retailer will now compete with Netflix, Apple, TiVo and other companies in the emerging Net TV category. Blockbuster said the MediaPoint player, made by Broadband device manufacturer 2Wire, will allow customers to download high-def movies for $1.99 each.
However, the company today did not say when the HD movies will be available. A press release says the player can now deliver DVD quality films.
The set-top itself now cost $99 (and includes advanced rentals for 25 films.)
According to Reuters, consumers will have 30 days to watch a movie after it's been downloaded and they must finish viewing it within 24 hours of hitting the Play button. Blockbuster officials say the menu will highlight newer releases, unlike Netflix's On Demand service which has 12,000 SD and HD titles.
The wire service writes that the service will be called Blockbuster OnDemand and the set-top can be ordered at the company's web site beginning today.
The On Demand service will be available to customers who do not subscribe to Blockbuster Online, the company's online DVD rental service.
Reuters reports that Blockbuster is talking with Blu-ray manufacturers about including the service in their players. However, company officials today said they believe that hard media will continue to dominate the category.
“Digital downloads are not going to dominate the industry tomorrow,” Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes told the New York Times, noting the limited capacity of Internet connections in the United States. “You can drive to our local store and rent a Blu-ray disc in less time than it will take you to download a movie in high-def."
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That's according to an article by Reuters.
The video retailer will now compete with Netflix, Apple, TiVo and other companies in the emerging Net TV category. Blockbuster said the MediaPoint player, made by Broadband device manufacturer 2Wire, will allow customers to download high-def movies for $1.99 each.
However, the company today did not say when the HD movies will be available. A press release says the player can now deliver DVD quality films.
The set-top itself now cost $99 (and includes advanced rentals for 25 films.)
According to Reuters, consumers will have 30 days to watch a movie after it's been downloaded and they must finish viewing it within 24 hours of hitting the Play button. Blockbuster officials say the menu will highlight newer releases, unlike Netflix's On Demand service which has 12,000 SD and HD titles.
The wire service writes that the service will be called Blockbuster OnDemand and the set-top can be ordered at the company's web site beginning today.
The On Demand service will be available to customers who do not subscribe to Blockbuster Online, the company's online DVD rental service.
Reuters reports that Blockbuster is talking with Blu-ray manufacturers about including the service in their players. However, company officials today said they believe that hard media will continue to dominate the category.
“Digital downloads are not going to dominate the industry tomorrow,” Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes told the New York Times, noting the limited capacity of Internet connections in the United States. “You can drive to our local store and rent a Blu-ray disc in less time than it will take you to download a movie in high-def."
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