Amazon Unbox Review

[Chris Gohlke]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://reviews.cnet.com/Amazon_Unbox_Video_Downloads/4505-9239_7-32065040.html?subj=fdba%E2%88%82=rss&tag=MR_Search+Results' target='_blank'>http://reviews.cnet.com/Amazon_Unbox_Video_Downloads/4505-9239_7-32065040.html?subj=fdba%E2%88%82=rss&tag=MR_Search+Results</a><br /><br /></div><i>"he Unbox service launches with a large library of feature films and TV shows from major studios and networks, and while usage rights, video catalogs, and price points are similar to other video sites', Amazon has the advantage of brand recognition and a proven e-commerce backbone. With the familiar one-click shopping, compatibility with many portable devices, and backing from major studios, Amazon Unbox should be a major player going forward. That's not to say the service isn't without faults, namely, no burning to DVD for viewing (as seen in CinemaNow and MovieLink), the required Amazon Unbox Video Player, no support for Mac OS and iPods (for the record, Amazon would love to support the iPod, but predictably can't penetrate Apple's FairPlay ecosystem), and of course, the fact that many DVDs cost less than the downloadable versions. Users should also be forewarned that they will must comply with a stiff license agreement when they sign up for the service and that the proprietary software that they need to view video regularly phones home. These last points are most likely driven by the MPAA rather than Amazon, but they will certainly put off many customers. But for the mainstream U.S.-based audience looking for a mainstream distributor of mainstream content, Amazon is a convenient option with excellent performance."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/amazon.jpg" /><br /><br />CNet goes a little lighter on Unbox than I would have. Many of the annoyances they found are downright deal breakers for me. On the plus side, Amazon is the Wal-mart of the web, so they have the ability to push digital video downloads to those who will probably never try out iTunes. I still want to see this as a value add to purchasing actual DVD's letting you watch now and get the DVD in the mail later.

[Timothy Huber]

Things I like:
Excellent resolution
Reasonably priced TV episode pricing
Works great with my Zen Vision:M
Pre-formatted portable versions
Things I don't like:
UnBox software running as a service in the background
No portable versions when renting
Have to download both full size and portable versions
Crazy license terms
Another tool to manage media. Couldn't there have been a WMP store option?
On the whole, I like it.

[Jason Eaton]

I gave it a whirl, heck the free episode stuff is like the old saying 'the first one is free..'

Except this time there was no bite. The download was okay and perhaps I might have gotten a bit more excited if it was open and free to do with it as I pleased.

With all the limitations presented, it didn't feel like I owned it. There was no inner satisfaction that I could move it around machines, burn it to disk, or even the comfort of storing it and viewing it a year or two later.

The whole experience, and the feeling of being dictated too, made it feel like a glorified rental versus actually owning it.

Sure it was free but the what if thought of 'what if I did just spend $14.99' left a bad taste in my mouth. DRM seems to be changing the reality of ownership even if that original ownership was an illusion.

The precieved value is no longer there. No comfort that I could go into my closet years later and pull out a shoe box of things long gone from the airwaves. No satisfaction of taking it easily with me from place to place.

This isn't a problem that Amazon alone faces, but rather that all media with DRM feels tainted.

Needless to say it has already been removed from my computer and shall be one of those 'remember when' type memories.