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View Full Version : Under the Covers - CinemaNow is Best Buy


Chris Gohlke
05-19-2010, 11:00 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/18/best-buys-internet-movie-store-launches-this-month-under-the-ci/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/18/...h-under-the-ci/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Best Buy...will start selling movies sans-disk to web connected devices later this month, starting with LG Blu-ray players and home theater in a box systems, followed by Samsung's internet connected home theater equipment and of course the house Insignia brand. As planned, it will have "first run" movies for sale as soon as they arrive on DVD, with rentals for $2.99 - $3.99 per movie and purchases at $9.99 to $19.99, including HD titles and some available in 1080p. Apparently the name game is how Best Buy plans to sneak boxes with its store embedded through other retailers, we'll see how Wal-mart / VUDU, Amazon and the rest respond to the challenge."</em></p><p><em><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1274213938.usr10.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></em></p><p>For some of us, the disassociation of the service with Best Buy is probably for the best. &nbsp;I don't thing there is much of a concern that other retailers will avoid selling this product just because of the built in service. &nbsp;After all, it is not too difficult to find Netflix enabled devices at retail and on-line from a variety of retailers. &nbsp;</p><p><em></em></p>

Reid Kistler
05-24-2010, 02:29 AM
Imagine that being able to offer movies for rent via streaming - as opposed to needing to have Actual Discs on hand - must lower the entry cost barrier, which might make it attractive for a number of firms to enter the VOD market.

OTOH, have to wonder whether anyone will be able to overtake Netflix, due to installed base of compatible devices.

We have watched a handful of movies via the Amazon VOD service, for 2 reasons: 1) We obtained a decent VOD Credit Balance by purchasing various items over the holiday period, and
2) Amazon VOD is the ONLY VOD service supported by the Panasonic gear we have in place. (Newer Pan models support Netflix - but ours is strictly Amazon).

However, MOST of the people we know that frequently use VOD services use Netflix - partially because that is the service that THEIR equipment supports, and partially because they already subscribe to Netflix & the VOD (apparently) comes along free....

Guess we could go back to having a computer connected to one of the tvs, but we haven't done that for several years now