Vongo (Beta) Video Download Service Review

[Jeremy Charette]

http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/1921/vongo_beta_video

"Starz Entertainment Group recently announced their latest foray into online video distribution called Vongo. Initially, when I saw this announcement, I disregarded it thinking that video content on a PC doesn't make sense. When I saw, however, that the software provided support for up to 3 devices - including Portable Media Centers - I became intrigued at what Starz may be able to offer. So, I signed up and am here to bring you a first-look review at the service, including details on some of the movies I downloaded."



This is a fairly positive review of Vongo, though it does point out a few shortcomings. The interface isn't customizable, there's no option to store movies anywhere other than the default location, and the audio and video quality isn't DVD quality (or better). Which brings me to my question: what is Vongo's target market? They seem to be competing with NetFlix with the advantage of an "instant" delivery system, but the quality isn't as good as a DVD, the content can only be played on a computer with Windows Media Player (or a WMV DRM compatible PVP), and if you mostly rent new releases, it's more expensive than NetFlix. Looks like they still have a ways to go before this is truly a service that consumers will see as "value-added".

[Jeremy Charette]

http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/1921/vongo_beta_video

"Starz Entertainment Group recently announced their latest foray into online video distribution called Vongo. Initially, when I saw this announcement, I disregarded it thinking that video content on a PC doesn't make sense. When I saw, however, that the software provided support for up to 3 devices - including Portable Media Centers - I became intrigued at what Starz may be able to offer. So, I signed up and am here to bring you a first-look review at the service, including details on some of the movies I downloaded."



This is a fairly positive review of Vongo, though it does point out a few shortcomings. The interface isn't customizable, there's no option to store movies anywhere other than the default location, and the audio and video quality isn't DVD quality (or better). Which brings me to my question: what is Vongo's target market? They seem to be competing with NetFlix with the advantage of an "instant" delivery system, but the quality isn't as good as a DVD, the content can only be played on a computer with Windows Media Player (or a WMV DRM compatible PVP), and if you mostly rent new releases, it's more expensive than NetFlix. Looks like they still have a ways to go before this is truly a service that consumers will see as "value-added".

[movie downloads]

Vongo is OK, even though it is a lot like Real's joint venture with Starz as well as Movielink and CinemaNow. A much better way to get permanent movies that you can add to your collection (and keep forever) is from EZTakes Movie Downloads. EZTakes lets you download and burn DVDs that you can watch on standard players that you already own (and have in your living room). They even let you print your own DVD labels and covers. You can also watch the DVDs on your PC and save the DVDs to a library directory that you define. In addition, you can burn any number of backup DVDs for presonal use (the DVDs are marked with the customer's identity).