Amazon Unbox Video Store Launches 308
andrewl6097 writes "Amazon.com has launched it's Amazon Unbox video store. Looks like about 1300 movies and 350 tv series, at $9.99 and up for movies and $1.99 per TV episode. Downloads come with a DVD quality version and a version more appropriate for portable players (using Windows DRM). Also, videos can be re-downloaded from your Amazon media library. Cool!"
FAQ and showstoppers (Mac, Linux, iPods excluded) (Score:5, Informative)
Which includes this showstopper for Mac and Linux users:
Minimum System Requirements
OPERATING SYSTEM: The Unbox Video player application is only compatible with Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows XP Professional SP2, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition SP2, or Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Update Rollup 2. The Unbox Video player is not compatible with Apple/Macintosh operating systems.
COMPUTER HARDWARE: A PC with a 1.5-gigahertz (GHz) processor or faster, at least 512MB of memory, and a DirectX 9.0 complaint Video (64 MB Memory) and Sound Card.
INTERNET CONNECTION: Broadband internet connection capable of 800 kbps sustained transfer speeds.
No iPods either:
Can I use Amazon Unbox on my Macintosh or iPod?
Unfortunately, our Amazon Unbox video downloads are not compatible with Apple / Macintosh hardware and computer systems.
Re:Support (Score:2, Informative)
I agree, this sucks - can't transfer b/t comps (Score:5, Informative)
"You can only view the files using Amazon Unbox installed on the computer that originally received the downloads."
So that means if I buy one of these files and burn it on a DVD to transfer it to another computer that I own, I won't even be able to play it on that other computer. I will have to actually download it again from Amazon.com. You can store it on up to 2 computers (and 2 corresponding video players) at any given time, but files can only be played on the computer to which you downloaded it.
So that means if I want to use up to the 2 computer limit, I have to actually download it twice. There is no way to save download time by using alternative transmission methods, like a flash drive or a DVD-R. This sucks.
Remember all the early iTunes-like stores that failed? Although iTunes has DRM, it succeeded in part because its restrictions were less strong than, say, AOL's. I think Amazon.com's is too restrictive.
ITMS could beat it by being nicer about it, at least allowing you to transfer it between computers however you like. Honestly, that restriction doesn't even make sense from a DRM point of view, because you could always just require people to "authorize" a computer like ITMS. Maybe they aren't as skilled at this as Apple is?
"Wonderful" Quotes from the Terms of Use (Score:5, Informative)
"If Amazon changes any part of the Service or modifies license terms applicable to Rental Digital Content or Purchased Digital Content, which it may do in its sole discretion, you acknowledge that you may not be able to access, view, or use Digital Content in the same manner as prior to such changes, and you agree that Amazon shall have no liability to you in such case."
The Software automatically checks for upgrades, but the Software will not automatically upgrade without your consent, except as provided herein. If you do not consent to an upgrade that we make subject to your consent, the Digital Content may no longer be viewed on your Authorized Device."
Re:....but can I WATCH the things? (Score:5, Informative)
Can I make a DVD from my Amazon Unbox downloads?
You can store your downloaded files on a DVD or other removable computer storage device for the purpose of backup in the same format as the original files. However, any DVDs that you burn with Amazon Unbox files will not be readable by a DVD player. You can only view the files using Amazon Unbox installed on the computer that originally received the downloads..
Basically, this service blows.
beware if you install and want to uninstall (Score:3, Informative)
Re:WMV files (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Why isn't MS drm on macs (Score:3, Informative)
MacOS X is also lacking some other bits that MS-DRM uses (like any equivalent of the "protected storage" section of the registry). Not that it really matters, since they obviously don't work, but it's a nice excuse for Microsoft to not support DRM.
Same deal with Linspire, by the way. It has officially licensed WM codecs, but no DRM because Linux has none of the restrictions that Windows does.
Re:Support (Score:3, Informative)
boot camp: is it worth rebooting just to buy something from a company that doesn't care about your custom?
parallels: unbox has some pretty hefty requirements. will parallels play it pefectly?
for me, windows on a mac is about necessity or about making me money. not so I can spend money.
Re:Amazon's lies about why no Mac support (Score:4, Informative)
Re:WMV files (Score:3, Informative)
Re:WMV files (Score:1, Informative)
Re:WMV files (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Cheaper?? (Score:3, Informative)
Interesting, they charge $2 more for the widescreen. I've either never seen that before in brick & mortar stores, or never noticed.
Re:I agree, this sucks - can't transfer b/t comps (Score:4, Informative)
I hope companies look to Divx to realize why restrictive playback is unprofitable.
here's how (Score:4, Informative)
1) Every itunes account can be shared by up to 5 computers.
2) an itunes account can be migrated from one computer to another (so if your computer dies your music does not)
3) you can burn an itunes song to a CD which will work on any computer (not sure about the video)
4) you can convert any song with AAC DRM to DRM free using iMovie on a macintosh.
5) you can convert any AAC DRM song to DRM free using Jhymm.
Does that answer your question?
Re:I agree, this sucks - can't transfer b/t comps (Score:3, Informative)
US-only ... As tested by GeoIP. (Score:3, Informative)
Interestingly, that soap-request contains the amazon username and password to do further SOAP GeoIP lookups.
If you were really devious, you'd either proxy that stuff or manipulate the SOAP response. Nobody here is devious, right ?