Unbox Too Restricted and Too Expensive?

abb_road writes "Businessweek takes a first look at Amazon's new video service and walks away unimpressed. Between the high cost of downloads, the sometimes-poor video quality and the restrictions required by movie studios, they're not predicting a huge hit. From the article: 'Amazon finally launched its long-awaited online video service on Sept. 7. But it's no sure thing that it will catch on with the masses. The service, called Amazon Unbox, offers downloads of movies and television shows, as well as digital movie rentals. But like all its rivals, it's shackled by a raft of viewing limitations imposed by movie studios.'"

Unbox Link

[in2mind]

The story should have linked to the Amazon Unbox.Anyway,here it is:
UNBOX [amazon.com]

This is a surprise how?

[Hap76]

Pay DVD prices for downloaded movies (for which you pay the shipping while not getting the features of the DVD) which you can only use on two computers, which can taken away at any time without recourse, to which can be added ads and other "features" you don't want while giving features which you may want but can't keep? What a bargain.

Why do the movie studios think I actually want this? Why don't they realize that if they don't allow their customers to use their product as they wish (without redistributing it or publically displaying it - you know, like fair use allowed before the b%$&*rds neutered it), then customers will find ways to get their product for which they will not be paid at all nor over which they will have any control? And why did Amazon think their customers would actually want this?

Dumb@$$es.

No Subtitles?

[methangel]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned this. As a hearing impaired person, I rely on subtitles extensively. Basically, you don't even get the basic "features" of the DVD, or even regular cable show.

I'll stick with my Tivo and Giganews subscription, thank you very much.

Re:"Low Resolution" S-Video cable?

[pla]

When your content is DVD-quality, S-Video cable is plenty sufficient for carrying the signal.

Correction - When you have an NTSC-quality TV, S-Video can provide as close to an optimal picture as you can get.

You can't, however, do progressive-scan over Y/C... Meaning that most newer DVDs will look considerably better over component (Y/Pb/Pr) or even digital interconects (when going to a display of sufficient quality, of course).

Re:Have you guys even checked it out?

[dpbsmith]

How can I try it?

It won't work on my computer (Mac Mini), my wife's computer (Windows 98), my son's computer (Windows XP... over dialup), my daughter's old computer (WIndows 2000 Home Edition), or my daughter's new computer (Mac Mini).

Will Amazon also give me a free trial of a brand-new PC (with 2.4 gigahertz processor, and a gig of RAM, and a "DirectX 9.0 complaint Video" [sic]?

Re:And...?

[hpavc]

At the price they want its not providing me a unique or value added service to warrant it. The roll out sucks, they still lack a delivery mechanism that makes it gee-wiz as well. I basically want my money back from the one purchase I made.

If they had an itunes-like client I already used which could download at bittorrent or even segmented multi-part speeds. I would be all over it.

Re:Unbox Link

[execute85]

So kind of you to post the link with your own referid.

Here's a non-referral link for people who couldn't type in www.amazon.com/unbox [amazon.com].

Re:"Low Resolution" S-Video cable?

[conigs]

Hate to nitpick, but I think you meant "component," not "composite." A composite cable is even worse thant S-Video, at least that separates the luminance and chrominance signals.

And since we're talking about video cables, did you know that component video cables are not RGB on DVD players (and most video equipment)? They're actually Y/Pb/Pr, which is fun, crazy math time!

Okay, I'm off my soap box now.

Re:"Low Resolution" S-Video cable?

[Tony Hoyle]

.perhaps Mr. McInerney hasn't heard of DVI cables?

Perhaps you haven't heard of DRM?

Once a signal is DRM'd you can't output it over a digital signal unless all devices along that path support the encryption (in this case HDCP). HDCP graphics cards are as rare as hens teeth (manufacturers have been caught more than once claiming their cards are HDCP compliant when they weren't anything of the sort.. I'll believe there's an HDCP compliant card when I see proof that it's recognised as such by vista.. which btw. is the only HDCP compliant OS...)