MS offering HD movie rentals. Apple need to maka a move!!!

[ikarus79m]

Wow! I can't believe MS is the one to make this available with the big studios on board. I'm actually impressed. Wow.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/06/microsofts-xbox-live-video-hdtv-and-hd-movie-downloads-for-you/

 

[zflauaus]

[Sniff] What's that? Do I smell fanboy? [/Sniff]

While the thought of offering HD Movies are great, there are many things that are questionable, if not awkward, that's going on with this.

#1. Movies are only rented. Apple does you one better by letting you own the movie. Which means it can be transfered to, say, an iPod or another computer, just like licensing.

#2. The movies are not streamed, meaning that unless Microsoft is using some God-like compression, the file is going to be pretty big and may take a while to let you watch the movie.

#3. The movies can only be downloaded to the 360's drive, not an external one, meaning you cannot back it up or send it to a computer for watching or burn a DVD to watch it anywhere.

#4. The HD Movie is between 4-5GB, meaning that you only store 4-5 movies on there, not such a big deal for renting, but if they give you the option in the future to buy the movie, might be a consideration.

#5. It's only for the XBox 360! You should be able to also download it to your PC for possibly an extra $5 or something.

 

[ikarus79m]

Yeah, you sure small fanboy. Apple fanboy!!! However, I am still glad that Microsoft is making its move on this because it will force Apple to react soon.

I partially agree with your concerns (even though I personally think that renting movies is bettern than owning them, since I usually rent DVD's and don't buy them), however, this is just a start. Someone had to start somewhere and MS did.

Now it will be very interesting to see Apple's reply to that.

 

[clayj]

Yeah, you sure small fanboy. Apple fanboy!!! However, I am still glad that Microsoft is making its move on this because it will force Apple to react soon.

I partially agree with your concerns (even though I personally think that renting movies is bettern than owning them, since I usually rent DVD's and don't buy them), however, this is just a start. Someone had to start somewhere and MS did.

Now it will be very interesting to see Apple's reply to that.

It's not Apple's response to this that I am most eager to see...

It's Sony's.

Despite whatever negatives you may offer regarding Microsoft's new service (broadband isn't fast enough, Xbox 360 HD isn't big enough, movies are only rented and not owned, etc.), the fact is that Microsoft has the service up and running. Sony doesn't. Microsoft has several million potential customers already online. Sony doesn't. Hard drives are only going to get bigger, and broadband connections are only going to get faster, so any issue you may have in those areas will diminish (or vanish) over time.

Between this announcement, the new $200 HD-DVD add-on (available this week and selling like hotcakes), and Gears of War (available tomorrow), Microsoft sure is taking a lot of the wind out of Sony's sails (or sales). The big news for the PS3 seems to be that people are reselling them for $2000 on eBay; that's just going to encourage more people to buy 360s, which are readily available anywhere you go.

The momenta for both consoles and hi-def movie formats have shifted away from Sony. I don't think they can get either one back.

 

[vniow]

#1. Movies are only rented. Apple does you one better by letting you own the movie. Which means it can be transfered to, say, an iPod or another computer, just like licensing.

Good. I haven't owned a movie in some time and don't plan to. My habits consist of mainly Netflix where I rent it, watch it and return it. I for one am not springing for an online movie store unless it lets me do the same thing.

#2. The movies are not streamed, meaning that unless Microsoft is using some God-like compression, the file is going to be pretty big and may take a while to let you watch the movie.

720p looks a lot better than the 640x480 that Apple gives you and even heavily compressed WMV HD movies look pretty damn good. As for the size, think of starting the download in the afternoon and having it available in the evening when you invite your friends over to watch.

I am also interested if Sony takes notice of this as well as Apple. Some kind of Netflix partnership with anyone has my dollars.

 

[ikarus79m]

It's not Apple's response to this that I am most eager to see...

It's Sony's.

Fair enough. I think Microsoft just stired the pot quite a bit for a variety of companies. And I agree with you... they have it up an running. That's what counts right now.

I'm so excited about this and I can not wait to see what else this will bring us in the not so long future from companies such as Apple, Sony, Netflix.... it's their move now to keep up or even better surpass MS concept.

 

[slick316]

This sounds good, some what.
The renting of the movie thing kind of sucks, I wouldn't mind buying an HD movie, but if the rental price is fair, I guess its not a big issue.
And since its HD, you have to figure that the files sizes are going to be big, so get over it, I'd rather wait hours for an HD program to download than watch a 640x480 movie off iTunes (1.99 for shows is fine, 9.99 for a movie, nah, rather spent $5 more on a DVD).
If this is true, a large, 80GB+ add on drive better release with the announcement of the HD service, I have 7GB free on mine, that won't cut it.
Its going to be interesting to see what they do and how it works.

 

[lmalave]

*sigh* WHY are people so against subscriptions???

[Sniff] What's that? Do I smell fanboy? [/Sniff]

While the thought of offering HD Movies are great, there are many things that are questionable, if not awkward, that's going on with this.

#1. Movies are only rented. Apple does you one better by letting you own the movie. Which means it can be transfered to, say, an iPod or another computer, just like licensing.

#2. The movies are not streamed, meaning that unless Microsoft is using some God-like compression, the file is going to be pretty big and may take a while to let you watch the movie.

#3. The movies can only be downloaded to the 360's drive, not an external one, meaning you cannot back it up or send it to a computer for watching or burn a DVD to watch it anywhere.

#4. The HD Movie is between 4-5GB, meaning that you only store 4-5 movies on there, not such a big deal for renting, but if they give you the option in the future to buy the movie, might be a consideration.

#5. It's only for the XBox 360! You should be able to also download it to your PC for possibly an extra $5 or something.

I don't get it. Why do so many Mac users assume that whatever Apple does must be gospel??? I don't *want* to own a movie!! I have not purchased a movie in my life. Ever. There are only a very few select movies that I've seen more than once (e.g. Star Wars trilogy)

Same goes for music. What's so great about owning music? I could see if you were really into owning the *physical* product, with the cover art, liner notes, etc. But if we're just talking a pure digital product, what value is there in owning it? The utility I get from music is from *listening* to it, not owning it!!! Since music subscription services let me download, on demand, just about any song I can think of, they provide me with *vast* utility for a measly $15/month or whatever the service costs. It's about the best $15/month you could spend on *anything*, IMHO

The only objection I could see to music subscriptions is that once you've downloaded a bunch of music, if you cancel your subscription you "lose" the music. But believe me, that's *not* a big deal. Having taken Rhapsody, Yahoo! Music, and Napster for test runs, I can tell you that it's not that big an inconvenience. The major subscription services offer pretty much the same catalog of music, so the next time you feel like listening to a particular song/album you just search for it and download the album. The music can play while it's downloading so it's almost like you already had it on your machine anyway.

In summary, I think people that some people tend to criticize music subscription services even though they have no experience with them. Try them if you have a PC handy (or Windows on Bootcamp/Parallels). Once you've tried a subscription service it's definitely hard to give up. I'm hoping Rhapsody, Napster, or Yahoo Music! eventually comes out with a Mac client of their software...

 

[ikarus79m]

Check out some pictures:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/07/xbox-live-video-hands-on/

 

[tech4all]

To be honest, I don't really like renting movies (except if there's a movie a group wants to see on a Friday night or something). I almost always buy my movies, although not a lot. I don't even remember the last time I rented a movie. This isn't just because it's Microsoft, even if Apple did this I probably wouldn't like it either. Samething with music, don't like the idea of renting that either. No I never tried it before, but I just like the idea of actually "owning" the product/file. I want to be able to listen to my music or watch a movie when I want to with minimal restrictions. I mean what happens if you don't want to pay the monthly fees no more? Then you can't listen to the music anymore, am I right?

 

[ikarus79m]

I really don't think this is a question between renting and owning a movie. Eventually both camps will offer both. They can coexist just like they do in the DVD world right now.

 

[davidjearly]

I don't get it. Why do so many Mac users assume that whatever Apple does must be gospel??? I don't *want* to own a movie!! I have not purchased a movie in my life. Ever. There are only a very few select movies that I've seen more than once (e.g. Star Wars trilogy)

Same goes for music. What's so great about owning music? I could see if you were really into owning the *physical* product, with the cover art, liner notes, etc. But if we're just talking a pure digital product, what value is there in owning it? The utility I get from music is from *listening* to it, not owning it!!! Since music subscription services let me download, on demand, just about any song I can think of, they provide me with *vast* utility for a measly $15/month or whatever the service costs. It's about the best $15/month you could spend on *anything*, IMHO

The only objection I could see to music subscriptions is that once you've downloaded a bunch of music, if you cancel your subscription you "lose" the music. But believe me, that's *not* a big deal. Having taken Rhapsody, Yahoo! Music, and Napster for test runs, I can tell you that it's not that big an inconvenience. The major subscription services offer pretty much the same catalog of music, so the next time you feel like listening to a particular song/album you just search for it and download the album. The music can play while it's downloading so it's almost like you already had it on your machine anyway.

In summary, I think people that some people tend to criticize music subscription services even though they have no experience with them. Try them if you have a PC handy (or Windows on Bootcamp/Parallels). Once you've tried a subscription service it's definitely hard to give up. I'm hoping Rhapsody, Napster, or Yahoo Music! eventually comes out with a Mac client of their software...

NO, you CAN'T tell ANYONE that it is not a big deal if they lose all the music that they so highly value. It isn't about cost for some people. Its about not being tied to a recurring payment just for the privilege of listening to a song that they enjoy.

David

 

[Zmmyt]

I rarely buy DVDs, I own two I think.

I like the rental-idea. But I don't own an x-box, so MS's offer doesn't effect me at all.

I would love to see a movie-rental-service in iTunes.

 

[Frisco]

I would never buy a movie. I only rent. The bigger issue here is MS trumped Apple once again. Where are the other movie studios Apple?

Between Media Center, 360 and the Zune Microsoft is looking pretty good today.
All of these will work seemless together. I love Apple, but the iTV is looking less interesting every day.

Man the Japanese must be pissed! Microsoft stole video gaming from Sony and Apple stole portable music players from them. Who would of thought that 2 American companies could ever dominate in these arenas?

 

[i.Feature]

I don't get it. What's so great about owning music?...subscription services let me download, on demand, just about any song I can think of...for a measly $15/month or whatever the service costs.

See there is the problem for me. I don't like paying for things over and over. I hate subscriptions. $15 here, $10 there. It adds up and fast. I prefer to be able to pay for something when i want it (once) and enjoy it whenever i want.

I changed internet service providers because they "made" me rent their modem. The one i have now let me buy my modem. The first service was only a measly $10/month for the modem, the second was $100 up front. Over the three years i've had this service(big math coming folks) that $260(plus taxes) that i've saved. It does seem like that much at first glance, but when combined with all other subscribtions that i've chose not be a part of the savings are substantial. Thats why i hate subscriptions.

It's about the best $15/month you could spend on *anything*, IMHO

The only objection I could see to music subscriptions is that once you've downloaded a bunch of music, if you cancel your subscription you "lose" the music. But believe me, that's *not* a big deal. Having taken Rhapsody, Yahoo! Music, and Napster for test runs, I can tell you that it's not that big an inconvenience. The major subscription services offer pretty much the same catalog of music, so the next time you feel like listening to a particular song/album you just search for it and download the album. The music can play while it's downloading so it's almost like you already had it on your machine anyway.

In summary, I think people that some people tend to criticize music subscription services even though they have no experience with them. Try them if you have a PC handy (or Windows on Bootcamp/Parallels). Once you've tried a subscription service it's definitely hard to give up. I'm hoping Rhapsody, Napster, or Yahoo Music! eventually comes out with a Mac client of their software...[/QUOTE]

 

[210]

I think how people are with different media is the thing, here. It could be about attention span as well. I could listen to a song or album several times quite often, but I couldn't do the same with a movie. That's why buying songs worked as people will listen to them often that it justifies owning it. As for movies, it's different. Sure there are movies that you love and want to keep to watch in future (I buy loads), but I also use LOVEFiLM because, being a movie fan, I want to watch movies that interest me but not enough to buy. What Apple should do is a buy AND rent model when it comes to movies. If they do this, I would dump LOVEFiLM straight away, especially with the thought of the "iTV". The lower resolution than DVD wouldn't bother me either as I won't be keeping the movie if I am on the rental model, but have the choice later to buy on iTunes or just buy the DVD (or Blu-Ray or HD DVD).

 

[mick4394]

This may be the final selling point for me on the 360. There's no way I'll drop the coin on a PS3 and the more features Microsoft adds, the better it's looking to me compared to the Wii.

 

[Swarmlord]

I don't get it. Why do so many Mac users assume that whatever Apple does must be gospel??? I don't *want* to own a movie!! I have not purchased a movie in my life. Ever. There are only a very few select movies that I've seen more than once (e.g. Star Wars trilogy)

Same goes for music. What's so great about owning music? I could see if you were really into owning the *physical* product, with the cover art, liner notes, etc. But if we're just talking a pure digital product, what value is there in owning it? The utility I get from music is from *listening* to it, not owning it!!! Since music subscription services let me download, on demand, just about any song I can think of, they provide me with *vast* utility for a measly $15/month or whatever the service costs. It's about the best $15/month you could spend on *anything*, IMHO

The only objection I could see to music subscriptions is that once you've downloaded a bunch of music, if you cancel your subscription you "lose" the music. But believe me, that's *not* a big deal. Having taken Rhapsody, Yahoo! Music, and Napster for test runs, I can tell you that it's not that big an inconvenience. The major subscription services offer pretty much the same catalog of music, so the next time you feel like listening to a particular song/album you just search for it and download the album. The music can play while it's downloading so it's almost like you already had it on your machine anyway.

In summary, I think people that some people tend to criticize music subscription services even though they have no experience with them. Try them if you have a PC handy (or Windows on Bootcamp/Parallels). Once you've tried a subscription service it's definitely hard to give up. I'm hoping Rhapsody, Napster, or Yahoo Music! eventually comes out with a Mac client of their software...

I HAVE to own a movie or two, but I will get the DVD so I can play it in my entertainment center in my Volvo for long trips. I'm not going to rent movies and then worry about getting them back to the store before the rental period when for $11-$15 I can own the movie and watch it over and over again. Two or three Harry Potter or Star Wars movies gets me and the fam just about anywhere we want to go.

 

[zflauaus]

I don't get it. Why do so many Mac users assume that whatever Apple does must be gospel??? I don't *want* to own a movie!! I have not purchased a movie in my life. Ever. There are only a very few select movies that I've seen more than once (e.g. Star Wars trilogy)

Same goes for music. What's so great about owning music? I could see if you were really into owning the *physical* product, with the cover art, liner notes, etc. But if we're just talking a pure digital product, what value is there in owning it? The utility I get from music is from *listening* to it, not owning it!!! Since music subscription services let me download, on demand, just about any song I can think of, they provide me with *vast* utility for a measly $15/month or whatever the service costs. It's about the best $15/month you could spend on *anything*, IMHO

The only objection I could see to music subscriptions is that once you've downloaded a bunch of music, if you cancel your subscription you "lose" the music. But believe me, that's *not* a big deal. Having taken Rhapsody, Yahoo! Music, and Napster for test runs, I can tell you that it's not that big an inconvenience. The major subscription services offer pretty much the same catalog of music, so the next time you feel like listening to a particular song/album you just search for it and download the album. The music can play while it's downloading so it's almost like you already had it on your machine anyway.

In summary, I think people that some people tend to criticize music subscription services even though they have no experience with them. Try them if you have a PC handy (or Windows on Bootcamp/Parallels). Once you've tried a subscription service it's definitely hard to give up. I'm hoping Rhapsody, Napster, or Yahoo Music! eventually comes out with a Mac client of their software...

Okay, I am not preaching the Mac Gospel. I was only giving my opinion, and only one or two times did I mention Apple. I was mearly stating the obvious, or at least what I thought was the obvious.