News and Reviews....

    MovieLink 2.0  September 2003

    Movielink, the studio backed Internet video-on-demand (VOD) service rolled out some new features last week to make the service more appealing to new and existing customers.

Basic Rules:

1. Watch the movie as many times as desired within a 24 Hour window
2. Store the movie up to 30 days from the time of download before starting the 24 Hr. period
3. After 30 days are up your computer hard drive space is automatically restored
4. You can start watching 2-10 minutes after download, except if you are going to store the movie, then you must download the entire movie first.
5. Average download time is 30 - 90 minutes. You can use the computer as it downloads.
6. Only works on Broadband connections (ie: DSL, Cable Modem)

Until now, users had to download the entire movie before launching a file to play, as well as being connected to the internet for the first viewing within the 24 hour play window. With the new "Movies in Minutes" features, users will be able to start watching the film in as little as two minutes after starting the download. Also part of the Movielink 2.0 upgrade is a feature that frees users from the need to be online during the first viewing.

In November, Movielink 2.0 plans to offer a fee-added option that lets consumers re-rent select movies multiple times within a 30 day period without a new download. Movielink downloads cost between $2.99 and $4.99 per movie. The service works on a Broadband connection ONLY.

Movielink downloads with Windows Media Player or Real Player. The service has some obstacles. The long-term obstacle is that it is going to your computer not your TV. Although, Custom Audio-Video Systems connects many computers to TV for their clients, the norm is that most folks do not have their computer connected to their TV. This might create a niche market for college students and business travelers that use their computers for TV viewing.

This month Disney (including Buena Vista, Touchstone and Miramax) debut product on Movielink making 20th Century Fox the only major studio not offering titles on Movielink. Movielink's online library will grow to 450 titles by October.

UPDATE: Blockbuster Video Purchases MovieLink  August 2007

Got Questions? Go to "www.movielink.com"

Other Providers of VOD: "www.netflix.com"

                                    "www.amazon.com"