Amazon Disc+ On Demand allows instant streaming with DVD purchase

by Pete Mason on 3 November 2010, 17:21

Tags: Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN)

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One of the things holding some people back from making the leap to digital distribution is the lack of a physical copy to hold on to. But what if you could combine a physical copy with a download that meant you could watch straight away - without leaving the house - and still end up with a disk to add to your shelf?

That's exactly what Amazon has just launched with its new Amazon Disc+ On Demand service. For certain films in its digital collection, as soon as you order a DVD or Blu-ray online, the film will be added to your digital library to watch right away.

There are a few caveats though. Only the standard-definition versions will be available to stream or download - even if you purchase a Blu-ray - and the video will only be available for 30 days from the date of purchase. The latter shouldn't be a problem though, since you should have the disk long before the online copy expires.

Unfortunately, the biggest caveat of all is that the service is only available in the US, and since Amazon doesn't even have a video-on-demand service in the UK, it's unlikely to transition to these shores any time soon.

Regardless, we think this is a huge development and a massive step forward for digital distribution. There are a lot of people out there - including this correspondent - who are clamouring for a solution that combines physical media with the ability to consume the content straight away. Hopefully they will apply a similar system to CD purchases, and that the service will eventually make it to the UK.



HEXUS Forums :: 11 Comments

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Anyone have any ideas how much it costs for the production/distribution of physical media compared to digital download?

For many consumers, e.g. those with HTPCs, it's often much more practical to have a digital copy than a physical copy, and I'm sure most of these people would rather have half-price films and no disk than full-price and a disk.. it would be a win-win situation for distributors, saving perhaps more money than the discount passed on, but still a significant discount for the consumer. Of course, it'd never happen, because of piracy fears, despite pirates already having access to high-quality rips of all these films already :rolleyes:
I good step in the right direction …. for the US…. Now people have no excuse to the embrace the idea of digital downloads for films.
definitely a step in the right direction :D well done amazon!
Deleted
Anyone have any ideas how much it costs for the production/distribution of physical media compared to digital download?

For many consumers, e.g. those with HTPCs, it's often much more practical to have a digital copy than a physical copy, and I'm sure most of these people would rather have half-price films and no disk than full-price and a disk.. it would be a win-win situation for distributors, saving perhaps more money than the discount passed on, but still a significant discount for the consumer. Of course, it'd never happen, because of piracy fears, despite pirates already having access to high-quality rips of all these films already :rolleyes:
The worst part is the DRM, and not knowing what'll happen to your purchase - sorry, licensed media - in n months time when the provider changes/kills the service.
I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Give us DRM-free video file downloads, with well-encoded programmes and films in standard and HD definition, at a lower price than the disc equivalents, and I will buy them.

This, by contrast, is a load of rubbish.