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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
 Posted - 03/25/2006 : 17:27:58
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http://technology.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1738680,00.html?gusrc=rss
Kong heads 'download to own' revolution
Owen Gibson, media correspondent
Friday March 24, 2006
The Guardian
Peter Jackson's blockbuster King Kong is to become the first movie available to download over the internet in the UK on the same day as it is released on DVD, a move that the Hollywood studios claim could revolutionise the film industry.
Universal Pictures yesterday said that the film would spearhead its move into the so-called "download to own" market, in partnership with a DVD rental site called LoveFilm and the US internet giant AOL. For £19.99, film fans will be able to download two digital copies of the movie: one to watch on their laptop or desktop computer and one that can be transferred to a compatible portable device. They will also be sent a copy of the movie on DVD through the post.
Peter Smith, president of Universal Pictures International, said: "The entertainment industry is changing rapidly, with an emphasis on instant access."
About 30 other Universal films will initially also be made available in this way, including Pride & Prejudice, Serenity and Nanny McPhee. LoveFilm's chief executive, Mark Livingstone, said: "This move represents a landmark development in the entertainment world and the way customers view movies."
Some films are already available via broadband, and Sky has launched an internet version of its movie channel, offering subscribers 200 films to download over the internet. But existing services tend only to make films available for a single viewing before they are wiped from the viewer's hard drive, and they are released months after the DVD.
The move coincides with a vociferous debate in the film industry over the best way to combat digital piracy.
But some doubt whether film lovers will agree to pay more to download a film as well as to buy it on DVD. The prices of DVDs have plummeted as a result of intense competition and many people now own cheap portable players.
Unleashed online ... King Kong |
Edited by - Carl on 03/25/2006 17:29:54 |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2006 : 17:32:14
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The price of DVDs have plummetted? Where?!?! I still find myself paying $20-$30 for a DVD which is outrageous. Paying 20 pounds to download a movie is more than I'd be willing to dish. I'd rather have the DVD. If it were half that price, however... and in my currency (i.e. $10) then I'd be all over it.
 "If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate." |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2006 : 18:12:10
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Yeah, I'd prefare to have DVDs myself. There could be a 'F*ck Lovefilm! I want Frank DVDs!' thread here quiet soon! ;)
The price of DVDs (and CDs...and probably everything over here, for that matter) is pretty extortionate. A lot of music/DVD retailers over here have been have been having a lot of sales over the last few years...in fact, it's hardly an exaggeration to say that there's almost been a continuous sale on for the last while! I think they've cottoned on that prices are too high. There should be a change in the law, or companies themselves should agree to
fixed prices or whatever, because new DVDs are just ending up at sales price after a month or so everywhere (Of course, corporate greed seems to have an effect on everything, including common sense!). I got the 2-disc special editions of Heat and Raging Bull for €9.99 apiece in two different shops during the week.
 pas de dutchie! |
Edited by - Carl on 03/25/2006 18:13:41 |
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2006 : 12:02:13
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I'm not sure why I'd want to watch a movie on the computer. I mean, I guess I would if I had no other way to watch it, or it was considerably cheaper to watch it that way. But otherwise, no.
"If you doze much longer, then life turns to dreaming. If you doze much longer, then dreams turn to nightmares." |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2006 : 12:27:49
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You forget that for more and more people the PC IS their entertainment centre. TV, movies, music, ...
I watch plenty of movies/music on my computer and more and more people will have PCs in their living rooms in the next 10 years. Watch and see.
"If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate." |
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2006 : 13:15:59
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I know people do. I'm just not one of them. I'm not saying I never would, just that, if I had the choice, I'd rather watch it on a TV.
"If you doze much longer, then life turns to dreaming. If you doze much longer, then dreams turn to nightmares." |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2006 : 14:53:36
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But your TV and PC will be one and the same soon enough so there will be no distinction. It is already that way for me...
Still, I understand what you're saying. Small monitors not fun.
"If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate." |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2006 : 15:34:44
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Can't you convert them to DVDs?! I'm pretty clueless about this stuff!
pas de dutchie! |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2006 : 04:08:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Cult_Of_Frank
But your TV and PC will be one and the same soon enough so there will be no distinction. It is already that way for me...
Still, I understand what you're saying. Small monitors not fun.
"If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate."
Well they had better make the monitors a hell of a lot bigger then. I simply DO NOT watch films on anything less than 28".
 I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2006 : 17:52:27
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Me neither.
pas de dutchie! |
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Movies....the download revolution.
