Amazon has boxed up Unbox and just announced that starting immediately, Mac and PC customers can instantly watch movies on either a Mac or PC with Amazon Video On Demand. Using the old Unbox app, material had to be downloaded first, to either a PC or TiVo. The Unbox can still be used to watch downloaded content, but instant access is always a good thing.
And, now officially announced, movies and TV shoes can be rented or purchase using Amazon Video On Demand through Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video Link.
Not sure if you want to buy or rent something? Check it out — the first two minutes of every movie or TV show will start playing automatically when you go to the detailed product page. Pick a show - there are even some freebies! I love free stuff.
Keep reading for the complete press release.
Amazon SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 3, 2008--Amazon.com, Inc. Starting today, to make it even easier for customers to decide "We're continuing to create new, convenient ways for our customers Also starting today, Sony BRAVIA Internet Video Link users can Amazon Video On Demand, operated by Amazon Digital Services, Inc.,
Customers Can Now Instantly Watch Ad-Free Movies and TV Shows on Macs,
PCs and Compatible Sony BRAVIA Televisions Starting Today on Amazon
Video On Demand
(NASDAQ:AMZN), today announced that customers can now instantly watch
ad-free movies and television shows on Macs or PCs with Amazon Video
On Demand, Amazon's digital video service offering thousands of movies
and television shows. Previously, customers could only download titles
and watch them on a PC (using the Amazon Unbox application) or on
their TiVo box. Now customers can either watch instantly within their
web browser or download using the Unbox application and watch anytime.
Additionally, customers can now rent or purchase Amazon Video On
Demand movies and TV shows directly through Sony's BRAVIA Internet
Video Link device on compatible BRAVIA(R) television sets (currently
in beta). Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video Link device seamlessly streams
Internet video content directly to compatible Sony HDTVs through a
broadband connection.
whether they want to rent or purchase a title, the first two minutes
of every movie and TV show automatically plays for free as soon as
they visit the product detail page. At any time during the free
viewing period, customers can choose to purchase or rent the title to
watch it in its entirety. Once a customer orders a video, it is
automatically added to Your Video Library. With the new Your Video
Library, customers can access and stream their Amazon videos through
popular web browsers on Macs and PCs. Customers can also access Your
Video Library through the Sony BRAVIA Internet Video Link device on
their compatible Sony BRAVIA televisions.
to watch digital movies and TV shows. The ability to watch content
instantly without downloading first was among the most requested
features of our customers, and now it's live--customers can instantly
watch the ad-free title of their choice on a Mac, PC or compatible
Sony BRAVIA TV via Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video Link device," said Roy
Price, director of Amazon Video On Demand. "Amazon Video On Demand
provides customers with the choice of how to watch their favorite
movies and TV shows, be it on their PC or Mac, on the TV with TiVo or
through Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video Link device on compatible Sony
BRAVIA TVs, or on the go with a portable video player."
rent or purchase and instantly watch movies and commercial-free TV
shows directly on their compatible BRAVIA TV. With the Sony BRAVIA
Internet Video Link, customers can explore and purchase or rent from
the Amazon Video On Demand library with the push of a button. To get
started, customers simply go to www.amazon.com/videoondemand/bravia
and link their BRAVIA to their Amazon.com account. After a purchase is
made, the title can be immediately watched. A backup version can also
be found in Your Video Library, accessible from the Sony BRAVIA
Internet Video Link device user interface or on Amazon.com. Customers
interested in purchasing a Sony BRAVIA television and/or Sony BRAVIA
Internet Video Link device can do so in the Amazon.com Electronics
store at www.amazon.com/electronics. Amazon Video On Demand through
the BRAVIA Internet Video Link is currently in beta.
is the only U.S. digital video service that gives customers the choice
to stream or download premium movies and TV shows. With over 40,000
licensed movies and TV shows, customers can now watch on their Mac,
PC, Sony BRAVIA TV, TiVo box, Windows Media Center extender devices
such as Xbox 360, and portable media players. The Amazon Unbox Video
Player will remain as the client application for downloaded content,
allowing customers to watch purchased content on their computer when
they are not connected to the Internet or transfer it to a portable
media player. With Fall TV starting in early September, Amazon Video
On Demand will have a full selection of the most popular returning and
new shows, including pilots, premieres, and full episodes. —Leslie Shapiro
