Blockbuster finally releases its very own set-top box
After making an announcement ages ago, Blockbuster has finally launched its movie rental service via set-top boxes. Since word got out about the box and service, the only other option was to have DVDs delivered to your home, Netflix style, or to download movies and TV shows online. Now, with Blockbuster’s set-top box, you can snag movies with its OnDemand service whenever you want. The box is free if you pre-pay for 25 movies at the cost of $99, and while that sounds expensive, you wouldn’t be getting the box and service if you weren’t going to be watching a ton of movies, anyway – right? The set-top box works wirelessly and manages to deliver DVD quality to your screen, so if HD is an absolute must you’re pretty much out of luck with this one for now. If you’re a movie fiend and you have to have the latest hits from Hollywood, you’re still better off with the Blockbuster service as Netflix seems to be having a shortage of those movies lately. Anyone going to pick one of these up for the holidays?
It continues to boggle my mind how they got so far behind Netflix. How do you not include HD in this thing? I know the HD selection for streaming Netflix is brand new and they don’t have manay movies right now but at least they have it.
Seems like the smart move would be for Blockbust to cut a deal with Sony to get in on the PS3 but with Sony trying to push Blu-Ray I don’t know if that’s gonna happen.
So they say new releases come out on on-demand streaming within 30 days–will they actually hold to that? Because that does sound very tempting considering Netflix’s current Watch Instantly line-up leaves much to be desired…
Wheeeee, more desperate flailing from Blockbuster. No, this is not compelling at all to me, but it doesn’t surprise me this is the best they could come up with.
netflix>blockbuster. duh.