So let me get this straight, full length movie downloads on the same day as the DVD release? Since the distribution method, packaging, shelf-space, printing are almost non-existent, we are going to pay double for the privilege of downloading DRM crippled media of movies that sucked in the first place that won’t even play on your TV or home DVD player? This has to be a joke of some kind right?
Unfortunately it isn’t. The brain trusts at the movie studios think this is a good idea and that people will want this. Now, maybe I can understand this model if they made it available the same time it was released in the theater but not when you can go out and get the physical DVD at ½ the price.
It feels so silly in fact that there must be an ulterior motive. There could be a few reasons for such a move.
My initial guess is that they know the public wants to be able to download movies (albeit not like this) so they are throwing us a bone knowing damn well that it won’t be successful. Then they can say, “See, we tried but the business model doesn’t work” and squash anyone else that says this is something the public needs.
They could also be testing the waters on the theater and DVD release in the same day theory. Even though this has been tried with the movie Bubble (what movie? Exactly) it has yet to be proven either way. Not sure how this will pan out. It will probably mean the end of movie theaters unless the theater experience becomes much cheaper. People just aren’t interested in sitting in a theater with a ton of other people, paying $100 or more (movie tickets, babysitter, drinks, popcorn, etc) to see a lack-luster movie, with sound that isn’t even as good as the $200 surround system they have at home, and a screen double the size of their existing TV. Monetarily, it doesn’t make any sense.
Now maybe they are actually gearing up for what we really want. If any of you are listening, (which I’m sure you aren’t and if history is an indicator) we either want the ability to download full length DVDs that we can play on any device we own. It must be able to be backed up on physical media. Any DVD writer should be able to create the DVD that will play on a set top box or on my PC/Laptop. Basically, it must be as close to possible as a store bought DVD movie. Oh yeah, it cannot be more expensive than a retail DVD. In fact, we would expect to pay significantly less because of the reduced costs associated with it. The other thing we would possibly accept, in addition to the above, is the ability to “rent” a downloaded DVD. This would be a copy that you can watch for up to 24 hours or so. It needs to be able to play everywhere as well. You can make 1 copy and after it is “activated” you have a specified amount of time to watch it before it is disabled. Oh yeah, and it should be no more than a rental at Blockbuster but should be significantly less, say $1.99. For those of you that remember the Divx days, the second option sounds eerily like Divx and would probably share the same success as well.
The movie execs will do what they always do. They will ignore what the public really wants; they will deliver a half-baked solution that has more to do with squeezing consumers’ wallets than satisfying their desires. And in the end, we will be left with nothing more than a bad taste in our mouths.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-movielink3apr03,1,5452250.story?track=rss&ctrack=1&cset=true