Starz launches Vongo, new subscription-based movie download service

Well, it looks like Starz is going to be one of the first out of the gate with a movie download service for portable devices using Microsoft's subscription technology, this week at CES they're launching a new service called "Vongo" (yeah, it's a terrible name). No support for the new iPod -- Apple saves that love for itself -- but for ten bucks a month you'll be able to download as many movies as you'd like to up to three PCs or portable devices that run Microsoft's Portable Media Center OS (apparently no support for Windows Mobile devices, either). Movies will be available for download about the same time they're aired on Starz itself, and they eventually plan to offer a catalog of over a thousand films and other programs. They also mention that Vongo will be a "key feature" of Sony's new Sony Connect video service that is coming later this year, which has us thinking that there might be some PSP action involved here.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this one in]

[Mike @ Jan 3rd 2006 1:08PM]

Well, I've used the Starz service on Real (http://starz.real.com) and I welcome the chance to keep the service and uninstall Real Player.

[rsc1000 @ Jan 3rd 2006 1:28PM]

wow - MS has a 'subscription technology'. I chuckle imagining an MS genius scientist in a lab coat holding up a beaker to his eye. Those hi-tec gurus! A subscription technology - where would we be without the rocket-science that can only be provided by a huge monolopy company like MS with it's vast engineering resources? A total poster-product for Bill Gates vision of the future! The mind races trying to comprehend just how much of the global tech brain-trust was employed to solve this engineering mystery in order to bring the world this holy grail 'subscription technology'. Break-through!

[Dissent @ Jan 3rd 2006 1:35PM]

Sony?



No thanks.

[Max @ Jan 3rd 2006 1:55PM]

The primary issue with this service is that you do not get to keep the movies...and you cannot transfer the movie files to an external drive. Basically, Vongo controls your access to the files and deletes them after they no longer own the rights to the movie (which could be days, weeks or months.)



The key to the success of a service like this is being able to retain the movie. I can record and store a movie from Starz on my DVR, why can't I do it with Vongo? It doesn't make sense.

[Pancake @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:04PM]

Can't Download to Video iPod, ha, fools.



Apple should be on their heels soon and will put this out of buisness.

[Roopesh Sheth @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:13PM]

Why is it that the iPod must even be mentioned in this article? It is isn't mentioned that it doesn't support Linux, OS X, BSD, Palm OS, etc. Why even bother mentioning Apple? Seriously, stop having your world revolve around your iPod fascinations. Microsoft has given us a great gift in their subscription functionality. If you don't like it, don't complain and don't use it. Pretty damn simple, idiots.

[Gordy @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:17PM]

Next week should be interesting...

[Gordy @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:21PM]

Roopesh Sheth: "Microsoft has given us a great gift in their subscription functionality."



Golden...just golden.

[Kid @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:47PM]

"Welcome to Zombo com..."



well, that's what the name vongo reminds me of.

[Roopesh Sheth @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:57PM]

Gordy: I bet you think Apple's propreitary solution is the best thing ever invented? If so, you fall into the wonderful bucket of Idiots. Try opening your mind to other possibilities. Idiot.

[athleticsfan @ Jan 3rd 2006 3:34PM]

Guys,



Let's rephrase Engadget's statement so you all can gain a bit of perspective and stop the Apple/Mac/iPod bashing that seems so prevalent around here.



Instead of it saying, "No support for the new iPod", let's change it to say, "No support for the best-selling, portable audio/video player in the market". Yes, we all know that Apple isn't the only the game in town, but they are certainly the biggest. So, no matter how you slice it, leaving out support for a product that has such an extensive customer base is definitely news and is important to a story like this, regardless of your personal feelings towards the iPod as a product or Apple as a company.



Aaron

[Steve Rhodes @ Jan 3rd 2006 7:36PM]

Yes, some of us do happen to have 5G ipods. We'll probably get some sales figures on the it next week, but I wouldn't be surprised if it already has the largest base (or close to it) of any small portable device which can play video.



I saw a demo of the real version of this at the cable tv trade show in April.



This is a bad shot of it



ttp://www.flickr.com/photos/ari/8837852/in/photostream/



and Gollum talking in Spanish (though you can't tell that from the photo)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ari/8837917/in/photostream/