Amazon working with TiVo for Unbox integration?

There's nothing confirmed yet, but the New York Post is reporting that Amazon and TiVo are currently in talks regarding a feature that would allow the playback of Amazon Unbox videos on TiVo's set-top boxes. If something like this works out, it would give Amazon a substantial advantage in arena of getting online video to the living room, since Apple's "iTV" device is still in prototype mode. Amazon already has a bit of a leg up on Apple in the online movie space, since they've got rights to films from a lot more studios, but Apple's iPod ensures a substantial customer base that won't be downloading PlaysForSure files anytime soon, so studios will have to cave sooner or later. TiVo really seems like a natural fit for Amazon, and hopefully they can get this functionality in the hands of consumers before iTV steamrolls the market, but we'll have to wait and see how legit this rumor turns out to be.

[Via Tech Gadgets]

[Gordy @ Sep 22nd 2006 10:44AM]

Oh hell no...Amazon is charging $1 for a Prison Break episode preview?

[Jared Harley @ Sep 22nd 2006 2:08PM]

No, the preview is free - the show itself is $1.99

As for UnBox, it sucks.

[bob @ Sep 22nd 2006 10:50AM]

hahahaha, ok, should they not work on it actually working 1st, then maybe sort out useability

[Dave @ Sep 22nd 2006 11:23AM]

This is the point where Apple swoops in and buys TiVo to keep Amazon out. Or they, like everyone realize what junk UnBox is, and don't worry.

[@ Sep 22nd 2006 12:28PM]

*If* this is real, Apple has something to think about this morning. The simplicity of Tivo with the Unbox catalog is pretty serious stuff. I suspect Amazon is not married to their online Unbox experience (try to find a mention of it on the AMazon homepage) and they just want to move more content. What better partner and mode than Tivo?

[Gary @ Sep 22nd 2006 1:38PM]

Hey, I heard the same rumor, however it was Netflix and not Amazon. Either way, if one of them can get the rights worked out so that you can rent/subscribe to (not buy!)video online from their full catalog and download directly to TiVo, you have the ultimate killer application. Not only do you not need Apple (buy only, and go through the computer first? no thanks), you don't need the premium cable/satellite either.

[Dave Goodman @ Sep 22nd 2006 2:25PM]

Unbox is evil. Have you read the terms of service? It would be called spyware and malware if they didn't disclose all the evil that they're doing. To say that you're "buying" the content is fraud. You're renting it until they disable it. The fact that you can't turn off the one-click to purchase a download means that an accidental click gives away your rights. Amazon sucks!

[Dave95 @ Sep 22nd 2006 2:34PM]

I am amazed that Tivo could not do this themselves.

Amazon Unbox needs to be re-boxed. Does not matter how many more studios they have if it's crap. Apple has only Disney and already sold 125,000 in a week. What's Amazon number?

Interesting read
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20060922.html

[Jeff S @ Sep 22nd 2006 2:48PM]

Even though it would give Amazon an edge, I don't see it as a proper answer to iTV. The difference is that TiVo still requires a monthly payment to operate. If iTV doesn't have this "feature", it also has a major edge over a potential UnBox/TiVo alliance.

Also, 1/2 of the iTV equation is already in the market. Almost everyone has iTunes. Personally, I am not in favor of having two media distribution centers on my PC/Mac that do essentially the same thing. I would just stick with what I already have (if it does the job correctly); in this case, it would be iTunes.

[Jake @ Sep 22nd 2006 3:01PM]

It would be nice to see someone other than Apple and/or Microsoft get a foothold in this space. I don't care how much you love Apple, the more they dominate the digital space the worse it is for consumers in the long run because both innovation and price competition will be stifled.

[Mark @ Sep 22nd 2006 3:29PM]

Is anybody even remotely concerned about what downloading movies will do to the average Computer system? Fill up the HD ASAP...Apple or Amazon or Somebody needs to host movies for viewing and charge a monthly rate and serve up every movie in existance.

[Chris @ Sep 22nd 2006 4:52PM]

Terrible, terrible "Unbox" terms:

http://www.boingboing.net/2006/09/15/amazon_unbox_to_cust.html

[MySchizoBuddy @ Sep 22nd 2006 8:15PM]

How are they suppose to get the video from the computer on to the Tivo. wirelessly or will unbox come installed in tivo.. that also means that tivo will have to get a license for MS drm as well.

[ronturon @ Sep 22nd 2006 8:47PM]

now that is funny. i always knew there was something goin' between those two.