Amazon Video on Demand store open for business via Mac, PC; open beta on Sony HDTVs

It's official, Amazon has moved Unbox-replacement Amazon Video on Demand out of beta for Mac and PC users, while confirming rumors the still-in-beta BRAVIA Internet Video Link service is open to all Sony HDTV owners. The streaming option (you can still download and watch via Unbox on PC or TiVo, and no matter how they're purchased, content is added to the Your Video Library accessible from the web or IVL) gives Amazon that critical buy-now / watch-immediately element some other online stores lack, for its library of 40,000 licensed movies and shows. Prices start at $1.99 for single episodes of TV shows and at least $2.99 for movies -- with savings available on season passes, now all we need to keep an eye on is the bandwidth meter.

[who? @ Sep 4th 2008 1:07AM]

I was chosen to be a beta tester (being a Mac user), and it worked great! Two thumbs up, and then some!!!

[who? @ Sep 4th 2008 11:35AM]

FYI - The only reason I use them is for my NBC TV Shows. If they came back to the iTunes store I wouldn't use them ever again, since the price is the same as iTunes but I would need to watch them online with Amazon.

[gabe @ Sep 4th 2008 1:08AM]

amazon is just kicking some a$$

maybe u can learn a thing or two - APPLE -

(going to hurt my iphone now)

[mikeyrogers @ Sep 4th 2008 2:09AM]

Learn a thing or two about what? With iTunes Store, I can download my rental to my computer (Mac or PC) and watch it on the go as well as download to far more popular portable devices (iPhone and iPods).

With Amazon VoD, I need to stay connected to the internet OR I need a PC to download it and transfer it to lesser known devices including... a GPS? Please...

[TopaZ @ Sep 4th 2008 1:21AM]

I still don't get how this beats $16/month for Netflix, which sends me about 30 DVDs a month, in addition to the thousands of titles (and hundreds more every month) available for unlimited viewing.

[andres @ Sep 4th 2008 1:26AM]

nobody said it did

[Haikibutsu @ Sep 4th 2008 1:23AM]

C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER

[hint: look at the writer of the previous posts]

[mcdizzle895 @ Sep 4th 2008 1:34AM]

Is that Jennifer Grey in Ferris Bueller's Day Off? Classic!

[Ian @ Sep 4th 2008 3:03AM]

Bueller... Bueller... Bueller

[Mustaine @ Sep 4th 2008 6:17PM]

Um, he's sick. My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty serious.

[djstix @ Sep 4th 2008 1:42AM]

I have zero interest until they provide HD content, will stick with xbox live for now.

[theoneneo81 @ Sep 4th 2008 1:42AM]

in other news unbox still sucks.

[CubeGuy @ Sep 4th 2008 3:38AM]

I heard that you were feeling ill

Headache, fever, and a chill

Well I've come to restore you pluck

'Cause I'm the nurse that likes to f-

*slam*

[Chris @ Sep 4th 2008 4:13AM]

I am not even joking about this, I went to Amazon right away and rented Ferris Bueller's Day Off after seeing this....

[strider_mt2k @ Sep 4th 2008 7:50AM]

Did we ALL watch Ferris last night?

[dcar85 @ Sep 4th 2008 10:44AM]

All this on-demand/streaming services are great but when our ISP locks us down for "excessive" bandwidth consumption what is the point?

[Jamus @ Sep 4th 2008 11:24AM]

Interesting.
I thought the Mac "compatibility" was being held up due to trying to get it Silverlight based and not using Flash. Seems to be working fine. Anyone know what the delay was about?

[Jayson @ Sep 4th 2008 1:25PM]

Why can't we instant watch Netflix on our Mac while we've (mac users) have been paying for the service !?

... Netflix claims:

"We're required to use Digital Rights Management to protect movies watched instantly online, and right now we only have approval for this protection on Windows Operating systems, not the Mac.Apple does not license their DRM solution to third parties, which has made this more difficult, but we are working with the studios and content owners to gain approval for other solutions."

So can't netflix take a few pointers from Amazon!? How are they doing it!? Netflix instant watch is a sham if you ask me! Besides you can't go on the netflix site and send feedback. You have to call them for "answers". 1-866-402-2616 Put the pressure of amazons services on netflix. It's unacceptable.

[Rick @ Sep 4th 2008 8:51PM]

So this works with Sony HDTVs but doesn't offer HD? Bahaha. I'll stick with ATV HD, Blockbuster BRD and HD Cable movies on demand.

[Courtney White @ Sep 4th 2008 10:30PM]

Also was chosen as a beta tester, paired it with Mozilla's Prism, it makes a nice point and click rental system for my HTPC. would be nice if they integrated the new streaming into their stand alone player, still.