2Wire-built MediaPoint Blockbuster movie set-top-box now on sale

We heard that Blockbuster's very own movie set-top-box would be on sale shortly, and for couch potatoes and cube dwellers alike, you can order yours right now from the comfort of your dilapidated sofa / Aeron, respectively. As we'd heard, you'll be asked to rent 25 On Demand movies for $99, after which you'll get the MediaPoint player for free. Not quite sure if that's really pulling the wool over anyone's eyes, but color us completely unsurprised that a company in such dire straights would risk embarrassment to give it a shot. So, is anyone going to buy in here, or is that "Order Now!" button going to sit unclicked forever?

[Thanks, Robert]

[NHAnimator @ Nov 25th 2008 12:20PM]

Nice-looking remote. Do they make one for adults, too?

[StreetStealth @ Nov 25th 2008 2:08PM]

Actually, that's kind of a nice middle ground between the ultra-minimalist Apple remote and the usual junk drawer o' buttons that you get with the average cable box/DVR.

As long as the onscreen menus are designed well, it should be pretty nice to use. Most remotes have a lot of buttons that should just be hidden away in menus.

[scott @ Nov 25th 2008 4:26PM]

it's form factor reminds me of a chode-ish wiimote. the power button/IR/etc.

[Rob @ Nov 25th 2008 12:22PM]

24 hours later: "2Wire-built MediaPoint Blockbuster movie set-top-box now on Clearance"

[NHAnimator @ Nov 25th 2008 12:27PM]

According the unit's manual (page 39), only 2500 movies available. Sounds like they really are hitting the ground running.

[Phoenix @ Nov 25th 2008 1:02PM]

Is that a small amount in comparison?

[mvivas21 @ Nov 25th 2008 12:27PM]

Testing 1,2,3

[PH0ENIX @ Nov 25th 2008 12:36PM]

I'd get it if it included a cable card and they paid for the monthly fee. :)

[bob sakamano @ Nov 25th 2008 12:41PM]

they should bundle this with the shares of circuit city that they wanted to buy.

[Dan Davis @ Nov 25th 2008 3:46PM]

+1 for the best comment of the day

[Killshot @ Nov 25th 2008 12:42PM]

I'm better off with my TiVo. I haven't been to a Blockbuster store or rented from their online store in over 18 months.

[John H. @ Nov 25th 2008 12:44PM]

Must everyone try to rip off Apple and/or Wii products?

[CraigJ @ Nov 25th 2008 1:02PM]

did you not get the memo? Shiny black and aluminum is the new shiny white. If that is an attempt to copy Apple it it pretty piss-poor.

[thecolor @ Nov 25th 2008 12:53PM]

Well, if it's only $24.75 (exluding tax, shipping, blah, blah) (not free since you have to pay for 25 movies), then I'd pick one up to mess with it... however, as I previously stated on another site, these types of "boxes" will fail almost as soon as people get crazy with them.

Why, primarily due to the bandwidth caps net providers have placed on their users.

These devices require net access in order to obtain the content, and unless you're gankin' it from a friend, you'll surely use up your (in Comcast's case) 250GB in no time flat. That leaves you with a few choices, stop surfing the net, watchin' all your *tube videos, streaming your music, etc, etc. or simply run the risk of a: larger bill or b: being cut off due to "TNC abuse".

Go figure, it's a great idea, and I love the competition for these mammoth monopoly services (net, media, etc.) but without a cap removal, it's all downhill.

I'm sure Comcast, AT&T and the like already had their sources referencing the upcoming technology and are VERY likely a huge reason the caps were implemented, not 'cause we are using to much bandwidth, but to prevent you from buying your media elsewhere.

[Jeremy K. @ Nov 25th 2008 1:11PM]

250GB is quite a lot of data. Let's say each movie is 1-2GB. Do you really think someone is going to rent over 100 movies a month, especially when you have to pay for each movie? I would say that I use my connection a lot more than the average user and I still haven't used half of 250GB a month.

[centinall @ Nov 25th 2008 4:16PM]

But what about in a year from now when maybe hi-def movies are the norm. Let's say 4-6 gigs. Plus all your youtube and itunes purchases. Plus all your windows and PS3 updates. Work's VPN traffic. Etc, etc...

Our ISPs have an interest in protecting their own services and it seems they will use anything as an excuse to maintain their monopolistic ways.

thecolor has a point, and it's going to be interesting to see how it plays out.

[Jeff @ Nov 25th 2008 12:59PM]

I don't get the appeal. Why would I pay the same rental price to stream a movie and lose surround sound? I'm averaging $2/DVD through their online service.

[R @ Nov 25th 2008 1:17PM]

for anyone considering getting this...

http://www.roku.com/netflixplayer/

"Over 12,000 movies and TV episodes instantly"

"...with no additional fees."

[shibathedog @ Nov 25th 2008 8:45PM]

Yeah netflix already does this 100 times better/cheaper. They have more boxes to choose from like the one you posted and...oh shit...it seems like they already have millions of boxes in peoples homes due to added 360 support, AND You can get DVDs/Blu-Rays mailed to you!

I imagine its going to be pretty hard to compete with netflix in this area. I say good, screw blockbuster, I've always hated blockbuster, they are some of the biggest con artists to have more than just a couple stores. I always went to hollywood video although I haven't rented a movie in years now.

[djjr50 @ Nov 25th 2008 1:41PM]

Yeah, but you'd have to sign up to a service! I like this new box...buy the movies you want to watch when you want to watch them. Its just that the AppleTV does this too...and in HD!

[Snitch @ Nov 25th 2008 2:15PM]

Yeah over 12000 tittles of complete bullshit, not to mention the video quality is worst than youtube. and on top of that you need a freggin subscription

[bandigolo @ Nov 25th 2008 1:31PM]

I assume there is no HD content?

[David @ Nov 25th 2008 2:00PM]

Man, Blockbuster is so.... 10 years ago? They are falling behind just as Tower Records did... Let it go Blockbuster, you're losing.

[siva @ Nov 25th 2008 3:18PM]

Looks like there are a lot of Blockbuster haters here. They may have been bad before but for the past 3 years or so, I have been going to 4 different BB stores in my neighborhood and have had great experience everytime. I have a online subscription and I return the DVDs in the stores and pick up a free movie (5 times a month). The movies rented locally have no late fees. If I am 7 days or less late, I can just return it. If more than 7 days late, they charge you for the purchase of the movie - but within 30 days you can return it and get your charges refunded (only $1.50 restocking fee). These terms are very reasonable.

While they have messed up a couple of times with me (like sending me a normal DVD instead of the Bluray I requested, etc), they have given me vouchers for free local rentals.

They are trying to compete with Netflix and I give them kudos.

[C.B. @ Nov 25th 2008 3:26PM]

netflicks gives some of its members "FREE" unlimited streaming movies. Why would I as a Block Buster subscriber (they mail me movies like netflicks) want to pay for what the competition includes. This pisses me off to no end. Block Buster is CHEAP. Not only do they raise my fees for my subscription every X miss. What a nice gift that is. but now this. I am seriously considering canceling my subscription and getting netflicks

[Daigle @ Nov 25th 2008 4:24PM]

No chance of these boxes taking off in Canada when Rogers caps your Internet usage at 60GB/mo. Worst country for technology.

[ben @ Nov 25th 2008 7:17PM]

I wonder how long till it is hacked and you can use an external hd to play your movies

[Cesar @ Nov 25th 2008 8:38PM]

Well I just downloaded the manual and it does 720p and 1080i HD. Also it looks like it has a hard drive "Can hold up to 5 SD movies or 2 HD" movies at a time".

[jamesdr1968 @ Nov 25th 2008 9:01PM]

I've always liked Blockbuster. I get movies in the mail, fast, and return them to the neighborhood store to be mailed back plus can get a movie right there. Also, there late fees are non-existent. I've had movies (from the store) for a MONTH, and I got charged a $1.50 "restocking" fee - no biggie. NOW, I just signed up for NetFlix/360 - instant movies. VERY cool. They just need to expand their movie database. I think both have a place and BB is doing just fine with their programs. The fastest way for NetFlix to overtake BB would be to have EVERY movie instantly available - that would clinch it.

[mike @ Nov 25th 2008 10:15PM]

As in the other thread about this box... I'll just point out that per blockbuster's own page on this dealio... movies ARE NOT $1.99 after the initial buy in with 25 movies.
No... the pricing there-after STARTS at $1.99
So... I would fully expect to pay more like $3.99 for new releases and the like....

For me this deal is no joy...

- m

[David @ Nov 27th 2008 1:11AM]

Looks good, but this is temporary

Have you guys heard of the INTEL TV CHIP, all future HDTV's will come with this chip, which has widgets on them such as,

Facebook, Flickr, stocks weather, abc, Blockbuster, etc...........

These icons will be on the screen, tv's will come with WiFi, so, you hit a buttton on the remote, you get this really cool menu on the side and bottom of screen


Select the Blockbuster Icon, and now you can watch a movie without the need for DVD's, need of a computer or Set Top Box

Man this is going to be so cool