Engadget

Amazon boosts Prime Instant Video streaming with more than 1,000 new TV shows, movies

Richard Lawler — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:35:00 EST

It may not have snagged a deal with Miramax or acquired Hulu just yet, but Amazon is busy adding content to its all-you-can-eat Prime Instant Video service. This note on the home page points out the "more than 1,000 additional movies and TV shows" with faves like Sesame Street and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles among them. The terms are still the same, it's a pack-in for paid Prime subscribers and Amazon points out there's already over 300 ways to watch on HDTVs, Blu-ray players or set-top boxes, so update your charts and see if this plus free shipping makes for a good Netflix alternative.

Amazon boosts Prime Instant Video streaming with more than 1,000 new TV shows, movies originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clicker.com analyzes Amazon Prime Instant Video offerings vs the competition

Richard Lawler — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 13:27:00 EST

Amazon's Prime Instant Video service is finally here, and while we know how it works and that, unlike Netflix, it will play nicely with your 'Droid, how does its content measure up? Clicker.com pulls in feeds from all the online video sites and has broken down its data into this handy chart to investigate just that. The numbers above don't lie, Netflix has far more content at the moment, and right now, the Amazon service compares more directly to Hulu Plus than anything else. However, it is an excellent start for Amazon to grow from and the breakdown points out what numbers might miss -- while Amazon's movie selections are hurting for any high profile flicks not already on Netflix, it does bring some otherwise unavailable episodes of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Bonanza and Dr. Who (1963) to bear -- click through for all the details, while it may not be enough to cause you to switch just yet there's definitely enough reason to keep an eye on this latest entrant to the market.

Clicker.com analyzes Amazon Prime Instant Video offerings vs the competition originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon rolling out Netflix-like unlimited video streaming for Prime subscribers?

Richard Lawler — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 15:41:00 EST

Rumors of Amazon either purchasing Netflix or launching a competing option have been circling and now one of our readers says he's seeing an unlimited video streaming section to complement the current Amazon VOD options. That's a nice bonus for the $79 / year package that currently adds a few free shipping bonuses and it would be cheaper on a yearly basis than Netflix's Watch Instantly ($95.88.) As seen above and in the gallery, it consists of "unlimited, commercial-free, instant streaming of 5,000 movies and TV shows" with selections that mirror the Watch Instantly catalog closely. Resolution is apparently limited to a "pretty solid" 480p SD, but there's no word on audio or subtitle options. We'll wait to hear if anyone else is seeing a similar page before assuming a wide rollout, but it certainly appears that there could finally be a viable competitor to the Netflix juggernaut.

Update: We weren't able to pull up the option on any of our Prime-enabled accounts and from the comments it doesn't appear any of you were either. According to our tipster, the option has disappeared from his page as well. One other interesting note came from commenter vfiz, who found that several variations of the primeinstantvideos.com domain name were registered by Amazon-owned DPReview January 5.

Gallery: Amazon.com unlimited video streaming menus

[Thanks, Pavel]

Amazon rolling out Netflix-like unlimited video streaming for Prime subscribers? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DVPRemote iOS app easily replaces your factory Roku remote (video)

Darren Murph — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:11:00 EST

This, friends, is what happens when convergence is approached correctly. Rather than asking you to keep yet another remote in the hopper, one Phil Irey has crafted DVPRemote -- a lovely iOS app that enables your iPhone or iPod touch to act as your main control mechanism for any Roku set-top box. The app itself has been floating around in the App Store for a tick, but its the newly released version 2.0 that's really of interest. This build ushers in a completely overhauled user interface, and aside from providing the standard Roku shuffle controls, it actually goes above and beyond to make your night easier. There's full integration with Netflix to support automated Instant Queue navigation, full keyboard support for any screen that requires text entry, direct navigation to user-organizable Channels, toolbars for added channel functionality within Netflix and support for the new "Instant Replay", "Info", and "Back" buttons. Heck, it's even compatible with iOS 4's background operation protocol. Head on past the break for a hearty demonstration, and tap that iTunes link when you're ready to ditch Apple's own Remote App and part ways with $2.99.

Update: Hey Android users -- looks like someone's lookin' out for you, too. Check out Roku Remote over on your side.

Continue reading DVPRemote iOS app easily replaces your factory Roku remote (video)

DVPRemote iOS app easily replaces your factory Roku remote (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon planning subscription video service to challenge Netflix and Hulu?

Sean Hollister — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:46:00 EST

Looks like one company's not ready to let Apple claim the spotlight with tomorrow's rumored $99 iOS-based Apple TV launch -- the Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon has a subscription-based streaming video service in the works. Reportedly focused on older content more easily pried from the iron fist of traditional media (similar to Netflix Watch Instantly and Hulu Plus), the service is aimed at the usual array of internet-connected devices -- the Xbox 360 was called out specifically -- and one anonymous source told the publication that Amazon intends to get the connected entertainment party started by Yuletide. Mind you, Amazon's not exactly new to the streaming video game. Remember Unbox? The day the company turned that service into Video on Demand it came with 40,000 programs -- a good 11,582 more than today's Hulu Plus. So, if the rumors are true, we imagine that over two years and many integrated systems later, Amazon might still have a decent leg up.

Amazon planning subscription video service to challenge Netflix and Hulu? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cox to offer retail TiVo Premiere DVRs next year, first with cable VOD & Amazon, Netflix access

Richard Lawler — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:01:00 EST

TiVo users, even with boxes provided by their cable company in the case of RCN and Comcast, have so far had to make a compromise: Choose their cable company's video on-demand offerings, or bring their own DVR and access online video from sources like Amazon and Netflix -- but that's no longer the case. Cox and TiVo have reached an agreement -- sound familiar? -- that will see allow retail CableCARD equipped TiVo Premiere DVRs to access Cox's VOD, as well as all that over the top internet video we've come to love. The SeaChange powered VOD will work similarly to RCN's, but we're waiting to see if this can give the new universal search an extra source to pull from as well. The deal also means Cox will cross promote the TiVo in its own marketing, and provide free installs for units purchased at Best Buy and other outlets including the TiVo website.

The only bad news here? While TiVo plans to start testing later this year, it won't see a wide rollout (in "all major markets") until 2011. Check out the press release for all the details before calling your cable company, why should Cox customers get to choose between two different modernized, integrated set-top box platforms while the rest of us are stuck with interfaces and access rules that have been around since before the X-Games?

Continue reading Cox to offer retail TiVo Premiere DVRs next year, first with cable VOD & Amazon, Netflix access

Cox to offer retail TiVo Premiere DVRs next year, first with cable VOD & Amazon, Netflix access originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Project Leap hopes to hop into your TV screen, source-agnostic VOD in tow

Sean Hollister — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:12:00 EST

Last year, Bittorrent portal Vuze allowed you to push downloaded video directly to game consoles and iDevices, sure, but the company's latest product promises to let you pull media from the internet and any network-connected device right to your TV. Dubbed "Project Leap," the application lets you simply type in the name of a film and searches your local computers, attached storage, Amazon, Hulu and Netflix databases for a match, after which point you can play, add it to your queue, begin instant streaming or purchase (if need be). The program pulls up a widget-like selection of additional data as well, including Rotten Tomatoes reviews and YouTube trailers, and those who enjoy company with their digital celluloid will be happy to hear to hear Twitter, Fandango and live internet chat might make appearances as well.

Though we didn't get hands-on for ourselves, the scrolling, card-based interface seemed plenty polished in its present, five-button (up, down, left, right, ok) iteration -- the challenge now is to find a device manufacturer who'll build it into a set-top box or connected TV. Vuze CEO Gilles BianRosa said he might settle for it becoming a Google TV app or Yahoo widget itself, but only if the final combined product was simple; no offense to septuagenarian matriarchs, we're sure, but he told us it must be "grandmother" easy. While he said he's already received interest from unnamed consumer electronics companies, the product will launch one way or another -- even if Leap doesn't land in embedded hardware quite yet, a beta will be available in September for Mac and PC.

Project Leap hopes to hop into your TV screen, source-agnostic VOD in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leaked Dell Streak flyer shows multitude of color options, confirmed specifications

Darren Murph — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:53:00 EST

There's no denying that the Mini 5 is real, but up until now, we've had to provide all of our own promotional material. At long last, it seems as if the suits in Round Rock are finally getting around to crafting the first advertisements for the upcoming slate, and while we knew about the 5-inch WVGA (800 x 480) touchscreen, 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and flash, capacitive touch front buttons, front-facing VGA camera (for video chatting) and the 30-pin docking connector, we weren't aware of Dell's plans to reveal a slew of vivacious color options. If this here flyer proves legitimate, we could eventually see the Mini 5 available in an array of premium finishes and hues (thanks, Design Studio!), and we're hoping for a few different spec builds as well. So, are you opting for the pink, or are you crossing your fingers in hopes that Dell allows you to print that embarrassing shot of you and Mr. T on the rear of one?

Update: Oh, snap! We just landed a few more official slides from an internal Dell document, and it's safe to say that the company is going to call this beauty the Streak. Or, at least that's the internal codename. Better still, it looks as if it'll launch with an Amazon content partnership, which will bring a Kindle e-book reader app, Amazon MP3, Amazon video streams and pretty much any other material that Amazon sells in digital form right to the slate. C'mon now -- how's about a ship date and a price?

Gallery: Dell Streak leaked internal documents

Leaked Dell Streak flyer shows multitude of color options, confirmed specifications originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon's Disc+ program tosses in a free VOD with your Blu-ray or DVD

Richard Lawler — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:21:00 EST

In a move that could help counter the instant gratification valley that currently separates online shopping from heading to the local retailer, Amazon is pushing a "limited time offer" called Disc+ On Demand that pairs 300 or so of its movies with a free Amazon VOD copy. That digital version pops into the buyer's Video Library instantly after purchase and still has to play by all the usual video on-demand rules of 24 hr / 30 day windows, U.S. address, and is currently only available in standard-definition. Still, this combination of the digital and physical purchase worlds means the online giant has beaten Best Buy's similar plans to the punch and approaches the convenience of Netflix's Watch Instantly. Just its usually lower prices has already driven many of you to be come online only disc buyers, we'll see if this helps Amazon grab the rest.

Amazon's Disc+ program tosses in a free VOD with your Blu-ray or DVD originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung rolls out Amazon, Blockbuster video store access across HDTVs, HTIBs and Blu-ray players everywhere

Richard Lawler — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:42:00 EST

Just as promised, the (still SD only) Blockbuster OnDemand service is now available on a slew of Samsung hardware via firmware update, while the Internet@TV lineup (LCD and Plasma HDTVs Series 650 and above and LED HDTVs Series 7000) has a brand new toy with the Amazon VOD Yahoo! widget (which does support HD.) Both services offer a slew of rental and/or purchase options for the digital delivery fanatic, though we still hunger for the audio and quality of VUDU plus the all you can eat goodness of Netflix Watch Instantly, of the millions of TVs out there, there's surely someone willing to sift through those menus for the ease of viewing Ghosts of Girlfriends Past without resorting to cable VOD -- or getting up from the couch. The "convenience" goes both ways, since they'll also be able to pick up compatible Samsung blu-ray players at Blockbuster stores, right next to the TiVo section -- check for exact model #s supported in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Samsung rolls out Amazon, Blockbuster video store access across HDTVs, HTIBs and Blu-ray players everywhere

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Samsung rolls out Amazon, Blockbuster video store access across HDTVs, HTIBs and Blu-ray players everywhere originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung rolls out Amazon, Blockbuster video store access across HDTVs, HTIBs and Blu-ray players everywhere

Richard Lawler — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:42:00 EST

Continue reading Samsung rolls out Amazon, Blockbuster video store access across HDTVs, HTIBs and Blu-ray players everywhere

Filed under: Blu-ray, Displays, Samsung

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Panasonic finally gets around to enabling Amazon VOD on 2009 Blu-ray players

Richard Lawler — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:33:00 EST

Don't let us rush you Panasonic. But we were expecting Amazon VOD streaming capability when the DMP-BD60, BD70V, BD80 and the B15 Blu-ray players launched, then later were told it would be available by May. Now, in early August, comes word that a new firmware update has enabled access on all players (including the over 1000 HD selections on the service.) We know a few of you probably couldn't live without the DMP-BD70V and its Blu-ray / VHS combo, are you finding the new Amazon access included in the VIERA Cast streaming satisfactory for your needs?

Filed under: Blu-ray, Players, Panasonic

Panasonic finally gets around to enabling Amazon VOD on 2009 Blu-ray players originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player reviewed, are the new features worth it?

Richard Lawler — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:19:00 EST

Panasonic's DMP-BD60 hits the scene as the successor to the well-received DMP-BD35, packing Viera Cast features on top of BD-Live capability in a slim (& more power efficient) package. CNET's reviewers threw the new boss on their test bench and found a lot to like, while the Internet features weren't flawless with some control issues on YouTube videos, however it lags the competition without wireless Internet capabilities. Picture quality was up to par, but it seems to have fallen off the pace compared to the latest offering from Samsung in terms of speed, taking longer to load some movies from off mode. Check the full review for all the details, but with the price currently at $299 this player might not have enough value unless Amazon VOD and Picasa access is particularly important.

[Via TV Snob]

Filed under: Blu-ray, Players, Panasonic

Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player reviewed, are the new features worth it? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More proof that Amazon is about to sell high-def TV shows

Darren Murph — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:02:00 EST

We've seen sprinkles of hope that have led us to cautiously believe that Amazon was gearing up to start selling high-definition TV shows, and now our hearts are dead set on believing. Here recently, Amazon's Video On Demand service has been expanding onto just about every media playing console / box / etc. out there, but now that Apple has stepped up the game by offering HD movies for sale, it seems that Amazon's about to pop out some new functionality of its own. Long story short, the noodling crew over at NewTeeVee managed to poke around and find some pretty hard evidence that Amazon will soon be selling HD TV shows for $2.99 apiece, and while none of the links they stumbled upon were live, we reckon it's only a matter of time at this point.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Filed under: Internet, New content

More proof that Amazon is about to sell high-def TV shows originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic's 2009 VIERA Cast Blu-ray players priced, shipping in April

Richard Lawler — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:12:00 EST

We first got a peek at Panasonic's DMP-BD60, DMP-BD80 and VHS-packing DMP-BD70V at CES, and now they've got official pricetags ahead of their April release. Beyond the VIERA Cast support for Amazon VOD, YouTube and other Internet content, this year's decks also include improvements in power consumption, with the BD60 drawing 16% less juice than last year's DMP-BD35. The DMP-BD60 can be had for a suggested $299, while the BD80 and BD70V are both priced at $399, depending on whether you prefer VHS or 7.1 analog outputs. Check out the CES 2009 hands on for a better look before these show up at a retailer near you.

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Panasonic's 2009 VIERA Cast Blu-ray players priced, shipping in April originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic's 2009 VIERA Cast Blu-ray players priced, shipping in April

Richard Lawler — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:12:00 EST

Filed under: Blu-ray, Players, Panasonic

Panasonic's 2009 VIERA Cast Blu-ray players priced, shipping in April originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayOn media server upgraded with Amazon VOD & plugin beta

Richard Lawler — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:01:00 EST

Just in time to ease worries that your Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or other DLNA-capable device was falling behind the Roku video player in video capability, MediaMall has updated its PlayOn software for Amazon Video On Demand access. Version 2.59.3352 went out earlier today and also enables a beta version of its plugin system, that should allow interested providers to put their feeds into the PlayOn browser starting right now with Revision3. What's next? ABC.com on the content side and the Nintendo Wii on the hardware end. Of course, we could've just mentioned the (still working) Hulu to your TV access which is at least enough reason to give it a trial run.

Filed under: Media PCs, Media streamers, Internet

PlayOn media server upgraded with Amazon VOD & plugin beta originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roku takes Amazon Video On Demand into private beta

Darren Murph — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:06:00 EST

We knew good and well that Roku's movie set-top-box would be supporting Amazon Video On Demand in the not-too-terribly-distant future, and apparently the private beta has begun. Over at the Roku forums, an official has made clear that demand was exceptional and the pool of private beta testers has now been chosen. Sadly, there's no mention of when Roku plans on sharing the love with the public at large, but Dave Zatz has appropriately pointed out that YouTube could be following close behind. Still, we have to concur that the most pressing question has yet to be answered: will this Amazon VOD be offered up in glorious high-def? Pretty please?

[Via ZatzNotFunny]

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Roku takes Amazon Video On Demand into private beta originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roku takes Amazon Video On Demand into private beta

Darren Murph — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:07:00 EST

Filed under: Set-top boxes, Others

Roku takes Amazon Video On Demand into private beta originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon Video On Demand content comes to Panasonic TVs

Darren Murph — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:39:00 EST

Hooking up with digital content distributors is definitely the thing to do here at CES, and you ought to know that Panasonic isn't leaving Vegas without a partner of its own. In between announcing snazzy new HDTVs and a litany of camcorders, the company has proudly announced a partnership with Amazon that will bring Amazon Video on Demand material to VIERA Cast TVs. The service is expected to launch early this year, and quite honestly, we're hoping that this isn't the only release of this kind. For Panasonic's sake.

Filed under: Other formats, Panasonic

Amazon Video On Demand content comes to Panasonic TVs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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