Blockbuster -- Engadget

blockbuster posts

Blockbuster kiosks to offer movies on SD cards, you some candy as you checkout

by Darren Murph posted Nov 11th 2009 at 9:44AM

Blockbuster's been trying all sorts of, um, innovative things to get more foot traffic in its stores, but thanks to a dastardly invention known only as "Netflix," that very task has proven exceptionally difficult. Now, it seems the flagging movie rental company is giving one more far-flung idea a whirl: movies on SD cards. Around six Blockbuster and Hollywood Video stores will soon begin offering titles on SD cards, though the included DRM only allows customers 30 days from the purchase date to view it, and once it's fired up, you've just 48 hours before it vanishes completely. Each rental will cost $1.99, and while we definitely see the benefit of renting something that you don't have to return, we're still skeptical that folks will be more willing to make even one trek for a card when Netflix brings it all to one's mailbox (and PC, etc.) for just $8.99 per month.

[Via FastCompany]

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

by Richard Lawler posted Oct 14th 2009 at 4:42PM

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

Blockbuster On Demand goes live on TiVo boxes

by Darren Murph posted Oct 13th 2009 at 8:59AM

We knew good and well it was coming, and now the deed has been done. As promised, Blockbuster's On Demand movie rental service has gone live on a bevy of TiVo boxes, enabling Series2, Series3, TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL DVRs to watch all sorts of releases without needing to purchase another set-top-box or tap into their cable company's VOD system. We're told that most rentals will range from $2.99 (for the classics) to $3.99 (for new releases), with the film catalog expected to expand over the coming weeks. HD aficionados will have to wait a tick before seeing any movies available in high-def, but those looking to pick up a new TiVo can now saunter into any Blockbuster retail location in order to claim one. Eager to get in on the action? Fire up your box and hit the "Video On Demand" screen from TiVo Central.

Blockbuster plans to part with 960 retail stores by end of 2010

by Ross Miller posted Sep 15th 2009 at 8:32PM

Seriously, Blockbuster can't seem to get a break. In a recent SEC filing, the company identified 18 percent of its retail outlets it deemed unprofitable and announced plans to close up to 960 stores by the end of 2010. That's divided into up to 685 by the end of this year and the remaining 275 the year after, but the filing continues to say that up to 1,560 locations, or 22 percent of its total retail coverage, could end up falling the wayside. Another slide indicates how the company sees itself going forward, with an expansion of kiosks and its Total Access subscriber base, and putting OnDemand in "nearly every connected device." Of course, if this brings Blockbuster back to profitability as it expects to be, then more power to it, but it's clear that the one-time king is fighting wars on a number of sides and has a long way to go if it intends to stay afloat, much less reclaim its crown.

[Via CNET]

Blockbuster partnering with Motorola for OnDemand movies

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Aug 18th 2009 at 12:50PM

Once upon a time Blockbuster could do no wrong, but lately its various schemes have felt, well, rather desperate. The launch of the Blockbuster Mediapoint set-top box largely fell on deaf ears, and what about the "talks" with mobile manufacturers we first heard about way back in 2007? Well, at least it looks like the latter is amounting to something. If all goes according to plan, the company's OnDemand digital download service will soon be available on select Motorola cell phones. There is no word yet on which devices will be supported, or when this will all go down, but all the same we can't help but wonder if this will amount to a much needed revenue source for the company, or just another of its painful death throes.

[Via Phone Scoop]

Samsung has a new Blu-ray HTIB with the HT-BD3252

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Jul 21st 2009 at 11:35AM

Samsung's latest Blu-ray HTIB features just about anything an all-in-one customer could want; in fact we're not sure how you can even build a 5.1 system with rear wireless speakers and a Blu-ray player for $799. The HT-BD3252 of course supports the latest HD audio codecs like TrueHD and DTS-HD, and a mic for automatic calibration. Not wanting to leave anything out from its stand-alone players, Samsung has also included the same internet services like Pandora, Netflix and Blockbuster via the included WiFi dongle. Oh, and don't forget the very important iPod dock, we mean, who would buy a HTIB in this day and age without one? Not us, that's for sure.

Continue reading Samsung has a new Blu-ray HTIB with the HT-BD3252

Blockbuster selling Archos 10 netbooks at retail stores, we're not sure why either

by Tim Stevens posted Jul 17th 2009 at 7:11AM

Looking for a place to buy a netbook? Have you tried any of the thousands of online shops that offer them? Oh, they don't look quite desperate enough for you? Perhaps you'd rather go somewhere that really needs your money: Blockbuster. Yes, the struggling video chain has made yet another partnership, this time with Archos to sell its Archos 10 10.2-inch netbook at 1,000 of its "select" retail outlets around these United States. The totally predictably spec'd (1.6GHz Atom, 1GB of Ram, 160GB HDD, etc.) netbook lacks any sort of special multimedia customization, and with no optical drive is completely unable to play any of the films you can rent from that same location (those are so obsolete anyway), but does at least come at a decent price: $299. Of course, you can get it right now at Amazon for the same exact moneys, and there you won't have to fend off any salesmen with hungry eyes. But, if you're looking for a little attention, this could be your big blue ticket.

Blockbuster OnDemand en route to Samsung HDTVs, Blu-ray players, and home theater systems

by Ross Miller posted Jul 14th 2009 at 1:10AM

Questionable longevity or no, Blockbuster's taking some strides to get itself firmly into the video on demand business, and this latest announcement will go a long way with that. The company announced that it's integrating its OnDemand service into Samsung HDTVs, home theater systems, and Blu-ray players starting Fall 2009. Better still, those with LED HDTVs series 7000 or above, LCD / Plasmas series 650 or above, and select 2009 Blu-ray players / theater systems can get the service later via firmware update. It's still got a ways to go if it wants to catch up to Netflix, but every little bit helps, right?

Blockbuster voices "substantial doubt" about ability to survive

by Darren Murph posted Apr 7th 2009 at 11:04AM

As depressing as it is to see an American icon come this close to collapse, is it really any surprise? While the world kept turning, Netflix kept reinventing itself and movies found their way onto the internets (legally), Blockbuster sat still... and that's putting things nicely. Sure, it tried the whole movie set-top-box thing, but no on will argue that it went about things the wrong way. In a recent SEC filing, the company made perfectly clear that there was serious risk that it wouldn't be able to refinance its crushing debt load in order to stay afloat for a wee bit longer; in fact, it noted that said quandary raised "substantial doubt" about its "ability to continue." 'Course, hampering its Total Access rental plan and promising less stock in-store doesn't exactly sound like a brilliant plan to be successful, but maybe yesterday would be the best time to completely revolutionize its business and go online only. Just an idea, is all.

Blockbuster OnDemand coming to TiVo

by Richard Lawler posted Mar 25th 2009 at 9:10AM

Looks like TiVo's gone all Switzerland on us by announcing plans to add support for Blockbuster OnDemand to its Series3, TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL boxes -- plus the older Series2 hardware that Netflix missed. Due in the second half of 2009, the marketing deal will put TiVo's on the shelves of local rental outlets and put Blockbuster's service in front of many new users. So far its $4 per movie SD fare has failed to impress, we'll see if it can keep up with the competition when they're on the same box, while TiVo's managed to carve out a position squarely in the middle of the digital download revolution, with Blockbuster, Netflix, CinemaNow and more already available, it could be the big winner in this streaming battle, full press release is after the break.

Continue reading Blockbuster OnDemand coming to TiVo

Blockbuster's MediaPoint player reviewed: unsurprisingly disappointing

by Darren Murph posted Jan 16th 2009 at 8:02PM

C'mon -- you could tell from the product description that the 2Wire-built BlockBuster MediaPoint player would be a disappointment, now couldn't you? A full month and change after getting unboxed, the latest entrant in the surprisingly meaty movie set-top-box arena has been reviewed by the AP. You know things are headed south when the reviewer starts off by stating that "three similar devices he tested over the past two years were all better than the MediaPoint." In fact, he straight up called BlockBuster out for not being at least as good as units that came out years ago. What could possibly be so wrong, you ask? You can't fast-forward or reverse content until a download is complete. The on-screen interface is downright "unattractive," and it even looks blurry on HDTVs. The remote is said to be "cluttered with cryptic buttons." Oh, and the critic couldn't even figure out what content was in HD and what was in SD. We'd elaborate further, but there's really no need.

Blockbuster, Sonic Solutions team up for online movie delivery

by Darren Murph posted Jan 14th 2009 at 1:59AM

Oh, Blockbuster -- what will we ever do with you? After first launching that branded MediaPoint box that all of four people purchased, you're now waltzing into the digital distribution party a few months late. According to a somewhat ambiguous report issued this morning, the movie giant has teamed up with Sonic Solutions in order to "give consumers access to a vast library of premium digital entertainment across a wide assortment of home and mobile electronic devices." In other words, those kosher with downloading content via Sonic's existing CinemaNow products and the like can soon have Blockbuster material on their handhelds, laptops and LCD-equipped threads. At least initially, BB will still be selling this material on a pay-per-view type system, though a subscription model could be implemented (read: should be implemented) shortly.

[Via CNET]

Vizio takes the cover off Connected HDTV: Netflix, Blockbuster, Amazon, Yahoo! and more

by Richard Lawler posted Jan 7th 2009 at 6:48PM

Netflix streaming is one thing, but Vizio seems to be taking its new status as a premium HDTV manufacturer very well, with the new Connected HDTV platform featuring support for Yahoo! Widgets, Flash, Blockbuster OnDemand (!), Flickr, Pandora, Rhapsody and Accedo Broadband. Due Fall 2009, owners can feel free to go wired or 802.11n style to connect to any of these services in HD, if supported. Clearly missing? Yahoo!, Media Center Extender, but the 2H 2009 fight of Internet-ready televisions is on - set-top boxes better watch their back.

Engadget Podcast 120 - 12.05.2008

by Trent Wolbe posted Dec 5th 2008 at 12:17PM

We're back, and better than ever! After a quasi-relaxing Thanksgiving break, the Engadget Podcast is on the scene and strutting like 1970's disco dancers. Enjoy the soothing sounds of Josh, Paul, and Nilay this week as they discuss Nokia's newest smartphone entries, the Peek email device, Blockbuster's foray into streaming movies, and lots and lots of personal stuff that no one has ever heard before.

Side note: Josh is suffering through mic problems and had to resort to his internal mic -- if you have any good suggestions for a USB mic or headset, let us know in comments! Otherwise, enjoy the 'cast!

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Paul Miller, and Nilay Patel
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Snow

01:51 - Nokia N97 hands-on part II: the reckoning
31:18 - Nokia E63 hands-on
37:45 - Peek handheld: $49.95 for "today only"
51:08 - Blockbuster joins the movie set-top-box game with 2Wire MediaPoint player

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Switched On: Blockbuster box boxes blocks to bust

by Ross Rubin posted Dec 3rd 2008 at 6:21PM

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

January 2009 will mark the first anniversary of Apple's switch in positioning Apple TV from something that transferred computer-based content to a PC to a video vending machine that allowed direct ordering over broadband. In doing so and cutting a few dollars off the price, the company became the leader in a small category of products exclusively focused on displaying networked content. However, it's been far from alone there. The installed bases of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, which offer similar functionality, far exceed those of Apple's little box. Recently the long-delayed SlingCatcher came out of the gate, which -- with a little finagling on a PC screen-- can display virtually any video content available via broadband on a television using its SlingProjector technology.

Vudu, a startup that had launched a similar a la carte device, has pushed deeper into the custom installation channel as of late. And CinemaNow, which had partnered with HP on its MediaSmart televisions and standalone device, was recently purchased for $3 million by Sonic Solutions. The acquiring company likely has designs on using the service to support its at-home DVD burning technology QFlix.

And on the low-end from Roku -- the roots of which were as a developer of PC-stereo bridging products -- has come a nondescript box that streams movies from Netflix for $99. A year before MovieBeam finally had its plug pulled, its receiver device was available for even less than that.

Continue reading Switched On: Blockbuster box boxes blocks to bust