Amazon the latest to offer digital delivery
Amazon.com has begun beta testing their own video-on-demand (VOD) service with approximately 40,000 movies and TV shows for rental or purchase. This service should provide most major studio content except Disney (who is locked in with iTunes). Specific titles are not known at this point.
Amazon uses a proprietary download service called Unbox which uses their own software but it limited to PC (much like Netflix). They have also worked a deal with Sony to bring Unbox to the BRAVIA Internet Video Link which connects to their LCD televisions and uses a wireless connection to access online video. This device sells for $300 and only works with Sony BRAVIA LCD TVs and the menu shows up on the TV’s Xross Media Bar (XMB).
There is nothing reported, but it would be cool if they also worked it into the Playstation 3 as a response to Netflix on the Xbox 360. Of course Amazon’s Unbox seems like a direct competitor of Sony’s new video store.
Pricing is not available, and there is no mention of a subscription service.
Source: Home Media Magazine