Digital Distribution...much closer to mainstream than most think

[swarley]

disolitude said:

swarley said:

disolitude said:

This article puts some serious spin on the whole bluray VS digital distribution argument.

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/national/story.aspx?storyid=92709&catid=81

To quote for those that don't feel like opening link...

"Samsung Electronics Co. is equipping Blu-ray DVD players so they can retrieve movies and TV shows from Netflix Inc.'s Internet streaming service, accelerating Netflix's push to develop more delivery methods beyond the mail.

The deal, to be announced Thursday, could set the stage for Netflix to embed software connecting to its streaming service directly into television sets made by Samsung."

 

While its only a streaming service for now (there is no way to save the movie), this is a huge leap towards distributing content to mainstream population who don't have 300 dollar gaming systems or media center hooked up to their television.

I would like to see where this leads to. Possible bluray writer inclusion in bluray players few years down the road... I see a lot of users making their own bluray movies like this.

So instead of a 300 dollar gaming system I can buy a 1200 dollar HDTV to stream Netflix movies in standard def.

Where do I sign up?

BTW 

you can stream Netflix to your PS3 and Xbox today with a program called Play On. you have to be a netflix sub.

 

Im actually quite baffled with the negativity a lot of people have towards DD here.

You are right in saying that people will not buy 1200 dollar tvs or 300 dollar bluray players to do digital distribution. They will buy them for the simple reasons of owning a TV or having a bluray player.

And once these products are in households, people will have a choice to stream a movie if they'd like. This is what reaching the mainstream is all about...giving regular people the choice to do digital distribution... people who know nothing what so ever about technology (play on? never heard of it...and while i dont doubt that it exists, its not going to reach your average joe)

I agree.  

BTW I am not negative to DD, I stream to my PS3 and have been a Netflix sub for a long time.  I think what they are doing as a business is great.   I just think streaming will be an alternative, never a replacement for Hard Media.