TiVo users have known that Blockbuster On Demand was coming to TiVo for a while, but the service just went live. So, does it have the goods to put up a fight against Netflix or Amazon On Demand that have been streaming content on TiVos for months already? Nope, not at all.
Blockbuster
by Matt Burns on October 13, 2009
by Matt Burns on October 13, 2009
Don’t look now, but your Series 2, 3, or HD TiVo is probably getting the Blockbuster On Demand update right now. Actually, go look now because while I couldn’t get a picture to show this accurately, the screen above looks slightly different than other TiVo screens. It’s tad higher resolution and there is just something different about it. Maybe a TiVo GUI refresh is just around the corner…
by Matt Burns on October 13, 2009
TiVo users! Rejoice! Soon you’ll have access to Blockbuster On Demand content as if Amazon, Netflix, Walt Disney Studios, and Jaman services weren’t enough. I hear that sometime today, the service will go live on Series 2, 3, HD, and HD XL boxes but so far it isn’t up on either my HD or HD XL units. Not that it matters all that much. I’m not going to use it anyway.
by Peter Ha on August 5, 2009
For whatever reason, PNY has teamed up with Blockbuster to bring you gobs of flash memory and discounted movie rentals. That’s right, folks, when you pick up a 4GB or 8GB Attaché from PNY you’ll be given a code for 50 percent off your next OnDemand rental from Blockbuster.com.
by John Biggs on July 17, 2009
Two great tastes that taste great together! Blockbuster and Archos are teaming up to sell a $299 Archos 10 netbook to consumers who just can’t be bothered to “shop around” and “not go to a freaking Blockbuster for computer hardware.” What’s next? Electric toothbrushes?
by Matt Burns on July 14, 2009
What did I say when the Blockbuster OnDemand service launched last year? I said something about not discounting the service because the company has a lot riding on it, that’s what. This partnership between Blockbuster and Samsung which will place the service on the majority of Samsung’s new video gear implies that the service broke through to the mainstream and is here to stay.
by Matt Burns on June 23, 2009
Widgets and gadgets are the latest trend to hit HDTVs. Vizio is upping the game by equipping its soon-to-be-released HDTVs with an impressive suite of Internet applications and video streaming sites. So much so, that this portfolio will place them on top of many people’s wish list as these TVs will be better equipped than a TiVo or even Windows Media Server.
by John Biggs on May 27, 2009
Wow. That was fast. A few years after Gamefly basically sewed up the entire games-by-mail thing, Blockbuster is launching a game rental pilot program in the U.S. Where is the first place that gets these exciting 360, Wii, and PS3 games? Is it Austin? Dallas? Denver?
Nope. Cleveland. That’s right: the heart of Ohio’s blightland gets to rock out with it’s controller out with Blockbuster’s online game rental service.
There will be an incremental monthly fee and they’re planning on rolling out the the rest of the country this year. Until then we can all envy Cleveland.
by John Biggs on April 7, 2009
Sadly, all three have short lifespans
Video giant Blockbuster can’t get any money to save itself from bankruptcy. Thanks to years of heavy fighting with Netflix, the company has essentially spent itself into the ground and, thanks to the credit crunch, is looking at closing its doors.
Read More
by Nicholas Deleon on March 25, 2009
Remember BlockBuster? For you younglings who don’t, it was a poplar retail chain that rented “videos” and “DVDs” to people, in person. It’s still around, but no one really uses it anymore. Anyway, BlockBuster just inked a deal with TiVO, which also isn’t doing too well—it currently has its smallest subscriber base since 2005—to bring BlockBuster-branded streaming movies to TiVo. Movies will cost up to $4 to rent.
by Matt Burns on March 3, 2009
by Matt Burns on February 11, 2009
Blockbusters Video’s mail rental program is about to get a shred of awesomeness in the form of game rentals. The program will slowly be rolled out starting with a pilot program with select subscribers. You know what this could mean though right? There will finally be a reason to subscribe to Blockbuster instead of Netflix. That is, of course, if the price is right and the game selection sufficient.
by Matt Burns on January 14, 2009
Blockbuster made good on it’s word to launch a streaming media platform before the end of 2008 and now BB is launching a computer-based movie streaming service just like Netflix. Actually, I’m sure a PR tool will be quick to point out via a nasty email that this service isn’t ‘just like Neflix’, but come on, it is.
by Matt Burns on December 4, 2008
Dave Zatz quickly ordered-up the Blockbuster OnDemand streamer when it launched and now states that the device isn’t ready for primetime. (his words, not mine) While I won’t steal all of his thunder, the above image is popped up when he tried to play his first rental.
I’ve only rented one flick, the latest Indiana Jones installment. The initial download automatically restarted a few times while attempting to retrieve a license. During the download, video can be watched but transport controls (rewind, fast forward) are disabled – so I waited for the completed download watching. Later in the evening I was greeted by the above DRM error message, requiring a few hard reboots (and WPA2 key reentries).
by Matt Burns on December 1, 2008
The BlockBuster OnDemand set-top streamer is now available and for those interested in the nitty gritty, here are some of the first screen caps and product shots by Dave Zatz. So far it seems like the set-top box is just your average, post-beta but not quite production ready device.
The big surprise for me is that Blockbuster OnDemand is not purely a streaming service. Video can be played back while streaming, without transport controls, and/or once the download has completed. I assume this is why they’re beginning (?) with only “DVD quality” content, since it’s being queued up on (a limited amount of) solid state storage.
Still, for $99 with 25 movie rentals, it’s not a bad price but the rumored PS3 integration would knock it out of the park.
by Matt Burns on December 1, 2008
Blockbuster went official with plans for a set-top streaming box last week and now the company CEO is stating that the same capability will soon be available in Blu-ray players as well. Allegedly this option will be available in the first quarter of 2009 but what player is going to have the option? The Playstation 3 perhaps?
by Matt Burns on November 25, 2008
General details about BlockBusters upcoming movie streaming box were released late last night but there wasn’t a good image of the device; we dug one up. It seems like this 2Wire-made MediaPoint box is an OEM-type product which means the final BlockBuster model might have a different name and color scheme but should maintain the same overall appearance. Other details, including UI screenshots, can be found on 2Wire’s official page.
by Matt Burns on November 24, 2008
It wasn’t that long ago, that Blockbuster semi-announced plans to enter the crowded realm of movie streaming devices and sure enough, here is the device. The 2Wire manufactured device, dubbed MediaPoint, doesn’t require a Blockbuster subscription and for a limited time is “available for free with the advance rental of 25 first-run movies, TV shows, foreign or classic films from Blockbuster On-Demand (previously Movielink) for $99″ So, in other words, the box is $99 and comes with 25 movie rentals. After the initial investment, the movies will cost between $1.99 and $3.99.
I still hold true to my original point that even though Blockbuster is entering the digital streaming world after Vudu and Apple TV, along with all the Netflix clowns of Roku, Xbox 360, TiVo, the LG Blu-ray player and Samsung Blu-ray player, don’t count Blockbuster out just yet.
by Matt Burns on November 10, 2008
This is the perfect time for Blockbuster to jump into the niche market of video streaming devices – seriously. We already have TiVo, Vudu, Roku, LG Blu-ray player, Samsung Blu-ray player, Xbox 360, Apple TV, Dish Network and cable’s On-Demand service (miss any?) so why not add another option for consumers. Blockbuster is looking to pop-out a similar streaming set-top box as soon as this holiday season and with all kidding aside, this streamer might have chance.
by Teresa von Fuchs on July 3, 2008
Blockbuster has withdrawn its bid to acquire Circuit City. Jim Keyes, Blockbuster Chairman and CEO, said the company’s decision was based on market conditions and the completion of “initial due diligence,” but said that he hasn’t given up on the dream of “a consumer retail proposition” that would marry content and devices “under one brand.”
- Actively Discussed Posts
- MojaMix, a web service that lets you make your own cereal and granola
76 comments - Happy 5th Birthday, Firefox!
30 comments - First reviews of Modern Warfare 2 published: Two perfect scores
25 comments - Zune HD firmware updated to 4.3: Nothing major
19 comments - Services made flesh: 10 weird - and not so weird - "avatar" gadgets
12 comments
- There are no posts to display.
