Blockbuster goes on-demand with new set-top box

(Credit: Blockbuster/2Wire)

When 2Wire introduced its MediaPoint set-top box just two weeks ago, we told you that "it'll be a matter of weeks--if not days--before you see a yet-to-be-named service provider offering its own version of the MediaPoint, possibly at a sub-$100 price point." The curtain has been pulled back, and that initial provider turns out to be Blockbuster Video. For a limited time, the once-dominant movie rental chain is offering its version of the MediaPoint box for just $99, which includes a credit for 25 movies--effectively making it free.

The MediaPoint will be Blockbuster's first set-top box, delivering on-demand content to a user's TV on an a la carte basis. Movies will start at $1.99 each (once the credit is exhausted), and Blockbuster is promising "thousands of titles from the latest movie releases to classic favorites."

(Credit: 2Wire)

The hardware itself is very similar to the Netflix Player by Roku (also $99). It streams movies from the Web via 802.11g Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet home network connections. While the box "supports HD video," Blockbuster is pledging a "DVD quality" experience on any broadband connection, and saying that movies can be watched instantly or viewed later. (We think that means the initial offering will be standard-def, with HD offerings possibly coming at some point in the future.)

The box will be available for order at Blockbuster's Web site and should be shipping "in time for the holiday season."

The Blockbuster MediaPoint box will be going head-to-head versus Netflix subscription-based on-demand offerings (which are available on the Xbox 360, Samsung BD-P2500 and BD-P2550, LG BD300, and the aforementioned Roku box), the Apple TV ($230), PlayStation 3 ($400), and Vudu ($300)--just to name the major players. The hardware also expands on the PC-only MovieLink Internet viewing service, which Blockbuster purchased in August 2007. (Not coincidentally, MovieLink's site is stating that it will no longer be available as of December 15, effectively passing the baton to the new MediaPoint option.)

(Credit: Blockbuster/2Wire)

We're hoping to get a sample of the MediaPoint/Blockbuster box in the next few weeks. In the meantime, what do you think? Is the Blockbuster box a compelling option for home movie viewing? Or do you prefer the Netflix all-you-can-eat subscription approach?

Blockbuster is a dinasour trying to survive in a digital video on demand age. Netflix is eating them for lunch. Customers want on demand, not wait hours and hours.

[NavyMustang]

Are you kidding me???

Ok, SO Blockbuster fans... You can continue to pay $18+ a month for "unlimited" DVD rentals through the mail and THEN pay $100 for a box (ok, so you get 25 movies "free") and THEN pay four bucks a movie AFTER your free ones are depleted to stream these movies "instantly" to your TV

OR

you can buy an Xbox and get Netflix. You get a ton of movies (and it's not TOO bad of a selection) to stream instantly for no additional cost over your monthly membership AND, if you just HAVE to have the new-releases before you get them through the mail, you can rent the new release via the Xbox Live Marketplace.

Staying with Blockbuster is about the same as staying with a dial-up internet provider when a 750k DSL option is available for the same price JUST because you have some sense of loyalty to the provider OR you just don't know any better!

(Oh, and if it's taking you HOURS to DOWNLOAD a movie then you most likely don't have a fast enough connection for streaming anyway. Time to upgrade if it's available!!!)

[ofmyony]

It has got to be subscription based plan with new releases available at the time dvd's go on sale or it does not work for me. I like Netflix's Watch Instantly but they rarely have new releases available at the same time as the dvd releases.

If a company can accomplish both the subscription plan and the availability of new releases at current dvd release dates I am sold.

[simuman]

I downloaded the manual for the MediaPoint box. It implies that the box will let you begin viewing almost immediately after a short wait, like maybe 30 secs to a minute or two; it also stores movies, up to 5 at "DVD quality" or 2 in HD. They also claim that the quality is the same for any connection speed, and recommend 1.5 Mbps or better. You have 30 days to view once you rent, and 24 hours to watch once you begin viewing. In this way it seems similar to the Apple TV/iTunes or Vudu services. They are claiming around 2,500 available titles. I have had the Netflix player for several months and enjoy a much greater selection (many 1000's) of the kind of classic/indie/foreign/arts programming I typically can't get at Blockbuster, either on DVD or (probably) via the new service. OTOH, I can get most any movie on DVD via mail from Netflix with my subscription. The Roku box does not store anything, it only buffers. And, with 1.5 Mb DSL, I only get 2 of 4 dots quality which is less than DVD quality but not bad and good enough for me. For $8.99/mo, I have not been over to BB for a long time...

[tradedate]

For $3.99 I can buy a DVD from Circuit City or Best Buy and own it outright. Why would the average person want to put yet another device on their TV stand in addition to the cable box, dvd player, game systems, etc. that already take up enough room? Not to mention the additional electricity this thing will suck up just by being another device that's plugged in. People with digital cable services can already hit a button on their remote and watch a movie on demand without any additional equipment. And many of those movies are free.

Blockbuster, thanks, but no thanks.

[spoJohnny]

What I really don't get is how behind the curve Blockbuster can be with the streaming concept. I've had a Blockbuster subscription for years, but had been giving more and more thought to changing to Netflix because of the streaming. Then Blockbuster announced they would offer streaming and I thought maybe I wouldn't have to change. I even got invited to test it (of course the only test movie they offered was The Other Boleyn Girl); their streamer sucked, even on a 3mbps line it had to stop and buffer several times. Then they topped it off by announcing there would be a charge for each movie you streamed and I knew that was doomed.

I have an XBox 360, so when Netflix announced that partnership, that was the final straw and I converted. Now Blockbuster is trying to follow suit with hardware, but essentially delivering an inferior product - even if they deliver quality, the additional pricing will deem it inferior.

[flyfishmt]

John, don't forget to mention the TIVO HD boxes will start streaming netflix on-demand next month. A much better option IMO

[DaveMcLain]

I have the Roku box/Netflix streaming service in my home and it works well. The quality of the picture is high, it's convenient and easy to set up and use. The buffering is not too bad on my connection which is DSL with a listed speed of 1.5Mbs. The only time I've had some trouble with rebuffering in the middle of a show is during what must be their peak times which seem to be evenings on the weekends but this has only been a problem a few times. This is supposed to improve when they roll out some advanced video codecs which will allow HD streaming AND lower bit rates with better quality on the SD streams. Also, the Roku box is NOT locked into Netflix for all eternity and it's said that they will be offering content etc from other sources in the future. Hopefully, streaming from a NAS or other source on my network will be allowed THAT would be very cool but we shall see.....

[Ray Rip]

I know it's old school, but how about just renting at your local neighborhood video store? Perhaps instead of throwing money at the giant corporations that barely listen to your needs or wants, you could go to the local Mom and Pop video store on your way home and pick up a movie, support your local economy, where the support really needs to go in these trying times.

[mkdreams]

Sorry Ray, I can't say I can even FIND a local mom and pop around here anymore. BB is going out because they can't keep up with netflix and if I want to rent and have to return I am going to use redbox at my local gas station or grocery store or walmart or McDonalds!

[ThePoke]

I'm not sold on this...

I don't want to have to have 5 STB's. It's bad enough I need one for cable, then a 2nd tivo because the cable co's DVR can only store 10 programs... then the Xbox (for media center/netflix)... then the....

Not to mention the cable co's are about to crack down on bandwidth... which means 4 movies a month and you're going to be paying an overage.

Stick with cable and on-demand or you'll end up with 500 little boxes off your TV and a $500 monthly data bill.