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Zip.ca and CinemaNow prepping Canada's first movie download service

by Richard Lawler, posted Jul 1st 2009 at 9:31AM

Finally, Canada is getting a legit digital download option, now that Zip.ca and Sonic Solutions have announced plans to team up on a movie service. Though short on details (according to the PR it is still "exploring a number of models," including a la carte and subscription) CEO Curt Millar's stated goal to become consumer's destination for online movie access should be bolstered by using CinemaNow, since its service is already supported on hardware from TiVo to PC to LG Blu-ray players and more, it shouldn't be too difficult to work with hardware already in customers homes or coming out in the future. Millar told Joystiq his company "would love" to follow Netflix's lead to console access, but don't run to your Xbox 360, PS3 or Wii just yet, Canucks, there's no partnerships to announce yet.

[Via Joystiq]

Best Buy prepping an entry into the digital distribution game

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 17th 2009 at 6:31AM


Apparently Blu-ray sales aren't increasing fast enough for everyone, in its ongoing plan to not pull a Circuit City, Best Buy is reportedly in talks with CinemaNow and other, unnamed, movie services about launching a digital delivery arm as early as this summer. CinemaNow is well prepared to set up online video stores for others, with Blockbuster (bad example) and Dell already on board. Variety suggests Best Buy could market and sell Internet-connected TVs and set-top boxes that include CinemaNow access, with a shared revenue stream between the two, but nothing is final. Netflix has a hit on its hands with Watch Instantly so think it over, would you give an Insignia Blu-ray player or HDTV a second look if it could download movies?

LG BD370 network Blu-ray player hands on

by Richard Lawler, posted Feb 24th 2009 at 1:13PM


After popping up across the Pacific, our European brothers have gotten a peek at LG's next generation Netcast-enabled Blu-ray player, the BD370. Confirmed for April, they got a look at the YouTube frontend, but we're still waiting for more eyes-on time Stateside to check out the Netflix and CinemaNow capabilities for this followup to the well-received BD300. Additional pics are after the read link.

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]

LG plugs YouTube, CinemaNow into next year's Blu-ray players

by Richard Lawler, posted Dec 30th 2008 at 1:34PM Breaking News


Never satisfied with offering only a Blu-ray disc player (see 2007's BH100 Blu-ray + HD DVD combo and 2008's Netflix-streaming BD300), LG is upping the ante for '09, promising support for YouTube and CinemaNow videos on its next gen decks. Along with the now-standard Netflix, owners can browse CinemaNow pay-per-view offerings (or other stores powered by the service) and thumb through YouTube's catalog directly from the device. Unmentioned in the PR fluff is additional info like price and more detailed specs, but expect all to become (hopefully) clear January 7 in Las Vegas.

Sonic Solutions signs on to acquire CinemaNow

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 20th 2008 at 4:01PM


Now here's a couple that really makes sense. Sonic Solution's fancy schmancy burn technology is already used on Qflix-enabled DVD burners, and those very drives are used to toast CinemaNow movies. See the connection? Do ya? Obvious similarities aside, Sonic really has entered into a "definitive agreement" to acquire CinemaNow, and after the deal goes down, CinemaNow will combine with Sonic's Qflix team to form "a new Premium Content Group under the direction of Mark Ely, Sonic's EVP of Strategy." The reason? To increase the placement of CinemaNow's storefront on PCs and consumer electronics devices, all while "expanding the adoption of the Qflix technology platform." We hope Sonic scored this company for a song, 'cause even with our blinders on, we just can't see Qflix becoming the next big thing. Nor the next, next big thing.

Ask Engadget HD: What's the best movie rental service?

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 5th 2008 at 12:00PM Featured Story


Ah, the age old question of which rental service is superior. A lot has changed since Netflix and Blockbuster (among other smaller outfits) decided to get into the DVD-by-mail rental game, so we figured Chuck's question on the matter was ripe for some fresh takes.

"Now that I'm hearing that HD Netflix streaming is fast approaching for other items outside of the Xbox 360, I'm tempted to sign up. But first, I wanted to know from current subscribers how their experience currently is with Blockbuster, Netflix or anyone else. Are the wait times for movies (and Blu-ray Discs, in particular) always too long? Is one noticeably better than the other? Thanks in advance!"

No, thank you, Chuck. So, movie renters of all shapes, sizes and genders -- how do you like your current company? Are you thinking of switching? Rant aloud below.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

[Image courtesy of Unfocused Content]

Plextor reveals PX-Q840U / PX-806SA Qflix-enabled DVD burners

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 3rd 2008 at 12:01AM


Hot on the heels of Pioneer's latest Qflix-enabled duo comes a fresh pair from Plextor. The PX-806SA (internal) and PX-Q840U (external) both feature Sonic Solution's sophisticated burn technology that enables users to imprint CinemaNow movies onto specially-keyed blank DVD media. Yes, you actually need proprietary media for this to work -- fun, right? Anywho, the drives come bundled with Roxio Venue / Creator 10 CE software alongside a pair of recordable Qflix discs, and both should be available right now in North / South America for $89.99 and $149.99, respectively. Full release after the break.

Gallery: Plextor reveals PX-Q840U / PX-806SA Qflix-enabled DVD burners

Continue reading Plextor reveals PX-Q840U / PX-806SA Qflix-enabled DVD burners

TiVo uncorks movie downloads via CinemaNow and Jaman

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 26th 2008 at 2:12PM


Earlier this summer, we heard that TiVo and CinemaNow were getting into some sort of relationship that also involved ABC and Disney, and now the details on that affair are beginning to flow. Starting this week, broadband-connected TiVo users will be able to suck down Disney rentals via CinemaNow, and in case you're looking for something a bit less mainstream, you'll likely find something to suit you via Jaman. The aforementioned service will give TiVo users access to a slew of independent and international film titles, and prices for those start at $1.99 (though some shorts and full-length films are available gratis). All of a sudden, your TiVo is looking like a pretty good secondary movie streamer -- now, if only if could natively agree with SDV...

[Via ZatzNotFunny]

Read - CinemaNow deal
Read - Jaman deal

Pioneer intros DVR-2920Q and DVR-X162Q Qflix-enabled DVD burners

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 22nd 2008 at 9:45AM


Ah, Qflix. That snazzy burn technology that enables users to toast CinemaNow flicks onto specially-keyed blank DVD media for playback in your DVD player. For the eight people out there that still find this appealing, Pioneer is looking to compete with a handful of rivals by introducing the internal DVR-2920Q and external DVR-X162Q DVD / CD writers, both of which are Qflix-enabled. Each drive is also bundled with Roxio Venue software to facilitate the whole download-to-DVD process, and the Roxio CinePlayer will allow you to play back the resulting disc right on your PC (should you so choose). Mum's the word on a price / release date, but the pair ought to be hitting soon enough.

Dell offers up Qflix drives to burn CinemaNow movies to DVD

by Steven Kim, posted Sep 16th 2008 at 9:52AM

Dell Qflix DVD burner
It's been almost a full year since we first saw DataPlay's CSS-compliant DVD burner, so let's recap the model -- you download a DRM-protected movie to your PC, grab a piece of specially-keyed blank DVD media, use the DataPlay burner to commit the movie to disc and then enjoy your oh-so-legal fun on the run. For all of you who want to live that dream right now, Dell has brought out its $120 Qflix drive bundle so you can save your CinemaNow movies to Qflix DVD media using the included drive, software and two pieces of media (in case one coasters). Seriously, what else are you going to use for long-term archiving of your movies -- hard drives or something?

[Via Electronista]

CinemaNow to distribute movies in DivX format

by Richard Lawler, posted Jul 31st 2008 at 2:18PM


Forget about needing WMV and DivX compatibility, CinemaNow just announced plans to distribute movies using DivX technology - no surprise considering the slew of hardware on shelves and coming soon that includes support for the format. Good news for Expect to catch flicks on the PC, cellphone, gaming system and disc players, and even though they didn't mention which content providers would be first on the block, we've got to figure Sony Pictures is ready to go. Sounds like perfect timing, what with a totally unbiased survey finding in-store renting is soon to join Cross Colours, British Knights and SUVs as bygone fads.

Verismo Networks' PoD beams all sorts of web video to your TV

by Paul Miller, posted Jun 4th 2008 at 12:01PM


This whole "it's web video, on your TV!" space is getting crowded fast, but we'd say there's certainly room from this new "PoD" device from Verismo Networks. Not content to merely concentrate on one form of content, the PoD can handle content from YouTube, BitTorrent, vTap, Amazon Unbox, CinemaNow, you name it. It's a pretty simple box, with an Ethernet plug, a couple of USB ports for flash storage, some sort of wireless (we're guessing WiFi), and outputs for S-Video or HDMI, up to HD resolutions. It'll sell later this summer for $99, with a bit of a marketing push from YouTube, so this probably won't be the last you hear of PoD.

TiVo to offer up on-demand movie rentals from Disney

by Darren Murph, posted May 28th 2008 at 12:31PM

TiVo's been offering up movie rentals for a solid tick now, but it finally landed an agreement to include flicks from Walt Disney Studios. Coming soon to Series2 and Series3 HD DVRs, users will be able to view a variety of SD rentals (with select films available in HD) for 24-hour blocks of time. The partnership encompasses TiVo, CinemaNow and ABC, but strangely enough, that's about all the details that any of those firms are dishing out right now.

[Via CNET]

Technicolor, CinemaNow team up to sell online movie stores

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 15th 2008 at 9:55PM


Looking to get into the online movie business? Well sit down because CinemaNow and Technicolor have a deal for you, since they've hooked up and are offering a "better way to deliver the digital content consumers are demanding". Basically the plan is to take the internet movie store CinemaNow has developed franchise, and allow other companies to introduce their own marketplace without having to develop their own encoding, encryption, DRM, hosting or other necessary technology -- and it sounds like a good one to us. Technicolor brings not only its infrastructure, but also plans to collab with CinemaNow on projects like adding additional HD movies to its 10,000+ database of titles. Of course CinemaNow's compatibility with the Xbox 360 and other devices is part of the package (though we wonder if those DVD burning issues have been resolved) -- potentially turning competition like Netflix, Blockbuster or Wal-Mart into partners.

[Via Reuters]




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