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Posts with tag video-on-demand

Comcast mulling Blu-ray purchases after VOD fun is over?


Not that a survey necessarily assures us that this will happen, but Comcast is at least thinking about offering its subscribers the option of buying a DVD or Blu-ray (HD DVD is mentioned, though we're hoping its an egregious oversight) once a video-on-demand movie is finished. No specific prices look to be hammered out just yet, but the questions revolved around how many discs users would buy at given price points or how many they'd buy if the cost of the VOD rental was discounted. Interestingly enough, rival Cablevision has been doing this with new release DVDs since February, though we're not sure if Comcast would be looking to Popcorn DVDs On Demand for its iteration of the service. Even if this does launch, would any of you buy your flicks in this manner?

[Thanks, Nathan]

Adult Video Network launches channel for VUDU set-top-box

We'd stop short of calling it inevitable, but we aren't shocked one bit to hear that on-demand porn has landed on VUDU's set-top-box. Adult Video Network (AVN) has developed a channel for VUDU which enables users to rent and purchase SD or HD films just like any other less explicit title. As expected, users would be asked to first "verify their age" and clear parental controls before anything on the channel could be viewed. Interested in pricing details? Try $6.99 / $19.99 for SD rentals / purchases and $8.99 / $29.99 for HD rentals / purchases.

[Via CEPro]

DISH Network 1080p VOD preview

DISH VOD 1080p

While DISH is still a few weeks away from delivering 1080p VOD, some of the details of how it'll actually work are starting to emerge. The content will be delivered to your HD DVR the same way some of DISH's VOD is, via your broadband satellite connection. It will be downloaded whether you want it or not, and once the transfer is complete, it'll show up with the rest of the VOD offerings. Before you'll be able to play the content though, the box will run a 1080p test to ensure your TV is up to snuff. If for whatever reason your display isn't capable of displaying 1080p, then the box will convert it to whatever resolution you usually use. This is cool and all, but we really can't wait to see how it looks. Sure, 1080p is the ultimate resolution available to consumers today, but we all know too well that resolution is only one of many factors involved in the ultimate video experience.

AT&T promises even more Olympics coverage on demand


Maybe you haven't noticed, but AT&T is a big fan of the Olympics. It has already provided U-verse customers with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage during the run-up to the Games, and now it's vowing to give Olympics junkies everywhere even more footage that they'll never, ever have time to watch. On the U-verse front, we're talking about material which includes "a wrap-up of the best events of the day as well as on-demand access to between 15 and 20 unique events each day," while wireless and broadband customers will be able to tap into all sorts of other Olympics-related stuff. So, anyone plan on cloning themselves to keep up with all of this?

AT&T to offer exclusive USA Basketball VOD content


Just a few months after AT&T announced that it would be offering U-verse customers exclusive access to Team USA's Olympics preparation, the carrier is trumpeting yet another similar agreement that will give its subscribers a look at USA Basketball. The new partnership will give AT&T U-verse users access to team content on demand, not to mention other material accessible via the web and AT&T mobile phones. Looking for specifics? Try "behind-the-scenes footage including selection of the team, USA Basketball Training Camp, exhibition game highlights, USA Basketball video segments, interviews with athletes and coaches and other vignettes."

[Image courtesy of Savannah Now]

New deal puts Digital Playground content on Hustler HD VOD

Two of the biggest names in the adult film industry have just signed a deal that could put rivals in a world of hurt. The "worldwide exclusive agreement" will seemingly enable Digital Playground content to be offered via Hustler TV's HD video-on-demand portal, and considering that a number of DP's films have already been shot entirely in high-def, there's a decent library of footage ready to get down. Reportedly, Hustler TV is already in 45 million homes in the US and can be seen in 50 countries worldwide, though the release didn't state when viewers could look forward to catching Pirates or Island Fever 3 at the press of a button.

DirecTV On Demand now available across the country


While DirecTV On Demand surfaced for select HR21 owners way back in February, the satcaster has finally pulled the service from beta to release it nationwide. Starting today, subscribers with a DirecTV Plus HD DVR or R22 DVR receiver will have access to over 4,000 SD and HD titles whenever they choose, and yes, everything will be delivered gratis. Additionally, the service will offer up customized programmer home pages, internet remote scheduling and an expanded array of pay-per-view titles. Of course, we couldn't close this out without asking for some feedback, so be sure to put the screws to DOD when you get home and let us know how things turn out.

ReelTime to offer streaming movies from Walt Disney Studios


Disney already made crystal clear that it was planning on dishing out a few films of its own via the internet this summer, but a recently inked pact between it and ReelTime will give Disney fans one more outlet for viewing content. In the agreement, it's noted that ReelTime Rentals will "provide popular video on demand rentals as they become available from The Walt Disney Studios, including new and classic titles from Walt Disney Pictures, Disney-Pixar, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Miramax Films." And judging by that screen capture above, we'd say ReelTime isn't wasting any time putting its newfound partnership to good use.

Cablevision adds Versus / Golf Channel content to VOD lineup

Outside of the Planet Green HD addition, Cablevision subscribers haven't had a whole lot to applaud over recently. For fans of Golf / Versus, however, we reckon you all can stop moping around and point your remote to an all new video-on-demand outlet. Starting this week, the carrier will begin offering its iO TV digital cable customers free access to VOD content from Versus and Golf Channel, but sadly, none of it will be shown in high-definition. Maybe one day...

Wynn Las Vegas nets HD VOD and WiFi


We've already seen Cox bring HDTV to The Donald's Las Vegas Hotel & Tower, but now cross town street rival Wynn is about to get its own dash of HD upgrades. Cox Business/Hospitality Network will be providing wired and wireless internet to Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, and furthermore, it'll be stringing free-to-guest programming in both SD and HD flavors to both the Encore and Wynn proper. Patrons will notice revised navigation menus rendered in high-definition, and the HD VOD platform will enable them to get instantly gratified when returning from a long night at the tables. Specific stations aren't listed, but CB/HN promises that guests will be treated to "a wide variety of HD and digital channels and on demand Hollywood blockbusters in HD." Your move, Luxor.

Warner Bros. to trim theatrical slate, focus on Blu-ray / VOD


Although it was tough to see then, the writing has been on the wall in hindsight. After Warner Bros. absorbed New Line Pictures, characterizing it as a "redundant infrastructure," it's now looking to focus less on cranking out blockbuster theatrical releases and more on pushing Blu-ray / VOD adoption. Jeff Bewkes, president and CEO of Time Warner Inc., has noted that the studio will trim its theatrical slate in half from two years ago, as it hopes to garner more profits by simply "building wider consumer adoption of Blu-ray" and expanding day-and-date VOD releases. Even more interesting was Bewkes assertion that the "expansion of Blu-ray, VOD and related improvements in electronic distribution by moving away from physical DVD would help grow filmed entertainment." After looking at a few motion picture budgets, it's pretty easy to see why distribution looks so delicious. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family]

[Thanks, xdragon]

ITI Neovision's N brings 1080i porn-on-demand to Poland


Hold onto your trousers folks, as ITI Neovision's quizzically named N is bringing HD porn to Polish subscribers anytime they want. The service, which is thought to be the first of its kind in Europe, enables customers to select, purchase and view 1080i XXX-rated titles on-demand. According to a local, the first two flicks to surface are Sensual Dolls and Born To Be Sexy, both of which sound like surefire winners if that's what you're into. No word on how pricey each selection will be, but feel free to test the service out and let us know how it shapes up if you're so bold.

[Thanks, Arsenal]

Motorola study finds millennials hungry for VOD


Kids these days -- understanding way more than their parents do about all this newfangled technology. Shortly after hearing that millennials were entirely more savvy about emerging TV technologies than the older crowd, a new study commissioned by Motorola has found that this same demographic (ages 16 to 27) is starved for video-on-demand. Beyond that, the 1,000 person study discovered that 62% had "influence over which HDTV set and programming package to buy," while 70% felt that "their expectations and demands are far greater than their parents' for rich media experiences." The report also found some pretty interesting figures dealing with transferring media from DVRs to portable devices (among other things), so be sure and dig into the read link below if you're a sucker for stats.

Lifetime Networks grabs popcorn, gets cozy with Cox

After tying the knot with AT&T and Verizon, it seems that Lifetime HD has wooed Cox Communications as well. Lifetime Networks has just announced a "wide-ranging agreement" that will bring all of its multi-platform channels -- including Lifetime Television HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD, Lifetime On Demand and Lifetime Movie Network Espanol On Demand -- to the cable carrier. Of course, the network took the opportunity to restate just how many females aged 18 to 54 will be absolutely elated to hear the news, but they'll all have to patiently wait until June before it begins rolling out to Cox systems.

Where Is HD? integrates VOD into listings


Not too much to say beyond the title, but everyone's favorite high-def lister has now begun to integrate video-on-demand offerings into the lineups. It should be noted that VOD listings aren't totally implemented just yet, so if you see a few holes in your own carrier's list, rest assured that plugs are on the way.




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