So the new Apple TV is out in the wild now, but is it the right way for you to start getting your movies from the internet? We've rounded up the most popular options and have broken them down to help you decide how to get your download on. Continue reading for the smackdown!
FOR THE WEALTHY APPLE-HATER
Vudu
Price: $400
Video prices: $.99-$3.99 for rentals, $4.99-$25.00 for purchase
HD? So far the HD content is limited to the Bourne trilogy, but they claim more is on the way.
Transfer to portable player? Nope
Advantages: Vudu's biggest advantage is its selection. Apple says that they will have more than 1,000 movies by March, but Vudu is already sporting more than 4,000 including TV shows. They have stuff from all the major studios and 22 independents and internationals. The 250 GB HDD is roomier than Apple's and the included remote is extremely friendly on the hand. A lot of the selection hits Vudu at the same time as it hits DVD so there's no pesky 30-day delay iTunes is offering.
Disadvantages: The initial $400 investment seems steep and download prices are slightly higher than its competition. Also, you can't take the movies with you unless you drag your Vudu and a TV around all the time. Also, the HD selection is still severely lacking at the moment, with the Bourne movies running the steep $25. The payment system involves pre-paying and reloading your account as you use your credit which is complex and will definitely end up screwing you at least a little.
FOR THE GUY WITH THE HIGH-END CABLE PACKAGE
Amazon Unbox on TiVo
Price: $258 on Amazon for a TiVo HD
Video prices: $3.99 movie rentals and $5.00 - $20.00 purchases. $1.99 TV show purchases. HD? Not through the TiVo
Transfer to portable player? It's available, but you'll have to pay for it.
Advantages: If you already own a TiVo HD or Series 3 then there's no extra hardware to buy, which is a big plus. Amazon's selection is ample and you can buy movies the same day they're available on DVD. You can re-download the stuff you've already bought so it doesn't have to sit there clogging up your TiVo's HDD.
Disadvantages: The wait can be a long one from the time you purchase a flick to the time you can actually watch it. There are also some serious aspect ratio issues, which can lead to a bad case of the pan-n-scans or letterboxing.
FOR THE GUY WHO LIKES GAMES BETTER THAN MOVIES
Xbox Live Video Marketplace
Price: $449 for the Elite with the 120 GB HDD
Video prices: HD movies: $4.50-$6, SD movies: $3-$4, TV shows: $2-$3
HD? Yep
Transfer to portable player? Sorry Zune, nope.
Advantages: Well, the 360s ability to play video games is a nice little plus. And the ability to stream Xvid and Divx is a big deal as well.
Disadvantages: You only get two weeks to watch your rented flick, which is half as long as most other places. The selection is limited in the movie department. No portable compatibility, even with the Zune.
FOR THOSE WHO HATE SET-TOP BOXES
HP Mediasmart TV with CinemaNow
Price: $1,900 for a 42-inch 1080p TV
Video prices: Movie purchases: $9.99-$25, Movie rentals: $3.99, TV purchases: $1.99 HD? Nope
Transfer to portable? No sir
Advantages: Some of its competitors are small, but the MediaSmart has the box crammed all up inside of it. I've used it and the downloads are fast so you can start watching almost immediately. The interface is really intuitive and gives you access to the rest of the crap on your network, as well.
Disadvantages: CinemaNow's selection is big, but their prices are kind of high compared to the rest. Shooter will still set you back $20 if you want to buy it. Rentals are the same price, though.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T MIND BEING OWNED BY iTUNES
Apple TV
Price: $229 for 40 GB and $329 for 160 GB
Video prices: Movies purchases: $9.99-$14.99, Movie rentals: $2.99-$3.99, TV shows: $1.99 HD? Yep
Transfer to portable: Yep
Advantages: The ability to interact with iTunes is nice for podcasts and stuff like that. The Youtube functionality is handy and prices are as reasonable as the other guys. The ability to transfer video to your iPod is very handy.
Disadvantages: The iTunes noose becomes wrapped that much tighter around your digital neck. The lack of format support is pathetic.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE PIRATES
Illegal P2P networks
Price: Free...if you don't get caught.
Video prices: There's a reason it's illegal...
HD? Sometimes
Transfer to portable device? Yep
Advantages: Well, it's easy and there's no formal cost.
Disadvantages: There's a chance that the MPAA might come busting through your door and it could end up costing you way more than you'd spend on movies over the course of your lifetime. Plus, you can't always be sure you're getting the right thing when you grab a torrent.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T FOUND THE FREE PORN ON THE INTERNET YET
Fyre TV
Price: TBD (They're currently in beta)
Video prices: TBD
HD? Yuck, nope
Transfer to portable? No, but it's probably for the best.
Advantages: It's the only system that will give you full-fledged penetration. The pricing model is interesting in that they charge you by how many minutes you watch and it doesn't count when you're rewinding or fast forwarding. That means if you're a one-minute man you can get it on the cheap.
Disadvantages: Should you grow tired of watching people fornicate you'll have to move on to another box for your entertainment as the Fyre TV is porn-only. And who the hell pays for porn these days anyway?
