Unbox ? Yes, that’s the video download service that imposes more restrictions on the user but apparently more flexible when it comes to bulk pricing and discounts. Users can only use Unbox is they have a computer with a Microsoft Windows operating system. Linux and Mac can’t use it which does not seem to bother NBC or Amazon at all.

One of the likely package deals offered is a 30% discount if you buy the complete season of a tv show. This discount is of course given on the sum that all single episodes would cost and NBC made it very clear that they could go as high as $4.99 for one single episode download.

So, to keep it short. NBC ditches Apple iTunes to work with Amazon Unbox instead which offers them more flexibility in pricing. You did not read about the people anywhere in this article ? That’s easy to explain, the people – aka the consumers – don’t matter at all.

I suppose NBC thinks that they will switch to Unbox because they want the shows so badly. I would suggest you show them otherwise.

The question that arises for me is the following: Why would anyone buy a movie for $19.99 online and face additional restrictions like drm, copy protection and limited use if he could also buy the same movie at the same time in a normal store and receive a case, a DVD and a booklet. You may also take the DVD, visit a friend and watch the movie on his DVD player. You might face troubles with services like Unbox who make it impossible to burn the files on DVD to play in a DVD player.

I have another question: Why are they pricing the items that high ? Is it because of the entertainment companies that produces the movies who want a large share of the earnings or are the portals themselves responsible for this irrational pricing ?

Why would someone pay more than a few dollars for a crippled movie that you probably can’t play in your dvd player ? Isn’t it kinda strange that some people still buy those items even though they face those restrictions ?

I decided to ignore any movie portal for the moment. If one would emerge that would offer movie downloads in dvd quality for half the price of the DVD I would consider it; if they do not cripple the functionality to burn the file on dvd and watch it on my dvd player.

Did you buy a movie from such a service ? What is your experience ?

I’m currently conduction a little poll here at ghacks asking about the maximum price you would pay for dvd downloads and there are only very few voters who would pay more than 7,99$ for such a download with the majority voting for a price below 5$. So, who will be buying movies for the extreme price of 19,99$ that you can only watch on your pc or portable device while you could easily purchase the DVD for the same amount including a dvd, cover, booklet and dvd extras.

All your movie downloads can only be played on a computer that has the Amazon Unbox software installed and an association with your account. Amazon states that you have 24 hours to download the movie after you made the purchase on a computer that has the Amazon Unbox software installed. They do not mention what happens if you fail to download the movie in that time, I have a guess but I keep that for myself..

If that is not enough, let us take a look at the license agreement which should scare every single user away from that service:

• Software Upgrades: They may automatically update the software without your consent and playback will not work on computers that do not have the latest version of the software installed. Sounds ridiculous ?
• Information Provided: Amazon will keep track when you viewed or deleted content, keep track about your operating system, software (whatever that means) your disk space and your internet connection.
• Removal of Software: If you uninstall the software Amazon has the right to delete all digital content from the device without notification.
• Promotional Content: Amazon may automatically deliver promotional content to your unbox software and delete that content again without notice.
• Service: Amazon has the right to modify, suspend or discontinue the service at any time without notification.
• Agreement: Amazon may change the agreement at any time, if you want to be able to continue watching the movies you will have to accept the changes.

Here we have it. You get a crippled file for the same price of a DVD that is full of DRM and restrictions. You can’t burn the movie on DVD, you can only play the movie on systems with the unbox software and your account, you only have 24 hours to download the movie, you will be spammed with promotional content without your agreement, your viewing habits and system information are recorded, the service may stop without warning and you will not be able to play the files anymore and Amazon may update the software whenever they please without letting you know about it.

Oh, did I mention that they have the right to delete all content when you uninstall their software ? If you are using this you must be insane, that is my opinion on the matter.