In a move that should create waves in the digital downloading space, Amazon.com
It could be the final step in completing the convergence of celluloid and broadband connectivity. Consumers would still need to purchase their films online through Amazon's nascent Unbox service, but the convenience of being able to store -- and watch -- the films through their TV-connected TiVo boxes is huge.
True, some folks have their media center computers hooked up to televisions already. Apple's
Digital video has become a competitive market. Apple has been selling video downloads through its iTunes store since last year. Netflix
The large installed base of TiVo users are already open to paying a premium for televised entertainment. They have the disposable income to pay for TiVo's monthly service. If anything, the only limitation is the relatively small size of the TiVo hard drives on entry-level machines. That will get in the way of any heavy-duty digital purchases, though it should be just fine for digital rentals.
How quickly can Amazon and TiVo launch the new service? Will it work seamlessly and glitch-free? We'll have to wait for those answers. The one thing we do know is that the bar has been raised in digital flick delivery. And that, folks, is the feature presentation.
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Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz owns shares in both TiVo and Netflix. He also is an early adopter of both services. He is part of the Rule Breakers newsletter research team, seeking out tomorrow's ultimate growth stocks a day early. The Fool has a disclosure policy.