Amazon to Support All High-Def DVD Formats with New CustomFlix Video-on-Demand Service
Posted Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 12:56 PM PDT by
Amazon is throwing its hat into the high-def download arena in a big way, announcing
today that its upcoming CustomFlix video-on-demand service
will
support all HD formats when it launches later this year, reports Home Media
Retailing.
CustomFlix, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amazon, plans to deliver high-definition
content via its VOD service in the HD-DVD, Blu-Ray and Windows Media Video High-Definition
DVD (WMV-HD DVD) formats. The company will utilize a proprietary "storage
and repurposing" format that will allow digitized files in different formats
to purchased and then downloaded by consumers and stored on their computers,
as well as potentially be burned to a disc that could play in next-gen DVD devices.
Last month the e-tailer giant announced it was launching its own video-on-demand
service that would allow consumers to download a film and burn it onto
DVD, which it dubbed CustomFlix. The company is reportedly still in talks with
major studios including Warner, Paramount and Universal to support its new venture.
Although the studios have been experimenting with video-on-demand services such
as MovieBeam and MovieLink, and making select television shows available for
download on Apple's iTunes, none offer the ability for consumers to burn purchases
to a DVD disc and then play them on any DVD-compatible device.
Dan LoPiccolo-Giles, co founder and managing director of CustomFlix, told HMR
that the service will be format-agnostic to eliminate the" risk of creating
versions of a format that doesn't take off with consumers."
CustomFlix has also signed a licensing deal with the HDNet high-definition cable
channel. They pair will work together to digitize hundreds of titles and make
them for download via CustomFlix.
"HDNet has a deep commitment to helping HD become the new viewing standard
in both broadcast and on DVD," Mark Cuban, president of HDNet, explained
to HMR. "Unfortunately, the disparate HD formats will make establishing
a single standard difficult and result in customer confusion. CustomFlix allows
customers interested in HD content to simply choose whatever format they want."