Download movies... legally

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Strike Back below!
by: Mike Sampson Apr. 3, 2006

For those of you who love downloading movies to your computer but hate living in fear of the MPAA busting through your door and chopping your hands off, today is a day to rejoice. Movielink has signed a deal with six of the seven major US studios - Warner Bros., Universal, Paramount, Sony, Fox and MGM - to offer movie downloads day-and-date with its release on DVD. Disney movies are not yet available but Movielink is still in negotiations with the studio. While the press release states that downloaded Movielink movies can be "transferred to a DVD" keep in mind that it can be transferred to a DVD only for data storage and not for playback on a standard DVD player. You would, however, be able to transfer the file to three other PCs where it would be yours permanently. The first film to be offered as part of the service will be BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, which will be available for sale tomorrow as the DVD hits stores. In addition to new releases like KING KONG and HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, Movielink will offer repetory titles like OFFICE SPACE or THE STING. File sizes for the movie vary on the length of the film itself but would average around 1 GB. The cost is slightly more than that of a generic DVD with Nic Cage's THE WEATHER MAN costing $26.99 and KING KONG "on sale" for $19.99. So what do you think? Do you really want to sit at your computer or laptop and watch a version of a movie that would've cost less and been more portable had you just bought the DVD?

Source: JoBlo.com

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CuervoMuerto
7:06PM on 04/04/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Learn from itunes
The reason that's profitable is because of the price. When they sell full albums it's also less expensive than a CD at a store.
The reason that's profitable is because of the price. When they sell full albums it's also less expensive than a CD at a store.
 
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awtypicturesinc
9:23AM on 04/04/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Stupid
That is the stupidest fucking idea I've ever heard. Why the hell would I pay $25 for a crappy, PC only 1GB file when I can go to best buy and get the same movie, in full DVD quality, WITH DVD FEATURES, for only $18?
That is the stupidest fucking idea I've ever heard. Why the hell would I pay $25 for a crappy, PC only 1GB file when I can go to best buy and get the same movie, in full DVD quality, WITH DVD FEATURES, for only $18?
 
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DrkBlueXG
7:19AM on 04/04/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
WOOHOO!!!
Nah, just kidding.
I thought there needed to be some color in the ratings on this subject. LOL
Bad idea, I would never pay for downloaded movies when I can either download them from other sources or buy them. *Sight* what are they thinking. It's not gonna stop anything! Also, enough with the goddamn "Stealing movies is illegal" advertisements. It really sucks having to sit through...
Nah, just kidding.
I thought there needed to be some color in the ratings on this subject. LOL
Bad idea, I would never pay for downloaded movies when I can either download them from other sources or buy them. *Sight* what are they thinking. It's not gonna stop anything! Also, enough with the goddamn "Stealing movies is illegal" advertisements. It really sucks having to sit through 5 different comments on a DVD that says "The view expressed on this dvd..", "FBI warning..", "This movie is rated blah blah blah ba fuckin blah." OMG America needs to grow some balls and stop worrying about the babysitters duty to look after what the children watch. Seriously, This is retarded when looked at from foreign standards. Either pull your head outta your ass or get a fuckin clue.
 
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Damned Martian
5:03AM on 04/04/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Too expensive for that size - 1GB is at least 4 times less space than an average DVD, so it's 4 times less quality. And it costs even more, so who's gonna pay for that?

Maybe they think this is a way of discouraging downloads. If they do, they should give up their jobs. Seriously. Dumb idea.
Too expensive for that size - 1GB is at least 4 times less space than an average DVD, so it's 4 times less quality. And it costs even more, so who's gonna pay for that?

Maybe they think this is a way of discouraging downloads. If they do, they should give up their jobs. Seriously. Dumb idea.
 
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Lucien12
1:13AM on 04/04/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
HAHAHAHA
Downloading movies? For that price? AND you're only allowed to have it on your PC? Who the hell downloads movies anyway, illegal copies almost always looks like crap. If I watch a movie it must be pristine in quality, visuals and sound. I'm sure the quality of the video will be decent but the file size is practically a quarter of the quality of a DVD and 1/16 of HD...so what's the point?
Downloading movies? For that price? AND you're only allowed to have it on your PC? Who the hell downloads movies anyway, illegal copies almost always looks like crap. If I watch a movie it must be pristine in quality, visuals and sound. I'm sure the quality of the video will be decent but the file size is practically a quarter of the quality of a DVD and 1/16 of HD...so what's the point?
 
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KcMsterpce
10:53PM on 04/03/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
oops
sorry, a popup made me refresh. What I said below still stands!!
sorry, a popup made me refresh. What I said below still stands!!
 
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KcMsterpce
10:53PM on 04/03/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Wow, what fucking MORONS!
I can't believe the audacity of this concept! Like others have said; more money for LESS FEATURES and LESS VIDEO/AUDIO QUALITY?! What the fuck are they thinking?
I can't believe the audacity of this concept! Like others have said; more money for LESS FEATURES and LESS VIDEO/AUDIO QUALITY?! What the fuck are they thinking?
 
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absolutezero
7:41PM on 04/03/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Stupid
That is a rediculous price for a movie that would be 1/2 or less the quality of one purchased on DVD. It's quicker to go to your video store and rent the same film than to download it. And the people in remote areas that don't have access to a video store, also don't have access to high speed broadband that would make the download worthwhile. Crazy.
That is a rediculous price for a movie that would be 1/2 or less the quality of one purchased on DVD. It's quicker to go to your video store and rent the same film than to download it. And the people in remote areas that don't have access to a video store, also don't have access to high speed broadband that would make the download worthwhile. Crazy.
 
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h
6:53PM on 04/03/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
??
So, they're not only expecting people who were downloading movies for FREE to start paying for them, but they want them to pay way more than they would be to buy normally anyway?

Hahahaha. Oh no, wait. April Fools was two days ago.

Jesus.
So, they're not only expecting people who were downloading movies for FREE to start paying for them, but they want them to pay way more than they would be to buy normally anyway?

Hahahaha. Oh no, wait. April Fools was two days ago.

Jesus.
 
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Cronos
6:08PM on 04/03/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
MORONS
what a bunch of idiots, charging more to download a film that to just buy the dvd wont get anybody to use it
what a bunch of idiots, charging more to download a film that to just buy the dvd wont get anybody to use it
 
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Quigles
5:43PM on 04/03/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
stupid
This is rediculously stupid. The only thing it costs them to host the movie is server space and bandwidth, so why should people pay 20 bucks to get the movie off the web when they could just as easily get the flick for cheaper on DVD (which additionally comes with a case, a cover, a menu, scene selections, special features, subtitles, and more)???

The idea sounds reasonable, but ...
This is rediculously stupid. The only thing it costs them to host the movie is server space and bandwidth, so why should people pay 20 bucks to get the movie off the web when they could just as easily get the flick for cheaper on DVD (which additionally comes with a case, a cover, a menu, scene selections, special features, subtitles, and more)???

The idea sounds reasonable, but from what I can tell, the execution seems incredibly stupid.

Besides, if people are planning to watch a movie on their computer, wouldn't it be actually easier for them to download it for free?? Sure, it's illegal, but most people don't care as long as they don't get caught.

Personally, I don't download movies at all. Not because it's illegal, but because I'd rather buy the DVD for 10 or 15 bucks and watch it on my widescreen TV. Plus, it comes with all of the stuff I mentioned previously.
 
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ICYJones
5:13PM on 04/03/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
man, until those prices come down, no way. i wait to buy most of my movies used now at a max of 9.99.
man, until those prices come down, no way. i wait to buy most of my movies used now at a max of 9.99.
 
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imbroco
5:10PM on 04/03/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Ick.
I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

It's like when Napster went pay.. I know some people that actually use such services.. but honestly -- why?
I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

It's like when Napster went pay.. I know some people that actually use such services.. but honestly -- why?
 
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Mut
4:49PM on 04/03/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Wow, I'm so excited that now I'll be able to spend more money, not to mention untold hours of download time, to watch a movie on my 17" monitor as opposed to my 36" TV! I bet this'll be just as popular as watching movies on a PSP! Er, waitaminute ...
Wow, I'm so excited that now I'll be able to spend more money, not to mention untold hours of download time, to watch a movie on my 17" monitor as opposed to my 36" TV! I bet this'll be just as popular as watching movies on a PSP! Er, waitaminute ...
 
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atrense
4:45PM on 04/03/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Until they crack down on illegal torrents and internet piracy with much harsher penalties, I can't see this taking off at all.
Until they crack down on illegal torrents and internet piracy with much harsher penalties, I can't see this taking off at all.
 
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glee7007
4:02PM on 04/03/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
With cost in mind, there is no way I would ever think about buying and downloading a movie online. I've never been one to download movies anyway, I like having the package and watching them on my tv. But if the cost was right, I might think about doing this as a rental option.
With cost in mind, there is no way I would ever think about buying and downloading a movie online. I've never been one to download movies anyway, I like having the package and watching them on my tv. But if the cost was right, I might think about doing this as a rental option.
 
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vini
3:27PM on 04/03/2006 Add as a friend | MFC profile
BULLSHIT
1 word: TORRENTS.

Enough said.
And if there are people out there really worried about getting busted for downloading movies, get your heads checked.
1 word: TORRENTS.

Enough said.
And if there are people out there really worried about getting busted for downloading movies, get your heads checked.