Amazon Extends Video On Demand Reach

By Geoff Duncan Published September 4, 2008

Amazon Extends Video On Demand Reach

Amazon.com has extended the reach of its online Video On Demand offering, enabling streaming access to thousands of movies and television programs via Mac and PC Web browser, as well as purchases and rentals through Sony’s Bravia Internet Video Link add-on to its Bravia HDTV lines. Amazon has also enabled free two-minute previews of every television show and movie it offers, making it easy for users to determine if they’re looking to rent or buy the right thing—a particularly handy feature for TV episodes where users might be looking for a particular show they missed.

Users can still download movies and episodes to PCs for later viewing via the Amazon Unbox application.

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"We’re continuing to create new, convenient ways for our customers to watch digital movies and TV shows. The ability to watch content instantly without downloading first was among the most requested features of our customers, and now it’s live—customers can instantly watch the ad-free title of their choice on a Mac, PC, or compatible Sony BRAVIA TV via Sony’s BRAVIA Internet Video Link device," said Amazon’s video on demand director Roy Price, in a statement.

Amazon lists the Sony Bravia Internet Video Link support as "beta;" users first need to link their Bravia to Amazon’s service via the Web. and users can start watching purchases right away, with backups stored in user’s Video Library.

Expanding out into instant streaming of video content to Mac and PC Web browsers means Amazon’s Video On Demand service is available not only to Mac and PC Web surfers (and Bravia Internet LInk owners) but also to TiVo owners and Windows Media Center extenders like portable media players and the Xbox 360, giving Amazon’s video service a wider reach than most of its competitors. For the time being, however, Amazon is sticking with its little-loved Unbox application as the only way to accessed downloaded content.

Right now, Amazon Video On Demand offers over 40,000 movies and TV shows, and plans to gear up with new programming for the upcoming fall U.S. television season.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

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Stream fast, spend less: Save $20 on the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

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If you’ve been looking for terrific streaming deals, we’re pleased to inform you that Best Buy is offering a fantastic markdown on the Amazon Fire TV 4K, a go-to streaming device. For a limited time, you’ll be able to purchase this plug-and-play gadget for only $30, which is $20 less than its retail price of $50.

Far more than a terrific discount, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is a top-notch AV peripheral for streaming apps like Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney+. The Fire TV Stick 4K is part of Best Buy’s Prep for the Holidays sale, so it may only be discounted until the sale is over.

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Hulu vs. Amazon Prime Video: Which streamer is right for you?

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With so many streaming services to choose from, it can be hard to figure out where to allocate your hard-earned cash. Netflix is the one most turn to, but there are other options in the streaming service marketplace. Two of the most popular Netflix alternatives are Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. Is Hulu a better deal than Amazon Prime Video? Prime Video is the second most popular streaming service and Hulu is fourth, but there is much more to discover. We will go over each service and see how they compare in a Hulu versus Amazon Prime Video battle.
Price

Amazon offers two main price tiers: $139 annually (discounted to $69 annually when you sign up with a valid student email address) or $15 per month. Both versions include all the Amazon Prime perks, like two-day shipping, discounted prices on select items, cloud storage, and -- most important for our purposes -- on-demand video and music streaming.
The best part is that, unlike Netflix, 4K Ultra HD content with HDR comes standard at no extra cost. Plus, you can share accounts with friends and family so that everyone can get in on the deals. You can also supplement Amazon's included content with optional channel add-ons, such as CBS All Access, for an additional fee. Amazon doesn't have a live TV streaming service per se, but many of the content providers it has partnered with for Prime Video offer the ability to watch their shows "live" too.
Hulu starts at just $10 for the ad-based service or $19 for the ad-free option (which we highly recommend). Hulu's options don't stop there, as it also offers a live TV streaming package similar to Sling TV, YouTube TV, Philo, and Fubo. The Hulu With Live TV streaming service includes Disney+ and ESPN+. It is currently $83 per month and includes 90-plus livestreaming channels on top of its regular on-demand library. There are also add-on features like enhanced DVR and an ad-free experience for $96 per month.
If you watch a lot of Disney+, ESPN+, or live TV shows, Hulu's Live TV may be your winner, as Amazon does not offer Live TV. While Hulu's $8 tier on its own is technically cheaper, especially for those who want to stream 4K at the lowest possible price, Amazon offers the most value when considering all of its other perks and its complete lack of ads. Amazon has also stated that the company won't raise prices for 4K streaming. Throw in , and it walks away with the win here.
Winner: Amazon

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Amazon simplifies its lineup with the new Fire TV Stick HD

A promo image of the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD.

It's a little hard to believe we've gone through most of 2024 without a new Amazon Fire TV Stick. That is, until now. The Fire TV Stick HD has been announced, with the $35 device reducing the Fire TV Stick lineup from four to three and in the process replacing the two oldest sticks in the family. The $40 Fire TV Stick and the $30 Fire TV Stick Lite will still be around while they're in stock. But after that, they're gone.

The other two current devices remain the second-generation Fire TV Stick 4K, and the second-gen Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which we still consider to be the best Fire TV Stick to get.