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ClickStar-The Future of Digital Entertainment (or thats what they are hoping for)

ClickStar, the next movie download hopeful founded by none other than actor Morgan Freeman, is anxiously awaiting it's December 15th, 2006 launch date. Unlike most of the other movie download services, ClickStar will offer first-run movies, for a price...A DVD quality download will cost you around $24.99 which can be viewed on your PC and your TV which may give it the edge over MovieLink and others.

Here's what the ClickStar web site says about their new service:

ClickStar, Inc. is a new digital entertainment venture between Intel Corporation and Revelations Entertainment, the production company headed by Morgan Freeman and business partner Lori McCreary that addresses the growing consumer desire for premium entertainment through broadband for the PC and the TV. ClickStar is an amazing new service delivering premium movies and thematic artist-created channels brought to you by and featuring some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. For example, “Explore the World of Science with Morgan Freeman”.               

Standing out in front of the pack of the myriad of Internet download services, ClickStar will offer Broadband Debuts of first run movies -- featuring A-list stars and directors -- available exclusively on ClickStar within weeks of their release in theaters, and well in advance of their release on DVD. ClickStar will offer exclusive special bonus features taking ClickStar viewers behind the scenes including interviews with the stars, secrets to filmmaking– including stunts and special effects, tours of exotic locations from around the world, and exclusive footage not available on DVD.          

ClickStar will target the millions of broadband consumers worldwide thirsting for a richer and more flexible entertainment experience. A typical ClickStar user will be able to enjoy full-screen high-fidelity films conveniently on their big screen TV from the comfort of their living room or on-the-go via their laptop. Either way, ClickStar will offer a high quality, multimedia rich experience that will keep consumers coming back again and again. ClickStar's core mission is to become the leading online destination for premium entertainment, designed to give consumers a direct connection to their favorite stars and to give filmmakers a direct connection to their fans while providing a new way of experiencing home entertainment that is highly personal, very affordable and always flexible.               

ClickStar – exclusive first-run feature films, artist created channels from Hollywood’s biggest names, complete viewing flexibility, and a unique opportunity to get closer to the stars.

I say there's still room for another player in the online movie download arena, especially one that offers more choices for the consumer. It will be interesting to see how this plays out as they've already signed at least 15 deals with content provides. My only question is, what about high definition movie downloads? I'm still looking for something to cut my ever expanding DirecTV bill!

TechCrunch Reviews Online Movie Download Services

TechCrunch has posted an indepth review of the top legal movie download services, basically comparing iTunes to GUBA, CinemaNow, MovieLink and AmazonUnBox. If you're on a Mac, you're only choice will be iTunes but if you have a PC, your options are wide open and you should explore them.

I really think IP Video is the wave of the future and downloading movies & TV shows on demand and will definately be the preferred delivery method within a few short years. For some, I'm sure you're already there. Leave a comment and let us know how you're using the various download services and who is getting your entertainment dollars.

Warner To Release First Hybid HD/SD DVD on May 9th

Why Warner Home Video picked "Rumor Has It" to be the first hybrid DVD I don't understand but they said it and now you know. Actually, the movie was kind of fun.

 

 

 

 

[via Reuters]

Technorati Tags: dvd, hd-dvd, movies, warner home video

Review: HD Downloads via Akimbo

Ben over at HDBeat has posted a review of the Akimbo movie download site with HD content provided by HDNet. I think this is just the beginning of the future for movie downloads, especially high definition content.

Technorati Tags: akimbo, hdbeat, hdtv, high definition, home entertainment, home theater, movie download, hdnet

Free Public Domain Movie Downloads!

With all the news about the movie studios trying to combat piracy, I bet you thought there weren't any legal AND free movie downloads...Think again! Here's 2 100% legal public domain sites:

Public Domain Torrents

Internet Archive: Feature Films

[via Cinematical]

Technorati Tags: bit torrent, free, home entertainment, home theater, movie download, movies, public domain

Own Your Own Movie Theater! Historic Norwalk Schine Theater For Sale on eBay

Have you dreamed of owning your own movie theater? This may be your chance...The Historic Norwalk Schine Theater is up for sale on eBay...Starting bid is only $285k and the building alone was appraised at $750k!

The Historic Norwalk Schine Theater opened in 1941.  It was designed by John Eberson, the Frank Lloyd Wright of atmospheric Theaters.  The venue has 210 seats in the Stadium-style Balcony and 714 seats on the main floor.  An Orchestra pit, which seats 25 musicians, also contains an Allen Theatre Organ which is situated on an elevator and used for pre-Show music performances.  The Greco-Deco architecture is in its original state as well as the original paintings and lighting fixtures.  The theatre has the area's largest Movie Screen and newly installed Dolby Stereo Surround Sound.  The auditorium is equipped with Stage lighting and rigging for Concerts and Musicals.

[via Cinema Treasures]

Technorati Tags: cinema treasures, ebay, movie theater

Download and Burn DVDs

Sure you can...But right now it's the adult entertainment industry leading the way, Vivid Entertainment to be exact. They launched the new service on April 3, 2006 which allows consumers the ability to purchase, download and burn a complete DVD with fully functioning menus, navigation and subtitles. I guess even adult movies have subtitles, who knew.

The initial launch of Vivid's new download service will include 30 titles at a cost of about $25 each. Yes this is the same or more as buying the actual DVD but if it's instant gratification you're after, Vivid's got it.

My question is this, why is the adult industry always leading the way when it comes to utilizing new technology for consumers? Why can't the major Hollywood studios do this without being paranoid about DRM? They can but then again, they're paranoid so it's not likely to happen without so many confusing rules and limitations. Hopefully Hollywood will keep a close watch on this and maybe even learn something from it. We can hope right?

[via eHomeUpgrade]

Technorati Tags: adult, dvd, home entertainment, movie download, vivid

Amazon, Hollywood studios in talks for downloads

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc. is in advanced talks with several major Hollywood studios about creating a service that allows consumers to download and copy movies and television programs, sources familiar with the discussions said on Friday.

The No. 1 online retailer has stayed mum in recent months over plans for a music download service to rival Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes, as well as film and TV shows from independent producers. An Amazon spokeswoman declined to comment on Friday about talks with major movie and TV makers.

Several publications reported that Amazon was close to completing a deal with Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios and Warner Bros, specifically, but spokesmen at the three studios either declined to comment or were unavailable for comment. Continue

Sony Pictures Won't Down Convert it's Blu-ray Titles

According to HDBeat, Sony Pictures has opted not to exercise it's right to down convert it's upcoming Blu-ray Disk titles for component video. What this means is they will be in all their full HD glory for your viewing pleasure, but you'll need an HDTV or Computer that supports HDCP.

We should all be grateful for this and hope that other studios follow Sony's lead. If not, we must stand up and fight for our rights to fully utilize the technology we've purchased, or will purchase and stop letting Hollywood handcuff us to our old analog ways. It's bad enough that with every new technology, there's a format war that follows Ala HD-DVD vs Blu-ray Disk, and the consumers while having more choices, ultimately lose because the technology becomes too confusing and will keep them from buying.

MovieLink Teams with Microsoft for Premium Content on UMPCs

Now that Microsoft has unveiled it's Origami Ultra-Mobile PC Device (UMPC), you knew that the content would have to follow and it has. Sean Besser, Director of Business Development for MovieLink, announced a partnership with Microsoft to become the premier brand and provider of Hollywood movies and other premium video content for the UMPC.

“Since the Internet has proven to be ideally suited for portability and a significant amount of Movielink’s downloads are already for portable use in notebooks, we believe the new UMPC platform will be a catalyst for portable video consumption,” said Sean Besser, Director, Business Development, Movielink. “We’re excited to be part of this new platform, as we are committed to offering consumers as much flexibility as possible to legally access movie content anytime, anywhere, and on the device of their choice.”

About MovieLink

Movielink (www.movielink.com) is an online movie download service offering U.S. broadband customers an extensive selection of recently released films and classic movies covering every genre, from action, comedy, drama, family and romance to sci-fi, horror and thrillers. The service is owned and operated by Movielink, LLC, a joint venture of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Studios and Warner Bros. Movielink content offerings are drawn from the current releases and vast libraries of those studios as well as from those of Walt Disney Pictures, 20th Century Fox and leading independent studios.

Movielink is available to U.S. Internet users with broadband connections. Consumers can easily browse Movielink's user-friendly site and view trailers of available titles without charge. Once customers are ready to rent a title, they register with Movielink and pay for their rental via credit card. Downloads range between $1.99 and $4.99. Movielink’s Movies in MinutesTM feature let’s customers begin watching titles within 2-10 minutes, or store them for up to 30 days and experience unlimited viewing for any 24 hour period. Customers can also use Movielink’s MultiPlay ™ feature to re-rent titles for additional 24-hour viewing periods for up to 30 days after the initial rental.