About two months ago I wrote about Amazon Video on Demand, a streaming video service that was being tested by a limited set of invitation-only users. Well, on Thursday Amazon.com opened it up for all, and the old Unbox service now refers only to the player used for viewing downloads.
The new service allows users to play videos directly in their browsers (Mac or PC, and for those wondering … yes, it plays in Chrome). It can also stream directly to Bravia Internet Video Link-equipped TVs as well. Right now there are even a few things you can play for free, as a demo of the technology, such as the Heroes Season 2 opener from last year.
In Amazon’s press release, Roy Price, director of Amazon Video On Demand said:
“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. Amazon Video On Demand provides customers with the choice of how to watch their favorite movies and TV shows, be it on their PC or Mac, on the TV with TiVo or through Sony’s BRAVIA Internet Video Link device on compatible Sony BRAVIA TVs, or on the go with a portable video player.”
Amazon is also teaming with Sony with a special BRAVIA site at http://www.amazon.com/videoondemand/bravia. Customers can go there, link their BRAVIA to their Amazon.com account, and then rent or purchase directly from their TV.
Nicely, after a purchase is made, while the title can be immediately watched, a backup version can also be found in “Your Video Library.”
I love the moves Amazon’s been making, with both Amazon MP3 and Amazon Video on Demand. While Apple’s iTunes seems untouched so far, both of these Amazon stores offer viable options to consumers.
