Rent or Download Sources
- Amazon
- http://www.amazon.com/
Amazon provides 24 hour downloads as well as the ability to purchase and download. The 24 hour download option usually has a price range from $1.99 to $3.99. The purchase and download option is usually priced at 9.99.
- Auteurs
- http://www.theauteurs.com/
Auteurs provides both online viewing and a social networking site. Like Criterion it specializes in independent, foreign and classic film. It is still in beta testing at this time. Criterion is one of their partners along with Costa (Latin American cinema) and Celluloid Dreams. Prices range from free to $5. These are truly art films.
- Blockbuster
- http://www.blockbuster.com/
Blockbuster also provides for 24 hour digital downloads, purchase downloads, and mail rental. Most of the 24 hour download option were $2.99. The purchase and download option had most priced at 9.99 with some higher, but few lower.
- Cinema Now
- From Best Buy. Download movies from $1.99 and up. Most seem to be $3.99. Rental times vary; most are 24 hours, but some are longer.
- Criterion
- http://www.criterion.com/
Criterion has just begun to show online movies. They are not digital downloads; for $5.00 you are allowed access for one week. Criterion is best known for art and foreign films. Within the next year the $5 can be applied toward a purchase. There are currently 60 films available.
- Hulu Plus
- Watch current and back season TV shows and movies anytime. Downloads are available for multiple platforms, not just PCs.
- iTunes
- http://www.apple.com/itunes/charts/movies/
iTunes provides both 24 hour digital rentals and digital purchase. The 24 hour digital rental option ususally is $2.99-$3.99. The digital purchase option has most priced at 9.99.
- Jaman
- http://www.jaman.com/
Provides both digital rentals and purchase, sometimes from other sources. Good for indie films and documentaries, Bollywood, etc. A number of free movies are also available,
- Netflix
- http://www.netflix.com/
The Netflix model is subscription based just like their mail delivery service.
- Vudu
- http://www.vudu.com/
Vudu is another new source where individual films can be rented and/or purchased. Unfortunately searching is limited to Vudu members so it was difficult to see if they had a comprehensive collection. What distinguishes this source from others is that the videos can be viewed on your television set. However you must buy a Vudu box for $149 and either have an internet connection near your television or purchase the wireless option for another $79.
- Warner Brothers Archive
- http://www.wbshop.com
Rent or download feature films, classic TV, musicals, and family entertainment. Not all titles available for download.
- YouTube Store
- http://www.youtube.com/store
YouTube (Google) is just getting into the business with $4 downloads of independent video from the Sundance Festival. They are said to be interested in adding feature films.
Licensing Sites
Swank has provided a digital streaming feature film service for campuses where the films can be streamed into individual dorm rooms for leisure viewing. The campus pays a yearly license fee for this. They have just begun a classroom version of this service. The films can be made available for a limited amount of time to just the students in the class (password access). The entire film can be screened or instructors can select clips and provide objectives, commentary of discussion questions right along with the clip. This would be similar to the method that Films Media Group is using for their films. Price varies according to number of titles and number of students. The estimate price given was $110 per title for 20 titles per month for up to 50 students. There would probably be some room for negotiation. The student in this case is not billed so either the college would have to pick up the expense or a fee would need to be assessed for classes using the films.
Other Options
- Movieclips
- http://movieclips.com/
Movieclips is in beta production. The clips are provided with the cooperation of the Hollywood studios. Users can watch more than 12,000 clips from six major Hollywood studios: 20th Century Fox, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal and Warner Bros. You can also rent or purchase movies through links to other sources. Clips can be embedded in personal sites for non-commercial purposes. Does best with Hollywood blockbusters, but may be good if just clips are needed.
October, 2012
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