Like most things coming from M$ these days...
First off the starting line, but without any real forethought and/or plan for the future. Props to them for getting it started (I don't know what is holding Apple back) but thats about it. I personally never liked WMP and now that M$ has basically said SCREW YOU to the Apple community by not releasing new versions of their software for the mac and essentially locking them out of third-party offerings because they decided to use the proprietary systems. Maybe it's just my lack of knowledge for the format, but can you even convert those WMP format files to DVD? Surely their is some sort of DRM on these that would inhibit that, until the hackers get involved of course. I know people download movies via P2P all the time and watch them on their computers, but thats not the best, plus there are too few people who have their computers connected to their TV's for movie watching. IDK, I think I would have to go over the rules of use and all that to see how the system works, but I am sure it is not a pleasant arrangement. To me, the thing that needs to happen is a video download service where you can purchase a movie in digital format at DVD quality. Once you have downloaded it, you can of course watch it on your computer or burn it onto a DVD (in limited quantities, 1-3 I think) with complete menus that are included in the download. Additionally, move it to a portable video player like a laptop or Video iPod or alike and so on. All of these an be done with todays current technologies and DRM schemes. The other thing that needs to be done right is to get your computer in to the living room and on your TV that makes sense. Apple is obviously working on that with the initial release of Front Row, but that is just for starters. I left off 'rent' movies from this service, but that could work as well, just makes things a but messier IMHO. Maybe it's just me, but I like to own the media I enjoy and don't like the idea of having to pay to keep it. It's like the Napster Music Service approach, collect your music but be sure to pay us or we will take our ball back and go home. Once Apple has theirs up and running thats when things will get interesting. Not to mention as Apple continues to develop into the living room and we see Mac Mini's as common place in entertainment systems and such, thats when these types of services will take off, when there is a legitimate market and established market. The key there is you need the hardware to work with the software and the equipment. Apple is poised well, they just need to bring it to market and out of the labs. 😀
