Vongo: Starz and Microsoft $9.95 per Month Unlimited Movies

[windowuser82]

Rant.

Thanks. As somebody pointed out already, the res of Vongo is not that much less than DVD, so why is it not full DVD? Why 64Kbps audio? For Stereo? They must be kidding. Full DVD resolution and Full digital sound is what is needed for such a service.

600MB download v/s 1 gig download. That's why. If it *was* full DVD resolution/sound...... "No one will download a file THAT large! Dumb pc users!" or some silly b/s comment.

Full digital sound and full resolution is not needed for a service of this nature. If Apple came out with this service before Starz, you would find ways to fully support and justify the less-than-perfect quality.

 

[Stella]

Looks good.

I don't think it really needs iPod support to be popular - only that its reliable and offers a good range of content. PSP support would be good though - watching movies on a PSP makes more sense than using an iPod.

Hopefully this will stir up the competition.

Mac support would be excellent - but wouldn't this mean that microsoft be releasing the DRM for Mac soon ( which currently isn't available )?

There is no reason why this shouldn't be successful - apart from the size of huge downloads - its not exactly like buying a song.

 

[dernhelm]

600MB download v/s 1 gig download. That's why. If it *was* full DVD resolution/sound...... "No one will download a file THAT large! Dumb pc users!" or some silly b/s comment.

Full digital sound and full resolution is not needed for a service of this nature. If Apple came out with this service before Starz, you would find ways to fully support and justify the less-than-perfect quality.

Agreed. The quality of the download is not really the issue. It's a pretty good price/performance ratio honestly. This may be something worth considering, but I won't be signing up for anything pre-macworld...

 

[elmimmo]

To me, this service offers me as much as the iTunes store. I.e. NOTHING

Back to bittorrent…

(PS: Yes, I did read that even if I was in the US it is not available for the Mac)

 

[gauchogolfer]

Foreign Support for iTunes Video?

Like the previous poster, I am currently living in Europe (France), and I'm curious if future iTunes restrictions on video might apply here. Since I'm an American with a US-based credit card and address, I think it won't be a problem unless they check the IP address for my computer.....
Here's to hoping it works for my like the iTMS does....sans problem.

 

[longofest]

Anyone else see something hidden in their promise to serve mac customers eventually? Since they are a Windows Media only service, this could hint at Microsoft finally releasing an updated client for Mac, perhaps with WM10 and more importantly DRM support built in.

 

[Poff]

Ah yes, but Apple has the hidden ace up it's sleeve -- the podcast... And in case you haven't heard, that now includes 1930s and 40s cartoons like Bugs Bunny and Aladdin in Vintage ToonCast. Hard to believe, but apparently there are plenty of public domain cartoons from long ago that just about anyone can download from archive.org and try to make a buck off of... nice to see someone who isn't going for profit.

Hey, cool podcast. And I signed up for their pledge. and you should too.

 

[poohat1000]

just wait till macworld methinks

 

[SiliconAddict]

I went on Virtual PC and checked out the website -- what a totally crappy system. It doesn't work on the video iPod or the PSP, only devices that support some kind of MS portable Windows Media player. Dead on arrival.

You can thank Apple for that.

 

[otter-boy]

I'm assuming Vongo means Video on the go. V=video, on, go. Still stupid.

Fishes,
narco.

Stupid--yes. But this explanation is exactly what came to my mind when I saw the name, so it does reinforce what the product is about unlike many names out there. (I think Movies ON the GO = would have been more entertaining--references in tons of movies, such as Flash Gordon and Blazing Saddles).

 

[otter-boy]

Anyone else see something hidden in their promise to serve mac customers eventually? Since they are a Windows Media only service, this could hint at Microsoft finally releasing an updated client for Mac, perhaps with WM10 and more importantly DRM support built in.

Or, since this service will be released to Sony Connect, it will also be released to iTunes?

I'd rather have the service released to iTunes than have Microsoft update WM for Mac (especially since I'm not planning to ever download Windows Media Player for my Mac).

 

[flat6]

To me, this service offers me as much as the iTunes store. I.e. NOTHING

Back to bittorrent…

(PS: Yes, I did read that even if I was in the US it is not available for the Mac)

Yup. No Canada either.

 

[iDM]

Its weird to hear that someone is already doing this, i honestly figured it would happen at some point. As bandwidth increases(Fiber Optic Internet) movie downloads and on demand access to unlimited movies will kill TV mark my words. I know that I am not the majority here but I had On Demand at my last apartment and the only thing I ever watched on TV was On Demand HBO Series. I completely stopped flipping channels. As more and more stations provide their content to On Demand services I can see where this is going.

 

[freeny]

Just before Mac World.... Interesting.

Ditto on that! Anticipating Steve to drop some big bombs next week. Cant wait This is really going to turn out to be a "who can screw the other company first and best" kinda battle. At least it will be a pretty fair fight this time.

 

[d.perel]

The battle for portable video is coming down to PSP vs. iPod ... Sony has the better movie player but is clueless how to exploit it. But it still may win because it's ridiculously easy to rip a DVD and format it for PSP. (Equally true for iPod, but the first generation screen can't compete with PSP.) Once dual processors and huge HDs become the norm, everyone's going to be ripping their DVDs and putting time shifted TV onto PSPs and iPods and Hollywood is going to be in full panic.

I wish that somehow, some way, Apple and Sony could stem the possibility of a huge battle. After all, weren't Apple and Sony supposed to be partenered throughout the "Year of HD?" I almost think that the time is coming where Apple will have to open iTunes (maybe even a movie store) to other portables

 

[SiliconAddict]

I actually like Vongo. Its much more flexible then iTMS. It doesn't have the TV shows that Apple does but that will come in time. The iPod is great for Audio. So so for video. The so so-ness makes Vongo or anything else that supports other plays a better option IMHO. I’ll keep my iPod Photo but if I can find something that works with Vongo that I like and assuming that Vongo keeps growing. I’ll prob go with them for my video solution.


Edit: ICK...Movies expire from the service. I think not.

 

[Peace]

Too many posts to quote so :

1. Vongo came out before the Consumer Electronics Show NOT Macworld
2. STARZ is one of the worst movie channels out.
3. This is available in mainly the US thus negating any potential growth
4. Any person in their right mind would rather just watch a full quality movie on their TV rather than a crappy wmv.
5. If it's a media thing done by M$ you know it's gonna flop.

Wait for MWSF

And keep an eye out on http://www.vingle.com

 

[pgwalsh]

I can only see someone like myself using a service like this when traveling on an airplane or having children that need something to watch on long trips. I'd never use it at home, too much invested in my home theatre system.

 

[SiliconAddict]

Too many posts to quote so :

1. Vongo came out before the Consumer Electronics Show NOT Macworld
2. STARZ is one of the worst movie channels out. We aren' taking a TV channel here
3. This is available in mainly the US thus negating any potential growth. Nor is anything on iTMovieS at this point.
4. Any person in their right mind would rather just watch a full quality movie on their TV rather than a crappy wmv. Good for portable devices, HTPC, and computers a wider range then iTMovieS supports.)
5. If it's a media thing done by M$ you know it's gonna flop. Its not being done by MS.

Wait for MWSF And what? Get another new iPod with the same form factor and limitations? This is one of the few times I would rather go with the competition. I don't expect to see anything revolutionary when it comes to the iPod. They are prob going to update the shuffle. Prob announce more content at a craptastic res. Woo hoo.

And keep an eye out on http://www.vingle.com

At this point Apple's video offerings is pretty much a bitter taste in my moth.
-Low quality
-Few offerings
-Subpar device to play it on. (The iPod is great for music. The form factor sucks for anything else. IMHO.)

For now I just can't get excited with Apple and video. All of the above is what I expect from a Microsoft launch not something from Apple.

 

[Peace]

At this point Apple's video offerings is pretty much a bitter taste in my moth.
-Low quality
-Few offerings
-Subpar device to play it on. (The iPod is great for music. The form factor suck for anything else.)

For now I just can't get excited with Apple and video. All of the above is what I expect from a Microsoft launch not something from Apple.

You should read more
NEW YORK, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Cable network Starz Entertainment Group LLC said it plans to launch an Internet movie download service on Tuesday, backed by partnerships with Microsoft and Sony, amid a race to offer more videos over high-speed Internet connections.

But much rides on the success of the service. Vongo, which will rely on Microsoft's(MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) Windows Media technology to provide copyright management and the ability to let customers watch movies on portable media devices, will also play a role in the evolution of Microsoft's portable media software technology

 

[noel4r]

I would definitely sign up for this one if it becomes available and usable under the Mac platform. This is definitely better than Netflix. It's half the cost and I dont have to wait 2 or 3 days to get my movies and my queue wont read "Long Wait" or "Very Long Wait" anymore. My concern is will I get in trouble with my DSL provider if I download a movie a day. I'm with Verizon. Does anybody know if they have a bandwidth limit?

 

[SiliconAddict]

You should read more
NEW YORK, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Cable network Starz Entertainment Group LLC said it plans to launch an Internet movie download service on Tuesday, backed by partnerships with Microsoft and Sony, amid a race to offer more videos over high-speed Internet connections.

But much rides on the success of the service. Vongo, which will rely on Microsoft's(MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) Windows Media technology to provide copyright management and the ability to let customers watch movies on portable media devices, will also play a role in the evolution of Microsoft's portable media software technology

They are basing their service on Microsoft's tech. That is all. Basicly they are using MS's WMP's codec and DRM. That doesn't make it suck. Truth be told the WMV codec is pretty damn good from the examples I've seen.
What will make it suck is the service itself. How its setup, how long do you get content? How many systems can it be used on? (Right now 3.) What is the interface like? Etc. This has nothing to do with Microsoft. At this point they are simply providing the framework.

 

[edgar_is_good]

Exclusive?

Did anyone else notice this in the AP article?

The Starz service will not include films from every studio. It has exclusive rights to films from The Walt Disney Co. and Sony Pictures and has licensed some films from other studios.

What do you suppose that means "exclusive"?

 

[cycocelica]

i would try it if i had a PC. Who cares what the name is, the service it provides is good.

 

[Peace]

They are basing their service on Microsoft's tech. That is all. Basicly they are using MS's WMP's codec and DRM. That doesn't make it suck. Truth be told the WMV codec is pretty damn good from the examples I've seen.
What will make it suck is the service itself. How its setup, how long do you get content? How many systems can it be used on? (Right now 3.) What is the interface like? Etc. This has nothing to do with Microsoft. At this point they are simply providing the framework.

I used Windows to go to vongo and had to install a program..
The program was written by MS..