Wal-Mart Closes Movie Download Service

[MacFly123]

Here\\\'s my usolicited view:

(and make no mistake, people. The \\\'powers that be\\\' are watching threads like this to get ideas)

Apple basically dominates the portable music arena with the iPod. It is the \\\'800lb gorilla\\\'. Expensive, but a \\\'must have\\\' for the \\\'todays\\\' generation.

Digital media is the coming wave. The music wave is already here, but the video wave is still cresting. iTunes fills a huge void for music and is the standard for people that actually buy music. If Apple can marry the iTunes legacy with digital video, then the 800lb gorilla gains a pound or two.

Alongside the digital video wave is the PORTABLE digital video wave. And by portable I mean wireless, both inside the home and out. If Apple can turn the musical legacy of iTunes into a full-range digital media source, then TV will have a MUCH better chance of catching on. And if Apple can do that AND then simultaneously make your digital media stored at home (and purchased from iTunes) available ANYWHERE you have a portable device, then IMHO, Apple wins.

Think about it. What makes iPods and iPhones so attractive to people? The ease of use...the GUI that any idiot can use right away without a big manual. If Apple can take that ease of use and apply it to fully wireless and portable digital media, then the 800lb gorilla becomes Godzilla.

Can they pull that off without cooperation from Fox, Warner Bros., etc? I don\\\'t think so....the big problem will be to satisfy all the execs who have their hand out and want a big slice ($) of the pie. For this to all work, prices must be low enough that you make the $$ on volume. Studio execs don\\\'t think this way, so the challenge is there.

Myself? I love the iPhone so much I bought an iMac. I\\\'m waiting on one more upgrade and I\\\'ll buy an TV. I still use my 1st gen Nano. And I buy Apple stock every month. I think they\\\'re on the right track....the question is is can Apple keep everything \\\'on track\\\' and still satisfy today\\\'s \\\"I want it all NOW\\\" attitude???

Very good! What we need is all that content in the right flavor (HD etc.) and add to the iTunes WIFI store ALL MEDIA or make it possible to stream from your home computer and Apple TV all of your media and movies etc while you are out on the go. WOW that would change the game beyond belief.

Now I know its complicated because of Hollywood etc. but someone please tell me why iTunes or anyone can\\\'t sell the movies like a DVD disc image with the cover art, the movie, AND the special features like a REAL digital version of the DVD that plays just as if you put an actual DVD in your computer. I know there is a piece of software that does that. THAT is what I want my digital downloads to be like!!!

 

[Digitalclips]

Walmart had a movie download service?

Yep, but as it was not made and run in China with sub-standard parts and manned by slave labor Wal-Mart were unable to make a profit.

 

[MacFly123]

Yep, but as it was not made and run in China with sub-standard parts and manned by slave labor Wal-Mart were unable to make a profit.

LOL, I LOVE it. By far the funniest post I have seen in a long time And so true!

 

[aarond12]

AppleTV is not just SD...

TV is a bust. Standard definition when people are in a 1080p market????

Although it is not 1080p, the AppleTV does 720p quite nicely. Considering a majority of the flat panels sold on the market only do 720p anyway, the current AppleTV ain't so bad.

That being said, I would love for a new, upgraded AppleTV that IS capable of 1080p, with true surround output, where you can rent (or buy) HD movies from the iTunes Store. A built-in DVD player would be icing and would let consumers really see the difference between SD (DVD) and HD (iTunes Store) content.

Having ONE format that all the movie studios can back is what consumers are waiting for. Apple might be able to pull this one off...

-Aaron-

 

[brewcitywi]

Tougher than it seems!

I think people really do want their content closely tied into their playback device, and maybe that's why iTunes has an advantage. I think that the rental model for movies might be interesting, cause people can have a bit more fun. Perhaps there can be a case made that downloadable music is a bit more "disposable," in that it's instant, and you can go from song to song and build a library. Maybe people would like their movies to be the same way, and they don't mind giving up a movie after having it for a week or month.

On the other hand, who wants to look around the Wal-Mart website...for anything?!? The Wal-Mart brand hasn't built itself into a destination where you'd want to spend any online time.

For that matter, NBC's Hulu might suffer the same fate.

Amazon might have a better chance at competing.

I do think that the length of time it takes to download a movie is still a shortcoming for iTunes. I have purchased 2 movies there, and I basically had to wait til the next night to watch them, cause I fell asleep during the download!

 

[theBB]

I do think that the length of time it takes to download a movie is still a shortcoming for iTunes. I have purchased 2 movies there, and I basically had to wait til the next night to watch them, cause I fell asleep during the download!

I think you can start watching them before download is complete.

 

[ChrisA]

I think people don't want o buy a DRM'd movie. Not that they want to make copies but I think because most people are smart enough to know that the move they paid for will be useless when the DRM system goes away. Yes DVDs have DRM built in but people know that DVD players will be available for decades, A Wallmart or Apple DRM player software could go away at any time without notice. So your DRM's video collection is at risk. I think more then at risk it is a certainty. Any DRM'd video collection will become usless likely in just a few years. Everyone knows this.

 

[ChrisA]

Although it is not 1080p, the AppleTV does 720p quite nicely. Considering a majority of the flat panels sold on the market only do 720p anyway, the current AppleTV ain't so bad.

The problem is that everyone who as a 720 screen thinks that some day they will buy a 1080. No one wants to spend $400 on a 720 ATV box knowing they will have to replace it later with a 1080 box. If Apple was willing to sell me a 720 ATV box got for $50 then I'd buy it with the idea I's simply chuck it in the trash when the 1080 becomes available but if they are going for $400 I'll wait for the one I want.

I don't even watch DVDs. I want an ATV so I can show the content I made on my TV screen

 

[pjarvi]

I can't wait until Apple offers HD movies for download/rent. Everyone will soon hit their monthly bandwith quota and get disconnected from the net.

As for rentals themselves, it will be a greatly welcomed option, but they need to increases their library to make it worthwhile. The selection available right now is sorely lacking.

 

[walnuts]

I think people don't want o buy a DRM'd movie. Not that they want to make copies but I think because most people are smart enough to know that the move they paid for will be useless when the DRM system goes away. Yes DVDs have DRM built in but people know that DVD players will be available for decades, A Wallmart or Apple DRM player software could go away at any time without notice. So your DRM's video collection is at risk. I think more then at risk it is a certainty. Any DRM'd video collection will become usless likely in just a few years. Everyone knows this.

I don't think that that is a certainty. This is sort of a situation that's never happened before. Maybe this has happened with music DRM, but usually something has to happen first. To use your example of a DVD, when the world stops manufacturing DVD players, it will only be because they have been replaced with something better (hi-def or downloads, or something we haven't imagined yet).

If something comes along to make the current DRM obsolete enough to make most of us replace most of our collection, then maybe they could do it. Otherwise, a lot of people would be really upset.

Besides, software DRM presents itself with the unique opportunity for retailers to do a bunch of things:

• Provide software that is backwards compatible to older DRM (much easier than maintaining a factory to make VHS's)
• Make a converter that converts to new DRM if the old one is valid
• Simply release something that removes the DRM (only if something truly obsoletes the old stuff)
• Finally, if the stuff really gets old, some hacker could make their own software to break/circumvent old DRM and it being old, no one would care to stop them

 

[SPUY767]

Although it is not 1080p, the AppleTV does 720p quite nicely. Considering a majority of the flat panels sold on the market only do 720p anyway, the current AppleTV ain't so bad.

That being said, I would love for a new, upgraded AppleTV that IS capable of 1080p, with true surround output, where you can rent (or buy) HD movies from the iTunes Store. A built-in DVD player would be icing and would let consumers really see the difference between SD (DVD) and HD (iTunes Store) content.

Having ONE format that all the movie studios can back is what consumers are waiting for. Apple might be able to pull this one off...

-Aaron-

Having a 47" 1080p LCD TV, and various HD playback devices, I can honestly say, that if you're not looking at still photos, it is hard to tell the difference between 720p and 1080i sources.

 

[sushi]

All this talk reminds me of when CDs were introduced. There were many naysayers that said CDs did not sound good, cost too much, etc.

But convenience over quality has seemed to take over during the past 20 years. Now many folks happily listen to MP3 or other formats on their iPods with headphones or iPod playing devices.

My guess is that video will go the same way. Convenience will win over qualify. Being able to DL a movie for rental or to own and watch it on a variety of devices is very convenient for many users. The wave of the future.

 

[Digitalclips]

Although it is not 1080p, the AppleTV does 720p quite nicely. Considering a majority of the flat panels sold on the market only do 720p anyway, the current AppleTV ain't so bad.

That being said, I would love for a new, upgraded AppleTV that IS capable of 1080p, with true surround output, where you can rent (or buy) HD movies from the iTunes Store. A built-in DVD player would be icing and would let consumers really see the difference between SD (DVD) and HD (iTunes Store) content.

Having ONE format that all the movie studios can back is what consumers are waiting for. Apple might be able to pull this one off...

-Aaron-

Problem is where can you get a 720p movie for the ATV?

 

[karmapolice63]

But, what will we do with all the empty and abandoned Walmart buildings? Fill up all the landfills? Make them into condos? Affordable housing as 2000 families can fit in one building? Use them as informational sites so students can be bussed out to see the evil created by corporate greed combined with child labor? How about detention centers for terrorists? Keeping them in a Walmart is torture, but without the baggage of traditional torture centers. Even the most hardened terrorist will vote Republican after two months of detention.

I like the sound of most of those ideas...except the terrorists voting Republican. haha. Why not also mow down a couple buildings for nature preserves or project housing or better yet...recyclable building materials.

 

[Digitalclips]

All this talk reminds me of when CDs were introduced. There were many naysayers that said CDs did not sound good, cost too much, etc.

But convenience over quality has seemed to take over during the past 20 years. Now many folks happily listen to MP3 or other formats on their iPods with headphones or iPod playing devices.

My guess is that video will go the same way. Convenience will win over qualify. Being able to DL a movie for rental or to own and watch it on a variety of devices is very convenient for many users. The wave of the future.

All true to a point but watching 480i or p on a 50" plus HD TV would be like listening to AM radio in terms of lousy quality. CD or MP3 are all pretty good quality. Videos for iTunes / ATV will have to be at least 720p to catch on ... and yes that is good enough to get the ball rolling. Anything better is just icing on the cake.

p.s. The first CD was available in 1983 I think ... wow, time shoots by!!!

 

[Cleverboy]

Has anyone been keeping track of this?

Neflix Launches - 1998
Netflix Launches Online Video Downloads - January 16, 2007

Walmart Announces Online Video Rentals - October 15, 2002
Walmart cuts DVD rental prices - June 11, 2003
Walmart Closes service, sending Video Rental customers to Netflix - May 19, 2005
Walmart Launches DVD/digital download bundle (Superman Returns) - November 28, 2006
Walmart Launches BETA movie download service - February 06, 2007
Walmart Closes movie download service - December 28, 2007
Walmart Announces Online Music - Dec. 18th, 2003
Walmart Announces DRM-Free Mp3 music available - August 21, 2007

Amazon Launches Unbox - September 8, 2006
Amazon Launches Unbox TiVo compatibility - Mar 7, 2007
Amazon Launches Mp3 store public BETA - September 25, 2007
Amazon Launches Kindle eBook Reader - November 19th 2007

Guba introduces WB video downloads - June 26, 2006

Vongo Launches for Starz - January 3, 2006

MovieBeam in development - Before November 2002
Disney "spins-off" MovieBeam business - January 2006
MovieBeam ceased operations - December 15, 2005

Google Video Store Launches - January 06, 2006
Google Buys YouTube - October 10, 2006
Google Closes Video Store - August 10, 2007

Microsoft Launches XBox - November 15, 2001
Microsoft Unveils XBox 360 - May 12, 2005
Microsoft Launches Xbox Live Marketplace with 360 - November 22, 2005
Microsoft Launches HD video content rentals for XBox 360 - November 22, 2006
Microsoft Launches the Zune media player - November 14, 2006

Sony released the original Walkman - 1979
Sony Sonic Stage music program Introduced in Japan - October 2001
Sony Announces Connect Music Service - May 7, 2004
Sony Introduces Hi-MD players supporting Mp3 playback - 2004-2005
Sony Introduces PSP, "the Walkman of the 21st century" - January 5, 2005
Sony Releases first Walkman phone - August 12, 2005
Sony Announces PSP video rentals - December 2, 2005
Sony Announces support for AAC - May 10th 2006
Sony Introduces "iTunes-like" PSP Media Manager - November 21, 2005
Sony Announces Closure of Connect no earlier than March 2008 - August 30, 2007
Sony Introduces first Video Walkman - August 31, 2007
Sony Closes Sony Connect - Sometime after March 2008

Apple Introduced iTunes for FREE for Mac - January 10, 2001
Apple Launches iPod - October 23, 2001
Apple Introduces first Windows compatible iPod - July 17, 2002
Apple iTunes Music Store Launches - April 28, 2003
Apple iTunes Music Store Launches TV shows - October 12, 2005
Apple Announces iPod with Video - October 12, 2005
Apple iTunes Launches Movies, renamed "iTunes Store" - September 12, 2006
Apple Previews Apple "iTV" - September 12, 2006
Apple Announces Apple TV/iPhone - January 9, 2007
Apple Announces iPod Touch/iPod Nano with Video - September 5, 2007
Apple Introduces WiFi Music Store - September 28, 2007

It's dizzing, but a little sad. In the end, Apple just keeps creating more value to its ecosystem like a raging monster of a consumer crack dealer. Everyone else keeps floundering and gasping for air as Apple sucks it slowly out of the room. Only Amazon seems to be moving in a slow but consistent manner, compared to Apple... yet provides somewhat inferior services (not that they aren't trying). Netflix is consistent but terribly slow. For all of Microsoft's "wins" they are leaking money in this area like a straw hat in the rain, and whether its Zune or XBox, seem like they're playing a much "longer" game.

~ CB

 

[sushi]

All true to a point but watching 480i or p on a 50" plus HD TV would be like listening to AM radio in terms of lousy quality. CD or MP3 are all pretty good quality. Videos for iTunes / ATV will have to be at least 720p to catch on ... and yes that is good enough to get the ball rolling. Anything better is just icing on the cake.

That's true. 720p seems like a good compromise quality verses file size.

p.s. The first CD was available in 1983 I think ... wow, time shoots by!!!

I purchased my first CD in 1983.

 

[Rocketman]

Good riddance.

They also recently changed their sayng from "low prices always" to "Always Wal-Mart." Kinda cult-ish if you ask me.

It seems other firms got good at compelling suppliers to source from low labor rate, forced labor, and slave labor countries, cutting out the distribution middle man and selling cheap goods directly to the public.

Mean time Apple is also sourcing asian suppliers for goods and services but doing all the ENGINEERING, design, marketing, and distribution themselves with the exception of a portion of the retail network being partners.

They also sell third party products and services, much of which is designed, produced and sold entirely from the USA and other developed countries.

Rocketman

 

[carlgo]

Hill said he declined Wal-Mart's offer to replace the MP3 player. He said he has already bought his daughter a new one and is hanging onto the controversial one until he talks to a lawyer.

So, Wal-Mart is now associated with porn and it will cost them money? How could this be better?

Somebody is a genius! No fooling around with severed fingers, used condoms, dead rats or any of that. Just a nice, clean digital download and get more money than any of those fast-food fakers.

And the kid, her head filled with porn she cannot forget? This lawsuit should be filed in a the reddest state possible.

If I was the lawyer, I would work for percentage only, no need for an hourly fee here.

 

[AtomicPunk]

Wal-Mart's movies, however, were only offered in Windows Media format, which is not compatible with Apple's iPods.

Here's a clue. When you open up a video download service, if the most popular product is the iPod and iTunes, then to just use only Windows Media is kind of like shooting yourself in the foot. Even other third party players like, MS Zune and Creative Zen can use MPEG4 Video file formats. err... Duh.

Wow, is brain-power at a premium lately.

 

[madmax_2069]

Here's a clue. When you open up a video download service, if the most popular product is the iPod and iTunes, then to just use only Windows Media is kind of like shooting yourself in the foot. Even other third party players like, MS Zune and Creative Zen can use MPEG4 Video file formats. err... Duh.

Wow, is brain-power at a premium lately.

Its walmarts we are talking about, they haven't put it on sale yet so none of them can afford it.

 

[RRutter]

After launching their movie download service in February, Wal-Mart has quietly shut down the service after HP decided to discontinue the download service that powered it:Wal-Mart's entry into the movie and TV download business was described as a "game changer" due to partnerships with all the major Hollywood movie studios. Wal-Mart's movies, however, were only offered in Windows Media format, which is not compatible with Apple's iPods.

This news comes amidst rumors that Apple was planning on expanding its online movie offerings to include rentals.


Article Link

That doesnt suprise me one bit!! Who would buy something thats only windows compatible? Someone with an old-skool Dell DJ. HAHA!!

 

[CWallace]

That doesnt suprise me one bit!! Who would buy something thats only windows compatible?

The tens of millions of people who use Windows?

 

[Marky_Mark]

The tens of millions of people who use Windows?

Apparently not, or they wouldn't have gone bust. Or were you referring to the tens of millions of Windows users who happen to own an iPod, and its free companion, iTunes?

Good riddance. So much hype, so little substance. Apple is the only one who keeps a consistent momentum going, and good for them. All these other bit part players who think they can court the media publishers and knock Apple off their perch are just going to have to try harder. When iTunes and iPod have 70-80% market share, Microsoft DRM is sheer lunacy. I'm a numpty and even I know that. Walmart's shareholders should be asking for the board's heads to be presented to them on sticks. Their whole business model is based on 'pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap', and so they should pander to the lowest common denominator: MPEG. Their buying power alone should knock the publishers into line, but between them, they just can't see the path.

 

[pamon]

What killed the walmart model was amazon and tivo teaming up on unbox on the windows side. Itunes will be the killer mac app and will take a huge player to take them down. itunes works, it's easy to work, and its there. Walmart's model was clunky, DRM protected, and windows media... enough said there