Keychest - The Anti-DVD

[innerSpaceman]

Yeah, um, I can tell you right now, I will NOT be watching Lawrence of Arabia on my cellphone.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Yeah, um, I can tell you right now, I will NOT be watching Lawrence of Arabia on my cellphone.

Which I think is a plus.

In theory purchasing the "access rights" you can watch it on any device you like anytime you like. So you can watch Lawrence on the big screen HDTV if you like, on your PC, or in a few years on your direct neural input helmet.

If along with the "access rights" you also get the physical media of the day (blu-ray, dvd, whatever) then I think this is a winner. If all I get is a key code I'm less enthused.

[Pirate Bill]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

In theory purchasing the "access rights" you can watch it on any device you like anytime you like. So you can watch Lawrence on the big screen HDTV if you like, on your PC, or in a few years on your direct neural input helmet.

I doubt it would be one payment for access rights on all devices...present or future. Each separate device will require a separate payment. It's pretty much the same thing now (if you bought it on DVD but want it on Blu-ray, that's another purchase), but you won't get to own the media.

I'm very much against the pay-per-view model. It's fine as an entertainment supplement, but I don't want it as our only option. For reasons already given above (sentimental, archival, etc.) I like to have a physical copy of my favorites.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Pirate Bill

I doubt it would be one payment for access rights on all devices...present or future. Each separate device will require a separate payment. It's pretty much the same thing now (if you bought it on DVD but want it on Blu-ray, that's another purchase), but you won't get to own the media.

The article seems fairly clear on that point:

The technology would allow consumers to pay a single price for permanent access to a movie or TV show across multiple digital platforms and devices—from the Web, to mobile gadgets like iPhones and cable services that allow on-demand viewing. It could also facilitate other services such as online movie subscriptions

[Pirate Bill]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

The article seems fairly clear on that point:

Bah! I'm supposed to actually read the article? This is the interwebs, we don't do that here.

So let's suppose they do give you "permanent access" rights. Then it becomes another cloud computing problem. What happens when the cloud isn't available?

And what about the bandwidth problem? Each time you want to watch a movie it needs to be streamed or downloaded. In a time where ISPs are talking (and implementing) download caps, this isn't good.

It just seems like, in the end, there will be less control for the consumer on how and when they consume their entertainment.

[Pirate Bill]

Oh, and also from the article:

And Keychest would allow movie studios to dictate how many devices, connected to which distribution networks, a given title can be played on. That could limit consumer choice and make the system confusing.

As tight-assed as many of the movie studios are (including Disney), this is sure to be used as aggressively as possible.