Comments on: New BlockBuster VOD box runs Linux

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:50:29 +0000

HDTivo now does Amazon, Netflix, YouTube and various other internet streaming (radio, etc).
I’d be surprised if Hulu and Blockbuster don’t eventually make it on there as well, unless they have an exclusive deal with Netflix to counter a BB app.

By: Luka

Luka — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:31:05 +0000

Check out Neuros Link at http://www.neurostechnology.com/neuros-link, it’s open source.

By: deviceguru

deviceguru — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:42:17 +0000

@P.Woods:

Devices that contain GPL/LGPL software do not need to ship with their GPL/LGPL software’s source code. What is required is for the sellers of those devices to supply it by some means (and at a reasonable price) to customers who request it.

By: P.Woods

P.Woods — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:34:01 +0000

Does this come with a CD of Linux + GNU s/w code?
If not, there could be a lawsuit.

By: deviceguru

deviceguru — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:32:37 +0000

@Kennon:

Apologies if I seemed to be demeaning the Netflix box. I have one and like it a lot; but I really wish there was more content available to it. Rumor has it that Roku (or Netflix) may be planning to add other download sources (beyond just Netflix videos) to it… here’s hoping!

By: Kennon

Kennon — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 07:14:49 +0000

“appears to be a thinly-veiled jab at Neftlix’s VOD service, which currently seems to be limited to a lot of TV shows, documentaries, and older (“classic”) movies.”

Characterizing the Netflix watch-it-now selection in that way is pretty sketchy. I mean if you consider movies like Spiderman 3, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, No Country for Old Men, Pirates of the Carribean World’s End, and Apocalypto older classic movies then sure I guess but…

Does it have all the new releases as they hit DVD? No, but it is unlimited and included in even the lowest end plans. It supplements a decent 2-4 disc at a time mail in plan nicely which is exactly what I am pretty sure it was supposed to do. At $4 a pop for new releases (which is only like a buck less than picking them up at the store) I think we are looking at yet another poorly planned and soon to be failed venture by our friends at Blockbuster. I mean most basic digital cable/sat plans in North America have “Movies on Demand” for $4-$5 or less already (many of them free) so whats the Blockbuster value-add here???

By: banana face

banana face — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:40:35 +0000

that mythical box you wish for already exists. it’s called “any desktop computer with a tv card.”

By: M.Mandell

M.Mandell — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:23:11 +0000

Factual correction: After the initial 25 for $99 movies are “as low as $1.99″. Most recent movies are $3.99.

By: David

David — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:20:53 +0000

Too bad they couldn’t do something with Nintendo. The Wii streams videos from YouTube wonderfully as does the Nintend Channel app, although it’s only for watching game “info-mercials” at the moment.

It would be nice to use the Wii to watch VOD content as well, such as that from BlockBuster.

By: Stephen Warren

Stephen Warren — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:44:05 +0000

Um, the popcornhour doesn’t appear to do *any* of the stuff people want in a unified media player (Netflix, Amazon, Blockbuster)

That said, I could be wrong; their website is very low on the details of what the box can actually do.

By: Nate

Nate — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:45:19 +0000

The popcornhour is almost there for all your needs. Check it out…great community forum too!

http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/