Online Dvd Rental Download Services: A How-to

The concept of online DVD rental has now been firmly established - it's just like a traditional video rental store except that you choose online and have your DVD sent to you through the post.

However, streaming or downloading DVDs legally online is a newer concept so this guide will explain the complexities of this service.

The first thing to be aware of is compatibility issues.

You can play a DVD or Blu Ray disc on a DVD player, a PC or even a games console. However, this isn't true of downloaded films.

Films that are streamed can usually only be watched on time on your computer screen and if you buy a film via Apple's ITunes service you won't be able to watch the film on Microsoft's Xbox console.

These are just examples of the downsides of some DVD rental and digital download services but they have serious consequences.

It was widely believed that the film industry was relying on film fans streaming and downloading movies to help plug the gap left open by dwindling DVD sales.

Sales of digital films rose in 2007 and 2008 but growth slowed in 2009.

Digital films should have bought in around 360 million dollars but the actual figure for 2009 was in much lower. Digital DVD rentals and downloads totals just 291 million dollars.

Many people have suggested that compatibility issues may be the main reason for people losing interest in digital film downloads.

However, there are some recent innovations which could help these problems. Any Lovefilm DVD rental review worth its salt is bound to mention the DVD rental service's upcoming streaming service.

The service will be offered through Samsung and Sony Bravia TVs via a platform known as Internet@TV.

This sidesteps any compatibility issues since it comes straight through a TV like any television show or film on TV.

In the USA Netflix offer the same service to American gamers.

The Netflix DVD rental service been made available to owners of Sony PS3, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii consoles.

2009 seemed to signal the beginning of the end for streaming and downloading feature length films but 2010 has seen announcements suggesting that the digital film format may live to fight another day.

It remains to be seen if the new technology will be affordable enough for Joe public but 2010 should allow streaming and downloading movies to become a part of many more people's film viewing experience.

By: Seamus L Swords

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Seamus Swords is a staff writer for the news, reviews and price comparison site ChooseDVDrental where users can compare UK DVD rental services. The site is also packed with tools to help users find DVD rental free trials.