Amazon Instant Video?

[wulf109]

Does this service allow you to download and save to your computer movies you buy for $1.99 or is this a view only service like Netflix?

[olyteddy]

View Only.

[drjtech]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_3748_aivoffline?nodeId=3748&#offline

Can I still download videos to watch offline?

Absolutely. The options to download a video to a PC or TiVo DVR are still available. After you purchase a video, click the Download button next to the Play button on the video player controls and choose a download location (PC running the Unbox Video Player or TiVo DVR).

[yoda313]

Fyi there isn't a flat rate for all movies. Tv shows are generally .99 or 1.99, can't remember which. Movies can be just about any price. I THINK HD is more than SD. But I don't know if thats true anymore. Its been a few months since I've bought a show off Amazon Instant.

I have bought a few shows like SG Atlantis (before I bought the whole series on dvd) and Mythbusters. I've also rented a few movies.

The quality is about par with other streaming services like netflix and vudu. Though vudu I've only watched on my ps3 (two movies).

Rentals are cheaper naturally. But the usual digital rental is you have from a week to a month to START watching it then usually only 24 hours to watch the movie after you first hit play.

Also note for tv shows I think its EVERY episode. In other words if you want a two part episode you have to buy BOTH PARTS. Sucks I know but if you only want the season ending cliffhanger and the start of the next season you only have to buy those two instead of two whole season sets if you wanted them on dvd or bluray. - Edit - I do believe they have a "season pass" option - i don't know if you get the season cheaper than if you bought each individually, it would make sense for them to do it if they don't.

Edit - oh also you get a .amzn file for a portable version of the video when you buy it. You'll have to read what portable media players it supports. Otherwise you'll have to do a screen capture of it to convert to your player if you aren't in the compatible list.

Don't forget to burn your files to dvdr or backup to an external harddrive. You can redownload the files but the last time I looked I think there is a limit of how many redownloads you get - that may have changed also.

[vhelp]

what's the quality like on these ?
can someone post a few short clips for review, please ?

i shop on amazon, seems safer now that you can use prepaid cards in adance and add to your account when you purchase.

thanks...

[yoda313]

@vhelp - comparable to other services like I mentioned. For many videos there are sd and hd available - obviously hd will be better. But if you plan on streaming remember hd may stutter depending on your pipeline.