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Blockbuster Debuts Broadband Set-Top Box: Pre-Paid Rentals Can Net Free Device
paidContent —
... Blockbuster's newest gimmick is out of the gate: the MediaPoint digital media player by 2Wire can be ordered online or bought in some stores. Well, not exactly bought—the launch deal swaps the box for $99 in pre-paid rentals, 25 to be exact. Subsequent rentals start at $1.99. Blockbuster chairman and CEO Jim Keyes ...
Blockbuster Announces an On-Demand Movie Service!
GeekSugar —
... Starting today, you can get access to over 2,000 movies for rent thanks to Blockbuster's new Blockbuster OnDemand movie service. For a limited time, customers can pick up the tiny MediaPoint player by 2Wire for free with the purchase of 25 advance rentals for $99. With this player, you'll have access to Blockbuster's digital library, and after your 25 rentals are up, you can rent movies for $1.99 each. ...
Blockbuster bows "free" TV set-top box
Yahoo! Tech Advisors —
... The movie rental giant makes good on its promise (threat?) to deliver its own set-top box before the end of the year, and it's free—that is, as long as you're willing to cough up $99 in "advance" rentals first. Set to ship "in time for the holiday season," the HDMI- and Wi-Fi-enabled 2Wire MediaPoint player puts Blockbuster in direct competition with the likes of Apple TV, Vudu, and Netflix's $99 Roku streaming player. Rental policies are similar to those on Apple TV and Vudu; you get a 24-hour viewing window, and rental prices range from $1.99 for bargain titles to $3.99 ...
Blockbuster Launches Movie Rental Box
Zatz Not Funny! —
We’d heard Blockbuster was launching a set-top box prior to the holidays, and here we are. The Blockbuster OnDemand service is powered by 2Wire’s new MediaPoint hardware. The box is “free” … should you choose to pre-pay for 25 Internet-delivered movies at a cost of $99. Additional rentals will start at $1.99 and Blockbuster promises many titles within 30 days of DVD release. Unlike Netflix’s strategy to provide subscribers with unlimited viewing and enable a variety of partner hardware, Blockbuster ...
2Wire-built MediaPoint Blockbuster movie set-top-box now on sale
Engadget HD —
Filed under: Media streamers, Set-top boxes, Internet
We heard that Blockbuster's very own movie set-top-box would be on sale shortly, and for couch potatoes and cube dwellers alike, you can order yours right now from the comfort of your dilapidated sofa / Aeron, respectively. As we'd heard, ...
2Wire-built MediaPoint Blockbuster movie set-top-box now on sale
Engadget —
We heard that Blockbuster's very own movie set-top-box would be on sale shortly, and for couch potatoes and cube dwellers alike, you can order yours right now from the comfort of your dilapidated sofa / Aeron, respectively. As we'd heard, you'll be asked to rent 25 On Demand movies for $99, after which you'll get the ...
Movies in a Box: Blockbuster Offers Download Device
Bits —
... with a set-top box of its own. Blockbuster’s device comes with a potentially more attractive pricing plan than the Roku: The cost is $99, but that includes 25 movie downloads. (Additional movies will cost as much as $3.99 apiece.) While Netflix and Blockbuster compete for DVD rentals, their approach to Internet movies is very different. Netflix includes access to an unlimited number of streamed films as part of its membership plans that cost at least $9 a month. However, the selection is limited and generally includes movies that are ...
Blockbuster Goes On Demand With Digital Set-Top Box
Contentinople: —
With the introduction of a new digital set-top box , video rental company Blockbuster Inc. is finally going on demand in the living room. Blockbuster announced the availability of 2Wire Inc. 's MediaPoint Digital Media Player , which will allow subscribers to rent on-demand videos for download over the Internet. For $99, Blockbuster customers can get the set-top box and a credit for 25 movie rentals. Downloads start at $1.99 apiece thereafter. [Ed. note: Blockbuster says, "when you rent 25 movies for $99 in advance, the DigitalPoint media player ...
Blockbuster's Web Movie Rental Box: Good Deal, Lots Of Competition (BBI)
Silicon Alley Insider —
... Blockbuster (BBI) joins the on-demand movie rental/set-top box battle: Today it started offering a $99 box by 2Wire that hooks up to your TV and home Internet connection for Internet-based movie rentals. ...
Blockbuster MediaPoint Digital Media Player Available Now
GadgetReview —
The Blockbuster MediaPoint Digital Media Player, developed by 2Wire, is available now for your viewing pleasure. As we reported earlier, Blockbuster’s new set top box allows you to download and view their huge library of media content right on your tube. Features include progressive playback (as opposed to streaming), hdmi/component outputs, two USB ports, Ethernet port, WiFi, SD slot, and DVD quality video.
To “sweeten” the deal, they’re offering a “free” player when you pre-purchase 25 movie rentals for $99. After that it starts at $1.99 per movie.
Perhaps they were a ...
Blockbuster 2wire MediaPoint set-top box arrives
Obsessable News Feed —
Right around the same time that 2wire announced that its MediaPoint set-top box was looking for content partners, Blockbuster had mentioned that they were going to offer a set-top box capable of streaming content to their customers, similar to Netflix's Roku Player, by the end of the year.
Blockbuster now offers the Blockbuster ONDEMAND and MediaPoint Digital Media Player as the combined realization of these companies' previous announcements. For $99 you can get the Linux-powered MediaPoint packaged with 25 rentals, which Blockbuster is spinning as getting the device for free. ...
Blockbuster OnDemand Unboxing & Setup
Zatz Not Funny! —
So much for a day of vacation recovery… UPS just arrived with the new Blockbuster OnDemand movie rental box, by 2Wire. If you recall, $99 gets you the box and 25 video rental credits. Once those have been consumed, content begins at $1.99 a pop.
Packaging is Blockbuster branded, though there’s absolutely no mention of “Blockbuster” on the unit. (Then again, the competing Roku box is also devoid of “Netflix” branding.) The AppleTV-shaped hardware feels somewhat plasticy, but it’s more attractive and has more personality than the Roku box.
Setup didn’t start so ...
Video of the Blockbuster STB
Zatz Not Funny! —
While I’m not (currently) fond of the new 2Wire MediaPoint Blockbuster experience due to a variety issues, I did intend to shoot a brief video before banishing it to the closet. However, HackingBlockbuster.com has launched and spared me the trouble - as you can see above. My unit is now resting peacefully, awaiting a firmware update. Related Stories:
Blockbuster OnDemand Not Ready For Prime Time
Blockbuster OnDemand Unboxing & Setup
Blockbuster Launches Movie Rental Box ...
