If you had chosen to buy that movie from Amazon or Google Play instead, you could play it on all of those devices (yes, Google purchases can be watched on iOS devices). Amazon even gives you a WMV file for your Windows Media Player in addition to the streaming rights. The studios didn't force you to choose a more restrictive seller. You can't play a DVD from Wal-Mart on your phone either, but making more choices available to you is not a bad thing.
- not instant (must download first, then watch) - but: easy to automate auto downloads, can watch offline
Streaming:
- not free, but cheap
- extremely limited selection
- requires proprietary software (OK if you are Windows/Mac/Android/iOS user; not acceptable for Linux/BSD user)
- instant, no need to wait for download
- content creator gets paid
- regional restrictions
- other arbitrary restrictions (i.e. can't watch on Hulu Xbox app, can watch on Hulu in browser, wat do?)
- advertisements on some services
- network connection necessary for viewing
Piracy is a better deal for the consumer. If you do not care about the entertainment industry's profits, it is hard to justify paying for something inferior to the free option.
not instant (must download first, then watch) - but: easy to automate auto downloads, can watch offline
Not really. It depends on the format you desire and can fine. There are plenty of flash streaming sites out there that will instantly stream content to you, sometimes in HD (depends on what's been uploaded).
there is a industry with a lousy product, that can make a much better offering instantly with very little effort, but they are to afraid to do so.
the consumer who opt for piracy is not actively choosing to harm the content creators. but the ecosystem that preys on those content creators is killing itself by preventing people from even buying their products with comfort, and in doing so is harming the content creators.
think about all the bands that started to distribute their own music. nin is way better off. as well as their fans. the only casuality is the record labels and others that used to prey on the band, who used to provide a benefit for the fans when distribution was physical. now, all they do is screw the content creators and fans in a vain attempt to remain relevant and siphoning dollars as they are used to.
Wait a minute. I see what you did there. Corporations get to think like the parent article (i.e. offshore programmers and call centers are cheaper, and plenty of outright abuses of labor and customers). Why don't regular consumers? Consumers have to account for morality, but corporations don't? That sounds fishy.
I don't use Google products, so Android isn't an option for me. In other words, having choice limits my choice. To me this means that the model is broken.
For now I continue to download pirated versions of all the legit versions I own. My goodwill got me burnt by DRM before, but not again.
I didn't know this about Google Play. Is there a chart where I can see what each service sells? Like columns for MP4 | WMV | bitrate | HD? | and so forth. Or does each movie/show have different characteristics? I only use Linux so I definitely don't want WMV ;-)
That tells you where you can stream or purchase it in various formats. Check what formats Amazon, Apple, Google, Vudu, etc allow you to view the movie in, and you're set.
