Two years after launching “Unbox” on TiVo (~$250), Amazon (AMZN) has finally rolled out HD video on demand. I’ve been on the road for work, so while my Roku box ($99) has had the high def Amazon service about 10 days, I haven’t yet actually taken a test drive. Early reports from various sources indicate excellent quality. Movie rental prices seem reasonable at $4-$5/pop. Although television content seems a bit much, especially 30 minute shows (which are closer to 20) clocking in at $3. As Amazon’s library grows, this should make TiVo an even more viable competitor to cable’s two-way DVRs with VOD. And while their HD quality may not equal Vudu‘s ($149) high def video, most folks will have less incentive to explore that solution. As both a Roku and TiVo customer, I’m very pleased this day has finally arrived. And I have much less incentive to pull the Vudu (and Blockbuster box) from the closet going forward.
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