Devoted to show business and the entertainment industry

Hollywood has finally gotten the message and are beginning to offer digital versions of films for sale on the Internet this week, marking the first time that have been made available for downloading to own.

One of the weaknesses of the system is that they won't be able to be burned onto a disc  for viewing on a DVD player, although there can be one burned for backup (for use on your computer only). It is a step in the right direction, but far from consumer-friendly.

These six studios: Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox and MGM said that they will begin their offerings through the Web site Movielink which is owned by five out of the seven key studios. 

Current films will be sold at prices close to DVD prices - around $20 - $30 while the older offerings will be sold for about $10 - $20.

Sony and Lionsgate are going a different route as they are going to sell their films through the CinemaNow site.  

At this time the Disney company hasn't entered into the mix, though they are in negotiations with the both services.

Curt Marvis, chief executive of CinemaNow said "This is a first step, but it is far from the final model."

I would have to agree wholeheartedly with him. I would even go so far as to say it isn't even a model.

For example, CinemaNow will only be allowed to play on one computer and Movielink will allow their downloads to be saved on three computers total. If the computer is linked into a home network, the movies will be able to be watched on your TV.

One of the reasons that studios are delivering this service in the way they are is because at this time DVD sales are more profitable than what the movies make in theaters. They are trying to milk that as long as they can. They are starting to realize that those days are beginning to come to an end.

I just wish they would have done this more consumer-friendly as this temporary offering may make a lot of consumers more angry than it does inspire them. Still, even in this form, it's a step in the right direction.