Netflix Streaming Video (with DRM)

When you get into Video DRM territory, things get a little sticky, especially when you delve into online rentals.

Netflix announced in January of 2007, that they plan to offer their unique system of online video rentals by June. No doubt, Blockbuster's new rental service will adopt this online streaming video rentals, as well. These two will fight to the death, and as a Netflix subscriber, I love the service, but they've got to offer Apple downloads. I will be quick to ditch my subscription, for the ability to stream my rentals. I'd prefer the Netflix service, which allows the $5.99 users to view six hours of online moving watching per month, and the $17.99 users to watch up to 18 hours online hours. It's a great concept, that seemed to be inevitable when streaming video hit the scene.

You must be thinking to yourself, here comes the DRM bashing. Yet again. But this is the only instance where I feel it's justified. Sure my animal urge wants all movies, all the time, but in this case free downloads aren't necessarily the best marketing tool yet, as it is with music. Also, until there is a free service that would work as well as an organized system like Netflix' I'm willing to accept DRM in this case. If I'm buying a DVD, it is mine to do whatever I want with it. But in the case of Netflix, I'm not buying the video, so I don't own the content on that disc. I'm accepting of the Netflix DRM as a tool for renting, not for purchasing. I'd be spending the same amount, but now I have to be hassled by going to the video store and sending out my rentals (yeah, it's not much of a pain, but the internet makes it instant and without any effort). Downloading a video can be a bitch. Often crappy quality mixed with day-long downloads just isn't practical. So, Netflix, do whatever you can now before your paid service will not stand up to the free ones. Netflix, Blockbuster: they will all be obsolete within the next ten years, but for now they provide great services and I'm willing to pay for it.