| Movie downloads aren't for everyone but for | | | | |
| many they provide a convenient and practical | | | | Other services of course have different |
| way of enjoying their favorite movies at home | | | | requirements although there are similarities. |
| and on the go with their laptop. With | | | | Netflix, the online movie rental service, now |
| connection speeds increasing, screens with | | | | offers a "Watch Now" feature that is still in |
| great resolution, and improving technology | | | | its infancy. Their service has the advantage |
| for downloading and streaming video, movie | | | | of allowing users to avoid the lengthy |
| download services are continuing to draw a | | | | downloading process as it uses a real-time |
| wider audience. For a significant number of | | | | playback technology which makes it possible |
| people the question isn't whether or not | | | | to begin watching a movie while it is being |
| movie downloads are an attractive option, but | | | | delivered to their PC. |
| whether or not they have the equipment | | | | |
| necessary to make use of the service. | | | | The Netflix service requires: |
| | | | |
| Each of the various services have somewhat | | | | Download of a browser applet from their site |
| different requirements, however faster | | | | |
| connection speeds, better processors, and | | | | Internet connectivity with 1 MB per second |
| plenty of memory are key for all of them. As | | | | bandwidth or better |
| an example, one of the pioneer movie download | | | | |
| services, Movielink requires: | | | | Microsoft Windows Operating System on PC or a |
| | | | laptop |
| A high speed internet connection | | | | |
| | | | Although not specifically stated, the |
| Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher | | | | processing power and video capabilities of |
| | | | the device will affect the quality of the |
| Windows 2000 or XP | | | | viewing experience. For those who wish to |
| | | | use the Netflix movie downloads on a portable |
| Real Player 8.0 or higher or Windows Media | | | | device or a computer with Apple OS, the |
| Player 7.1 or higher | | | | future may hold promise as the company states |
| | | | it hopes to make services available on such |
| In addition, Movielink recommends a minimum | | | | devices as the service matures. |
| of a 300 MHz Intel Pentium III processor and | | | | |
| 128MB RAM, a full duplex sound card and | | | | The market for movie downloads is still |
| speakers, and 65,000 color video display card | | | | smaller than that for online movie rental |
| set | | | | because of the more high tech nature of the |
| | | | process and more complex equipment needs. |
| Without the required equipment and software, | | | | However, with such services maturing and |
| downloading won't be possible. Inadequate | | | | consumers replacing older equipment as it |
| memory, processing power, or video | | | | becomes defunct, the popularity of movie |
| capabilities will make for a less than | | | | downloads will likely leap forward in the |
| enjoyable viewing experience. Obviously, | | | | coming years. |
| assuring that the needed equipment is | | | | |
| available can be the difference between | | | | Services such as movie downloads and online |
| sitting back and getting lost in the | | | | movie rental have provided consumers with a |
| adventure of a favorite film and wasting | | | | broader and more convenient home |
| precious leisure time verbally, or perhaps | | | | entertainment option. Learn more by visiting |
| physically, abusing the computer out of | | | | homemedias.info, the author's website. |
| frustration. | | | | |