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