With Apple's announcement of the video iPod yesterday (and subsequent explosion of stock value), I thought it might be interesting to run a little poll on whether people think that video download service (e.g. paying $1.99 to download last night's episode of "Lost") will take off.

 

Before deciding, you may want to read this interesting analysis by Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and the HD Net network (an ardent blogger). He points out a number of potential benefits of this kind of service that are not immediately obvious, such as long-term availability of low-popularity (but existing fan-base) shows (ala Firefly), and that it provides an entirely new revenue stream for the networks. Fascinating stuff.

 

http://www.blogmaverick.com/entry/1234000617063228/

If I wasn't poor, I'd buy it. I don't have cable, and every so often something comes on cable that I wish I could see.

 

Also, wouldn't this open massive distribution possibilities to anyone with a camera, in effect meaning that you don't need networks or anything, just customers?

 

Mokele

That's an interesting point. Video podcasts are already taking off, so that would seem to support your point. I even caught an amateur Star Trek movie, complete with fancy special effects, posted out of Europe the other day.

 

A New Age of Media is upon us, I suspect.

good news for independent film producers?

I'd think so, especially with CG animation and effects placing such things within the reach of many more people.

I don't see what the incentive would be for people to pick this over piracy, to be honest.

 

That said, iTunes seems to have become popular, so this probably will be as well.

Perhaps the fact that if we all pirated music and movies that music and movies wouldn't exist?

it will become more popular... ive been doing it for years already...

I know this is an old poll, but I got a video iPod for x-mas and I love that stinkin thing. I download so much stuff. I even got the DVD to iPod converter to get full length movies on it.

I say no for the simple reason, people don't like paying (Even if its a small amount). As long as file sharing exists people will noy pay while theydon't have to

 

Cheers,

 

Ryan Jones

I think this will take off, it will also help when bandwidth hits a level where you can watch streaming on demand HDTV by accessing an stored file, instead of accessing a digital stream in progress to get live media (how digital cable is now).

 

With the increase of consumer technologies that make skipping commercials even easier, I think a pay to view service may become pretty pervasive. The question then will be...how will we ever know what plastic bobble head toys McDonalds is giving away with their happy meals?

 

Now that I think of it...the future could be a very bright place