Video stores closing - On Demand pricing

[homer_j]

With all these brick & mortar video stores closing, we are left with streaming movies via OnDemand/iTunes/CinemaNow........

Now I've noticed that Itunes and other providers charge their movies $4.99 for SD and $5.99 for HD.

Why is Rogers charging $5.99 for SD and $7.99 for HD?

Are they that hungry for profit?

This will make me go out and pay for an AppleTV and stream from their site.

Homer

[Candew]

Do you have a Redbox vendor in your neighborhood?

We have a Redbox (or equivalent) DVD vending machine in a local Metro Store. It's a buck to rent HD or 2 bucks to rent the bluebox version.

We never use On Demand to rent movies. They are far too overpriced!

[audacity]

homer_j,

I actually do recommend that you go pick up a Apple TV or Xbox and stream your movies that way. You get 1080p quality, a great user interface, and lower prices than the ones you just quoted for Rogers.

[whitbyterry]

With on demand there is no bandwidth used. If you rent a lot you'll pay extra so he $5.99 might be closer to $7

[canadianauditor]

I also now use Apple TV to watch movies now that there are no Blockbuster or Rogers renting Blu rays in my area. I try using the Zip kiosks when possible but they dont always carry the new releases that come out every week so I have to use my Apple TV for those movies. I wish Rogers would lower their on demand as $7.99 for HD movie is crazy !!!

[Paolo]

im not trying to defend rogers here but rogers on demand does not require an internet connection it goes through the tv stb, but net flicks and apple tv require you to have the added expense of an internet connection thus why their movies might be cheaper?

if i had to calculate the cost of the monthly internet at 40 bucks, plus rent 8 movies, rogers on demand is starting to look a hell of a lot better deal. know what im sayin?

[MooBaloo]

The thing is that most people have an Internet connection for other things anyway. It's almost unheard of getting Internet only to stream Netflix and the like.

[audacity]

Paolo,

Your argument might be valid if the user in question only uses their internet connection to stream movies and nothing else. Netflix leverages "existing infrastructure". Just like Rogers VOD leverages the same existing infrastructure. The coax cable coming into your house.

You may point out that Netflix bandwidth counts against your monthly bandwidth allowance and Rogers OnDemand doesn't. I'd agree, but point out that this is a net neutrality issue.

I'd also point out that in many parts of Canada there are better ISPs that give you more bandwidth for your dollar.

[yyzlhr]

I don't think ROD is a net neutrality issue. ROD through your STB is delivered via QAM not IP. When using ROD on your computer, it does eat up your bandwidth allowance. Only the ROD menu info is provided by IP on the new nextbox platform, the video itself is still delivered through QAM.

Rogers charges a premium for ROD movies as they know there are enough customers who will pay for the premium of having the latest movies delivered straight to your televisions. Many people still do not have nor do they understand the concept of media centre devices like AppleTV. In addition, there are quite a few households where the are still on old CRT televisions which aren't supported by AppleTV and other media centres without expensive adapters and many households still do not have internet by choice. Also, from my experience new releases on iTunes have usually only been available for outright purchase when they are first available on iTunes, whereas they are available for rental on right away on ROD.

[homer_j]

It's too funny.

I got to a ZIP.CA kiosk and the kiosk is DOWN!

Homer

[hugh]

im not trying to defend rogers here but rogers on demand does not require an internet connection it goes through the tv stb, but net flicks and apple tv require you to have the added expense of an internet connection thus why their movies might be cheaper?

And Rogers VOD requires you have an expensive Digital Cable subscription so that kind of throws that argument out the window.

[Paolo]

Originally Posted by hugh

And Rogers VOD requires you have an expensive Digital Cable subscription so that kind of throws that argument out the window.

No it does not... ROD does require a digital cable, but the expensive is only optional, there is such a thing as Digital cable for a low cost too. I have low cost digital cable, i bought a cheap STB for $40, thats = low cost. netflicks = purchase of a video game console or other device, which is $200+ range, and a good quality internet connection too, which isnt cheap, plus the more frequent you watch on netflicks, you have to pay attention to your bandwidth otherwise it will go over, last i checked, that was not the case with ROD. now lets get back on topic here.

[TorontoColin]

You can get an Apple TV for $110. Rogers doesn't seem to sell the e940 anymore, and the cheapest HD box is over $300. I'm sure you can find it cheaper if you're willing to buy it used, but the same can be said of an Apple TV.

Entry level Rogers cable is $38/month. In most areas Rogers serves, you can get a 6 mbps DSL connection with a high enough cap that movie streaming is a non-issue for that cost.

I think the reason Rogers charges more is because they can. There are a lot of people who have and use their Rogers cable box already, so they know how it works, and they see the movies there. My parents have a PS3 and an Xbox 360 connected to their TV, but they still buy movies on Rogers on Demand, despite me repeatedly telling them it would be cheaper on the other platforms, for exactly those reasons.

Until everyone has the hardware and is using these services, Rogers will continue to charge a premium.

[hugh]

No it does not.

Sorry but you are incorrect. In order to "rent" a movie from Rogers Video on Demand, you must have a Rogers Digital Cable subscription and cable set top box.

[Paolo]

I just said that. maybe you did not understand my post. Please have a look again at it.