The Mpaa Allows Movie Downloads- Are They Worth Your Dime?

What Are Movie Download Services?
Movie download services are exactly what they sound like: a service that allows you to download movies from the Internet onto your hard drive or a DVD. Though this isn't a new concept, it is relatively new to the legal world of consumerism. Though 'pirates' have been making free download of movies available for quite some time, movie studios are now getting in on the action and offering access to their movies for download the day they hit the stores in DVD format ï¿½ for a fee, of course.

Who's Who In Movie Download Services?
In the relatively new world of legitimate movie download services, there are surprisingly many players, but only a few of them are major. There's Movielink and Sony's CinemaNow which offer old and new movies for purchase or 24 hour rental. Rental fees are comparable to the local video store but purchase is more expensive than if you were to buy the DVD. ClickStar, backed by Danny DeVito among other big names in Hollywood, is another up and comer in the world of movie download services, but this oneï¿½s draw is that it will offer movies for download while they are still showing in the theater. It will also feature a streaming channel devoted to documentaries.

AT&T is teaming up with Vongo, another movie downloading site, to offer its DSL service in concert and duo promotions. Different from Movielink and CinemaNow, Vongo is a subscription service offered for a monthly fee which allows its members unlimited access to movies, videos, and a streaming Starz channel. Pay per view movies are available as well for an additional fee.

Movie Download Services: The Nitty Gritty

- Price ï¿½ Ranging anywhere from $10-$20, the irony is downloading movies legally isn't cheap. In order to appease the retailers who make big bucks on DVDs released in stores, the online downloading services are keeping their fees in the clouds. Which of course, doesn't hurt their pocketbook, either.

- Availability ï¿½ It depends. Different services have different deals with different movie studios. As for old movies, those are being added all the time. But the nice thing is, if they have it, you can get it ï¿½ instantly.

- Space ï¿½ You will need between 1200 and 2000 MBs of free space to store your movie. Depending on your system, this may be a lot or a little. Some services may allow you to burn your download to a DVD, but only if you're buying the movie and even then, most won't.

- Download Time ï¿½ This is no time for dial-up, that's for sure. Anything DSL and faster should get you your movie in under an hour with an average of 35 to 40 minutes, and that's if you want it fast and grainy. If you're willing to wait a little longer, say, up to two hours, you can download a higher quality version. A nice feature that some services offer is the ability to start watching the movie while it's still downloading.

- Technical Requirements ï¿½ At least Windows Media Player 10, fast Internet connection, Internet Explorer 6.0, Windows XP. You might be able to get away with older versions, but it isn't recommended. And yes, did you note ï¿½ it's all PC and no Mac. That's right. PC users only, please.

- Computer Viewing Only ï¿½ Currently, that's the state of things. That is, unless you choose a service that allows you to download it to some other electronic handheld device of your choosing, like PSP or iPod. Of course, you could always use an S-video jack to hook your computer to your TV and watch it on the big screen. Some services allow limited DVD burning, but they may restrict the DVD to playing only in the computer to which the movie was downloaded, allowing your fancy DVD player to gather dust.

- Buy Versus Rent ï¿½ It's a strange situation at this point, but different studios offer different services different licenses to different movies. So, you may only be able to rent a title through one service that another is offering for sale. Other services may not have any access to certain titles while others do. There's no standard just yet, so it's a bit of a crap shoot.

What's the Benefit of Movie Download Services?
Convenience! Forget long lines at the theater, the video store being out of a new release, or waiting in virtual queue to get your mailed DVD through a subscription service. No more concern about court cases and legal fees for downloading movies illegally or spyware from file sharing applications that will slow down your computer if not cripple it beyond repair. Then, of course, there's the fact that you can watch the newest movies as many times as you like on your personal computer and instantly upon purchase ï¿½ no waiting and no driving to the store.

What's the Downside of Movie Download Services?
At the moment, cost and restricted viewing access. You may not necessarily want to watch a movie on your computer when you just invested $2000 in a big screen HDTV. And you may not want to invest $20 in a movie that you can't even resell online if you don't like it. If you have a slow internet connection, the download time may be a bummer, too, especially if you're trying to use your computer for other things while the process slows your computer to a painful snail pace. And if you use a Mac, well, obviously, the downside is that movie download services simply donï¿½t exist. Then, what if a virus infects the computer where all your movies are stored? Yup. Have to buy them all over again.

Movie Download Services ï¿½ Yay or Nay?
The state of affairs being what they are - that is, in their ugly braces and zits prepubescent stage - probably nay. Remember the first BETA machines? Or the $700 CD players back in the '80s? When movie download service lowers their prices and speed up the technology, allow for actual DVD burnings that include the extras and TV viewings as well as access to films that are still in theaters, then yay! In the meantime, sticking with higher quality DVDs that don't discriminate against Mac users and big screen television sets and allow for resale later on. Unless you have to see the movie This Very Second, movie download services are not yet the incredible service they have the potential to be in the future.

Madison Lockwood is a customer relations associate, specializing in small business development, for Apollo Hosting. Apollo Hosting provides website hosting, ecommerce hosting, vps hosting, and web design services to a wide range of customers.

Related Information of Interest:

7 Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe On Halloween
Children aren't the only ones who should be closely
monitored on Halloween. The holiday can be a scary and
dangerous time for your pet as well.

By following some simple tips you can keep your pet safe and
comfortable without infringing on the family fun:

1. Don't put costumes on your pets unless they are used to
it. Wearing clothing can make pets uncomfortable and even
sick.

2. Candy is for humans and not for their furry friends.

3. Chocolate is toxic to animals. It can make them very sick.
Make sure that the "after Halloween" candy is put away so
your pet can’t get it--especially the chocolate. We hear
from owners every year of pets they had to take to the
emergency room because they managed to find the candy and
eat it. Give them a pet treat instead.

4. If you know or suspect your pet has eaten some Halloween
candy contact your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. Some candies,
especially chocolate, can be life threatening. If you can’t
reach your veterinarian you can call the ASPCA’s Poison
Control Center 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at (888) 426-
4435.

Caution: A $50 consultation fee may be applied to your
credit card.

5. Costumes may look strange to people, but just imagine
what they look like to a dog or cat. Animals aren't used to
seeing that kind of thing, and it could frighten them. So,
it's best not take them trick or treating.

6. If your pet isn’t good with strangers, it’s best to put
her in a separate room away from the door, so she won’t be
bothered by the presence of strangers.

7. If your pet is going to be free in the house, with the
door being opened repeatedly, there is more of a chance that
your pet can get outside. So, remember to make sure he is
wearing his license tags. That way, if he does get away,
there is a better chance of getting him back home sooner.

About the Author

James Kelly is the owner of Travelin Pets, a web site
specializing in providing information and quality products
for traveling pets and their owners.

Visit his website at: www.travelinpets.com
e-mail: tpservices@travelinpets.biz

Senior Ticked For Walking Too Slow; Others Try Roller Skates
An 82-year-old woman was recently issued a ticket in California for crossing a street too slowly. A police officer, who arrived on a motorcycle, told her she was obstructing traffic – and issued her a summons for $114.

Responding to the uproar caused by the curious traffic ticket, the municipality has begun to wonder if it should work out ways to help seniors cross streets without fear of incurring a penalty.

It is, of course, much too optimistic to hope that the municipality and the nation at large will speed to their rescue with such startling innovations as walk signs that last longer.

As a result, seniors, alarmed by the pricy citation, particularly those who are living on social security, are taking steps of their own, as they frantically search for ways to hurry along. Of course, electric wheelchairs have long been an option. But many simply don’t see themselves in the undeniably helpful items, at least, not until they encounter accidents due to the other resources they’ve been turning to, for instance, roller skates.

We also understand that bicycles have been selling briskly, particularly near retirement communities.

Of course, those who are fortunate enough to live with more able partners have the luxury of looking into other options, such as little red wagons and, in rural areas, wheelbarrows.

In a nutshell, seniors are turning to every possible mode of expedition they can think of, which generally means they’re equipped with the age-old facilitation of wheels.

While these alternative modes of transportation might offer suitable answers during balmier times, there is some concern about what to do when snow and ice cover the ground. Among the more daring sorts, there is talk of skis, while others are considering ice skates.

Until then, we can at least be glad that the dear recipient of the instigating ticket was not also issued points. Enough of those, and she’d have to be concerned about losing her walking license.

Tom Attea, creator of Newslaugh.com, has had six shows produced Off-Broadway and has written comedy for TV. Critics have called his writing ""delightfully funny" and "witty" with "good, genuine laughs."

Meet Bryan Singer: Superman Returns
It must have been fate that Bryan Singer would direct the new film Superman Returns, the fifth in the series of Superman films. Singer loved the George Reeves Superman TV series when he was young, and was a huge fan of the Dick Donner-directed films from the 70s and 80s that starred Christopher Reeves as the Man of Steel. “I identify with Superman. I am adopted, I am an only child, and I love the idea that he comes from another world, that he's the ultimate immigrant. He has all these extraordinary powers, and he has a righteousness about him,“ said Bryan.

After attending the School Of Visual Arts in New York City (but not graduating), he graduated from the USC cinema school (where, incidentally, he met John Ottman who wrote the score for Superman Returns), Singer’s first commercial success was as the producer/director of The Usual Suspects in 1995.That film saw him work with Kevin Spacey for the first time, and Singer and Spacey are re-united, again in Superman Returns, as Spacey plays arch villain Lex Luther, just out of prison and again set to rule the world.

However, it is as an adapter of comic books, bringing superheroes to life, that Singer has carved a niche for himself in the movie world.

In 2000, as writer and director, he introduced Wolverine, Magneto and the rest of the X-Men to the movie world in a hugely successful adaptation, before reprising the characters in the follow-up, X2. Singer left the X-Men franchise to develop Superman Returns and did not work on the 3rd film The Last Stand.

Now an established player in Hollywood with a number of big projects lined up for the future, who would bet against his favourite being the recently-announced sequel for Superman Returns in 2009?

Filmography

Superman Returns (2006) (producer/director/writer)
X2 (2003) (executive producer/director/writer)
X-Men (2000) (director/writer)
Apt Pupil (1998) (producer/director)
Burn (1998) (executive producer)
The Usual Suspects (1995) (producer/director)
Public Access (1993) (executive producer/director/writer)
Lion's Den (1988) (director)

Niall is a huge fan of the original Superman film, and is looking forward to the release of Superman Returns. For news and information about the new film visit his site at www.SupermanReturnsNews.com. All rights reserved. Copyright www.SupermanReturnsNews.com.

Job Interview Mistakes - Part 2
Many people feel that the interview is the single most stressful part of the job search process. Any number of things can go wrong, and a big part of being successful is avoiding simple mistakes. The things you should avoid doing are as below:

1. Trying to wing the interview: Practice! Get a list of general interview questions, a friend, a tape recorder, and a mirror and conduct an interview rehearsal. Practice until your delivery feels comfortable but not canned.

2. Not being yourself: Be yourself and be honest! Don't pretend to understand a question or train of thought if you don't. The interviewer will pick up on this. If you don't know an answer, say so. Relax and be yourself. Remember you're interviewing the company as well as vice versa.

3. Not listening: Focus on the question that is being asked and don't try to anticipate the next one. It's OK to pause and collect your thoughts before answering a question. Pay special attention to technical or work process related subjects that are unique to a given firm or organization. The interviewer may have provided information you will need to answer the question earlier in the conversation. Employers will be looking for your ability to assimilate new information, retain it, and, most importantly, recognize that information as useful to you later in the interview.

4. Not providing enough details: When answering case questions, technical questions or solving technical problems, take the time to "talk through" your thought process. Recruiters are much more interested in seeing how your mind works and how it attacks a given type of problem, than the answer itself. Articulate your problem solving process and verbalize your thinking.

5. Lack of enthusiasm: Maintain eye contact, greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake (not too weak, not too strong), and show common courtesy. Don't be afraid to display your passion for the job/industry and to show confidence.

About the Author: Hans Hasselfors is the founder of SubmitYourNewArticle.com. Visit our article directory for varied articles about job search.