2Wire-built MediaPoint Blockbuster movie set-top-box now on sale

We heard that Blockbuster's very own movie set-top-box would be on sale shortly, and for couch potatoes and cube dwellers alike, you can order yours right now from the comfort of your dilapidated sofa / Aeron, respectively. As we'd heard, you'll be asked to rent 25 On Demand movies for $99, after which you'll get the MediaPoint player for free. Not quite sure if that's really pulling the wool over anyone's eyes, but color us completely unsurprised that a company in such dire straights would risk embarrassment to give it a shot. So, is anyone going to buy in here, or is that "Order Now!" button going to sit unclicked forever?

[Thanks, Robert]

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 25th 2008 2:59PM]

netflix is still the better deal.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 25th 2008 1:44PM]

yes sir..netflix and xbox 360 all the way...plus they are probably going to expand quicker into the digital DLs because the hardware is already into the homes of millions of customers...all netflixs has to do is spread the word..

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 25th 2008 2:07PM]

I don't see the issue - you are paying $99, but you actually get to watch 25 movies for that price. With other vendor options, you have to pay and you get nothing thrown in.

Seems like a good deal, and the quality looks to be decent enough. If it had HD and day-and-date, I'd be sold.

TK

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 25th 2008 2:13PM]

Simple answer: NO

I moved to BB about 1 year ago simply because I like the in store exchange. I'm currently a 4 movie renter - which in effect gives me about 30 movies on average per month which works out to about $1.16 per movie. In addition we get two coupons for free in store movies/games that my kids like as they get to try a bunch of games (Xbox 360). I recognize that Netflix has more selection but to be honest I don't feel constrained and my queue is about 90 movies and I am able to keep that full with new movies every Tuesday. Since my BB store is right near my food store dropping off and getting new movies is just not a big deal.

Why not?

- No HD (deal breaker)
- Only stereo sound (deal breaker, I'm not a snob but i have a decent audio system and I believe the sound is just as important as the HD)

I would expect those two items to be updated in the future and I might revisit my decision then.

I have tried all the download/streaming options (have Tivo, Xbox 360, Media Center) and I just don't see the "WOW have to have" yet - though again I believe this will all improve over time and someday I can see having some sort of "box" in my entertainment center. From my non scientific testing I believe the I Tunes is the best so far (no I'm not a fanboy and don't own an I Phone or any other Apple product - love it and hate it at the same time I'm a Win person for now).

In conclusion I'll take my BR DVD that works wonderfully on my HD TV/5.1 Audio System and wait for the WOW factor from one of these download/streaming system.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 25th 2008 5:32PM]

Lack of HD video and 5.1 audio may be a limitation of the content Blockbuster provides. If this is the case, it may be a pretty good value. It sure looks better than the Roku player.

From the MediaPoint product page at 2wire.com:

"This software platform enables a fully-converged experience of Internet video and local media on the television"

I read elsewhere it supports UPnP AV and DLNA. It also has a USB port and card reader on the front.

If this could play my existing music and videos (in H.264 and DIVX format) it would be a great device. I can't find any mention to the supported audio and video formats.

[h0mi Posted Nov 25th 2008 7:44PM]

Does it have on board storage? It suggests that movies are downloaded, not streamed.

I'm unhappy about another set top box that is geared towards only 1 service. if this box proves to be hackable and thus much more useful, I'll change my tune.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 25th 2008 8:28PM]

Yes, apparently it has capacity for "five movies" (presumably 10 hours) built in internally.

This seems to be the one thing it has over the Netflix box. If Netflix's service was similarly buffered (and if it supported a half decent 5.1 audio codec, which neither Netflix nor Blockbuster does) I'd subscribe in an instant.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 29th 2008 11:36PM]

I just ordered the new BB box. I have a Roku box and it works very well but the Netflix selection for new movies is terrible. I used to get excited to look through the new releases but after finding 1,000 Gene Autrey shows I had enough. Blockbuster is offering new releases, maybe not on the DVD release day but it looks like Netflix will never get licensing for anything filmed after 1975. Even then they will be forced to charge you per movie.