Starting today, TiVo Series 2 and 3 users, as well as Windows Vista and XP users, can begin using Amazon’s new Unbox service. Similar to full-length movie and television show downloads on iTunes, Amazon Unbox will allow consumers yet another option to watch their favorite video entertainment. Those who already have a compatible TiVo DVR (unfortunately, Amazon Unbox does not support other DVR’s at the moment) can register their TiVo on Amazon and receive a free $15 to apply to videos from the Unbox service.

For users that use DirectTV TiVo or a Series 1 TiVo, or for those that have canceled their TiVo subscription, there is another option. People fortunate enough to use Windows XP or the shiny new Vista are able to use Amazon Unbox on their PC. In other words, no Linux or Mac support is available yet. Of course, there are minimum system requirements, since the videos are at near DVD-quality and could, in the future, become true 480p. Here are the specifications needed to run the Amazon Unbox Video Player:

Minimum System Requirements

OPERATING SYSTEM: The Amazon Unbox video player application is only compatible with Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (SP2 or greater), Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition (SP2 or greater), Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition (SP2 or greater), Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition (SP2 or greater), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, or Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise. The Amazon Unbox video player is not compatible with Apple/Macintosh operating systems.

COMPUTER HARDWARE: A PC with a 1.5-gigahertz (GHz) processor or faster, at least 256MB of memory, and a DirectX 9.0 compliant Video (64 MB Memory) and Sound Card.

INTERNET CONNECTION: Broadband internet connection capable of 800 kbps sustained transfer speeds.

Recommended System Specifications

COMPUTER HARDWARE: A PC with a 2.4-gigahertz (GHz) processor or faster, at least 1 GB of memory, and a DirectX 9.0 compliant Video (128 MB Memory) and a Multi Channel 5.1 Capable Sound Card.

INTERNET CONNECTION: Broadband internet connection capable of 1.5+ mbps of sustained transfer speeds.

With quite a few videos to download and the main competition from AppleTV being nonexistent thanks to delays, Amazon’s Unbox may gain a lot of ground in the downloadable-entertainment market.

1. thomas says:
   March 7th, 2007 at 7:28 pm

   http://www.wfitv.com provides a selection of the best broadband internet television channels. - Enjoy news, TV shows, movies, music, entertainment and sports. Broadband internet connection recommended.