By Chris Sabga
Redbox has teamed up with Verizon to launch a new instant
streaming service. Redbox Instant is currently in beta and thus isn't available
to everyone just yet, but Silver Screen Surprises managed to score an
invitation. You can try your luck by entering your e-mail address at redboxinstant.com. If
you're chosen, you should get an e-mail after a few days.
Here's the breakdown:
Plans
4 Free DVDs a Month +
Unlimited Streaming ($8 a month): This is the default plan. Every
membership comes with a one-month free trial, but you're locked into this
option for the first month. If you change it, your free trial will end.
Add Blu-Rays +
Unlimited Streaming ($9 a month): It's unclear how this works, but I'm assuming
you'll get four free Blu-Rays per month and still have the option of using any
of those credits on DVDs instead.
Remove DVDs:
Streaming Only ($6 a month): No discs, just streaming. This plan is slightly cheaper than similar offerings
from services like Netflix. The selection seems comparable, but it's hard to
gauge just yet.
From the site: "Each credit is good for 1 overnight
rental of 1 DVD. If you keep your DVD an extra night, it just uses another
credit. You won't be charged until your credits are all used up. And the next
month it refills to 4 DVD credits again."
I'm not sure yet exactly how the physical kiosks will
recognize that you have free credits. Presumably, entering the e-mail address
associated with your Redbox account will be the trigger. Of course, you can
always reserve your rental ahead of time online, but I hope that isn't a
requirement. Sometimes you just want to rent something at the spur of the
moment after getting groceries, and it would be nice to be able to use your
credits right away without any fuss. I will update this post when I've had a
chance to rent something from the kiosk. (Update: Redbox appears to recognize that you have free credits if you use the card associated with your account.)
Compatible Devices
Xbox 360: You
need a subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold and at least 130 MB of free storage. This
requires a second invitation code, specific to the Xbox, which is apparently
being mailed out to registered Redbox Instant users. It seems a bit convoluted to me, to be honest.
Samsung Smart TVs: A
list of supported models can be found here.
Samsung Blu-Ray
Players: The following 2011 11AV-5 models are currently supported: BD-D5300/ZA,
BD-D5500/ZA, and BD-D6500/ZA.
Many Apple iPhone,
iPad, and iTouch models: The only detail given is that iOS 5.0 or later is
required. I've tested out the Redbox Instant app but it refuses to accept my sign-in
information. Glitches like this are to be expected in a beta, but it's not
exactly an encouraging sign.
Android Phones and
Tablets: No specific devices are listed, but you need to get the app from Google
Play. If you have an Android device with its own market (such as the Amazon
Kindle Fire), you're out of luck until those stores carry the app too. I
tried getting it from a third-party site that has legal apps compatible with
the Fire, but it wouldn't install. That is not a red mark against Redbox;
outside solutions obviously have only a hit or miss chance of working.
By the way, even though Verizon is involved, the Redbox
Instant site has made it clear that you don't need a Verizon phone plan to use
the service.
Computers: The
usual list of requirements is present here: Windows XP SP2 or higher, Windows
Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, or Mac OS X 10.4 or higher. Supported browsers:
Internet Explorer 8, 9 or 10, Firefox 3.5 and later, Chrome 21
and later, and Safari 5 and 6 (Mac).
Redbox Instant is currently in beta, so its large list of
compatible devices surprised me. I was expecting it to work only with computers
for now. Still, I wish it worked with even more devices. PS3 and Wii support
would have been nice. If there's some sort of exclusivity agreement going on
with Microsoft, I really have to shake my head that companies continue to be
conned into accepting deals that only benefit Bill Gates and company. Roku
support is also a must, but that too is absent. I will cut Redbox some slack
for now since the service is still in beta, but by the time this officially
launches, it needs to work with the PS3, Wii, and Roku at the very least.
The Movies
There's no way to tell just how many movies are available
for streaming, but Redbox Instant appears to have many of the same ones offered by Netflix
and Amazon Prime. "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," "Thor,"
and "Captain America "
are a few of the recent blockbusters I noticed after a cursory glance. Since there's a
free trial, it's easy for you to find out if this service offers what you want.
Current Redbox kiosk users will obviously get the most out of it.
I tested out "Rango" and "Swordfish" on
my computer. Playback appears to be smooth and solid. I couldn't tell if they
were in HD on my PC screen, but they still looked clear and crisp. The highest
volume could have been a bit louder, but that may have been me, my setup, or
those particular films ("Rango" did sound louder than "Swordfish"). I don't often
watch movies on a computer, and I suspect I'm far from alone in that, which is
why it's in Redbox's best interests to beef up its list of compatible devices
as soon as possible!
TV shows don't appear to be offered by Redbox Instant (as of
this write-up), but they aren't available from the physical boxes either.
The Site
It's easy to filter movies into different categories and view the streaming-only options. If you want to rent a physical disc, those are simple to search for too.
Like Netflix's queue, Redbox has a Bookmark system. Amazon took forever to add a similar feature – the Watchlist – to its Prime streaming service, so it's nice to see that Redbox has it right out of the gate. However, it remains to be seen if expired movies will automatically be removed from your bookmarks (Netflix does this, Amazon does not).
Cancelling Redbox Instant is also painless. It can be done directly from the site.
The Site
It's easy to filter movies into different categories and view the streaming-only options. If you want to rent a physical disc, those are simple to search for too.
Like Netflix's queue, Redbox has a Bookmark system. Amazon took forever to add a similar feature – the Watchlist – to its Prime streaming service, so it's nice to see that Redbox has it right out of the gate. However, it remains to be seen if expired movies will automatically be removed from your bookmarks (Netflix does this, Amazon does not).
Cancelling Redbox Instant is also painless. It can be done directly from the site.
__
Worth it? If you're a regular Redbox kiosk user already
and have a device compatible with its streaming option, it might be. It's
certainly priced competitively. If Redbox can add PS3, Wii, and Roku support
and fix its early beta glitches (such as the iDevice issues mentioned above),
this service has the potential to become a major player very quickly.
