Movie Downloads - Do You Have The Equipment That's Needed

By: Christine Peppler


Movie downloads aren't for everyone but for many they provide a convenient and practical way of enjoying their favorite movies at home and on the go with their laptop.
With connection speeds increasing, screens with great resolution, and improving technology for downloading and streaming video, movie download services are continuing to draw a wider audience. For a significant number of people the question isn't whether or not movie downloads are an attractive option, but whether or not they have the equipment necessary to make use of the service.

Each of the various services have somewhat different requirements, however faster connection speeds, better processors, and plenty of memory are key for all of them. As an example, one of the pioneer movie download services, Movielink requires:

• A high speed internet connection

• Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher

• Windows 2000 or XP

• Real Player 8.0 or higher or Windows Media Player 7.1 or higher

• In addition, Movielink recommends a minimum of a 300 MHz Intel Pentium III processor and 128MB RAM, a full duplex sound card and speakers, and 65,000 color video display card set

Without the required equipment and software, downloading won't be possible. Inadequate memory, processing power, or video capabilities will make for a less than enjoyable viewing experience. Obviously, assuring that the needed equipment is available can be the difference between sitting back and getting lost in the adventure of a favorite film and wasting precious leisure time verbally, or perhaps physically, abusing the computer out of frustration.

Other services of course have different requirements although there are similarities. Netflix, the online movie rental service, now offers a "Watch Now" feature that is still in its infancy. Their service has the advantage of allowing users to avoid the lengthy downloading process as it uses a real-time playback technology which makes it possible to begin watching a movie while it is being delivered to their PC.

The Netflix service requires:

• Download of a browser applet from their site

• Internet connectivity with 1 MB per second bandwidth or better

• Microsoft Windows Operating System on PC or a laptop

Although not specifically stated, the processing power and video capabilities of the device will affect the quality of the viewing experience. For those who wish to use the Netflix movie downloads on a portable device or a computer with Apple OS, the future may hold promise as the company states it hopes to make services available on such devices as the service matures.

The market for movie downloads is still smaller than that for online movie rental because of the more high tech nature of the process and more complex equipment needs. However, with such services maturing and consumers replacing older equipment as it becomes defunct, the popularity of movie downloads will likely leap forward in the coming years.


The author, Christine Peppler invites readers to visit Home Media Store Readers can discover more information about movie downloads through information available on her website.