Amazon have finally latched on to HD TV fever and are letting users download high definition movie and TV show streams for viewing on TV through settop devices from companies like TiVo and Roku.

Netflix have previously had a monopoly on HD titles with its video streaming on demand service for subscribers for use on PC and video players. Now Amazon have launched an initial 500 HD movies and TV shows for its own Video on Demand service. Amongst initial releases will be Nixon and the Twilight movies

In a bid to equal the Netflix choice of home theater devices that can show the video streams on your TV. Their HD downloads will be available on HD and HD XL digital video recorders, Sony Bravia Internet Video Link, Panasonic VIERA CAST enabled HDTVs.

HD will also be showing on the Roku settop video player which is currently the best known Netflix device and TiVo. Rental charges for HD movies are expected to be $3.99 or $4.99, whilst television episodes will cost $2.99.

As high-speed Internet connections grow more widespread, consumers increasingly are watching video material on their computers. Sites such as YouTube, owned by Google Inc. (GOOG), and Hulu offer free content, including movies and TV shows.

“Our customers have been asking us for two things: HD and the ability to watch movies and TV shows instantly on their television,” said Bill Carr, Amazon vice president of music and video.

The movies and shows also can be watched on personal computers online or downloaded to computers for viewing later.

With websites like Hulu and Youtube showing HD TV for free and the recent HD addition to BBC’s iPlayer. Will the public be happy paying big bucks for each download? Maybe so, but the best way of seklling this service is surely on a monthly (low) subscription basis.

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