Amazon Prime's membership provides Amazon Instant Video which allows the streaming of movies and TV shows at no additional cost.Read full review
Date Added: 2008-08-06 16:31:04
Main Category: Pay to View
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Visit: Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime is owned by: Amazon
Other Amazon Websites: Amazon Instant Video
Other Amazon apps: Amazon Instant Video
TV Shows on Amazon Prime: 24, 30 Rock, 6Teen, 90210, A Touch of Frost, Adam 12, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Ally McBeal, American Chopper, American Pickers, Americas Funniest Home Videos, Americas Next Top Model, Ancient Aliens, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Army Wives, Arrested Development, Ax Men, Babylon 5, Band of Brothers, Batman, Being Erica, Being Human, Ben 10, Bewitched ...[See more TV Shows on Amazon Prime]
Country: USA
Amazon Prime Is available in: USA
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(4.0)Amazon Prime Review
Pros
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Cons
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In this reviewIntroduction |
Quick Verdict - WorldTVPC Rating: |
Introduction
Amazon Prime is a video on demand service from Amazon, available only to citizens of the United States (although expansion to other Countries is in the works as we speak). It is the prime competitor to Netflix, the only other service that really delivers that much video content as Amazon Prime does. Prime membership gives users access to unlimited streaming of some (but not all) of the Amazon Instant Video library. Prime membership also includes free shipping on goods purchased and instant access to thousands of kindle books.
Advantages
Unlimited instant video streaming
With just a yearly subscription, Amazon Prime members enjoy truly unlimited instant video streaming privileges on a large number of videos and movies in Amazon Prime's database. Only Netflix can compare with Amazon Prime on that front.
Thousands of movies and TV shows
The sheer quantity of HD movies and videos available through Amazon Prime's instant video service amounts to tens of thousands of movies and TV shows readily available and easily browsable in Amazon Instant Video databanks. These movies include blockbusters (usually a few months after they have been released on DVD) as well as popular TV shows that are otherwise expensive to find and download individually.
Relatively cheap yearly subscription (for the amount of content provided)
For the amount of quality content provided, the price tag of $79 per year is really a bargain. In a single year, the movies you can access for 79 dollars can reach to the thousands, and you would have paid a lot more to do so through other service (such as Vudu that charges $2 per movie but has other benefits).
One month free trial
Everyone can sign up for free with Amazon Prime and gain access to Amazon Instant Video for a full month to assess the service's quality. This is a huge plus and also a very attractive prospect to freeloaders who are signing up only for the trial to watch as much as possible.
Disadvantages
Only available in the US
Sadly, the amazing services of Amazon Prime are available only within the US. If you plan on traveling abroad and want something to watch on the airplane then it's too bad because Amazon Instant Video is not available the moment you step outside American soil.
Requires broadband internet connection
In order to be eligible to access the video contents of Amazon Prime Instant Video you must own a broadband connection. Not every user has broadband internet access and those who have not, will probably not buy one just to sign up with Amazon Prime.
Not compatible with many platforms
Broadband means that Amazon Instant Video is only available for platforms that can handle speeds of 800 kb/s and up. This excludes all smartphones as well as numerous other media devices. Amazon Instant Video can be accessed only from your computers, iPads, certain TV sets and only the most powerful gaming platforms. Amazon Instant Video is also accessible through net-enabled and connected blu-ray drivers and streaming services such as Roku.
Verdict
Amazon Prime Instant Video is the only serious competitor to Netflix right now. The quality of their video library is top notch and the library itself is rather sizable. Amazon Prime really trumps over Netflix for movie enthusiasts who also own a kindle, since they gain access to many of kindle books for free, substantially sweetening the yearly subscription deal.
More reading - Amazon Prime Review and Comparison With Netflix and Hulu Plus
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