Sky Broadband download service - am I missing something?

[Faust]

I have read an article somewhere purportedly from a Sky source that states their recently introduced Sky Movies Broadband download service to be a great success - why is the question a pose? I have Sky and anyone that wishes to use this new service must also have Sky, including Sky Movies. However, whilst I am quite content to watch Sky movies on my Plasma screen and to record them on my Sky+ box, I cannot understand why I might want to download said films to my Desktop or Laptop and watch a movie either on a 17" or 15.4 inch computer monitor or sit on my office chair watching a movie for that amount of time. Am I missing something here?

[Starburst]

I've asked the same question since unless the download service is offering more choice, higher quality and no DRM then what exactly is the point

A cheap DVDr or s-video/phonos can get a movie onto a PC based system after all.

For sports and other content the download service could offer programming that wasn't being broadcast or only accessible live via the red button but movies, nah just download DVD/Divx rips either of movies you pay for via SKY or not as you wish

[hmsq]

Well i have to say i found it very handy indeed! While working over night at work i was able to watch movies from sky because i was missing them at home as i was working. SO i found it quite a good service for that.
Yeah i know you could just easly download something but i prefer this way

[ijd]

I think it is great, i download the movies i want and watch them when I want,this includes watching the ones before they are shown on normal sky,my pc is also linked to my 32 lcd that is the main set in the room and the sound via my theatre system,I cannot understand anyone not taking advantage of this service...After all you are already paying for it

[Faust]

Originally Posted by ijd

I think it is great, i download the movies i want and watch them when I want,this includes watching the ones before they are shown on normal sky,my pc is also linked to my 32 lcd that is the main set in the room and the sound via my theatre system,I cannot understand anyone not taking advantage of this service...After all you are already paying for it

That's why I have Sky+ and all I need to do is press the Record button. Trust Sky to attempt to re-invent the wheel.

[m40wen]

I disagree. I commute 4hrs a day and this now means I can watch a film on the way back each day, or catch up on some footie/cricket highlights.

I know way off target, but it now asks for a download update and now refuses to work. Anyone else had this problem?

[peter_pan]

I cant even get it to work at all, all I get when I try to start the program is a message saying that the application failed to initialize properly.

I am waiting for HD films to be available on it then I can connect it to my projector. Although a full HD film will take a hell of a long time to download. And by the time they do make them available on the web I would have probably got sky HD anyway.

[ijd]

Originally Posted by Faust

That's why I have Sky+ and all I need to do is press the Record button. Trust Sky to attempt to re-invent the wheel.

I have sky plus to .but it wont let a film scheduled for say" the seventh day of the month" be viewed on the first day

[jules60]

Originally Posted by Faust

I have read an article somewhere purportedly from a Sky source that states their recently introduced Sky Movies Broadband download service to be a great success - why is the question a pose? I have Sky and anyone that wishes to use this new service must also have Sky, including Sky Movies. However, whilst I am quite content to watch Sky movies on my Plasma screen and to record them on my Sky+ box, I cannot understand why I might want to download said films to my Desktop or Laptop and watch a movie either on a 17" or 15.4 inch computer monitor or sit on my office chair watching a movie for that amount of time. Am I missing something here?

It's very useful if you travel with a laptop and need some entertainment while on a train or plane. I do not think it is designed to be watched at home. As you say - why would you? Jules

[Faust]

Originally Posted by jules60

It's very useful if you travel with a laptop and need some entertainment while on a train or plane. I do not think it is designed to be watched at home. As you say - why would you? Jules

I doubt most laptop batteries would last long enough to view an entire movie, certainly not if tests on the Gadget Show are anything to go by.

[Ash007]

Can't you copy the films onto a disk, then bung em in your dvd player?

[Starburst]

Originally Posted by Ash007

Can't you copy the films onto a disk, then bung em in your dvd player?

If you can break the DRM

[Knyght_byte]

i think it is a useful service, not a necessity for me, but for commuters, or someone who doesnt want to buy another TV for a second room they can use their PC monitor to catch the odd film or sports highlight.......

atm its in its infancy, i imagine it will become more enhanced once there is some takeup and they get interest from potential advertisers.......

why do people assume because they dont need something themselves that it is pointless? think about others for a change, its good karma ;-)

edit: another reason, when ur sky box fails then at least you go an alternative if you was looking forward to something in particular..heh

[Faust]

Originally Posted by Knyght_byte

i think it is a useful service, not a necessity for me, but for commuters, or someone who doesnt want to buy another TV for a second room they can use their PC monitor to catch the odd film or sports highlight.......

atm its in its infancy, i imagine it will become more enhanced once there is some takeup and they get interest from potential advertisers.......

why do people assume because they dont need something themselves that it is pointless? think about others for a change, its good karma ;-)

edit: another reason, when ur sky box fails then at least you go an alternative if you was looking forward to something in particular..heh

I have thought about it, which is why I posed the question i.e. having thought about it I still could not see any reason for wanting to use it. Having reviewed the postings to date, my views have not changed.