It was around a decade ago when we saw the huge jump from VHS to DVD. Before then the Laser Disc tried to make the jump in technology but failed due to its’ massive size and cost. Now we’re seeing a jump from standard DVD to HD-DVD, with crisper picture and sound. Now it’s looking like another jump is in the works (I’d call it a jump sideways than a jump forward though).

PortoMedia, a startup company is looking to bring movie rentals to masses by way of flash memory downloads. Chris Armstrong started the company after a long and drawn out process of going to rent a movie a few years back. After all the hassle and costs of renting a movie at a store, he began his search for making movie renting easier. With his company PortoMedia, Armstrong is looking to allow consumers to transfer movie downloads from kiosks to portable hard drive devices.

So what would be the benefits of downloading movies to your USB, and Flash devices compared to signing up for online renting, or renting them from the store? The most important benefit to the consumer will be the cost of renting movies through download. With no need for packaging or shipping the cost of renting movies would become substantially lower. Second, and probably just as important in renter’s eyes is the fact you wont have to worry about your movie being “sold out”, and have to settle for a title you don’t really want.

There is an obstacle in the way from this idea taking off. As of now you will have to buy proprietary hardware to be able to use the service. A special USB device released by PortoMedia has to be used in order to rent the movies. There are two starter pack options, the smaller spaced device being $60, and the larger being $160. Another obstacle to get around is finding enough people who have the option of using flash memory or USB as a viewing option on their television. This is kind of remedied by the fact you can watch the movie on your computer.

Armstrong is hopeful, and he has released his first trial kiosk in Dublin. His plan is to release kiosks in four major US cities this year.

Besides the initial startup price, and fewer viewing options this looks to be a big step for the movie rental industry. It is kind of sad though, there will never be the excitement of the movie store having that one copy of Dirty Dancing you’ve been desperately searching for.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 3rd, 2008 at 7:27 am and is filed under Consumer Electronics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.