Amazon rolls out on-demand HD rentals

by Stevie Smith - Apr 22 2009, 15:10

Following hot on the heels of a similar content announcement emanating from Apple’s popular iTunes Store, online retail behemoth Amazon has officially confirmed the availability of high-definition (HD) home entertainment through its existing on-demand service.

Unveiled on Tuesday, the Seattle-based company said it will initially add more than 500 high-definition movies and television shows to its Amazon Video On Demand platform.

The move to distribute HD content is supported by leading media heavyweights such as Warner Bros., Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, and Paramount Pictures.

Some of the HD movies that Amazon customers can expect to enjoy include romantic vampire adventure Twilight, Jim Carrey’s rubber-faced antics in Yes Man, and the acclaimed head-to-head battle between Frost/Nixon.

Some of the small screen highlights include historic bodice ripping in The Tudors, tech-delivered teenage angst in Gossip Girl, and superhero drama in Smallville.

Compatible with Roku digital video players, select TiVo boxes, Panasonic VIERA CAST-enabled high-definition televisions and Sony’s BRAVIA Internet Video Link, on-demand movie rental will cost between $3.99 USD and $4.99 USD, while TV show episodes will cost $2.99 USD each.

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