Blockbuster ramps up VOD service with Sonic Solutions

After launching its first on-demand set-top box, which uses 2Wire's streaming video player to offer instant movie download though TV set; Blockbuster teams up with Sonic Solutions to expand its video library and digital download services though a variety of consumer electronics devices.

The VOD expansion and company's Movielink rental service are an effort to counter its rival, Netflix, in the increasingly popular online video rental and digitally download service. To be honest, it's awfully crowded at this point. The addition of Sonic Solutions, which includes the established CinemaNow services and partners, would offer an instant boost of more than 10,000 premium films and 40,000 digital titles for rent and sale to PCs, Macs, handhelds, set-tops boxes, portable media players, Blu-ray disc players and Internet-connected TV sets.

The numbers of digital titles are far from reaching Netflix has to offer, not counting the availability of HD streaming contents such as Tivo boxes and Xbox 360, but Blockbuster is asserting on much refreshing title selections according to Tom Adams, of Adams Media Research.

"Blockbuster's selection will be better than what Netflix is offering,"

I will give it a shot whenever Blockbuster decides to throw in free downloads for existing online rental customers. Some of us are paying $37 per month subscription after taxes!