HD-DVD to launch an online shopping feature

Posted by Todd

October 3, 2007 |

Evan Almighty, releasing on October 9th, will be the first title to take advantage of this feature.

It will include a small web browser which will allow a user to connect to Universal Studio’s online store.Â Once there, the user can purchase products that are in some way related to the movie.

I understand that HD-DVD is trying to get a leg up on BluRay by taking advantage of the online capabilities of the disc, but I really don’t know how users are going to react to this.Â All information has to be entered using the remote control.Â According to the article, this is a very slow and painful process.

Â It’s uncertain whether consumers will appreciate the shopping opportunity, especially since the transaction has to be completed using the remote. Judging by a demonstration of the technology, entering credit-card information and a home address using the remote and an onscreen keyboard is a slow process. It can be shortened by creating an account in advance on a home computer, then logging into it through the player.

In truth, HD-DVD isn’t necessarily counting on this to woo consumers.Â Rather, they want to woo studio support by coming up with ways to allow the consumer to spend more money after watching the movie.Â This could be vitally important as studios appear to be picking sides in this battle.

Personally, something like this doesn’t excite me too much.Â I already have about 20 different ways to spend money on entertainment in my own home.Â I really can’t see myself rushing off to buy recycled toilet paper (yes that is one of the products) after watching Evan Almighty.

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