Q: What are the minimum system requirements?
A:
A: All titles are delivered as downloads. Each title comes with an explanation about its options for renting, watching on one or various devices (i.e. computer, handheld personal, TV, etc.), buying, storing and burning.
Q: Why do I need to install the Media Manager?
A: It's used for downloading the content as well as managing and playing it. The Media Manager is complete with the necessary software to burn DVDs, if such titles have been purchased.
Q: Why am I prompted to download Media Manager even though it's already installed?
A: You may have popup blocker software enabled that would prevent downloads and may prohibit the successful download of Media Manager. Turn off the pop-up blocker and try again.
In addition, if your browser security settings are set to Medium-High or higher, your PC will not recognize the previously installed software. To fix this, from your Internet Explorer browser, go to Tools > Internet Options and change your security settings to Medium or lower on the Security tab.
A: Rentals are available essentially on a pay-per-view basis.
A: "Buy" or Purchased titles may be played an unlimited number of times. Once downloaded, the user owns the file. If the user does not perform the complete download within 30 days, they will lose their file and the rights to watch it.
The number of computers and the rights to copy on to DVD or portable devices depends on the title.
A: "Buy & Burn" (or "Burn to DVD") titles give the user the right to purchase, own and make a DVD copy of the file. "Buy & burn" titles are also known as Compressed DVDs. The format for the files is FluxDVD.
Once downloaded, compressed DVDs play back on your PC with all the same features contained in a standard DVD (like scene index, deleted scenes, director's commentary, etc.).
In addition, our free DVD-burning software is included with the Media Manager Desktop Application. With this software, the file may be burned from the PC on which it was purchased to a standard DVD-R or DVD+R.
Once the copy has been burned from the from the computer on which the purchase was made, it may be watched an unlimited number of times on that or on any other device.
Technical requirements and elements for burning to DVD:
Q: Do I need software for Burn-to-DVD Titles?
A: Yes. The first time any rental or purchase is made, a user must download the FREE Media Manager, which includes the free software needed. The computer on which the Media Manager is going to be downloaded must have Windows Media Player 10 or higher.
The free software that comes with the Media Manager contains all of the components needed to both play back and burn DVDs. Even if you don't intend to burn any files to DVDs, and simply wish to play back the files on your PC, you will still need the Media Manager. The software is small download, and is spyware, adware, and virus-free.
Media Manager also requires a current version of Dolby Decoder software to run. New PCs are generally pre-loaded with a current version of Dolby Decoder. Older PCs or home-built PCs may need to have the software installed or re-installed to upgrade it. If that is the case, follow the steps below.
Dolby Decoder software download and installation instructions:
Q: Can I print jewel case and DVD labels?
A: With any purchase comes access to artwork files to create a jewel case (cover and tray inlay) and DVD label. These files are displayed on the DVD Extras tab. Below "Printable DVD Art (PDF):" you will see the artwork for the title that you can click on to print out.
Adobe Reader 7.0 is necessary in order to successfully view and print this artwork. To upgrade from an older version of Adobe Reader, click here.
Please note that in order to print these files, you will also need DVD Labels and Jewel Case Inserts, widely available.
Q: Can titles be watched on TV?
A: Individual computer's hardware documentation contain information about its television-interface capabilities. If the computer upon which the title was downloaded has that capability, the title may be watched on TV. In most cases, connecting a computer to a television is achieved with a simple S Video connection. S-video is a standard four-pin video connection which only transfers images, not sound. To watch a title on TV, one would also need an audio out port connection from the computer to either external speakers or a home stereo system.
If a user's computer comes with standard RCA adapter output for video and audio, the TV may be connected to the computer in the same way that a VCR or video camera is.
Media Center PCs
Media Center PCs and PCs that run Vista are specially designed to display on a TV and to operate by remote control. For more info, check with a local electronics retailer or go to Microsoft website or the Intel Viiv website.
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 also allows viewing on a TV. The required components are:
For detailed instructions on setting up Xbox 360, go to Microsoft website.
Q: Which Portable Players is the Service Compatible With?
A: The Service is currently compatible with all Archos 4 Series Portable Devices:
The service is not currently compatible with Zune, Creative Zen, PDAs or other Windows-based devices. We have opted to work with players which are compatible with our highest quality videos (1200-1500K). We will continue to update this list as more players become compatible with our technology.
Q: How do I set up my Archos Player for the first time to use with Windows Media Player 11?
A: During set-up, a prompt will appear to select which folders Windows Media Player 11 should scan for syncable files. Choose the manual option to avoid all videos and photos on the computer being synchronized automatically. For alternate information, visit Archos Customer Support.
Q: Why do the titles have different purchase options?
A: The rights for the distribution of each title vary based on the content owners' preferences.
Q: How much space is needed to perform downloads?
A: At least 800 MB of available space is recommended for a feature-length (90 minute) rental download encoded at 700K. If the file is larger, like a 1500K Buy (and many Rental) titles, 1.6GB of free space is recommended. If you have chosen "Burn to DVD", you must have at least 6GB of free hard-drive space before converting the file.
Q: How long does the download and burn process take from beginning to end?
A: Depending on factors including the size of the file, the user's computer-processor speed, the Internet connection's strength and stability, and the number of other programs running concurrently, downloads take anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours.
The combined DVD Conversion (decompression) and burn process may take an additional two to six hours to complete. Note: we are working to shorten this time.
Q: Why do I need a license to watch?
A: Licenses protect content, and allow for legal downloads. Our content is protected by Microsoft's Digital Rights Management (DRM) Solution.
Part of DRM is "license delivery". A license must be successfully delivered to the downloading computer's hard drive in order for playback to work properly. Most of this is done invisibly, while the computer acquires and validates these content licenses.
Q: What is a license delivery error?
A: Rarely, when we attempt to deliver a license to a computer's hard drive, this delivery will fail. If the license delivery has failed, when the user first attempts to watch the title, one of several error messages appears.
Q: Why might I be getting a license error?
A: License errors may occur when trying to play content you have rented or purchased for several reasons, including but not limited to:
Q: How long do I have to perform the download?
A: From the time of rental, 30 days are allowed to fully download the title into the Media Manager Desktop Application. If the download is not completed during that time period, access to the file is lost.
Titles not yet downloaded appear in "My Media Manager" under "Ready to Download." After the complete download, My Media Manager will change the title's label from "Download" to "Watch Now." The title will appear under "My Downloaded Videos." The title may then also be accessed from the Media Manager Desktop Application.
Q: Can I watch using a Macintosh brand computer?
A: Our content is currently available only for Windows users. The digital rights management (DRM) solution that protects and delivers our content is the one that we feel is the most secure, and the one that is preferred by our content licensors.
Q: What is a "progressive download"?
A: This site allows progressive downloading of all of our titles. This feature allows you to begin watching approximately 30 to 45 seconds after the download has begun. Even though the download is not complete, the user may click "Watch Now", and access the portion of the file that has downloaded.
The viewing quality of a progressive download is the same, however, "fast forward" or "rewind" can not be used while the file is in progress.
Q: Why can't I find titles I have Rented or Purchased in My Media Manager?
A:
Q: Can I play titles on more than one computer or device?
A: Some Buy titles may be played on more than one computer or a specific set of compatible devices. Titles that may be played on more than one device will have a graphic listed on their main page. The number of allowable devices will include the PC to which the original download is done. "Plays on 3 devices" is not available for Rent videos.
Q: How do I play a Buy title on an additional PC?
A:
Q: What is the viewing period?
A: The viewing period is length of time within which a title may be watched an unlimited number of times. The viewing period is listed once the title has been downloaded and appears in My Media Manager or the Media Manager Desktop Application. The viewing period varies according to the licensing options for that title. During the viewing period, the user will have unlimited access to that title whether it is viewed one time through, 20 times through, incompletely, or not at all.
For rental downloads, the viewing period is 24 hours from the time "Play" is first pressed. A user has 30 days from the time of payment to download and watch a rental title. The expiration date of each title is listed on the Details Page under "general information."
For Download-to-Own and Burn to DVD titles, the viewing period is unlimited.
Q: Can I prevent other users within my household from downloading movies with a certain content rating?
A: Yes, any user with administrative access to "Access Management" can set the appropriate content restrictions per other members of the household. For each user, unique content restrictions can be set.
Movies and Music Videos:
G
PG
PG-13
R
NC17
TV Shows:
TVY
TVY7
TVY7FV
TVG
TVPG
TV14
TVMA
Click here to set restrictions for your account.