Updated on December 10, 2021
Update (11/25/18): I’ve written an updated post about digital movie stores.
Back in 2014, I wrote about the various digital video services available that sell or rent digital videos. While Netflix, Hulu, and similar streaming services are convenient, some may still want to either rent or buy TV shows/movies. Yes, DVDs and Blu-Rays are still available, but their popularity and sales are starting to wane in favor of digital formats.
I thought I’d take an updated look at the current state of digital video stores. However, one thing that still hasn’t changed, and likely won’t in the foreseeable future, is the restrictive state of digital rights management (DRM). The “walled garden” nature of various services and continued treatment of high definition as a “premium” feature (at extra cost or only allowed on certain devices) are a few other drawbacks of digital videos.
My criteria
To outline my criteria:
- My existing devices include: an Android tablet and smartphone; a Roku streaming stick; a Chromebook; and an HP laptop running Xubuntu Linux. Thus, I’ll list how well major services work with all of these devices. I’ll also throw in iOS devices, Apple’s Apple TV, Amazon’s Fire TV, Google’s Chromecast, Macs, and Windows PCs, to cover a decent range of devices.
- For my purposes, “major services” include Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, and Vudu. The first three don’t seem likely to go out of business anytime soon. Meanwhile, Vudu is owned by mega-sized retailer Walmart.
- HD is assumed to be a given and not a “premium feature,” since it’s 2016.
- Cross-platform flexibility is also favored, since not everyone only has devices from within one “walled garden/ecosystem.”
- I’m ignoring buying and ripping DVDs, which most people won’t or don’t know how to do. Otherwise, I’d say it beats all of these services in cross-device and -platform flexibility. I’m also ignoring piracy, since it’s illegal.
- UltraViolet is a digital video “locker” that (via a code included with DVD/Blu-Ray purchases) lets one store digital videos across various compatible services. Disney films aren’t included with UltraViolet, but Disney offers the similar service Disney Movies Anywhere. The downside of these services are compatibility with digital stores and reports of UltraViolet being finicky and problematic.
- Larger lists of digital video services are available in this CNET article and on Wikipedia.
iTunes
iTunes is Apple’s media software and digital store service, and as such, works quite well on all Apple devices. However, there’s zero support for Apple’s videos outside of iTunes or Apple devices.
- Macs: HD available via iTunes.
- Windows PC: HD available via iTunes.
- Linux: Not available.
- Chromebook: Not available.
- Roku: Not available.
- Apple TV: HD available.
- Fire TV: Not available.
- Chromecast: Not available.
- Android: Not available.
- iOS: HD available.
- Disney Movies Anywhere: Supported.
- UltraViolet: Not supported.
Best if: You mostly or exclusively own Apple devices.
Avoid if: You mainly or exclusively own non-Apple devices.
Google Play
Google Play Movies and TV works on Google’s various devices, as well as on most major digital video devices. Additionally, Google has a complete list of device compatibility. Non-Chrome browsers may vary in HD support.
- Macs: HD available in Chrome on MacBooks; standard definition (SD) quality only for desktop Macs.
- Windows PC: HD available in Chrome.
- Linux: HD available in Chrome.
- Chromebook: HD available.
- Roku: HD available.
- Apple TV: HD available via AirPlay. The Apple TV YouTube app also should play some Google Play videos, according to some.
- Fire TV: Not available.
- Chromecast: HD available.
- Android: HD available.
- iOS: HD available for streaming.
- Disney Movies Anywhere: Supported.
- UltraViolet: Not supported.
Best if: You use Google/Android devices and services.
Avoid if: You mainly use a Fire TV device.
Amazon Video
Amazon Video is offered on a variety of devices. Unfortunately, Amazon mainly has their own line of Fire devices in mind. Support for regular Android devices requires sideloading their own Amazon Appstore, then installing the video player from there. Amazon has on their site a full list of compatible devices.
- Macs: HD available.
- Windows PC: HD available.
- Linux: HD available in Chrome.
- Chromebook: HD available.
- Roku: HD available.
- Apple TV: HD available via AirPlay.
- Fire TV: HD available.
- Chromecast: HD available (up to 720p) via casting video in Chrome.
- Android: SD only. Yes, even after all of the above hoop-jumping.
- iOS: HD available for streaming.
- Disney Movies Anywhere: Supported.
- UltraViolet: Not supported.
Best if: You use a lot of Amazon services and devices, including Fire tablets/Fire TV.
Avoid if: You mainly use Android devices.
Vudu
Vudu is owned by Walmart, and so offers a range of video apps across devices. It’s also probably the only major digital video store not from the “Big Five” (Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook) to gain much traction. Some of its features (“HDX” quality video, etc.) are a bit more geared toward home theater enthusiasts.
- Macs: HD is available on MacBooks. On desktops, HD support seems uncertain (Vudu’s site notes it might not be available depending on HDCP output to external monitors). However, I’d imagine modern desktop Macs/monitors should handle such fine.
- Windows PC: HD available.
- Linux: HD available.
- Chromebook: HD available.
- Roku: HD available.
- Apple TV: HD available via AirPlay.
- Fire TV: Not available.
- Chromecast: HD available.
- Android: HD available.
- iOS: SD only available, as far as I can determine? Vudu’s site and Google searching didn’t seem to make it clear if HD was supported on iPads/iPhones.
- Disney Movies Anywhere: Supported.
- UltraViolet: Supported.
Best if: You don’t want a service from any of the big tech companies, really value HD quality, or need UltraViolet support.
Avoid if: You heavily use a Fire TV, want a service backed by a large tech company, or dislike Walmart.
Recommended services
Any of these services will be fine for renting digital videos. For buying videos, my suggestions are more specific.
Google Play / Amazon Video
If you have a mix of devices, are concerned about future-proofing (well, as much as possible with DRMed video files), or might want to change devices in the future, I’d recommend either Google Play or Amazon Video.
Both companies’ services are offered on nearly all major devices (save mostly each other’s), work on multiple operating systems (including Linux), and are popular platforms from major companies. Despite Google’s tendencies, the two services are also unlikely to get shut down in the foreseeable future. That said, Amazon’s probably the more popular of the two, thanks to Amazon Prime, Amazon producing its own programming for Prime, and Amazon’s overall popularity/establishment.
iTunes
iTunes is only recommended if one’s an Apple device loyalist. However, it should be avoided if you mainly use, well, anything else.
Vudu
Vudu has a nice service independent of the tech companies, works with UltraViolet, and has some home theater enthusiast-friendly aspects. However, if one’s concerned about Walmart shutting it down (as has happened with some other smaller or indie digital media services), it’d be better to go with one of the bigger services.
Streaming devices
All of the above is why I suggest Roku as a platform-neutral streaming device. Roku supports everything non-Apple-related, and isn’t owned by one of the above companies. Thus, Roku can offer their devices without pushing a particular platform.
(Updated 11/25/18)
