Amazon Video on Demand curiosity

[Schmye Bubbula]

Why do downloads from Amazon Video on Demand appear within the Amazon Video on Demand folder as well as separately broken-out in the Now Playing List? Why the redundancy? Wouldn't it be better and more consistent if they were in the folder only? A bug or a feature?

[dylanemcgregor]

They used to be in the folder only, and then at some point they broke them out like they do now. Personally I like the doubling up, because sometimes I forget that I downloaded something via Amazon, and am just looking through the titles...other times I know I downloaded a movie, but can't remember which one. So it is helpful to me, but I can see others not caring for it from a tidiness perspective.

[Dan203]

It also helps with TV shows downloaded via Amazon as they will be grouped with episodes of the same show recorded off of TV. So for example if you have a bunch of episodes of 24 and you missed an episode somewhere, you could download it from Amazon and it would still show up in the 24 group so you wouldn't have to bounce over to the Amazon group when you wanted to watch that one episode.

Dan

[TiVoStephen]

Intentional behavior -- so not a bug :)

[ZeoTiVo]

It also helps with TV shows downloaded via Amazon as they will be grouped with episodes of the same show recorded off of TV. So for example if you have a bunch of episodes of 24 and you missed an episode somewhere, you could download it from Amazon and it would still show up in the 24 group so you wouldn't have to bounce over to the Amazon group when you wanted to watch that one episode.

Dan


yah, for movies it kind of annoys me as it adds the movie title alone out on now playing versus neat and tidy in the folder. Now for TV shows like you describe it makes a lot of sense. I would vote to turn it off but that is based solely on my use. :)

oh and did I mention that the 24 hour from first watching window is a much bigger problem for me ;)

[msdonnelly]

Just slightly off topic but...I went on vacation for a week and when I came back I found Amazon Video on Demand! What happened to Unbox?

[TiVoStephen]

While the service hasn't changed for TiVo users (other than the name changing), Amazon has made some changes to their service. Check it out at http://www.amazon.com/avod/

[dylanemcgregor]

While the service hasn't changed for TiVo users (other than the name changing), Amazon has made some changes to their service. Check it out at http://www.amazon.com/avod/

They've also made it a bit of a PITA to download movies instead of stream if you want to initiate the download from your computer. Still hoping they fix the interface to be able to download without having to go through the whole streaming hassle first.

[rainwater]

They've also made it a bit of a PITA to download movies instead of stream if you want to initiate the download from your computer. Still hoping they fix the interface to be able to download without having to go through the whole streaming hassle first.

Hmm. When I hit purchase, it asks me how I want the video and I select the TiVo I want to download too. I haven't found it that difficult.

[dylanemcgregor]

Hmm. When I hit purchase, it asks me how I want the video and I select the TiVo I want to download too. I haven't found it that difficult.

I don't even know where you get to a screen that gives you a purchase video option. If I select a show from the main Amazon page it takes me to a page where, depending on my computer, it either starts playing a random episode, or I get a white page. Below that there are a list of episodes, but my only option is to Watch Now. I want to purchase an episode, but don't want it to start playing. (In fact on most of my computers Flash is blocked by default, so I can't watch it play anyways.)

[aus1ander]

Intentional behavior -- so not a bug :)

Why can't they move the Amazon folder to the bottom of the NPL with the other grouped folders (HD, suggestions, etc)? Is this a contractual obligation with Amazon to have it alphabetical or at the top?

[MickeS]

Why can't they move the Amazon folder to the bottom of the NPL with the other grouped folders (HD, suggestions, etc)? Is this a contractual obligation with Amazon to have it alphabetical or at the top?

I've never seen that. Is it because it's the latest "recording" and you have it sorted by date?

[TiVoStephen]

Or maybe he has it alphabetical and isn't recording "Alias" or anything else that comes before "Amazon"?

[destek]

I hate change - but unbox was such a stupid name it needed killin'

[BladeZ]

Have they enabled HD yet? Hell, I dont even need HD, just anamorphic widescreen would be acceptable...

[Blurayfan]

I don't even know where you get to a screen that gives you a purchase video option. If I select a show from the main Amazon page it takes me to a page where, depending on my computer, it either starts playing a random episode, or I get a white page. Below that there are a list of episodes, but my only option is to Watch Now. I want to purchase an episode, but don't want it to start playing. (In fact on most of my computers Flash is blocked by default, so I can't watch it play anyways.)
After the video loads (2 min. FREE preview) the purchase option becomes visible right below the video.

[dylanemcgregor]

After the video loads (2 min. FREE preview) the purchase option becomes visible right below the video.

So no way to get it without playing the video first? I don't want to start watching the video now, I want to watch it later when I'm home and comfortable...and having the video start playing while I'm at work is distracting. We have Flash disabled at work for this very reason, and this is where I typically want to order a movie for later in the evening. I'd imagine other people would like to order a movie from devices like Blackberries that don't support Flash.

[Blurayfan]

So no way to get it without playing the video first? I don't want to start watching the video now, I want to watch it later when I'm home and comfortable...and having the video start playing while I'm at work is distracting. We have Flash disabled at work for this very reason, and this is where I typically want to order a movie for later in the evening. I'd imagine other people would like to order a movie from devices like Blackberries that don't support Flash.

You'll still need Flash, but amazon just added an option on the video window. Auto play (On/Off) to the right of the play button. When set to OFF the page loads the purchase details instead of the video.

[dylanemcgregor]

You'll still need Flash, but amazon just added an option on the video window. Auto play (On/Off) to the right of the play button. When set to OFF the page loads the purchase details instead of the video.

Thanks. That's a good start.

[Resist]

I can't stand having redundant folders for my shows. So it really annoys me to have an Amazon Video On Demand folder with the shows and then separate folders with the same shows. Is there a way to get rid of one of them? I just started using Amazon on demand and really dislike how Tivo is listing them this way. I want my groups setting on but don't want all this extra double listing crap.

[TiVoEvan74]

Say, it is only 1 folder--just 1 item in the list-- not a biggie! You'll get used to it... just give it time! :)

Plus, as several have said, there are advantages and it serves a purpose for many viewers.

[Mars Rocket]

I can't stand having redundant folders for my shows. So it really annoys me to have an Amazon Video On Demand folder with the shows and then separate folders with the same shows. Is there a way to get rid of one of them? I just started using Amazon on demand and really dislike how Tivo is listing them this way. I want my groups setting on but don't want all this extra double listing crap.

I'll agree that it's a bit annoying, but "can't stand" is a pretty strong reaction. On my old Series 1 TiVo we didn't even have folders at all - alphabetical listing was as good as it got, and that was OK.

[rainwater]

I'll agree that it's a bit annoying, but "can't stand" is a pretty strong reaction. On my old Series 1 TiVo we didn't even have folders at all - alphabetical listing was as good as it got, and that was OK.

Well, for TV shows they should only be in their folder for that TV show. It makes no sense to be in 2 different folders. For movie rentals, I can understand if they group those into a folder since it will help people find expiring content. But for tv shows, you can always re-download them. There is no need to have them in multiple places. It is just confusing.

[Joey Bagadonuts]

I just purchased an S3 (20 hr) TiVo a couple of days and downloaded the current software (11.0d-01-2-652). However, today when I bought and then downloaded a movie from Amazon, not only did it go to the wrong DVR but I couldn't transfer it to the right DVR due to copyright reasons. I understood the copyright thing but I couldn't figure out why the download went to the wrong DVR (I am certain I chose the correct DVR at the time of download). I did some looking around and I think I found the problem. Am I understanding this correctly? Not only does my device have to be compatible with Amazon Video Download (which, of course it is) but my TV has to be compatible also? I have a high end Panasonic HDTV but it's not listed on the Amazon site as a compatible "device". Am I missing something here? :confused:

[megory]

I just downloaded my first Amazon video (Julie and Julia) -- and WTF it's TINY! It isn't a full TV screen -- it's surrounded by black frame all around!

My TV shows my HD content in full screen, why not a recent movie that I paid for?

Is there something I need to do to view this in full screen?

[pkscout]

Is there something I need to do to view this in full screen?

If your TV has a ZOOM mode, they should do it. You have to watch what you download from Amazon. If it's standard definition *and* widescreen you'll get the double black bars. To fill an HD screen you need to download stuff that is in HD for the TiVo. There doesn't seem to be anyway to search for just that stuff, so you need to scroll all the way to the bottom of the detail screen for them item and see how it's formatted. There will be a listing for the TiVo.

[megory]

If your TV has a ZOOM mode, they should do it. You have to watch what you download from Amazon. If it's standard definition *and* widescreen you'll get the double black bars. To fill an HD screen you need to download stuff that is in HD for the TiVo. There doesn't seem to be anyway to search for just that stuff, so you need to scroll all the way to the bottom of the detail screen for them item and see how it's formatted. There will be a listing for the TiVo. Hmmm. I thought I just downloaded and voila! I'll have to be more vigilant next time, and understand there are decisions to be made. HD for TiVo, huh. Thanks for getting me up-to-speed.

BTW, nice cat!

[Mars Rocket]

If your TV has a ZOOM mode, they should do it. You have to watch what you download from Amazon. If it's standard definition *and* widescreen you'll get the double black bars. To fill an HD screen you need to download stuff that is in HD for the TiVo. There doesn't seem to be anyway to search for just that stuff, so you need to scroll all the way to the bottom of the detail screen for them item and see how it's formatted. There will be a listing for the TiVo.

If you use the TiVo Search Beta in "Music, Photos, & Showcases" it shows you if there's an HD version available at the same point it shows the regular version. It's really obvious. If you press "Enter" in that search area you can restrict results to HD only.

However, even in the regular Amazon search in the Video on Demand section, if I search for "JUL" and pick the pick the movie, it says there are "2 available downloads" with one being listed as HD. I'm not sure how much easier or more obvious it could be.

[pkscout]

If you use the TiVo Search Beta in "Music, Photos, & Showcases" it shows you if there's an HD version available at the same point it shows the regular version. It's really obvious. If you press "Enter" in that search area you can restrict results to HD only.

I'll have to try that. Thanks for the tip.

However, even in the regular Amazon search in the Video on Demand section, if I search for "JUL" and pick the pick the movie, it says there are "2 available downloads" with one being listed as HD. I'm not sure how much easier or more obvious it could be.

But that means I have to go wandering around looking for movies and *then* see if it's in HD. Yes, that works. But what I want from the Amazon web site is a way to say "show me only the HD available" and then let me refine the search.

[rainwater]

But what I want from the Amazon web site is a way to say "show me only the HD available" and then let me refine the search.

You have to do it from the box to see the HD content. My guess is they may be offering different content for different devices they support (so the HD catalog is perhaps different depending on the hardware).

[megory]

I'll have to try that. Thanks for the tip.

But that means I have to go wandering around looking for movies and *then* see if it's in HD. Yes, that works. But what I want from the Amazon web site is a way to say "show me only the HD available" and then let me refine the search.

I agree. And, it was difficult enough to find things in TiVo--I didn't want to use my computer first, let alone consider that it was necessary.

Always more to learn. I didn't go to the Amazon website. I trusted that TiVo and Amazon worked hand-in-glove, and that I was only offered appropriate material for my TiVo HD. Silly me.

I'm not likely to be a frequent downloader of movies, but is it easier to select appropriately formatted movies from Netflix?

[rainwater]

I'm not likely to be a frequent downloader of movies, but is it easier to select appropriately formatted movies from Netflix?

You don't select a format for Netflix streaming. It streams the best possible format given what your connection can handle and what is available for that video. Only a small percentage of content is in HD on Netflix.

[megory]

You don't select a format for Netflix streaming. It streams the best possible format given what your connection can handle and what is available for that video. Only a small percentage of content is in HD on Netflix. okay. No Netflix. Most important is the new awareness to require HD. Maybe search in Amazon online if I ever decide to rent/watch another movie