More About Those Blockbuster SD Card Download Kiosks From the Bossman Himself

By Robert Wilonsky Wed., Dec. 16 2009 at 2:50 PM

Categories: Biz, From the RTF Dept.

One month ago we introduced you to the NCR-manufactured Blockbuster kiosk that allows users to download movies to SD cards. The response was, to put it mildly, mixed. I finally saw one a couple of days ago while reporting a piece for next week's paper version of Unfair Park; there's one at the bright and shiny Preston Royal location, which the manager says maybe a couple of people have used since its installation at the end of November. Problem is, and no one said anything about this last month, the SD cards don't actually play without the GreenPlay adapter you see at right -- which runs $50, though, hey, it does come with an SD card gratis.

So, I asked Blockbuster chairman and CEO Jim Keyes -- again, a much longer interview with him runs next week -- what the what. This is his part of response:

We're way ahead of our headlights when it comes to the technology. The technology, to be able to load [a movie on] an SD card in two minutes and watch it on a device, absolutely works. The technology exists. The problem is, the studios have to agree on the standards so it works without the box. The studios are meeting now about this. It's like Blu-ray. It took two years for studios to agree on that technology. We're trying to get ahead of the release and see how customers relate to SD cards. With all that stuff, you have to get the learning done before you can flip a switch. It was never intended to be commercial -- we knew people wouldn't buy the boxes -- but there will be valuable lessons learned. You'd think bloggers of all people would understand beta. We're leading an iniative, and people slam it.

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As a visionary for the future of BB, Keyes is a failure. As a downsizer and outsourcer though, while collecting a huge check, he's a success. You go, boy! Looking forward to the day that the aristocrats are rounded up. Viva la revolution.
"We're way ahead of our headlights when it comes to the technology." That's probably one of the funniest things I've read all day. The technology is craptastic! I want to be way ahead of my headlights. I think I'm going to run out and buy this. Why, this will replace my XBOX, PC and PS3. Blockbuster is freeing me from the drudgery of on-demand entertainment. I can't wait to head down to Blockbuster to buy this machine...and to go down there to download whatever I want...to carry back home and insert into this great new device. Thank you Blockbuster! You've given me the solution to all of my content needs! ((***HUGS and Kisses***))
So I can go to a kiosk and get a movie on my SD card and then watch it with my TV, right? Or my iPhone? What about my laptop computer? How about boxee or apple tv? Definitely way out ahead of your headlights, there. Inventing a new format on old technology is exactly what a drowning company like Blockbuster needs to get back on top!
@john k. Well, there's your demographic then. Good luck with all that....
I just watched the first two Seasons of Dexter by downloading them via Netflix to my XBox. Netflix offers digital downloads at no extra cost and it literally takes 10 seconds (while I'm sitting on my couch) to cue up a new video. So tell me again why I would take an SD card to a store and stand around while it loads. I never watch DVD extras, so I simply cannot imagine anything better than Netflix digital download. The thing about Netflix is that they gave us this stuff before we were even asking for it. I was fine with going to a BlockBuster when Netflix decided to offer search online/at-your-door service (with no late fees). I was fine with at-your-door service when Netflix decided to offer digital download. I hear that browsing movies on XBox is coming soon. Netflix is just an amazing, forward-thinking company.
You need a box? I already own 4 boxes with this capability, a Apple TV, a PS3, and XBox 360 and a DirecTV receiver and none of them require a trip down to the Blockbuster store to acquire and all of them included functionality besides buying content that was a much more significant factor than buying movies, although with the Apple TV that was almost marginal. Actually, none of them were purchased with the express purpose of buying movies. This is a joke, right?
@john k So this woman you know does not have a computer or an internet connection but she has a DVD player and for any movie she wants to watch at home she goes to Target to buy them. Do I have this right? Ummmm...why doesn't she drive to Blockbuster or some other brick and mortar rental place and rent them instead (you know like everybody had to do before the internet)? It's a crazy question but I assume there's a logical answer.
Here's my feedback: Cost-effective size SD cards(4GB) are too small for high definition content. Larger cards are going to be cost-ineffective compared to Blu-ray media for the next decade at least and probably forever. What is the point of using a industry standard media like SD cards when they require dedicated hardware? The entire point of using SD cards is so that it could be used on all the devices embracing that media. Dumb dumb dumb. Who the heck is buying Blockbuster stock with these buffoons running things?
There are thousands of people out there that don't have PC's and the money to set up connection to internet. Thus they cannot order mailed DVD's from Netflix or similar venue. I know one woman that buys a movie at Target plays it sometimes over and over or just once, She has not computer or internet. She has $50 though.
Are these movies in SD or HD? Extra features? How long is the rental good for? Will the SD card keyed to only work on my GreenlPlay adaptor or would it works on my friends (assuming more than one person buys this thing)? Why do I have to buy ANOTHER device to hook up to my TV (HDMI or component?) when I already have a DVD or BluRay player? Etc... Most HDTVs being made nowadays have SD cards readers built in so why do you need the GreenPlay adaptor? DRM decoding and management. This thing is gonna end up on the very long shelf of failed technology right next to Betamax, HD-DVD, and the CueCat. I used to go to Blockbuser all the time but not since Netflix came on the scene. They have a way better selection that I can browse while sitting in the comfort of my own house and have them delivered to my front door. I can also stream some of them to my TV or computer if I choose. Can Jim Keyes explain why his solution is superior to what Netflix offers and why starting another format war is good for the industry?
anybody remember the cuecat???
. . . and how long has Jovan Philyaw been working there, anyway?
Wow. You mean to tell me that Blockbuster execs didn't think a business plan through? Remind me again why this business is failing? Oh, yeah, now I remember.
So who's getting a fat-ass bonus for dreaming up this scam? NCR is bankin' by getting to build the kiosks, and somebody's crankin out a bunch of those $50 door stops, but who downtown in that high rise building is getting paid the big bucks for this idea?
"We're way ahead of our headlights" I LOVE that. I'm using that on my next con-call
Like I am going to invest $50.00 in a set top box that will be worthless when Blockbuster goes belly up. I think not !