Amazon Prime subscribers have received a bit of a treat, as Amazon just flipped the switch for Prime subscribers to stream movies. There are over 5,000 movies and television shows are available. Early reviews peg the service as promising. But Netflix it is not.
The “free” Amazon Prime Instant Video service — with a not so free $79 Amazon Prime subscription — has a collection of movies and television shows that is sort of what you would expect. Lesser quality than the likes of Netflix, but still enough to possibly keep you entertained.
The actual video quality is a bit suspect. With Engadget’s side-by-side comparison of Prime’s Instant Video and Netflix, Netflix’s video quality was found to be superior to Amazon’s. But the quality of the high definition content on Prime’s Instant Video service should be acceptable for most.
Unfortunately, without the million dollar licensing deals that Netflix has negotiated with Hollywood, Amazon’s Prime Instant Video is likely only going to have the titles from yesteryear. It will be good for watching older content that isn’t in demand today, but that’s about it. And if the service remains “free,” as Amazon’s staff have stated, I’m sure that older content is all you will see on Instant Video.
Netflix, it looks like you have dodged a bullet, for now.
Amazon’s movie/TV library is pretty weak right now, but if you’re already a Prime member and not clamoring for the latest titles, then you’ll probably be pretty satisfied to just hang out. Also, the main reason that you go Prime is for the shipping benefits. Netflix’s control of good Hollywood content keeps its position of superiority pretty secure.