EzyFlix.tv is the latest digital entertainment service to launch in Australia. With no monthly fees or contracts, offline playback, the ability to buy titles outright and over 2000 titles at launch, it has one of the most impressive feature sets on the market. But will it be enough to entice pirates to become law-abiding consumers?
EzyFlix is a video on demand service that allows customers to instantly stream or download movies to a multitude of devices, including Mac, PC, Android phones and tablets, iPhone and iPad. It’s also compatible with the cloud-based video distribution service UltraViolet and there are plans to introduce smart TV and game console options in the coming weeks. The service is an offshoot of the online DVD store EzyDVD which has been toying with the concept of movie downloads since 2008.
The service has the backing of every major movie studio which means there shouldn’t be any gaps when it comes to blockbuster releases. There are currently 2000 titles to choose from, but EzyFlix is looking to boost its range by 8000 moving forward.
Crucially, EzyFlix promises to provide up-to-date content which is one area where many of its rivals have failed to deliver; especially in Australia. The service also allows you to buy and own movies in addition to its rental options.
“Australians are hungry for new release movies and US TV shows and tired of feeling like they’re behind the rest of the world,” the company’s CEO Craig White explained. “EzyFlix.tv provides affordable, convenient and timely access to top international video content, express from the US, without any subscription fees, contracts or the need for a set top box.”
So what kind of wait is there before current content hits the platform? According to EzyFlix.tv, you’ll be able to buy movies at the same time as the DVD release, while television shows will become available close to 24 hours after they first air on TV, which isn’t too shabby.
Pricing seems pretty standard for this kind of service: bought movies start at $8.99 while rentals begin at $3.99. TV shows can be snapped up for $2.99 per episode, with season passes offering additional savings.
We’ll be taking a more in-depth hands-on look at EzyFlix in an upcoming streaming article. In the meantime, check out the EzyFlix website for more information.
Comments
26 responses to “EzyFlix: The Video-On-Demand Service We’ve Been Waiting For?”
$4 per TV show rental? How much do the studios make off FTA per viewer, can I ask? I doubt it’s anywhere near that amount! That’s obscene!
$4? I can only see $2.99 for SD and $3.49 for HD. I think $2.99 for an episode (to own, not rent) is reasonable (same as iTunes).
Build me up just to knock me down. THE SITE USES ULTRAVIOLET. Hooray for DRM!
I seriously thought there might be a legal way to get content that doesn’t lock you down. Back to DVD’s we go. Wooo… future.
The site doesn’t use Ultraviolet. Yes, they enable you to redeem it if you have an Ultraviolet code but their rental/own service is very different.
I’m sorry but that is not what the customer service person I talked to told me, basically said to watch anything I would need their app…
Mind you the fool told me to download the App from Google Play… for my Surface RT…
Hi Chvio, Firstly, I would like to apologise for the information you were provided when you contacted the Customer Service team at Ezyflix.tv . With regards to your question, you can watch your purchased content in two ways on EzyFlix.tv, you can stream from your browser by accessing your my library section in “my account” once logged in (just press the play button on the movie). To download to playback offline please download the application to your specified device. For the Windows Surface tablet you will require to download our desktop application to view movies. Michael Tran Customer Service Manager Ezyflix.tv
So … you’re basically just confirming what Chivo just said, that one would need the ezflix app – you’re just pretending that while the tablet app is a restricted application/program, the web application isn’t an application/program.
Chiva’s whole point was that if he wanted to use some other application (in my own personal case I have a PVR/TV tuner that can also read files from the network and play them on my TV regardless of format/codec), it won’t work due to DRM.
Secondly I just bought 1 video to test my point last night after your customer service rep basically dribbled all over himself.
1) Only fully fledged PC’s and Macs can download videos after installing an Adobe Air app. These files cannot be moved or relocated and must be redownloaded on any device.
2) (My favourite) There is no W8 app and if you are on Android or iOS? Streaming only. What a kick to the nutsack.
I’m a little agitated by this as every time a new option turns up to dump DVD’s someone always DRM snags the crap outta ya. My dad is stuck on iTunes basically forever with his videos… I’ve changed platforms 3 times in the last 4 years…
*EDIT* 3) The Surface RT runs Windows RT and does NOT install desktop apps. Your organization wide ignorance of the operating system landscape is killing me. What are you going to say next? For Linux go to Google Play?
Hmmm… I think I will stick with netflix thanks… $4 per episode is a joke when monthly subscriptions (for the cost of 2 of two TV episodes on this new service) in the US gets you access to everything.
Bypassing IP blocks using proxies and VPN was found to be illegal:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57599275-93/court-rules-that-ip-cloaking-to-access-blocked-sites-violates-law/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=title
so yeah, I’d be careful.
Violates US law, anyway. I’d love to see someone in the Australian judicial system comment on that.
wasn’t there a government inquiry recommendation to bypass geo blocks to get best value for money content?
Yeah, but they were pretty quick to add the caveat, “Where legal,” to everything they said. There was a sort of understanding that they weren’t exactly sure just yet what is or isn’t legal, and I believe there was also a recommendation that Australian legislation be passed to protect consumers who want to bypass geoblocking to avoid region-based digital discrimination. That legislation has not yet been raised by government.
Rather than takin Cnet headlines at face value -perhaps do a little research…
Breyer, however, found this unconvincing. “Store owners open their doors to the public, but occasionally find it necessary to ban disruptive individuals from the premises,” he wrote, and3Taps’ examples explaining ways the ruling would criminalize everyday behavior were “absurd” and “outlandish.” While 3Taps had posited examples of how an innocent user could be liable for spending time on a site called “Don’t Visit Me” after being warned not to click its links, Breyer said that the level of intent shown by 3Taps meant the ruling wouldn’t apply to everyday activity, especially because Craigslist had specifically told it to stop collecting data.Which leads us to the question what notice is necessary. Is an e-mail sufficient? Any notice associated with your account? what definition of “access” will be used? these questions are still up in the air because the TRIAL ISN’T OVER YET… : xThe case against 3Taps is a civil lawsuit, not a criminal investigation like Swartz’s case. It’s also not yet over. Breyer’s ruling slapped down 3Taps’ attempt to get the case dismissed, meaning that the case could either officially go to trial or be concluded with a final judgment by Breyer
Based on law passed in 1984….mean anything?
Those prices basically match what’s on Xbox Video and PSN right now.
Fail.
Those prices are really expensive compared to Netflix. – I pay $8 a month for as much as my family wants to watch. I will not be paying the $4 per TV show episode on EzyFlix.
To be fair, I think the EzyFlix TV show prices are to buy the episode, rather than rent it.
Is there any word on if they’re working towards an app for AppleTV’s & smart TV’s?
The Australia tax hard at work as usual, but its a start
So I just did a search for the first 3 movies I could think of off the top of my head. First, Django Unchained – it only offered me the option to rent or buy SD – no HD option? Then I tried Argo – wasn’t even on there. I guess it only won the best picture Oscar, so presumably they figure nobody wants to watch it. Lastly I looked for True Grit (the Coens’ version) and again, it offered me SD only (and for $19.99 when JB are advertising the DVD for $12.98).
Decided to stop wasting my time at that point.
You have to mouse over the Buy SD to see the HD prices. A dumb web design IMOH.
And consumers don’t care either? Guess which of the two parties is putting money on the line, though. *flips ezyflix the bird*
‘Whatever’ dudes. From the pricing, the answer to the article’s question is a pretty clear ‘No’.
Seriously, though…
What the FUCK is keeping us from getting a netflix equivalent? What is it that is so damned important about gouging the everloving hell out of our wallets compared to the US? Why is it absolutely critical to this industry that we can’t have things without a stupid-percent markup? It’s fucking DIGITAL for God’s sake!
Equivalency seems to be some sort of terrible, horrible thing that sticks in their throat, as if it causes them physical pain. I have never seen anything so belligerently stupid, that there HAS to be some bizarre reason lurking in the background. Someone, somewhere is getting theirs, and fucking Australia on release dates for movies and TV, and fucking us on price is vital to them getting theirs. And they must know where the bodies are buried, because everyone is LETTING THEM.
Hi Braains, if you hover over the pricing you can see the HD is available to purchase for Django. True Grit HD is now available as well. Argo is being added to our range and will be available soon. Michael Tran Customer Service Manager Ezyflix.tv
Hmmm… wonder if they’ll create a Roku 3 channel…? 🙂
FFS – I don’t want to buy TV shows! I watch them once and forget about them. Where’s the “rent TV shows” button?
LOOK, I’m really frustrated by all this. Companies spout on about what criminals we are, but their own services have an obsolete business model which is ignorant about consumer demand. We know what range of content and speed of supply we can get for free, so at least meet us part of the way and justify the paid service. Reasonable price. Extensive library. High-definition. Ability to backup, or at least stream on more than 2 devices (the average Aus family has SIX wifi devices by the way). And don’t charge $7 to rent a movie! It cost $7 back in the bricks-and-mortar days, and they had a site to maintain and people to employ. The running costs ARE less now, so you’re insulting us.