Downloading films via broadband

Downloading films has become a popular pastime for many young Britons. When it comes to downloading films, as with music, the download speed of your broadband is integral to your experience.

Film buffs no longer need to queue up at their local cinema or brave the elements visiting a video shop, they can now download films directly to their PC or laptop. Additionally, with prices ranging from 79p to £2.99 per film, downloading is more affordable than either buying or renting through conventional avenues.

What is downloading?

Wikipedia quotes downloading as ‘transfer of electronic data between two computers or similar systems’ this essentially can be anything from music, video and photos to documents and software for your computer.

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Download speeds

When it comes down to it, your broadband speed means the difference between downloading an average film in minutes or hours. On the face of it, an average film is 700Mb in size and should therefore take approximately 45 minutes to download based on a 2Mb download speed or less than 5 minutes with a faster connection of 20-24Mb.

However, downloading films often takes a great deal longer than expected with a 90 minute film often taking longer to download than to watch. Downloading films is therefore something that should be planned in advance as opposed to an "on a whim" decision.

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What do I need to start downloading?

First of all a PC, Mac or laptop with internet connection is obviously compulsory, you will also need plenty of space on your hard drive. With the essentials in order the internet is your oyster when it comes to choosing which site to download from.

Where to download?

iTunes is a popular choice for film buffs looking to watch films on their iPods or laptops. Addtionally, 4 OD, Channel 4's On Demand services offers a user-friendly, way to download both tv programs and films for free or at a small cost.

In terms of ISPs, both BT and AOL have downloading services on their websites. With BT vision you can download films for as little as £0.89 and, if you like the idea of having your own copy to keep you can have one sent out to your house too. AOL has a lot of dvd's to rent or buy online to suit most tastes.

The future of downloading films

• BT's free movie download trial

Broadband users will be able to download movies on a three-month trial basis from BT’s online download store, with a choice of The Punk Rock Movie, shooters and geezers gangster flick Played, which stars Vinnie Jones, and comedy drama Mischief Night. In return, the customers must watch the accompanying advertisements, which they cannot skip through and providing the customer is online at the time, will be different each time the movie is viewed.

Anthony Carbonari, interactive and commercial media director at BT Vision, said: "This will be a fascinating trial: the concept of targeted TV advertisements is now a reality through the combined technology behind BT Vision Download Store and Hiro’s software solution. "We believe that sympathetically-placed, targeted advertising, combined with a viral film-sharing capability, will be attractive to customers in conjunction with free or reduced content prices. We look forward to the results." The service is available to anyone with a broadband connection irrespective of their ISP.

• Orange inks deal with MGM studios

Orange has signed an agreement to allow it to show films from Metro Goldwyn Meyer (MGM) studios’ vault on its on-demand video service. The deals will add considerably to the 3,000-plus movies and 6,000 TV programmes currently available through the broadband provider’s 24/4 Video application. Initially access to MGM’s movies will be rolled out in Spain, France and Poland before being made available in the UK. The 24/4 service allows subscribers to Orange’s broadband digital television package or broadband package to rent a movie for 24 hours.

MGM owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles, including Platoon and Gone With The Wind. News of Orange’s announcement comes as it this week announced that the judging panel for the Orange Broadband Prize For Fiction will include impish ska-popper Lily Allen, author Bel Mooney and journalist Lisa Allardice. The judging panel will be chaired by Philippa Gregory.

With both ISPs and television broadcasters vying for a piece of this fast-growing market, the consumer is in a great position to pick and choose which ISP they choose and which service they use.

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