NCR, MOD Systems Install First Movie Download Kiosks

20 Sep, 2010 By: Erik Gruenwedel

Kiosk manufacturers NCR Corp. and MOD Systems Sept. 20 said they have installed machines in 12 U.S. airports that allow consumers for the first time to rent and buy movies downloaded to a secure digital (SD) card.

Considered by many as a successor to the DVD, SD cards and USB chips allow users to play movie files on portable media devices.

The Download2Go kiosks are deployed at 20 InMotion retail airport locations, including Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, Denver International, John F. Kennedy International, Lambert-St. Louis International, Los Angeles International, Memphis International, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Sacramento International, Salt Lake City International, San Antonio International, San Francisco International and Seattle-Tacoma International.

The digital kiosks were initially tested beginning July 16 in Atlanta and Seattle.

Consumers, with a credit card, can choose from more than 2,600 major and independent titles, with rentals priced from $3.99, and purchases priced from $12.99. Rentals must be watched within 30 days of purchase, and can be viewed repeatedly within a 48-hour window once started.

Movies can be watched on any media device that accepts SD cards and flash drives. In addition to digital movies, consumers will be able to download television shows to SD cards, and music tracks and albums to flash drives and directly to MP3 players this fall.

“Through this new service, we are expanding consumers’ access to music and movies in airports as well as diversifying this access onto multiple devices,” said Justin Hotard, VP and GM, NCR Entertainment.

Duluth, Ga.-based NCR is also rolling out Blockbuster Express $1 DVD rental kiosks nationwide through a license agreement with Dallas-based Blockbuster. The Express kiosks are capable of upgrading to digital distribution if the market develops.

Seattle-based MOD Systems, which pioneered the digital download kiosk business model, first implemented the devices in tests with defunct Movie Gallery/Hollywood Video.

Jacksonville, Fla.-based InMotion Entertainment operates 57 airport stores that enable travelers to rent and buy movies and music playable on their own or rented portable media devices. Rented DVDs, CDs and devices can be returned to any InMotion location.

In January, InMotion entered into a revenue-sharing agreement and distribution deal with Rentrak Corp.