I personally never download anything because I like having something physical, something tangible to hold. I like the packaging and the little blurb on the back that I obviously never look at or read. I don’t know why… maybe I’m getting old?
However it appears I am not alone; As of yesterday, Sky launched its Sky Buy and Keep service where Sky+ HD customers can purchase a digital version of a movie they download and then receive the physical copy as a DVD in the post at an additional cost. Which kind of makes sense I guess?
Anyway, Sky Buy and Keep has launched with tonnes of great titles such as The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug and said to have The Wolf on Wall Street as soon as it is released. Obviously this is all helped by Sky’s deals with producers such as Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox that should see blockbuster movies being continuously added to this service.
To have the digital copy and the DVD along with it you would expect to pay a premium but the pricings don’t seem too bad; ranging from £7.99 up to £13.99. It does take a few days for the DVD to arrive but you have the added benefit of being able to start the download right away. With a connection of above 2Mbps you shouldn’t have to wait too long before you can start watching, although, ideally you will need a connection above 6Mbps to really enjoy the benefits of this service.
See Also: Sky rolls out new EPG: Sky+HD boxes getting new On Demand layout
Once downloaded you can delete and download again as many times as you like without having to pay again so that you can free up space for other downloads, plus if you have the physical copy there with you who needs it saved anyway?
The Sky Buy and Keep service is only available on Sky+ HD at the moment but in time shall be available across more platforms and you will be able to watch the downloaded movies on your tablets and smartphones. Pretty nifty if you ask me.