European streaming service now serving up HD content in the UK and Germany.
LoveFilm, Amazon's own on-demand video company, seems to be constantly signing new deals and partnerships. And, with Netflix now firmly installed in the UK market, it's easy to understand why. This week, the company has confirmed that Universal would be the next studio to join its long line of partnering companies and yesterday, LoveFilm announced the arrival of HD content.
LoveFilm Instant customers in the UK can now view content in full 1080p high definition via Mac or PC, while members using their Xbox 360 or Samsung and LG connected HDTVs will be watching at 720p resolution. In Germany, HD content will be available initially on PC and Mac in full 1080p high definition. Any content available in HD will automatically stream in 1080p if your connection can support it. Members require a minimum speed of 4mbps for 720p and 12mbps for 1080p.
LoveFilm is promising an expanding catalogue of HD content, so expect more stuff to crop up over time, but the company named Twilight, Gnomeo and Juliet, Four Lions, LOST, Ghost Whisperer, Human Planet, and Planet Earth specifically in its release.
The news follows LoveFilm's recent announcement that, for the first time, the company saw streaming overtake DVD rentals. The company revealed in late March that LoveFilm customers in February streamed more content than they had rented. According to LoveFilm, the number of films and TV episodes streamed online through internet-connected devices exceeded the number of DVDs, Blu-rays and games rented by over 20 percent. This represented an increase of 400 percent over the same month last year.
Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
