We tried the current Netflix streaming service. Nice idea, but over my 768 DSL connection, the video quality was not acceptable. The streaming part was fine, but he resolution wasn't.
Likewise, DirecTV is offering "On Demand" content now but the download speeds are ridiculously slow.
I'm kind of with Murph and Nick; I think that - right now - there STILL isn't enough bandwidth to deliver the optimum audio and video resolution on a timely basis. Amazing. So, short of a breakthrough in compression or proliferation of higher bandwidth connections, we are where we are.
To some extent, I think that web video content delivery mirrors the iPod / MP3 craze. There are lots of consumers that will be seduced by ease of use, and there will still be a segment of the population that values fidelity above availability. For now, only physical media can deliver the kind of fidelity that satisfies most of us on this forum.
Sneakernet lives.
