After much speculation, Amazon has launched a video-downloading service called Unbox. You’re able to download movies and TV Shows from over 30 studios and networks. Pricing starts at $1.99 for most TV shows, movies are between $7.99 and $14.99, or you can rent a movie for $3.99 (all US Dollars).

The only drawback that I could see was that you can’t download a movie, burn it to a DVD and watch it on your stand-alone DVD player. You can back up to a DVD, but it will still only play on the computer you downloaded it onto. Seems a little too restrictive, but I guess the studios don’t want to undercut their own DVD sales.

Overall, the service seems pretty easy, and a good next step in what will eventually be digital distribution of all content we now get on DVD or conventional television. Next it will be Apple’s turn as the rumours of an iTunes Movie store get louder.