The MovieBeam service, available now, aims to replace your local Blockbusters / Rogers / Whatevers video rental store. It’s a new service that actually broadcasts movies to a device in your home in little pieces through your local PBS affiliate. Once a movie is accumulated on the device’s hard disc drive (HDD), you’ll be able to watch it for $1.99 or $3.99. Getting the box will cost you about $230, and you can rent HD movies too, for an extra $1 each (there’s I trend I don’t want to see move forward).

Interestingly, the 160GB HDD on the device will hold 100 movies. That’s 1.6GB per movie. I’m pretty sure that’s doable using MPEG4, but if they’re using MPEG2, then those are gonna be some cruddy looking movies!

The HD movies will be 720p, in case you’re wondering, and I wonder how good they look. Do any of my readers have this service? And guess what? If you want to watch the HD movies over an analog connection, you’re out of luck. They’ll be downconverted to 480p.

TWICE - MovieBeam HDTV Service Hits Retail Shelves