Samsung TVs and Blu-ray Players Now Get Amazon and Blockbuster Video Store Access

The thing about renting a movie from the store is that you actually have to get up off the couch. Samsung knows what a chore that is and wants to make it possible to get your movies without movie more than a finger. Hmm, I’m feeling lethargic already. Now you can get Blockbuster and Amazon video downloads straight through your Samsung HDTV or Blu-ray player.

The Blockbuster OnDemand service is now available on a large portion of Samsung HDTVs, although the movies aren’t in high def, so don’t expect it to look great. For most of those TVs, all you need is a firmware update. However, if you get the Internet@TV version (basically any HDTV Series 650 or above, or Series 7000 if it’s an LED TV), then you’ll also get access to the Amazon Video on Demand Yahoo! widget.

Regardless of which one you have, these services give you instant access to a slew of video rentals (don’t panic: the digital download kind, not the drive to the store kind). The selection of content isn’t as broad or high def as Netflix Watch Instantly, but hey, it’s right there in your TV, waiting for you. Stop complaining.

Apparently the promotion goes both ways, too. Blockbuster stores will be selling compatible Samsung Blu-ray players in their stores, so you can pick one up there. That’s assuming you actually get off the couch to go to the video rental store anymore and Blockbuster is still in business by the time you get there. Two big ifs, I know.

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