The latest iteration of AOL Video is live (beta, of course) and, so far,
while it has elements that may seem familiar from other sites, it does look like a different experience. (Screenshots of the front page and the channel guide.) AOL has one advantage over some download services — AOL members can charge downloads to their accounts. The first pay downloads being advertised on the front page are episodes from seasons 1 & 2 of Chappelle’s Show. Free commercial video includes previews of new CBS shows.
A minus: the AOL Video Delivery Manager only works with IE 6 or higher. No Netscape and Firefox.
Update: To clarify, the player itself works with multiple browsers. On the usability side, the text in the all-important programming guide needs work. Instead of identifying episodes by series, they are attributed to AOL Television.
— The MTVN channels should be marked PPV; the only non-pay content is previews for download to own.
Related: AOL Expanding Video; Adding Download Sales; Garden Wall May Be Yanked Down
— More On AOL’s Video Plans
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