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Watch Now on a Mac or PC

When you choose the Watch Now feature, you get instant access to your video on a Mac or PC through your web browser using Adobe Flash Player. The videos play back right in your computer's web browser without requiring the download of large files or installation of video player software.

Watch Now Technical Requirements

Here are the computer system requirements for Amazon Instant Video:

Computer Hardware:PCs: Intel Pentium 4 2.33GHz processor or equivalent. Macs: PowerPC G5 1.8GHz or faster or Intel Core Duo 1.33 GHz or faster.
Computer Hardware for HD:Most Duo Core 2.00GHz Macs and PCs or faster.
Browser:Internet Explorer 6.0 or above, Firefox 1.5 or above, or Safari 2.0 or above.
Browser Plug-ins:The most recent versions of JavaScript and Adobe Flash Player.
Internet Connection:Broadband Internet connection with minimum recommended connection speed of 450 Kbits/sec.
Internet Connection for HD:Broadband Internet connection with minimum recommended connection speed of 3,500 Kbits/sec.

Internet Connection and Stream Quality

The sample allows you to preview the quality of the video stream as well. Four levels of streaming video quality are available to you depending on your Internet connection speed. Files streamed between 600 Kbps and 1.2 Mbps are streamed in high-quality 480p resolution. Our 2.5 Mbps HD files are streamed in 720p. We'll automatically detect your connection speed, send you the highest quality stream your connection can support, and display the steam quality on the video player. You'll know you have achieved HD when the HD connection indicator turns blue.

Ordering Amazon Instant Video content

For information about ordering, visit the page below:

How to Order Amazon Instant Video

Watching Your Videos Instantly

Your Amazon Instant Video selection will begin playing immediately after you buy or rent if you choose "watch now." You'll also have the option to access your streaming video at a later time through Your Video Library.

To view online instantly when you buy or rent:

Select a movie or TV episode from the Amazon Instant Video store.
When the free preview begins, click the Buy or Rent button at any time.
When we confirm your purchase, select "watch now."
Your video will begin to play.
If you rent a video, selecting "Watch now" will begin your rental period..

Watching from Your Video Library

All of the videos you purchase are stored in Your Video Library at www.amazon.com/videoondemand/library, where you can watch your videos, initiate downloads, and view available licenses for your videos.

To watch your videos online from Your Video Library:

Visit Your Video Library at www.amazon.com/videoondemand/library.
Sign in to your account if prompted.
Click on the video you want to watch.
Click the Watch Now button in the pop-up window.

For information about video license agreements, non-availability windows, and download limits for offline viewing options, please visit the Help page below:

Managing Your Video Library and Licenses

Using the Player Controls

The Player controls will be visible when you begin viewing a preview, rental, or purchased video and will automatically hide after several seconds of inactivity. To reveal the player controls when hidden, simply move your cursor.

Play/Pause: Clicking the play button will start your video. After your video starts playing, the button will become a Pause button that allows you to freeze the video at the point where you were watching.
Reverse/Forward: Clicking on the Reverse or Forward buttons will cause the video to advance at a quicker frame rate in the direction indicated. These buttons work when the video is paused as well as when it is actively playing. Pressing Play/Pause will stop the rapid advance.
Progress Bar: The Progress Bar appears between the video screen and the player controls. You can click on any point in the Progress Bar to advance to a particular moment in the video. You can also click and drag the progress indicator to any point in the video you wish to view. The time indicator in the lower right-hand corner of the player will indicate how far into the video you have advanced.
Download: If you have PCs or TiVo DVRs registered for off-line viewing, clicking on the Download button will display those devices and allow you to begin a download. Visit the Ways to Watch Amazon Instant Video Help section for information about registering the Unbox Video Player or using devices from our partners.
Connection: This indicates the quality of the video stream you are currently receiving. For more information, see the Internet Connection and Stream Quality section above.
Sample HD: This button appears on HD detail buttons and allows you to experience the HD playback experience on your computer. If you like how the video looks you're ready for HD.
Screen Modes: These buttons allow you to adjust the size of your video. Choose "Pop out" to view the video in a small window, "Normal" to view the video within your browser, and "Full screen" to view the video without any of the browser menus.

Connecting a TV to Your Computer

Amazon Instant Video is available on a variety of compatible connected TVs and devices. In addition, most computers and TVs have common interfaces that allow you to watch streaming video through your web browser on your TV. Please visit the pages below for more information on watching Amazon Instant Video on your TV.

Viewing Your Videos Offline

Of course, if you prefer to have offline access to your videos on your Windows PC, mobile video devices, or TiVo DVR, those viewing options are also available to you. Please visit these Help pages for more information about offline viewing options: