Epix HD: Free movies on the Web, with a catch

It's being described as "Hulu for movies," but EpixHD.com—now in private beta—offers its free, HD-quality videos without annoying commercial interruptions. That said, the only way to get access to Epix HD will be through your cable carrier.

Ars Technica and Mashable have the skinny on Epix HD, the online component of the upcoming Epix TV cable channel.

A joint venture between three movie studios—Paramount, Lionsgate, and MGM—Epix HD will boast a streaming selection of hundreds of titles, most of which will become available in the "pay TV" window just before they arrive on DVD, according to Ars Technica.

You'll be able to watch Epix HD movies at 720p/HD-quality (provided you have the bandwidth), and Mashable reports that there's even a "Private Screening" feature that lets you watch a movie with up to three pals simultaneously, complete with text chat.

The Epix HD movie selection will mostly consist of newer titles that aren't quite yet on DVD, according to Mashable, although older catalog titles (such as "Raging Bull") will also be available.

The best part: No commercials, and as Ars Technica reports, the Flash-powered videos were "the best we have ever seen in a mainstream streaming service."

OK, so what's the catch? Well, Epix HD has a bigger brother: The Epix TV network, a new cable channel that will be bundled in various cable TV packages, and you'll have to be signed up for Epix TV through your carrier to access Epix HD on the Web. (Oh, and you'll have to get your broadband through your cable carrier's ISP, as well.)

If that sounds like a bummer, better get used to it; indeed, Comcast has plans to roll out its own subscriber-only streaming Web site. Think of it as big cable's way to fight back against the likes of Hulu and YouTube.

So, what do you think: Would you be less likely to cut the cable cord if you had Epix HD access at your fingertips?

Related:
Movie studios launch Epix, 720p streaming service for films [Ars Technica]
Movie Studios Unite, Create a Hulu for Films [Mashable]