Meet FilMe, a new platform that lets you stream movies without internet

FilMe, an Australia-based digital company, has launched a new way of streaming content in India. The company is using QR technology to allow users to watch movies without the internet.

How does it work?

Essentially, a user needs to scan a QR code printed on a card. The camera takes you to a browser where you can stream the movie without the internet. You will require internet just for signing up for the code. The streaming happens offline. The QR code works with almost all smartphones.

It is a browser-based system and hence no media player is required to play content. A video can be watched seven times over seven days.

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Behind the scenes

The platform is aimed at users who are in smaller cities with no access to quality theatres as well as students who don’t have a budget for all the movies. It is also aimed at those who don’t want to subscribe to OTT platforms and don’t like recurring charges.

FilMe has been signed by Reliance Industries for physical distribution of their films for the next year. The company believes the platform could evolve as an added stream of revenue for movie producers.

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FilMe has conceptualised by of Dr Abhishek Shukla who is PhD in International Business and Strategic Management from Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne.

According to Shukla, the technology can also help curb digital privacy.

“Considered "DVDs for Smartphones", users need to purchase smart cards which store and wirelessly display movies directly on consumer's mobile without any app, subscription or internet. This is a differentiated product from "online streaming". Due to safety measures on the card for safeguarding against piracy ( a current major mess), content is safely and securely handled by the company and hence not personalized. We apply Hollywood approved Digital Rights Management and unique digital forensics to all content,” he said in an interview with Hindustan Times.

Versus OTT

FilMe ’s QR code-based card is priced at ₹49. It is almost half of the monthly subscription charges of the top OTT platforms in India. Shukla also pointed out that users incur 1.5GB of hours of internet data when streaming online. Also, such uninterrupted high-speed data is not always available to users.

“Existing streaming platforms have two limitations - monthly subscription and internet usage. A typical platform consumes 1.5GB per hour of internet data. Such internet is not stable especially during travel on trains, buses, metros and cabs. It's not available at all on the plane. Our service doesn't need the internet for viewing at all,” he said.

“With data scattered over multiple streaming platforms, an average consumer subscribes to 3.78 services. (BCG analysis, 2019). Combined, it’s an expensive, continuous monthly commitment. With ₹49 as the price for 3 movies, we are at 20% cost of all pay per view possibilities on Google play and Itunes,” he added.