Titles can be watched on iOS and Android devices, as well as via Google Chromecast and on Smart TVs from Samsung, Toshiba, LG, Philips, Panasonic, and Sony, plus via your desktop or laptop’s web browser.
Content is available in up to three formats: Standard Definition (720×576 pixels), High Definition (1280×720 pixels) and High Definition Plus (1920×1080 pixels), with each requiring minimum broadband speeds to deliver the best possible picture quality.
If you prefer a physical disc, Chili also offers DVD, Blu-rays and UHD 4K Blu-rays, as well as a merchandise store packed with official goodies such as Star Wars toys and games and, for older fans, T-shirts, mugs and hoodies.
There’s also a local cinema listings page to make it easier to enjoy the latest films while they’re still showing on the big screen.
Having played with the service, we especially liked the at-launch availability of Smart TV apps which mean you can enjoy your chosen film on your large screen telly without having to fuss around with dongles or casting.
That’s a definite bonus over some other recently launched services which are restricted to mobile devices.
But for us the biggest ‘wow factor’ is the offer of a free first rental – cynical types that we are, we were expecting to have to pick from a selection of ‘special offer’ movies so were genuinely impressed to see that the offer covers every rental title in Chili’s library.
We took the chance to re-live Gary Oldman’s barnstorming BAFTA and Oscar-winning performance as Winston Churchill in Joe Wright’s Darkest Hour in the High Definition Plus format and were impressed at how good it looked on a 54” screen.
The merchandise store is another nice touch, as is the option of PayPal as a payment method, alongside the usual debit and credit cards, and the ability to pre-order digital versions of films which are still at the cinema.
We think the large selection of apps and very generous free rental welcome offer make Chili a must-try experience for any movie fan.