Digiboo LLC, a Los Angeles-based digital media start-up, and movie rental company Movie Gallery Inc., have announced a pilot program to place up to 100 of Digiboo's digital movie-download kiosks in select Hollywood Video and Movie Gallery retail stores nationwide.

Digiboo says the touchscreen kiosks allow customers to download one of more than 1,000 movies to a portable USB flash drive for rental or purchase in fewer than 30 seconds. The content will be protected by digital-rights management technology.

Richard Cohen, Digiboo's CEO and a home entertainment industry veteran, says the USB-download technology will appeal to consumers because of its ubiquity and versatility:

The flash card and rapid download components allow consumers to watch the movies they want and where they want — offering a much better experience than they have had previously. With Digiboo, you can download your movies in less than 30 seconds, there’s no subscription, no out-of-stock movies, and no returns. Plus, Digiboo’s technology enables films and other media to be played on so many different kinds of devices.

The companies say the pilot rollout will begin in January and will test both rental and sales models under various pricing structures.