FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Here are the questions people ask most often when they want to watch a film at home without running into trouble: about this guide itself, about legal ways to find films, and about equipment and safety.
If you're unsure whether what you're watching is legal, that doubt is probably your answer.
About this guide
Is this guide connected to the site that used to run on this domain?
No. The former site distributed films, and later spam pages appeared on the domain. None of that material has survived, and we neither continue nor restore it.
Why don't you name services or devices?
Catalogues, plans and models change quickly, while the principles of legal viewing and setup stay the same. Besides, we don't want this guide to look like a seller's storefront.
Can I watch a film on your site?
No. We don't show films or post links to them. We explain where and how to watch legally; the choice of source is up to you.
Who writes the content?
Our editorial team. We check figures against descriptions of the standards and the text of the law, and describe everything else in general terms, without promises or ratings.
Where and how to watch
What's the difference between renting and buying a digital copy?
A rental gives you access for a limited time, usually counted from when you first press play. A purchase gives you long-term access, but under the seller's terms. Read them before you pay.
The film isn't in any of my subscriptions. What now?
Check digital stores, the TV listings, and library and film archive catalogues. If the film isn't anywhere, wait: viewing rights appear and change over time.
Can free viewing be legal?
Yes. Some rights holders allow free showings, with the service funded by commercial breaks. There's also the public domain and library screenings.
Why isn't the same film available in every country?
Viewing rights are often sold separately for each country and for a set period. So the catalogue depends on where you are.
Equipment and safety
Do I need 4K?
If your screen is large, you sit close and your connection is fast and steady, you'll notice the difference. On a small screen viewed from a distance, Full HD often looks almost the same.
Why does a movie on my TV look like a soap opera?
Most likely heavy motion smoothing is turned on. Films are usually shot at 24 frames per second, and the added frames change their character. Turn this feature off in the picture settings.
A movie page is asking me to update my player. Is that normal?
No. It's a typical pirate-site trap. Close the tab and don't install anything. Legal services work in the browser or in their own app without requests like that.
How do I protect my child from unsuitable films?
Set up a kids' profile, add a PIN for purchases and profile switching, and turn on restrictions on your router or device if they're available.
Related sections
- Comparisons
Subscribing, buying or renting a digital copy, free legal viewing, discs and movie theaters: what each path offers. Plus a table of video resolutions.
- Safety
Pirate sites and "free players": malicious extensions, phishing and charges billed to your phone number. Plus kids' profiles and parental controls.
- Fixes
The picture freezes, the audio lags, subtitles vanish, a film is "not available in your region": a calm checklist with no shady tricks.
- Find a film (in Russian)
An archived address from the former site: how to pin down a film's title and year and where to look for it legally if it doesn't turn up right away.
What we rely on
- Civil Code of the Russian Federation, Part Four (Article 1281)
- Descriptions of video resolution standards (Full HD, 4K UHD), in general terms
- Manufacturers' help pages on picture and sound settings (in general terms)
Figures for frame size, frame rate and the term of exclusive rights were checked against descriptions of the standards and the Russian Civil Code as of the date this material was prepared. Rules set by services, movie theaters and hardware makers change over time, so reread their current terms before you buy or subscribe.