But it won't be free. CBS News has inked a deal with CustomFlix and Amazon.com that will allow Web surfers to compile either ten segments or 90 minutes of video onto a DVD for $24.95. These segments have been available to researchers in the past, but this is the first time they've been made public. However, don't expect free access to everything CBS News has ever covered. In fact, right now you can only order footage from as far back as 2000, and some footage will never be made available due to copyright restrictions. Footage going as far back as the 1950s will be made available in the future. Users can pick video from CBS Evening News, 60 Minutes, CBS News Sunday Morning, and various documentaries.

Now this could be cool: imagine getting a DVD of an episode of your favorite TV show, say 24 or The Office or Lost, a mere 24 hours after it airs on television?

That's the plan that Amazon has. Their CustomFlix Labs, which is going to make quick DVDs available for special shows like Antiques Roadshow and The Westminster Kennel Dog Show, is looking to create instant DVDs for regular network shows as well. Much like iTunes does.

Is this a good idea? Would you rather buy a DVD or watch it on iTunes?