Intel Corp. invested in a new company formed by actor Morgan Freeman and producer Lori McCreary that aims to distribute films through the Internet before they are released on DVD.

The company, ClickStar Inc., is intended to promote the wider distribution of independent films, and grew out of the Santa Monica partnership formed by Freeman and McCreary, called Revelations Entertainment. Terms of Intel’s investment were not disclosed.

ClickStar would allow viewers to pay for and download films at home, perhaps as early as they are released in theaters, according to an Intel spokesman. To date, movie studios have been reluctant to release films this way, fearing it will lead to piracy.

Intel’s investment is consistent with Chief Executive Paul Otellini’s strategy to increase microprocessor sales by promoting the use of personal computers as home entertainment devices, the Intel spokesman said.

ClickStar will be led by Revelations Entertainment’s former chief technology officer, Nizar Allibhoy, who has also been vice president of content distribution services at Sony Digital Pictures.