Xbox Live Video Marketplace launches in five new countries

Right on cue, the Xbox Live Video Marketplace has indeed launched in Europe today, and our neighbors to the north are being treated, too. Effectively immediately, Xbox Live users in Canada, France, Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom can dip into features made available to Americans last year. More specifically, gamers will be able to rent downloadable flicks in HD and SD forms, and while the former will run folks "as little as 250 Microsoft Points (£2; $4.06)," high-definition versions will cost upwards of 380 Points (£3.20; $6.49). Also of note is the inclusion of additional Warner Bros. films such as Batman Forever, Batman Returns and Analyze That -- all of which will be available by the year's end. Lastly, Microsoft will be offering up a "mystery HD [Warner Bros.] title" to UK users for just £0.99 ($2.00) on December 28th, but we can't say we're brimming with excitement over it.

[Via Pocket-Lint]

[bob sakamano @ Dec 11th 2007 11:31AM]

can we create an engadgetWHOCARES website for anything that has to do with pounds or euros?

just by the first three tags you can tell its no good.... "canada, europe, launch"

[superfresh @ Dec 11th 2007 11:34AM]

No problem. I just put it up. Write down the URL

http://www.cnet.com

[JC @ Dec 11th 2007 11:40AM]

Yeah, 'cause Engadget should only be posting about American things. In fact, why don't you just use gadgets that are made in America? Oh wait, I forgot. There aren't any.

See that little "X" at the top right of this window? Do us all a favor and click it.

[John Easton @ Dec 11th 2007 11:43AM]

...and what exactly is wrong with the pound?

[bob sakamano @ Dec 11th 2007 11:45AM]

fineee, ill never make a joke again! from here on out im always positive!

[Smart @ Dec 11th 2007 11:59AM]

I know it can be confusing to 48% (how many voted for George W again) of americans to find out there's a place called 'Not-America' but it exists I tell you.

Your troops tend to fire on them. yep - including the euopean ones....

[Tim Brown @ Dec 11th 2007 11:59AM]

Hey Bob, you doing a bloody good job of p**sing every engadget reader off today. It might come as a shot to you that there are countries outside the USA, unless you follow your Presidents line of geographical thinking?

For the rest of you, have a look at Bobs other joke of the day: http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/11/nvidia-reveals-geforce-8800-gts-512mb/

[Argot @ Dec 11th 2007 12:14PM]

@John Easton @ Dec 11th 2007 11:43AM

"...and what exactly is wrong with the pound?"

Well, it's too damn expensive if your sitting with american pesos, oops sorry, I meant Dollar in your pockets.

[superfresh @ Dec 11th 2007 1:28PM]

Make a joke again? You've yet to make the first one.

[MiLK @ Dec 11th 2007 1:55PM]

I guess you fall into the 80% of Americans who don't own a passport...

Do us all a favour and stop living up to the stereotype the rest of the world has of Americans.

[Andir3.0 @ Dec 11th 2007 6:48PM]

What's wrong with not owning a passport? I don't plan on going to another country right now... and I definitely don't need one to travel state boundaries...

[David @ Dec 12th 2007 3:20AM]

Why wouldn't you own a passport? The rest of the world offers many many things you cant get or see in your own country. Small minded people don't want to visit other cultures.

[Andir3.0 @ Dec 12th 2007 7:30AM]

Nah, I just don't have a need to see it all. Don't even try to depict me as small minded. I live happily with what I have and while it would be cool to see the rest of the world. It's not on the top of my priority list. Why would someone NEED to travel? I make good money, I can afford to eat, I enjoy my life as it is. There's no need for me to fly to Italy, Germany, or Japan just to prove something to someone. Not having a passport means jack squat.

[Flashpoint @ Dec 11th 2007 11:55AM]

If Only XBOX LIVE had as much content as GAMESPOT does

[FrannckyB @ Dec 11th 2007 11:59AM]

6.49 for a rental is way too expensive.

So this takes forever to download, is highly more compressed than a blu-ray or HDDVD (meaning more artifacts) and yet, I'm supposed to pay more. Given that there is no physical media, this should at least be less expensive than a video store...

Yeah... don't think I'll be using this.
Oh and it's in microsoft points, meaning I have to give them 25 bucks, to spend 6.49. Goody :p

[rittertechnic @ Dec 11th 2007 12:12PM]

As for your notion on artifacts, do you know what the hell you are talking about? Have you ever SEEN Marketplace HD content?

[Chuck @ Dec 11th 2007 12:19PM]

"this should at least be less expensive than a video store..."

Um, they feel they can charge that much because you *don't* have to go to the video store.

[Carbonize @ Dec 11th 2007 12:59PM]

"6.49 for a rental is way too expensive."

So stop trying to rent from the UK server and rent from the American one instead then you won't get stung by the exchange rate. Not our fault that the dollar is worth less than Monopoly money.

[Zak @ Dec 12th 2007 4:35AM]

Hey Carbonize. I did that but you need to have a US credit card with a US billing address. Kinda hard when you live in the UK.

I use my British credit card to pay for xbox live but I am living in Japan, I just tried to download the HD version of 300 and it wont let me. It says I live in the wrong locale. Some global market eh?

[bob sakamano @ Dec 11th 2007 12:01PM]

well im sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Argot @ Dec 11th 2007 12:15PM]

Good! Now bark like a dog!

[bob sakamano @ Dec 11th 2007 12:03PM]

im sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[adgeman @ Dec 11th 2007 12:50PM]

Is it just me who is utterly unimpressed with these films? I know I certainly didn't wake up this morning and think: "Hmmmm, you know what I feel watching 2002's Analyze That today".

Can't wait to use the system when it's a week for week match with blockbuster but until then I'm not sure I want to use 500ms points for something I can rent for $1.

[superfresh @ Dec 11th 2007 1:32PM]

Sorry to correct you adgeman, but you meant BUY for $1

[Flashpoint @ Dec 11th 2007 1:16PM]

HAHAHAHAH

That's thee most virulently nationalistic comment I've heard in weeks. I'm gonna use that one too.

[Jean_Louis @ Dec 12th 2007 12:46AM]

Xbox has been is SA now for over a year and Microsoft still has not delivered on their prommise of LIVE in the country. We are good enough to launch the Xbox, but that is about it. I must say Telkom must also have a hand in it as they monopolise they Internet market in SA.

[bob e @ Dec 11th 2007 1:52PM]

I use Live video marketplace 3-4 times a week for movies but 4 hours is just too long to wait for the HD version, I get the standard DVD quality 99% of the time.

[tiuk @ Dec 11th 2007 2:31PM]

Price is ridiculous, won't be used by me.

[Steve @ Dec 11th 2007 3:03PM]

The HD movies in the Canada Store are 580 points which is over $8 thats way to expensive, and SD is 440, which is still $6. I might as well just order VOD from my cable provider or go rent a movie it's cheaper

[michaelportent @ Dec 11th 2007 4:19PM]

Congrats foreigners! God, I love Xbox Live. The prices on video rentals/purchases may be excessive and hard-drive hogging, but in general, Microsoft is doing everything right with their console's online services. Xbox Live Arcade is sheer genius and it's sad that neither Sony or Nintendo have a clue what they're doing in this arena.

[Penguin Warlord @ Dec 11th 2007 4:31PM]

Yes they seem to be doing everything right except chargin more than Rogers On Demand for a video download. Plus, the Canadian dollar is super high right now which means shit should be cheaper, not more expensive.

[daliminator2000 @ Dec 11th 2007 7:24PM]

I believe you meant, "...and while the LATTER will run folks "as little as 250 Microsoft Points (£2; $4.06)," high-definition versions will cost upwards of 380 Points (£3.20; $6.49)."

Former = first, latter = second.

On another note, this is great news for our friends overseas, and I (still) wish I had the money to blow on HD-quality flicks (legally) accessible from the Internet.

[nosrednAneB @ Dec 11th 2007 9:39PM]

What about us good old Aussies?

We like stuff too. I think moving to the US is a bit drastic at this stage though.