xbvm
Latest
Robot Chicken: Star Wars debuts on U.S. XBVM
We have exciting news for Robot Chicken fanboys today as the special Robot Chicken: Star Wars episode is available for purchase exclusively through the U.S. Video Marketplace. We say exclusively because you can't purchase the episode stand alone or on DVD anywhere else. And really, if you have your DVD pre-order already in we'd probably recommend canceling it. Not only will you have to wait until May 20th for Robot Chicken: Star Wars to hit DVD status (ouch!), but you'll also be paying a lot more. Right now you can get the episode from the XBLM for the standard 240 Microsoft point price tag saving you about $7. May the force be with you!
Video Marketplace Weekly: March along edition
Wrapping up the week is another edition of Video Marketplace Weekly and we have another stack of new movie rentals available on the U.S. Video Marketplace. There are actually quite a few goodies this week including Batman Begins (which will prepare you for this Summer's blockbuster The Dark Knight) as well as a few random comedy and horror flicks. You can view this week's entire U.S. Video Marketplace movie releases as well as their download stats after the break.We also wanted to point you in the direction of the Gamerscore Blog's post about upcoming XBVM content that's set to release in March. Movie rentals including March of the Penguins, Training Day and Rain Man. Even more exciting is the fact that the highly anticipated Robot Chicken: Star Wars movie will be available March 4th, which is two months earlier than its DVD release. There's also going to be a free Lewis Black: Root of All Evil download in March and new episodes of South Park will be making their premiere. Jump on over to the Gamerscore Blog for complete XBVM release details.
Video Marketplace Weekly: MGM edition
This week we aren't fooling around, there's just way too much new movie goodness on the U.S. Video Marketplace that we can't even concentrate. How much new movie goodness you ask? Try twenty-three new titles. Two three. Twenty-three. The reason for such an influx in new rentals is because this week MGM started offering their catalog of titles. Movies including Rocky, Rocky II, Rocky III, Kingpin, WarGames and many others. Many being offered for as cheap as 240 Microsoft points per rental. We also get a taste of newly new releases including the Oscar worthy Michael Clayton and semi-disturbing Saw IV. It's a Video Marketplace Weekly that's so bloated full of new rental content, you may have to take an antacid for relief. Or you could just browse through this week's XBVM releases after the break. That should ease some of the indigestion.
Paramount to bring movie content to UK's XBVM
Today, Microsoft and Paramount Studios look to expand the UK's current Video Marketplace offerings as they both sign a deal to bring a bunch of Paramount's older and newer movies to the XBVM. Movies including transforming robots.Fruits from the Paramount deal tree will be seen almost instantaneously with Transformers releasing tomorrow, February 19th to the UK's XBVM and other movie rentals will be releasing in the weeks to come. Movie rentals including Disturbia, Naked Gun, The Assassination of Jesse James, Beowulf and more all costing UK Live subscribers 250 Microsoft points for SD and 380 points for HD rentals. After the break, we've posted the complete list of movies that Paramount has committed to releasing this Spring. Browse a bit and be joyful.
Video Marketplace Weekly: one lovely edition
We're just trucking along with our newish Video Marketplace Weekly feature and it's actually getting to the point where we enjoy digging up the information to divulge to our fellow movie loving fanboys. We aren't saying that it was a chore for us before, it's just that we've been inspired and have a new passion for Video Marketplace Weekly. She's so special.So, let's get to it already. Making an appearance this week is a diverse selection of seven new films including The Game Plan, 30,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Valentine's inspired movies like Good Luck Chuck and Heartbreak Kid. We also came across an odd occurance that probably has happened before, but we just noticed it. We discovered that a few new releases are only available as HD downloads. Usually we see SD only downloads due to the nature of the medium, but releasing HD only is kinda odd. XBVM renters who are connected to a SD set are getting screwed a bit, paying more for a rental in which they can't utilize the extra pixels. Oh well, we're in a loving mood today and are willing to turn a blind eye to how unfair it all is. Enjoy this week's list of new U.S. Video Marketplace movie rentals after the break.
Rumor: Netflix set to bring rental service to the 360
Our current Video Marketplace setup is decent enough allowing Xbox 360 owners to rent movies or purchase television shows a la carte. But think how much better the XBVM service could be if an already popular unlimited movie rental service like, say Netflix, were to be incorporated? Well, that may just happen.According to Seanbajuice, a random Netflix survey (which was sent out to a select few Netflix subscribers) asks specific questions regarding how likely it would be for one to support Netflix being integrated into the Xbox 360. The survey points out that no additional subscription fees would be required (though, a one time $3 disc purchase may be necessary) and would give unlimited viewing access to Netflix's entire movie and television library streamed straight through your 360. The survey is just a survey, so this is far from being official, but how could anyone be against such a partnership? Heck, if this Netflix / Xbox 360 service ends up becoming a reality, we'd suddenly let go of any negative sentiment we felt towards Netflix for abandoning HD DVD. Our hearts heal fast.[Via Xboxic, Thanks XxURDONExX]
Disney Channel brings its goods to the XBLM
Just can't get enough Hannah Montana? Feelin' the need to watch hours upon hours of Suite Life of Zack and Cody? Well, you're in luck fellow fanboys, because yesterday the Disney Channel lovingly placed some of their television and movie content onto the U.S. Video Marketplace. Announced this past December during CES, Disney and Microsoft's XBVM deal has come to fruition as brand new Disney content makes its way to the Marketplace including the oh so popular tweeny bop musical shenanigans of High School Musical. Admit it, you have a weak spot for the happy-happy Disney Channel content they're serving up. Don't deny your urge.[Via Gamerscore Blog]
Video Marketplace Weekly: super duper edition
This, the second edition of Video Marketplace Weekly, is super duper special. So special, it'll make your heart beat erratically and make beads of sweat form on your brow. It's that good. But why is this week's edition so super duper special? Well, good question.For one, this week's new U.S. Video Marketplace movie rentals are all top notch blockbusters. We're being treated to new release titles like 3:10 to Yuma, The Brave One and Mr. Brad Pitt's The Assassination of Jesse James. The other reason this edition of Video Marketplace Weekly is so super duper special is because we've re-organized, re-structured and re-formatted the layout of our information. Now, not only are all the new releases posted after the break, but we've included more information about each movie, added a link to last week's new releases and posted the Microsoft point to "real money" conversation rates that you demanded. What can we say, we're here to please. Anyway, enough of this chit-chat, let's get to the new U.S. XBVM movie rentals. Just click towards the break and all shall be revealed.
February XBVM movie rental preview
Pop some popcorn, melt some butter and stock up on Microsoft points, because the U.S. Video Marketplace will be getting a few blockbuster movies this month.In a mini-preview of February's XBVM movie rentals, the Gamerscore Blog just listed a few movies to wet our appetite including Saw IV, 3:10 to Yuma, Michael Clayton, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Crawford and the complete Rocky series just to name a few. Also, it should be noteworthy that every new and exciting release will be offered in both SD and HD flavors. We've posted Gamerscore Blog's February XBVM list of upcoming movies after the break and we also should mention that you can be up to date on all the new Video Marketplace releases every Friday, right here at X3F. You know, because we just started (plug, plug) Video Marketplace Weekly where we recap the past week's latest XBVM movie additions. So, check that out and check out the list of February's upcoming rentals after the break.
Video Marketplace Weekly: the firstest edition
Today, we're trying out a new weekly feature (since you've demanded it) where we recap the past week's U.S.'s Video Marketplace offerings in one convenient, easy to read and extremely useful post. Every Friday, Video Marketplace Weekly will list the past week's new XBVM movie releases, because the weekends get boring and an XBVM movie rental have been proven to cure weekend boredom. So, take a look at the new movie releases that hit the U.S. Video Marketplace this past week and see what tickles your fancy. Oh, we will also be listing as much info as we can about each movie download (including file size) to make your downloading decisions easier. It's because we care. XBVM Movie Releases: January 26th - February 1st Deadly End (92 minutes)- SD: 320, 1GB The Invasion (99 minutes)- SD: 320, 1.1GB- HD: 480, 4.5GB War (102 minutes)- SD: 320, 1.5GB- HD: 480, 4.7GB
Confusion sets in as LOST arrives on XBVM
Just an overly friendly reminder that seasons one through three (including pilot episode goodness) of ABC's LOST have officially made their Video Marketplace debut in the United States. Each confusing as all hell episode will set purchasers back 160 Microsoft points for SD and 240 points for the HD flavor. We've also been told that episodes of the fourth season of LOST will hit the XBVM within' 24 hours of their airing (just as we've come to expect), so keep an eye out for new episodes to be downloadable starting tomorrow. So, can anyone explain to us what the hatch door is all about?
Free XBVM downloads of Witchblade and more
Available on the U.S. video marketplace is some free content to help nourish your insatiable appetite for free visual stimulus including some cartoonified anime. The first episode of the animated series Witchblade titled "The Beginning" is a free 269MB download that's ready to make your HDD its home. Also, under the "Shorts" section, you'll find a free 139MB episode of Disney's step-brother cartoon Phineas and Ferb, titled "Lawn Gnome Beach Party of Terror". Finally, we thought we'd mention that there are a few free music video downloads to check out on the U.S. Marketplace, including Jay-Z, Finger Eleven and even some Chemical Brothers. So, be sure to check those out if you're interested. That's all we could scrounge up for today's free goods, but be sure to keep checking the XBVM as there's bound to be more free stuff releasing in the near future.
Rumor: European XBVM to get a huge content boost
European Xbox Live Video Marketplace connoisseurs have had to deal with a less than "content-rich" Marketplace since its launch, but rumor on the street is that there will be a significant increase in movie content soon.According to an interview with Silicon Republic, Orla Sheridan (MS Ireland's Entertainment and Devices Division manager) went on record to say that they have "imminent" plans to increase Ireland's movie catalog from the current 30-40 to somewhere around 400 titles. Next-Gen contacted Microsoft UK about Sheridan's remarks and confirmed that there will be new movies releasing "in the coming weeks", but fell short of confirming Sheridan's talk of a massive wave of new Video Marketplace content releasing anytime soon.So, we know that new movie rentals will be coming to Europe's XBVM in the next few weeks, but nobody is sure of how many or when the European Marketplace will catch up with the U.S.'s massive catalog. We can only hope Sheridan is right. Next on the agenda, making the rentals more affordable.
Video Marketplace now in Canada and Europe
As announced last week, the switch has just been flipped for the Xbox Live Video Marketplace to go live in both Europe and Canada. W00t to that! Canada, Ireland, France, Germany and the UK all have access to the Video Marketplace where Live subscribers will be able to purchase movie rentals and other Video Marketplace goodness. Currently, there is only a limited number of movies available and no television content, but we expect that to change in the near future. Though, we don't expect the Canadian pricing to change anytime soon ... ouch. Anyhoo, welcome fellow Canadian and European fanboys, the Video Marketplace water is warm and welcoming.[Thanks, Jade]
XBVM launches in Europe and Canada Dec 11th
It's official fellow European and Canadian compadres, you'll be getting the Xbox Live Video Marketplace next Tuesday. W00t, w00t! This morning Microsoft stepped up to the plate and officially announced that the Video Marketplace will launch in Canada, Ireland, France, Germany and the UK on December 11th. At launch, the service will not include any television content (though, we expect it to trickle in), but it will feature 25+ movies for rent including 300, The Matrix Trilogy and Zodiac. The content's pricing structure isn't all that bad, costing 250 points for SD rentals and 380 points for HD.And who would have thought that Microsoft would make good on their promise to launch the Video Marketplace in Europe and Canada by Fall 2007? They were cutting it a bit close and probably just wanted to keep us all in suspense. That's it, those silly Microsoft peeps ... always wanting to heighten the suspense.
Sorry, no XBVM for Europe or Canada on Tuesday
All the talk about the impending release of the Xbox Live Video Marketplace to Europe and Canada sort of made us think it would launch in cohesion with the Fall Update on Tuesday. It just seemed like a no brainer. But Microsoft decided to keep us in suspense for a bit longer, because there will be no European or Canadian Video Marketplace rollout next Tuesday. Joystiq confirmed the news with the super powers over at Microsoft HQ and they specifically denied a XBVM launch next Tuesday, but reiterated the fact that they're aiming for a Fall release. Hmm, Fall is running out Microsoft and we have plenty of proof of what's to come, so just give Europe and Canada their Video Marketplace love already. Jeez.
More proof of incoming Video Marketplace for Europe, Canada
The crafty and terminally bored denizens of the Xbox.com message boards have uncovered yet more proof that the Canadian and European arrival of the Xbox Live Video Marketplace isn't too far away. According to a forum goer by the name of Hybrid Alien, the Xbox Live Marketplace terms of service were updated this month to include a new section labeled "Special Video Content" and another labeled "VOD Content," VOD likely referring to "video on demand" in this case. According to Hybrid Alien, the section details the same regulations that American Marketplace users have, such as the 24 hour time limit placed on movies once they've been played for the first time. We certainly don't want to jump the gun, but we'd bet there are plenty of Europeans and Canadians out there waiting for the Fall Update with fingers crossed.[Thanks, DaveC. Original image by Refracted Moments]
Get your horror movies fix with XBVM
Too old to trick or treat? Too introverted to go to a Halloween party? Or are you just too darn tired to get your scare on this evening? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you are a prime candidate for some horror movie rentals off the Xbox Live Video Marketplace.If you're all about staying home tonight, then we advise curling up on your couch and renting a frightfully fun horror movie. It doesn't matter if the flick ends up being freaky scary, somewhat corny or totally absurd, because it's the experience of watching a scary movie on Halloween that you're after. And to get you started in your Halloween movie rental spree, we posted a list of the top 25 XBVM horror movie rentals after the break. Prepare to cry bloody murder tonight, because the Video Marketplace will take your soul ... BOO!
Video Marketplace 2nd only to iTunes
Microsoft sent out a rather bubbly press release today, informing us that Video Marketplace has grown leaps and bounds since its inception. Of course, it's full of tricky PR speak, so it must be read carefully. First of all, Video Marketplace has become the number one digital distributor of video content in the living room. The key words there are "in the living room." The fact that the Xbox 360 is already attached to a television (not a computer monitor) gives it an edge that many download services lack (this is something we've discussed before). The release goes on to state that Video Marketplace is 2nd overall in digital distribution of video content next to iTunes. Of course, one advantage over iTunes is that Video Marketplace offers HD content.Finally, the service has grown exponentially since its launch, with Microsoft claiming that Video Marketplace has sustained double-digit growth every month since its first launched last November. Additionally, Xbox Live monthly downloads have gone up 400 percent since the service launched. All in all, some pretty impressive stats.Do you use Video Marketplace on a regular basis?Read the full release after the break.
XBLVM a big success, Lionsgate on board
A recent press release confirms that the Xbox Live Video Marketplace has been a huge success. In only two months, Video Marketplace has become one of the top distributors of high definition downloadable media. According to Comedy Central senior vice president, Caleb Weinstein, Video Marketplace has become the second highest performing digital outlet for the network. Warner Bros. vice president for video on demand, Andrew Mellett notes that the service has "exceeded" expectations and has become one of Warner Bros' "top distributors." Again, this is a substantial achievement for a service that just debuted in November.In related news, Lionsgate has signed on to bring several of its movies to Video Marketplace in 2007. Some of the notable movies on the list include Crank, Blair Witch Project, SAW III, Ninth Gate, and the best date movie of the year 2000, Requiem for a Dream*.*This is a joke. Requiem for a Dream is not a good date movie at all. It's weird and it gives us nightmares.See also:Video Marketplace tops similar services
