VideoMarketplace
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Korean PS3 gets video-on-demand
Earlier this week, Sony announced plans to launch a video-on-demand service in South Korea this June, simultaneously releasing an 80GB PS3 model to cater to the happy downloaders. Negotiations with telecom companies are still underway, but an anonymous spokesperson from Hanaro Telecom seemed confident they would strike a deal with the giant.Sony has no public plans to bring the VOD service to North America or Europe, but we have two words to say about that: test market. The Xbox 360 Video Marketplace is already well-established in the US, so it's likely Sony will use Korea to whip their service into shape to compete worldwide.
New Video Marketplace content for week of May 7th
Major posted the latest Xbox Live Video Marketplace content released this week. While it may not be the beefiest update, it gets the job done. On the cinematic adventures side of things, we've got Happy Feet as the lone HD flick, coming out on Friday, as well as Robin Williams breakout role as the spinach eatin' Popeye. On the list of additional content for TV series, we've got more Pimp my Ride, as well as an X3F/TMN favorite, Wonder Showzen's second season. Unfortunately, we can't recommend watching it if you value your eternal soul. If you're comfortable with eternal damnation, however, feel free to put down some Microsoft Points for the series, and you'll get some somewhat cheap laughs. Full list of content after the break, for shoogie.
Microsoft cracks down on country specific content
In preparation for the roll out of the Spring dash update, Microsoft brought down the hammer (of dawn) on country specific online content. More specifically, they are limiting access to faked US accounts. Right now, US Xbox Live members have the largest supply of video marketplace content which has caused an underground gamertag market. Live members from other countries have been creating new gamertags, specifying a US residence and getting access to the huge supply of exclusive US content. But that is no more, because Microsoft has implemented a new system that knows which country you are from no matter what you tell it. And before you get on Microsoft's case you may want to direct your anger towards individual governments or the movie studios in general. Microsoft is just playing by the rules guys.
Video Top Ten: Pill of Destiny
Welcome to the first regular Video Marketplace Top Ten, where each week we'll see what Live users in the United States are doing with their hard earned Microsoft Points. For starters, the first thing we see is that gamers are far more fickle with their movies than their games (or even TV shows), since you can't keep the film, and chances are you don't feel the need to download the same film twice, paying for it each time, week to week. As such, our listing of Movie downloads will not compare itself to last week, and for now at least, TV shows will. So take a look at both our lists after the break, and let us know if you contribute to these stats, or if you're just playing Gears of War week to week.
Newsbreak: Stewart and Colbert Report on XBLM
Microsoft dropped off a little missive today letting us know that The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report will now be available on Xbox Live Marketplace. Starting today, new episodes of each show will be available on Marketplace within 24 hours of the original airing on Comedy Central.We booted up our Xbox just to check, and sure enough, there they were. Episodes are available in 480p for 160 MS Points (US$2). Of course, Comedy Central airs the previous day's episodes three times during the next day, but don't let a silly little thing like logic keep you from paying for your favorite programs.Video Marketplace, you're on notice.
Video Marketplace top ten TV and Movies (3/12)
In light of the recent announcement of Video Marketplace being hot on the heels of digital distribution of on demand content, Major Nelson posted up the top ten lists for TVs and Movies for the last week rather than announcing the new content. On the TV side, we have South Park, naturally on top, with UFC Fights, Star Trek Enterprise, and Jericho's HD content making the grade, and even the un-aired Mercy Reef/Aquaman pilot got on the list, after being released on the 12th. For films, We have The Departed and Snakes on a Plane in the top two, albeit in 480p. Crank, Saw III and The Illusionist also got proper recognition. For the complete list for both TV and Movies, check after the break.
Free TV show downloads on XBLM
For a limited time you can hop on the XBLM and download free episodes from two new television shows. The first free episode is called "Halfway Narc" and is from Comedy Central's new series Halfway Home. It's a comedy on Comedy Central so it must be funny, that is if you have a funny sense of humor ... yah dig? Your second free episode is called "Let's Get it On" from a newer show airing on Spike TV called Bullrun. We can almost guarantee that a show hosted by Bill Goldberg featuring cars and explosions will increase your testosterone level by five fold. Again, the episodes are free so why not give them a chance and start downloading. That is, unless you are afraid ...
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.
This Week in Video Marketplace (3/12)
Hot off of the Major Nelson press, this week's video marketplace offerings are juicy, sweet, and definitely ripe for the picking. By the this Friday we'll be able to download some great television content including the season eleven premiere of South Park and David Spade's Showbiz Show. This week's movie offerings are nothing to whine about either, with award winning The Departed being downloadable in HD, Snakes on a Plane, and a little Friday the 13th happiness. Click your way towards the break for a full list of content, as we're sure you'll find something to spend your Microsoft Points on.
This Week in Video Marketplace (2/26)
This week's update for Video Marketplace comes courtesy of Major Nelson. Unfortunately, the two movies we get are only available in 480p, which is kind of a bummer. On the upside, though, we do get South Park's seasons 5 through 8 exclusively this week. The O.C., which had its series finale a week ago. Those of you looking for some octagonal action should enjoy the UFC fights. In light of the addition of more South Park, one of the aforementioned films happens to be South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut. Full list of content available after the break.
This week in Video Marketplace
Xbox.com's TriXie posted this week's Video Marketplace update, and it brings a bunch of new Reality Television shows into the fold. Unfortunately, only one TV download (albeit temporarily free), Jericho's recap, is available in High Definition. Employee of the Month is the lone HD movie of the five films added. Hopefully we'll get some more HD lovin' soon. Full list of the titles available after the break.
Marketplace movies that don't expire?
Joseph Molnar of the Pensive Gamer is reporting a new "problem" with Video Marketplace downloads. As avid users know, movies are considered rentals on Video Marketplace. After the play option is chosen, the movie expires after 24 hours. According to Joseph, though, his copy of Superman Returns has never expired. He has successfully watched the movie on multiple days without issue. We're not sure how widespread this "problem" is -- or if it's something that could be further exploited -- but we'll take a budget HD copy of Superman Returns any day. Then again, we're saving room on our hard drive for the Halo 3 beta.Has this happened to anyone else?
Video Marketplace HD blowout
Major Nelson posted the latest releases for Video Marketplace yesterday evening. Items worth noting include nine of the movies released are available in glorious High Definition. This week also introduces Lionsgate Films into the growing list of Video Marketplace partners. LGF happens to be based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, right next to the Fanboy Igloo HQ. Finally, Skyland from Nicktoons is available with the show's pilot episode FREE to download until 11:59 PST on Monday, January 29th. Later this week you'll be able to get your hands on Barnyard and World Trade Center. Full list of the title available after the break.
Lionsgate joins Xbox 360 Video Marketplace
Lionsgate will soon join fellow movie distributors on the Xbox Live Video Marketplace, bringing targeted content to Xbox 360 gamers. "The Xbox gamer is the same moviegoer who wants to watch Saw III or Crank," remarked executive VP Jon Ferro. Ah yes, torture and meth labs ... you've got us all figured out, don't you, Mr. Ferro?Other Lionsgate titles destined for XBLVM: An American Haunting, Blair Witch Project, The Descent, Employee of the Month, Hard Candy, Ninth Gate, The Punisher, Requiem for a Dream, See No Evil, and Stir of Echoes.See also: Xbox 360 video download service succeeding, others failing
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
Xbox 360 video download service succeeding, others failing
According to Variety's recent assessment, Xbox 360's video download service is the year's digital distribution success story. Perhaps "success" is an overstatement, but despite an install base that's utterly dwarfed by the total number of Amazon.com users, Xbox Live's Video Marketplace is getting just as much love as the online retailer's 'Unbox' service, which also offers video on demand downloads.The Xbox secret? Simplicity. Each video is only a few button presses away, and the console is (usually) already connected to the TV. For most users, Amazon is confined to a PC monitor, likely stashed on a desk, tucked away in the corner of the house; and getting content from Unbox to the TV is a tedious process.So has Microsoft nailed it? Is Xbox 360 the frontrunner of the digital distribution era -- even with a 20 GB hard drive and limited studio support?
Video Marketplace tops similar services
Variety -- our go-to source for gaming journalism -- praises Microsoft's Xbox Live Video Marketplace in a recent article. While no specific numbers are mentioned, the article claims that sources have confirmed that Microsoft's download service is outperforming several similar services -- in particular, Amazon's Unbox service. The article further notes that this is from a user base of only 3.5 million Xbox 360s in the US, versus other services that can be used by anyone with a broadband connected PC. Another interesting note, HD versions of movies are downloaded far more than standard versions. What's the big difference between other download services and Video Marketplace? It's simple, Video Marketplace puts movies right on your TV. Other services allow users to download movies to their PC, which isn't exactly optimal for movie viewing. Sure, some people have the know-how and the hardware to get PC movies onto a TV, but it can be daunting for the average viewer. Variety expects that the movie download boom won't really begin until more services offer the same easy functionality -- something Apple's upcoming iTV claims to do. We have to admit, we were skittish when the Video Marketplace launched. However, as new content keeps rolling in (The State FTW!) we're finding more reasons to skip the video store. How often do you use the Video Marketplace?[Via Planet Xbox 360]
Reno 911 hits Video Marketplace
Okay, we'll admit it, we haven't really delved into the Video Marketplace. Sure you can rent movies for 4 dollars. We've got a vending machine down the street that rents DVDs for a dollar a day. Yeah, they have [adult swim]. Those shows are only fifteen minutes long and they cost the same. Hell, Mission Impossible III might have gotten us to rent something, but it's not available in HD. But now, now we might just have a reason to download. That's right, Reno 911 has landed on Video Marketplace. If you've never seen the show, it's more or less a spoof of COPS (with a few members of the disbanded group, the State). Now we might actually download something (just maybe).There is a problem though, we have no idea how long this has been available. Here's hoping that Microsoft can come up with a better system for keeping customers informed. As it is, loading up the Video Marketplace and manually checking for additions just isn't cutting it.
HD-DVD vs. Video Marketplace: it's a tie!
If you're a videophile who loves reading about things like lumens and color temperature, then boy have we got an article for you! XYHD has posted an article comparing HD-DVD content with Video Marketplace content. Using V for Vendetta as a basis of comparison, the article compares all kinds of statistics that we can't even imagine thinking about comprehending. Overall, the article surmises that the difference in quality is negligible (except for a tiny difference in black levels, as illustrated by the above image). The article further concludes that you would have to own a very expensive home theater setup that has been professionally calibrated to tell the difference. Was Bill Gates' prophecy right? Will digital distribution render the next media format war moot? If that war is based purely on visual fidelity, then yes, yes it might.Have any of you bothered to compare the difference between HD-DVD and Video Marketplace?[Thanks, Jake Ludington]
Xbox Live Video Marketplace downloads stalled by glitches
The two biggest questions since Microsoft announced its Xbox Live Video Marketplace have been: 1. does anyone still has enough space on their Xbox 360's 20GB hard drive for movie downloads in high definition? and 2. does anyone -- even the guys at Redmond -- have enough bandwidth to feed the HDTVs of millions of Xbox Live subscribers? Since launching two days ago those questions have been answered with a yes and resounding no, respectively. Users have complained of slow downloads that time out, receiving different files than the ones they requested and being charged twice when trying to complete timed-out rental downloads. Major Nelson has chimed in on the issue, letting us know that the company is aware of the problem and will refund Microsoft Points to all those who call 1-800-4MYXBOX for assistance. Good luck with that, though, as at least one person was told there aren't any managers available to refund customers until after the holiday weekend. So while network engineers and management sleep off yesterday's turkey and camp out for cheap plasmas, you may want to hold off trying to download Clash of the Titans in 720p 'till things get straightened out.[Thanks, WiFiSpy]Read - My Xbox 360 video rental nightmareRead - Video Marketplace Status
