video-marketplace
Latest
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.
Tabulator: Xbox Live Video Marketplace vs. Apple TV
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/tech_news/Xbox_Live_Marketplace_vs_Apple_TV_The_breakdown/who'; Up until yesterday, the living room set-top box was simply a "hobby" for Apple; its fumbled Apple TV product did little to unseat the HD video rental download champ, the largely uncontested Xbox Live Video Marketplace. With a fresh splash of software for new boxes and a free upgrade for current users, Apple TV Take 2 is giving it another shot.Of course, for an audience of gamers (that's us!), Apple's product has a particularly severe handicap but, on a strictly video entertainment scale, it manages to best the Xbox Live Video Marketplace in just about every category. Now we realize this is, in many ways, an apples to oranges comparison (sorry), but Microsoft isn't just competing for gamer dollars anymore and competition is growing (in fact, the at-home-rental set-top box industry will see another entrant later this year with Netflix).To get to the bottom of which service provides the most bang for your e-buck, we ran some data through our handy-dandy (and patent pending!) Tabulator and it spit out the table found after the break. Be sure to let us know in the comments if there's anything we're it's missing.
Sundance short films coming to Video Marketplace
If you'd like to give your Xbox 360 some culture, you may be interested to know that the Sundance Institute will be releasing 45 of the short films from this year's Sundance Film Festival on the Xbox Live Video Marketplace. The films are to go on sale Friday, January 18 for the attractive price of 160 Microsoft Points (about $2) each. Keep in mind that these are being offered as permanent downloads, not rentals. Not only do you films at a super low price, but you get to show your significant other (or would be significant other) that you really care about the arts. Not bad. Find descriptions of all 45 films after the break.
2008 Sundance short films on Xbox Video Marketplace
Sundance Institute and Sundance Channel have announced that a selection of 45 short films from the 2008 Sundance Film Festival will be available for sale on Xbox Live Video Marketplace beginning Friday, January 18, 2008. The films will be sold separately for $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points). There are currently no plans to offer the films in bundles or for rental at reduced prices. (A complete list of all 45 shorts is posted after the break.) In addition to Video Marketplace, these films will be sold on the iTunes Store ($1.99 download-to-own) and made available to Netflix subscribers through the rental service's 'instant watching' feature. During each day of the 10-day festival, one short will also be available to watch for free at Sundance.org.[Via Press Release]
Xbox Live Marketplace adds HD & SD content from ABC, MGM
While HD DVD and Blu-ray have both lost key supporters recently, Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace seems to just keep adding new content providers, this time bringing MGM and Disney-ABC Television Group to the fold. Conspicuous in that both are exclusive Blu-ray supporters, Xbox 360 owners will -- later this month -- have access to ABC hits like Lost, Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives in HD the day after they air. So far, MGM's announced just classic and catalog flicks like the Rocky series and The Usual Suspects, with "most" available in HD. Still looking for a Blu-ray add-on or built in HD DVD?
CES: ABC, Disney and MGM bring content to XBLM
Today, as part of their CES announcements, Microsoft revealed that ABC, Disney and MGM have signed up to offer new content via Xbox Live and the Xbox Live Marketplace. The new content will rollout later this month to the US video marketplace from television channels including ABC, ABC News, ABC Family, Disney Channel and Toon Disney as well as movies from MGM's massive library. Standard and high-definition content from television shows like Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Hannah Montana, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and movies including Terminator, Silence of the Lambs, Legally Blonde, Barbershop and Rain Man. New video content that'll be sure to empty your Microsoft points account.Side note: The Microsoft CES keynote is still chugging along, but it is looking like they've announced all their Xbox 360 news already. This is it. So, no HD DVD equipped Xbox 360, but we did get more XBLM content ... that's good, right?
Reminder: Europe can rent 300 in HD for 100 points
Just a reminder for fanboys in Europe. The previously announced 300 for 100 Microsoft point movie rental promotion has kicked off today and today only. Right now on Europe's new Video Marketplace you can rent 300 in HD for the super low price of 100 points just as a way to get you to try out the service. We approve of cheap movie rentals (especially a blockbuster like 300) and are actually jealous of Europe's 100 point rental. Oh well, we'll make it. This special offer is only good today, December 28th, so get renting and enjoy.[Thanks, bonusjuice]
Europe: Next week brings a 300 for 100 rental offer
New European (and possibly Canadian) Xbox Live members are in for a video rental treat next week. A treat so satisfying it'll make you bring back the once over used "this is Sparta!" phrase.In celebration of the launch of the Video Marketplace to new markets, Microsoft and Warner Bros have partnered up to offer the movie 300 at a super discounted rate for 24 hours. Starting December 28th through the 29th, 300 will be available for rental in Europe for the try me price of 100 Microsoft points. Sparta screaming worthy, no? The tipster email doesn't detail whether the 100 point price tag applies to the SD or HD version and doesn't exactly outline which countries the discount will apply to. But a discounted viewing of 300 is a discounted viewing. Hopefully a little more info will roll in by next week and hopefully our Canadian friends will get in on a cheaper (fingers crossed) HD viewing of 300. Sparta lives![Thanks, Boff]
Microsoft partners with Viacom for exclusive content
Everyone knows that Microsoft is aggressively seeking digital content for its MSN and Xbox 360 Video Marketplace services. So aggressive, that they've forced Viacom to succumb to their will. Well, not exactly ... but Microsoft is known for their tough business practices.Both Microsoft and Viacom announced today that they've entered into a partnership (both willingly, of course) that'll give Microsoft unprecedented access to Viacom's MTV, BET and Paramount Pictures content stockpile for five years. The deal is estimated to be worth $500 million and will give Microsoft the rights to distribute certain content while Viacom benefits by getting Microsoft to jump on board with advertising. We have a feeling the US Video Marketplace is about to get a little bigger ... [Via AMN Xbox 360]
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]
Xbox Live Video Marketplace live in Canada, UK, and elsewhere
As expected, and later confirmed, the Xbox Live Video Marketplace just went, err, live in five more regions, which we'll present to you here in order of density of stand-up comic talent: Canada, followed by the UK, Ireland, France, and Germany (sorry, Germans).After what seemed like an eternity spent watching the US hoard the video marketplace's direct-to-video horror films and forgettable sci-fi action flicks all to itself, our international friends can finally throw their Microsoft Points down on some SD and/or HD content delivered in clean, environmentally friendly zeros and ones. Coincidentally, that's about the Metacritic average of most of the movies on the service. Experiment in Torture? Really?
Canadian Video Markeplace pricing unearthed
Microsoft's Canadian Xbox 360 guru, Jade, has unveiled some new details on the Canadian version of the the Xbox Live Video Marketplace launching next week. First, there will by 37 movies available at launch including films like 300, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Ocean's 13. As announced before, there will not be any television programming available, with no clear reason given as to why. Of course, the most important part is the price. For Library titles (read: old), standard definition runs 310 MS Points, while high definition movies will cost 460 MS Points. For Current titles (new releases), SD movies will cost 460 points and HD will cost 610 points. In other words, Canadians are paying significantly more than Americans, who pay 240 or 360 points for older films, and 360 or 480 for new releases. So, Canadians spend nearly $9 on an HD new release compared to $6 American. For what it's worth, Microsoft claims the prices are "comparable to what you see in Canada for other video on demand services."Find a list of all movies that will be available at launch after the break.
Xbox Live Video Marketplace to launch in Europe next week
Just over a year after launching the Xbox Live Video Marketplace in the US, Microsoft is finally ready to bring the service to Europe, with Computer and Video Gaming reporting that it'll open for business on December 11. Sadly, it looks like it'll be rental-only, at least at first, with 720p flicks going for 320 MS points (about £3.23, or $6.64) and SD movies for 250 points (about £2.13, or $4.39). Rentals will stick around on your hard drive for 14 days after you download them, but once you hit play they'll delete themselves after 24 hours -- a system which seems needlessly complicated to us, but we'll take what we can get. Peep the full list of titles available at launch after the break.
Xbox Video Marketplace in Europe, Canada Dec. 11
Like a thunderbolt hurled from Mt. Olympus, "Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store" (aka Video Marketplace) clashes onto Canadian and select European servers next Tuesday, December 11th. As promised, Microsoft will deliver its digital movie rental service (TV content is on the back burner for new territories) before the winter solstice, bringing endearing classics like Demolition Man, Lethal Weapon 4 and Analyze This into the homes of millions of Xbox Live users.As foretold, Video Marketplace's initial European expansion will be limited to the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, and Germany. Films will be available to rent in both standard definition and high definition for 250 and 380 MS Points, respectively. While that may sound like a bargain to Americans used to the 320/480 points tag, the European pricing has simply been adjusted to reflect the strength of the Euro (1 Euro is now worth nearly $1.50). Usage restrictions will be identical to those found in the US, and video rentals will expire within 24 hours of first usage or 14 days after download.
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]
Limited XBVM will be available to Europe soonish
Our mother ship Joystiq just received a tip confirming that the Xbox Live Video Marketplace will be rolling out to Europe rather soon, but it will only be available to a few countries. The European Video Marketplace confirmation comes straight off of a 4200 Microsoft points card (that was manufactured in Ireland) and on the back it gives all the deets. The card states that "great movies" (no television episodes?) can be rented using the points only in the UK, Ireland, France and Germany. Interesting ...We've been promised a Canadian and European Video Marketplace rollout by the year's end, but Microsoft has been hush-hush surrounding the details and so far nothing concrete has surfaced. But now, with our Microsoft points card smoking gun evidence, we're going on record to say that next week's Fall Update will usher in Video Marketplace love for more than just the United States. Though, it'll be interesting to see how entertaining the limited and somewhat crippled XBVM will be.
Xbox Video Marketplace in Europe soon, limited release
A recently purchased Microsoft Points Card package (manufactured in Ireland) confirms the impending launch of Xbox Live Video Marketplace in Europe, apparently limited to the UK, Ireland, France, and Germany. The packaging also suggests that users will be able to rent "great movies" (in high-def), but does not mention the possible availability of television content.Microsoft has loosely targeted a year-end release for Video Marketplace in parts of Europe (and Canada), and with this new evidence, we should expect Tuesday's Dashboard Update to include the service in all relevant territories.[Thanks, RazorD]
