xbvm
Latest
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]
Low def trailers for High Def content on XBLM
Most of you know by now that movies and TV shows are coming to Xbox Live Marketplace on November 22nd (just one day shy of the Lost Planet multiplayer demo!). To promote this momentous occasion, a few trailers have been put up on Marketplace, featuring previews of what you'll be able to download. Yesterday, it was a Paramount Pictures preview, and today it's MTV. Naturally, these videos are there to promote all the high definition content you'll be able to buy starting on Thanksgiving eve. Why then are these videos so damned ugly? The Paramount download wasn't great but it was passable. Now, the MTV video ... well, we've seen higher resolutions on YouTube. Seriously, it's a pixelated mess, like watching something on SEGA CD. What's funny is that we actually grabbed the "HD" version of the video. Let's hope this is a mistake and not an indication of what we can expect from the video Marketplace.Anyone grab the UFC trailers? Are they any better?
Video: Video Marketplace demonstration
GameTrailers has posted a nice video rundown of the upcoming Video Marketplace (embedded after the break). While we're as excited as the next person about downloading TV shows and movies, we do have one concern. The rep in this video assures us that the prices are not set, and that the prices used on the demo are just placeholders. Still, the prices listed, if accurate, seem a little high. 320 points ($4) for a high definition TV episode is fairly steep considering iTunes episodes usually run for $1.99. Granted, those episodes run in the tiny, tiny window of a video iPod, but we still hope that the Video Marketplace is similarly priced. The video is fuzzy, but the high definition downloads shown looked to take up about 2 gigs of space, whereas standard definition episodes were 0.5 gigs. An hour long TV episode is trimmed down to about 42 minutes when commercials are removed, so that should give us an idea of the amount of space we'll be consuming with TV and movies. The video Marketplace is visually much more interesting than the regular one we're used to. Each show has a themed storefront, highlighting some aspect of the show. Another neat feature is that users will be able to watch a short sample clip of potential downloads. There clips have no sound, but at least you'll have an idea of what you're purchasing (and maybe we're one step closer to video streaming?). Overall, the Video Marketplace should be an interesting addition to the Xbox 360, and possibly the console wars as a whole. Do you plan on using the Video Marketplace, or are you content just playing games?
