11-06-2006, 08:10 PM
Xbox 360 owners will be able to download HD movies, shows from CBS, MTV, WB, CN, HBO and more beginning November 22 but still no plans for larger hard drive.
Click ---->ME<----- to read the full article.
Click ---->ME<----- to read the full article.
Quote:
Not ready to pick sides in the upcoming HD format war? Maybe you don't have to just yet. On November 22nd, Microsoft is launching the video marketplace for Xbox Live. This new service will allow Xbox 360 owners with access to a high speed internet connection to download a variety of HD and standard definition video content to their consoles and view it on their television. That means all Xbox 360 owners with an HDTV will have access to HD movies, regardless of whether they own an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player. It doesn't end with movies, though. The video marketplace will also feature television shows, music videos and game videos to purchase with Microsoft points. The service will be available to both Xbox Live Silver and Gold members and promises over 1,000 hours of unique content by the end of the year, with at least 200 of that available in both standard and hi-definition. Sound interesting? Read on for the gritty details.
The big question on everybody's mind at this point is surely cost. Unfortunately, Microsoft wasn't very forthcoming with answers to this question saying only that the digitally distributed videos would be "competitively priced." Television shows will be sold in much the same way that Live Arcade games are. After purchasing them with Microsoft points, owners will begin downloading them and will own the show. That means they can delete it off of their hard drive and download it at a later date without having to pay for it again. Movies will be output in a rental format. This is necessary in part due to the limited space on an Xbox 360 hard drive and the massive size of an HD movie. The standard definition movie we were shown clocked in at 1.2 GB while the HD version of the same movie was nearly four times as big at 4.7 GB. Once you download a movie, you'll have 14 days to begin watching it. After you start watching it, you'll have 24 hours before the rental expires and the movie is "returned."
The big question on everybody's mind at this point is surely cost. Unfortunately, Microsoft wasn't very forthcoming with answers to this question saying only that the digitally distributed videos would be "competitively priced." Television shows will be sold in much the same way that Live Arcade games are. After purchasing them with Microsoft points, owners will begin downloading them and will own the show. That means they can delete it off of their hard drive and download it at a later date without having to pay for it again. Movies will be output in a rental format. This is necessary in part due to the limited space on an Xbox 360 hard drive and the massive size of an HD movie. The standard definition movie we were shown clocked in at 1.2 GB while the HD version of the same movie was nearly four times as big at 4.7 GB. Once you download a movie, you'll have 14 days to begin watching it. After you start watching it, you'll have 24 hours before the rental expires and the movie is "returned."
Woot i was waiting to hear that, since i dont have cable in my house, would be nice to watch a lil south park without using other more difficult methods since i dont have cable