Video downloads coming this Summer to the US PSN Store
by Jem Alexander 
{ Jun 26th 2008 at 6:25AM }
Sony has updated their corporate strategy today to include some exciting new pieces of information regarding what we can expect in the future. Amid talk of using external expertise to accelerate R&D efficiency and improving "non-game content and services in tandem with enhanced network capability," something else caught our eye. The document states plans to roll out a video download service across Sony branded products between now and fiscal year 2010. Starting with the US PlayStation Network this Summer.
Kaz Hirai has gone on to say, at what we assume is a stockholder's meeting today, that the video download service will be made available "at later dates," with more information to be revealed next month. That'll be at E3 then. We're looking forward to hearing more in a couple of weeks.
Kaz Hirai has gone on to say, at what we assume is a stockholder's meeting today, that the video download service will be made available "at later dates," with more information to be revealed next month. That'll be at E3 then. We're looking forward to hearing more in a couple of weeks.
[Via Engadget; Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Source - Sony's new corporate strategy
Source - Summer launch for the US
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MikeHawk @ Jun 26th 2008 6:37AM
thats going to be sweet although it all depends on how they price it...
jae29one @ Jun 26th 2008 6:39AM
Its about time.. I always wonder why didnt Sony at least provide movies from their production companies from the Jump? Well better late then never
Wayne @ Jun 26th 2008 6:40AM
It's about time!
ohsilv3r @ Jun 26th 2008 6:55AM
Ahh awesome! Can't wait to try it myself when its released..
kevin @ Jun 26th 2008 6:48AM
THIS IS AWESOME :D
"cancelling netflix account"
Dark Archon @ Jun 26th 2008 6:55AM
I'm afraid it'll end up being awful, with little to no support from Sony. That's the way they run the whole PS Store, isn't it? Unless the will put their act together and start working on really IMPROVING their services, instead of just pretending, it will suck. Big time.
My prediction: One new movie and two trailers to download every Thursday. Or maybe once in a couple weeks. Also, just like with games, different movies in different regions, leaving Europe far behind with releases...
Concerned Patron @ Jun 26th 2008 8:43AM
this is the kind of thing i really don't get. when certain people hear of something incrediblely awesome, they always ruin it by only thinking what is potentially bad about it, or that it doesnt exist, yet their lives would be better if they embraced them.
Dark Archon @ Jun 26th 2008 9:14AM
Don't get me wrong, but I'm just not blind. I can SEE what the PSN service looks like and it's very underwhelming when it comes to delivering content. I can't see how video downloads, delivered in the same spirit, can be any better than what I have stated above. I love the idea and think it is awesome, I'm just afraid that people will be very disappointment with the lack of content, when the service starts. Let's just say that the PSN isn't the best platform to trust when it comes to overwhelming amounts of content delivered to users.
OddyOh @ Jun 26th 2008 7:40AM
Meh, wake me up when Canada is included...2014?
Riley Freeman @ Jun 26th 2008 8:04AM
canada is usually included in everything that the u.s store does.
but downloading movies/tvshows is some kind of issue in canada in itself i dont know why we are blocked from tvstation websites from viewing their shows
OddyOh @ Jun 26th 2008 8:14AM
All I know is, we finally got iTunes movies last month, and they're priced $5 more than the US, even though our dollar has been at par for the better part of a year. I'm just tired of being hosed. The CRTC needs to be disbanded. Hopefully Sony can do us right. Unfortunately, the world looks upon Canada as some sort of 'haven for piracy', so I sure we won't see anything for a while.
Noshino @ Jun 26th 2008 7:42AM
uh, you guys are missing some information, most important, White Knight Story being released on FY 08
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=318924
Flicky @ Jun 26th 2008 8:21AM
I have VOD with my cable provider. Pricing, movie quality and selection all have to be better than the cable offering or nobody, including me, will use the PSN video service.
Noshino @ Jun 26th 2008 8:36AM
uh, I rather download it through their service and be able to watch on the go with my PSP...
Sony has the PSP factor, they better take advantage of it...
required @ Jun 26th 2008 4:07PM
You pay a higher rate just for having that VOD feature. Those with basic cable don't have it.
ninjatuned @ Jun 26th 2008 8:31AM
This is more disappointing than anything. Sony could sell more units of the PS3 if they put more effort into giving people "free" (free as in ad supported or otherwise intergrated) content -- like getting the browser to work with Hulu, partnering with Netflix or even Rhapsody to bring their streaming services home to the PS3 so it's a real powerhouse of multimedia. Of course, instead they mess it all up because at the end of the day Sony isn't just a hardware manufacturer anymore and they (mistakenly) think that by building up other parts of their brand (the content producers: movies, music etc.) by crappily integrating it with their hardware. Boo I say, boo.
required @ Jun 26th 2008 4:13PM
"getting the browser to work with Hulu"
That would be nice. I think that is sort of the responsibility of Adobe though as they are the ones that author the flash player code for the various operating systems.
drdre74 @ Jun 26th 2008 9:52AM
just another urban myth that will never happen just like Home.
maxpontiac @ Jun 26th 2008 10:13AM
Can't wait. Alot of good things are finally happening to the PS3 and to those who have supported the console.
Jerses @ Jun 26th 2008 11:05AM
2010 + delays = Playstation 4
lol just kidding, but hey why not release in a cople of months...they have everything they need for this store. You can download trailers...what more do they need?
Rodrigo @ Jun 26th 2008 10:33AM
i have been downloading movies for free since last year directly to my ps3 using my ps3 browser
SincereXai @ Jun 26th 2008 1:04PM
And what service or site were you using to download your movies for free?
Sentai_Powa @ Jun 26th 2008 10:59AM
My only worry is than when this start's, Canadian's will get hosed.
Maybe not when it comes to movie's, but TV Show's.
I just hope SECA Does not make a Deal with CTV for that, i dont want crap like Degrassi, Canadian Idol or Instant Star on there........
benny boy @ Jun 26th 2008 11:51AM
Is that a Search box I see at the top of those screenschots?
Chameleon @ Jun 26th 2008 12:12PM
gentlemen i'm at the end of my rope (figuratively speaking). i apologize ahead of time but quite frankly i've exhausted every board i could find and have yet to find an answer.
i just got back my ps3 from sony (it had stopped playing discs; amazing turn-around time from sony by the way) and for some reason now when playing movies the color is for lack of a better word 'off'. all the colors just seems muted, i thought it was just the red/white/yellow cords so i went out and bought sony component cables. this resulted in all the movies having a reddish-pink film on the screen.
now i am using a sd sony trinitron tv (can't afford a hdtv yet), but even when using the red/white/yellow's everything used to work, before i sent it in. the kicker of everything is that all my games (resistance,cod, etc.) all play fine. i mean the colors are all perfect, or as perfect as you can get without hdmi. called sony obviously the next day and they already have another box on the way, which is great but they couldn't figure out the problem either. i went through every setting i could think of (display, bd/dvd playback etc.) and still nothing changed.
i'm hoping that maybe one of you wise fellows (i hear flattery will get me everywhere) might have either experienced this or know of a fix. i'd hate to have to send it back again just to find out that there was something i could've done. thanks very much in advance and i apologize for being off-topic ....
Chameleon @ Jun 26th 2008 12:14PM
gentlemen i'm at the end of my rope (figuratively speaking). i apologize ahead of time but quite frankly i've exhausted every board i could find and have yet to find an answer.
i just got back my ps3 from sony (it had stopped playing discs; amazing turn-around time from sony by the way) and for some reason now when playing movies the color is for lack of a better word 'off'. all the colors just seems muted, i thought it was just the red/white/yellow cords so i went out and bought sony component cables. this resulted in all the movies having a reddish-pink film on the screen.
now i am using a sd sony trinitron tv (can't afford a hdtv yet), but even when using the red/white/yellow's everything used to work, before i sent it in. the kicker of everything is that all my games (resistance,cod, etc.) all play fine. i mean the colors are all perfect, or as perfect as you can get without hdmi. called sony obviously the next day and they already have another box on the way, which is great but they couldn't figure out the problem either. i went through every setting i could think of (display, bd/dvd playback etc.) and still nothing changed.
i'm hoping that maybe one of you wise fellows (i hear flattery will get me everywhere) might have either experienced this or know of a fix. i'd hate to have to send it back again just to find out that there was something i could've done. thanks very much in advance and i apologize for being off-topic ....
Chameleon @ Jun 26th 2008 12:46PM
seriously, sorry for the double off-topic post ....
Ron @ Jun 26th 2008 4:21PM
Your problem is most likely a wrong setting in the 'Display Settings' screen. There should be an option that says something like 'BD/DVD Video Output Format' that should be set to 'Y Pb/Cb Pr/Cr' not RGB. If it is set to RBG w/ component cables the video picture will be pink. I doubt its a defective PS3 b/c the games look fine. Check this setting and report back.
Chameleon @ Jun 26th 2008 5:56PM
appreciate the quick response.
just tried it, but unfortunately to no success ....
Ron @ Jun 26th 2008 10:16PM
Each time you changed the cable type you went through 'Display Settings' and made sure you selected/changed the cable type from the menu?
I had a similar problem with my PS3 but the end of the cable that goes to the PS3s AV MultiOut Port was not seated all the way, took more force than I though it would, but fixed my problem. Might as well take a look at that too.
Chameleon @ Jun 27th 2008 9:23AM
yeah, did the whole 'wait for the screen to change' and choose '16:9 or 4:3'. didn't think that it might be as simple as the connection in the back, but i did try that as well as my still working ps2 av cords. what's odd is last night i tried it on my friend's tv (4o inch samsung) and over the av cables still the same problem, but over hdmi the problem was gone. although i couldn't play my burnt dvd's at least the regular dvd's and bd's worked fine.
i think i'm going to have to suck it up and just send it back, like i said the turn-around time was great i just was hoping to avoid it all together.
i really appreciate your help ron, thanks again ....
Riley Freeman @ Jun 26th 2008 1:00PM
Sentai_Powa
I agree. canada has terrible tv shows. i dont watch a single canadian show or channel.
I admire the muchmusic video awards for attempting to be different by having it outside. but theres like 15 nominations. its all canadian artist it kinda sucks. That said Id only ever live in the u.s. for one of their Warm states
John @ Jun 26th 2008 3:35PM
Canadian prices are rediculous, but the CRTC is not to blame for content available thru online services.
The American Networks sell broadcast rights to Canadian television networks, meaning they now own broadcast rights in their region.
I suspect the higher prices are due to transmission of data from the US to Canada, but I've never truly understood.
In my opinion, the PS Video Store would be a failure if two components are not adjusted:
1. Browsing for ANYTHING on the store is difficult to read compared to an AppleTV or online website.
2. Brutal download speeds. -I'd really like the ability to play 720p content without having to download the whole file, but I don't like the chances of that actually being available, if the scant movie trailers are anything to compare to.
Dwag @ Jun 26th 2008 6:25PM
Sony looks like they are playing catch up pretty good but took them a while.
I'm never gonna use this but at least it shows that that Digital downloads thing being the future is getting big pushes from two big companies.