Variety's video games reporter Ben Fritz looked into Sony's announcement yesterday about their
video download service; turns out Sony has been in talks with all the major movie studios, but none have signed onto the PS3 download service just yet. It seems that Sony is looking to compete with Xbox Live Video Marketplace by adding extra features, such as allowing the owner of the download to transfer a copy of the movie to their PSPs, similar to their
plans for Blu-ray. However, more features means more complicated contracts with studios, possibly leading to less content for the video download service on launch date. Fritz feels that if the PS3 download service has the same or better features as Xbox Live, it won't have problems getting major studios to participate.
Sony does have at least one studio backing it up though, and that is Sony Pictures. If they can convince just one other studio to sign on, they will have the same amount of studios Xbox Live Video market place had when it begin at the end of 2006. What do you guys think? Should Sony opt for more features, but have less content at launch? Or should they forget about the features and get as many studios to sign on as possible?
{ Jun 27th 2008 at 8:30AM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rowdehaj @ Jun 27th 2008 8:35AM
I think Sony Pictures will be a good stepping stone for this feature. US-only I suppose? yeah, figures...
Sony ought to one-up MS and even Apple by getting their movie download service worldwide from day one!
adamu @ Jun 27th 2008 8:53AM
Even if they have one studio, that'll still be one more than Microsoft have in Australia.
People always seem to forget that, the main differences between XBL and PSN are only available in one country...
Jon Acheson @ Jun 27th 2008 10:15AM
The problem there is that while Sony Pictures will surely get on board, for all the other studios, they are funding their competition by participating.
Lars @ Jun 27th 2008 2:51PM
I don't get it, Jon. How is selling more downloads "funding the competition?"
Rowdehaj @ Jun 27th 2008 3:26PM
Lars, I think he means movie downloads --> profits go to SCE --> indirectly, Sony Pictures benefits from that.
I doubt it, myself. The margins are probably too small to make a big difference across divisions of Sony that differ so much as they do.
BornSkillful @ Jun 27th 2008 8:34AM
I'm more worried about Blu-Ray. Why is Sony offering movie downloads when they have a great format of their own? Besides, when you download a "HD" movie you won't get the same quality if you got it from a Blu-Ray disc.
The Aggie CEO @ Jun 27th 2008 8:44AM
thats why they dont see it hurting Blu-ray sales......
I'd much rather buy a Blu-ray than an HD download which may get lost or bricked due to DRM issuses.......
Christian @ Jun 27th 2008 9:51AM
Its called not putting all your eggs in one basket. Sony got Blu-Ray and they are sure it will be a huge success. But they realize that at least for some types of customers there will be interest in a download service too. And there is no reason for Sony to leave that market to anyone else to monetize.
dynamicD @ Jun 27th 2008 10:35AM
I think I read somewhere, that HD video will only be rentals. Due to hard drive space issues. So it's like, if you want the HD experience, Blu-Ray is still the way to go.
Lars @ Jun 27th 2008 3:10PM
They were really pushing for DRM-free movies, which is why no studios want to go there. I say just do it, even if the only studio on board is Sony Pictures. They've got Seinfeld at least... and a handful of other stuff I can think of off the top of my head. Just being able to buy DRM-free $2 episodes of Seinfeld is cool.
I really hope they stick to their DRM-free guns, and not do the rental crap that dynamicD mentioned. They'd definitely 1-up the competition with just a small library if it's DRM-free. 'cause I know I'm never EVER buying a DRM'd movie, so iTunes, Amazon, XBL, etc. all suck balls in my opinion.
uh-oh polio @ Jun 27th 2008 8:44AM
meh, i dont care much about movie downloads as i have fios and theres plenty of movies to watch on the tv. In HD too. Soooo im good on this.
I was also wondering that if you download a video aka (bluray), your gonna need an enormous hdd yes?
The Aggie CEO @ Jun 27th 2008 8:46AM
they wont have ENTIRE blu-ray disc up there..........that would be dumb.........not to mention it'll take most people DAYS to download 25GB+ of features even with broadband connections....
The Aggie CEO @ Jun 27th 2008 8:46AM
they wont have ENTIRE blu-ray disc up there..........that would be dumb.........not to mention it'll take most people DAYS to download 25GB+ of features even with broadband connections....
The Aggie CEO @ Jun 27th 2008 9:40AM
Hell Sony Pictures consists of: Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics, Screen Gems, Merv Griffin Enterprises(Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, & more)
AND if they use their 20% ownership of MGM they got another studio.......(do they still own 20% of MGM?? lol)
it'll be fine off the strength alone of those......at least for the time being.....
Hell Walker, Texas Ranger is Tri-star/columbia.......and we all Know how Chuck Norris Sells
drdre74 @ Jun 27th 2008 9:02AM
Does it matter? Its not like we'll ever see this go live anyway. This will happen the same time someone gets a real picture of Big Foot! I'm tired of hearing Sony say they are doing something and it never happens. How hard is it to upload your own Sony movies and TV shows. They own that stuff. Spiderman could be online right now.
Brodie-san @ Jun 27th 2008 9:04AM
Knowing Sony they'll go with option B - take their time and get over the stumbling legal block as soon as possible and grow the business with just Sony Pictures starting as part of the service.
Of course, certain detractors will decry "No Filmz!" now that they can't use the "Oh Noes! NO GAMEZ!" meme - but this is to be suspected in this environment of one-up-manship.
I think Sony are hedging their bets with the digital media scene. Blu-ray and downloadable media can co-exist quite comfortably. There is market for both, especially when you consider that until generic download speeds get a LOT faster video/film afficionados will opt for the blu-ray option.
Eric E @ Jun 27th 2008 9:49AM
Whats the real advantage over owning a physical copy or not getting it illegally???? It would have to be some of the following:
Cheaper, Before DVD release, Extra Content, Convenient, unrestricted.
Im more interested in seeing TV Shows. Especially Arrested Development and Futurama (2 New DVDs out, not HD, not on Cable). Cult shows that didn't make it that we can download and watch.
I want more features, easy access on PSP. But how will the DRM work? if i delete will it be gone forever? will it have 6X download limit like Games/content on PSN?
True_Darknight @ Jun 27th 2008 9:55AM
You mean 5 times limit!!...
But yes if they let me transfer to PSP it would be much easier than copying file from laptop to PS3 and then use file in laptop to put thru the PSP Movie creator.. H.264 all the way ofc!!! at 29fps! .. and wait for the conversion to put into PSP.. of the Hardships!!!
maxpontiac @ Jun 27th 2008 10:17AM
Whatever Sony decides to do, they need to move quickly.
Sony's black eye with the PS3 is one delay after another.
If they expect the PS3 to be another PS2, they need to get the ball rolling.
ImBakinBacon @ Jun 27th 2008 10:34AM
I think they should worry about the content first, then add the features as they get going.
midlife crysis @ Jun 27th 2008 10:39AM
II wonder whether the more open nature of the PS3 universe compared to the 360's, e.g., Sony permits non-proprietary hard drives, etc, also potentially makes piracy easier and thus makes it harder for Sony to line up movie studios?
Since I own both consoles I'm hoping that Sony attracts a lot of support. I've been tempted to buy a bigger HD for my 360, in large part b/c I like the video download service, but I have held off b/c of MS price gouging on peripherals. If Sony does a good job with movie rental downloads I could pass on buying a new HD.
top.slacker @ Jun 27th 2008 11:32AM
Fuck the studios, Sony should stick to their guns. If the studios had it their way they'd make us pay for two versions of the same movie, one on PS3 and one on PSP.
Bease @ Jun 27th 2008 11:47AM
Sorry, Sony. My upgraded hard drive is allready filled with movies that i haven't had time to watch. It's called BitTorrent ! Now get back to work on firmware 2.4 and Home !
Puntachu @ Jun 27th 2008 12:27PM
It's a similar situation as when dealing with exclusive games (Once you prove the system's function and viability as a platform, the content comes naturally). Personally, I think that they should flesh out the feature set, thereby making it easier to secure studio support. Studios aren't going to support a distribution system they see as not having the capability to reach out to an audience, but if it made into the truly superior method of distribution, they'll want in, and content won't continue to be an issue.
Not to say that they shouldn't look for support early on (they'll need all that they can get for a healthy start), but just by increasing the feature-set, that support should come pretty readily...
mat parker @ Jun 27th 2008 12:55PM
I expect MS with the exception of the Sony owned MGM has some kind of exclusivity clause in its deals
grognard66 @ Jun 27th 2008 1:27PM
"If they can convince just one other studio to sign on, they will have the same amount of studios Xbox Live Video market place had when it begin at the end of 2006."
One problem - we're half way through 2008, not 2006. I've never understood the logic of comparing PS3 features to 360's features as they existed in the PAST. Consumers deciding which system to get aren't going to say, "well, if I were to go back in time 2 years then this PS3 would be feature competitive with 360".
Sony has to compete with the market and customer expectations as it exists TODAY - not in the past. Sony should have had its act together to take advantage of launching a year later by having more of the software/network features in place...
Cornerman8 @ Jun 27th 2008 10:07PM
True, but then you've got to start somewhere. They've got Blu-ray and that covers those who need physical media. Secure the content for the video service first, and code it so that there's hooks in it for PSP downloads in the future. Hook up with Netflix and give them a place where you can rent Blu-rays through the store.
Omen_20 @ Jun 27th 2008 5:48PM
More features. The only reason I'd use the download service would be to quickly grab a flick for my PSP for a road trip. I use Netflix to rent Blurays for all my serious movie watching.
John @ Jun 27th 2008 9:10PM
I'm seeing USB bluray recorder somewhere in the future
skin.bintin @ Jun 28th 2008 5:34PM
I have both an Xbox360 and PS3... And considering neither Video service is going to be available in New Zealand any time soon I couldn't really care either way.
All I can hope for is that one of them makes their way to our shores. I don't care which.
cliff @ Jun 28th 2008 4:24AM
a little here ,a little there, i think they should keep a happy middle because if you weigh the scale to the fetures side we all going to complain about lack movies and vice versa. so they should keep the balance.
ScottH @ Jun 28th 2008 12:46PM
i like the rental idea, i would never buy a movie and let it sit on my hard drive i like to have it in my hands especially when its around 15-30 bucks. I could see myself buying a HD rental for 3 days and letting it self expire :) for a buck or two.
Dwag @ Jun 29th 2008 1:40AM
I think people are too much on Blu-Ray even though it won I'm not sure it has that much of an impact I mean when Cloverfield came I was thinking of buying but then after seeing the price I stuck with DVD.
Sony should have done this at launch. There letting M$ get a little too much I probably wont be surprised if M$ already has Sony studios in the Marketplace(I don't check the movies part so i never know) or plans to get one.
i'm hoping they stick to the features and make it so M$ loks stupid for making us pay (have no problem paying but sometimes I feel like playing my PS3 for some days and I start thinking those are days wasted and I'm still paying for 'em) for when give the same stuff obviously it wont be better but it will be at least equal.
Organic_Shadow @ Jun 29th 2008 2:14AM
This won't be a problem for long. Amazon Unbox has a similar feature allowing you to copy over a portable version of the movie to any portable media player you want. This would be EVEN EASIER for Sony since all they have to do is pair it with the serial of your PSP and not have to worry about different types of devices.
I'm willing to be the studios just want to hear the final proposal from Sony as to pricing and profit cuts, and that sort of thing.