I have heard that this is coming. Is there any info at all about how it would work? Has Sony given up as they think it will cannabalize BR sales?

Still 'coming soon'.

Haven't seen anything resembling a launch date.

I did notice that now the trailers you download from the PSN have a 'Start Playing While Downloading' option, maybe that is a sign of things to come?

BTW the trailers are available in 1080p, but I think for actual streaming to work they are going to have to do some major upgrades to the service.

IMHO - Sony wouldn't be concerned about this cutting into BD sales, retailers would be. Sony as the seller, and the studios as the content providers, would still make money (possibly even more per viewing) on downloads.

They'll have to get past the 2 gig video file limit first.

They'll have to get past the 2 gig video file limit first.

Even more important they would have to invest ALOT of money into their servers.

I have slow downloads from them now just on the site as it is. They don't have the capacity to handle millions of downloads at 20 gigs a piece.

They'll have to get past the 2 gig video file limit first.

I've copied a ~7GB .m2ts file from a DVD to my PS3's hard drive without any problems.

I think he means playback of > 2 GB files. Additionally, transport streams make work a bit differently than the "classic" video file.

Doesn't that only apply to either DIVX/XVID or WMV?

I have heard that this is coming. Is there any info at all about how it would work? Has Sony given up as they think it will cannabalize BR sales?

Fresh off the big blu-ray win. Give them a little time.

Perhaps they had to worry about ruffling feathers of blu-ray partners but soon that may not matter if there is no real alternative in HDM.

Howard Stringer has made it clear publicly that Sony intends to push strongly into downloads (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12465833#post12465833)on the Playstation Network and to challenge both MS and Apple in this space.

Unlike those companies Sony owns content and according to Sir Howard Sony will therefore have the advantage there just as they had with blu-ray.

Yes, Sony is the last "major" corporation who hasn't thrown its hat into the video download ring. Word is they are working on a system that will be accessible beyond just the PS3 (think future Blu-ray players and even TVs themselves), so it's taking them time.

Sony has a leg-up on the competition since they are free to do with their own content as they please, unlike Microsoft, Apple, etc. who have to bend over backwards to please the studios. Should be interesting.

Hey guys sorry to go off on a tangent but is there a way to get streaming video to my PS3 like going to abc.com and downloading Lost in HD

Hey guys sorry to go off on a tangent but is there a way to get streaming video to my PS3 like going to abc.com and downloading Lost in HD

Xbox live just started offering the ABC shows in HD 24 hours after they air. One day I guess Sony will offer downloadable content but at the rate they are going I will have dumped my PS3 by then in favor of a stand alone BD player.

Hey guys sorry to go off on a tangent but is there a way to get streaming video to my PS3 like going to abc.com and downloading Lost in HD

I assume you mean legally for a fee? :)

I assume you mean legally for a fee? :)

Actually it sounds like he was looking for legally, and free.

I assume you mean legally for a fee? :)

ABC.com doesn't charge to watch their shows.

ABC.com doesn't charge to watch their shows.

Right, but I don't think their webplayer will work on the PS3 (though you could try it).

Hey guys sorry to go off on a tangent but is there a way to get streaming video to my PS3 like going to abc.com and downloading Lost in HD

Install Linux and open from there. Just an option.

They'll have to get past the 2 gig video file limit first.

AFAIK, the 2GB limit is limited (no pun intended) to DiVX files. And it's only a limitation there due to piracy reasons. There's no reason to think that Sony couldn't release a video rental service (HD) on the PS3 with significantly larger files. In fact, given their catalogue, I expect it sometime in the next calendar year.

They're probably waiting for their HOME network to go online and to work all together somehow.

They're probably waiting for their HOME network to go online and to work all together somehow.

Seems likely, just wish they would hurry up already.

I may not use it, but I want that to be my decision, when it is available.

edit: For example, I don't use Amazon's Unbox which is available on my TiVo S3, but I am glad they made it available.

Seems likely, just wish they would hurry up already.

I may not use it, but I want that to be my decision, when it is available.

edit: For example, I don't use Amazon's Unbox which is available on my TiVo S3, but I am glad they made it available.

Same here, but I would probably use it. Given the problems getting Netflix HD rentals, I would certainly watch some titles.

Right now downloads are almost strictly a renter's choice even though TV shows on Xbox Live can be "owned". It's still impractical to store very many so you have to be prepared to re-download much of you "own". Progressive download style play as you go does help though since you could leave much of your content on XBLM servers.

Still it doesn't compete well with owning disks anymore than renting in general competes with owning.

I expect a very good offering from Sony. Hopefully they will also provide some good high quality music videos in high def, an area that is majorly lacking on current services.

at 2:13 in the home trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZY2vwlh5-g) there is a clip of the 'home cinema' area. I imagine from there we'll be able to purchase movie downloads or loiter out front until security arrives.

Right now downloads are almost strictly a renter's choice even though TV shows on Xbox Live can be "owned". It's still impractical to store very many so you have to be prepared to re-download much of you "own". Progressive download style play as you go does help though since you could leave much of your content on XBLM servers.



Given that we know content providers really do not want us to "own" titles, downloads are attractive to them. The vast majority of people hardly ever watch the movies they "own" already, so other than the few who really want to have shelves full of boxes to look at, instant rental through downloads are really attractive to them as well.

Right now, I have a cable box, a computer, a Tivo a PS3 and an Xbox360 all capable of entertainment choices. Other than those mentioned above and the lack of bandwidth for true 1080P downloads, I really don't need physical media anymore.

Sony has a leg-up on the competition since they are free to do with their own content as they please, unlike Microsoft, Apple, etc. who have to bend over backwards to please the studios. Should be interesting.

I would see this as a disadvantage, as it may preclude acquisition of other studios. Apple and Microsoft can more easily have all studio offerings. In fact, Apple's new rental service provides just that;


ken

Hopefully the content is actually in 1080i/p, and none of this 720 rubbish.

Hopefully the content is actually in 1080i/p, and none of this 720 rubbish.

Best of luck with that hope.

Even more important they would have to invest ALOT of money into their servers.

I have slow downloads from them now just on the site as it is. They don't have the capacity to handle millions of downloads at 20 gigs a piece.

sony will use a third party cdn (content delivery network) like amazon, apple and microsoft. probably akamai.

Hopefully the content is actually in 1080i/p, and none of this 720 rubbish.


If you hold your breathe, too, it'll make you blue.

Best steady yourself for "720 rubbish."

What's wrong with downloading 720p on a "per-rental" basis? It's not like you're keeping it. If you're so concerned with 1080p rentals you'd probably do best by renting discs from Blockbuster or Netflix.

What's wrong with downloading 720p on a "per-rental" basis? It's not like you're keeping it. If you're so concerned with 1080p rentals you'd probably do best by renting discs from Blockbuster or Netflix.

Agreed. 720P is only "rubbish" because the makers of Blu-Ray and HD DVD wanted you to think it is. It is still quite enjoyable and I never found myself watching a football game on ESPN in 720P but thinking "this is poor quality, it could be SO much better at 1080P" or maybe even, "Nah, this is so bad I'll stick with 480i".

Fact is, I would welcome 720P downloads if the bitrate is sufficient. I'll take 1080P if and when bandwidth is there to support it.

Actually, 1080P is rubbish, 4K all the way!

I recon we may have to wait a LONG time for HD downloads as Sony is trying tp pus Blu-ray as the best and only solution for HD content. I hope SD downloads come soon, i recon they will between now and beginning of Q4 (at least in some countries).

I recon we may have to wait a LONG time for HD downloads as Sony is trying tp pus Blu-ray as the best and only solution for HD content. I hope SD downloads come soon, i recon they will between now and beginning of Q4 (at least in some countries).


stringer said that they will announce a new digital media (music, video) service for psn in q1 of '08 and that will include 3rd party content. this will likely coincide with launch of home.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dahlsim
Right now downloads are almost strictly a renter's choice even though TV shows on Xbox Live can be "owned". It's still impractical to store very many so you have to be prepared to re-download much of you "own". Progressive download style play as you go does help though since you could leave much of your content on XBLM servers.

Given that we know content providers really do not want us to "own" titles, downloads are attractive to them. The vast majority of people hardly ever watch the movies they "own" already, so other than the few who really want to have shelves full of boxes to look at, instant rental through downloads are really attractive to them as well.

Right now, I have a cable box, a computer, a Tivo a PS3 and an Xbox360 all capable of entertainment choices. Other than those mentioned above and the lack of bandwidth for true 1080P downloads, I really don't need physical media anymore.

The total package of highest quality PQ and AQ, interactivity, various extra features along with the covenience of walk to shelf and pop in disk availability is still superior to downloads. However the downloads are good and clearly set to get better with MS hinted at HDi applied to downloads.

Loading up a bunch of HDM disks on a home server with full features would be even better eliminating the walk to shelf, pop in disk and making access to a library truly instant. "Managed copy" of HDM was supposed to provide that...

Agreed. 720P is only "rubbish" because the makers of Blu-Ray and HD DVD wanted you to think it is. It is still quite enjoyable and I never found myself watching a football game on ESPN in 720P but thinking "this is poor quality, it could be SO much better at 1080P" or maybe even, "Nah, this is so bad I'll stick with 480i".

Fact is, I would welcome 720P downloads if the bitrate is sufficient. I'll take 1080P if and when bandwidth is there to support it.

So many hdtv's being 720p max anyway and you end up with 720p upscaled even if your set is 1080p so yes, it's very close in PQ no doubt. Sony does provide both 720p and 1080p movie trailers right now on PSN so perhaps there is a chance they'll look to do the same things with movies.

With the "Full HD" marketing mantra and "HDNA" they may want to go 1UP on Xbox live and providing 1080p is one way to do it.

AFAIK, the 2GB limit is limited (no pun intended) to DiVX files. And it's only a limitation there due to piracy reasons. There's no reason to think that Sony couldn't release a video rental service (HD) on the PS3 with significantly larger files. In fact, given their catalogue, I expect it sometime in the next calendar year.

Even if there was a limit, they could still do it so that the files are actually stored in chunks that are hidden from the user, and you just select one file (a "shortcut") to play the movie. It would be similar to how DVDs are broken up into 1GB pieces, yet the movie plays continuously when you press play. A downloaded game is probably not a single file anyway (there's probably a separate license file, for instance).

BTW, I have a feeling the reason Xbox Live doesn't have an "own" option for movies is because they don't want you to fill up your limited hard drive space and become reluctant to spend more money. Sony may do the same thing with the PS3, but since you can replace the drive, they may have an option to "buy."

Even if there was a limit, they could still do it so that the files are actually stored in chunks that are hidden from the user, and you just select one file (a "shortcut") to play the movie. It would be similar to how DVDs are broken up into 1GB pieces, yet the movie plays continuously when you press play. A downloaded game is probably not a single file anyway (there's probably a separate license file, for instance).

BTW, I have a feeling the reason Xbox Live doesn't have an "own" option for movies is because they don't want you to fill up your limited hard drive space and become reluctant to spend more money. Sony may do the same thing with the PS3, but since you can replace the drive, they may have an option to "buy."

They have own options for the TV shows and the HD shows do take up some space. Plus with XBL you can always delete the owned content and download it again when you want to watch it.
The TV shows actually take up much more space than the movies since there are many episodes per season, which are more shows that you buy and own. I don't think space has anything to do with it.

Right now downloads are almost strictly a renter's choice even though TV shows on Xbox Live can be "owned". It's still impractical to store very many so you have to be prepared to re-download much of you "own". Progressive download style play as you go does help though since you could leave much of your content on XBLM servers.

Still it doesn't compete well with owning disks anymore than renting in general competes with owning.

I expect a very good offering from Sony. Hopefully they will also provide some good high quality music videos in high def, an area that is majorly lacking on current services.

My almost 90GB of TV shows would disagree with your assertion that I need to re-download much of what I own from Marketplace.

As far as movies go, there are already Sony owned studios on multiple platforms, including Live Marketplace, what more does everyone think they could offer on their own service? Not to mention the difficulties of who owns publishing rights amongst the many countries.

That divx rep that hangs around the forums said the Divx deal with Sony does not include hi-def content, only standard def.

My almost 90GB of TV shows would disagree with your assertion that I need to re-download much of what I own from Marketplace.


You might note that I said if becomes impractical to own "very many" movies/shows on XBLM without re-downloading. You measured the content you own in GB rather than in actual shows but how many HD shows does 90GB represent?

I "own" the Jericho series for instance in HD from XBLM and to keep it on the drive for instant access takes a up a major percentage of the 120Gig HDD. I own hundreds of HD/BD movies including HD boxsets without even discussing standard dvds and my point is it's impractical to own anything like that on the 120Gig HDD unless you are going to be re-downloading.

The fact that 360 HDD's are relatively expensive and can't be replaced with off the shelf harddrives only reenforces the renters model over the ownership model.

Agreed. 720P is only "rubbish" because the makers of Blu-Ray and HD DVD wanted you to think it is. It is still quite enjoyable and I never found myself watching a football game on ESPN in 720P but thinking "this is poor quality, it could be SO much better at 1080P" or maybe even, "Nah, this is so bad I'll stick with 480i".




Preach on!