UK Xbox Gamers To Receive Video On Demand
The UK (and the rest of the world) is finally catching up to everything the we here in the U.S. They are finally getting the chance to use the infamous video on demand (VOD) feature that the U.S. has been using for almost a year.
On December 11th the new Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store will be up and running. Xbox 360 owners will be able to rent full-length feature films, such as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and the Matrix trilogy. Users pay between £2 and £4.50 for each film and have two weeks to watch the movie after download. The service will also roll out in Canada, Ireland, France and Germany.
“We want to give consumers the entertainment they want, in the format they want, when they want it and at an affordable price,” said Robin Truchy, European director of Xbox Live. “We are already offering HD games, HD music videos and the option to enjoy HD-DVD format films, now we are offering HD movies to download and rent as well.”
The launch of Xbox Live Marketplace is part of a wider attempt by console and computer manufacturers to place their machines at the centre of the home entertainment “hub”. Both Nintendo’s Wii and Sony’s PlayStation 3 allow users to browse the internet, while the PS3 also has a built in Blu-ray DVD player for watching high-definition DVDs.
Microsoft is working hard to give consumers and gamers alike the perfect home media center. They are hoping that here soon Xbox users will be able to watch movies and log onto the internet without the use of their home computers. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do everything in the comfort of our living room and on our television? We say go Microsoft and make this happen for us!
