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story category Video Downloads Hit Xbox 360
CSI, other programs available today...
(old news - 10:34AM Wednesday Nov 22 2006)
tags: Video · hardware · gaming
Today is the day Microsoft plans to begin offering broadband film and TV downloads to Xbox 360 owners via Xbox Live. As previously mentioned, the move by Microsoft is sure to annoy competitors on multiple fronts: incumbent cable providers who dislike TV content being pumped over their network all the way to Apple who also hopes to grab part of the living room video market with their iTV launch next year.

Movies (48 so far) are only available to rent for 24 hours, while TV shows (50 so far) can be purchased to own. Joystiq has done a good job decrypting the slightly convoluted pricing structure, which, like other Live content, is based on Microsoft's point system. The breakdown:
New releases•720p HD movies -- 480 MS Points ($6)•480p SD movies -- 320 MS Points ($4)
"Classic" feature film•720p HD movies -- 360 MS Points ($4.50)
•480p SD movies -- 240 MS Points ($3)
Television purchase•720p HD television -- 240 MS Points ($3)•480p SD television -- 160 MS Points ($2)

Related:
  1. Game Consoles Vs. the Cable Box
  2. Is Xbox 360 Video a Landmark Shift?
  3. Microsoft Makes 'XBox 360 Elite' Official
  4. Using The PS3 And Xbox 360 For IPTV
  5. Xbox 360 Storage Tripled
  6. Sony Launches PS3 Video Store
  7. CableLabs Greenlights SDV Adapters
  8. SlingPlayer 2.0 Finally Released
Forums » Video Downloads Hit Xbox 360
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Post a:
page: 1 · 2
chemaupr

join:2005-06-06
Alexandria, VA

edit:
November 22nd, @10:26AM

Loving My 360

The best 400 bucks ever spent. Although, I wanted an option like Vongo linked to the 360, this is a good start.

DaBavarian
Premium
join:2006-02-22
Saginaw, MI

Re: Loving My 360

Is there HD programming available for this?
chemaupr

join:2005-06-06
Alexandria, VA

Re: Loving My 360

there is 720 avilable. and if you have a media center pc you can get HD over the air and send it to your 360.
MADx

join:2005-05-25
Richmond, IN
I use my 360 just for gaming. I don't get all this movie and television downloading on a game system, but I guess it could be useful when you looking for a hard to find movie.

peter_m
Premium
join:2005-07-13
Canada, QC


edit:
November 22nd, @01:09PM

Apple says ouch!

Well it's all about convenience. Ok so for now it's slow to get the movie but eventually the corner video store will be a thing of the past.

Apple must be reaching for the "Pepto Bismol"...

Anyone tried it? How is the image quality? Is it overly compressed and blocky or proper 720p?
Techie714

join:2005-08-02
Anaheim, CA

360 Just keeps Getting Better

Thats it, I need to get one of these. The Xbox 360 just keeps getting better & better. It now seems to offer SO much more than the other consoles & it appears its now also a DVR.

hayabusa3303
Over 200 mph
Premium
join:2005-06-29
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
·QuantumVoice
·ViaTalk
·Vonage

Re: 360 Just keeps Getting Better

i small dvr at that with only what 13 gigs of free space. cant put much on it unless you change out the hd in it.

On the other hand you have the ps3 with 60 gigs tho i dont know how much of it is free if someone owns one chime in please on the free place on the ps3.

Middieman
Eschew Obfuscation

join:2001-02-05
Elkins Park, PA

Re: 360 Just keeps Getting Better

Yes, if Microsoft wants to get serious about getting into the business of providing TV content over broadband, the 360 will need a bigger hard drive.

-=[Middie]=-
Arcadian
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drmorley
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-20
Park Ridge, IL
clubs:

Re: 360 Just keeps Getting Better

said by Middieman See Profile :

Yes, if Microsoft wants to get serious about getting into the business of providing TV content over broadband, the 360 will need a bigger hard drive.

-=[Middie]=-
Arcadian
Or they can just allow us to plug in an external HD to one of the USB ports.
--
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chemaupr

join:2005-06-06
Alexandria, VA

Re: 360 Just keeps Getting Better

by Chewyrobbo
---------

HELLO!!!
IS ANYONE here aware that with the latest update to the dashboard, Mass storage devices over usb are supported. Albeit it's only wmv, its still wmv nonetheless. I haven't had much trouble converting to wmv from divx etc. You can plug in your ipod under storage mode and put files on it that way, then u got all you want. Of course with a simple video cable, you can do the ipod alone, but its def not as good. Anyways, yes mass storage is already supported maybe not for the money downloads, somehow they should allow that to be done.
chemaupr

join:2005-06-06
Alexandria, VA
the DVR is not the HD for the 360 is the PC hard drive. the 360 is a Media Center Extenders. so for DVR functionality the 360 is streaming what your pc is recording. I have a HD just for that (400 gigs)

Kxpuc

join:2004-05-04
Houston, TX

edit:
November 22nd, @04:29PM

the 60GB PS3 has around 54GB free from the start atleast mine did but it can be upgraded to at most 160GB from what i hear but most are just putting in 120GB HD's. it uses 2.5" SATA hard drives

hayabusa3303
Over 200 mph
Premium
join:2005-06-29
clubs:

Re: 360 Just keeps Getting Better

thanks for the info on the hd.

Do you like your ps3? any problems with it? how is the online on it?

Kxpuc

join:2004-05-04
Houston, TX

Re: 360 Just keeps Getting Better

i had a small problem that was easly fix'd by just doing a full reboot. Other then that is just a simple codec problem I.E. doesn't play .avi lol and like 1 out of 20 files I convert to mp4 or mpg format it'll show up but say it's not playable so i just re-encode it.
The inconvince of moving stuff from computer to PS3 was solved using a simple file server (I use Red Kawa File Server and their video converter)

hayabusa3303
Over 200 mph
Premium
join:2005-06-29
clubs:

Re: 360 Just keeps Getting Better

Have a link to that red kawa file server software? never heard of it.

i bet that codec will be fixed soon. Its like the PSP firmware 3.00 on monday i think and the very next day 3.01 comes out.

can you link your PSP too it yet?

Kxpuc

join:2004-05-04
Houston, TX

Re: 360 Just keeps Getting Better

can get files from PC via the file server on the PSP via wifi just have to use the internet browser just like with the PS3
»www.redkawa.com/ Red Kawa is just a group of 3 college students that made these programs to make things easier for the PS3 and Wii files. They've changed the convert slightly and i've yet to have that problem yet with the files showing unsupported

hayabusa3303
Over 200 mph
Premium
join:2005-06-29
clubs:

Re: 360 Just keeps Getting Better

Thanks for the link. These guys where fast to get this out..

C0deZer0
Oc'D To Rhythm And Police
Premium
join:2001-10-03
Davenport, FL
·Verizon Online DSL

The marketplace keeps a log of everything you've ever purchased, and (for the now) anything that you have logged to download or purchase can be re-downloaded for free if you ever have to delete it for any reason.
--
Front Line Force Fortress Forever

punker
deleted by moderator
Premium
join:2004-06-21
Palmdale, CA
clubs:

edit:
November 24th, @06:18PM

55GB
can be upgraded to 160GB+

imrf
Premium
join:2002-06-06
Utica, MI
Microcenter has a $100 mail in rebate on all 360 consoles. So it bring them down to $199 for the Core system and $299 for the Premium kit, before taxes.
thecooldude

join:2002-09-07
Calgary, AB

Cool!

Hopefully this will be a way to be able to watch Battlestar Galactica in true HD in Canada!!

peter_m
Premium
join:2005-07-13
Canada, QC

Re: Cool!

Does anyone know if the movies are available in Canada as well? Could be limited to the US only?

RyanG1
Premium
join:2002-02-10
San Antonio, TX
clubs:

Downloading as we speak..

I figured id download the matrix for shits n giggles.

So far its running pretty slow (probably because its being hammered at the moment).

I think the viewing time frame of 24 hours once i hit play is pretty strict. It would be nice to download it on friday morning and have it ready in the evening and still be able to watch it over the weekend.

Although once its downloaded you do have 2 weeks to watch it before its deleted, its just 24 hours starts once you hit play.
--
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Maondas
Funny, It Worked Last Time
Premium
join:2002-09-19
Hilliard, OH

Re: Downloading as we speak..

How much do shows cost? movies?

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
clubs:
·ViaTalk
·AT&T DSL Service

Re: Downloading as we speak..

said by Maondas See Profile :

How much do shows cost? movies?
It's right there....

Movies (48 so far) are only available to rent for 24 hours, while TV shows (50 so far) can be purchased to own. Joystiq has done a good job breaking down the pricing structure, which like other Live content, is based on Microsoft's point system. The breakdown:
New releases
720p HD movies -- 480 MS Points ($6)
480p SD movies -- 320 MS Points ($4)
"Classic" feature film
720p HD movies -- 360 MS Points ($4.50)

480p SD movies -- 240 MS Points ($3)
Television purchase
720p HD television -- 240 MS Points ($3)
480p SD television -- 160 MS Points ($2)
--
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Maondas
Funny, It Worked Last Time
Premium
join:2002-09-19
Hilliard, OH

Re: Downloading as we speak..

Seriously that wasn't there when I posted my question! =) Thanks
--
Let's kick the tires and light the fires.

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
clubs:
·ViaTalk
·AT&T DSL Service

Re: Downloading as we speak..

said by Maondas See Profile :

Seriously that wasn't there when I posted my question! =) Thanks
No problem!

Good one MS

@oar.net

So renting a 720p HD movie costs $6 and you only have 24 hours to watch it? Typical of MS..... way over priced compared to competitors. Can run down the street and rent it for $3 or subscribe to one of many Netflix type services and keep it as long as I want for less than $6 per month. and good point about hard-drive space. How many purchases (not rentals) do they think they'll sell considering only a few can fix on the drive; then have to delete your purchase in order to rent a movie.... something is seriously broken with their concept. And correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't MS make it so you can't legally upgrade your hard-drive? Or did they just make it so you have to purchase a larger drive from them instead of supporting a competitive market and allow us to buy and install any hard-drive.

Pass thanks.

cbrigante2
Cubs 20??
Premium
join:2002-11-22
North Aurora, IL

Re: Downloading as we speak..

said by Good one MS :

So renting a 720p HD movie costs $6 and you only have 24 hours to watch it? Typical of MS..... way over priced compared to competitors. Can run down the street and rent it for $3 or subscribe to one of many Netflix type services and keep it as long as I want for less than $6 per month. and good point about hard-drive space. How many purchases (not rentals) do they think they'll sell considering only a few can fix on the drive; then have to delete your purchase in order to rent a movie.... something is seriously broken with their concept. And correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't MS make it so you can't legally upgrade your hard-drive? Or did they just make it so you have to purchase a larger drive from them instead of supporting a competitive market and allow us to buy and install any hard-drive.

Pass thanks.
Your comparison is not an even one. I think MS is trying to hit that convenience spot of not having to "go down the street" and rent one. Sure, you have Netflix and other online rentals which are a better deal, but how many users still do not use this type of service?
chemaupr

join:2005-06-06
Alexandria, VA

Re: Downloading as we speak..

In addition, this or any dl service is tailored to a different audience. that want it there when they needed. and do not have to worry of mailing or arranging their queue...

Sure it cost more... but yet again.. I do not watch movies every week (tops 3 a months) why will I pay nextflix 15 bucks.... ($180 a year) if I only rent 60-80 worth of movies.

Supafly
Premium
join:2000-07-15
Lancaster, CA

said by Good one MS :

So renting a 720p HD movie costs $6 and you only have 24 hours to watch it? Typical of MS..... way over priced compared to competitors.
I wasn't aware that blockbuster was renting HD-DVD and Blu-Ray movies for $3? Oh, that's right, they aren't. The thing about this is that it enables you to watch HD movies and TV shows WITHOUT having to buy a HD-DVD/Blu-Ray player (~$500). I applaud Microsoft for this new service, however, I do wish that you could keep your movies longer, 24 hours isn't long enough for me.
chemaupr

join:2005-06-06
Alexandria, VA

Re: Downloading as we speak..

They do not get it!!

I could not said it more clear. That why the 360 is the best. Even if you rent a HD DVD or Blue Ray... the content many of the time is 720. Plus as you said you have to BUY AND EXTRA PICE OF EQUIPMENT. Not HERE!!!!

cbrigante2
Cubs 20??
Premium
join:2002-11-22
North Aurora, IL
Blockbuster rents HD-DVD online at the same monthly cost as regular dvd.

chadrob30
American Legion Rider
Premium
join:2002-04-24
Fort Smith, AR
·Cox HSI

Nice...

Downloading Natural Born Killers right now. Yea, it's pretty slow, but the servers are probably getting beaten up pretty good. Fairly robust selection of series and movies, and I also agree with the above. The 24 hour rental period is crap.
--
THIS SPACE FOR RENT

BonezX
Basement Dweller
Premium
join:2004-04-13
Canada

not 100% active in Canada

can't get any access to most of the new content yet where i am.

inteller
Sociopaths always win.

join:2003-12-08
Tulsa, OK
·Cingular Wireless

the TV prices are a little high

You can grab these for a dollar on iTunes. MS needs to quit sticking the "this is our network" premium to these downloads. I guarantee when Sony comes out with something for less MS will drop the price.
--
"WHEN THE LAUGH TRACK STARTS THEN THE FUN STARTS!"

kfsutops
Premium
join:2002-08-19
Brandon, FL
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: the TV prices are a little high

said by inteller See Profile :

I guarantee when Sony comes out with something for less MS will drop the price.
Now that's the funniest thing I have heard all day. Thanks for making it.

Since when does Sony do anything cheaper than any one else?
--
"There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots"

Supafly
Premium
join:2000-07-15
Lancaster, CA

said by inteller See Profile :

You can grab these for a dollar on iTunes.
I wasn't aware of iTunes providing HD content for TV Shows?
chemaupr

join:2005-06-06
Alexandria, VA

Re: the TV prices are a little high

said by Supafly See Profile :

said by inteller See Profile :

You can grab these for a dollar on iTunes.
LOL

a dollar in iTunes... try to watch that file in an HDTV.... Ha, what are those 128 x 250 or

cbrigante2
Cubs 20??
Premium
join:2002-11-22
North Aurora, IL

said by inteller See Profile :

You can grab these for a dollar on iTunes.
I think the shows are $1.99 for a format that could be loosely defined as SD.

RockCake
Premium
join:2005-07-12
Woodbridge, VA

360 Movies

Thank you for listing the "real" prices alongside. (I'm so sick of points)

knightmb

join:2003-12-01
Franklin, TN
·Comcast
·Vonage
·Speakeasy

Re: 360 Movies

said by RockCake See Profile :

Thank you for listing the "real" prices alongside. (I'm so sick of points)
Yeah, the points give MS a legal loophole to avoid certain types of tax
If it were straight dollars, someone else would be knocking on the MS door for some cash.
backness

join:2005-07-08
K2P OW2

Typical!

"from incumbent cable providers who dislike TV content being pumped over their network"

what about this nonsense? the network is bought and paid for by the people on it who pay the bills!
peerimpact

join:2005-11-07
Londonderry, VT

Blame the Movie Studios for the silly restrictions

Unfortunately the Movie Studios consider Online Video Rentals to be like Pay Per View and enforce similar rules as PPV has that is a 24\Hour Viewing window within 30 days .

The Cable companies and big box retailers dont want them to change the rules regarding Online downloads in what ever form and as for subscriptions Starz paid the studios $1 Billion for the exclusive rights to offer unlimited movie subscriptions till 2012 .

So Microsoft coming late to the party with a X box 360 Movie service has less bargaining power and has to work within the Studios current rules ...
Tikker_LoS

join:2004-04-29
Regina, SK

out of curiosity

how exactly do you earn the points?

Is it strictly you pay $$ for XX points? or can you earn them thru game play or something
chemaupr

join:2005-06-06
Alexandria, VA

Re: out of curiosity

right now yes, you can only buy points. Is like MS currency. However, they are going to come with promos and rewards to earn points also.

Chiyo
Save Me Konata-Chan
Premium
join:2003-02-20
Minneapolis, MN
clubs:
·Comcast


edit:
November 22nd, @12:37PM

many issues

I've got a modded XBOX I can fire up XBMC and toss some media in a share on my PC and watch free of charge!

Anyway I hate the MS points system they jack you on prices and the 20 dollar cards you buy don't get you very far and you are paying to keep them for a short period of time aren't you?

Also LIMITED HARD DRIVE SPACE! c'mon 20 gigs is NOTHING why would someone who has an HDTV want SD content (Besides price) and knowing you plopped down 4 bucks a movie or show and then you run out of space? your throwing your money away!

Right now the 20 gig costs 100 dollars how much is a 40 or 60 gig version of the drive going to cost? 200? 300? how can Microsoft justify the high cost of a lousy 20 gig Hard drive?

Finally the xbox servers are SLOOOOOOOWW!! it takes along time just download a 1 gig demo or even half a gig demo it takes a long damn time, if you downloading full HD movies or shows it's going to take way to long, I can get HDTV shows other ways faster, for example I watch Grey's Anatomy I can download the show illegally faster OR, OR I can fire up my xbox and login to ABC.com and watch it on my big screen or fire it up on my Computer and watch it on my computer.

Microsoft better get a bigger pipe for all these downloads they claim they are so good but everything is so damn slow! were paying 60 a year to be apart of the service plus were paying all the money for MS Points, points you don't get for playing your games points you pay out of pocket for and we get slow downloads!

I think this will take off if they increase the speed of the downloads and if they lower the cost yes there are always other ways to get the same content but I think keeping with the current generation of 20 gig hard drive isn't going to get us very far.

Yes we could go buy a PC to xbox 360 memory card add on thing and dump all our downloaded content to your PC but who wants to disconnect, connect and transfer media and saves just to use your XBOX 360? but the average gamer isn't going to and I don't think we should need too.
--
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- Alan Minter, Boxer

"I get to go to lots of overseas places, like Canada."
- Britney Spears, Pop Singer

Supafly
Premium
join:2000-07-15
Lancaster, CA

Re: many issues

Try playing HD on the original XBox, it doesn't really support anything more than 540p.

Chiyo
Save Me Konata-Chan
Premium
join:2003-02-20
Minneapolis, MN
clubs:
·Comcast

Re: many issues

I've watched HDTV XVID Rips and WOW there is a huge difference when watching the same thing on a regular SD Rip.

I love XBMC though I can toss everything to my 52 inch HDTV it's awesome!
--
"Sure there have been injuries and deaths in boxing - but none of them serious."- Alan Minter, Boxer"I get to go to lots of overseas places, like Canada."- Britney Spears, Pop Singer

Jehu
dejapoo
Premium
join:2002-09-13
MA

24...hours...

is crazy.

See 7 replies to this post

CPM

join:2001-08-24
Miami, FL

Only Thing I Like.

I like you can download previews of movies.

The rest I don't need I have a DVR.
--
»www.forbroadwaytickets.com - »www.Broadwayman.com
Chewyrobbo

join:2005-04-12
Tacoma, WA

HELLO!!!

IS ANYONE here aware that with the latest update to the dashboard, Mass storage devices over usb are supported. Albeit it's only wmv, its still wmv nonetheless. I haven't had much trouble converting to wmv from divx etc. You can plug in your ipod under storage mode and put files on it that way, then u got all you want. Of course with a simple video cable, you can do the ipod alone, but its def not as good. Anyways, yes mass storage is already supported maybe not for the money downloads, somehow they should allow that to be done.

Jehu
dejapoo
Premium
join:2002-09-13
MA

Re: HELLO!!!

why do you need a mass storage device for something that goes away in 24 hours.
--
The hills are alive with the sound of jehu.

Wills

join:2001-01-03
Port Charlotte, FL

Convoluted pricing?

80 points per $1.00.

What is so convoluted about that? Anyone over a 6th grade education should be capable of figuring it out.
--
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MisterMarcus

join:2001-11-10
San Diego, CA

I'm at work so I can't tell....

Is Law & Order available?

If so, I'll be all over this. Especially if I get to keep them, and in HD no less.

seanm6869
Premium
join:2002-12-03
Versailles, KY

Re: I'm at work so I can't tell....

Can you not read? it says for 24 hours.

martissimo

join:2001-12-01
Van Nuys, CA
clubs:

Re: I'm at work so I can't tell....

said by seanm6869 See Profile :

Can you not read? it says for 24 hours.
Well since you played the can you not card, i'll throw it right back at you, he asked about Law & Order (a tv show)

taken straight from the headline: Movies (48 so far) are only available to rent for 24 hours, while TV shows (50 so far) can be purchased to own.

MisterMarcus

join:2001-11-10
San Diego, CA
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: I'm at work so I can't tell....

said by martissimo See Profile :

said by seanm6869 See Profile :

Can you not read? it says for 24 hours.
Well since you played the can you not card, i'll throw it right back at you, he asked about Law & Order (a tv show)

taken straight from the headline: Movies (48 so far) are only available to rent for 24 hours, while TV shows (50 so far) can be purchased to own.
Thanks, I checked myself and Law & Order isn't yet available, but I might see if I can get into CSI.
LockJaw02

join:2004-04-13
San Jose, CA
TV shows are to own, only Movies are "rented." I used it myself, downloaded Venture Brothers, I can watch it any time I want, as many times as I want.

dispatcher21

join:2004-01-22
Walla Walla, WA

So Will it Upconvert the video?

It will upconvert (or downconvert) games to 720p or 1080i depending on the tv you have. Will the video be upconverted to 1080i or is it stuck at 720p?
Mizfit

join:2002-06-05
Whitehall, PA
·Verizon Online DSL
·ProLog

Re: So Will it Upconvert the video?

said by dispatcher21 See Profile :

It will upconvert (or downconvert) games to 720p or 1080i depending on the tv you have. Will the video be upconverted to 1080i or is it stuck at 720p?
1080i

batterup
I Can Not Tell A Lie.
Premium
join:2003-02-06
Netcong, NJ
clubs:

My town wants there146;s.

Microsoft did not apply for a TV franchise and does not pay any tax.

detth
Onemhz On Aim

join:2000-10-06
Astoria, NY

servers overburdened

Dont know about anyone else but the xbox live servers have been really slow ever since this feature debued.
Forums » Video Downloads Hit Xbox 360page: 1 · 2


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