Films on Xbox 360 threaten DVD rentals

[Zeus]

Sophie Barland of The Telegraph writes that technology anaylysts are indicating that sales of DVD movie rentals could face a serious slump in Europe as Microsoft aggressively pushes its digital movie content services via the Xbox 360.


Microsoft hopes to be the first company to offer legal downloads via its games console although rival companies Apple and Sony are known to be working on similar products.

This type of service is far more common in the US where there is about 2,100 hours worth of films available to download from the Xbox.

Technology experts have warned that the move could seriously hamper the sales of DVDs and videos.

Tom Dunmore, a technology specialist from gadget magazine Stuff said: “If you could download a film you don’t ever need to buy a DVD or ever visit a high-street video shop.

"The content available will be the key to this service. If it is good, this could help change the Xbox into a living-room computer for music and film rather than just a games console."


News Source: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/12/nmicrosoft112.xml" target="_blank">Telegraph.co.uk</a>

[Xenogears V]

Blockbuster has said that the Blu-Ray they sell better than the Dd.Dvd, and Microsoft is now trying to recover with these contents.:rolleyes: :p

[felixm477]

its true but its not a bad thing. companies like hollywood video and blockbuster are failing because they took way too long to hop onto the monthly fee rental bandwagoon when netflix pretty much has the entire market thesedays. also has anyone been too a blockbuster lately? their prices are rediculous i mean 9$ for a 4 day game rental? its no wonder they are on a sinking ship. perhaps blockbuster should consider either partnering with MS or going into the digital distribution buisness.

[dannybII]

I know the rest of the world is streets ahead when it comes to bandwidth and download limits. This is therefor completely irrelevant for vast swathes of the U.K market. Unless you are lucky enough to be in an area supported by a cable firm with relaxed download restrictions you're screwed. Most of the people in my neck of the woods have el cheapo ISP's that have a 2GB per month limit.
That renders this pretty much useless.

[grapeape]

Im sure they wish it would but with most cable services having video on demand the convenience factor tends to side with them. Lack of physical media gives an edge to purchasing or renting at a brick and mortar store. All thats left is exclusivity which isnt going to happen with anything truly big because of the limited market.

[Trashcat]

About 10mil people own a 360, maybe 10% of them will be using the video rental service. How many people out there rent dvds?

[sigma8]

For rentals, I agree this is nice. For purchases, I wouldn't worry. The 360 is too unreliable. I wouldn't actually "buy" anything that goes onto that hard drive at this point.

It will take a while to overtake Netflix and Blockbuster, though. In fact, I doubt there is much overlap between heavy Xbox Live users and heavy Netflix/Blockbuster renters. Hardcore gamers tend not to be hardcore movie watchers. Both hobbies are a bit time-intensive.

[teek78]

Make sure you get your RJ45 cable ran...no wireless ($10 part)...come on M$

[Sepioth]

also has anyone been too a blockbuster lately? their prices are rediculous i mean 9$ for a 4 day game rental?


Was going to say the same thing. They charge way too much ofr games and movies. Last time I was there they wanted 5.99 for a movie for 5 days. While that may be 1.20 a day I don't want it for 5 days. I use my local RedBox machine. $1 a day. No fuss. I work in a store that has one so i get my new releases on release day before the store opens.