Sony launched New Video Download Service for US Customers

There better be a Canadian video download store announcement in the future too.

Sony Computer Entertainment America launched the new video delivery service on Playstation Network for Playstation 3 and PSP systems in the United States on July 15th. Gamers now have the ability to download full-length movies, television shows, and original programming accessible through the PSN Store.

With nearly 300 full length movies and more than 1,200 TV episodes, many available in both SD & HD, PSN’s video system will finally allow them to compete with Xbox's marketplace downloads.

Content for rental and electronic purchase will be available from 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate Entertainment, MGM Studios, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Walt Disney Studios and a variety of television partners.

“PLAYSTATION Network’s video delivery service capitalizes on the superior value and entertainment potential of PS3 and PSP – not only for gaming enthusiasts, but for the millions of consumers looking to buy the best, most versatile solution for their home entertainment system,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America. “The collaboration of Sony’s film, TV and entertainment business units coupled with our hardware and content offerings provide consumers with entertainment experiences unlike any on the market.”

The video delivery service will have full integration in the PSN, utilizing the same login, wallet management, and user interface of the newly revamped PSN Store. Video will be categorized, for example, by top rating, alphabetical order, television shows, and movies and content is also fully searchable, for example, by title, producer, studio and cast. In addition, PS3’s progressive downloading means users can view content shortly after the downloading process begins. Background downloading is also a feature of PS3, allowing users to access other platform features such as gaming and other XMB content while a video is downloading to their consoles.

20th Century Fox’s “Alvin and the Chipmunks”, Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”, Lionsgate’s “3:10 to Yuma”, MGM’s “Rocky”, Paramount Pictures’ “Cloverfield”, Sony Pictures’ “Spider-Man”, and Warner Bros. Entertainment’s “10,000 B.C.” are a few of the titles available for download on the video service now. Sony will also be introducing original exclusive content such as Xam’d: Lost Memories, an anime series developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, delivered in SD and HD.

Gamers who rent a movie from the video delivery service have 14 days to watch the content. Once content playback is started, consumers have a full 24 hours to enjoy their rental. Pricing for rental movies at launch ranges from $2.99 to $5.99, and pricing for purchased movies ranges from $9.99 to $14.99. Sony has also adopted Marlin Digital Rights Management technology, an open industry standard for protecting and managing digital content, to provide consumers with flexible access to their content while ensuring digital rights are protected. Usage rules of the video download service will allow content for purchase to be shared on multiple activated devices including PS3 and PSP systems per PSN account, depending on the type of content purchased by the user.

In fact, one of the biggest value propositions of PSN’s video delivery service is the ability to transfer digital content onto the PSP from the PS3. For the initial electronic sell-through or rental price, consumers can also transfer content onto multiple devices. The connectivity between PS3 and PSP platforms provides a seamless solution for those looking for entertainment experiences on their own terms – on the go or in their living room – all with a new-found freedom of not having to worry about TV schedules, movie listings or viewing on a desktop PC.