PS3 To Get More Movies: Sony Signs Deal With All Six Studios For Movie Streaming

(Updated Below) Sony just announced that 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros have all agreed to allow Sony to stream their movies over the PlayStation Network to users of the PS3. The service, which launched today, is only available in the U.S. but will be expanded to consumers in U.K., France, Germany, and Spain.

The PlayStation Network is the first gaming console to offer high definition movies from all of the major movie studios and consumers will have the option to either buy or rent HD titles. There's no word as to how many titles the studios will be make available or how quickly they will be added, but Sony did list 18 new movie releases in the press release from all six studios that are available today. (Updated: Sony says they currently have more than 1,200 titles in HD for rent and or purchase and are constantly adding new titles.)

I've had the chance to jump on my PS3 system and rent some of the movies and they quality looks really good. While I can't tell the bitrates they are encoded at and am waiting for Sony to get back to me with a lot of the technical details, so far, I don't see anything here that consumers won't like. (Updated: Sony says the videos are encoded in MPEG4 with SD being at 2Mbps and HD at 8Mbps.) Pricing on the new titles I saw (see below) were $3.99 to rent in SD or $5.99 to rent in HD and $14.99 to own in SD or $19.99 to own in HD. I still think the price to own movies on all devices is too expensive and that most consumers will rent movies anyway and I expect that even rental prices will come down over time.

I'll post more details on the technical side of the streaming offering as soon as I get them from Sony.

Comments

[Steve]

The expanded selection looks great to me as well. I'm surprised they aren't offering trailers for streaming though. If I haven't heard of a movie, but the poster and short text looks somewhat interesting, I then have to bust out a browser to lookup what the movie is about and/or watch a trailer.

Offering trailers would probably go a long way to getting people to shell out that relatively high cost for getting the movie.

[John Howard]

I think the online movie rental and purchase is a great idea. I really like seeing the previews. But i think the prices are way too expensive. The cost for rent and buy is as much, if not more than buying an actual hard copy. Its just a good convenience. If im going to spend that money just for a download id rather own it on dvd. This way i can watch on any supporting player or lend it to friends and family. The rental prices are based on 2 day viewing(once launched) which at the shops normally you get 1 week.
It wont work unless the prices are realistic.
My comments are based on the Australian version...which normally here we get overcharged for everything.

[Sal C.]

This is really exciting! Along with this post, PS Video Store is FINALLY in CANADA AND NetFlix is going to begin streaming movies in CANADA in September! Once again "EXCITING".
The PS3 is an excellent choice for ENTERTAINMENT!

[Mark]

Good news for PS3 users. But XBOX 360 already does have an option to buy or rent a HD movie. So it isn't true that PS3 will be "first gaming console to offer high definition movies". Correct me if I'm wrong.

[BBalex]

Well, the price is not that bad to own the titles, i mean, of corse everybody know that you can have it for free on internet, but if you pay, you pay the quality. I bought my favorite movies and some nice cartoons for my kids! I don't regret!

[mel_deschamps]

Right on, stoked to see the rental prices, and what that's going to cost.

[Michael@Dish TV]

Really Good Article.I am very enjoying to read it.Thanks

[Michael@Dish Network]

Good Information given .Thanks

[Free2Watch All Movies Online]

the price is really expensive, but maybe they will drop the price as the entire idea will catch up with everybody.This is a great idea...

[Deb Van]

PS3 is a great choice for entertainment.

[playstation 3]

I believe rental movies still is the future, but the prices must down. Maybe Playstation and Sony will make this to a new boom. Atleast this machine has some really good opportunities. Thanks.

[Game Sawp]

I am so excited about this, I've been waiting for this and I totally agree that pay per view movies is the future especially if Sony is involved. I mean think about it, Blue ray, Gaming, Movies, Internet all on 1 console.

[game swap]

another reason to get a ps3 over xbox360 :)

[Ps3 Repair]

It's about time. I'm getting bored of playing