Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today with the launch of the PlayStation Network video delivery service for Europe.
Now available in France, Germany, Spain and the UK, with other countries to follow in 2010, the service allows film fans to download hundreds of movies, including the latest releases, straight to their PlayStation3 (PS3) and PSP (PlayStationPortable).
More than 2,000 movies are available across the stores to rent (from €1.99) or to buy (from €7.99), many in High Definition (HD) as well as Standard Definition (SD), from major movie studios including 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company, Lionsgate, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Starz Media, Universal, and Warner Bros. The service also provides a broad selection of content from local market studios including ContentFilm International, E1 Entertainment UK and Optimum Releasing (UK), and Constantin Film, Kinowelt and Universum Film (Germany), MK2, EuropaCorp, Path, SND and Wild Side Video (France) and Vrtice Cine (Spain).
"The launch of the PlayStation Network video delivery service extends our entertainment offering and provides consumers with another way to access their favourite movies, whether at home or on the go," said Andrew House, President and CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. "With the choice of content constantly expanding, including full games, bite-size downloadable "minis" games, demos and now movies too, the PlayStation Network is the gateway to a world of entertainment."
At launch, there will be a special offer for existing PSN members, allowing them to receive a complimentary copy of The Da Vinci Code if they buy Angels and Demons. There will also be a special promotion to encourage new members. Anyone who registers for a PlayStation Network account using their new PS3s between 19th & 30th November 2009 will receive a voucher to download a complimentary copy of Transformers to own3.
The video delivery service will be fully integrated within the PlayStation Network, using the same log-in, wallet system and user-interface. Visitors can search for movies by name, or can browse categories such as "new releases", "genres" and "most popular downloads". PS3?s progressive downloading allows viewers to start watching a film shortly after the download begins. They can also access certain games or other content on their PS3 while the download is taking place.
Consumers who choose to rent have up to 14 days to watch their movie, and, once playback is started, they have 48 hours to watch the content. Purchased movies are stored on the PS3 hard disk drive and can be accessed at home via PS3 or transferred to PSP for content on the go.