Audio Video News

Two major videogame platforms are broadening their appeal with movie downloads, it was announced at this week's E3 gaming show. Microsoft's Xbox 360 will accommodate downloads from Netflix, while Sony's Playstation Network will launch a download service of its own.

Xbox downloads will start with a software upgrade scheduled for fall. To start a download, users will simply add items to a queue, and it'll begin playing in 30 seconds or fewer. But they'll have to be Gold-level members of Xbox Live and also subscribe to a Netflix plan above the $4.99 base plan. Offerings will include only 10,000 movies and shows in the larger Netflix library, which includes 100,000 items. According to Microsoft, they'll include "scores of Academy Award winners and nominees, episodes from a number of popular, currently running and classic TV shows, and 24 of the movies rated by the American Film Institute as the greatest ever." See MSNBC coverage and press release.

Meanwhile, Playstation Network now offers video downloads in both high- and standard-def formats including content from Disney, Fox, Lionsgate, MGM, Paramount, and Turner as well as Sony. The price for buying a movie will be $9.99-14.99 (SD only), while rentals will cost $2.99-5.99. Downloads can be transferred to PS3 consoles in addition to the one that performs the download. See Engadget coverage.