Vid Marketplace on 11th Dec

By Tom Bramwell Published 4 December, 2007

Film rentals confirmed, priced.

Microsoft has announced that the long awaited European launch of Video Marketplace on Xbox Live will take place on 11th December.

Called "Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store" in line with Microsoft's new naming convention, the service will allow you to rent films in standard- and high-definition, although there's no mention of TV shows.

Films will cost 250 Microsoft Points (GBP 2.13 / EUR 2.91) in standard definition and 380 MS Points (GBP 3.23 / EUR 4.42) for high definition, and early examples include 300, The Matrix trilogy, the first two Harry Potter films and Clash of the Titans.

As of 11th December, the service will have been launched in six countries - the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France and Germany - to varying degrees. It is likely that the same US usage restrictions govern control of content downloaded here - i.e. that films are only usable until 24 hours after hitting play or within 14 days of download. (Update: Microsoft has now confirmed that this is the case.)

In the UK, Xbox Live's Video Store currently features music videos from the likes of Ministry of Sound and Sony BMG.

The full list of launch films (albeit subject to change) is as follows:

  • 300
  • Analyse This
  • Clash of the Titans
  • Dead Calm
  • Demolition Man
  • Eraser
  • Executive Decision
  • Eyes Wide Shut
  • Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
  • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  • Lethal Weapon 3
  • Lethal Weapon 4
  • Looney Tunes: Back In Action
  • Mars Attacks!
  • Ocean's Eleven
  • Risky Business
  • Space Cowboys
  • Superman III
  • Swordfish
  • The Fugitive
  • The Matrix
  • The Matrix Reloaded
  • The Matrix Revolutions
  • The Perfect Storm
  • Three Kings
  • Training Day
  • Zodiac
Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (61) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Penguinzoot #1 4 years ago

    Seems competitive compared to Blockbuster. Oh, and err, first. :-)
    Edited by 1 at 04/12/07 @ 10:33

  • Monkey_Puncher #2 4 years ago

    If you can rent SD versions of The 300, Zodiac and other more recent releases for just over £2 that really is cheap. It'd cost about £3.50 to rent them from Blockbuster or off of Virgin's pay per view service.

  • Psychotext #3 4 years ago

    That's cheaper than I was expecting.

  • MonkeyMagik #4 4 years ago

    Well done MS

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #5 4 years ago

    Can these be watched stremed, or do you have to download how many gigs?

    Its all good stuff but with this and xbox originals they need to vastly reduce the price of the 120gig HDD!
    Edited by 1 at 04/12/07 @ 10:42

  • Der_tolle_Emil #6 4 years ago

    The prices really are quite reasonable. I might just rent one in HD and compare it to my DVD version so I can finally make up my mind how much better HD actually looks on my setup.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #7 4 years ago

    Just over a quid cheaper than Virgin's HD films. But how long do you have to wait for them to download? Demos and stuff on XBL always seem painfully slow to me compared to the 'normal' internet.

  • busboy33 #8 4 years ago

    @gamesprogramer:
    Presuming it runs the same way as here in the States, it has to load a bit, but not necessarily the whole thing. Often ready to go in 5 minutes.

  • Caimbeul #9 4 years ago

    "The prices really are quite reasonable. I might just rent one in HD and compare it to my DVD version so I can finally make up my mind how much better HD actually looks on my setup."

    You may be a little disapointed to say the least. You wont have the same effect as having a true HD player like BR or HD-DVD because the video will be SERIOUSLY compressed and wont look anywhere near as good.

  • Psyclapse #10 4 years ago

    Will I need an Xbox Live Gold sub for these?

    *Hopes not*

  • boynash101 #11 4 years ago

    @caimbeul:
    Are you sure about this.. I thought that HD video that is streamed from the hard drive would be better quality as it is not reading it from a spinning disc?
    Hmmm. Would liked to have seen Transformers on this list though.

  • rhubarbandcustard #12 4 years ago

    I recently imported 300 on blu-ray from the states for £16. I would have to watch the film at least 5 times before it became better value than renting it. If they expand the catalgoe of movies I would never buy another movie again. I own about 100 films and the only one I have watched more than twice is Solaris- gotta love George Clooney.

  • LHH #13 4 years ago

    Demolition Man in Hi Def!! Rock on.

    Now to haold out for a Hi Def version of Commando...

  • captainrentboy #14 4 years ago

    Superman 3? What the fudge? Couldn't they have at least stuck the first one on there too.
    Talking of Superman 3, was anyone else in their younger years absolutely terrified of the fat woman with all the robotic gizmos on her at the end of the flick? God damn, she haunted my dreams.
    And when goody Superman fought baddy Superman I used to cry my little eyes out...... What? For a 15 yr old, scenes like that are traumatising :/
    Anyway back on topic, the prices are surprisingly good, the SD rental is actually cheaper than my local Choices store. So as long as MS can actually get some quality releases on there it could be quite a good service.

  • LeD #15 4 years ago

    Need to buy the 120GB HDD methinks, what with Xbox Originals and this...

  • Coughthulu #16 4 years ago

    @caimbeul:

    I assume though that MS are pushing VC-1 as the codec, and considering you can get pretty damn good 720p results at 5Mb/sec (whereas the equivalent MPEG2 (DVD) bitrate needs to be around 18Mb/sec for the same quality), I doubt they're going to change the compression at all.

    I've not looked so just speculating. ;)

    Got any figures on the US rollout that points to this?

  • asphaltcowboy #17 4 years ago

    @captainrentboy: wrt to Superman 3, I'm right there with you man! :(

  • smirny #18 4 years ago

    though nothing on the release list excites me, i'm pleased the service has been dated and look forward to seeing how it expands, 'specially with TV stuff...

    was there any more news on the BBC back catalogue that they were in talks to include a while back?
    Edited by 1 at 04/12/07 @ 11:16

  • Darren #19 4 years ago

    It's nice that this service is finally launching in Europe but it's of little use to me since I'd rather save the money and spend £10-£15 on a 1 or 2-disc DVD, £40 on a TV boxset or £18 on a BD movie that I can watch over and over again in the living room or bedroom, lend to family/friends, etc.

    I suppose if there was a movie I was unsure about buying, I could "rent" it first to see what it's like but I can't honestly see me making much use of it since I cannot keep these movies on my HDD (that limits their appeal massively for me). It would be nice if you could watch the latest movies on this service mere days after they were released in the cinema though but I doubt that will ever happen.

  • smirny #20 4 years ago

    "It would be nice if you could watch the latest movies on this service mere days after they were released in the cinema"

    ...pretty much never gonna happen... cinema box office taking would take quite a hit...

  • Darren #21 4 years ago

    Well as I said that would be the only real incentive for me to use the service as I've never once rented a movie, I always buy them as I'm a collector. Obviously if the movie was not available on DVD or BD then I'd be more inclined to watch it through my Xbox 360, but as it stands, it has limited appeal for me. I'm sure I'll watch at least one movie though, if only to see what the quality is like and how it all works.

  • peteb #22 4 years ago

    anyone know how this will work cross country? im hoping i can download UK movies as I've had UK Marketplace since i signed up for xbox live, yet live in germany. I bet the region locking will kick in with this update though :(

  • captainrentboy #23 4 years ago

    And just slightly off topic, I just downloaded the new update and I'd just like to say ''Hell Yeeeeah'' to the streaming DivX playback, 'tis fooking lovely. No more DVD burning or painstaking WMV converting for me :)
    And now to watch the Season 2 Finale of Heroes. Damn those American striking bastards. 11 Episodes does not make a full season, fuckers.

  • AwesomeWells #24 4 years ago

    Nothing for Australia then?

    /throws shrimp on barbie in disgust.

  • Brogan #25 4 years ago

    Isn't this a bit pointless after the DviX update now can watch hd films on my xbox for free

  • Machetazo #26 4 years ago

    I'm most pleased that the blades actually scroll properly, now. There isn't a daft looking/concerning delay between your flicking the thumbstick and the actual category change, on the dash.

  • rhinoxious #27 4 years ago

    Excellent news,

    I hate buying DVDs, I only ever watch them once and then they sit gathering dust till I get round to selling them second hand. Also I find the production of the disc and packaging a waste of resources, though as a gamer I'm sure my environemntal record is pretty blemished anyway.

    Just hoping the high-def versions look OK.

  • rhinoxious #28 4 years ago

    "Isn't this a bit pointless after the DviX update now can watch hd films on my xbox for free"

    - That's your choice, but it isn't everyones.

  • rhinoxious #29 4 years ago

    Can you start watching the movie before its downloaded?

  • kissthestick #30 4 years ago

    only rent? :(

  • Rpt81 #31 4 years ago

    Talking of Superman 3, was anyone else in their younger years absolutely terrified of the fat woman with all the robotic gizmos on her at the end of the flick? God damn, she haunted my dreams.

    Scared the heck out of me too. Couldn't watch that part of the film again afterwards.

    Superman 3 is cursed though. Perhaps anyone who downloads it will get 3 Red Lights after watching it.

  • dynarama #32 4 years ago

    Is it me or are all these films just some old Warner Bros back catalogue?

  • ecureuil #33 4 years ago

    Sounds utterly rubbish.

  • Darren #34 4 years ago

    rhinoxious - "Can you start watching the movie before its downloaded?"

    Dunno, but do really want the movie you're watching to keep hitching/pausing as it caches to the HDD? Given how erratic download speeds can be on LIVE, I'd hope that they download completely before you can watch them.

  • deaner #35 4 years ago

    Is this possibly a pre-emptive strike after Sony's talks with Sky to deliver Sky HD through the PlayStation?

    Probably not! But it's a nice idea... though I'll keep using easyCinema for £1.99 until I get TV through my console.

  • BM #36 4 years ago

    @Brogan

    The quality between DivX and HD content should (and I emphasise should) be quite noticeable. DivX usually means the movie or whtever has been compressed, so there's a dip in quality.

    I watch DivX movies on my HD telly through a VGA cable, and there's a marked difference between those and the HD trailers of movies I've downloaded off the marketplace

  • mcmonkeyplc #37 4 years ago

    Demolition Man, 300 and the Matrix in HD for me then!

    Microcunts actually did something right for once.

  • Greebo #38 4 years ago

    "The quality between DivX and HD content should (and I emphasise should) be quite noticeable. DivX usually means the movie or whtever has been compressed, so there's a dip in quality."


    All HD formats are still compressed. 1080p might be the best we can get now, but Super HD is in development and you could get far higher resolutions out of film beyond that!

    The quality of the compression depends on the quality of the codec and the bitrate selected. DivX HD could potentially look every bit as good as a BD disc, but the difference would be something like a difference in filesize.

    The movies on Xbox Live will be compressed as a compromise between quality and time to download. They certainly won't come close to the best HD-DVD or Blu-Ray discs.
    Edited by 1 at 04/12/07 @ 13:22

  • ED209 #39 4 years ago

    Anyone discussing the relative merits of purchasing dvd's over rentals needs to shut up right in their face.

    The business model works (ie Blockbuster chain) people obviously DO want to rent films instead of buying them, this just lets you do it with the Xbot computa innit.

    SO that is a discussion for another forum.

    As is this....

    In real 3D life the only DVD worth owning is Some Mother's Do Ave Em, as it make me come over a little queer. "oooh bettie!"

    You have been warned.

  • CreepinJesus #40 4 years ago

    MARS ATTACKS! Woooooooo :D :D

  • silke #41 4 years ago

    Well, I'm glad to see that Eyes Wide Shut makes an appearance, other than that, this is just the same old Hollywoodian crap as always.

  • Darren #42 4 years ago

    @ED209 - You've hit the nail right on the head there. This Video Marketplace is obviously aimed at the same people who like renting movies from Blockbuster, etc., so the question is are the prices competitive and how long do these movies take to download?

    Personally, I've never rented a movie in my life, I go to see them at the cinema and if I like them then I buy them on DVD or BD; anything else I watch on TV when it eventually shows up. Thus this service has very limited appeal for someone like me. Secretly I admit I want it to be a total flop because I fear it will pave the way toward a future where everything is download-only and I don't like that. How do I share movies with family and friends for example, how do I overcome the feeling that I no longer own these movies I enjoy collecting? It's one of the reasons I never download stuff illegally; it's just not the same as actually owning a proper disc in a proper case IMO.

  • BM #43 4 years ago

    @Greebo

    I was talking more about the contrast between DivX movies and HD. A generic movie you download off the t'internet does not hold up particularly well against HD, compressed or not

    @ED 209

    I've got a blockbusters 2 minutes walk away, and suffice to say I'll be using the Xbox service alot more than Blockbusters. Fuck walking
    Edited by 1 at 04/12/07 @ 14:17

  • rhinoxious #44 4 years ago

    Most illegally downloaded movies run to around 700MB, because they then fit on a CD-R.

    The quality of the compression varies immensely, depending on the source material, codec used, the original DVD transfer/MPEG2 broadcast quality, and how much care (number of passes) the ripper put into the making the file.

    Unfortunately I suspect that the MS service will have an equally wide range of video quality. Be interesting to see how the 'HD' versions look compared to the standard versions. You may find they are worth having even if you are only playing them over SCART to a large CRT.

  • rhinoxious #45 4 years ago

    Darren - 'how long do these movies take to download?'

    well, how long is a piece of string.

    /smug mode engaged.

    But for me not long at all as my download speeds from Live through my 19Mbit/s broadband generally seem to be superwizzy! In theory I should be able to watch stuff as it comes, if that's possible of course.

  • Darren #46 4 years ago

    Aren't these HD broadcasts Microsoft are planning on offering on the Video Marketplace only going to be 720p, not "proper" 1080p like HD-DVD and BD offer? I mean the bandwidth and filesize requirements for 1080p would be enormous, HD-DVD and BD movies are typically 20 GB+. Thus people using this service to judge what the differences are between DVD and HD-DVD/BDs aren't going to get an accurate impression at all but actually something inbetween the two.

  • Penguinzoot #47 4 years ago

    rhinoxious - "Can you start watching the movie before its downloaded?"

    If you mean before the film has fully downloaded, then yes you can. A bit like Sky+ I suppose.

  • rhinoxious #48 4 years ago

    Penguinzoot - yes I meant fully, thanks.

    Darren - you're probably right, and with the vast majority of LCD TVs being 720p (or 768p to be precise) models, it makes sense to go with the that format. Then again they may be 1080i if they were encoded for the US market where that resolution is far more popular.

    ===for spelling===
    Edited by 1 at 04/12/07 @ 15:44

  • Slim #49 4 years ago

    What a gash lineup.

  • rhinoxious #50 4 years ago

    It's better than the initial line up for either Blu-ray or HD-DVD

    Though that's not saying much admittedly!

  • CannonAnBall #51 4 years ago

    People do realise that the list of films will grow? I can't understand people whining about this.

    If there is f*ck all on and you can't be arsed watching a DVD of your own then I think this is a very reasonable alternative which gives us a choice. I think it's a great addition.

  • SteveB #52 4 years ago

    How big will these downloads be or will they stream ? I have 2mb broadband and the 20g hard drive. Will that be good enough ?

  • mattigan #53 4 years ago

    Probably best to decide what you fancy watching on Saturday and kick off the download on the Monday before!

  • MasterNameless #54 4 years ago

    @rhinoxious - "well, how long is a piece of string."

    Twice the length from the middle! \o/

    Wow, I've been waiting years to say that to someone. Ever since I knew the cocky answer, no-one ever asked me the question...

  • rhinoxious #55 4 years ago

    Glad to be of service

    /bows.

  • busboy33 #56 4 years ago

    @Darren, rhinoxious:
    Assuming it's the same service as here in the states, then yes, you can start the movie before the download completes. Some movies can start 5-10 minutes after you start the download (depends on your speed, how heavy the network is with people, etc.)
    When the service launched, downloads were miserably slow - sometimes a full day for a movie. Now, two hous tops. Not having an HD-DVD or B-Ray player to compare them to, they look petty friggin good in HD.

    off topc: what the bloody hell is up wih EG? Every time I access this site, my keyoard doesn't register about 30% of my typing. ONLY on this site, and every single time. Clears right when I go elsewhere.

  • themorganator #57 4 years ago

    I'm happy its finally available and the lineup will only improve.

    IMO, its just good to have the option to download HD movies to my 360.

  • JackB #58 4 years ago

    I've used the US version of the Video Marketplace for quite a while. It's very very fast in the US. It's been a big hit in the US. It started with about 50 movies and now is 370 with about the same amount of TV shows.

    I can usually start watching SD versions in under 1 minute, since I have 6mbs Internet connection from Comcast. The HD versions usually start in 30-60 minutes. That's blazingly fast. Very impressive and better than any website I've ever found.

    On the whole it's much faster than Netflix and it depends on how long it takes you to drive to the video store. And given the cost of gas, it could be cheaper too.

    You can always find better deals on DVD's somehow, some way, but this is all about convenience. Most people will always pay a bit more for convenience and for couch potatoes with a beer in hand, this is the epitomy of convenience.

    IPTV is up next. Likely in the next 3 months. If IPTV's good enough, maybe I can cancel my Comcast Cable connection. I'm sure IPTV will cost something, but another competitor to cable and satellite is a good thing for consumers.
    Edited by 5 at 04/12/07 @ 21:31

  • GamesConnoisseur #59 4 years ago

    busboy33

    I do get the odd slow typing due to the INTERNET carrying my keystrokes to EG website where the post is actually being done. Most of the time no problem, the delays only really come into play depending on time of day and traffic load. I believe that you doing this from US would contribute quite a bit!

    Dont believe that internet mean that the the world is a village!

    Vid Marketplace would be great but only if subtitles is equally available as on DVD/BR/HDVD? busboy33 do you know if subtitles is an option?

  • corzair #60 4 years ago

    Nice its finally gonna be here in the UK

    there 2-3 films on that list that i'm interested in at this moment

    would like to know though is when and hopefully if TV shows like
    Battlestar and stargates will be shown..

    On virgin media at the moment and my BT exchange is still (after 5 years) only 1mb!
    so my only choice is cable...

    Anyway very happy Video marketplace is finally starting
    and divx/xvid support is very welcome too - works well

  • DFawkes #61 4 years ago

    Just a thought, but couldn't you just video tape it as it played? Not that I would, it'd be in SD and if I wanted that I'd buy the DVD, but it sems like a pretty big loophole.

    Were they purposfully waiting until tapes died out?