Video Download Service Update

Any chance of an Anime section with that PSN Exclusive Anime Xam’d? or does PSN Exclusive mean everywhere but Europe?

Will we ever be able to choose the language of the movie ? I’m in France, but I want to see the movies in their original english language with french subtitles !

For those complaining about non-HD movies and only stereo sound…

This is most likely due to the movie studios themselves. If you check out Star Trek on the Xbox/Zune store, it is also only available in SD/stereo there. http://social.zune.net/movies/Star-Trek/a4559d94-b7af-48dd-936f-eb016e e170bf

In fact, if you check out the comments for that movie, it seems that they have exactly the same issues. Which suggest to me that it’s not Sony’s fault, but a limitation imposed by the movie studios for new films. Probably so that the sales of Blu-ray are not affected.

Can you tell me when the Isle of Man is going to get switched on?
I think we’ve been overlooked (understandable!) as we’re usually classed in the same bracket as the UK.

Could someone at Sony HQ flick the switch so i can rent some films over the weekend?

Cheers

Doesn’t concern me so much right now, but if these problems persist when you decide it’s time to bring this service to Sweden (i.e. Stereo Audio, no 5.1/no option to pick native audio language/subs/no rental options for new releases/no subscription options/poor download speeds) then you needn’t bother at all, as speaking for myself and a few friends, we wont be using it.

Best of luck though guys, I really wanna see this end in success.

will all movies for rent be available in hd thanks

Any news on the irish video store? I cant wait not to use it!!

“Dan Brown’s masterpieces”

er..

Hi Olga,

I hope you can answer this for me, because a lot people want to know this. Why the lack of 5.1audio and high price point for bonus featureless SD films? Some clarity will probably make people stop asking.

Cheers

Will the regristration promo work for Dutch accounts to??

What about multiple languages? I mean, some people outside UK would like to be able to watch the movie in English (when it is the original language) and have the option to put subtitles. But what we find in the store is only Spanish language, no subtitles (bad, as there are deaf people too).

I really would appreciate some original version for titles and some subtitles, if not, there’s no reason to rent some titles in HD but hearing dubbing and edited sound. Every movie should have the original version and the one of the country you are selling it, and subtitles, always, if you want the VideoStore to be a real success.

Hi Olga,

Can you please answer my question regarding the sound tracks available. The option offered is only stereo (2.0), is it possible/planned to propose a multichannel track (5.1) and also to be able to watch the movie in the original language. I mean especially for the HD ones because a good video part is a very good point but without the sound part is a bit frustrating. This is for the moment the main reason why I will not use the service.

Thank you again for answering.

I will start using the store in Spain when you have films with the original language version (EG English).

As far as I can tell, they are all in Spanish. I speak spanish, but im English and live in Spain. its not the same for me watching a film in spanish as in English.

I also know a lot of Spanish people who also like to watch films in the Orignial version with Subtittles, my wife being one.

Would also be nice to choose the the language of the account too and not tied directly to the country you live in.

Most websites allow this today for example or multiple Language choices even.

Where is the operation flashpoint dragon rising DLC ? please.

With SO many complaints from different European countries, I wonder why you’re not answering to the video store’s main problem (s):

-No original version track available and no sub-titles
-No multichannel (5.1 at least)

May I remind you that Xbox live video store have lots of HD movies in 5.1 streaming 1080p (but no language and subs options either unfortunately), and Itunes gives us the choice of purchasing contents in their original languages too, with 5.1 HD, AND offers the SD version tied coupled with the HD file to transfer on the Ipod/phone.How about that? Can’t SONY do at least the same, even MORE?.

If these issues are fixed, I’m pretty sure the store will be a success this time.

I will never rent a movie without language option, or 5.1 for Franch movies. I will never EVER buy a movie in SD tied to one PS3, without languages options, 5.1 etc. for the DVD are cheaper and complete and convenient.

Good luck, and surprise us!

Am I right in thinking that as I have a UK based account, but live and use the PS3 in Spain, I can’t download films from the UK store?

if this is the case and I have to think about using the Spanish store this will really limit the chance of using the PS3 for online purchases.

In these cases a lot of noise is made about markets, rights and local agreements but almost no thought seems to be given to the chance that some people do actually move from time to time.

Yeah T.V Shows would be cool

I guess I don’t have to complain about the lack of a PSN Video store in Switzerland, without original language and 5.1 sound this is just a waste of bandwidth IMHO.

If it should ever become available in Switzerland, please add those essential “features” first.

There are more than 4 or 5 countrys in Europe. Just so you know.

why do only new users get a free movie(transformers)?
I have had a ps3 since launch and paid alot more than they are now,where is my free download?

Yeah i agree people who have stuck with the PS3 since launch deserve a little something, not just new customers

“We are looking into both 5.1 sound as well as original track version/ subtitles options and as soon as I have more information I will update you guys right away!”

Thanks, i would really like you guys to sort out the original track version! I really wonder why these two issues were not thought of before you launched the video store, even if it was just only to have a clear concise answer prepared for us unforgiving blog commenters.

I understand it’s probably to do with the classification system/ different regional rules that i can’t access the Video store from my British account in Germany, maybe if you would just confirm this that would be appreciated.

Anyway thank goodness the ps3 games are not region coded as i’ve just received Demon Souls in the post, that should keep me busy until you get these issues fixed!

Add me to the list of people who want subtitles with each movie.

I’m not deaf but I like watching a movie with subtitles and I’m sure many people with hearing difficulties would appreciate subtitles.

“We are looking into both 5.1 sound as well as original track version/ subtitles options and as soon as I have more information I will update you guys right away!”

That’s good to hear Olga, hopefully you’ll be able to give us some positive news regarding 5.1 soundtracks sooner rather than later!

Even in cases where licence restrictions prevent you from including 5.1 sound is there no way to encode it in such a fashion that it sends the right information to the processor to matrix it itself using something like ProLogic IIx? There is no way I could watch a film that ignores my centre speaker entirely!

People that are using an Optical audio connection might not have this problem as I assume it’s downscaled anyway, but when you are connected for HD audio over HDMI the PS3 seems to force the audio feed (based on a Store Preview I watched) down the left and right channel using a Linear PCM format – there doesn’t appear to be a way around this (even using built-in processor modes) if you have your PS3 system configured for PCM/HD sound?

@ Paranoimia, interesting point, but that doesn’t explain why 100% of SCEE’s content is Stereo – as pointed out by other people iTunes has 5.1 as does a lot of Zune content. Fair enough having one or two exceptions, but no 5.1 support is ridiculous (even if it’s only the rental versions that are 5.1 if the issue is with the owned content)!

This is especially puzzling given the vast amount of movies that Sony hold the rights too – surely it is in their own best interests to make sure at least their own content is presented correctly? Seems a bit backwards that Sony Pictures would intentially cripple the Sony VOD service…

Hopefully if the recently announced Sony Online Service idea takes off in 2010 PS3 owners will benefit from iTunes levels of music/movie/tv support (at comparible quality) on their PS3! I won’t hold my breath though!

How come other stores are getting the new harry potter and transformers movies? and the UK gets only 2 new titles?!?!

Also whats with the pricing of titles? Can SCEE justify the costs when the DVD, and on some occasions the Blu-ray costs less?

I thought that the whole digital distribution thing was meant to reduce the costs to end users, due to not having a case etc?

“You get free The Da Vinci Code when you buy Angels and Demons”

That’s cruel and unusual punishment, not a reward for loyalty.

The real killer’s the price, though, not the lack of free stuff. It’s the most expensive digital rental/sales system I’ve seen, and a vast number of the films on offer are cheaper to buy on DVD than they are to rent on this service. Why would anyone use it, given that?

JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION WHEN WILL THIS BE COMING TO IRELAND.
HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO ASK.

will it ever be available in Italy, or will it ever be possible to access to the uk service from Italy? I can’t wait for the service to come here.. (along with the comics)

Hey Olga !

Firstly, Thank you for the update !
It’s great to see the video/movie Store in Europe.
And I think the prices are fair. But as others, if there is no orginal version and subtitles, I’ll never buy a movie on this service. So please add me to the list of people who want orginal version and subtitles ! I think it’s really important for a lot of movie lovers in Europe.
Even if there is no subtitiles. To have the real experience, We need to hear the real voice of the actors.
I think Sony have to do better than the others, they always do, and with this feature, they could.
In France there is an advertising saying : “you dreamed about it, Sony did it”. Well, I’m dreaming about original version on the european video stores :p

Now I need to apologies for my english I’m french, and yeah, even if I only watch movies in english, i’m still not writting it perfectly

Finally I’d like to say that it’s great to feel listened, thanks to this blog and your replies in the comments. I hope you’re going to read me too !
Thank you for your time !

Oh and, is there a twitter to follow about the video download service ?

(not available here)

terminator to rent in january lmao what is the point in movies store if new releases are only to buy . if ur ps3 breaks anythn u have bought is lost even if u back it up . PATHETIC OLGA

i agree with SETZED!

I’m really loving the service but I can’t help but feel you are missing a trick. I know it must be something legal/ contractual but what are the chances to rent new movies on their release dates?

I really wanted to watch Bruno and the new Star Trek movie and waited especially for the video service to launch to give it a test drive and was a little dissapointed that they weren’t available and ended up going to Blockbuster.

Still, Terminator not being able to rent on the Store got me to pay Sony Columbia for the Blu-Ray

come on SCEE took you age to bring video store to this side of the pond, don’t tell me it will take another year before the rest of Europe see this service.

Hi Olga
Thanks for answering my earlier question.
Could you answer another one for me please? Don’t worry, I wont spew vitriol and bile.
I appreciate how hard you guys are working on trying to bring this up to scratch, I can understand the amount of effort involved.
But why, when the US store has been available for well over a year, is the EU service so amazingly compromised?
If I am correct, the US store gets HD, SD, buy and rent all on release day for new releases? Am I right?
If so, why is all new content on the EU store basically just SD?
Star Trek for instance is available in HD on the US store, why do we only have SD over here?

I apologise, I want to use the vid store I really do. But it wont be seeing a penny of my money until I see more rental titles and more HD content.

Feeling sorry for our Gaelic neighbours. Things like this should be released to everyone at the same time, not just several countries followed by *clunk* one country *clunk* another country. Appealing to the masses obviously isn’t Sony’s forte.

Two Dan Brown films for the price of one while newbies get free Transformers. Nice to see the old guard are now actually being punished with horrid films. Next week: Barney and Friends.

Coupled with lack of 5.1 sound and horrid pricing (People with half a brain would turn to Lovefilm, Blockbuster or any other damn DVD retailer to get cheap PHYSICAL copies)

If this is what we EU members fought to finally get from the Yanks, then this is definitely the mother of all lost battles

will the video store ever make it to portugal?
thx

for me it really does cost to much to buy and rent from the new store
like 4.50 to rent and download a dvd for the nite is pretty poor in this day and age,ya’s have priced it of the chart
would it not be better to have the price for a rental at say £2 and have loads of people downloading and renting films,and not so much over priced that hardly any one will rent
was looking forward to the vid store but once it came out and i seen the price’s it put me off,i know loads of people who have done the same,
also why can ya not rent the new release’s,for heavens sake most people will want to rent over buying from the store,even more so if its a new film that ya wanta see,plus people will want to rent over buyin cus after all who wants to buy a film they can only have on their ps3
will the price’s brought down to a reasonable price or are they just goin to stay the same a rip us off,cus if it stay the same i cant see the vid store being as big a hit as it could be
its just too over priced
i think £2 to rent and £7 to buy would be reasonable

also can you past on my feelings and comments to whoever the powers that be are

i know loads of people who have thought the same as me and havent downloaded because of the over prizing and will not be ownloading at the current prices ever

Still no access here in the Isle of Man!!!!

I get the impression that companies (not just SCEE) see the reduced COGs of a digital distribution model as a chance to increase profit per sale rather than as a chance to offer the consumer a lower price and increase the volume of sales.

You combine the fact that there is no second hand market, no bargain bin and no competition and you have a “perfect storm” of pricing without barriers.

This isn’t directed at Olga, as I imagine she has about as much to do with the price of Video Store items as Mike does with the PSN Store policies. It’s directed at the corporate heads. The ones who decide what markup they think is reasonable.

At the moment they think they can get away with charging retail prices for digital goods. The best thing to do if you don’t like the prices is don’t use the service. That’s what I intend to do until these prices fall well below that for which I can grab the same content on Play, Amazon or HMV.

Stop patting yourselves on the back you are failing in a grand fashion and so close to Christmas ??

Although it’s great to finaly have a Video Store in the EU there is still too much missing

Subtitles; needed for some people
Previews; Lacking alot
5.1; Where ?
HD content; Lacking
50 Titles per weeak; never happend I am openly calling that a Lie
Pricing; Way off the mark on many titles.
TV Section; needed

Youve listed films in this update that came out last week for the UK I’m not blind.

And yes I do realise some of this is down to the Studio’s but only some of it.. Stop treating us like Cavemen and act like your in the Digital age I’m embarrassed for you.

Lots of films need subtitles as standard, such as Angels & Demons where they start speaking in french but it is still an English movie

Just wanted to add my voice to people who are asking for the original language soundtrack, and optionally subtitles. I am located in Spain but am English, and there is absolutely no way I will buy or rent a film DUBBED from English into Spanish. On the other hand, were content to be made available in the original language, I’d be spending a huge pile of cash in the store . 5.1 sound would also be good but is not so much of a show-stopper!

I’m sorry, but you honestly believe I’m going to shell out top price for digital media when I can buy the exact same film (often cheaper from a supermarket) in physical form in 5.1!!!!!!
I think the pressure to get this video service out before christmas, in competition with the 360, has clouded your judgement. In this current form, I will never use it.

This ‘release now, fix it later’ ethic Sony uses is why you’ll never catch Microsoft up. Shame on you.

Heres a suggestion

How about ditching What’s new and hot list for this week

And add What’s New
And Top 50 downloads

That way we can quickly jump to the latest released titles and quickly look at the most popular titles.

nice to see u completely IGNORE every1 abt rentals and why u.s gets them day to day with new releases yet scee only pt up overpriced 11.99 films to buy in sd lol ill just completely IGNORE movies store then same as u do with customers olga . store is crap

When will the video store have subtitles for the movies? I’m pretty sure that not including subtitles in the UK is actually against the law, since you’re completely ignoring a select group of people. Also, 5.1 channel sound and HD purchases are necessary. This service has some way to go before its actually functional.