Archive notice: This article was originally published on November 20, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
The video service allows film fans to download hundreds of films, including new releases, directly to PlayStation 3 (PS3) and PSP (PlayStation Portable). At launch, more than 500 titles are available to rent (from EUR 2.99) or buy (from EUR 7.99). The offering includes high-definition (HD) and standard-definition (SD) releases. All major film studios are also represented, from 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company1 and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) to Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal and Warner Bros.
Films available during the launch phase include Angels & Demons, Bruno, Cars, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Crank 2, The Dark Knight, Dead Space: Downfall, Drag Me to Hell, Gran Torino, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, National Treasure, Pirates of the Caribbean, Public Enemies, Star Trek, Terminator Salvation, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Valkyrie and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The offering will expand weekly. The German Video Store will include titles from German studios such as Constantin, Kinowelt and Universum Film, including Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, Resident Evil, Fantastic Four, Transporter 3 and Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
“With the launch of the PlayStation Network Video Delivery Service, we are expanding our entertainment offering and giving customers another way to access their favourite films—whether at home or on the move,” says Andrew House, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “The selection of content is growing constantly. With full versions of games, compact PSN titles (‘Minis’), demos and now films as well, PlayStation Network is the key to a fantastic world of entertainment.”
Existing PSN members can enjoy an exclusive offer during the launch period: members who buy “Angels & Demons” receive a free copy of “The Da Vinci Code”. A special promotion for new members is also planned. Customers who register a PlayStation®Network account with their new PlayStation®3 between November 19 and 30, 2009, will receive a voucher for a free download of “Transformers” 2.
The PlayStation®Network Video Delivery Service can be found in the “Video Store” area of the PlayStation®Store. It makes entertainment a unique experience for users because HD and SD films are now available to buy or rent alongside the already broad range of games, demos, trailers and other content. The video service is fully integrated into the PlayStation Store, so login details, payment system and user interface do not differ from PlayStation Network. Users can search for films by title or browse categories such as “New Releases”, “Genres” or “Most Popular Downloads”. Thanks to the PS3’s progressive download function, films can be started shortly after downloading begins. Games and other PS3 content can also be accessed during the download.
Rented films can be watched within 14 days. Once playback begins, 48 hours remain to watch them. Purchased versions are stored on the PS3 hard drive and can be watched at home on the PS3 or transferred to the PSP for mobile access.
The PlayStation®Network Video Delivery Service is one of the top features of PlayStation entertainment and perfectly complements music-video streaming with VidZone® and free digital television with PlayTV™. Alongside all the gaming, music, internet, photo and communication features, there is now another reason to make your PS3 and PSP the centrepiece of your entertainment world.