I'm sure there are quite a few people who have never downloaded any video content from the Xbox Live Marketplace yet. Some were permanently turned off when they tried to rent a movie the day the service launched and experienced horrible download speeds. Others would rather just get their movies from Netflix.
Whatever the case may be, Microsoft wants to make it clear that we are missing out and that they are kicking ass and taking names gamertags:
· Within four months of launching, Xbox LIVE has become the number one online distributor of television and feature film content in the living room where it's most easy for consumers to access.
· In the same four months, the service has quickly become the number two online distributor of television and feature film content, second to iTunes.
· Is currently the ONLY online distributor of major feature films and television programming in high definition (HD) resolution.
· The service is a breakout success, with double-digit, month-over-month growth since launching.
· Monthly downloads from Xbox LIVE went up 400 percent since the service launched in November.
The only video I've ever downloaded was of comedian
Kyle Cease doing standup. It downloaded quickly and was well worth the paying for. Have you ever taken the Video Marketplace for a spin and if you did, were you happy with the service?
Contest:
3:09 PM on 03.20.2007
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still good idea, just needs work
Sphinx: When I downloaded Superman Returns I watched the whole thing and then stopped it during the credits. I still had it for a week and a half after that until the 2 week time limit ran out. So I'm not 100% here, but it seems it only marks it as fully watched after you've played the entire video. I should try downloading another movie and see if the last time was just a fluke.
Also, from the "We rule, but we also suck" file:
· Within four months of launching, Xbox LIVE has become the number one online distributor of television and feature film content in the living room where it's most easy for consumers to access.
· In the same four months, the service has quickly become the number two online distributor of television and feature film content, second to iTunes.
WTF? We hate to brag, but we're awesome... So long as you don't actually... Get up and download shit from your computer.
And that Kyle Cease dude is hilarious. Standup comedy is the absolute best form of entertainment out there
Though I would like to download somthing from the Marketplace, there arent any MUST-SEE-IN-HD movies availible
TV is better, but just when I am getting around to seeing 24, where is it on Live?! Bummer.
It is good to hear it's the #2 service however, hopefully this news will motivate MS to get better content (same thing goes for Zune!).
As most Canadians know, a certain percentage of TV and radio must be Canadian media. Next, and this is the most important part; when a Canadian tv station buys the rights to a tv show, they own the right to be the only station that plays that particular program and it's backed by Canadian law and contracts. Therefore, MS cannot possibly distribute that show anywhere else in Canada (as dictated by the contract). The rights to these shows are gobbled up quickly, so MS is currently working with media rights owners to find alternative solutions.
Don't blame MS, blame Canada's stupid media laws.
As for me, I've downloaded a couple of HD movies and thought it was definitely worth the money. I've also downloaded 4 TV shows, but that is because I cancelled cable long ago and have been wanting to see some of these shows for a while.