XBox Live Video MarketPlace now called "Zune Store"

[JohnCz]

and includes 1080p downloads.  It will be interesting to see how much of this becomes available to Zune portable device users and Media Center users.

[TekDragon]

I agree. Hopefully the ability to take these movies with you on the ZHD is one of the things that's yet to come as the summer progresses.

[Zunerama Ed.]

From our Zune blog:

Moments ago, Microsoft lifted the covers on its plans to integrate Zune Video Marketplace with Xbox.

High-definition movies and TV shows from Zune Marketplace are being made available to 17 million Xbox LIVE subscribers. The previous Xbox video store is being merged into the Zune Marketplace video store. This is a significant extension of the Zune brand to the powerful Xbox platform.

Zune video on Xbox LIVE will show "instant on, smooth-streaming content", in 1080p HD with 5.1 surround sound. Some details from today's Microsoft keynote at the E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) conference in Los Angeles:

    * Video startup is as close to instantaneous as possible by seamlessly transitioning between many different bitrates and resolutions of video
    * Video playback will start at a low bitrate for fast download time and then ramp up to a higher bitrate and quality
    * This process enables delivery of up to 1080p with 5.1 surround sound
    * Enhanced search functions within Zune video on Xbox LIVE helps you easily find your favorite film or TV show

The service will be available in eighteen countries: US, Canada, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

[Zunerama Ed.]

Some screen grabs that Microsoft sent me:

[Zunerama Ed.]

...and...

[Trastan]

1080p video surprises me, as does the on-the-fly bitrate control. While I don't see myself taking advantage of this service, I'm impressed with their implementation. Though it doesn't have any direct impact on device sales or Pass subscriptions, I'm glad for the brand awareness this will bring, especially if the experience is painless and pleasant.

EDIT: It looks like Zune Thoughts just found out that the service is completely rental-based; no purchasing is possible on the 360. While that is a bit of a disappointment, there are a lot of users out there with only 20GB hard drives, so there's no way they'd be able to save a 1080p video in the first place. I'm looking forward to seeing this in action.

[JohnCz]

...I'm glad for the brand awareness this will bring, especially if the experience is painless and pleasant.

Good point.  It doesn't hurt that UI implementation is flatout gorgeous.  But having the Zune logo prominently featured on XBox...that can only help.

[typoink]

EDIT: It looks like Zune Thoughts just found out that the service is completely rental-based; no purchasing is possible on the 360. While that is a bit of a disappointment, there are a lot of users out there with only 20GB hard drives, so there's no way they'd be able to save a 1080p video in the first place. I'm looking forward to seeing this in action.

This seems...insane if it's true and that simple.  So we'll now finally have "Zune" service for both the PC/PMP setup and on the 360, but the two won't play nice?  That's dumb.  Dumb dumb.

The correct way would be to allow "soft" purchases on the 360 -- the content still streams but it flags your Zune account to allow a PC-side download.  And, of course, things you've already purchased will stream for free.  If it doesn't work like that...yuck.

[RL]

Rentals without a subscription plan to me is a complete waste of resources for both Zune and Xbox.  If you want to go the subscription route without having portable device support, why not just go Netflix and be done with it.  What is also not clear is what will happen to current tv purchases that have been made on Xbox marketplace.

(My main desire for integration was to have purchases made on Xbox transferable to my Zune and vice versa not a rental platform without a zune pass like subscription model.)

[typoink]

Rentals without a subscription plan to me is a complete waste of resources for both Zune and Xbox.  If you want to go the subscription route without having portable device support, why not just go Netflix and be done with it.  What is also not clear is what will happen to current tv purchases that have been made on Xbox marketplace.

(My main desire for integration was to have purchases made on Xbox transferable to my Zune and vice versa not a rental platform without a zune pass like subscription model.)

Yeah, the problem here is that it looks like this service is going to be largely redundant with the existing Netflix service -- except with Netflix, I don't have to pay anything beyond the recurring charge I already pay.  Even with better selection and higher quality, I'm just not likely to use it.  But I'll wait to see what the real details are.  Maybe the price point will be better than I'm expecting.

What I was REALLY hoping to see would be something that might be able to replace my satellite subscription -- either an-all-you-can-eat subscription or a service where I could buy a season pass to the shows I watch.

[Palmer Deville]

Geez, you guys are never happy!

Looks nice and clean though... I like it. But yes, it seems somewhat redundant. Again Microsoft splitting their audience - it's all "rental." They need to learn to cut ties and focus the energy and experience, one way or the other.

[typoink]

Geez, you guys are never happy!

Looks nice and clean though... I like it. But yes, it seems somewhat redundant. Again Microsoft splitting their audience - it's all "rental." They need to learn to cut ties and focus the energy and experience, one way or the other.

All rental isn't necessarily a bad idea but my experience is that pricing doesn't fit.  If it was something like $.50 to watch an episode of a TV show, I'd be all about it.  But $1+ stops making sense.

When we see more details about pricing and how the system will actually work, I'll be more willing to pass judgment.  But from what we've head so far, this strikes me as a service I'll rarely if ever use.

[daza]

Does this mean we might finally see the Zune in other countries now? There's quite a few countries on that list all getting the Zune Store, all they need to do is roll out the device internationally!

Would the Zune Pass work with the Zune Store? It would be cool if it gave you 2 free rentals per month, or something along those lines.

[Soundtweaker]

HD Video rentals are going to be huge for me.
Im tired of going to blockbuster and finding every decent new blu ray release being rented out on the first day.
Im just hoping the bitrate will be acceptable over 1080p.

I agree that renaming it to the Zune marketplace will definitely increase Zune sales.

[Ricardo Dawkins]

meh. You cant sync videos from a Zune Video feature in the X360 back to a Zune device. Talks about integration last week were absurd and just bs.