Sony's PlayStation 3 Video Store Sounds Ready To Go

[saud264]

good news for usa people>

i like download movies form torrent :evillaugh:



http://kotaku.com/assets/resources/2008/03/video_store_mockup.jpg
The current PlayStation Store is a bit of a clunker. It's functionally sound, but a bit rough around the edges from a usability standpoint. Compared to the rest of the PlayStation 3's visual design, it's certainly lacking—but that's reportedly going to change come Springtime, as the Store is said to get a new coat of paint. One aspect of the Store that's been hinted about by reliable publications, like the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal, is Sony's download service, one that president Howard Stringer may be talking about when he refers to the "expansion" of the PlayStation Network.

It may be Sony's best bet in fending off Apple's iTunes for movie and television distribution. And it may be closer than we thought.

Sure, it's been a long time coming, with first reports of the digital download venture hitting in December of 2006, but Sony's been awfully quiet about when it's coming.

According to sources who attended the retailer and publisher focused Destination PlayStation conference last week in Scottsdale, Arizona, Sony showed off a portion of its video store. It reportedly uses the same SingStore-like interface we talked about in our PlayStation Store revamp post, something we hoped to capture in the mock-up of the video store above.

No specifics on launch date, pricing, digital rights management or integration with the redesigned PlayStation Store were provided, but we did hear that North America may be getting the service before anyone else. The only offerings we were told about were Sony Pictures owned. Word on who else might be licensing their content to the the store wasn't provided.

Sony's been very coy about discussing any aspect of the PlayStation video store with the press, but if its showing the service to publishers and retailers, we're hoping that means it's on the cusp of going prime time.



http://kotaku.com/363359/sony-show-a-little-more-of-socom-for-the-ps3

[masteratt]

It's understandable they want to get close to 100% of the support they are going to have before announcing it on a big scale.
So they'll go around, collect their army and then attack the consumer.

Sony is safe content wise anyway, as they are a very strong force in the movie industry.

Sony will make this huge.
I think this will be one of the main attractions to the PS3 in the near future.

[Coded-Dude]

That means we'll get a firmware update before 2.4(summer)......

[Xclusion]

Unless they redid the Store to the point that it was a part of the XMB and not the web based style it has now there might not need to be a firmware update for it.

[Coded-Dude]

every time they updated the store(layout) it required a F/W update(if I recall correctly)

[Segitz]

every time they updated the store(layout) it required a F/W update(if I recall correctly)

No, the "E3" update (back and forward with R1 and L1) didn't need a new firmware iirc...

[NickSCFC]

Will the game, music, demo and other downloads stores have the same interface?

Looks better than the current one anyway

[Sephiroth_VII]

It's just a mock-up, nothing official.

[qzak]

I wonder if they'll offer a fixed monthly price subscription, a la netflix. Would be good if the library was big enough.

[Sephiroth_VII]

Dude, they have Sony Pictures, it will have loads of content.

[cliffbo]

PlayTV, Video Store, PSN! if they're all integrated into HOME... who will be able to resist going online?

[LaLiLuLeLo]

PlayTV, Video Store, PSN! if they're all integrated into HOME... who will be able to resist going online?

I will!
....
....
....
GAHHH THERE'S NO WAY I COULD!:pinky:

[Matt]

Having PlayTV integrated into Home could be pretty cool. Could have Eastenders on the TV in your little house while playing pool. :D

[Domination]

Here's the full interveiw with a tidbit of information related to the topic:

JH: I'm not the best person to answer that. I'll answer what I know, but we actually have some folks who are specifically responsible for that.

We give them a lot of feedback based on how our customers are reacting to things, and I think you will see a pretty big change in the PlayStation Network in the early part of April, where we roll out some new interface stuff largely based on customer feedback.

Simplification, cutting down on the number of mouse clicks, making it easier to find stuff that you want to find... that's kind of an outgrowth of us having more content now, so we have to make sure that you can get at it easily.


Sony's Hight: 'Pretty Big' PSN Store Change Due For April (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3561/the_state_of_playstation_network_.php)

[qzak]

Dude, they have Sony Pictures, it will have loads of content.

Of course I know that. The issue is that with Blockbuster/Netflix, you get Sony Pictures + all the other studios.

Now, my wife and I have a Blockbuster Online subscription at $20/month. I'd love to do all my content through the PS3. But would we drop Blockbuster for a subscription to this service if it were Sony Pictures only? No. Even for a lower price? No. Because I'd still have to drive to the store to get movies that weren't included in the Sony lineup.


Drive to the store???? That's sooooo 2005.

[Domination]

Of course I know that. The issue is that with Blockbuster/Netflix, you get Sony Pictures + all the other studios.

Now, my wife and I have a Blockbuster Online subscription at $20/month. I'd love to do all my content through the PS3. But would we drop Blockbuster for a subscription to this service if it were Sony Pictures only? No. Even for a lower price? No. Because I'd still have to drive to the store to get movies that weren't included in the Sony lineup.


Drive to the store???? That's sooooo 2005.

Sony is including all of them, not just Sony Pictures - although their content would probably be the first to kick start the server. I'm trying to figure out where it was I saw this interview. But anyhow, one representative said that because Sony is an entertainment company, they can collaborate with other partners and move much faster than their competitors in this space. I'm thinking this interview came from an OPM. I'd have to recheck.

[Beenie Man]

Wouldn't a video download service have a negative effect on the PS3 Blu-Ray advantage? Wouldn't it interfere with Blu-Ray?

[Gegenki]

It doens't matter anymore since HD-DVD is out of the picture.
Blu-Ray vs download - its all money to them

[the boney king of nowhere.]

Having PlayTV integrated into Home could be pretty cool. Could have Eastenders on the TV in your little house while playing pool. :D

shit, haha, that would be awesome.

[CreativeWriter]

Wouldn't a video download service have a negative effect on the PS3 Blu-Ray advantage? Wouldn't it interfere with Blu-Ray?

Maybe, but I suspect it has the same effect of DVD on blu-ray sales, that is, a lesser quality format that competes for mind-share with nonenthusists. Better to have DLC compete with blu-ray without the middlemen of retailers and the DVD consortium than having casuals pick up the DVD instead of the BR...

It also depends on the price and quality of the files up for DL. I suspect they will be Divx/wmv quality, which shouldn't cut into the HD marketshare... Maybe eventually we'll have BR-quality downloads, but the size of HDDs will need to grow if people are going to store HD movie collections on the PS3 itself. If anything, a DL service is more directly competitive with rental services...

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Thanks CreativeWriter, you took everything I wanted to say, patented it, and packaged it into a comprehensive box. Huzzah! :cheers:

[qzak]

Thanks CreativeWriter, you took everything I wanted to say, patented it, and packaged it into a comprehensive box. Huzzah! :cheers:

He does that, I find.


The other thing about the DL service is that it competes with fledgling services like AppleTV. Being scared of competing with your own product like Blu-Ray is like Kodak being afraid of digital for so many years because it threatened their film cash cow. Instead, they stuck their head in the sand about it. By the time they embraced digital, they were late.

Eventually, it is highly likely almost all this type of service will be download, due to sheer convenience. You can choose to be part of the future or stick to the past.

[Beenie Man]

I think only Sony tv shows will be downloadable like the Boondocks and then will move on to tv shows from most networks. Movies, I don't think so, maybe a few.

[OmniCloud]

Good news...Hopefully April is really the month...

btw--welcome back Beenie Man--haven't seen you post in like a year dude...

[Beenie Man]

^Thanks for the warm welcoming.

[NeoPlayStation]

Sony PlayStation: E-Commerce Manager, PlayStation Store (Video) at Sony Computer Entertainment America (http://www.linkedin.com/jobs?viewJob=&jobId=482462&fromSearch=11&sik=1203760386500)

Candidate will manage the day-to-day front end experience and category management of the PlayStation Store video service.
* Partner with the Senior Manager to implement and execute strategic marketing and content acquisition initiatives to launch, grow and evolve the PlayStation Store video distribution service (VDS) to meet store goals and objectives.
* Manage weekly ad promotions for VDS - work with the VDS team to determine the banner rotation of content; Recommend, create and execute timely promotions on a monthly basis to fulfill marketing requirements for content partners and/or to execute PlayStation Store initiatives.
* Work closely with PlayStation Network team to recommend and define new e-commerce features and functionality of the PlayStation Store, as it relates to the front-end consumer experience for browsing, downloading and purchasing digital content.
* Work closely with PlayStation Network finance manager to define e-commerce performance and success metrics for VDS and its content providers; ensure reporting and communication of performance is communicated in a relevant and timely manner.
* Be an integral part in identifying relevant content and programming to grow the VDS category, both from a content and revenue-maximizing perspective.
* Manage the marketing copy and assets for VDS-related marketing materials including online marketing, retail brochures and collateral.
* Conduct relevant consumer research (qualitative and quantitative) and competitive analysis for programming content and service features for console and PC-based video services
* Create processes and procedures to track, monitor and record all VDS-related merchandising efforts.
* Supervise e-commerce Specialist to ensure ongoing support of the PlayStation Store video service needs are being met.

Requirements:
* PEOPLE: Capacity to implement and monitor complex plans and schedules. Ability to make good and timely decisions in relatively complex situations. Can build effective working relationships inside and outside the PlayStation Store team. Can maintain strict confidentiality with privileged information. Able to direct and supervise direct reports and projects to achieve set goals and objectives.
* PROCESS: Ability to organize, forecast for upcoming needs and plan ahead accordingly. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
* TECHNICAL: Proficiency in using Lotus Notes, Oracle, Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Ability to work effectively in a heavily networked environment.
* PLANNING/IMPLEMENTATION: Ability to utilize company databases and processes in support of implementing procedures to manage PlayStation Store planning. Ability to define a project goal, outline issues pertaining to attainment of that goal, make a recommendation regarding course of action, and implement that course of action successfully.
* INDUSTRY: 6+ years experience in digital media, e-commerce and entertainment related industry required. Good overall knowledge of company products and overall business objectives. Strong familiarity with TV and movie programming, content providers (studios and networks) and emergent entertainment programming preferred.

Offering exceptional benefits including Medical, 401(k) with match of up to 4%, and Annual Bonus Program. For confidential consideration, please submit resumes via our website and reference jobcode: EH11338.

Submit applications at:
www.us.playstation.com/jobs

Sony Computer Entertainment America
Principals only please. An EEO.

[the boney king of nowhere.]

*applies*

[curryking1]

Wow I completely missed this.

Hopefully it can result in a large scale attack on consumers and lead to a substantial rise in PS3 sales.

[cliffbo]

at the minute it would seem that Sony are not making the most of this surge, but my thinking is that they are stockpiling PS3s until they can release the main charge. that way there will be plenty of PS3s when the stampede happens

[cliffbo]

Sony launches web video service
Branco to operate like traditional TV service
By MARK SCHILLING
TOKYO — Sony subsid Sony Marketing will launch a vid service for Internet users on March 31, the company said Monday.

Called branco, the service will offer free video content, including docus, dramas and toons, for subs to the broadband Internet services of NTT East and NTT West, the former telecoms covering Eastern and Western Japan. Users will need to download a special "branco player" app to view the content.

Branco will not be VOD. Instead, it will beam content over six channels on a fixed sked, like a regular broadcaster. The Amedora channel will be devoted to foreign dramas, Bandai Channel to toons, Discovery Channel to docus, VMC to music vids, Dramatic! Film to shorts, toons and feature pics, and Puchi TV to shorts, including toons and pop music vids.

A special "chat function" will enable users to share info and views.

Branco intends to increase both channels and content over time, while recouping costs with online ads, based on users' preferences. The goal for the first year of operation is one million registered users.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117982525.html?categoryId=19&cs=1

[the boney king of nowhere.]

like bbc iplayer then

[Cash]

i don't watch videos on my PS3, but im interested to see how the updated store turns out. that mockup looks very good imo.