PS3 likely to sell 'movies, music, TV'

by Zack Stern { Oct 20th 2006 at 4:40PM }

Sony is working on a media store, combining its vast movie and music empire with its Trojan horse PS3 system. Late at night, James Bond movies and Beyoncé music will sneak out of the PS3 to take over your living room.

It's easy to anticipate the PS3-as-media-store angle; corporations love that synergy. John Smedley, President of Sony Online Entertainment gave us a few general notes about the plan. While he said Sony had "no announcement yet," about these media sales, he said that the ready-for-launch PlayStation Store, is "set up to offer any DRM type of content," including "movies, music, and TV [shows]." (Sony had already announced that the store will offer game downloads and add-ons.) Smedley went as far as saying that Sony is working with content providers, so while unofficial, the media store seems inevitable to us.

Here's hoping that Sony maintains the HD attitude and sells HD movies online. Or what if we could rent those titles on the cheap? That sounds like another way for the PS3 to attract a broad audience.

Tags: DRM, gamersday, John Smedley, JohnSmedley, Sony Online Entertainment, SonyOnlineEntertainment

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

crono141 @ Oct 20th 2006 4:47PM

See my blog entry for what I think about this.

Bastard Sony.

.ed @ Oct 20th 2006 4:48PM

no suprises.

but for some reason it pisses me off the more i hear it.

jusmailuck @ Oct 20th 2006 4:53PM

Not like anyone DIDN'T see this coming...

I don't see why you're calling it a Trojan horse system.
It isn't forcefully trying to take over anything, and the inclusion of other forms of media such as movies and music is only natural, it is Sony after all (A company that has a hand in music and film, not just in video game development).

Tristan @ Oct 20th 2006 4:54PM

This is kinda what Microsoft have said they are going to do with the 360. So this being on a console isn't really new to me.

Todd @ Oct 20th 2006 4:55PM

So, if I pay $20 for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and download this movie and watch this movie, then the movie is all mine, right?

Now if I delete this movie from my HD and then decide I want to download again later, do I have to pay another $20 again to download?

If so, then that's like have me go to the store to buy "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" every time I wish to watch it, unless I happen to park the movie on the HD forever. Will I also be able to burn this movie onto a blank DVD or Blu-ray at some later date so I can keep for posterity?

Miniboss @ Oct 20th 2006 4:55PM

Eh, I don't really mind this. I mean, yes, we know this is their ulterior motive, but we've known this since Blu-Ray was announced. Perhaps you could be mad that they've really been trying to shy away from actually saying the PS3 is a glorified set top box and now they're saying differently... But really, we've known this for a while.

And you know, it might be nice to try out the feature. Well... if the price is right. And so far, with Sony and the PS3, the price always seems to be double what it should be.

Jake C @ Oct 20th 2006 4:55PM

Wouldn't it be hard to sell HD downloadable movies for the PS3 when there's only 60GB's to work with?

lothar @ Oct 20th 2006 4:57PM

Sony has their evil Music division which I'm sure they will try to tap into ala i-Tunes. But the downloading HD movies, I dont see it who wants to download 15+gig for a movie? The time that would take on my DSL I could go to the store buy the movie come home and watch it before it finishes the DL.

watership @ Oct 20th 2006 4:57PM

HD movies online? Each movie will take 10-15 GIGS of data. That's not going to happen anytime soon.

crono141 @ Oct 20th 2006 4:58PM

Yeah, I thought HD movies took up at LEAST 50 gig... right? right guys?

So we can download 1 movie at a time.

jusmailuck @ Oct 20th 2006 4:59PM

@Todd,

I believe that Sony has already stated that downloadable content like movies and music can be replicated on up to 3 PS3's .

This reminds me of iTunes, so I'm not complaining,
They allow for up to 5 repeated downloads once purchased.

Pulse @ Oct 20th 2006 5:16PM

My recommendation to Sony, sell two forms of movies and music, the cheaper option to download and the normal price option for it to be sent to you disk in hand rather then download, sorta like Amazon or Ebay, most likely they will do what I say, otherwise I can see a problem, don't mind downloading a movie onto my PS3 from the store if its cheap, not all movies I want to keep anyway, what about crappy ones, and if they are cheap, I doubt anyone will mind paying for it again to watch with mates, its like box office movies on my TV, why do I pay to see em when I could go and buy the movie, its because I know full well, that I want to see it before it comes out on DVD, or tv, alternatively, just when I'm relaxing and feel like watching a moviee that after DL, and boom, its there.

Just because people want to watch, doesnt mean they want to actually buy the movie, so fanboys, stop making up silly comments just to slag it off, you like the bad news and make good news into bad news.

Dux @ Oct 20th 2006 5:22PM

yea, I would not wanna download movies on my HD. I dont even think a whole high defination movie will fit on the 360s 12GB!!!!

Zack Stern @ Oct 20th 2006 5:29PM

I'd still like to download--or stream--HD movies. Yea, storing them on the internal drive would fill it up fairly quickly, but you could fit a few, depending on bit rate. Or maybe you'd use another hard drive to store them.

If Comcast can stream something HD to me with its on-demand service, I don't think it'll be too long before we can do the same thing over the internet.

Pulse @ Oct 20th 2006 5:31PM

I don't think anyone much cares about 360 and its HD, or whether or not you want to store movies on your console or not, you do not speak for everyone, and not everyone is like you, some of us don't feel the need to go out and pay for a film that we think may be rubbish, or have to worry about renting it at Blockbuster and having to return it, some of us would just like on a Friday night late after a hard day out, or a night with the lads, to come home with our gfs, download a movie cheaply, and watch it, simple, no fuss, no borrowing, no looking for a shop to buy the DVD to regret it after if the movie was complete shit :)

See the logic, so to be honest, unless any of you hating and rather hypocritical movie ppl (Who would suddenly love it if it were on the 360 instead of PS3) have any other reason why buying a cheap movie on your console to watch is a stupid idea, I suggest you go to your local GP and sort yourselves out, because not everyone wants to trek out in the middle of the night or on a cold day to go and purchase a DVD in store just to find out it wasn't worth the money or the journey. If you hate the PS3 that much you can't see the logic of it and would prefer to go and dish out fortunes on movies at the shops go right ahead, no one is stopping you, but like the smoker who has to stand out in the rain compared to the none smoker, who looks the most foolish in the end.

courtney @ Oct 20th 2006 5:33PM

the more they let their other departments jump on their PS3, the less time and energy goes into the games. Just look at the PSP.

Sony's other departments are it's biggest enemy.

Foil_Goon @ Oct 20th 2006 5:35PM

I hope you people understand that these files are DRM files, meaning you cannot burn them, play them on anything else, you cannot copy them, you cannot sell them and they will be tied down to your PS3.

I hope you also know that with a DRM file you are not buying the actual file itself, but the right to use/view it personally. They can revoke this at anytime.

DRM is a terrible thing, look it up.

BMWM3P @ Oct 20th 2006 5:37PM

So what is wrong with this, if you want to buy then you buy. If you don't the you don't. This could only be good, you could use the PS3 as more than just a game console what is the problem with that.

ArX07 @ Oct 20th 2006 5:47PM

The way people are acting its as if Sony just said they will no longer sell music and movies in physical stores...only the Playstation store. This is good if you want it, and if you dont then just go buy a DVD or a CD or go to the iTunes store. I thought it was all about choice and content.

Pulse @ Oct 20th 2006 5:51PM

Dont you think we know that Foil _goon, you don't need to deliberatly try to bring it up just to be spiteful, its the same way I watch my box office movies on Sky Digital, you probs have an equivilent of it in America, I purchase and watch, I don't even get to keep it on a harddrive like the PS3 and watch when I feel like it, I can see it only once, and if I liked it, I can go out and buy, this is prtty much the same, only that, we have the ability to store it and watch it when we feel the need to, besides, I don't know what you lot are complaining about, which fool is going to need more then 4 movies stored on their PS3 at any one time, once you watch a film, get rid of it, theres no reason to keep it stored, I don't wiuth my PC, unless I love it, thats time and only that time do I go out and purchase it on DVD.

This is just one method lessen the need to go to blockbuster and borrow movies and forced to bring it back, even if you havent yet watched the bloody film.

It would be nice if we could write it onto CDs, but thats illegal if ppl use the PS3 to produce movies and sell. What I suggested is that they have two options, buy and get delivered or purchase and download.

I seriously don't see why anyone would need all thier movies stored on thier PS3, the best part is, with the PSP, it means, if you haven't yet watched the movie, you could simply put it onto your PSP and watch it anywhere. Convenient.

David @ Oct 20th 2006 5:52PM

I can't even begin to imagine how long it would take to download an HD movie...

Gazbin @ Oct 20th 2006 5:54PM

Phony products are better, as nothing quite blows like a Sony:

Sony Quality control: One pixel in PSP screens - OK, One SPE in Cell - Yep Normal, any Sony battery blows - Thats fine, Cybershot 104A power supply - 100% failure check. Now ladies & gentlemen introducing the Sony Blew-ray with added blowiness! all with our famous we will dick you around 12 months limited quality warranty!

All this Sony blowing and quite a bit of Sony hype blowing out the other end. Little Kaz and Philly boy look like they enjoy taking blows from Ken in the Japanese communal baths too!

Tristan @ Oct 20th 2006 5:57PM

Microsoft gets their artist of the month from the sony music division. So Microsoft has a deal with their sister company.

Pulse @ Oct 20th 2006 6:02PM

Gazbin, if you are a representation of all the Xbox fans out there, I seriously feel sorry for 360 fanboys to have you even make comments to bring them down. that comment is like the comment of a 14 year old, unless you are 14, and still its immature.

I doubt anyone cares what your opinion is, as its not even a constructive argument relating to the topic, instead you decide to include gay tendancies, and you aren't the first Xbox fan one to talk about this kind of gay stuff, its like as if you are all addicted to talking about gays? Do you not have GFs? Are you that much of gaming nerds?

Plz fanboys, at least make an effort to produce constructive critisisms.

Optimus Prime @ Oct 20th 2006 6:07PM

I doubt HD movies will be available any time soon; apple is just getting movie downloads now..in sub-dvd quality, no extras, and its only a handful of movie from one studio. And, the drive isnt big enough to be an HD media centre-type.

"I hope you people understand that these files are DRM files, meaning you cannot burn them, play them on anything else, you cannot copy them, you cannot sell them and they will be tied down to your PS3."

Its the same scheme as iTunes video .. its tied to your mac and iPod; whats your point? At least you can use the location free funcitonality to watch over PSP (or their upcoming video walkman).

DBX00 @ Oct 20th 2006 6:09PM

Sony pricing will follow the Itunes pricing scheme with possibly increasing the resolution to DVD quality (don't expect 720p/1080p movies anytime soon, unless they compress the hell out of it during transfer) because it doesn't seem like they are going to do a rental/subscription based setup. They'll pretty much follow whatever you see from Apple in January 2007.

The thing that would be really cool is if they bundled a digital file of the movie on every blu ray disc, so I could pull it from there to store on the drive. They could also bundle a blu ray purchase with a download certificate to be reimbursed on the Playstation Network. Of course it would have the usual DRM, but whatever. Sony needs to just hire me for the ideas I come up with.

Justin @ Oct 20th 2006 6:35PM

I've been hoping Microsoft would do something like this for the 360. . . mainly for impulse purchases. Sometimes I miss a show that isn't on demand, and it's just easier to buy it than look in the less than legal channels.

I'd like to see
1 - unlimited downloads of content you've bought - or - the ability to move it to a computer or some backup device.
2 - fast downloads
3 - good selection
4 - be able to move it over to a portable player

Pulse @ Oct 20th 2006 6:49PM

Justin, you're not the only one, I too would like to see this :)

It would make it all the more worthwhile,

Todzilla @ Oct 20th 2006 6:50PM

holy crap! DRM? I like the sound of that.

P.S. does it come with free rootkit?

PhillyRampage @ Oct 20th 2006 7:08PM

@ Pulse

I think it'll be cool if I can have that movie for $2. But nobody is dumb enough to sell that cheap of a movie though right? So why would you want to buy a movie and not keep it? Why would you buy it over PS Network and then buy another a copy on a disc?

I think this is a pretty cool idea. Except, first storage is a problem, while YOU might not keep any movies in your PC, I do, and I stream them over to the Media Center. Second, flexibility, I can't bring them over to my friend's house or keep it safe either on a shelf or my bigger PC HDD. Yes, convenience is a plus here, but of course waiting for the thing to download probably not fun either (yes, yes, it could be fast, but who knows?)

But I think assuming by saying "download movies cheaply" is really ... um, what's the word, I don't know, brave? This is Sony we're talking about here and the word Sony and cheap never goes together (and I'm not just talking about PS3.)

Pulse @ Oct 20th 2006 7:27PM

Think about it this way, even with the fact you can stream movies on your laptop, it still has to stay on the system, untill eventually you get fed up with it and get rid of it, I have advent children on my comp, I've seen it, and I like it, so I keep it there, I saw doom, it was okay, but not worth taking up memory on my system, and even though I have the choice to burn it onto a CD, is it really worth it, one, that illegal to a certain extent (unless used for persoanl use alone) 2, if I wanted the full experience of a DVD movie, I'd go buy it, rather then a cheapskate method of escaping the price but getting something that isn't as good as a DVD anyway.

its the same thing with my Sky digital, why do I purchase movies on SKY if I don't intend to keep them, we don't need to keep everything we get, if you like, you buy, simple, if you simply want to watch a movie your mate recommended, its always there to download when you want, I'm not going to go out and purchase a DVD just because a mate recommended it, his likes may not be mine, so I'd take a safer option, watch it on my PS3, I can still keep it, but if I know I am low on memory (which is another story, because when Sony first announced there would be a 60gb harddrive, fanboys immediatly cried "What are you gonna do with all that space, thats just stooopid")I can simply buy it on DVD. isn't that the same thing for Xbox people anyway? they still have to buy it, Sony is just giving you the option to use all that space we apparently won't need as its too much to store it on there.

I doubt anyone will be complaining once they actually get to download, so no matter what is said here, it won't really make a difference, people will just use what they have to the best of their abilities.

It may be cheap, it may not be, we'll have to wait and see, if Sony really intend to draw a crowd to the download feature, then they will make it cheaper then purchasing on DVD, otherwise there may even be free downloads after purchase of something.

There most likely will be an alternative or another, so I wouldn't moan about space too much. I for one can't even use up the 16gb my laptop has, let alone 60gb the PS3 has.

Seventy5 @ Oct 20th 2006 8:48PM

I read the article about downloading album covers, and I refrained from commenting anything about your bias. Then lo & behold, just a few posts down, this lovely trojan horse pic.

Grow, the fuck, up. Do you think that MS isn't trying to get as much content as they possibly can to sell on Live? Nintendo is the sole company making "just" game machines anymore. They're both going to make anything they possibly can available to seperate us from our money. They'd be stupid not to.

MS does something similar and it's all good. Sony does it and.....aww fuck it, this is Joystiq.

Seriously guys, when you write this shit, are TRYING to piss off everyone other than Xbox fanboys?

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I will get off your back as soon as you stop acting like you're on MS' payroll. What did you play on before Bill put his ball in the gaming court?

Rod Oracheski @ Oct 21st 2006 3:58AM

This is the exact same song and dance they did before the PS2 launched, and they delivered none of it. They need to actually step up to the plate this time around.

Newmiracle @ Oct 21st 2006 1:54PM

I don't feel that the trojan horse pic is THAT out of line. It's not a rallying cry against Sony- it's just pointing out that Sony is adding in functionality to the PS3 that lets it sell it's other IP, ie; movies and music. They're sneaking their stuff into your living room... so what? Isn't that exactly what the XBox is? It was viewed as the MS trojan horse when it first came out.

DRM! SONY! OMG!

Was anyone expecting them to toss out divx files for $1 a pop? Of course there's DRM. The question is, how much are they charging? Personally, even though I don't own an iPod- I feel the iTunes price is a little high. $10 is ok... but $15? And, as is noted earlier- that's not even in high def or anything. That's at a low res.

I agree with most of you that DRM goes in the 'con' column. But before we can bash/endorse it- we need to know what the price is. If I could get an HD movie to keep for $10, I'd definetly be interested even if there was DRM. Think of it in comparison to a ticket at a movie theatre.

It's a hassel, but are the good things about it going to outwiegh the bad?

So yes- this is a trojan horse. But maybe it won't turn out to be a bad one? Maybe it'll be more like a... pinata? Nevermind.