The Wall Street Journal reports that Sony is preparing for a full-on fight in the digital downloads arena with new video services tied to its Bravia televisions and PlayStation systems. Gasping in surprise at this point is a clear sign that you haven't been keeping up with the news, though reminding you will at least enable us to fill out the rest of this paragraph. Sony recently unveiled a video-on-demand service for the PlayStation Portable and a DVR system for the PlayStation 3, both aimed at Europe. Coupled with the Korean PS3's video service, a "long overdue" online PSP store and earlier murmurings of Sony's intention to tussle with iTunes, it would seem time is the only thing between us and Sony's video marketplace.

It won't be an easy battle -- Apple's iPod and Microsoft's Xbox 360 Video Marketplace are armed to the teeth -- but Sony's considerable library of films should give them a solid start in content. Of course, how they'll manage to offer HD video downloads without stepping on Blu-ray's toes (the ongoing battle metaphor equivalent being friendly fire) is another matter entirely.

[Via Engadget]

Sony just launched an 80GB version of PlayStation 3 in Korea. The console will also have a video on demand service in the country. The console reportedly costs 518000 won (approximately US $558).

Those interested in checking out the launch party can see a gallery at Ruliweb here. Three hours prior to launch, the crowd isn't nearly as big as the console's release in other regions, but bear in mind South Korea gamers are not too keen on consoles, showing more fondness for MMOs, Starcraft and other titles playable at internet cafes. And to be fair, the crowd does grow to a respectable size at the zero hour.

[Via PS3 Fanboy, Forums]

Earlier this week, Sony announced plans to launch a video-on-demand service in South Korea this June, simultaneously releasing an 80GB PS3 model to cater to the happy downloaders. Negotiations with telecom companies are still underway, but an anonymous spokesperson from Hanaro Telecom seemed confident they would strike a deal with the giant.

Sony has no public plans to bring the VOD service to North America or Europe, but we have two words to say about that: test market. The Xbox 360 Video Marketplace is already well-established in the US, so it's likely Sony will use Korea to whip their service into shape to compete worldwide.