Download Flicks From Your PlayStation

by Daryl Bracey 27 May 2010 03:30 Filmink Discusses

Do boys have even more reason now to spend time with their PlayStations?

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FILMINK went along to the Sony PlayStation launch of the new movie download service and PlayStation Move motion controller last Thursday to get all the information from a leading panel of Sony experts. Also present to voice her opinion on this new technology was Aussie actress, Radha Mitchell. Who knew she was such a PlayStation fan?

This new movie download service is available as part of the Sony PlayStation Network. In a nutshell, this Network allows users to access online games, music clips and now, for the first time, blockbuster movies all from their PlayStation console without having to use a PC or other program. Essentially it's an all in one package.

In allowing users to download the latest film releases from the PlayStation Store, Sony has teamed up with a variety of the top film studios in the industry including MGM, Disney, Warner Brothers and unique for Australia, Roadshow. With 600 films available and another 50 added each month, it has the potential to be an exciting source for online movies. Standard options include renting and buying the films (some in high definition) with a choice of sections to scroll through ranging from new arrivals to older classics. The only hitch is that apart from Roadshow, there's a distinct lack of independent distributors meaning that the choice of movies on offer is markedly missing Australian accents or subtitles... but we were promised this will change in the future.

With film rental prices averaging around $6, the buyer is given 14 days to watch the movie. However once you hit play, you're only given 48 hours to finish which is a bit of a pain, so make sure you don't pick a busy weekend to start watching the film! You can however purchase your fave flicks for a little over $20, but unlike shop-bought DVDs, there's no extra features nor lovely packaging to add to your shelf.

In terms of download speeds, if you have a regular broadband connection, you can pretty much start watching the movie as soon as you've made the purchase, which is pretty cool. Otherwise it's about an hour for a high definition film.

At the end of the launch, I began wondering whether this was merely an iTunes rip off or a unique entertainment source. As purchasing movies online via a site such as iTunes has not taken off to the same extent as music, I was left to contemplate whether the PlayStation Network movie service would do any better.

As everyone knows, the PlayStation 3 is also a blu-ray player, and with its online connectivity it means that when 3D home entertainment takes off you'll be able to download the latest update to your console and away you go...kinda makes you realise why Sony fought so hard to win the blu-ray vs. HD war, but ultimately the consumer seems to be the winner.

We were finally shown The PlayStation Move motion controller which is essentially Sony's version of the Wii Remote that allows your movements to be projected into the game. Players are able to provide direct input through action buttons and an analog trigger while receiving physical feedback via vibrations. There's also a camera that comes with the controller, or bought separately, which allows you to transport into the game. Neat, unless looking into a mirror is distracting for you. Apparently Radha Mitchell loves the controller so it must be a worthwhile entertainment investment...