Xbox 360 Movie Downloads Go International

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I had assumed Canada would be the first non-US country licensed for Xbox 360 movie downloads, but it turns out the larger European market (starting with Britain, France, and Germany) are getting video rentals on their console about a year after the American launch. Initially, only Warner Brother movies will be offered – though they intend to make over 40 titles available this month. The Hollywood Reporter writes:

The Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store will provide both standard movies and high-definition versions for rent at the estimated retail price of 3 euros ($4.42) and 4.50 euros ($6.64), respectively. The European rollout of the Xbox Live Marketplace service has been staggered because of the complex licensing issues for video content in different regions and to allow time to make deals with local content providers.

It’s no secret I’m a fan of Xbox Live Marketplace… at least until Amazon and TiVo get onboard with HD content. Quality has always been excellent, even if selection hasn’t. Ordering is painless, though they’re still insisting on the “Microsoft Points” over dollars. I wonder how they’ll be handling those Euros?

Update: Canada is getting video downloads, as well, on December 10th. Current SD movie rentals will cost 460 Microsoft Points ($7.36 CAD) and HD flicks will be 610 Points ($9.75 CAD)


In other 360 news, and as anticipated, the Dashboard update was provided Tuesday. I’ll check out that new Xvid playback functionality this weekend… Perhaps with the final two (leaked) Dexter episodes or getting caught up on Burn Notice. (I subscribe to Showtime for Dexter and would gladly buy or rent Burn Notice if someone would give me that option.)

3 thoughts on “Xbox 360 Movie Downloads Go International”

  1. Hey Dave:

    I’m a bit miffed at MS. You know I’ve been waiting for this service to arrive in Canada for years.

    I’m fine with the limited content (just 31 movies – most of which are not in HD including recent movies like Ocean’s 13). I’m fine with there being zero TV shows. I was expecting this.

    1. Defective Preview: The preview function doesn’t work at all. I get the following error each time I try:

    ! Unplayable Content

    Can’t find the storage device
    Please Reconnect the device
    Status Code 56-C00DF238

    My 360 is working just fine. I can download video game previews, demos access and play them fine. I have downloaded many HD movie trailers in the past.

    2. Microsoft Points Not Reflecting Cdn Dollar: I hate the Microsoft Points concept to begin with, but that’s not my issue here. The Canadian $ is at par with the U.S. $ yet the Microsoft points still assume a Canadian $ being worth a lot less than the U.S. dollar. For instance in the U.S. 1000 MS points cost $12.50. As of a few moments ago when I checked my 360 they were charging $15.50 Cdn for the same number of MS points. This isn’t right!

    I’ve been waiting for years to start using this service. Obviously I can’t start using it until number 1 is fixed. Out of principle I’m not going to start using it until the Microsoft Points reflect the value of our currency. I can now universally buy gaming hardware and games in Canada for prices that are at parity with U.S. prices. The MS Point system needs to do that too or Canadians will rebel just like me.

  2. I know Dale, I was happy for you and my other Canadian geek pals when I heard the news!

    The error message is really weird. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an Xbox 360 error message.

    As far as pricing, I know more on the retail side where physical goods have to be shipped, duties paid, etc. Not sure if there is additional cost overhead like that associated with digital downloads, or if it’s as you say – just a poor alignment between the Canadian and US dollars.

    Please keep us updated on the technical issue. Will you bother trying to contact MS directly?

    FYI I can’t say the US selection of content is great either. It’s hit or miss and only certain studios are reflected. I think the international rollout only has Warner as a major studio in the roster, though.

  3. FYI, the download glitch seems to be solved. I no longer get the error message.

    The only one of the 31 movies I hadn’t seen and would have paid to download was Ocean’s 13. But for some reason Microsoft doesn’t provided it in HD. So, I’m waiting for something to appear on the service that I haven’t yet seen that I want to watch. I doubt I’ll pay them money for the priviledge of downloading a movie I’ve seen just to test the system. Especially at THESE prices!!!

    …Dale

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