XBox 360 Live to Download HD Movies

A big announcement by Microsoft last night has created a bit of a stir. XBox 360 Live users will soon be able to download TV shows and Movies, using their games console with the optional harddrive to watch HiDef content…

[googlead]”Users of Microsoft’s Xbox Live video game service will be able to download movies and TV shows from 22 November – The US software giant has teamed up with Hollywood studios to sell shows and rent movies such as such South Park and Mission Impossible III.

The Xbox live service currently allows gamers with an Xbox 360 to download movie trailers and game demos. The move potentially pits Microsoft against rival Apple and firms such as Amazon that offer video over the net. Amazon Unbox, from the online shopping store, was launched in September this year to a muted response. Days later, Apple expanded its iTunes music store to offer downloads of movies and TV shows to computers and iPods.

Crucially, the company also unveiled a device, temporarily called iTV, which will stream music and video wirelessly between televisions and computers.

via: BBC Article

The full Microsoft Press Release…

Watch Movies and TV On Your Xbox

Redmond, Washington-On November 6, Microsoft Corp. announced agreements with CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System Inc. (TBS Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment to bring an initial lineup of more than 1,000 hours of hit television shows and movies to Xbox 360™ consoles in the U.S. by the end of the year. Additionally, Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console to bring standard and HD TV shows and movies to the customer via digital distribution over the Internet.

Beginning on its first anniversary, November 22, Xbox 360 will become the first gaming console in history to provide HD TV shows and movies directly to gamers in their own living rooms. Xbox 360 gamers will be able to download full-length TV shows to own, and will be able to rent movies via download from the Xbox Live® network, the world leader in online distribution of high-definition gaming and entertainment content. This announcement also brings with it several additional firsts:

For the first time, consumers will have an integrated gaming and entertainment experience on a gaming console, including downloadable HD television programming and movies. This new full-length content adds to the ever-expanding number of choices gamers have on their Xbox 360 consoles, whether they want to play games, play a movie on DVD, or watch a downloaded program in either standard or high definition.
For the very first time CBS will offer high-definition download-to-own TV shows including CSI, Jericho, Numb3rs, and even remastered classic Star Trek episodes! Gamers can buy an episode and watch it as many times as they like.
For the first time on any gaming platform, NASCAR.COM will deliver download-to-own condensed versions of select NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races from Race Rewind.
Also for the first time, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will make 50 of its most intense fights available for download as well as select episodes from the original season of The Ultimate Fighter reality series.

“This groundbreaking announcement is a win for everyone,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “It connects our partners with one of the most coveted audiences in entertainment today, and provides even greater value to our Xbox Live community, allowing them to enjoy the games and entertainment they want, when they want it.”

The initial lineup of TV shows and feature films available for download will include a growing catalog of popular hits. Examples of what will be available before the end of the year include:

Robot Chicken and Aqua Teen Hunger Force from The Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim.
CSI, Survivor, and remastered episodes of classic Star Trek from CBS.
Emmy and Peabody award-winning comedy South Park and Chappelle’s Show from COMEDY CENTRAL.
The Real World and Pimp My Ride from MTV.
Avatar: The Last Airbender and SpongeBob SquarePants from Nickelodeon.
Skyland and The Nicktoons Network Animation Festival from Nicktoons Network.
Mission: Impossible III, Nacho Libre, and Jackass: The Movie from Paramount Pictures.
Carpocalypse and Raising the Roofs from Spike TV.
Race Rewind provided by NASCAR.COM.
Select episodes of the original season of The Ultimate Fighter reality series and UFC: All Access from the UFC.
Breaking Bonaduce and Hogan Knows Best from VH1.
The Matrix, Superman Returns, and Batman Forever from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.