Warning: Video Store

[jw]

LOS ANGELES — HD movie purchases are possible through Sony’s new PlayStation Video Store, but Hollywood studios are not allowing any HD purchases through the Internet, according to Grace Chen, senior manager of the PlayStation Store.

Consumers can rent movies in HD through Sony’s new service, but they can only purchase them in standard definition. A two-hour HD movie takes up about 5GB to 7GB of space, while a standard definition movie runs between 2.5GB and 3GB of storage space.

Unlike Microsoft’s Xbox Live Marketplace service, gamers will not be able to download a TV show multiple times. Chen said because PlayStation 3 has plenty of hard drive disc space, consumers shouldn’t run out of storage space. Microsoft allows consumers to erase and re-download any purchased content.

Click on Sony for complete story

[Heart_Collector]

Sorry to say, partridge is right about what he's saying. Being the voice of reason can be lonely sometimes.
So, the studios aren't allowing HD downloads? How is M$ and Netflix getting away with it? And otherwise, isn't this something they can fix with an update? Sorry, don't have time to read the full article just now.

[reiella]

Originally Posted by Heart_Collector

Sorry to say, partridge is right about what he's saying. Being the voice of reason can be lonely sometimes.
So, the studios aren't allowing HD downloads? How is M$ and Netflix getting away with it? And otherwise, isn't this something they can fix with an update? Sorry, don't have time to read the full article just now.

Becuase they have different agreements, if that is the case.

Some possible scenarios I can see though. Some titles may go through a procedural channel expansion at the distributor end, as opposed to getting studio mixes for 5.1 [for various whatever reasons]. Certain audio tracks may not have the audio rights cleared for anything past stereo digital reproduction from the soundtrack artists, and that would require another royalty check.

It would be nice if it was disclosed though, but well if I have to look at a wiki before renting from the PSN, so be it, but again I'm not looking at actually using the service.

[ADRiiAN`]

Originally Posted by Mr. Hanky

Fwiw, the term "HD" has zippo, zilch, nadda to do with audio standards. It's purely a reference to 720p/1080i/1080p in the video. Even then, it is a nearly meaningless distinction given the whole quality of image vs. compression thing.

I doubt you will find every single program broadcast in ota or cable as "HD", sporting full 5.1 audio. Certainly, there will be some and some not. Point is, the audio is utterly up to the discretion of whoever is making the content. There is no direct link to the term "HD", even though we may have become accustomed to certain kinds of audio that come on a movie disc.

Another thing- how far standards have fallen when we consider the number of channels of audio as a measure of being high definition audio. [smacks forehead] It could have 100 channels of surround, for all I care, but if it is poor quality audio, IT WILL NEVER BE CONSIDERED HIGH-DEFINITION AUDIO. High-def audio starts with 2 channels with decent stereo imaging, over the full audio range, and at least CD caliber dynamic range. Once you can guarantee that, THEN you extend it out to however many surround channels you like (with comparable specs). Short of that, 5 channels of questionable audio quality is still short of TRUE high definition audio. Did anybody bother to check if 2-channel aac @ 256 kbs sounds good or not? Of course not...why bother if it isn't multichannel, right? It may not be traditional surround flying around your head, but maybe they did you a favor and gave you 2 rock solid channels of audio, instead? If "surround sound" is what makes or breaks an audio rendition these days, then I got to wonder if anyone truly understands what hi-fi audio is about, anymore.

Now I know surround is here to stay, and has become a quintessential component of any relevant movie for the past decade or so, but let's not confuse that with what "hi-def audio" truly is. Demand surround sound because it is a "cinematic standard", not because it has anything to do with hi-def audio or "HD".

...and finally (as I step down from my soapbox), how badly can you miss $5.99 to complain to whoever to refund your CC?! You live and you learn. It's time to move on. Consider it a $5.99 lesson that "HD movies" and surround sound are 2 entirely separate things. Certainly, you should submit a complaint to clearly distinguish the audio track in the psn store or more universal support of surround soundtracks in the video library, where available. That's about it.

I have just one question for you and for ANYONE else in this forum.

Would you still buy a blu-ray movie if it came in 2.0 audio?

You can either be honest, or plead the fifth

@ Partridge: I understand where you are coming from, I just feel that when Sony is doing this, they are shooting themselves in the foot.

[reiella]

Originally Posted by ADRiiAN`

I have just one question for you and for ANYONE else in this forum.

Would you still buy a blu-ray movie if it came in 2.0 audio?

You can either be honest, or plead the fifth

@ Partridge: I understand where you are coming from, I just feel that when Sony is doing this, they are shooting themselves in the foot.

Depends on the movie, and well the options in the matter.

I'd perfer a stereo mix over a ProLogic'd automix myself.

[zxvfrr41]

Originally Posted by FEP3108

Wow way to go I guess it escaped you that this is the Games And PS3 forum and he is talking about a MOVIE he rented.

And it has escaped you that the movie he downloaded was from the PS3!!! Even if it weren't, give the guy a break. God forbid someone might post something in an incorrect thread.

[cathexist]

Originally Posted by ADRiiAN`

I have just one question for you and for ANYONE else in this forum.

Would you still buy a blu-ray movie if it came in 2.0 audio?

You can either be honest, or plead the fifth

@ Partridge: I understand where you are coming from, I just feel that when Sony is doing this, they are shooting themselves in the foot.

If that was the original audio for the movie...then most likely I'd have no problem.

[BoneWSO]

Sorry dude,
But nowhere on PSN does it say what kind of audio (5.1 or 2.0) that you're going to get for a movie, so to complain about only getting 2.0 is pointless. What did you expect from a download? There's no way you're going to get your $5.99 back. HD only implies video quality, and if you think that should mean audio as well then you still can't expect 5.1, they could just slap on 2.0 HD audio. If you want true hi-def quality material you have to get the blu-ray, no download service has anything that can compare to the quality you get with blu.

[phranctoast]

while this is a case of buyer beware, and theres no way he'll get his money back, it should not be unheard of that the downloads available should be in 5.1 audio.

They should really show the specs for all the Downloads.

If I had my run of things, Id have a subscription service to the PSN video downoload service (as well as the way it is). Unlimted movie downloads for $15 seems fair. This would seem good for SD stuff that Netflix is pushing anyway. For HD material it could work a bit differently.
Any HD movie you down load for 5.99 will have the opttion to purchase the blu ray for an additional 12.99 shipped.

[ThePhantomOak]

Originally Posted by ADRiiAN`

I have just one question for you and for ANYONE else in this forum.

Would you still buy a blu-ray movie if it came in 2.0 audio?

You can either be honest, or plead the fifth

@ Partridge: I understand where you are coming from, I just feel that when Sony is doing this, they are shooting themselves in the foot.

Would anyone buy a Movie in 2.0? Knowing that it is 2.0 and not even 2.1 makes it an easy choice for me. I wont be renting or buying anything from Sony.

Why would you pay MORE to rent something for 24 hours to have 2.0 sound? Just walk to Blockbuster and rent it for less with 7.1, or buy it for another 10-15 bucks.



I agree that Sony will have a lot of disapointed consumers, BUT they likely moved it up to take advantage of E3 and it made a big splash, and it wont get worse, it will likey get better before long... Sony did not shoot themselves in the foot in any way. It was the biggest news of the week.

[owa]

Originally Posted by X-Ninja

Well hey, if its 4AM and i feel like watching a movie, then that would be the only way. Thats why i'd use it...

Id be perfectly happy renting a movie off psn and watching it. Though, Dolby Digital 5.1 would be nice (PCM or DTS-HD would be even better, but just not possible), i dought it'll happen any time soon.

Well, it's more like it's 4am and you feel like watching a movie so you start the download and watch it tomorrow night at 4am. Anyway, I wanted to try it out despite the 24 hour limitation just to see what it's like. I guess it's to be expected but it took several hours to download the Matrix Revolutions in HD (it was a little over 7 gig, I think). I've only watched the intro so far but it looked pretty good. I can't remember if it gave me the option to watch as it downloads but even if it did, I don't think I'd use that method to watch a movie.

[reiella]

Originally Posted by owa

Well, it's more like it's 4am and you feel like watching a movie so you start the download and watch it tomorrow night at 4am. Anyway, I wanted to try it out despite the 24 hour limitation just to see what it's like. I guess it's to be expected but it took several hours to download the Matrix Revolutions in HD (it was a little over 7 gig, I think). I've only watched the intro so far but it looked pretty good. I can't remember if it gave me the option to watch as it downloads but even if it did, I don't think I'd use that method to watch a movie.

I wouldn't advise it currently. My experience with that with Sony's downloads is that they grossly overestimate your downward bandwidth for determining when they should start playing for seemless [or they don't even both estimating].

[reiella]

*blink*

Well, I'm going to be renting something now.
Stargate Ark of Truth popped up on the HD rentals [I just noticed it myself anyway], so I gotta get that.

[lildon24]

Yall knew Downloading Video will not going to look the same as Blu-ray because it carried between 25GB-50GB, before you download a video, you will see the description says some like 1400MB or 5400MB and so on, it is still not big enough as the same way like Blu-ray.

So when you rent or buy a video from Sony PS Store, dont expect you will get 1080p and 7.1 audio or something that is compare to Blu.

Most of yall have an 7.1 receivers... if you have Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS Neo:6, or THX surround, dammit u can turn 2.0 into 5.1 or 7.1 by using the surround mode, unless you change your PS3 Audio Setting to AV Multi from switching HDMI.

HDMI not good enough for my PS3 for the receiver to do the surround modes cause it always stay on Stereo. So i just use the AV cable to the receiver and changed the audio setting and boom, u can use the surround modes like Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS Neo:6 or THX surround modes. This is how i do it whenever movies are in 2.0, i just turn it to 5.1 or 7.1, no problem. i hopes it help everyone understand my tip.

I rented Child's Play from the Playstation Video Store, SD version 720x480 AVC,
AAC 2.0 256kbps. No problem it looks like DVD quality but the audio, i can use the surround modes to hear 5.1 No problem, no big deal, Blu-ray still the best so far.

[anubisdogg]

Originally Posted by The Big Blue

"expected"

Sorry but that's on you. Nowhere does it say 5.1 audio and 'HD' simply does not mean audio in this case. If you got 'burned' you only have yourself to blame. I do agree 100% that they should provide specific audio info. And thanks for reporting on the service.

+1

[Proteus]

You know what I think?

I think consumers _perceive_ that 'HD' means picture and audio. As such, that is what they should get. Simple as that.

You know what else I think?

If Sony really wanted this thing to fly and make money, they'd put in an adult section and let people download porn onto their PS3.

Let's face it. That is the only thing worth downloading at '4am' for such a high price.

[X-Ninja]

Originally Posted by reiella

I wouldn't advise it currently. My experience with that with Sony's downloads is that they grossly overestimate your downward bandwidth for determining when they should start playing for seemless [or they don't even both estimating].

you can't watch it while it's downloading? if you can,
then after about 5 minutes of downloading it should be playable without any skipping...I would think. Maybe not though n.

Edit: meant to quote owa. Can't edit the quote cause I'm on (my amazing new) iPod touch.

[Mr. Hanky]

Originally Posted by ADRiiAN`

I have just one question for you and for ANYONE else in this forum.

Would you still buy a blu-ray movie if it came in 2.0 audio?

You conveniently sidestepped the issue- I would expect a full soundtrack for that title because it is the standard practice for movie on a disc, not because it is "HD". Furthermore, I would expect a full lossless soundtrack because it is a blu-ray release.

Context is everything, here. Digital download is NOT EQUAL to br. There will be different expectations and practices. There are different pressures and logistics.

Once again, I submit that your true course of action is to simply request greater disclosure of the audio details for each title in psn video or request better 5.1 support for titles in psn video. Bugging a csr to get your $5.99 back for something like this (not to mention making a forum topic to complain that you couldn't get your money back) is simply whining like a be-otch. I don't think I am alone in this assessment for you.

[reiella]

Originally Posted by X-Ninja

you can't watch it while it's downloading? if you can,
then after about 5 minutes of downloading it should be playable without any skipping...I would think. Maybe not though n.

Edit: meant to quote owa. Can't edit the quote cause I'm on (my amazing new) iPod touch.

You can download and view simultaneously. Thing is, as I said, Sony's bandwidth estimation is really bad. For instance, running the Fallout 3 trailer on my PS3 'play while downloading' skipped about 15 seconds into it 'starting' to buffer. And even with starting over from the begining the majority of the time, it had a very high 'skip'/stutter rate.

Perhaps just my network, but it wasn't pleasant.

From my discovery of Stargate Ark of Truth, I've gotten to about 80% complete... With 12mbps [which admittantly, isn't all going to the PS3 right now]. It's not a pleasant thing to deal with da skips. .

[ edit / add ]
Since there is a lack of replies since, just editing to add the following comment.

Ark of Truth is also 2 channel AAC 256kbps.

[Mr. Hanky]

The Fallout 3 trailer in 1080 (talking about the E3 piece, right?) is actually an interesting beast. Towards the beginning there is a cut with a full screen of white noise, which literally sends the bitrate meter to 100+ Mb/s, for that particular moment. You may or may not believe in bitrate meters, but there is no ignoring that a screenful of white noise in 1080p is about as theoretically abusive as you can get for material to feed an encoder.

So anyways, I imagine that little part in the video probably didn't help it to stream well when attempting to playback while downloading.