Sony Japan adds PS3 online content downloads

It's not exactly an Xbox Live Video killing app here from what we can tell, but it looks like Sony's Japanese broadband unit, So-net, has added content download support in conjunction with PlayStation 3 firmware 1.10. That is to say, if you're a proud owner of a new PS3, you'll be able to acquire digital media over their P-TV service, with video in 720p or even 1080p. Details are still sparse as we're waiting for our Tokyo branch to fill us in, but the 8Mbps H.264 downloads appear restriction free (although we doubt you can actually get them off your PS3). We'll let you know more as we do (like exactly what content this pertains to, prices, IPTV, etc.), but since it's So-net something tells us it could be a little while before digital movie downloads make it to US customers.

[Thanks, Dj NoPantsCuban]

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2006 1:46PM]

I find it strange that EngadgetHD (HDBeat) covers the PS3 so extensively, but I havn't seen a single post about the Xbox360 HD-DVD add-on drive... At least Joystiq talks about it.

[DaveBG Posted Nov 12th 2006 4:14PM]

Because there is nothing to say about this HD DVD addon. No HDMI, no games support? Who will need this addon?
Blu-Ray is the future to me...

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2006 2:04PM]

You ask why?! It's because the PS3 has Blu-Ray. They won't be covering it for long with Sony's current trend. Poor MP3 players, poor lithium-ion cells, overpriced Flat TVs and a major overpriced, obese, 80s looking console. Aiming to ship 6 million units before March 2007 with a near dry out on blue diodes and demand for the UK launch, Sony are having a laugh. That 70% console grip is slipping very fast.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2006 2:05PM]

Sweet.. i wonder what the NA market is gonna look like.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 13th 2006 7:24PM]

Maybe MS is trying to be DRM free! (Cough, Cough, Yeah, Right)

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2006 4:17PM]

Regardless of your OPINION, Dave, the HD-DVD add-on is something that a site called "HDBeat" (or "EngadgetHD") SHOULD be covering, especially since it's selling out everywhere.

You might feel BD is the future, but this blog should be covering the technology in general, not just the tech they want to promote.

[DaveBG Posted Nov 12th 2006 4:53PM]

engadgethd had covered everything that can be covered about it.
Stop whining!

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2006 5:24PM]

@Xyzzy

I highly doubt the HD-DVD drive add-on is "selling out everywhere". The HD-DVD drive is optional where the PS3 blu-ray drive is not. With this being the case, it gives a huge advantage to Blu-Ray as it will put millions of Blu-Ray drives in people's homes by early next year. The fact is that the Xbox 360 has only sold about 6 million consoles(in over a year) to date and probably not 1/4 of those will buy the drive.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2006 7:19PM]

Read AVS Forums, and you'll see that it was selling like hotcakes. It was also #1 or #2 for most of the pre-order life on Amazon. Currently, there's a 3-to-4 day wait because it's slightly backordered.

As for selling out, lots of people in the AVS Forums were having a hard time finding a store that hadn't sold out.

I'm not arguing which is better, I'm just saying that it's sad for Joystiq to do an article on the new player, but HDBeat isn't doing one. If I missed the article about the release, please correct me.