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Xbox Live Offers 'Animatrix' Downloads Free with Purchase of 'Complete Matrix Trilogy' HD DVD
Mon May 21, 2007 at 12:01 AM ETTags: Xbox 360, Downloadable Media (all tags)
Microsoft says it will offer free downloads of the entire 'Animatrix' series on Xbox Live with purchase of 'The Complete Matrix Trilogy' on HD DVD.
The offer, which was first revealed on the Xbox.com website late last week, comes on the eve of this week's much-hyped HD DVD-exclusive release of the two Matrix box sets -- the 40+ hour 'Ultimate Matrix Collection' and 'The Complete Matrix Trilogy.'
First released on DVD in 2003, 'The Animatrix' was designed to expand and deepen the 'Matrix' mythology as preparation began on the two sequels. Comprised of nine short films utilizing different animation forms and styles, the series was produced by a hand-picked stable of top Japanimation artists.
According to this page on the Xbox.com website, consumers purchasing 'The Complete Matrix Trilogy' will receive a token in the box to download the entire 'Animatrix' series from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace. HD trailers, select scenes and themes from all three 'Matrix' movies are also available for download through May 25th, 2007.
While 'The Animatrix' is already included as one of the 35 hours worth of extras on the 'Ultimate Matrix Collection,' it is not part of the 'Complete Matrix Trilogy,' making this deal that much sweeter for owners of the Xbox 360 hd dvd add-on player who may have opted for the less expensive box set.
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- Related links:
- Xbox LIVE Brings You Even More Matrix Content [xbox.com]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- The Ultimate Matrix Collection (HD DVD)
- The Complete Matrix Trilogy (HD DVD)
Amazon to Support All High-Def DVD Formats with New CustomFlix Video-on-Demand Service
Tue Apr 25, 2006 at 03:56 PM ETTags: Downloadable Media, Amazon (all tags)
Amazon is throwing its hat into the high-def download arena in a big way, announcing
today that its upcoming CustomFlix video-on-demand service will
support all HD formats when it launches later this year, reports Home Media
Retailing.CustomFlix, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amazon, plans to deliver high-definition content via its VOD service in the HD-DVD, Blu-Ray and Windows Media Video High-Definition DVD (WMV-HD DVD) formats. The company will utilize a proprietary "storage and repurposing" format that will allow digitized files in different formats to purchased and then downloaded by consumers and stored on their computers, as well as potentially be burned to a disc that could play in next-gen DVD devices.
Last month the e-tailer giant announced it was launching its own video-on-demand service that would allow consumers to download a film and burn it onto DVD, which it dubbed CustomFlix. The company is reportedly still in talks with major studios including Warner, Paramount and Universal to support its new venture.
Although the studios have been experimenting with video-on-demand services such as MovieBeam and MovieLink, and making select television shows available for download on Apple's iTunes, none offer the ability for consumers to burn purchases to a DVD disc and then play them on any DVD-compatible device.
Dan LoPiccolo-Giles, co founder and managing director of CustomFlix, told HMR that the service will be format-agnostic to eliminate the" risk of creating versions of a format that doesn't take off with consumers."
CustomFlix has also signed a licensing deal with the HDNet high-definition cable channel. They pair will work together to digitize hundreds of titles and make them for download via CustomFlix.
"HDNet has a deep commitment to helping HD become the new viewing standard in both broadcast and on DVD," Mark Cuban, president of HDNet, explained to HMR. "Unfortunately, the disparate HD formats will make establishing a single standard difficult and result in customer confusion. CustomFlix allows customers interested in HD content to simply choose whatever format they want."
- Related links:
- Amazon Supports All High-Def Formats [Home Media Retailing]
- CustomFlix [Official Site]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Amazon, Studios in Talks for Burn-to-DVD Movie Downloads Service (Mar 10, 2006)
Amazon, Studios in Talks for Burn-to-DVD Movie Downloads Service
Fri Mar 10, 2006 at 12:55 PM ETTags: Downloadable Media, Amazon, Warner, Paramount, Universal (all tags)
Only days after online retailer IndiePix announced
a new pay service that will allow consumers to download independent films and burn
them on a DVD, The New York Times reports that Amazon is in advanced
negotiations with major studios Warner, Paramount and Universal for
a similar, broader, service. Amazon's move comes at pivotal time for both the studios and online retailers. Both industries are making a mad dash to entice tech-saavy consumers with instant access to their products, amid a dizzying array of new internet and on-demand services and technologies.
Although the studios have been experimenting with video-on-demand services such as MovieBeam and MovieLink, and making select television shows available for download on Apple's iTunes, none offer the ability for consumers to burn purchases to a DVD disc and then play them on any DVD-compatible device.
If talks between Amazon and the studios are successful, the launch of such a service would send shock waves through the industry. With the online retail giant's huge reach -- and a hybrid approach that would allow consumers the instant satisfaction of a download, coupled with the ability to continue to watch movies on DVD -- Amazon could quickly bring movie downloads to the masses.
- Related links:
- Amazon Considering Downloads [New York Times]
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