As we mentioned already, watching high-definition films is becoming cheaper, now Microsoft has unveiled its new look marketplace where you can download HD films straight onto you Xbox 360 for almost peanuts.

Movies such as 300, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Good German can be downloaded and played out through the console's HDMI port. The new Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store offers movie for rent for around 200 Microsoft Points (around £2 in old money), although these will be standard definition. HD movies cost around 380 Microsoft Points (£3.20).

With this launch, Xbox LIVE Marketplace becomes the first video on demand service to be available in six countries – US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France and German.

Robin Truchy, Director of Xbox LIVE for Europe, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division, said: “Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store in Europe is all about adding to the ever-expanding number of entertainment choices that our consumers have on their Xbox 360. We want to give them the entertainment they want, in the format they want, when they want it and at an affordable price. We were already offering HD games, HD music videos and the option to enjoy HD-DVD format films, now we are offering HD movies to download and rent as well. This is very exciting for us and the consumer.”

“Providing consumers with more choices and improving the movie experience at home is at the heart of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution’s strategy and we’re delighted to support Xbox Live for the European launch of their Video On Demand service” said Marc Gareton, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution Senior Vice President International.” Microsoft has built a very successful platform, in both Standard Definition and High Definition, and we are happy to make it a home for our movies.”

Arash Amel, Senior Analyst, Head of Broadband Media, Screen Digest, predicted that the total European movie download market will be worth €350m by 2012, up from €17m in 2007.

"The Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store, as the first multi-territory hardware-based online movie delivery service in Europe, is expected to be a European market leader for movie downloads," said Amel. "Consumers in both the US and Europe have already made it abundantly clear that they are reluctant to watch two-hour long films on their PC, instead preferring to view them on personal devices or most preferably devices that can provide a link to their large-screen living room TVs and home entertainment systems.”

Or they could buy a PS3, that has a Blu-Ray player in it.

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