As a lowly Canadian, I do not currently rate access to Sony’s PSN video download service. But if I did have such access, I don’t know if I’d be using it after all.
When Sony announced the availability of the store, I was excited that I now had another source of HD content. But now I hear that HD movies (all of them? some of them?) on the PSN store are only in stereo.
As in, two channels of sound.
We aren’t in the 80′s anymore Sony. We need our surround sound. If I’m going to dish out that much dough for an HD movie rental, I expect top notch video and sound. That means at least 720p (preferably 1080p) video and 5.1 surround sound (at least!).
Quite a disappointment. I hope that this is only a temporary thing, or is just being reported incorrectly. Otherwise, once the video store finally does make it to Canada, I will not be partaking.
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Written by: Blackstaffer
- Founder of PS3Blog.net 
#1 by Darrin on July 22nd, 2008 [ 15187 Points ]
I mentioned this on my video store impressions post.
#2 by west _coast_ps3 on July 22nd, 2008
That would be a downside. I’m planning on using the video store for movies that aren’t worth bluray (ie latest releases of whatever the hit comedy is) and TV shows, not HD content, so I am still looking forward to it.
#3 by Paranoimia on July 22nd, 2008 [ 1210 Points ]
I appreciate what you’re saying, but have you ever looked at the file size of a DTS soundtrack on a DVD? It can add around half a gig to a file size, so – with the limitations of current broadband services – it seems a logical omission to me.
Plus, Sony have only just won the format war. I’m sure they don’t want to do anything that may dent Blu-ray sales just yet!
#4 by Annie on July 22nd, 2008 [ 0 Points ]
Well, a Dolby Digital soundtrack takes up a lot less space than a DTS track (about a third, IIRC). I’d gladly wait the extra time to download that.
#5 by Graeme on July 23rd, 2008
No 5.1, no download, for me. It really is as simple as that, if it can’t offer vision AND sound at least as good as a DVD then what’s the point?
#6 by skootie on July 23rd, 2008
Apparently you can change the audio track to surround, from the default stereo:
http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=movies&message.id=298651&query.id=35105#M298651
“All movies default to stereo. For supported movies you need to hit triangle and select audio (like when you change languages on a DVD), that will switch you over to the 5.1 track.”
#7 by PSN: Lifendz on July 23rd, 2008
I rented Beowulf last night and that movie was awesome. I can’t believe it was all in CGI. The download was lengthy (to say the least) and 5.99 is a little steep even if it is the HD download.
#8 by Annie on July 23rd, 2008 [ 0 Points ]
Did it have a 5.1 soundtrack?
#9 by Darrin on July 23rd, 2008 [ 15187 Points ]
I thought I tried hitting select/triangle and playing with all the options. If the option really is there, though, that would be great.
#10 by Trev on July 24th, 2008 [ 24520 Points ]
these rentals do need to have surround sound when you consider the vast majoprity of PS3 buyers are gonna have these kinds of setups considering the price of the system. if its a file size issue at least give us the choice like the SD and HD versions? ah what do i care i’m in europe and can’t try it anyway…