Microsoft unveils Video Marketplace for Europe

Almost exactly a year after the Xbox Live Video Marketplace service launched in the United States, Microsoft has announced that the Video Marketplace will open for UK, Canadian, and some European consumers on December 11.

Xbox 360 owners in the UK, Ireland, France, and Germany will be able to rent full-length films through the download service in both standard and high definition. The US service lets users download a film and then gives them 14 days to watch it. Once the movie has been started, though, the video is watchable for only 24 hours.

Film-download prices start at 250 Microsoft points (approximately £2/$4) for standard-definition movies, or from 380 Microsoft points (approx. £3.20/$6.40) for films in high definition. No television content is mentioned in the Microsoft statement.

Microsoft's current list of launch titles, which it says is subject to change, includes the Matrix trilogy, Ocean's Eleven, Training Day, Swordfish, The Perfect Storm, and Demolition Man.

[Update] The service will also launch in Canada, bringing the total number of countries where Video Marketplace is available to six.