Xbox Video Marketplace reaches Canada, UK, more

In tandem with the formal availability of the fall 2007 update for its Xbox 360 game system, Microsoft today announced that its Xbox Video Marketplace will open to users of the console outside of the US. Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK will now have access to rentals of full-length movies from major studios, including high-profile titles such as 300 and Ocean's 13. More will come in the next few months, Microsoft says. Country-specific studios will also be available, Microsoft says. Like the American store, videos will be available to rent either in standard-definition at DVD quality or at HD quality for HDTV sets.

Console owners can rent movies whether they have an Xbox Live Silver or Gold account as long as they have an Xbox 360 console with a hard drive to temporarily store the movies, which automatically expire after the rental period is finished. The cost in Microsoft Points varies by region but is set in Canada at 310 points (roughly $3.90) for a standard-definition movie and 460 points ($5.75) for its HD equivalent. Not every movie is available in HD, Microsoft warns. The Video Marketplace opens across all five new countries on December 11th.