Video downloads for PS3?

Recently, a PSN video showed the "video downloads" option on a PS3 menu screen, which added fuel to the rumour that PS3 was about to join the ranks of the Xbox360 in offering video downloads for subscribers. However, the "Home" icon was also viewable, and this has been pushed back until November, so it initially looked like nothing to get too excited about. That is, until today.

Kevin Hell, CEO of DivX, has announced that DivX encoding is now available to PS3 developers. This will make the PS3 the first console to play compressed video files while retaining playback quality. "We are excited to work with Sony Computer Entertainment to offer DivX video encoding to PS3 game developers, PS3 users can already use their PS3s to watch their own DivX videos, and now they'll also be able to enjoy the quality of DivX in the games."

The implications are twofold. Using compressed video files in games will allow developers to use seriously high quality cut scenes. But if DivX is used for video downloads, then high-quality movies will be available for download, and will require far less hard disk space and bandwidth than the HD movies currently available to Xbox360 users from Microsoft.

DivX is 'currently working to certify PS3 in order to provide a superior digital media experience to PS3 consumers in the near future'.