Xbox Live Video Marketplace Review

@Riyad - I fully appreciate what you are saying and respect your comments. I apologise if my first comment came accross the wrong way. I did put, however, the *hide behind the couch" comment at the end to highlight my sarcasm, at no point was I intending for it to be taken seriously. I know it's not an excuse (although it keeps on cropping up) but english is not my first language and I see where I could have been misunderstood or simply not expressed myself the right way. I certainly did not mean for you to think that I said people wouldn't want an idea of picture and sound quality from an HD movie service because it is not what I meant, I only meant to say that the article should have been restricted to the pros and cons without adding Blu-Ray to the equation. But considering there are other HD download services out there, I was more expecting a comparison between those services rather than a comparison to Blu-Ray. But anyway, I hope you can appreciate that I was only being sarcastic in my first comment, I certainly did not intend to sound as if I had an accusatory tone.
PS: Considering that Blu-Ray currently is the top dog in high definition format, it could easily be the live orchestra and considering... *runs away with his tail between his legs* ;-)

Can I just throw something into the mix here? Virgin Media...

I have a Virgin Media V+ HD box. Now I appreciate that Virgin don't currently have the range of HD channels that Sky have (by that I mean, er, one!), as far as I am aware, they are the only people that offer a 'proper' movies on demand service.

As in, a library of films, with lots in HD, that you can start watching immediately, rather than having to wait for anything to download. None of this waiting around, just click and watch without needing any software or additional products.

I haven't got Sky, but I was under the impression that even with Sky Box Office, you still have to wait as the films are on multiple channels, starting at different times.

So Virgin Media should at least be in the running...

Radioegg - I have Sky HD, Virgin Media V+HD, and Xbox 360 and watch a lot of movies.

For what its worth my 10 second summary would be :

Sky HD - Great for most of your movie watching. You can store on your SKY+ and watch unlimited times. Box office is best left alone as you have to wait for the slot, and the recording of box office is flakey.

Virgin Media - Best for TV back catalogue like catching up with missed episodes of Doctor Who / The Office / Green Wing when you have a spare half hour to kill. Very poor and expensive movie renting. HDMI cable only for rentals(!?). HD quality is not up to SKY.

Xbox - Great for the convenience factor. Often has several hit movies that SKY does not. (eg. Wanted / Tropic Thunder). With a good broadband (Virgin Media XL 20mb) you only need to wait 1-2mins before playing. Quality appears same as SKY HD as on my 720p plasma.

Don't be fooled into thinking Virgin Media will provide 'instant on' HD movies. It can't be as any service that uses the internet will need to buffer content to prevent the risk of play stopping. Any saving in time here vs the xbox will only increase this risk which will ruin your enjoyment of the movie. As said above the xbox is less than 5 minutes before you can play - about the same amount of time it would take to unwrap the envelope on a LoveFilm rental and power up your blu-ray player.... ;-)