Sony have launched its new VidZone service for PlayStation 3 users in the UK – and whilst the release has been met with little fanfare, those who have downloaded and tried it are already chalking VidZone up as a potential system seller.For those unfamiliar with VidZone, think Spotify with videos and you’re more or less there. For those of you unfamiliar with Spotify, here's how it all works.
Both services allow users to select any songs from their sizable database – VidZone, for instance, already has 10,000 songs available to view. Once a selection of songs has been made to form a playlist, users then sit back and listen/watch their chosen music.
Both technologies rely on media streaming, so no content is downloaded or stored, alleviating any possible DRM concerns.
It’s all completely free, too, with the makers monetizing everything via banner ads, or in Spotify’s case, two minute adverts at regular intervals.
There have been some sporadic complaints of streaming issues with the VidZone servers, but it’s always hard to be sure where the problem lies – with Sony or with people’s home internet connections. The widespread problems with SingStar’s online elements are leading to many pointing the finger at Sony, however, but at least that means the problem could well be addressed.
And in the interest of fairness, there are plenty of users reporting a faultless service.
With SingStar already proving to be one of the nation’s favourite party games, VidZone is an absolutely ideal choice for any party thrower. So much so, in fact, that Sony really should be throwing more marketing weight behind it.
Source: Casual gaming