If you’re a PS3 owner, you’ve undoubtedly downloaded the 2.50 firmware update that was released last week and you’ve probably at least checked out what the major changes were from previous updates.  One of the things updated (but not really promoted) is support for DivX Video On Demand.

You see, the PS3 is a DivX Connected device.  That means that you can purchase, or rent video content that is protected with DivX’s own DRM (digital rights management) scheme.  While at first glance this might seem to be somewhat bad (another way for us to get charged for content,) after more thought you might realize that this could actually be a positive thing.  Let me explain why…

If you’re an upstanding citizen and never pirate video content, you now have two avenues to pursue downloadable videos… through the traditional PS Video Store and now, via DivX VOD support, any third party marketplace that uses DivX Connected DRM.  This opens the market up to both price competition and content that may not be suitable, or desirable to carry in the PS Video Store.

Remember back when Blu-ray and HD-DVD were still battling each other and you’d hear folks on the sidelines cry “Whoever wins the support or the porn industry wins the format war!”  Guess what, the PS3 being a DivX Connected player opens a potential avenue for a legitimate business model selling adult content to PS3 owners (as well as the owners of thousands of DivX Connected devices out there.)  So, price competition and diversifying content, those can both be seen as arguable pluses.  Chances are, though, if you’ve read many of my previous articles… you probably know I’m not one to typically write about everything being peachy or honkey dorey.  What’s the problem here?

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