The signs had pointed to a pre-Christmas arrival for Microsoft’s Xbox Live Video Marketplace, but only now has the official confirmation arrived that UK Xbox 360 owners will finally get access to the service – and launch day is December 11th.

Movies for rent on the service will include 300, The Good German, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Prices for standard definition rental (480p) will be 250 Microsoft points (around £2), whilst HD movie rentals (720p) will cost 380 Microsoft Points (about £3.20).

Not all films will be availalbe immediately, and whilst no timescale has been put on their arrival they are all due within the 'launch window'.

And whilst gamers will have to wait another week to get their hands on the service, a dedicated menu area has today appeared on rhe Xbox 360's dashboard as part of the anticipated Autumn Update.

Initially only European gamers in the UK, Ireland, France and Germany will be able to access the service.

“Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store in Europe is all about adding to the ever-expanding number of entertainment choices that our consumers have on their Xbox 360,” Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division’s director of Xbox Live for Europe Robin Truchy stated.

“We want to give them the entertainment they want, in the format they want, when they want it and at an affordable price. We were already offering HD games, HD music videos and the option to enjoy HD-DVD format films, now we are offering HD movies to download and rent as well. This is very exciting for us and the consumer.”