Sony's Bravia Core streaming service is now available on the PS5 and PS4 consoles under the new name Sony Pictures Core. The app was previously exclusive to Sony's best TVs and smartphones, and was notable for offering significantly higher bit-rates and therefore quality than other streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video and Apple TV+.
There's a catch, though – it seems that these super-high-quality streams are not available via console. We've downloaded the new app and there's no reference to the 'Pure Stream' quality level offered by Bravia Core on Sony TVs. We've approached Sony for comment and will report back once we've had a response. You do at least get access to the IMAX Enhanced selection of movies.
The service is still called Bravia Core on Sony's other devices for now – it will change its name to Sony Pictures Core next year. But it's called Sony Pictures Core from launch on PS5 and PS4.
It brings 2000 films to your console, although they're all from Sony Pictures, so your options are a bit limited. They range from the very good (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) to the very bad (Ghostbusters: Afterlife), with lots in between (The Equalizer, 65, Bullet Train).
Some films will launch with an early access window, allowing you to buy them before they're available elsewhere. The first of these will be Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story. This is currently available in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and will come to more countries soon.
PlayStation Plus/Deluxe members will get access to a catalogue of up to 100 films through the app to stream on demand. These include Looper, Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV, Elysium and Resident Evil Damnation, but the catalogue will be update periodically. PlayStation Plus members are also promised "additional benefits" in the near future, though there's no mention of what these are.
Sony plans to add anime service Crunchyroll to its Pictures Core offering in the future.
You can download the Sony Pictues Core app from the Media section on PS5 and in the PS Store on PS4.
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Sony Bravia Core: everything you need to know
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