Paramount Pictures has confirmed that it is extending its partnership with Microsoft to bring its catalogue of current and library films to the UK, following the recent Warner Bros deal.

This means that all Xbox 360 owners connected to Xbox LIVE can now download-to-rent both high definition and standard definition Paramount movies direct to their console via Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store.

Microsoft says this partnership aims to place the Xbox 360 "at the centre of digital entertainment in the living room".

Timing-wise, it's an interesting development considering that the 360's high-def hardware offering is in the HD DVD format - meaning this download route bypasses the need for hardware.

From Tuesday 19th February the Paramount offerings will be available in SD and/or HD formats. Download-to-rent films will cost from 250 Microsoft Points (£2) for standard definition movies and from 380 Microsoft Points (£3.20) for high-definition movies.

As well as additional movies from Warner Bros to be added to the service this spring, the Paramount Pictures / DreamWorks movies coming to Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store include:

- Transformers (available in SD and HD)
- Goodbye Bafana (available in SD and HD)
- Intersection (available in SD)
- Primal Fear (available in SD)
- Clear and Present Danger (available in SD)
- Naked Gun 2 & 1/2: The Smell of Fear (in SD)
- Naked Gun 33 & 1/3 (available in SD)
- Top Secret! (available in SD)
- Bug (available in SD)
- Hardball (available in SD)
- The Phantom (available in SD)
- Orange County (available in SD)
- 1408 (available in SD and HD)
- Disturbia (available in SD and HD)
- Hot Rod (available in SD and HD)
- A Mighty Heart (available in SD and HD)
- Heatbreak Kid (available in SD and HD)
- Stardust (available in SD and HD)
- In to the Wild (available in SD and HD)