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I suppose the new interface looks pretty, but I'm not really sur eit was needed. Honestly, I can't make use of most the new features. My DSL is 768k, so it'd be impossible for me to stream netflix at that speed, I have a 10gig hard drive, so I can't really copy my games onto that. Well, maybe one at a time since I have around 7 gigs free, but I'd need to uninstall the existing one every time I want to play a new game and that seems like a bit of a hassle.
Overall, it seems nice, but I'mn nto overly excited about it because it seems like I can't use any of the new features.
Once again, I'm generally excited by this. I was happy as a clam for the SD streaming. Then, they announce HD streaming, which makes me even giddier. Then, the Giz tells me that my component-only launch 360 may not work with the HD streaming service (or so the general mass read it as such), and that made me sad. Sad like a panda that's dropped his ice-cream cone. Then, the Giz tells me that the component cables are running the service fine. And that made me happy again. Happy like a cougar with a shiny, red balloon.
@Chromeo: Cougar meaning a large predatory feline with tawny fur native to North America or cougar meaning an older woman with a predilection for engaging in trysts with young men significantly her junior?
The former will probably not be happy when the balloon pops and the latter would not be happy with the balloon's inability to satisfy her sexual appetites.
Is what worth it? If you already are paying for the plan on netfix and have a 360 ...then ... I guess it is a bonus feature .. if you dont have netflix or a 360 and dont play games or watch movies.. probably not worth it... it's all relative... like west virginia
@nosebleed: Actually, if you convert the annual cost into a single principal payment with an annual interst of say 3.75% (credit union CDs), you're looking at about $1400 one time payment. :)
That's odd component gave you no issues with HDCP... I was under the impression all non-HDMI connections had no HDCP support thus couldn't play HDCP enabled content.
If you component worked then you'd think DVI would and visa versa... strange.
@Mark Wilson: it was a choice they made, the high-high quality HDMI and DVI (NOTE: DIGITAL) outputs they are forcing HDCP requirements as per netflix requirement... but for older users on component with the "lower quality" they allow it without hdcp.
The Thing is the perfect movie to test image quality.
with all of the bloody explosions, and other FX.
of course if you are a little squeamish then you will probably end up spending most of your time looking away from the screen which kinda defeats the purpose.
Once again, the console war debate has died down as Microsoft continues to drop bombs on its competition. The next update will be IPTV integration turning the XBOX 360 into IPTV settop with DVR, movie sharing, voice and video chat, etc...
Umm, not to be a rabid PS3 fanboy or anything, but doesn't it kinda look like a reverse XMB? Not that I have any problem with that, XMB is smooth and I could live with that style on 360. It also has in game XMB which allows you to switch out from anything to anything else.
The video slice thing where it cuts the movie up and gives a bunch of preview frames has been on PSP forever and is now on PS3 too.
Streaming is also supported too, you can start playback of content that's still downloading and delete it when you're done, or you can open the browser and stream flash, or you can stream using the DNLA function of course, which if you're using TVersity gives you a bunch of options(web streaming from links, youtube, top rated, etc.).
The avatar thing is pretty cool, sony has home though, which I imagine will be beefier than MS's avatar system(It better be for all the delays and beta testing that I don't get accepted to).
In the end it's a sweet update and it'll make the 360 even sweeter than it it, but microsoft needs to stop the fall update crap and release stuff when it's done and ready. Otherwise they're just gonna keep playing keep up to Sony for UI features.
@jackfrost132: Actually, I've always thought the XMB was just a reverse Windows Media Center GUI. Even has almost the same background.
The video slice has been on the 360 forever as well. Just now it's being used in Netflix streaming too. It's not a feature in PC Netflix streaming, so it looks like some customization was done for the 360.
11/19/08
Overall, it seems nice, but I'mn nto overly excited about it because it seems like I can't use any of the new features.
11/19/08
11/19/08
Didn't get to really try anything on it though...I want to play around with Netflix streaming, and customize my Avatar too...
11/19/08
11/19/08
10/30/08
10/30/08
The former will probably not be happy when the balloon pops and the latter would not be happy with the balloon's inability to satisfy her sexual appetites.
10/30/08
Is it worth it?
10/30/08
Is what worth it? If you already are paying for the plan on netfix and have a 360 ...then ... I guess it is a bonus feature .. if you dont have netflix or a 360 and dont play games or watch movies.. probably not worth it... it's all relative... like west virginia
10/30/08
10/30/08
can someone explain if it's ONLY HD streaming?
is there a standard streaming option?
i have netflix, and a silver account.
i'm going to go out on a limb and assume i won't be able to stream movies, and instead only have a stupid avatar and new blades in this NXE.
please tell me i'm wrong.
10/30/08
Man up, it's only $50/yr for Gold.
10/30/08
thanks for the info.
but.
i'd rather spend 100 bucks ONCE and have the stupid "other box" - yeah, stupid Roku.
rather than 50 bucks A YEAR.
MS really screwed the pooch on this one.
Still laughable to me that the Wii has WiFi out of the box - and the 360 doesn't.
Netflix? for shame.
10/30/08
10/30/08
If you component worked then you'd think DVI would and visa versa... strange.
10/30/08
10/30/08
10/30/08
10/30/08
with all of the bloody explosions, and other FX.
of course if you are a little squeamish then you will probably end up spending most of your time looking away from the screen which kinda defeats the purpose.
10/30/08
10/30/08
10/30/08
10/30/08
10/30/08
10/30/08
10/30/08
10/30/08
True but you can't invite friends and family over XBOX Live to watch the movie with you. :)
10/29/08
10/29/08
10/29/08
10/29/08
10/29/08
The video slice thing where it cuts the movie up and gives a bunch of preview frames has been on PSP forever and is now on PS3 too.
Streaming is also supported too, you can start playback of content that's still downloading and delete it when you're done, or you can open the browser and stream flash, or you can stream using the DNLA function of course, which if you're using TVersity gives you a bunch of options(web streaming from links, youtube, top rated, etc.).
The avatar thing is pretty cool, sony has home though, which I imagine will be beefier than MS's avatar system(It better be for all the delays and beta testing that I don't get accepted to).
In the end it's a sweet update and it'll make the 360 even sweeter than it it, but microsoft needs to stop the fall update crap and release stuff when it's done and ready. Otherwise they're just gonna keep playing keep up to Sony for UI features.
10/29/08
The video slice has been on the 360 forever as well. Just now it's being used in Netflix streaming too. It's not a feature in PC Netflix streaming, so it looks like some customization was done for the 360.