Gizmodo: xboxvideofaq

Why Xbox Video Service Needs BitTorrent

Mark Wilson — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 14:42:29 EST

There is no doubt that Microsoft was unprepared for video downloading. From slow download speeds, to complete download failures, there are a slew of problems that could be solved with a proper P2P setup like BitTorrent.

And this is how it could work.

Roughly speaking:

1. Users can have the option for faster downloads through Live's P2P sharing network.
2. By Microsoft heavily controlling super-seeding (distributing different parts of files evenly), a P2P-shared file could hit an efficient early transfer/share rate.

3. For a portion of your upstream bandwidth (that could be specified by user), gamers are able to download faster (and as a top uploader, you get access to top downloading speeds).

4. Microsoft rewards power users with points per preset upload amount (1gb=50 Live points).

5. Brian Lam stops getting error messages.

6. Unicorns return to Earth.

It's a simple strategy that, most importantly, promotes a populated user base. Too bad Microsoft will never, ever use it. – Mark Wilson

Xbox 360 Video Store Muggers Return Money?

Mark Wilson — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 13:30:59 EST

Not so long ago, while doing deep research on Xbox Live's new video service, our own "Master Chief" Brian Lam found himself SOL on a video download. Yeah, Microsoft took his money, but left him alone, pantsless, movieless and possibly missing a kidney.

Then Microsoft responded.

From Major Nelson's blog:

We strongly encourage all folks who have experienced an error message or did not receive a download they purchased to call customer support at 1-800-4MYXBOX. I also want to mention that if you see the 'Points have been deducted from your account...' message when you are trying to download free content, we are NOT deducting points.

We are glad that Microsoft is not actually deducting the points (for now), but why was the service ever programmed to tell you that it did? And what's with this 'phone call for the fix' philosophy? Once again, if users receive an error message, shouldn't Microsoft know of the error and be on top of the fix? – Mark Wilson

Video Marketplace Status [majornelson]

I Was Mugged by the Xbox 360 Video Store

Brian Lam — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 16:13:18 EST

Here's more hands on experience with the Xbox 360 Video Store, 24 hours after its launch.

Speeds Should Get Better...Maybe: The system is getting hammered, and downloads are going slug-slow, or failing all together. The service stopped my movie download half way, and wouldn't download more unless I bought it again. Then I tried buying an HD movie, which failed, but took my cash anyhow (see image)

If the system knows it took my money without showing me what it had to show me, don't you think you should give me a refund?

Other things I've learned:

•You can't FF or Skip Chapters in a movie until its completely downloaded.

•Also, downloaded movies can't be re-downloaded, even within your rental period.

•You can't download movies on other machines if you're within your grace period, either.

•There are no movie menus, ala DVD.

Xbox 360 Video Store FAQ [Gizmodo]

Xbox 360 Video Store FAQ Update: How do Standard Def Movies Look?

Brian Lam — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 08:00:43 EST

We're doing yet another update to our Xbox 360 Video Store FAQ.

How do Standard Def Movies Look on the 360?
I just started watching Akira Kurosawa's Dreams in standard definition, on a big old Bravia. Granted, its a nice TV. But the TV says its still in 1080i mode, and that means the upscaling is done all on the Xbox. The old movie looks fantastic, with minimal scragglies (I made that word up.) There's little noise, too, although I can definitely see it get a little chunky at times. All in all, I've seen worse. Like on when the Wii tries to do real polys.

Delivery: It doesn't stream movies and shows. It downloads them in their entirety first, before you can watch them. UPDATE: I was able to watch my movie once a notification dropped on screen telling me I could. This happened around the 50% download point.

Rental Length: 14 Days after download or 24 hours after you hit play.

What else do you want to know? Email us more questions at tips@gizmodo.com.

Xbox 360 Video Store FAQ [Gizmodo]

XBox 360 Video Store FAQ: Only 18 Non CSI Titles in HD?

blongo3 — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 16:23:00 EST

Continuing our Xbox 360 Video FAQ, we stuck Intern Benny on the case of counting the number of HD titles you can watch on XBox Live. So,

What movies and shows are in HD?:

HD Movies:
ATL
Clash of the Titans
The Perfect Storm
Poseidon
Unforgiven
V is for Vendetta

HDTV Shows:
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation-32 episodes
CSI: Miami-31 episodes
CSI: NY-32 episodes
Day Break-0 episodes currently available
Fights-4 episodes
Jericho-8 episodes
NCIS-51 episodes –Brian Lam
All Xbox Live Video FAQ Posts [Gizmodo]

XBox 360 Video Store FAQ: How Long to Download a Movie?

Brian Lam — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 14:26:16 EST

Our FAQ for the Xbox 360's video download service keeps growing.

How Long Does it Take to DL a Movie?
I'm in SF, on Comcast's 6Mbit cable modem service. I started downloading Akira Kurosawa's Dreams at 10PM PST. And an hour and a half later, I'm only 20% through. This is a standard def, 2 hour movie that weighs in at 1.3GB. The math: based on my 6mbit connection, I'm looking at about 7-8 hours of download. So, it seems the best strategy for buying and watching Xbox Live flicks is...

to set em to DL in the morning before work, or before you go to bed, and have them ready the next morning. HD movies, at around 5-6GB, should take almost a day straight. I wonder if Comcast will throttle my bandwidth. Looks like this might take you considerably longer than going to blockbuster. Or if you're queuing up multiple movies, even Netflix might be a bit faster. If you're buying movies, tell us how long they take to download.

Have a different experience? Drop em in the comments.

More questions about the Xbox 360 Live video download service? Email us at tips@gizmodo.com.

–Brian Lam
All Xbox Live Video FAQ Posts [Gizmodo]

XBox 360 Video Store: FAQ (There's No Porn)

Brian Lam — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 14:18:39 EST

The Xbox 360's video download service is here. Before you start laying down your cash, er, Micro$oft points, here's what you need to know about it, with some help from our friends at Kotaku.

Delivery: It doesn't stream movies and shows. It downloads them in their entirety first, before you can watch them. UPDATE: I was able to watch my movie once a notification dropped on screen telling me I could. This happened around the 50% download point.

There's No Porn: Not even in Standard Def. Not even amateur clips. No, no jubblies. Not even Showgirls.

TV Pricing: High definition shows are $3 (or 240 points). Standard definition shows cost $2 (or 160 points.)

Movie Rental Pricing: For a 14 day rental, high-def movies are $6 bucks (480 points.) Regular def flicks are $4 (320 points.)

Jump for the rest.

Old Movies, like Mad Max 2, Pricing: $4.50 in high-def and $3 bucks in standard-def ($3).

Goonies?: No.

Rental Length: 14 Days after download or 24 hours after you hit play.

Background DL: When you game, things continue to download. When you game on Xbox Live, things stop downloading. So you're not going to be able to hang with your friends playing a game while your flick comes down the wire.

Why?:" "After purchasing a high-definition TV show or movie, gamers can download the standard-definition version at no additional charge."

Live Account: You can buy movies with a free Silver account. But the people with Gold accounts won't come to your dinner parties anymore. Class divisions are the new race.

What else? Email us more questions at tips@gizmodo.com.

UPDATE: This FAQ keeps growing: Here's a link to the rest of the posts.

The entire list of 48 movies, and TV shows:
Movies:
9 1/2 Weeks
Akira Kurosawa's Dreams
Analyze This
Art of War
Ask the Dusk
ATL
Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever
Batman Forever
Chariots of Fire
Chinatown
Clash of the Titans
Congo
The Core
Cradle 2 the Grave
The Dead Pool
Deep Blue Sea
Exorcist III: The Heretic
Failure to Launch
Gallipoli
The Hunger
The Lake House
Looking for COmedy in the Muslim World
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
The Matrix
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Natural Born Killers
Patriot Games
The Perfect Storm
Pootie Tang
Poseidon
Rat Race
Rebel Without a Cause
Romeo Must Die
Rosemary's Baby
The Shining
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Star Trek VII: Generations
The Sum of All Fears
Superfly
Tequila Sunrise
Three Kings
THX
Timeline
Unforgiven
Untouchables
V is for Vendetta
We Were Soldiers
Zoolander

TV Shows:
Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Beavis and Butt-Head: The Mike Judge Collection
Breaking Bonaduce
Carpocalypse
Chappelle's Show Uncensored
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Miami
CSI: NY
Day Break
Draw Together
Family Guy
Fights
Frisky Dingo
Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law
Hogan Knows Best
Invader Zim
Jackass
Jericho
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Mind of Mencia
Moral Orel
Muscle Car
NCIS
Pimp My Ride
Punk'd
Raising the Roofs Uncensored
Robot Chicken
Sealab 2021
Skyland
South Park
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
Spoongebob Squarepants
Star Trek: The Original Series
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Supernatural
The Adverntures of Chico and Guapo
The Andy Milonakis Show
The Nine
The Real Word
The Venture Bros
Veronica Mars
Viva La Bam
Viva Pinata
Wildboyz
Wonder Showzen
Xtreme 4x4

–Brian Lam
Xbox Live Video FAQ [Gizmodo]
Prices for 360 Vid Downloads [Kotaku]
TV Shows on 360 [Kotaku]
Movies on 360 [Kotaku]