Xbox Jumps Into Video Fray
from the what-took-ya-so-long? dept
Considering the relative success of Microsoft's Xbox 360, people have been expecting for some time that the company would use to it sell not just videogames, but to distribute other entertainment, like TV shows. But so far, the company hasn't done anything on this front, instead opting to invest its energies into a battle against the iPod that seems doomed. Finally, the company has made the long-awaited announcement that it will in fact sell videos over the Xbox 360. Their service will be roughly similar to Apple's recent video announcement, except it will offer shows in HD. The entrance of Microsoft into this space guarantees that this will be very competitive, with many companies trying to come up with solutions. And while it should add some value to the Xbox, it still doesn't solve a major hangup with these video services: that they don't allow the user to take their content with them and use ii on any device. So if you want to watch videos on your laptop as well, looks like you'll probably have to pay twice.
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Sounds nice, but
It is nice to be able to download HDTV programming on demand, but the limited storage space, the fact that some programming expires, and the bizarre 360 menu (yes, I have the Fall update, and it didn't get any better) makes me love the old Xbox and XBMC even more.
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Re: Sounds nice, but
Also, I belive that you can store videos on the memory cards. The problem with this is actually finding a HD video that is less them 16 MB or however much the Memory cards hold.
Also, if you delete a video after purchasing it, you can re-download it or stream it.
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HD content is bigola
XBMCer is right, HD is just too big to fit. Our 250gig MythTV is barely enough.
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It's a streaming solution
The HD in the XBox 360 just needs to have a little bit of space available to buffer the downloading stream so that it can (potentially) play back smoothly.
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Concept Error
To that end, the drive needs to only be big enough to act as a video buffer.
Its going to be stream only. you can stream the tv shows forever (it says you get to keep it), but you may only stream the movies for a limited time. AND, its tied to your LIVE account, so its good anywhere, not just on the machine you made the purchase from.
One good point from above: The 80point/dollar ratio was set up so the average person could NOT keep track in their head just how much stuff is costing them, thus making it easier for them to "break the connection" to real money, and think they are only spending play money. Think of the chosen ratio as pocketbook lubricant.
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Re: Concept Error
This is going to get quite a few people kicked from their ISPs. Not too many ISPs will actually let their customers use that much bandwidth. Most have a "cap" by month or so, after which point they either reduce the speed to a fraction of the advertised speed, or they just disconnect the account citing violations of the TOS or the AUP or the "whatever we're calling it today" agreement.
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Ug...
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Not to ask stupid questions, but...
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Re: Not to ask stupid questions, but...
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A little misleading re: Apple's solution
Just wanted to clarify because at least Apple's offering is not limited on being able to "take it with you." You cannot, however, legally burn it to a DVD. And that is a shame.
I would guess that if MS manages to sell any Zunes, they'll come up with some way to download a video to the Zune via the XBox.
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All your questions answered
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and that thing about not being able to take the media off the xbox in any way.... FUCKING retarded
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Re:
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