Did the XBOX 360 just kill the TV?

that sounds really cool

 

wow, when is that coming out? I hope it isn't too expensive and actually works!

 

I have an Xbox 360 and an AppleTV. The biggest problem with the Xbox 360 and media functionality is that it is really loud.

Also, I think the whole use of Microsoft points or whatever instead of actual currency is a scam. The only reason to do something like that is to trick the consumer into thinking they are spending less money than they really are.

 

The new 360's are much quieter than the original models. However, they're still noisy compared to the Apple TV.

Microsoft is really going for the gold here. By this fall, the 360 will support media practically anyway you want it (Zune streaming movie rentals in 1080p, Zune Video Marketplace, Last FM, Netflix, Windows Media Center, Windows Media Connect/DLNA, DVD, thumb drive, etc).

The only thing missing is Hulu, TV show rentals/subscription, IPTV* and podcast support. Apparently, they're working on launching a 360-based music service in September.

Oh yeah, and Blu-ray will never be an option.

*IPTV is supported in the UK with Sky and technically as a platform by AT&T U-Verse. However, it's not available for everyone.

 

damn i guess this kills all those rumors about an external blu ray player coming out for the 360, for $100

 

I'm not sure if that's entirely true... whenever I've purchased points (or points for the Wii) the conversion to retail price is the same.

 

One MAJOR issue with XBOX 360 and HD is that it will only play WMV-HD and I don't know about you, but that's a major deal breaker for me. I have 40 or so blu-ray encoded to m4v at 720p and the xbox360 will not play any of them and my ATV plays them fine, Also the xbox360 will not passthu AC3 if I am not mistaken with the m4v files. Unless with this upgrade here they changed something, it is not worth it for me at least. Another deal breaker for me also is the interface for streaming from a media library is subpar, no album cover, desc, ratings, etc....

 

I own both an Apple TV and a 360. The Xbox can do all the things that the Apple TV can do, and even more. But the Xbox 360 doesn't deliver the same kind of user experience that the Apple TV does. Microsoft really need to sort out the interface on the Xbox's dashboard.

 

You can play m4v blu-ray rips on it?

 

Project Natal is awesome....

Amazing possibilities....

Check out this demo of a game "Project Dimitri" using Project Natal. http://is.gd/M7mj

We're now really seeing the XBox's 3.2GHz six-thread tri-core PowerPC being run at its maximum potential.

I know this is all due for Christmas 2010 but it's cool they've delivered the SDK already.

 

To play Netflix videos on an X360, you have to be a live gold member, this adds another $6 to $7 to the monthly "tv" pot on top of the netflix subscription. Doesn't make sense why they require the live gold sub, it's not like it even goes through MS's infraestructure.

 

As far as I have found you can only get surround sound from .avi files through to your receiver. I tried ripping a couple .avi movies but couldn't get the settings to work well. Netflix through it looks pretty close to HD and it passes through to my surround sound well. The only problem with Netflix is their selection is pretty horrible for streaming. They have only a few new titles and a ton of older stuff.

 

IMO a ton of "crappy" older stuff.

 

Netflix+Hulu on my X-box would signify there will be a funeral at my home for Comcast

Cheers.

-J.-

 

when did the 360 get the ability to access the itunes store and download all of its contents, movies, rentals, tv shows, hd podcasts, music...etc...?

I'm getting a 360 soon, but to say the 360 can do everything the ATV can do is FAR from the truth. Fact is, either one has certain capabilities the other does not.

 

There is software out there you can install on your mac that allows you to stream from your iTunes/Iphoto libraries and Movies directory to the Xbox360 virtually eliminating the need for iTunes.

 

I agree with this - I have them both as well. The xBox does what the AppleTV does, spec for spec, but it sure isn't as nice or nice looking to use. Kind of like Mac vs. PC.

 

I think it does pose a huge challenge to the AppleTV. But for me, the Mac mini + Boxee killed the AppleTV.

 

I think we need to come up with a more universal definition of "killed".

A Mac Mini is more than 2.5x the cost of an AppleTV. Unless you don't have another computer, I don't really see the advantage of your setup.

 

The xbox 360 is too loud for living room media use period. The interface isn't as slick and user friendly as appletvs either.. so I'll stick with my appletv as the main media hardware, and hopefully apple will release an updated version.

Microsoft should just stick with games. I don't like anything more based on their software.. vista killed anything "microsoft" for me.

Mo

 

well, if you actually use the xbox360 to play, huh, games, than it doesnt add anything extra, really; as you are already going to buy the year subscription anyways. Also, amazon regularly (sometimes bestbuy as well) has a 12+1 month subscription for $29.99. That is a smoking deal, and equates to like 2.40 a month.

Now if you go month to month, then yes, it is $7 or $8 a month...

 

Why would you hate Microsoft? Were you thinking the same and they released the OS before you did ?

 

I'm curious how you'd address losing the sports, news channels and things like the History Channel? I bailed on Comcast years ago but have missed those here and there.