Surely so, this morning we flipped the switch on our Xbox 360 and were able to download the
fall update which, among other things, enables
HD DVD, 1080p support, and Windows Media Connect media sharing. We were obviously unable to test the HD DVD support, but we did snag a few shots of 1080p in action, as well as the new media sharing capabilities. Oh, and we do apologize for the (usual) crappiness of our pics -- LED DLP displays really don't photograph very well.
The update took only a moment to download. Then again, we wouldn't have really expected it to be 80MB or anything.
Aaaand a quick restart.
We dashed straight to the display menu to enable 1080p on our 1080p-capable set. And what the hell, it worked fine -- even though on the menu system we so no discernible difference. (But really, why would we?) Oh, and don't mind those colors, like we said, LED DLPs photograph kinda funny.
See? 1080p, we told ya.
And now onto the video.
Yep, plenty o' places to watch video from. Obviously we were most interested in watching from our Windows Media Connect-enabled computer. And for those eager to start streaming something besides WMV, sorry, the boys behind
Transcode 360 are still only pondering plugging in to WMC and WMP to transcode on the fly to the Xbox over this new method.
Make sure it's running, bud.
Oh, and make sure your Xbox is authorized. Doy.
Ah, ok, there we are. The Crushinator's going to serve us up some media.
It automagically indexes all your shared directories and subdirectories so finding shared media is a cinch. Unfortunately the only WMV video we had readily available was of our man
Dave Zatz unboxing the TiVo Series3.
Hit play and sit back to watch the magic happen.
So this video is upscaled and zoomed from QVGA onto approximately 1350 x 1080. You can imagine how that looked, but that's not really the point. The point is it works simply and as advertised, which is more than we can say for a lot of home streaming media solutions.
Thanks Dave. Enjoy that 1080p.
P.S. -We've heard of at least one person having issues with 1080p to his set. While we didn't have any problems with 1080p whatsoever, what's your experience been like? Let us know in comments (don't forget to tell us what kind of set you're using, and whether it's native or downscaled 1080p).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Richard @ Oct 31st 2006 4:31PM
That says playstation portable, then xbox. the red circle is there to mislead you.
Scabies @ Oct 31st 2006 3:10PM
You're retarded. That JPEG is a screenshot from a site that says "...PlayStation Portable Xbox..."
not "...Portable Xbox..."
pwfletcher @ Oct 31st 2006 12:57PM
I wish that it would connect to iTunes or somehow be able to hook in to mac's front row. If it did that, I would run out and buy one today.
Erik S @ Oct 31st 2006 3:53PM
You can use Connect360. http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/29106
jerry @ Oct 31st 2006 4:04PM
Actually, it connects to my mac - iTunes and iPhoto - nullriver makes a pane for system preferences
you're stuck with the 360's interface but all the media is there - it's nice playing zuma listening to my iTunes library!
http://www.nullriver.com/index/products/connect360
C52K @ Nov 8th 2006 12:36PM
Hi, You can connect your xbox360 to a mac running iTunes. I was searching for the same thing and come across a company that developed a small progam you load on the the MAC and shares out your iTunes music and photos loaded on the MAC. Very slick easy to use program. http://www.nullriver.com/index/products/connect360
Mrfreezie @ Oct 31st 2006 1:01PM
Ryan, do you mind telling me what TV you are using and what connection you are using? I am having a hard time finding a TV that accepts 1080p thru component.. Or does VGA work for 1080p?
Thanks
Sean @ Oct 31st 2006 1:13PM
The Samsung HL-S DLPs accept 1080p through component. I assume they are using the LED version, the HL-S5679W.
S.A. @ Oct 31st 2006 3:37PM
1080p works through VGA.
Jon @ Oct 31st 2006 1:08PM
Yes please do tell what connection you are using to get 1080p...and of course everyone wants to see someone try several different connections via 1080p.
Gary Yuan @ Oct 31st 2006 1:11PM
i think the new line of samsung LCD's accept 1080p thru components. I have a 60 inch SXRD (KDS60A2000) and they only accept 1080p thru HDMI, and not thru VGA or component so i'm out of luck. Please make a HDMI connection for the 360, MICROSOFT!!!!!!!
nodnetni @ Oct 31st 2006 1:16PM
Might be the only one to notice but why does the clock say 4:37PM ??? Where are this update taking place?
Ed @ Oct 31st 2006 1:17PM
1920x1080 looks beautiful on my 42" Sceptre 1080p lcd over VGA.
Lou @ Oct 31st 2006 1:26PM
That looks like the Samsung HL-S5679W.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Bb5auiAgFAP/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?I=305HLS5679&wm=cl
Definitely a beauty.
Jon @ Oct 31st 2006 1:30PM
I have the Brand New 60" Sony SXRD 1080P XBR2 (1080P native).. So a week ago i rush ordered the Monster VGA cable for 360 .. Well .. First i tried the monster component for 360 .. No dice , just got a scambled screen , So next i hooked up the VGA .. Well in the sony manual it says it will take a 1080P ithru VGA .. BS ... It only sills less the 1/2 the screen and theres a little msg saying it cannot handle the signal ... So all and all i bought the VGA cable for nothing and i can only get 1080i using component .. BUT ... This TV is amazing and i really dont think i would see a huge difference anyhow .. i am only dissapointed in the fact i will not be able to upconvert DVD's using 360 HD0DVD add on or PS3 .. and my Bravo D1 upscaler dvd-DVI (into a DVI-HDMI plug) player doesnt like my tv either .. so im Poop out of luck !! Luckly the 360 dvdplayer looks great anyhow on the set .. Hey if your looking for a amazing picture you cannot go wrong twith the Sony SXRD XBR2 .. ENGADGET DO A REVIEW ASAP !
Brian P @ Oct 31st 2006 1:31PM
I have a Sony 46XBR2 and no 1080p over component or VGA. Lovely.
Porsche 911 @ Oct 31st 2006 1:41PM
your statement is irrelevant
Porsche 911 @ Oct 31st 2006 1:51PM
Why cannot Microsoft create a HDMI cables for its current audio/video slot. One end of the cable can be HDMI and the other end can be the standard Xbox360 input. Or is that input not digital, if not, can they not release another firmware update to make it digital. Microsoft did state that their system is flexible, can they not make the system emulate the digital signal through the HDMI if their system cannot handle true digital signal. I want to connect my Xbox360 through a HDMI cable because my Sonys HDMI input is sitting there useless well until I get my PS3.
Pc_Madness @ Oct 31st 2006 7:53PM
Its been said about a billion times, the output slot is not digital.
Richard @ Oct 31st 2006 1:52PM
PS3 FTW. I think it's obvious that someone is going to lose the HD war in the console world. Oh wait, Nintendo isn't HD either. So I guess we'll be living in a regime =). And for those of you ready to fight back with 'But it says it will display HD!,' ya, it says that, but if it isn't encoded in the software (i.e. the game is on HD DVD or BD DVD) then you can't watch it in HD. Sure, you can force the signal through an upgrade, but it still wont be 1080p. GG.
Robby Andrews @ Oct 31st 2006 2:04PM
Dude thats wrong. Some doesn't realize HD refers to the amount of pixels being displayed upon the screen. PC's have been HD for years now, just that video and all the other equpiment is finall being mass prodcued for consumer use, such as all the HD displays, but as far as HD goes, Computer monitors and Video cards have been able to output HD over VGa for years now. Look at ur options in ur res, 1280X1024 on a monitor would be Progressive scan hd output, just not 1280x720, or in this case not 1920x1280. Loook games DO NOT have to be on HD-DVD or BD-ROM to be highdef. Also there is WMVhD. U can fit that on a regular DVD, albeit u have to use a comptuer or laptop to play it through.
Robert Andrews @ Nov 1st 2006 12:11AM
Dude thats wrong. Some doesn't realize HD refers to the amount of pixels being displayed upon the screen. PC's have been HD for years now, just that video and all the other equpiment is finall being mass prodcued for consumer use, such as all the HD displays, but as far as HD goes, Computer monitors and Video cards have been able to output HD over VGa for years now. Look at ur options in ur res, 1280X1024 on a monitor would be Progressive scan hd output, just not 1280x720, or in this case not 1920x1280. Loook games DO NOT have to be on HD-DVD or BD-ROM to be highdef. Also there is WMVhD. U can fit that on a regular DVD, albeit u have to use a comptuer or laptop to play it through.
martin @ Oct 31st 2006 3:07PM
My PC can run games made in 1996 and distributed on Compact Disc at resolutions higher than any HDTV is capable of displaying. It has nothing to do with BR or HDDVD. That's the magic of real-time graphics.
Dylan Horkin @ Oct 31st 2006 2:00PM
I still want to know what new resolutions have been unlocked for the VGA cable... Hopefully 1880x1440, etc.
raulr @ Oct 31st 2006 2:04PM
So does it upscale DVD playback?
Forrest @ Oct 31st 2006 2:06PM
I think it's obvious that someone is going to lose the HD war in the console world
---------------
Uh, there's a war? What is a war with one participant? Some guy in the corner playing with himself?
I'm just fine with a *gaming* console that focuses on *games*. One that I can actually buy sometime this year. If I want something to play HD media, I'll buy a device that does *that* well.
I never did understand blind devotion to a product or a company. Oh well, I guess it takes all kinds.
Rohit @ Oct 31st 2006 2:08PM
I dont kow about you guys but unless you are sitting VERY close to the TV you will not be able to make out any difference between 729p and 1080p. And the difference between 1080i and 1080p is even more hard to find out. If you dont believe it then research it.
I have Sony 50inch SXRD and I am about 10 to 12 feet away from the screen. At this distance 720 or 1080 will look the same. So I am not really that excited about this update.
Me @ Oct 31st 2006 2:18PM
Its so the Sony fanboys can stop pretending that their craptastic PS3 is best because it can do 1080p and 360 cant, now the 360 can they will have to find something else to pick at.
Rohit @ Oct 31st 2006 2:37PM
I agree with you there. More over most of the people do not have a HD TV. Even the house hold which has them, the PS3 or XBOX is going to be in their kids room with a smaller TV. And finally if you do have the HDTV, I will bet anyone to show me the difference between 720p and 1080p more over show me the difference between 1080i and 1080p. 99% of the people cannot. If you guys are interested then read this article:
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hitech/1137/maxing-out-resolution.html
Whats interesting about todays update is the ability to stream video. Thats what gets me excited.
Edog @ Oct 31st 2006 3:02PM
Rohit wrote"...you will not be able to make out any difference between 729p and 1080p. And the difference between 1080i and 1080p is even more hard to find out. If you dont believe it then research it."
I don't believe it and I did research it.
http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/news/feature.asp?Index=11092
"High-definition televisions will most commonly use progressive scan for 1280 720, known as 720p and interlaced for 1920 1080 or 1080i although some high-end televisions will support full 1920 1080 progressive, 1080p. A 1080p screen will yield the best picture quality whilst a 1080i screens output is apparently comparable to, or slightly worse than, that of a 720p screen (due to interlacing), even though it has twice the number of pixels."-by Stephen Morse
Progressive is always better than Interlaced. And it is very very noticable. When I upgraded my dvd player from 480i to 480p it was clearer. And I switched my gaming system back and forth from progressive to interlaced and I CAN see a difference. So I'm glad the 2nd thing I did this morning before work was download this update. I can't believe I'm saying this but...Thanks Microsoft!!! You did good this time.
Cultpress.com @ Oct 31st 2006 2:16PM
Good to see microsoft getting another update in before PS3 launch.
Richard @ Oct 31st 2006 2:18PM
I switched over to 1080p, but my screen blacks out every once in a while when I watch a video. Any one else have that issue? To be more specific, it does it about 3 times on the GOW promo ad.
Olivier @ Oct 31st 2006 2:20PM
Be prepared to see a whole lot more WMV files of TV shows on Bittorrent networks specifically for this prupose, just like we know have iPod specific formats.
This could b ewhat saves the WMV format from doom.
Now if the guys from NullRiver could update 360 Connect for it to support Video I would be a happy camper!
mexxecan @ Oct 31st 2006 2:22PM
i'm using a dell 2407wfp with vga and the 1920x1080 resolution i seem to be having a image problem. i don't know what to call it though, i see these dark black lines all over the image, but i put it back down to 1280x720 or even 1360x768 and the image looks fine.wierd.
andy @ Oct 31st 2006 2:30PM
If i could stream xvid to an xbox360 I'd buy one tomorrow.. double time it, hackers!
__________________________________________
Buy an xbox. My xbox will stream xvid encoded vids from my laptop to my tv just fine.
Screw all of these companies with their proprietary Big Brother crap. Vote with your money. When xbox and ps3 support all available formats an don't DRM the hell out of everything, then and ONLY THEN should you buy one.
No one seems to catch on to the idea of voting with their money. You all have to have the latest and greatest right now. Maybe if everyone waited until the latest really was the greatest POSSIBLE at that time, we would have the products and codec support everyone knows we want.
raymond @ Oct 31st 2006 2:34PM
My Samsung does 1080p over component and VGA (and of course HDMI). It's the LN-S4696D but I think all of their 1080p sets accept it over component and VGA.
Ross @ Oct 31st 2006 2:45PM
Good work MS...now where the hell is the HDMI connection kit?
legios @ Oct 31st 2006 2:45PM
Someone please explain this to me.
I've been streaming movies from my computers to my Xbox360 since I got it. I have 2 WXP machines, 1 WMC machine, and the 360 all linked on a home network. The only movies that I can't get to work are .avi's, divx (xvid), and .mov's.
What's so special about this upgrade (other than the 1080p obviously).
chris @ Oct 31st 2006 3:28PM
legios-- "What's so special about this upgrade (other than the 1080p obviously)."
The biggest thing for me is that I don't need a Media Center PC to stream movies from my computer. Before the connect software on plain xp only worked with pics and music.
Tony B. @ Oct 31st 2006 2:48PM
I was excited to see the media streaming. This means that now I can schedule my PC to go to my TiVo and download shows from it (we have our TiVo in the back bedroom since Comcast provides a DVR for our main tv) in the middle of the night and then use the Xbox360 to go and connect to the PC to stream those files. Very cool. If anyone is interested in how to do that you need to have DVRAnywhere installed on your computer. It's an Addon from Orb. It'll even convert the files from the TiVo format for you.
CM @ Oct 31st 2006 2:52PM
If you're having problems taking pictures of your TV image, you need to look in your camera manual and see how to adjust the shutter speed. You want a longish exposure time (and a steady hand, or a tripod). And of course, turn off the flash!
If your camera has no shutter speed settings, then try this: turn off the flash, turn off the room lights, aim the camera partly off the screen, push the button halfway down, then reaim at the screen and push the button all the way down. The idea is to lock in the exposure settings when focused on something not-so-bright. May or may not work; I don't know.
Paul @ Oct 31st 2006 2:54PM
I got the update this morning - very nice. The biggest thing I noticed is that the whole dashboard is a LOT faster now. The blades move quicker and there are not image glitches. Very nice. Can you imagine how well tuned this thing will be in 3 years? Amazine.
I'm looking forward to the Wireless headset.
Porsche 911 @ Oct 31st 2006 8:11PM
Thanks Microsoft!!! You did good this time
I hope that was sarcasm I have an Xbox360 and I preordered a PS3. However, unlike the PS3, which has a HDMI input, the Xbox360 does not. Not every television supports 1080p over a component and or VGA. If people are complaining about not owning a 1080p television, now people should complain about owning a 1080p television that does not support 1080p through component nor VGA.
Thank you Microsoft for making my 1080p television with a HDMI useless, until I get my PS3.
Rohit @ Oct 31st 2006 8:44PM
Edog wrote : "And I switched my gaming system back and forth from progressive to interlaced and I CAN see a difference"
Well let me congratulate you for noticing the difference between 1080i and 1080p. You are one of the very few who can. Theoretically the article (the link to which you provided) is right. It is supposed to be better. However the real world situation is always different. Its a known FACT that if you move up from 720p/1080i to 1080p the only time when it will matter it when you are sitting close to the TV. In case you were then that might answer why you saw the difference. But with a 50inch TV and a distance of 10 to 12 feet 99% of people will not be able to make out any difference. This is a FACT not an opinion. As I said you can read it here:
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hitech/1137/maxing-out-resolution.html
Here is a part of article from CNET:
Obviously, the quality of the source material you're viewing is very important, but so are screen size and how far you're sitting from your TV. Indeed, our resident video guru, Senior Editor David Katzmaier, reports that the extra sharpness afforded by the 1080p televisions he's seen is noticeable only when watching 1080i sources on a larger screen. Comparing a 50-inch 1080p DLP set to a 50-inch 720p DLP set, for example, he says you'll be hard-pressed to notice more detail with 1080i sources, especially from farther than 8 feet away. Even if you can see the difference, it will be much less obvious than, say, the difference between DVD and 720p HDTV. Of course, performance will vary from set to set, and we'll know more when we have a chance to thoroughly test more 1080p televisions.
Katzmaier also says that the main real-world advantage of 1080p is not the extra sharpness you'll be seeing, but instead, the smaller, more densely packed pixels. In other words, you can sit closer to a 1080p television and not notice any pixel structure, such as stair-stepping along diagonal lines, or screen door effect. This advantage applies regardless of the quality of the source.
You can read the whole article here:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6449_7-6361600-1.html
Dont take me wrong. I am happy for the MS update. I am sure there are people out there who own 60 inch TV and sit right up to it and play game. Its worth it for them. But its important to understand ones own viewing condition. I think for 90% of the people it will not matter much. Sony might try to convince you otherwise, but its just a marketing strategy. They are just fooling everyone. Xbox will have more than enough resolution for the HDTVs at 720p or 1080i. However adding 1080p is good for marketing to I am not actually dissapointed that xBox added that.
edog @ Nov 1st 2006 11:36AM
Rohit wrote "Well let me congratulate you for noticing the difference between 1080i and 1080p. You are one of the very few who can."
All others follow the thread for the full discussion.
Rohit I agree with you on the tech facts totally, but (and I didn't want to toot my own horn, before) I am in the 1% who can see the difference. I work in micro electronics and I'm the only one in my group who can spot shorts without the use of a microscope, no B.S. But it's a trade off my brain can't tell the difference between anamorphic and full screen. My girlfriend always catches me watching TV in the wrong format, I can't tell the difference but I can spot a contact lense on the ground in 2 secs. So for me 1080p is a good thing. And "Porsche 911" I wasn't being sarcastic for this fact.
But to go back to the discussion. Even though I agree that image quality is not the issue for 99% of the population and that this update holds little to cheer about with respect to 1080p without a hdmi connection, a native sorce and a TV that can truely bring out this sorce, there is also the notion of perception. Progressive scan can produce a more fluid motion than interlace when a high rate of motion is displayed on the screen, such as sports or a good action movie. At least thats what my understanding of the format is.
And thanks for the links it was a good read.
Dave Zatz @ Oct 31st 2006 3:11PM
All that video proves is that I need to be on a diet. ;)
potato @ Oct 31st 2006 3:21PM
My 360 isn't hooked up to teh intarwebs right now, but I have a question: Since MS enabled 1920x1080 for the VGA cable, did they enable any other resolutions along the way? I'm primarily concerned with 1440x900 and 1680x1050 for us LCD users.
Tristan @ Oct 31st 2006 3:26PM
Westinghouse's 1080p tv takes 1080p signal through component, vga, dvi, and hdmi. If you are looking for a low priced great working 1080p tv I suggest you look into that tv.
Kirk @ Oct 31st 2006 3:39PM
I've got a Westinghouse LVM-42W2 which supports 1080p over component, vga, dvi, or hdmi connections. This functionality has been tested primarily with a computer, but now with the Xbox 360.
JasonLynx @ Oct 31st 2006 3:27PM
I have my Mac (iTunes & iPhoto) streaming stuff to my 360 with a program called Connect360. Works great even has shoutcasting.