Xbox Live Video hands-on

We snagged a few shots of Microsoft's new Xbox Live Video HDTV and HD movie download platform tonight. There isn't a whole lot to say since there was essentially zero mystery excepting seeing the actual XBL interface in person, but you should still click on to see a screen-by-screen of how you'll be wasting all those Microsoft Points this fall/winter.

Update: Microsoft called to let us know that the prices on the downloads (as photographed after the break) are actually not finalized, but are essentially placeholder values. We were told that the actual prices on these downloads would more than likely go down, so don't count on these figures being accurate at launch day.

So, let's get going with the media/video blade on the 360.

Well, well, that's new.

Got a couple selections pulled up here. Notice the expiry date on tha ATL.

So you've got your two download options there; preview will stream a live preview clip to that right box. Also notice how when you pay for HD content you get the SD version free (although in pay-per-day movies, this poses significantly less point).

Again with V. Say, wasn't yesterday Guy Fawkes day?

More options; 14-day rental, but you know the stipulations.

Let's check out some TV. CBS perhaps?

Loading.

So here are our program listings on CBS, got a few brand-name titles going on here.

Drilling down into CSI: NY. Note the title and download rank twist nav.

Grab that ep.

And there's your purchase blade again.

Star Trek is being remastered in HD! It's not done yet though, so sit tight.

And, of course, one of our favoritest TV shows on the air today, Robot Chicken.

Plus preview. Sublime.

[Michaelegr @ Nov 7th 2006 12:56AM]

Nice... How can you not want one?

[Alex P @ Nov 7th 2006 1:05AM]

I consider myself a PS3 fanboy but I find this feature of the 360 to be an overwhelming advantage over the PS3. I have always thought of downloadable movies as the generation after Blu-Ray/ HD DVD. The 360 seems to have everything going right for them, while the PS3 continues to lag behind. The bad new for the PS3 is non-stop. Meanwhile, the 360 is adding features everyday.

This feature has put the 360 way above the PS3 in terms of being a multimedia station. The 360 also has better games comming out and slightly better graphics from what I've seen so far even though the PS3 isnt out yet.

I don't want to be stuck paying $200 dollars more for less of a machine. This feature has clinched my decision to buy a 360 rather than my beloved PS3. I never though I'd be saying this a year ago.

[Casey @ Nov 7th 2006 1:13AM]

Welcome to the club Alex, muhahahaha

[john collucci @ Nov 7th 2006 2:05AM]

I'd still wait for the PS3 release to see it in it's full glory if i were you. The DRM and peripherals needed for the 360 are still quite the drawback.

[jamie @ Nov 7th 2006 6:53AM]

"I consider myself a PS3 fanboy"

What do you think we are, like 12? Simply calling yourself a ps3 fanboy doesnt mean you are one. Be proud of who you are xbox360 fanboy, be bold!
By the way, I like the interface and feature. I might be tempted to keep my 360. I was gonna sell mine on ebay after I get the ps3. Cannot stand the yearly subscription to live and having to change the battery to my controller in the middle of a game! Little complaints, but they drive me crazy.

[Patrick @ Nov 7th 2006 1:09AM]

the only thing this needs


BSG SEASON 3 IN HD!!!!!
BSG SEASON 3 IN HD!!!!!
BSG SEASON 3 IN HD!!!!!
BSG SEASON 3 IN HD!!!!!
BSG SEASON 3 IN HD!!!!!

[LongStar @ Nov 7th 2006 1:11AM]

bah , you have to pay for TV Episodes , i can watch them for free on cable.

[Farris @ Nov 7th 2006 1:13AM]

"..for free on cable..." HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, but seriously, what?

[Christian @ Nov 7th 2006 5:14PM]

Free? You forget that you get a monthly bill form your cable company?

[GhostRiderTGAC @ Nov 8th 2006 5:38PM]

You know I don't mind paying for the specific programming I want to watch. Longstar and others have commented on how they can watch TV for "free" on cable... well unless you are stealing cable, the programming you are watching isn't free. I long for a day when I can cancel cable and simply download just the programs I want to watch. It would be great if the producers of content went further and allowed me to pre-purchase a season of a show and then have it automatically pushed to my console as new episodes became available.
I imagine if shows could be proe-purchased in this way, that more shows that get cancelled on traditional TV would have much longer runs. This would make me much happier due to the fact that just when I start enjoying a series it seems that "Big Brother Network Exec" decides it isn't selling enough Coke or Nike and axes it.
Kudos to Microsoft for going this route, now let's get the program producers on board and maybe we get some Youtube style programming too!

[404error @ Nov 7th 2006 1:18AM]

6.1GB for V for Vendetta!?
If Microsoft doesn't release a bigger HDD for the 360 this whole TV/Movie download service is rather pointless.

[saq @ Nov 7th 2006 1:27AM]

Woah BSG Season 3 in HD on time?
Well played Microsoft. If they released Halo 3 this Christmas that would be the ass kicking not seen in a close highly competitive market in ages.

[Lou @ Nov 7th 2006 1:30AM]

@404error

It is supposed to be a rental service, not a purchase. Therefore, I guess they are assuming that you will not have more than two on there at a time.

I keep mine pretty clean, usually having about 12gb free depending on what demos are out.

This looks to be really exciting, with a good selection, they could definitely be onto something.

[tgb @ Nov 7th 2006 1:31AM]

Hmmm,FairUse4WM will work with this hd vid's?

[Farris @ Nov 7th 2006 1:35AM]

Ooh, good answer, good answer! (*clapping ensues*)

How hard would it be to strip the DRM from this, or at least work your way around it? There's no way it's streamed to the box, so it has to be saved on the HDD. I give it one week...

[PN @ Nov 7th 2006 1:41AM]

"I want my bsg bsg bsg bsg bsg bsg bsg I want my bsg bsg bsg bsg bsg bsg bsg bsg. BSG SEASON 3 innnnnn hd....barbeque sauce."


please

[Castle @ Nov 7th 2006 1:51AM]

720p (1280x720)?

HD-DVDs & Blu-rays are 1080p (1920x1080), would like to have them distribute it at 1080p, but already at 6.1GB for the movie, even at blazing speeds it'll probably take longer to DL then to watch the movie so it won't be an impulse buy that you can watch immediately (also a problem since there is a expiration date for the movie), and being that the current 360 drive is 20GBs only you'll have only room for around 3 movies.

Also, whenever they plan on upgrading the HDD to the rumored 60GB you'll be charged at least a $100 for that.

[john collucci @ Nov 7th 2006 1:51AM]

Downloads are a pretty sweet option, although calling 720p an HD resolution is starting to sound pretty deceptive - it's more like the beta release of HD.

Also, remember that SONY has already fostered working relationships with the major film studios so they may not be far behind, although they are also far less likely to have designed their system like an upgradable computer as Microsoft was obviously so inclined with the 360. I sure hope that SONY has an answer to this, or the 360 could start sprinting away.

[Me @ Nov 7th 2006 2:56AM]

Erm 720p is as High Definition as 1080i and 1080p, its not pretend High Definition, it IS Hi Def.

[Shmoe @ Nov 7th 2006 1:53AM]

I can't believe MS doesn't already have NBC lined up for this, what with the MSNBC partnership and all.

[Shmoe @ Nov 7th 2006 1:54AM]

Original series Star Trek is cool, now just add TNG and all X films.

[Shmoe @ Nov 7th 2006 1:57AM]

This all sounds awesome, but MS needs better integration with this and Vista Media Center and Zune. They've got too much that's not connected well.

[Coluch @ Nov 7th 2006 2:01AM]

I also need to mention that the PSP did acquire SONY a good working relationship with the studios, however this 360 thing seems much more powerful in concept than even the itunes store.

Think about it. People can download and watch this content where they are already comfortable watching it - in their living room. This is really an exciting step towards marrying the internet and the living room. It's a shame that the 360's target is such a specific demographic, however selling non-physical product is sure to rake in some serious cash within that market.

Maybe the next step is to sell all BluRay and HD-DVD players with internal drives and connectability, so the common user can get onboard with this concept without being a gamer.

[Uchendu Nwachukwu @ Nov 8th 2006 2:11AM]

HD DVD players already have internet connections and hard drives installed as a mandatory requirement, so people will be able to download additional content to them.

[Shmoe @ Nov 7th 2006 2:04AM]

A good example of better integration between Vista, the 360 and Media Center is why the hell doesn't the Zune support DVR-MS files??? I hope they add DVR-MS support to the Zune as well as the ability to EASILY transcode and watch these shows on the Zune, that is what it will take to bring down iPod.

[Christopher @ Nov 12th 2006 7:20PM]

You are worried about DRM when Sony installs rootkits? niiiice.

[Tim Dorr @ Nov 7th 2006 2:13AM]

$3 for a 15 minute TV episode? That's a load of crap. You should at least get 4 Robot Chicken's at a time with that kind of pricing.

[Robotron @ Nov 7th 2006 2:22AM]

Well at least MS will be happy to know there are still stupid people willing to part with their money.
Bill thanks you for your blind devotion.

[John G @ Nov 7th 2006 2:35AM]

ehhh...do you need fios to be able to watch these huge files?

[Franssu @ Nov 7th 2006 7:52AM]

I completely second that. HD video is either 720p, 1080i or 1080p. The phrase "the true definition of HD" to talk about 1080p is pure Sony PR bullsh*t.

My projector does "only" 720p and my screen is 80" wide, and it's crisp enough thank you very much.

This download service is pretty interesting (if the prices are right), and waaaay better than iTunes (which is limited to 480p fullscreen, eewwwww).

[donlphi @ Nov 7th 2006 3:10AM]

I already have ON DEMAND, why would I need or want an x-box 360 to go with it? Can you do anything with the movies like put them on the new ZUNE? Not likely. How much are these movies going to cost?

Then again, who cares how much, with titles like V for Vendetta and Lethal Weapon 4, JUST SIGN ME UP! lame...

You already pay on average $50 for high speed internet. If you have cable modem, you already have on demand through your regular or premium cable service (add another $50+). Microsoft will never have the same selection a cable provider will offer. Now pay extra for an XBOX premium entertainment service = waste of money.

The cable box comes with a DVR, what else do you need?

I don't see this taking off. It's going to last as long as QuantumLink... mark my words. :)

[Rex @ Nov 7th 2006 10:05AM]

Just because you have cable internet does not mean you have digital cable or on demand. I have cabel for about 55 a month, digital cable and on demand is an extra 30 to 40 per month that I don't want to pay. So don't assume that you have on demand if you have cable internet.

[Christian @ Nov 7th 2006 5:18PM]

I only pay $30 buck for internet so this is a better choice than yours as I can chose what crap I want to watch vs. you paying $100+ for all the crap and maybe watch 10% of it.

[DC @ Nov 7th 2006 4:39AM]

Sony will have more trouble pulling off a service like this than MS (Sony could do it for thier own content, which there is plenty, but would find it hard to get other to join the party I would imagine)

[Kurt @ Nov 7th 2006 6:34AM]

Blu-Ray vs HD-DVD fighting it out while the underdog downloadable content sneaks up and beats them both. I have thought all along that since 2 companies are fighting it is going to slow down the adoption rate of either technology allowing download speeds to improve over the next 2 to 3 years when a 6gb download becomes nothing.

As for the 20gb HD I hope somehow microsoft allows people to hook a USB hard drive to their box in order to store the movie content. That way we can put a 300gb HD up there on the cheap.

[AJ @ Nov 7th 2006 6:35AM]

well I find that this is lame. I good idea, and hopefully it will grow, but at this point I don't see the point. I already buy all my favorite TV shows on iTunes and BUY my favorite movies on iTunes. The difference between me buying this content on iTunes and Xbox Live is that I can transfer it to my iPod and watch it where ever I want, I can even plug it into a TV and watch it! But why would I, I have a DVR which has alll my favorite shows and I plan on buying the HD-DVD player today! So Microsoft stop wasting people money with such locked down content. The only part that temps me is that all the content is in HD, but I wont give in!

[Dustin @ Nov 7th 2006 8:02AM]

You could always just get the rechargable battery, it's only like $15 at Gamestop. I've never had any problem with it, and it lasts a good 35 hours before needing recharging again. And I don't see how anyone can complain about the yearly subscription cost, considering how much content Xbox has delivered already. I have felt that from just all the demos alone, the subscription has paid for itself. Not to mention all the cool game videos up for download, I especially enjoyed the TGS videos. But seriously, $50 a YEAR is a very small price to pay compared to other gaming experiences on the net. Though, I do feel the need to complain about games like FFXI and PSU that have an additional monthly cost. If you already have gold, I think you should be exempt...

[Bob @ Nov 7th 2006 7:16AM]

This sounds like a nice system. The reason this will be better than itunes and so on is that it's already connected to your boob tube. It's all good that itunes will transfer disney movies to your little ipod screen, but it turns out the majority of people watching tv and film are on the living room couch. Thats why it will sell more than portable movies. I can also see them having the option of portable entertainment by integrating it with Zune in the near future.

[Kurt @ Nov 7th 2006 8:30AM]

Bob don't forget about iTV coming early 2007

http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/12/hands-on-with-the-apple-itv-prototype/

[Redstripe @ Nov 7th 2006 8:14AM]

I would enjoy the service but way too expensive, plus, I like most people use a Media Center. Think of the prices realistically. Robot Chicken, without commercials is only about a 15-minute show. 240 points = $3. On this scale you're looking at $12/h. That�s about half my hourly salary! Ridiculous.

[John @ Nov 7th 2006 8:20AM]

This is perfect for those who want the HD experience, albeit 720p, but do not have a full HD lineup via their cable company. Personally, I'm frustrated that I have to watch HD available programming, but my cable provider doesn't support it. I can see this being huge for those who want to watch a favorite episode in the highest resolution avaialable.

[hawkeye @ Nov 7th 2006 8:30AM]

This is starting to bug me. I'm going to need an Xbox 360 to watch Jericho (CBS), an iTV to watch Lost (ABC), a PS3 to watch any Sony movies (do they own any TV channels?), and a MythTV for the formats MS wasn't smart enough to support (not pr0n). BTW, how did MS miss out of NBC? MSNBC? Seems like an obvious one, especially with Heroes being kinda perfect for the Xbox 360 market.

iTunes was successful mostly because you could find almost anything there, none of these download services will be useful until anything I want to watch is available and at a reasonable price. If I had to guess the cable companies are going to get there first. I'm on Adelphia and they don't even know what OnDemand is, but I've heard good things about Comcast (well, more than Adelphia anyway). It's good that this is making Blu-ray/HD-DVD start to look a bit obsolete. Sony and Toshiba just screwed themselves with their stupid bickering.

[flxrms @ Nov 7th 2006 8:58AM]

Hmm...Where's my porn? hehehe HD quality porn..yum yum yum...

[Marko @ Nov 7th 2006 9:55AM]

It all makes sense now. Microsoft supports HD-DVD, fules format war, both HD-DVD and Blueray suffer. And, who wins? Well, Microsoft, of course. It pushes people away from purchasing discs (of all sorts) and finally persuades them to purchase contents on-line - from Mircosoft, apparently.

Any you need an xbox to play them, which is an added bonus.

[SteveJ @ Nov 7th 2006 9:56AM]

This does look pretty cool, and even though I like iTunes as a music player and love my iPod, I don't buy anything from the iTunes store any more (well, I did buy some iPod games and will buy more, probably, when they release more), and I certainly won't be buying movies from iTS. Indeed, I won't be buying any movies anywhere - I don't need to watch movies more than once or twice with rare exception, so a rental model is tons more sensible for movies. Music I buy, not movies.

What do these movie rentals cost? I didn't get that from the article. Ideally I'd be able to play them on my MacBook and my iPod, but I'm sure that at least the latter isn't going to happen. I don't watch movies at home (I have kids, and watching movies at low volume after they are in bed has multiple negatives to it, so I watch movies on my train ride to and from work, in 30 minute segments) and so in all likelyhood I'll stick to Netflix and ripping to MP4.

[Big Ice D @ Nov 7th 2006 10:37AM]

Baby steps. Eventually all the "cable" companies (Time Warner,Comcast,etc.)will just be another utility service, just providing the information line. Cable won't be able to compete as a "content" delivery service any longer.They will hang on for a few years for late adopters. The only thing that saves them now is the established ties they have with the networks. Lucky for Ted Turner he owns alot of content to sell. Most phone companies have at least positioned themselves to diversify into the wireless information line market. This about content delivery, and all the big boys are coming to play.

1.MS/360/Marketplace/Zune/Vista Hardrive
2.Apple/iTV/ITMS/Ipod(ish device)/mac
3.Sony/PS3/Connect(or whatever the hell that network is)/PSP/sony linux-ish OS?

Content companies like the movie/TV studios love it. All locked up nice and neat from their servers to your little box. Hell, it wouldn't shock me if once the market grows, Studios ended up saying "screw you NBC I'm taking this sitcom to M$ as LIVE network exclusive."

One problem they forgot about though..the Pirates are lurking in the mist waiting for the booty.

[QP @ Nov 7th 2006 10:16AM]

At first I was like "COOL!", but then I started thinking, wait a minute now I don't get to play my 360 for an hour at a time because my wife rents a CSI episode? Hmmm, maybe not so cool.

(although I guess the obvious solution is TWO 360's right?)

[B1indspot @ Nov 7th 2006 11:07AM]

How long until we get a HD version of RVB?

[Ed @ Nov 7th 2006 11:43AM]

I have to say the prices for TV are very, very disappointing. $3 for SD and $4 for HD per episode, regardless of length? Totally not worth it. Unless a season pass is a huge discount, at least.

[Big Ice D @ Nov 7th 2006 11:51AM]

Absolutely, they need to offer a Season for say ....9.99-12.99? Most likely 19.99 to start...Isn't that about what a box set of a Season of a typical show retails for on DVD?