Xbox 360: now with H.264, MPEG-4, PlaysForSure
By Ryan Block 
posted Apr 9th 2007 2:19PM
posted Apr 9th 2007 2:19PM
Color us tickled, but we totally missed some of the finest points of all in Microsoft's Xbox 360 spring Dashboard update: they're totally tricking out the video (finally!). No longer will we be confined to our very least favorite video codec, WMV -- the new update will enable Windows Media Connect or Media Center streaming MPEG-4 up to 8Mbps, H.264 up to 15Mbps, and PlaysForSure WMV videos (and, as we understand it, PlaysForSure audio as well). Wow, finally we can actually use the 360 to play video that wasn't recorded off our Media Center or converted by our Zune software (cough, hack). See, was that so hard, Microsoft? Now just hold on to your asses until the week of May 7th, Xbox fans, that's all you've gotta do.
Good Sh!t
It's about time someone noticed this. This is the big news of the update...the IM stuff is minor league compared to this. Oh and I've been able to play Plays for Sure music streamed from my laptop since day one of launch.
we need more Divx/Xvid
Are they fixing washed out VGA colors and the wireless adapter not working with draft 802.11n routers? I'd rather them fix existing bugs before adding new features personally...
It is nice that it displays the name of the game in the drive from the dashboard now (the freaking Gamecube could even do this...)
Hold onto our asses?
uh, ok.
PlaysForSure audio was already supported - from day 1, IIRC. But PlaysForSure video was not supported. It looks like they are adding it in this update.
does this mean it can play divx and xvid as well?
H.264?! I think this clearly is a move on Microsoft's part to eat Apple's lunch. Kudo's to MS for adding this to the spring update! What makes this worse is you could still get your video podcasts in H.264 through iTunes, but all you have to do is tell Media Center where that content is and view it on your 360. LOL Talk about PWNing Apple with it's own software! :)
shit, i just bought an appletv for h264 playback - that BLOWS.
DivX/XviD plz.
Alright Sony, time to add network support... you'd still be behind, but at least not as far.
No. Divx and Xvid require MPEG 4 Advanced Simple Profile. This update will only add MPEG 4 Simple Profile.
uhh sweet
Wow, aren't we lucky!
We get to stream more media from out computer! Wow!
I mean c'mon, why not allow playback from cd/dvd/external harddrive?
The Xbox 360 does indeed playback all supported file formats from CD, DVD, USB Thumb Drive and even external hard drive. That issue was tackled in last falls update.
They already allow playback from a cd, dvd, and at least a usb flashdrive.
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/digitalmedia/viewvideo.htm
Bah, sorry for my stupidness! (and thanks for not flaming)
I just got pulled in by the article saying "streaming" so i assumed we would only be able to stream!
Thanks for the info guy's.
Are you paying attention AppleTV?
what exactly does this provide that AppleTV doesn't? Mpeg4 doesn't mean Divx/Xvid. I am betting this holy grail of codec won't be supported anytime soon.
They had to do it ps3 supports mpg , and HDMI and 60 gig hard drive or what ever you want to put in the box
I expect that Nullriver will update their Connect360 program that allows streaming from my Mac Pro- at least they should!
Sweet! Now I can stream more porn straight to my HDTV.
That's exactly what I was thinking... 57" of my favs... :)
Personally, I'd like to see the ability to copy media from external devices such as iPods or other media players, since we now have the 120GB HDD available (or soon to be, I should say). Regardless, I do enjoy the fact that I can hook up my iPod to a 360 and play the music through there.
Very very good news; ISO-standard Mpeg4(AVC H.264) while hopefully be universal from now on. Since its already in the iPod, iTV, PS3, PSP, and now the Xbox 360.
Being that there is an ass-load of free encoders everywhere hopefully people will start using it more.
Castle wrote: "Very very good news; ISO-standard Mpeg4(AVC H.264) while hopefully be universal from now on. Since its already in the iPod, iTV, PS3, PSP, and now the Xbox 360.
Being that there is an ass-load of free encoders everywhere hopefully people will start using it more."
Don't forget that HD-DVD and Blu-ray also use H,264 (and VC-1).
I personally would like to see that, but I don't it's going to happen anythime soon. H.264 does offer better compression which, of course, is more conducive for internet downloads, but DivX/Xvid/3viD is still pretty good and takes a lot less time and effort to encode and subsequently decode.
However, the ball has dropped since most manufactures are now supporting it. So the next change we need to see to make H.264 ubiquitous and make DivX/XviD/3viD fall to the sidelines is for torrent uploaders to start using the H.264 codec. When that happens the change will happen fast.
@NiGhTmArE and other gripey little bitches
FFS, M$oft just put a major spear right thru Apple & Sony's hearts. This type of update only serves to enrich your living room media experience -- by forcing all players to step to the plate or fall by the wayside. M$oft has forced Sony's non-networking and ATV's limited-codec-supporting asses to improve the user experience or to fail. We, as a user base, are getting *EXACTLY* what we've been begging for!..
Are we seriously griping about that?
I agree totally, except for your penchant for referring to the firm "Microsoft" as "M$oft".
Please grow up and move out of your parents' basement, no one is impressed.
I have already replied to my last reply so please check it, i didn't mean to be a "gripey little bitch".
@August
Ac'shly i jus 2 laZ 2 spel out 'Microsoft'.
So let's spread the love -- and drop the backhanded comments. Because I know you're a great guy.
Don't forget how much I love you.
just to substantiate my prior claim
http://www.apple.com/appletv/specs.html
Video formats supported
* H.264 and protected H.264 (from iTunes Store): Up to 5 Mbps, Progressive Main Profile (CAVLC) with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 1280 by 720 pixels at 24 fps, 960 by 540 pixels at 30 fps)
* iTunes Store purchased video: 320 by 240 pixels or 640 by 480 pixels
* MPEG-4: Up to 3 Mbps, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (maximum resolution: 720 by 432 pixels at 30 fps)
> Mpeg4 doesn't mean Divx/Xvid.
It's vice versa: Xvid/DivX means MPEG4. (And x264 means H.264 aka MPEG4/AVC.)
Many people use DivX and XviD to produce MPEG4 files.
Thanks to general stance of M$ on de jure standards - M$ did all they could possible do to make MPEG4 playback with WMP a PITA - people create .avi files instead. Those are well known and by now everybody thinks that AVI == DivX/XviD.
IOW, what under Mac OS X is MPEG4, under M$Wind0ze is AVI or DivX/XviD.
P.S. But even DivX people abandoned (read: stopped hacking) AVI for MP4 for H.264 content.
Perhaps you're asking the wrong question Kurt....What, if anything can AppleTV do that the XBox 360 cannot? I can think of a slew of things that the 360 can do but I'm a bit short on the Apple side. ....hmmm..play my iTunes files (for which I have none).....play my iMovies (none there), how about garageband....nope.
What does AppleTV do for me that I already cannot do?
Awesome. It's a simple way to make the 360 even more of a killer device. Keep the codecs coming, guys. I love being able to stream stuff to my HDTV.
Right, except the 360 is 100 bucks more and actually allows you to play games (and no, I don't mean some jackass with a USB adapter on his N64 playing Mario Bros. in his parents' basement).
What can it do that Apple TV can't you said earlier then posted this follow up, well let's see, From Xbox.com:
"Added H.264 video support: Up to 10 Mbps peak, Baseline, Main, and High profiles with 2 channel AAC LC.
Added MPEG-4 Part 2 video support: Up to 5 Mbps peak, Simple Profile with 2 channel AAC LC."
So that's H.264 at twice the bitrate that Apple TV can do, and Mpeg 4 at 5Mbps instead of just 3. Oh and by the way the 360 isn't limited to 1280x720 at 24 FPS it can go all the way up to 1080P at 30fps.
Unfortunately, this does not mean Divx or Xvid can be played on the 360 after the update. Both codecs require MPEG-4 Advanced Simple Profile support, and the press release specifies only Simple Profile.
From the press release: "Added MPEG-4 Part 2 video support"
MPEG-4 Part 2 includes Simple Profile and Advanced Simple Profile.
Does this include AVI files, specifically DV-AVI (you know the ones you capture off of your standard video camera these days)? And what about HDV (high definition video camera)?
I use Transcode360 to playback Xvid on my 360. Requires MCE though.
I would be happier with:
#1 DivX support,
#2 a way to upload pics to my HDD from a DVD
#3 a way to upload porn to my HDD from my DVD's
#4 An INTERNET BROWSER in one of the dashboard blades.
Hopefully the MSN integration + keyboard attachment will allow you to chat on MSN with your mic and your Vision camera BUT, I truly will not be happy until Microsoft caves into Sony pressure and adds an Internet Browser to the system.
The 360 should have launched with an internet browser in the first place
Yes badnegro, we are griping. At least the AppleTV can be hacked to provide Divx/Xvid support, but the 360 (even with the spring update) still can't decode and play back those formats. This is a nice update, but it's not what I wanted and it's not worth shouting "Microsoft wins, Sony and Apple loose" from the rooftops.
"...it's not what I wanted and it's not worth shouting "Microsoft wins, Sony and Apple loose" from the rooftops"
Maybe it's not what you wanted, but either way, why would you shout 'Sony and Apple loose'??? Are you calling them sluts or something?
This is a disturbing trend that has becoming increasingly common on the intarwebs. So look, I'm only going to say it once, here we go:
LOSE! It's spelled L-O-S-E! As in "to lose". 'Loose' is the opposite of tight, it's an entirely different word!
Sorry if you knew that and just made a little typo, but I see someone make this mistake just about every day...
I'm a rookie in video specs, but does this mean that Microsoft is opening up many ways to view content making the Apple Tv (itunes only) obselete?
Thank you. I thought I was the only one thinking that. Usually when I see M$ I just skip the comment as it most likely wont be worth reading.
I can now finally playback all my unprotected video files off of my computers hard drive. I rip my DVDs and encode them to the mpeg-4 AVC (h.264) video format. It is a lot easier for me just to double-click on a video file than it is for me to dig out my DVDs. I just hope that the Xbox 360 has the ability to play these video files off of external hard drives as I would prefer that over streaming them off of my PC. Actually, I would prefer it if the video playback features of the Xbox 360 supported the iPod file structure. I can get my Xbox 360 to play unprotected audio off of my iPod but it won't playback WMV files that I copy to it (ie as data files, not through iTunes). I just hope that they add that to the update. I would much prefer to copy a movie to my iPod and plug it into my Xbox 360 instead of streaming. Actually, I would prefer the ability to put user made videos on the Xbox 360's hard drive.
I knew this was coming following a "Remote Desktop Connection" update.
the interesteing thing.... is this. if i put a divx disk into my 360 hd dvd player it will play the divx files
For the record (and again, you'd think the guys at Engadget would know better)...
WMV is not a codec - it's a file format - a container for various things including video. Same with AVI, which is essentially the predecessor to WMV. While we're at it - there's also ASF (Advanced Stream Format) which is actually the 'daddy' format from which WMV and WMA derive.
WMV supports all sorts of codecs including some classics like Indeo and Cinepak. The same is true of AVI. You can even host DiVX encoded streams in a WMV file if you like. All it requires is a WDM/BDA compatible codec filter.
And while we're at it - for everyone who is about to say 'I prefer AVI because I prefer to avoid Microsoft formats'... AVI IS a Microsoft format. It's the CODEC (typically DiVX or XViD) which isn't Microsoft (although DiVX started out as a hacked version of Microsoft's MPEG-4 Codec).
In terms of efficiency as a container - WMV is actually superiour to AVI in most ways and is more flexible. The best argument against WMV is that the actual format isn't easily obtained and so it is difficult to support on non-Windows systems.
Finally - why is this better than an Apple TV? Simple - you get a high end gaming/multimedia console as well as an 'iPod for your TV' and if you go for the XBox 360 Core - it's the exact same price - although in truth, you'll want to spring for at least the next one up at $399. The only downside is that it doesn't support iTunes or iTMS - but if you're on a PC, that's not really much of an issue.
Well, I have been able to play pretty much any format my PC supports in my XBOX using Tversity, so I frankly don't care too much. Besides, who cares about MPEG 4 and H.264? What we really need is DivX/XVid and a better way to traverse the movies on the server. I have about 400 files in my PC, and scrolling through them is just plain stupid. Why can't Microsoft come up with a folder-based approach to find the files you want?
I have been using my Linktheater, which not only plays my files, but also has a much easier folder-based interface that is far more usable.
Finally, why is Microsoft not upconverting the DVD video to 1080i? Again, the upconverted output from my Linktheater is far superior to the video I get from the (much more powerful) XBox 360! Why do I have to buy the HD-DVD to get upconversion is beyond me...
Allow the ability to stream dvd ISO's with full menu support from a network share (not just a windows based box) or a NAS and they will officially win. But I doubt they will do that so until they do the 360 is still a 2nd class citizen.
Sounds like you're trying to play pirated DVDs... why would MS ever support emulation and if you did have the legit DVD, get off your couch and load it on the tray...
Unless you were living under a rock for the past year (which i guess the writer of this article was) you'd know that .wmv is now the superior codec for encoding with the best picture for the least MB.
Diego
my dvds look great with the vga cable(they look great on a 71" 1080p TV that is). they seem to be upgraded to 1080 to me
Uuuurgh, do some people not know how to READ:
"y can't Microsoft come up with a folder-based approach to find the files you want?"
THAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS UPDATE FOR GODS SAKE/rant
Sorry about that, check out the xbox.com website or major nelson for the full press release, they have include folder support now for all external videos.
Heh...
Kurt said "How is this better than Apple TV", then he said (of ATV video support) "iTunes store purchased", then "maximum resolution: 720 by 432 pixels at 30 fps". Looks like you answered your own question.
Engadget: Why would WMV be your "least favorite codec" (I'll just gloss over your mixing up file formats with video codecs, and assume you mean VC-1 (aka WMV9 HD codec)), when VC-1 is an open standard and has been shown to be superior to H.264 in higher quality, smaller file size, and smaller network bandwidth requirements? Oh, it's because Microsoft invented it that you hate it, right? Well know that Microsoft also invented much of H.264; check out the H.264 patents for a big shock.
Will this allow the playback of x.264 files, or does this codec fall under the XviD umbrella?
Let me preface this with that I was a big supporter of avi's encoded with divx/xvid, and that most of my digital videos are still using them
But that's changing.
The avi container is really lacking in features when compared to .mp4 and especially .mkv Get with the times people, .avi's encoded with divx/xvid are fast approaching the end of their lifespan. h264 is the future, and you should be glad, not only is it an efficient codec, IT IS/WILL BE WIDELY SUPPORTED BY MANY MORE DEVICES THAN DIVX/XVID IS/WAS. Take the plunge and do what I'm doing, re-encode your library with h264. Sure it's a pain in the ass, but the future of this codec looks much more promising than divx/xvid ever did.
This is very good news. Xbox users will be able to download movies from http://www.hungryflix.com. H.264 is the way to go.
My only question is "what resolutions are supported?" The iPod supports H.264 and MPEG-4 up to 1.5 MbPS, each, but the resolution can't go above 640x480. Not that I'm complaining, since anything above 320x240 is iPod-overkill. But will MS allow us to play back 720p or 1080p H.264 content? Or will users be trapped by limited resolutions?
This right here, though, nixes one of the reasons I'd choose a PS3 over an X360 (I hate WMV, and so do my Mac and Linux boxes). Now if they'd just let me run Linux on it (and be sanctioned. READ: no hacking required) then it wouldn't even be a question.
now if they could get divx/xvid and file types that carry multi audio and subtitles in them like mkv or ogm that would kick ps3's ass
Everyone is getting little too excited over this. Unfortunately, Xbox360 still won't decode H.264 / MPEG-2 streamed from Media Center PCs. This update has nothing to do with MCE Extender capabilities, it's Dashboard only.
Check out this thread on TGB folks, straight from Microsoft: http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/180987.aspx
I don't understand all this talk of AppleTV vs. this update.
First of all, this is an update. People who own 360s get this for the whopping price of $0.
Calm down apple fanboys, we're not trying to sell you a microsoft product. Contrary to the popular belief, Bill Gates is not trying to brainwash you into switching. (Those apple commercials on the other hand.. ah nevermind.. different topic.)
As for all my fellow 360 owners, rejoice! This is one step closer to mkv/ogg container support with subtitles and multi-audio! We won't know what exactly will play or will not play until this update rolls out. Until then, keep your fingers crossed!
can you play dvd-r discs with h.264 files burned onto them?
Any one know of a converter that will let you set it to 16:9 and keep your 720p vids in 720p. any help would be great
In my on opinion why microsoft is adding this support is maybe because the next Zune also going to support this and media from marketplace will be in many range of format. Don't judge me. It may be true! And screw Apple TV. Xbox 360 is much,much,much better than that stupid thing!
I am assuming that when the phrase "Plays For Sure" is being used for the new codecs in the new firmware update, that is the same standard as PFS devices such as the one I have Creative Zen Vision:M 30GB. Hopefully this is the case as we can finally watch Divx video files natively. Can anyone confirm this?
Sweeeet! finally I wont have to use transcode 360 to play movies from my MediaCenter movie server. Odd thing is tho I havn't seen this reported any where else(except for a few sites who all claim this site as being the source of this info) so hopfully this ain't BS.
the 264 isnt available in mce extender mode.
If people insist on using the term M$ or Micro$oft, why not $on¥ or A₱₱l€. Ain't none of 'em charities, They want your $$ more than your loyalty.
Does anyone know if this will actually play movies/videos purchased from itunes? I am sure the answer is no.
has anyone actually tried to stream mpeg4? I have just converted some video to mpeg4 and pasted this to the shared folder on my windows pc. I use windows media connected the pc to xbox360 and it doesnt even see the file in the dash board? any idea people?
use the zune software to stream.