Xbox 360: now with H.264, MPEG-4, PlaysForSure
By Ryan Block 
posted April 9th 2007 2:19PM
posted April 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.
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.