Xbox 360 Fall 2007 Dashboard update hands-on
By Ryan Block 
posted Dec 4th 2007 7:16AM
posted Dec 4th 2007 7:16AM
- Um, did we mention DivX / XviD support? For free? Oh, we did. Well, we're still reeling. (Yep, we successfully tested both codecs using .divx and .avi files.)
- Enhanced profiles is really exciting; you have to opt out of everyone being able to view your friends list, but given the permissions system Live is based on, that's not such a big deal. Browsing friends' friends lists adds a whole new layer. Microsoft, care to bump us up past 100 Live friends now?
- IPTV support is included! Unfortunately, you are still dependent on your service provider to flip the switch, so don't expect to be able to just start watching / recording shows to your 360. (Interface shots here, from way back when.)
- Family timers lets you specify the number of playable hours daily and weekly. For instance, you can enable between 15 minutes and 24 hours of daily play time (in 15 minute increments). We're not sure how this works if you're watching IPTV, though, although we presume the system is smart enough to know the difference between gaming and playing back media.
- Microsoft added its increasingly pervasive twist interface all over the place, including Xbox Live downloads, the media interface, etc. Browsing just about everything on the 360 just got way easier.
- Inside Xbox newsletter / feed is now available from the home blade, helping highlight new content and features. We kind of wish this wasn't so front and center though -- really, how often are you going to use this?
All around solid update. I noticed that the blades move juch quicker on the dashboard, and windows open/close faster as well.
i agree.
ryan, could we get a post that goes a little more in depth about the iptv function? ie. what providers, how much it costs, what channels, what's hd or not, etc. if that information is available.
yes please. can any mortals use it, or is it only for the three people on the planet who have uverse or some strange swisscom setup in geneva
does this hurt my modded xbox 360?
PS3 DIVX support announced on Nov 13th or there abouts...Still waiting...tick tock..MS dont announce anything and just add it on a whim. Come on Sony this is a joke..
WAITB3YOND
WHAT ?? you mean my PS3 is more then a Blu Ray player .. thats nuts .. Oh silly me it still is ONLY a Blu Ray player
(Well ratchet and Clank was fun)
So you like being left in the dark about upcoming changes?
Microsoft was talking about divx support two years ago, they didn't just decide to add it on a whim.
Do these dashboard updates get released at the same time in the UK?
There's no DivX support.
There's no ra-ra DivX(tm) support but there's support for the fundamental decode algorithms DivX is based on.
There was something I read about it only working with divx ver 5.0. How do I determine what version of divx my files were created with?
I have a couple hundred gigs of tv shows and this divx support is *the* factor in getting xbox 360 under my tree this year.... *if* they'll work.
All my files played great , tested about 10 of them .. new player controls work perfect and screen resizing is great
I can play any from my MCE
It doesn't support the new interactivity features and subtitles found in DivX 6. The video/audio will play fine.
I tested both xvid and divx files this morning and neither worked for me. They played on my Vista PC under Media Center, but would not play on the xbox at all. told me that the media file was unsupported.
You cant use MCE for Divx (Not yet,I hope they will add a update) you use the 360 Video Blade and hit X and you can access your PC
i believe anything post divx v5 should work, but an assumption here is that will have to be a file which adheres to the standard profiles used in divx and xvid. Will have to do some testing here.
in response to the article's increase of 100 friends. After listening to a major nelson podcast this morning (one of the live 5 year interviews), the reason explained was purely for backwards compatibility. If it weren't for this the limit could be upped without issue, but xbox1 games have 100 hard coded in to them.. they are looking at ways of making it work by filtering out the top 100 friends from your list.. but no concrete news on when / if this would ever go live.
do you need to set up a share in any specific manner on a Vista (ultimate if that matters) PC? Do you have to add a library into Media Player or just set up a shared video folder? can you run it from a NAS?
Everything you would want to know about video playback with this update is described here:
http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2007/11/30/december-2007-video-playback-faq.aspx
Unrelated, but all the torrent sites have hd movies in mkv format. Which means no hd transformers for me :(
It supports H.264, just not the MKV container. I'm sure there are programs out there that will convert it to MP4 for you.
I know, but converting 8gb of video wil not go well for my pc. Also, some video quality will be lost, so I don't really see the point...
Anyone see the Xbox Live Originals games yet? :(
Not available here in the UK... yet :(
Why bother with the Originals? You can buy Halo 2 brand new on physical media for £3 less than the download. The downloadable versions are exactly the same as the original versions - no extra native 720P support, no achievements, etc.
I've got Halo - Its Psychonaught's i've been trying to find for the last few months :D And - the games arent shown in the Xbox Originals bladey-thing yet, but are in the marketplace all content thing.
I'm assuming the xbox originals and European/Canadian Vid Marketplace will come over next few weeks, if they started all these download services at the same time as a major dashboard update I'm pretty sure their servers would die...
Got the update in Switzerland 5 minutes ago ... sweet !
-xabra
why would you buy them? because they play directly off your hard drive instead of being played off a DVD. Less noise and quicker load times.
do you need other reasons?
Ryan, I'd also add that it's convenient as fuck to have them download and be able to play them instantly. It's worth a few bucks for not having to go to god damn GameSlop.
So, you've got:
+ Quicker load times
+ Don't have to swap discs
But you've got to factor that against:
- More expensive
- No physical manual
- Can't sell it on when you're finished with it
- Can't lend it to your friends
- Uses up valuable HDD space
I'll take it on physical media, thanks, just like I will with music.
Still no int'l video marketplace, atleast here in Canada but Xvid seems to be working perfectly.
Why oh why oh why do they keep adding all this other stuff, but STILL no 16:10 monitor support. It would be so easy... just two little black bars. Really, this is getting ridiculous for the loads of us (especially people in college like I am) who are playing through the VGA cable on 16:10 wide monitors and have to deal with a forever-vertically-stretched picture...
Have you checked if your monitor has a dot-by-dot or 1:1 setting, so that if you're getting a 1920x1080 signal it will not use the other 120 lines?
Mike...
I have a Samsung SyncMaster 223BW. Somehow I've never heard of a dot-by-dot or 1:1 setting (I googled it and didn't see anything helpful) but if you'd tell me how to find out I would REALLY appreciate it. Thanks for the tip...
So - is anyone playing DivX from there PC on the Xbox ???
Yes Divx works great. Tried about 6 videos this morning, all worked. I knew there was a reason I started a movie vault a couple years ago. Man, life is good.
The software also makes recommendations based on what I have viewed similar to Amazon.com and I notice it lets me know when I have expired content filling up my hard drive.
Nice touch!
found this. go to the table at point 10.
http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/
arrrrggghhhhhhhggghhhhhhgghh
For reasons best known to themselves, Media Centre is ignored.
Anyone know why ?
so no mce support for divx? i was hoping i could dump transcode 360... i guess not yet.
They've been hinting to some sort of news at CES in January. Still, the community is really starting to get demoralized that a console's secondary media playback functionality is actually better than WVMC's.
The funny part is, if they got DVD streaming and better codec support going, they'd have a really compelling product again. So close, so far.
So is the Divx support only for streaming or right off the disc?
As of this morning, after I updated, when i went to stream my divx .avi files through the MCE extender, playback is still non-functional due to missing codecs.
Yeah, they would have to update the MCE to allow playback. But I'm fine with just playing them from the dashboard for now.
So I got a question. What is DivX / XviD and why is it so imperative to have support for it? Are those formats just a flashier version of mpeg?
Good question! The reason that people want DivX support is, that they usually have most of their content in DivX anyway, and so, thay won't have to transcode all their content for it to play back on the 360...
What they don't realize is, that a lot of their content is not using standard profiles, so it's hit'n'miss what files will play and which won't.
DivX and Xvid are older versions of what is now effectively MP4 (H.264, VC1). But they are more advanced and better than MPEG1 and 2.
Divx/Avi are the more widely used formats for Video . Basicallyt any video you DL will be in that format meaning you can now use your 360 as a true media player.
Let's be honest here. The beauty of DivX / Xvid is that it creates a much smaller file size while not greatly reducing quality (i.e. most pirated movies are in this format).
Why would you need more than 100 Live friends? Does engadget have a thing about socializing face to face with people? Put down the controllers people and go outside. There's a big beautiful world outside your doors.
ROFL, there is? I've been playing Halo 3 and The Orange Box all of this time!
I know I'm posting a lot, but what the hell is the "twist interface"? I keep reading that on multiple websites and can't figure out what it is.
The Twist Interface is a unique way of organizing items in a list. The categories (Xbox Originals, Demos, Themes, Gamer Pictures, etc.) are somewhere at the top of the display and flow horizontally. Then, the items are listed vertically under the category, hence the name, "Twist".
Yeah lots of talk about it but I don't see any pictures in the hands on. One would think they'd include at least one shot of it here...
and here I was thinking of some revolutionary new layout or something really crazy. you know, like the "twist" at the end of a movie is supposed to be really crazy.. MSFT's twist interface is basically the same as every other interface.
Great! Now 360-goodness with pron playback support! My buddies will now see when I am "Viewing North Pole #65".
Great. I just switched to 720p .mkv's.
It's a bit fiddly, but you don't need to re-encode .mkv files from scratch; just repackage the video in a .mp4 and if necessary convert the audio to stereo AAC. They'll play then.
I'm using the Zune software to stream to my 360. I have absolutely no problems with MP3s or pictures, however, the software will not recognize any video file that is not .wmv. I tried numerous times to add a few TV shows I have downloaded to the library and nothing. I found some .wmv clips, put them in a folder and those were added instantly.
Way to go MS. Thanks for adding Divx/Xvid support to the 360 but not letting the Zune software see anything that isn't WMV. It's brilliant.
just add them to your shared files within media player 11.
So you're saying not to use the Zune software at all then? I added the folders to Zune and it wouldn't add the files to the library and since the Zune software is just a skin for WMP11 (from what I understand) how will using WMP11 work any better?
I found this link:
http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2007/11/30/december-2007-video-playback-faq.aspx
And #22 talks about how to add Divx files to the WMP11 library, however, I already HAVE an MPEG4 DirectShow Decoder installed (I use the CCCD codec pack) and it won't add to Zune. I guess I'll try again with WMP11 when I get home from work, but I've got no hopes for it working...
Crap, I meant #32 for that FAQ.
Using the zune software to stream divx/xvid to the xbox is not supported.
read the FAQ:
http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2007/11/30/december-2007-video-playback-faq.aspx
You will need to use WMP 11
Anyone have any luck getting Connect360 for mac to work with this?
I'm assuming I'm gonna have to wait for an update for that before it'll know that divx/avi are acceptable filetypes
I contacted Nullriver who is the Connect360 developer. Alex from Nullriver sent me this statement:
"i dont even think we'll need to update, should just work in most cases
i cant comment on when fture updates will come, only to say, as soon as possible ;-)"
I believe that we will need an update of Connect360, because I could not see any of my divx/xvid files after the update. Also, I had to re-download the optional mpeg4 playback support component from live in order to play my h.264 files that had already been working.
I've been told that the reason that there is no divx support in MCE is that technically MCE is a division of Microsoft windows and bundling that codec has antitrust implications. This is the reason that the codec is only available in the media blade. Blame the government for that one not MS.
tried 4 divx from a dvd inserted in the xbox 360 and all worked fine. I had to download an optional video update. Then they played fine.
One big, massive flaw in this update... I could understand when the Marketplace slide had to get information from the net, but why the Xbox Live and Games tab? When I'm connected to the internet, I get that "Connecting" symbol for about a second or so before content comes up (I'm on WiFi and it's not very fast because I'm quite far away from the router... However, it's good enough to keep me lag-free on Halo 3 and whatever)... It was instant in the last dashboard update... Also, the console also doesn't seem to give me the choice of whether I want a game booted automatically if I'm on the dashboard, it just fades to black and loads the game.
Other than this, I've noticed that the guide panel doesn't seem as jerky and slow on this new dashboard update and that things seem a lot smoother... Animations switching between Dashboard items (not different slides, I mean going into items on a slide) is now quite nice and the Xbox Marketplace slide seems to be better organised now. I don't particularly like the new Game Library idea, but I'm sure it'll grow on me.
If you go into your console options, there is an option to automatically boot the game when inserted or sit on the dashboard. Take the time to learn about your console before complaining.
Anyone know if the new update will play divx off of a DVD-R?
DivX playability is not big news... Should have been there a while ago. Sony already announced their partnership with DivX so I don't know why people are making a hurrah over that (and I've seen DivX videos streamed via DLNA to PS3 and could have sworn I've seen DivX compressed avi files played via USB Flash, though I guess it was older divx codecs on the video?). I have to say that IPTV support is really cool, though I don't have such a service available (I don't think many people will for a while, but I hope I'm wrong)
It's big news because it's a highly anticipated feature for 360 owners. The PS3 supporting it or not doesn't really matter. Besides, PS3 doesn't actually support it yet, they just announced that it will support it.
Does anyone know what format Apple.com's movie trailers are in and whether that format is now supported through the dashboard? I have QT Pro, so I can save those files to my computer, but I'd love to watch a few on my TV if possible. I don't think they are protected through DRM.
Probably the Apple Video Codec.
It's done with Quicktime, duh! Why would Apple use anything else other than the actual video format they created? lol... The file extension is .mp4.
Actually, now that you mention it, kind of a dumb question. I guess I really wanted to know the specifics of the codec and whether it would be supported. The 360 won't recognize the files on my computer, so I guess I'll have to copy them to a CD and try it directly in the console to be sure.
you have to quickly change the container of the quicktime .mov files to .mp4, and convert any 5.1 surround to stereo. I believe quicktime pro does this quickly. Google Quicktime trailers xbox, and you should come across a couple of articles that show you how to do it. Very easy, without any actual re-encoding.
Then the trailers will play perfectly on the xbox. I do it all the time.
Thanks! This actually works fairly well. I'll have to experiment with the settings, getting some deterioration of video quality, but this is a quick and easy solution. Thanks again.
Does anyone know who the iptv "service providers" are. I haven't seen this info anywhere.
ATT Uverse here in my area.
Anyone notice the portable drive for Video in one of the screenshots? Would like to know if you can save D/L content such as the XBox 1 games to a portable drive since my 360 HDD is almost full.
Also, the XBox 1 games, do they have achievements you can score ?
no achievements, they are literally EXACT copies of the original games. its just like having the disc, except from what i have heard, quicker load times. oh and not having to change the disc obviously.....
I just applied the update and when i restarted, the red rings of death appeared!!
It looks like I am the only one this has happened to. ARG!!!!
ARGHH you're not alone man, my console got bricked too!! Damn, and I was looking forward to testing out the xvid/divx support. Anyways, I called 1-800-4MY-XBOX, they're gonna send me a UPS Box and said the warranty repair should take 2-4 weeks. Hopefully they don't ship me out a crappy refurb, but I won't be holding my breath...
No Inside Xbox for Canada :-(
I don't know why as there seems to be no copyright problems... anyways, I log in with my US account and can read the news and watch the stream videos.
I use had to find an "Optional download" that supports aac and others. i had to get it after the update but know i am watching a movie off my flash drive.
I do not understand why it is taking Microsoft so long to open up the video marketplace in Canada. I thought for sure it would be unlocked in this update for Canadian users. Is it just the Licensing deals that's holding this up? Any insight would be appriciate.
Thansk in advance
So can anyone here confirm that they've got Divx/Xvid streaming from the Zune software and, if so, how the HELL you got it working? I have the official Divx codec installed, Nic's Xvid codec and then the CCCD codec pack that contains FFDShow (or something similar to that in name) as well as the Haali (sp?) media splitter.
I can't see how I would need anything else, according to MS's FAQ, but the Zune software STILL won't add anything but WMV files to the library. I'm running XP SP2, btw.
The Zune software doesn't recognize external codecs, as of yet :(.
Streaming divx/xvid from zune software to the xbox360 isn't supported.
read FAQ #10:
http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2007/11/30/december-2007-video-playback-faq.aspx
Use WMP 11 instead
The divx streaming seem to be down sampled, the quality over a network is crappy vs my dvd player or archos to tv and video has to be set to full screen by default
This is maybe more Zune related... I share media to the 360 through the Zune software because for some reason MP11 won't work. I put some Xvid files in My Videos but the 360 wouldn't recognize them. I tried the files off the DVD directly in the console and they worked, so they are supported. It seems the Zune software won't share them because of the file extension. Anyone know if they will update the Zune software to share files that the new 360 update allows it to play?
Maybe I would give sh>t about this stupid update if my F*cking xbox360 didnt break two F*ckin nights ago!
That stupid piece of crap doesnt display any video signal at all...ive done the research and its a common problem that i have to send out to microsoft to get fixed for 100 bucks because it doesnt fall under the red ring of death warranty 3 year issue! F*ck you microsoft......a big F$ck you for ruining my holiday season!
Ruined your holiday season?
waahh waaah....what were your holidays like before you got a 360? You must have wanted to kill yourself...
IMO they should have added RSS instead of the newsletter feed. Sure, they could have made that a default, but it would allow for alot more, and its not like it would have taken alot more effort. (I would be surprised if its more than an RSS feed anyways).
Ahhh i love my 360....
Can't wait to get home for this update!!!
WHY ARE THEY IGNORING MEDIA CENTER?????? PUT THE FKING UPDATE FOR EXTENDER UP ALSO YOU F-CLOWNS!!!!
Wow, thats just a shame, I get the all powerful Ring of Death, the day before the ever awaited fall update. Funny.
You too? My launch system died yesterday as well. Coffin's on the way, and looks like it'll be January before I can experience the goodness that is the fall update. That is, unless I go beat up my daughter and steal her 360...:)