Xbox Experience now available to all who signed up, Netflix HD streams too

Microsoft's new Xbox Experience dashboard doesn't officially launch until Wednesday the 19th. But if you signed up for the preview (and who didn't?) with a valid console ID then it's available now according to Major Nelson. What's more, Netflix has confirmed its Xbox 360 launch details: more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes and 300 streaming HD titles. Remember, streaming is free for Netflix members who are also Xbox Live Gold members. The HD video streams will be limited to SD audio, however -- multi-channel audio is in the works as are additional HD titles. Now get outta here kid, NXE awaits.

[Via Joystiq]

Read -- Major Nelson
Read -- Netflix

[Tim @ Nov 18th 2008 4:27AM]

Sorry about noobness, but is something like this available for ps3? I'm not really into games, but this feature might get me to buy a console. Also, are the hd streams 1080p?

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Nov 18th 2008 9:14AM]

You seem like the kind of person where a Wii might be just your speed.... crawl before you walk.

On second read... scratch that.... shop around for a Colecovision (and don't forget to wear your helmet!)

[Reefer @ Nov 18th 2008 8:19PM]

You can download a trial version(60days) of Play On Media Server and stream Netflix and Hulu to your PS3. there are a couple others video sites also but can't remember which ones sorry. You can also purchase the Media Server Software for 39.95(If I remember right). I tested it a month ago and it worked very well. I'm sure once Netflix HD launches for PC there will be an update for the Server. Play On also worked with 360 prior to the "Experience" update.

[shawnmos @ Nov 18th 2008 4:29AM]

Do I need an xbox live subscription to get the new dashboard?

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Nov 18th 2008 4:41AM]

You need silver. Which you already have for free. Just A connection.

[Plomb @ Nov 18th 2008 4:30AM]

What's an xbox?

[Sony @ Nov 18th 2008 12:56PM]

An Xbox might be your former girl's bread maker.

[TimmyRaa @ Nov 18th 2008 4:30AM]

Continuing with the stupid questions hour, do I need an Xbox 360 to get this, or will it work with my original Xbox? Also, if so, perhaps it will work on my SNES?

Thanks.

[Jeremy W @ Nov 18th 2008 4:33AM]

I believe it only goes down to the N64. So sorry.

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Nov 18th 2008 4:41AM]

I heard the commodore 64 can be made to run it. Hope still left.

[Phoenix @ Nov 18th 2008 4:59AM]

No, no it won't.
Only the 360.

[Johan S @ Nov 18th 2008 5:13AM]

A friend of mine says he got it working on his Atari 2600, but it only works at half the speed. But I think that's only because he's using a Hayes Smartmodem 300 to connect online.

[Whingnut @ Nov 18th 2008 8:44AM]

Actually...it will work on the Sega Saturn, but you will need to buy a special adapter that connects to the 32X to run it.

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Nov 18th 2008 9:15AM]

I got it working on my Wii... oh wait, that's where Microsoft got the idea from! Nevermind.

[Phoenix @ Nov 18th 2008 11:55AM]

Erm.... why am I ranked down for answering the original question?

[TimmyRaa @ Nov 18th 2008 12:11PM]

Probably because you clearly missed the oodles of sarcasm lacing the original question.

[Phoenix @ Nov 18th 2008 12:57PM]

Meh. I gave up reading before you got to the SNES part and responded to the (more serious sounding when taken alone) first question.

[KyleK @ Nov 18th 2008 4:33AM]

Does this launch worldwide on Wednesday, or is it limited to the US for now?

[Jonathan @ Nov 18th 2008 7:45AM]

I'm waiting for word to see if this will work in Canada. It never seems to be mentioned, although I am not optimistic.

[SpydaKat 17 @ Nov 18th 2008 8:30PM]

I hear it launches on the 19th at 10AM GMT

[Totalfixation @ Nov 18th 2008 4:34AM]

I think i signed up for it, but no update for me.

[rock99rock @ Nov 18th 2008 9:56AM]

I signed up but I'm at work. I wish i could VNC to my 360 and get it started.

[Lowest Ranked @ Nov 18th 2008 3:20PM]

VNC is crap. Look into Radmin or even LogMeIn.

[rock99rock @ Nov 18th 2008 8:12PM]

Interesting, but i see no benefits over vnc enterprise. If im doing tech support, VNC and GoToAssist Beta are hands down the best. VNC Tool for monitoring the Domain is awesome, and diagnostics from GTA are handy.

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Nov 18th 2008 4:37AM]

Two problems
1. You can't sign up (So many people have moaned to MJN)
2. Some people have submitted the wrong code or incorrectly so its not available for download for everyone who signed up.
But it is a pretty big update without any real flaws whether you like the avatars or not you will grow close to them and even if you don't you create them at the start and can forget about it.

[AJR @ Nov 18th 2008 4:39AM]

I don't get the update early myself, and that's a good thing because i have to work tonight, and am justifiably worried that this update will be a trigger for me a new and exciting addiction.

[Homer @ Nov 18th 2008 6:22AM]

I bet it still don't have web browser. Pass.

[RobertFoster @ Nov 18th 2008 7:14AM]

Yeah, I hear the PS3 and Wii web browsers work really well. Who needs stupid Firefox anyway?

[Matt @ Nov 18th 2008 8:26AM]

Hmmm, yase, I do love browsing the internets using two thumbsticks for controls.

I'll just keep my laptop next to me in case I need it, good sir. That way I can browse the web WHILE watching The Office on Netflix! Most superb.

[Daza @ Nov 18th 2008 6:26AM]

I have to say Microsoft keep injecting new life into this console time after time. The continuous software upgrades and slashed prices make it a very good investment. Sure, it doesn't have a Blu-ray player, but the online experience seems to be worth much more than that (Magnavox Blu-ray player went for $150 on Woot yesterday).

Not trying to incite some console flame war here (well, it was going to happen anyway), but the biggest advantage of the PS3 seems to be the fact that it's geared for entertainment with inbuilt Blu-ray. When Blu-ray standalones fall under $100, will that be a differentiating factor any more? Sure, it does have wireless - but who wants to stream with wireless? The inbuilt HDD will then become its biggest benefit, and I can't see that alone standing up against the Xbox 360.

Just my observation from someone who owns no next-gen console. I do regret not getting an Xbox 360 when they launched though, would have been enjoying it for a few years. It's too late for me to get into it now (invested in a high end PC) but news like this does get me thinking.

[Nomi @ Nov 18th 2008 8:35AM]

This is the generation where you just can't get by owning one console if you are anywhere near a serious gamer. Both the PS3 and 360 have some quality exclusives. I still regret not being able to play Gears2 and Halo3. Hopefully KZ2 and GOW3 will calm my nerves...

[Alex Padilla @ Nov 18th 2008 10:48AM]

While Blu-ray is unnecessary for the 360 now, at some point in the future (the next generation, of course), the 360 is going to have to adopt it. Games are getting pretty big now, and they'll be getting bigger in the future (even with compression), so there's no doubt that consoles will have to use Blu-ray as their hard media format (digital distribution is irrelevant in this argument).

[adrian @ Nov 18th 2008 11:04AM]

It's just a shame that all those features added are spoiled by a console that sounds like a bloody aircraft when running. And that's on a good day.

[Jon Graft @ Nov 18th 2008 11:07AM]

@ Alex Padilla

You do realize games right now are WELL over the limit of a DVD, correct? GTA4 was supposed to be much larger but was dumbed down so it could fit on a DVD for your inferior console. -_-

[Alex Padilla @ Nov 18th 2008 11:23AM]

@ Jon

Yes I do. Which is why I'm saying that it's illogical for someone to completely despise Blu-ray when it's going to have to be utilized in future consoles. Read and transfer speeds will pick up as the technology progresses, so there won't be any real worries.

[Daza @ Nov 19th 2008 1:39AM]

I absolutely agree - all next-gen consoles will need Blu-ray. It's the established replacement for DVD. By the time we're expecting them, prices would have fallen so much for manufacturers it would be silly not to include it. Not to mention how big the games are getting, as we're edging closer and closer to photo realism textures will become even higher resolution than they are now.

Is it too early to start thinking about next-gen consoles? The 3 manufacturers probably have been for a while. Can't imagine what sort of features we should be expecting, from all of them.. they're going to try and out-do this current-gen and I'm stuck for ideas on what can be significantly improved.

[masa @ Nov 18th 2008 7:12AM]

This is just another expensive feature for X360, why would anyone be interested to buy zeros and ones to the hard drive? I want real steel, like blu-ray, which I can sell forward if I don't wanna keep it in the shelf.

Few of my friends own xbox 360, and a those who have recently bought a system, have a ps3. In my opinion, Xbox 360 is great for boys in age, say 12-17. PS3 is for of a console for grown up people, but it has also games that kids can play. One thing that that Xbox will never achieve, is quality: it won't let you down with red flashing lights. PS3 also looks more sophisticated in the living room and it is quiet. Plus, you get LittleBigPlanet, Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo and so on. With Xbox you will have to do with FPS games. That is why i will get PS3.

[JerkfacedFed @ Nov 18th 2008 7:25AM]

You are obviously not in touch with anything and just making things up.

Xbox 360 is a gaming console and was designed with gamers in mind. Over time they added more and more functionality for media and to increase their demographic, the main reason for the interface upgrade. Microsoft hasnt lost its eye on the ball thoug, games was and still is the main focus.

PS3 was created by Sony to trojan horse Blu-ray, with gaming as an afterthought. This is why they have patched the PS3 a hundred times to attempt to bring it up to par for movies, but it still lags behind in game sales and game experience. There are far fewer online gamers for the console so it is pointless to buy a multiplatform multiplayer for the console as well. However, it is the best Blu-ray player out there, besides a great PC, and does what it was meant to do, best.

Just dont confuse the age demographics simply from heresay or the look of the console on the outside. It is more about the quality of the experience they are looking for when buying that particular console. Xbox 360 you are buying for games. PS3 you are buying for Blu-ray.

[neal @ Nov 18th 2008 7:32AM]

um dude WHAT Gran Turismo?!! as good as "prologue" is it does not count. also the 360 is for ALL ages as its something ALL ages can afford now! mothers and fathers are not going to spend £300/$399 on a console when they can pick up a 360 WITH games "does not matter how crap they are" for almost half the price!!

i have both consoles bought a ps3 solely for MGS4 and blu-rays. but MGS4's time has passed, and as much as i loved that game thats all its got, that i am interested in anyway! the console is aimed people who want a great BR player. . . . . . . . errr Thats it, playing games is a bonus.

[Adam @ Nov 18th 2008 12:37PM]

These chuckleheads are really making me sound like a PS3 apologist, but the sheer lack of objectivity by the 360 fanboys is pissing me off; their comments make iEye look sensable. I own both a Halo 3 edition 360 and a original 60 backwards compatable 60gb PS3. I used to play most of my games on the 360 and I used the PS3 as a media center PC. However, now I play GT Prolouge and Resistance 2 most of the time and I gave, let me repeat GAVE away, my 360 because it was just collecting dust. I had Forza 2, Halo 3, and GTA 4 for the 360, but GT5 prolouge is way better than Forza 2, and the PS3 version of GTA looks better than it does on the 360 than it does on the 360. Yes, if I played more than 3 games at a time I'd want my 360 back. If I gave a crap about netflix I'd want my 360 back, but I don't. I care more about being able to copy files straight from my computer to my console through the network without using 3rd party software. If I care to try netflix in the future, I'll use Play On. For now the PS3 is best for my taste because I can dl a torrent and copy it to my hard drive, or I can use my component cables to watch legally purchased items. I can organize pictures on my PS3 and show them quickly in full resolution without having to whip out my laptop. In this generation of consoles, being a fanboy just proves you have a very limited brain. All three systems serve different purposes, and limiting them to "a blu-ray player" or "a console for kids" shows a illogical dedication to an piece of technology that you have no vested interest in. All of the systems can coexist. There is no need bashing one to build up the other.

[Adam @ Nov 18th 2008 6:57PM]

I was low ranked because I spoke the truth. If you aren't sucking Microsoft off you get low ranked on this site? I'm glad I'm the only one on engadget who can make an objective comparison deeper than "I know you are but what am?". Get a life fanboys, and stop defending companies that you neither work for or hold stock in. Critique my analysis rather than trolling and voting down coherent comments.

[Adam @ Nov 18th 2008 7:28PM]

Seriously, how the ef are the two coments above mine "highest ranked"? One guy says the PS3was a "Trojan horse" for blu ray. He obviously doesn't know that a Trojan horse is something which HIDES it's true nature. The PS3 was advertised as a powerful game console which also plays games. When did they ever hide the fact that it was a very capable blu ray player? That poor excuse for a comparison is highly ranked? The second guy said the exact same thing I said about having both systems and only playing one game on one of those systems, yet his comment is voted up and my comment is voted down. I've decided that engadget commenters spend so much time doing the one handed man tango and playing halo that they can only discuss Internet porn and the grenade jump. Read a book every now and then and stop worshiping technology.

[JazzyJay @ Nov 18th 2008 7:57AM]

JerkfacedFed, well said, very well said.

Its a simple choice, and one which i felt more apressed to follow the gaming path, not the all-in-one multimedia path, because, although its fantastic to have everything in a shiny black box, its something you can achieve in greater depth by buying these gadgets individually. PS3 is the easy way down the Blu-Ray path, and by all means it is AND it offers games too, but all i can see is this '1080p' machine failing in the games department, while all users of it try and constantly defend it in that sense. It is not a gaming machine, sorry. Boring front ends, even worse selection of games, leaves fans griping onto the fact, they have 'prologue' and MGS4... wheres the rest? There is not even the slightest incling of interest towards me to sway me across to a platform i already own in seperates, and much more appealling seperates may i add.

[Nomi @ Nov 18th 2008 8:38AM]

As good as the 360 is for games....people need to stop hating on my precious PS3. There's some good exclusives down the road and its not all doom and gloom for the PS3.

[Phil B. @ Nov 18th 2008 4:56PM]

What ever helps you sleep at night.

[sammie townsend @ Nov 18th 2008 8:51AM]

Is there any way that we can sign up to view the preview still?

[drumdbeat @ Nov 18th 2008 11:01AM]

Dude, it's here tomorrow... Chill....

[Jagster @ Nov 18th 2008 1:50PM]

Yes. And they will send you instructions in the next 48 to 72 hours on how you can download it.

[wrabbit @ Nov 18th 2008 9:05AM]

Does anybody know for sure if it's gonna be available in Canada?

Most likely it won't, but I've yet to find a solid answer to yet.

[tim @ Nov 18th 2008 10:52PM]

worldwide release man. will be available everywhere. Oh, and for instructions on how to download...turn on xbox, click update now.