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Rumor control: Xbox 360 HD Netflix HDCP issues
Tips have been coming in today saying that streaming HD Netflix content requires a television set with HDCP, leaving some users with older TVs worried that the service will not work. As Engadget reports, the problem only relates to digital connections like HDMI and DVI. As such, the problem should only affect those using an HDMI-to-DVI converter on an older set without HDCP. Even for those in this situation, HD content will still work just fine over either component or VGA (see the above image). So, most of you can stop sweating. In the rare case that your only option is DVI, you may be out of luck.
Debunk: Xbox 360 streams HD Netflix over component just fine
There's some hysterical outrage out there right now over the New Xbox Experience's HD Netflix HDCP restrictions -- apparently it only works with HDCP-compliant digital displays, which is prompting a lot of hand-wringing about copyright restrictions and whether older 360s will get "locked out." Well, we're here to make it all better -- that's our NXE-equipped 360 connected over component, happily playing back HD Netflix at 1080i. See? Works fine. The problem is that some older LCD monitors don't support HDCP over DVI, so if you're in the minority of people using an HDMI to DVI adapter to drive an older display that doesn't do HDCP, HD Netflix won't work, since it can't authenticate. That's not the best situation, but DVI isn't a default supported 360 output, so we wouldn't expect 100 percent compatibility -- and besides, you can always run VGA. We're waiting on official confirmation from Microsoft of all this -- we want to get things absolutely right -- but in the meantime you can console yourself with another shot of HD Heroes over component after the break.Update: Yes, it works with movies too -- we just tried it with The Orphanage (above), and it looked great.
Video tour: New Xbox Experience Exposed
Protip: Click on a phrase on the image above to see the related video Overview The Guide My Xbox Marketplace Installation Netflix Avatars Party System Community Games var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Video_tour_New_Xbox_Experience_Exposed'; The newly revamped Xbox 360 user interface, better known as the New Xbox Experience (or just NXE, to the kids), is getting ready to drop on Xbox 360 consoles everywhere next month. Joystiq had a chance to spend some quality time with the new dashboard (we've been enjoying it for a week, actually) and we've put together an extensive video tour of the New Xbox Experience just for you. Click on the phrases in the image above, or simply click on the links below it, and check out a video of each of the New Xbox Experience features. Enjoy.
No automatic XBLA downloads for the NXE
During our extensive video tour of the New Xbox Experience, we managed to miss that an old feature has actually been removed. Specifically, we're talking about the ability to download all Xbox Live Arcade games automatically. We're not sure how many people actually use the feature, but for those that like to at least try every XBLA game (or those that started a weekly video series about XBLA), it was pretty handy. When MTV's Stephen Totilo asked Microsoft's John Schappert about the removal of the feature, Schappert replied, "You actually use that?" While the reason why the feature has gone missing remains a mystery, Totilo was told "it may come back in a future release." We'll just have to wait an see. Get your own hands on the otherwise feature-packed NXE when it debuts next month.
NXE missing automatic XBLA downloads
While the New Xbox Experience adds all sorts of great new functionality – high-definition Netflix movies; Avatars; a group-chat party system – there is one feature that it's missing: automatic downloads. "What the crap is automatic downloads?" you blurt out. Well, we're glad you asked, Mr. Inappropriate Screaming guy. Automatic downloads were part of an earlier Xbox 360 Dashboard update, which allowed you to opt-in to receive an "automatic download" of every new Xbox Live Arcade title that launched, in trial mode. But the Xbox gurus in Redmond stripped it from the NXE, even teasing MTV by asking, "You actually use that?" Well, yes, MTV's Stephen Totilo did, and he wants to know if you're going to miss automatic downloads as much as he is. Our best guess into the culprit behind this whodunit: Xbox Live Arcade's currently worthless "conversion rate" metric. You see, if everyone downloads demos automatically, regardless of whether or not they have any interest whatsoever in playing (and then purchasing) the game, one of Microsoft's (and the digital distribution market's) greatest metrics is rendered worthless. Microsoft doesn't really know how many people are converting its trial games into full games ... well, not yet anyhow. The New Xbox Experience launches globally on November 19.
Reminder: Find out if you get NXE preview access [update]
Update: Major Nelson just informed us that the NXE notification emails are being sent out over the next few hours. Good luck, fanboys!Today is the day that separates the men from the women, the hardcore from the casual and the l33t from the n00b. Today is the day we find out who was accepted and who was denied New Xbox Experience preview access.Sometime in the next twelve hours, Microsoft will be emailing those who were accepted into the NXE preview program which will ultimately give access to the NXE prior to its November 19th launch. NXE access as early as next week. So, for those of you who were able to fill out the survey and sign up, cross your gaming fingers and obsessively check your inbox, because NXE preview notification emails are being sent out today!
Joystiq: New Xbox Experience exposed!
With the New Xbox Experience (NXE) just weeks away our sister-site (with the help of X3F's own Richard Mitchell) has developed the most in-depth preview of every major upgrade to the system. Spanning nine different video features, the Joystiq NXE preview will outlines everything from the new Guide, Avatar creation and customization, Community Games, the new Video and Games Marketplace and much more.Video Feature Breakdown NXE Overview, My Xbox, The Guide Marketplace, Community Games, Avatars Party System, Installation, Netflix
New Xbox Experience brings HD Netflix streaming
Although Microsoft dodged this exact question every single time we asked it (and oh, we asked multiple times) – and temporarily dropped other, already confirmed features like movie sharing – the New Xbox Experience's Netflix app will indeed stream HD content, if your connection can handle it. Interesting thing is, this is exclusive to the Xbox 360 for now: the various Netflix-enabled devices don't; Netflix's own "Watch Instantly" portal doesn't! Engadget took an episode of Heroes in HD for a spin and reported that "the quality was stunning." There's only about 300 titles (and some of those are Heroes episodes, so you'll probably want to subtract those) but make no mistake: HD streaming is one of the strongest reasons yet to become a Netflix subscriber if you aren't already.
HD Netflix set to debut on the Xbox 360
High definition Netflix content streaming is something we didn't think was possible, especially on the Xbox 360. Well, it is possible and HD Netflix streaming is going to debut on the Xbox 360 when the New Xbox Experience releases on November 19th. According to our friends over at Engadget, Microsoft and Netflix will soon announce that Xbox Live gold members will have access to high definition Netflix movie streaming to their 360s come November 19th. HD movie streaming that isn't available with Netflix's current "Watch Instantly" portal, Roku hardware or Samsung and LG's Netflix enabled Blu-ray players. The HD Netflix roll out will be slow at first with approximately 300 movies being available in HD on day one of the NXE's launch. To recap: Netflix subscription + Xbox Live gold + NXE = HD movies and very happy Xbox 360 owners.[Thanks, DeadPlasmaCell]
New Xbox 360 Experience hands-on and impressions
Thanks to a special blessing from the folks in Redmond, we've had an opportunity to thoroughly give the rejiggered Xbox 360 Dash (AKA, the New Xbox Experience) a serious run through, and we've got the lowdown on the future of your gaming life. As you probably already know from the numerous posts we've done and generally available info (Microsoft has been pretty forthcoming with this stuff), the Xbox team has completely revamped the Dash experience, giving the system not only a visual overhaul, but trashing the underlying tech and rebuilding things from the ground up. The result is a beautiful, intuitive interface which loses almost nothing from previous versions while adding a considerable new feature set to the mix. Read on for our first impressions.
$99 60GB Xbox Live starter pack to be released next week
Hints of a digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/99_60GB_Xbox_Live_starter_pack_to_be_released_next_week'; 60GB Xbox Live Starter Pack popped up in Europe in August, but according to GameStop and a leaked Circuit City ad, the $99 upgrade should land in American stores sometime next week. Just as we'd heard, the bundle will include three months of Live Gold, a wired headset, and a 60GB hard drive -- just the thing to meet that new 128MB New Xbox Experience storage requirement. Too bad Microsoft isn't going to discount this bundle quite as heavily as that $30 20GB package for Arcade owners, but we won't complain too loudly -- hell, if MS would just cut the price on that ridiculous $149 120GB unit, we'd be all smiles.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Microsoft to open 'Avatar Store' next year
A Microsoft staffer has revealed that, beginning next year, users of the New Xbox Experience will be able to use an "Avatar Store" to buy clothes and other branded items for their avatars. What's with the surprised expressions everyone? Oh, sorry, did you not totally see this coming?Robin Burrowes, European product manager for Xbox Live, told Videogamer.com, "The plan of record will be to launch a more extensive Avatar Store from spring time onwards next year, and that store in theory would have branded content in there, game publisher IP stuff in there as well."What shirt do we most look forward to spending our hard-earned cash on? Why, a red-ringer-T, of course! Thank you.[Via X3F]
Surprise! Avatar store coming next Spring
According to the peeps over at VideoGamer.com, Microsoft will be launching an Avatar store next Spring where gamers can purchase and download additional customization options for their 360 Avatars. "The plan of record will be to launch a more extensive Avatar Store from spring time onwards next year," said <a href="http://www.eyewonderlabs.com/ct.cfm?ewbust=0&&file=http://cdn1.eyewonder.com/200125/755069/1021684/NOSCRIPTfailover.gif&&eid=1021684&&name=Clickthru-NOSCRIPT&&num=1&&time=0&&diff=0&&click=http://www.rockstargames.com/midnightclubLA" target="_blank"> <img width="300" height="250" src="http://cdn1.eyewonder.com/200125/755069/1021684/NOSCRIPTfailover.gif" border="0" alt=""> </a> <iframe valign="top" width="300" height="250" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" hspace="0" vspace="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" bordercolor="#000000" src="http://wrapper.teamxbox.com/a?size=300x250&sizew=300&sizeh=250&js=false&pagetype=txb_article&articletype=news%20story&subdomain=news.teamxbox.com"> </iframe> Live EMEA product manager Robin Burrowes. "That store in theory would have branded content in there, game publisher IP stuff in there as well." No surprise there.To be honest, we're still torn about Avatars, the role they'll be playing in our New Xbox Experience, how Microsoft is approaching the monetizing of them and whether or not we'll be willing to pay for a Gears of War 2 t-shirt for our Avatar next Spring. Because ... you know ... an Avatar rockin' a Gears 2 tee would be rather badass.
New Xbox Experience videos let you vicariously play dress up
You already know the Xbox 360 is getting new community features, a revamped dashboard, Avatars, and of course Netflix video -- all things we've been excited about since we saw them in action at E3 this year. There hasn't been much to go on since then, but we recently came across some short videos exhibiting Parties (which let users socialize and make plans while engaging in separate games and activities) and Avatar customization options; hopefully they'll hold you over until the features go live November 19th. We won't be held responsible for the brain deterioration caused by the vacuous marketing-speak accompanying the moving images, however. "It is where you get to enjoy entertainment -- that's the vision." Yes, it is.
Were you accepted into the NXE preview? Find out on Oct. 29th
For those of you who were able to register for the New Xbox Experience preview before it closed, circle this Wednesday, October 29th on your daily planner, because that's when NXE preview notifications will be sent out. On his latest podcast, Major Nelson confirmed that emails will be sent out this Wednesday to those who were chosen to participate in the NXE preview. Because - as you should know by now - those who signed up for the NXE preview are not guaranteed entry. Only a few thousand will be chosen. Also note that this Wednesday's NXE emails will only notify those who are accepted into the preview program and will not be the official start of the preview. Downloading the NXE will come at a later, yet to be determined date that will be before November 19th.
New Xbox Experience's Video Marketplace and Netflix previewed
We're big fans of the Xbox Live Video Marketplace, largely due to our own barren DVD collection and our nationwide banning from Blockbuster Video following our refusal to pay a $230 late fee on Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. That's why this week's New Xbox Experience sneak preview on Gamerscore Blog caught our eye -- it focuses on the revamped Video Marketplace and the soon-to-be-added Netflix functionality.No groundbreaking new information is revealed in the blog post, though some interesting statistics are given -- upon the launch of the NXE, Netflix Unlimited subscribers with Xbox Live Gold accounts will be able to instantly stream over 12,000 movies to their consoles. Combined with more than 20,000 pieces of content on the XBVM, the NXE is shaping up to be a cinematic treasure trove -- best of all, there's no late fees, meaning we can finally enjoy all that trouser-centric teen drama on our own terms.
NXE: A brief look at Netflix and the XBVM
As is customary every week, the Gamerscore Blog crew just highlighted a New Xbox Experience feature to show off and this week they're talking Netflix and the new and improved Video Marketplace. Their informative NXE blurb doesn't inform us of anything excitingly new, but does reinforce the fact that 10,000 Netflix videos will be available for streaming to unlimited rental Netflix subscribers and that 20,000 pieces of XBVM content is available as well. Check out the NXE screen grabs below and keep those NXE preview fingers crossed.%Gallery-35345%
Get a chance to preview the New Xbox Experience [update]
Update: Hopefully you already registered because, according to Major Nelson, the "preview program is now FULL." That was quick.You were promised the chance and now your chance is here. You (yes YOU) can preview the upcoming New Xbox Experience prior to its release on November 19th. Microsoft is looking for a few thousand NXE preview participants to give the NXE a trial run prior to its official release to, you know, make sure everything is functioning correctly. To sign up for your chance to be selected as a previewer, simply head to Microsoft Connect, register using your Windows Live ID, then click here to fill out the official NXE preview survey. Answer a few questions, submit that sucker and cross your fingers in hopes that you are selected. And just in case you weren't listening, only a few thousand registrants will be selected, so filling out the survey does not guarantee a NXE preview.Note too that those who are selected will not have access to a full-featured NXE. Though, things like Netflix, Live parties and Avatars will be included. Now go, get registered and hope for the best![Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]
New Xbox Experience beta signups open
As he hinted about earlier this week, Major Nelson has updated his blog with details on how to sign up for a chance to download the New Xbox Experience prior to its official Nov. 19 launch. It's called the "Xbox 360 Fall 2008 Preview Program," and, in order to participate, you must sign into Microsoft Connect with a valid Windows Live ID and complete a brief survey.As Major Nelson points out, filling out the survey won't guarantee you early access to the NXE. He says that several thousand participants will be chosen, however, and that your chances are best if you're an Xbox Live Gold member (although Silver members can still apply). Those who are selected can expect to be contacted via the email address they provide within a week.[Thanks, Cody]
NXE Avatars get URL'd
Avatars may be doing more than just meandering about on-screen when the New Xbox Experience launches on November 19. Our sister site, X3F, has learned that the virtual paper dolls will also each be given their own unique URL pointing to a PNG-format graphic of their full cute and cuddly self, along with two smaller icon-style versions as well. Numerous Microsoft employees appear to already be taking advantage of the service, including Major Nelson and Xbox Live front man, Aaron Greenberg. However, plugging in our own gamertags into the service simply returns an original Xbox logo, which while nostalgic, is considerably less exciting. As for why, we assume Microsoft plans to use the graphics on its own sites and forums, or perhaps as part of a larger social networking scheme, assuming this feature doesn't get dropped as well.
