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Posts with tag Xbox 360

The Media Center Extender shootout

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Jun 19th 2008 at 12:00PM Featured Story


Vista Media Center really sets itself apart from any other DVR solution out there, and the single greatest advantage Vista Media Center (VMC) has over the other options -- like the TiVo HD -- is the ability to have multiple Media Center Extenders. There really isn't any better way out there that will allow you to watch premium HD cable in every room of your house while at the same time centralizing all your media in one place. When VMC first hit the streets, there was only one HD extender: the Xbox 360. But the problem, of course, is that the Xbox is noisy and will always be a gaming console first and a Media Center Extender second. Well, things have really heated up in the extender market recently when both Linksys and D-Link released Media Center Extenders and HP upgraded its MediaSmart HDTVs.

Continue reading The Media Center Extender shootout

Ask Engadget HD: Which gaming console suits HD junkies best?

by Darren Murph, posted May 28th 2008 at 11:45AM


Now that the big three have been out for quite some time (though securing the white one is still somewhat problematic, we hear), we figured it was a good time to throw this question out for folks finally looking to make their pick and snag a console:

"I've got a satisfactory HDTV now that I enjoy HD programming and Blu-ray movies on, but I'm getting the itch to pick up a console as well. Obviously, the only two out there that can really support HD gaming are the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, though I'm not ruling the Wii out completely. I know the PS3 would seem a no-brainer if I didn't already have a BD player, but removing that from the equation, which is likely to suit the HD lover best?"

Drop those gamepads and get over here -- this fellow needs some advice! Does the gameplay on Nintendo's unit trump the woefully underpowered hardware? Is the Xbox 360 superior to the PS3 graphically? Sound off however you'd like, just keep the fanboy comments to yourself.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

Xbox 360 HD DVD drive hits $19.99 in Canada

by Darren Murph, posted May 25th 2008 at 10:56AM


Although the €9.99 Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on over in Ireland is likely still the cheapest way to snag one from a retail location, that flight to Dublin is apt to offset any potential savings. Nevertheless, those in Canada can come awfully close to said deal by visiting FutureShop, which is currently offering the once-molten hot unit for a mere $19.99. Unfortunately, it seems sold out online, but you can certainly phone up your local B&M location and hope for the best.

[Thanks, Andrew]

vmcNetFlix add-in enables Xbox 360 viewing of Netflix 'Watch Now' content

by Darren Murph, posted May 13th 2008 at 6:36AM


We've already seen Orb play nice with DirecTV's HR21, but what about integrating Netflix's "Watch Now" content into one's Xbox 360? vmcNetFlix, a brilliant add-in for Windows Vista Media Center, enables users to manage their Netflix subscription, stream Netflix "Watch Now" movies directly from the Media Center player or download those movies for playback at a later time from a "WatchLater" gallery. Theoretically, this will enable any Vista Extender to play nice with Netflix, but for those with an Xbox 360 laying around already, there's no need to go out and purchase a standalone unit. There's a plethora of additional information and near daily updates with changes and bug fixes going on in the read link, so be sure to give that a look if this sounds like something you'd be interested in.

[Via Thomas Hawk's Digital Connection]

GTA IV sets sales records with 6 million unit / $500 million first week

by Richard Lawler, posted May 7th 2008 at 9:56AM

Amazingly, prerelease estimates of a $400 million first week for the latest edition of Grand Theft Auto turned out to be low, with publisher Take-Two trumpeting a 6 million unit, $500 million debut. GTA in HD isn't without controversy however, with reports of overscan issues on older HDTVs (we've experienced it, with the last number or letter in mission descriptions sometimes running off the screen), and the PlayStation 3 version of the game not quite meeting our 720p expectations (although some say differences in textures and lighting more than make up for it). Being "only" 640p didn't stop previous record holder Halo 3, and looking at the numbers it appears Rockstar has made the right moves as well, although we're sure some will wait for the inevitable PC version to run the game in as high a resolution as possible.

[Via Joystiq]

Xbox 360 HD DVD drives going for €9.99 in Ireland

by Darren Murph, posted May 6th 2008 at 4:04AM


And you thought $49.99 was cheap. Word on the street has it that Microsoft's Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on, which has been seen as slightly less valuable since Toshiba pulled the plug on the once mighty red format, has stooped to €9.99 across the pond at GameStop (among other locales). For those not savvy on the absurd depreciation of the US dollar, we're talking $15.47 -- and that's with a Media Center remote bundled in, too. We're totally straight-faced when we say that's actually not a half bad deal if you're a fan of the media already out there, but the parsimonious among us are definitely waiting for these to come bundled with our favorite cereals before pulling the trigger.

[Thanks, Conor]

Microsoft denies Xbox 360 Blu-ray reports yet again

by Darren Murph, posted May 5th 2008 at 1:30PM


We're beginning to lose count of how many times we've been around this carousel, but just in case you thought yet another rumor would bring the Blu-ray-infused Xbox 360 any closer to reality, Microsoft's out to put the kibosh on your wildest hopes and dreams. Following up on the latest round of whispers that surfaced last Friday, Redmond proclaimed to GamePro: "As we have stated, we have no plans to introduce a Blu-ray drive for Xbox 360." The statement also noted that "games are what drive consumers to purchase game consoles, and we remain focused on providing the largest library of blockbuster games available." Right -- which totally explains your prior relationship with HD DVD.

Xbox 360 Blu-ray console shipping by September?

by Thomas Ricker, posted May 2nd 2008 at 2:12AM

For all of Microsoft's denial, the Xbox 360 Blu-ray console rumors just will not die. In fact, they are getting more and more specific. The Chinese language Economic Daily News is reporting that Pegatron, an OEM subsidiary of ASUS, has won the order from Microsoft to assemble the Xbox 360 with Blu-ray Disc ROM drive -- shipments are expected to being in Q3 of this year. Now come on Microsoft, just come clean on the matter, we won't tell anyone.

GTA IV the biggest HD launch of the year?

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 16th 2008 at 4:17PM


With the ability to break Halo 3's record of $300 million in sales its first week, Grand Theft Auto IV could set a record for the biggest debut ever for an entertainment product when it launches April 29, according to Variety. The fact that this time around Liberty City will be rendered in (as far as we know) 720p, makes it perfect for HDTV owners to sit down and have some quality time with. Whether your console gets its high definition movies downloaded or on disc, like some of us, many of you will be trading in the flicks for a ride with Niko Bellic -- but does that make it more anticipated than many of this year's upcoming blockbusters? Let us know in the comments, and feel free to drop an Xbox Live or PlayStation Network tag so we know who'll be putting in Mafiya Work later this month.

BBC criticizes Sony, Microsoft's approach to streaming video on consoles

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 11th 2008 at 7:04AM

Why does the hardly-home-theater styled Wii have BBC's iPlayer, and not the much more media player-focused Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3? A note from a BBC employees blog details the troubles of getting things set up with Sony and Microsoft (although with a little tweaking, a PS3 owner has already set up PS3iPlayer.com to give the console iPlayer access) officially, since "they want control of the look, the feel and the experience". Sure BBC's iPlayer is Flash-based (and not the good 1080p Flash either) but their issues could indicate how difficult it will be for other interested parties like Netflix to gain access to the walled garden.

[Via Joystiq]

Microsoft releases one more Xbox 360 HD DVD player update

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 8th 2008 at 4:32PM


Microsoft is releasing one more update for owners of the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive (all 269,000 of you, give or take a few), promising "additional support for network features" and compatibility improvements with certain titles, although which ones aren't mentioned. It's good to see they haven't left these issues to simply whither on the dying vine of HD DVD, but unless an alternate ending to the format war is tucked into those network features we don't see this making things all better anytime soon. Expect a prompt the next time you watch an HD DVD while online, and remember the good times we had.

Microsoft hoses down latest Xbox 360 Blu-ray rumor

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 2nd 2008 at 4:09PM

If you're suddenly overcome with a feeling akin to déjà vu, go ahead and kill that speed dial to your physician. For the second time in a month, Microsoft has actually come forward to squash a Blu-ray Xbox 360 rumor. This go 'round, an alleged statement from Redmond states quite outrightly that "Lite-On is not manufacturing Blu-ray drives for Xbox 360," and it continues on by noting that "customers who want a premium movie experience [can check out the] library of on-demand HD content" available to console owners. Still, we've grown accustomed to these denials by now, and while you'd think that having a pair of rumors on the matter smashed would put the issue to rest, we've all ideas this one isn't quite dead and buried just yet.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Xbox 360 with Blu-ray to spark price war with Sony PS3?

by Thomas Ricker, posted Apr 2nd 2008 at 4:23AM

DigiTimes is feeling pretty confident about the rumors they started yesterday regarding the Xbox 360 with integrated Blu-ray. They are so confident that they're predicting a price war as Microsoft takes on Sony's PS3 at its own game. Their sources claim that the Blu-ray Disc drive will cost Microsoft between $95 and $100 -- much higher than the $18 to $20 DVD drives already found in the Xbox 360. Microsoft is of course, expected to sell its new Blu-ray rig at a loss as is customary in the console market. Sony may then be forced to lower the cost of the PS3 and/or retaliate by increasing Lite-On's cost for the Blu-ray components (like the BD-ROM pick-up heads) purchased from Sony. Whatever the result, the competition would be nothing but good news for consumers of HD media... you know, if the rumor is true.

Next generation Xbox 360 with built-in Blu-ray coming in 2008?

by Thomas Ricker, posted Apr 1st 2008 at 5:07AM

Ok, here we go again. Despite Microsoft's attempt to quash Xbox 360 Blu-ray rumors, they're back... with a vengeance. According to "industry sources" speaking to DigiTimes, Lite-On is developing built-in Blu-ray Disc drives for the "next generation" Xbox 360 game console. Lite-On is expected to begin shipping the new BD players for assembly in the second half of 2008. DigiTimes also claims that the new, presumably smaller Xbox 360 will reduce the power supply from 210-watts to 170-watts. So... care to comment, Microsoft?

Update: As noted by our readers, Falcon-based 360s are already running at 175-watts.

Blu-ray on Xbox 360? Microsoft hasn't heard about it

by Richard Lawler, posted Mar 12th 2008 at 11:09PM

Those hot/cold "Blu-ray coming to Xbox 360" rumors just cooled off a bit again, with product manager Aaron Greenberg telling Reuters "Xbox is not currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray Association to integrate Blu-ray into the Xbox experience". Clear enough? He also dropped the nugget that Microsoft expects to trail the PS3 in sales again in February, but should have things turned around by April, just in time for the GTA IV launch, which should also be right around the time this rumor rears its head again. In the meantime, digital distribution anyone?




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