Xbox Live gets 1080p Video Store For AU, Twitter and Facebook - Coming Nov. 17!

[DiGiTaL MoNkEY]

I am happy to announce that we’re doing an Xbox LIVE Update Preview program for upcoming features such as Zune, Facebook and Twitter. Much like we have done in the past, you’ll need to visit the Microsoft Connect site from this link and sign in with your Windows LIVE ID that is connected to your Xbox LIVE Gamertag.

Once you do that, you need to fill out the "Xbox LIVE Update Preview Sign Up" survey in order to be considered for receiving the Preview System Update. We're asking a few questions about where you live, your home network, ISP connection and a few other pieces of information. We are looking for a good cross-section of our members in order to get the best feedback we can.
The Xbox team will then review all of the applications and if you’re selected we’ll send you an email notifying you of your acceptance in the program. A couple of points before you head off to register:

-We’re looking for multiple thousands of participants, so your chances of making it in are good
-This opportunity is open to all Xbox LIVE Members in regions where Xbox LIVE is available
-Just completing the survey does not automatically get you access to the Preview Program. We’ll be making final selections from the completed surveys and send you an email if you are selected.
-While both Xbox LIVE Gold and Silver members can sign up, Priority will be given to Gold members in the selection process.

http://majornelson.com/archive/2009/...d-Twitter.aspx

Signup here: http://www.xbox.com/XboxLIVEUpdate

______________________

Yes and it looks like Australia..yes Australia will be getting a movie store too! Not netflix, but Microsoft's own Zune Store.

Microsoft is busy announcing a slew of upgrades to Xbox Live, and the biggest news so far is relaunch of the video service, now Zune-branded with 1080p instant-on streaming content in 18 countries. XBL is also now integrated with Facebook -- your Facebook account can be linked to your Gamertag, and games will support Facebook Connect for sharing content online. That's pretty huge -- but if that wasn't enough, you're also getting Twitter and Last.fm in the deal. Want more? Netflix users will now be able to browse the entire catalog instead of simply loading their queue, and Microsoft has also gotten its Party Watch system in order, so you'll be able to heckle videos with your online friends. Last but not least, there's now live TV streaming for UK and Ireland gamers, who'll get Premier League soccer live from Sky. All in all, a solid set of updates for XBL -- but we'll wait and see how that "1080p" video looks before we pronouce Blu-ray dead. PR blurb after the break.

Today from the E3 stage in Los Angeles, Microsoft announced plans to dramatically improve their HD video offering through a new technology that enables instant on 1080p streaming with 5.1 audio with Zune video on Xbox 360.

This implementation is as close to a "disc in the drive" experience as possible over the Internet. At a high-level, here is how it works:

Video startup is nearly instantaneous because of the back-end proprietary Microsoft technology developed by Zune that seamlessly transitions between many different bitrates and resolutions of video.

Video playback will start at a low bitrate for fast download time and then ramp up to a higher bitrate and quality, up to 1080p with 5.1 audio.
Features such as smooth fast forward and rewind that users have only seen before with local physical media.

It doesn't stop there. Other news coming out of E3 for Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace:

Social: We unveiled Movie Party, a feature where you can go to the movies with your friends whether you are sitting on the same couch or in living rooms across the country. Starting this year, you can share a virtual theater, see your Avatars (a virtual you) on the screen – all while you listen to each other laugh and cry together at the movie through voice chat on Xbox LIVE.

New Regional Partners: Now, for the first time Xbox LIVE members in the UK and Ireland can watch live or on-demand TV with BSkyB on Xbox. Never miss a moment of your favorite live TV shows, sports, movies and family-friendly entertainment – even share your favorites with up to seven friends in an Xbox LIVE Party.

Global Expansion: The 1080p streaming HD Zune video experience on Xbox LIVE marketplace is expanding to 10 new regions this year, making movies and TV shows available in 18 total countries including US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Australia, and New Zealand. (Note: content and partners vary by region)

http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/01/x...flix-browsing/

[Deeman]

Great to hear this is finally arriving in AU, now all they need to do is actually sell the Zune HD along with the content and i'll be happy!

Also a free last.fm subscription for Xbox live members too (no mention if it's US-only or Gold exclusive just yet).

[KappA]

The Zune video marketplace in AU is great news. Hopefully more ISP's will provide unmetered xbox content.

Regarding last.fm, Giz AU made this point

AU: Given that Last.fm pretty much pulled the plug on the Aussie market, I wouldn't expect to see it on our Xboxes anytime soon.

[ni9ht_5ta1k3r]

what's the point since I haven't seen MS sell zunes here in Oz!

[nexx]

Streaming 1080p is going to look like shit unless you have a >15mbit connection. Good to see steps are being made though.

[ni9ht_5ta1k3r]

Originally Posted by nexx

Streaming 1080p is going to look like shit unless you have a >15mbit connection. Good to see steps are being made though.

DOCSIS would be nice if they managed to get it out in time.

[DiGiTaL MoNkEY]

Originally Posted by Deeman

Great to hear this is finally arriving in AU, now all they need to do is actually sell the Zune HD along with the content and i'll be happy!

Also a free last.fm subscription for Xbox live members too (no mention if it's US-only or Gold exclusive just yet).

Yah i didn't have much hope for anything else they showed off, apart from Facebook, twitter, video's on demand, games on demand...thats about it.

It would be nice to see the Zune HD here in Australia, but if they can't make some good sales in the USA, then Australia has even less of a chance.

Originally Posted by KappA

The Zune video marketplace in AU is great news. Hopefully more ISP's will provide unmetered xbox content.

Regarding last.fm, Giz AU made this point

I hope the prices are in-line with what most video stores charge for rentals.

Originally Posted by ni9ht_5ta1k3r

what's the point since I haven't seen MS sell zunes here in Oz!

It’s just called the "zune video store", previously it was just the video store and then you had netflix in the USA. They renamed it hoping to maybe integrate some functionality of the xbox 360 when connecting it up to the Zune HD...and just get some more awareness of their Zune franchise.

Originally Posted by nexx

Streaming 1080p is going to look like shit unless you have a >15mbit connection. Good to see steps are being made though.

If you look at the HD content you can get from the iTunes store, i’m sure they use some kind of compression, otherwise the whole cap is gone....Previously Xbox live only had 720P and 1080i movies etc etc..I doubt we’ll see too many 1080p movies in Australia, as they will release content in formats that work best.

[DiGiTaL MoNkEY]

Looks like we may be getting another major change in terms of purchasing stuff off Xbox Live Seems they will be just listing the items price and points..



And the in relation to clothing, there will be items that your avatar can play with like we see in this picture, the user is playing with a RC warthog! Don't know who is going to buy stuff like that, but it may just be unlockable content.



All of the above here: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2...er-ratings.ars

[gregpolk]

Obviously it looks like prices will be listed as points and $ values, judging by the points in that second pic I'm glad. I appreciate the points system as being very good for people who buy the cards and don't have CCs but jeeze its annoying when you do. Much rather see exactly how much something costs rather than a point value.

[DiGiTaL MoNkEY]

Originally Posted by gregpolk

Obviously it looks like prices will be listed as points and $ values, judging by the points in that second pic I'm glad. I appreciate the points system as being very good for people who buy the cards and don't have CCs but jeeze its annoying when you do. Much rather see exactly how much something costs rather than a point value.

They will list both the price and points, which is quite handy.

Austin walked us through the process of buying a game through the service. "What you'll see here for the first time on the buy screen is we'll be showing the price in the local currency," he said, and there was something akin to a gasp in the room. "And we're going to allow people to purchase with a credit card." He points out that gamers will still have the choice to pay with Microsoft points, if they want. The ability to see the real price of the game, and then to be able to pay directly with your credit card instead of buying a block of points is a huge step forward.

[mortal]

About time!

I wonder if this includes the community games...

[$3@N]

What i really want is keyboard and mouse support as well as a option to install another OS (locked to Windows of course, xp vista W7?) as well as user upgradable harddrives in excess of 120gb (which was the sweet spot... back in 2003!)

Sure we are going to enjoy all the features the yanks have had for years but i am still perplexed how far MS want to go with this locked platform... hardly any 3rd party accessories either.

Bit of a disappointing announcement if you ask me.

[mortal]

Originally Posted by $3@N

What i really want is keyboard and mouse support as well as a option to install another OS (locked to Windows of course, xp vista W7?) as well as user upgradable harddrives in excess of 120gb (which was the sweet spot... back in 2003!)

Sure we are going to enjoy all the features the yanks have had for years but i am still perplexed how far MS want to go with this locked platform... hardly any 3rd party accessories either.

Bit of a disappointing announcement if you ask me.

That will never ever happen - will open up ways of hacking which Microsoft don't want (both piracy and cheating online).

[$3@N]

Originally Posted by mortal

That will never ever happen - will open up ways of hacking which Microsoft don't want (both piracy and cheating online).

The PS3 is a far more open platform and it does not have those problems...

Microsoft are been just a little too strict, hopefully their asses will relax soon.

[DiGiTaL MoNkEY]

Originally Posted by mortal

That will never ever happen - will open up ways of hacking which Microsoft don't want (both piracy and cheating online).

Originally Posted by $3@N

The PS3 is a far more open platform and it does not have those problems...

Microsoft are been just a little too strict, hopefully their asses will relax soon.

Strict yes and no...the hard drive upgradability is a profit thing. They make good amounts of money with accessories. Plus they want to reduce the amount of issues people may have with leaving it too open.

As for letting you install an O/S and stuff like that...Microsoft are focusing that the console is for gaming first as well as a online entertainment hub second. I doubt that many people would care if you could install your own O/S or not. Sure they'd be a few on this forum, but in general.