The New XBox Live Expeirence

[DeToxRox]

Downloading now .. I'll have impressions soon.

anyone else have it yet?

[DeToxRox]

It takes like 2-3 minutes to download which is nice.

Trippy video to open up with too, no less.

[spleen1015]

From just looking at it, I figured it would take an hour to download. It is cool that it only takes a couple of minutes.

[DeToxRox]

so much crap to choose with these avatars.

[cartman]

Not sure why they have umpteen pages of avatars to choose from. After you finally pick one, the next page allows you to customize the avatar completely, making it look just like any of the ones you saw if you scrolled through multiple pages.

[DeToxRox]

Not sure why they have umpteen pages of avatars to choose from. After you finally pick one, the next page allows you to customize the avatar completely, making it look just like any of the ones you saw if you scrolled through multiple pages.

lol yup. I noticed that. 2 minutes of my life I won't ever get back.

[dolfin]

I started the download when I woke up this morning, thinking I'd let it update while at work. I was amazed when it was finished before I could even get my coat and gather by breakfast for the road.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I'm guessing that the option to download the game to the HDD will be the most important aspect of this update. On the consumer end, it allows wait times to be significantly reduced. Also, the reduction in disc access will result in a much quieter gaming experience as the disc access will be reduced to almost nothing.

On MS's end, the reduced use of the disc drive should minimize the number of drive failures, which should help MS's bottom line in regard to warranty repairs. Also, MS is already reporting a significant increase in the sales of their larger HDD's, which are a major revenue source and should help their profit numbers.

[Eaglesfan27]

Mine just downloaded in under 2 minutes.

Edit: And yes, that opening video is trippy.

[Pyser]

what is important about this dl?

[BrianD]

I'm guessing that the option to download the game to the HDD will be the most important aspect of this update.

If this new functionality is added, I'll be very happy. Since my xbox is new, I only have a small handful of games. Not having to swap between 2-3 different discs will be nice.

[cartman]

what is important about this dl?

It is a complete change to the UI. It adds the option to run games from the hard drive, allows Netflix streaming, and is supposed to have more "community" type features. It is a pretty big change, here's the link directly off of the MS site about the update:

Xbox.com | New Xbox Experience (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/nxe/)

[cartman]

If this new functionality is added, I'll be very happy. Since my xbox is new, I only have a small handful of games. Not having to swap between 2-3 different discs will be nice.

You'll still have to have the disc in the tray, but the load will come off the HDD. Still have to have the disc to keep people from renting a game, and just loading it to the HDD.

[Fidatelo]

I installed it this morning and created my avatar. I didn't find it as good as the Wii avatar maker thing, but still neat and better than the old gamer pics.

The intro video was stupid and a waste of everyones time.

The interface itself looked a little strange, but I didn't have any real time to play around with it.

[Autumn]

I'm not a hardcore gamer, and don't own a gaming system at the moment. I consider getting one every once in a while, but it wouldn't be for heavy use. The Netflix streaming option and seemingly other movies and TV on demand looks interesting to me as a way to make a game system more reasonable for me to get. What are people's thoughts and experiences with that aspect of the system?

[Fidatelo]

Dola

The feature I'm looking forward to the most is the new group voice chat. Second is installing games to my harddrive, although realistically I'll only have room for 1 game at a time on there.

[Eaglesfan27]

Installing games to the HD is a good enough benefit that I finally have a reason to look to upgrade the original harddrive - maybe as a Christmas gift. I think that will end up being a smart move on the part of MS.

[DeToxRox]

Dola

The feature I'm looking forward to the most is the new group voice chat. Second is installing games to my harddrive, although realistically I'll only have room for 1 game at a time on there.

Agreed 100%. It'll be nice to play a game like Halo with 3 other guys and not have to listen to 14 year old punks spew racist nonsense.

[PurdueBrad]

I'm sorry for asking a dumb question here guys but am I able to purchase basically a second HDD for my X-Box to swap on and off of it? That would be nice since I've only got the 20 gb it came with.

[cartman]

I'm sorry for asking a dumb question here guys but am I able to purchase basically a second HDD for my X-Box to swap on and off of it? That would be nice since I've only got the 20 gb it came with.

No, you can only have one "active" drive. But if you do get a bigger drive, you can transfer the contents of the existing 20GB drive to it.

[gstelmack]

I'm sorry for asking a dumb question here guys but am I able to purchase basically a second HDD for my X-Box to swap on and off of it? That would be nice since I've only got the 20 gb it came with.

No, you won't be able to swap. You can buy a second HDD from Microsoft (not just any old drive), transfer everything to it, then sell your old 20GB to somebody who bought an Arcade model...

[PurdueBrad]

Gracias amigos, sounds like something to put on the X-Mas list.

[cartman]

With a bit of Google searching, there is a way to "roll your own" 120GB upgrade. It involves getting a specific model HD, flashing its firmware, and going from there. I've been tempted to give it a try.

[Butter]

Any idea how much of the hard drive one game will eat up?

[PurdueBrad]

Nice Cartman. I'm going to get the 120 gb. Is there an easy way to move my saves?

[Fidatelo]

Agreed 100%. It'll be nice to play a game like Halo with 3 other guys and not have to listen to 14 year old punks spew racist nonsense.

The other benefit is, if I understand how this will work, that I should be able to chat with my friends who are online and yet not playing the same game as me. For example, a bunch of my friends have been playing Battlefield together consistently for the last few months, but I can't play because the game makes me physically ill for some reason. So lots of times I'd be online playing Civ Rev or NHL and they'd all be in Battlefield, but I couldn't interact with them. Now, as I understand it, we should be able to set up a group chat channel and all converse regardless of what games we're playing. So even though I'm not playing BF with them, I can still sort of feel like part of the group and stay in touch and whatnot. That's what I'm really looking forward to.

[cartman]

Nice Cartman. I'm going to get the 120 gb. Is there an easy way to move my saves?

There is a free cable you can request from MS that will allow you to transfer your existing drive contents to the new one.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

With a bit of Google searching, there is a way to "roll your own" 120GB upgrade. It involves getting a specific model HD, flashing its firmware, and going from there. I've been tempted to give it a try.

Is this allowed? I would be worried about getting hit with the banhammer.

edit: Woops, rather than the banhammer (which I think is a function of playing illegal games) I meant to say would it void the warranty?

[BrianD]

You'll still have to have the disc in the tray, but the load will come off the HDD. Still have to have the disc to keep people from renting a game, and just loading it to the HDD.

This is slightly disappointing, but I guess understandable. Not sure how they could allow the game to not be in the tray and still prevent piracy. Still, it would be nice to be able to jump from Lego Star Wars to GoW2 when friends come online without walking all the way across the theater. That sort of ruins the lazy indulgence of video games. :)

[Fidatelo]

Any idea how much of the hard drive one game will eat up?

So how much time are you saving? - Xbox 360 NXE Hard Drive Install Chart (http://www.bingegamer.net/2008/so-how-much-time-are-you-saving-xbox-360-nxe-hard-drive-install-chart/)

[Fidatelo]

Still, it would be nice to be able to jump from Lego Star Wars to GoW2 when friends come online without walking all the way across the theater. That sort of ruins the lazy indulgence of video games. :)

Seriously?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Seriously?

I agree with BrianD. After I play a disc-based game, I sometimes want to play something else, but don't feel like getting off my ass to switch disks. So I'll just switch to playing a PSN download game to avoid getting up. Lazy gaming at its finest.

[cartman]

Is this allowed? I would be worried about getting hit with the banhammer.

edit: Woops, rather than the banhammer (which I think is a function of playing illegal games) I meant to say would it void the warranty?

Probably, but if you ever had to send it in for warranty, send it back with the original 20GB drive.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

I would be concerned that they could detect the flashed firmware. With the RROD thing, voiding the warranty could be expensive.

[cartman]

I would be concerned that they could detect the flashed firmware. With the RROD thing, voiding the warranty could be expensive.

From what I understand, the firmware is a copy of the existing firmware of the MS drives they sell. In that case, there wouldn't be a way to tell. But I can understand the concern. That's why it isn't a viable option for everyone.

[Fidatelo]

I agree with BrianD. After I play a disc-based game, I sometimes want to play something else, but don't feel like getting off my ass to switch disks. So I'll just switch to playing a PSN download game to avoid getting up. Lazy gaming at its finest.

Wow.

[dolfin]

Probably, but if you ever had to send it in for warranty, send it back with the original 20GB drive.

I think when you send it in for warranty you keep the drive and just send in the console.


I'd imagine, though that if not done correctly, it would definitely result in a ban from Live.

[BrianD]

Seriously?

Seriously. I admitted that it was lazy from the start. It isn't a deal-breaker type of thing, but the flexibility is nice. Really, it isn't all that different from changing channels on a TV and not wanting to get up. It sort of feels like holding technology back without a good purpose.

[wade moore]

I think when you send it in for warranty you keep the drive and just send in the console.


This is correct. If you have the RROD or the like you unplug all peripherals, including the HDD.

[Fidatelo]

Seriously. I admitted that it was lazy from the start. It isn't a deal-breaker type of thing, but the flexibility is nice. Really, it isn't all that different from changing channels on a TV and not wanting to get up. It sort of feels like holding technology back without a good purpose.

I guess, except that you change channels a lot more frequently than changing game discs. It just feels incredibly lazy to me, and I know you and MBBF are admitting it, but it just shocks me.

[illinifan999]

What's the point of saving a game to the hard drive?

[DanGarion]

I'm guessing that the option to download the game to the HDD will be the most important aspect of this update. On the consumer end, it allows wait times to be significantly reduced. Also, the reduction in disc access will result in a much quieter gaming experience as the disc access will be reduced to almost nothing.

On MS's end, the reduced use of the disc drive should minimize the number of drive failures, which should help MS's bottom line in regard to warranty repairs. Also, MS is already reporting a significant increase in the sales of their larger HDD's, which are a major revenue source and should help their profit numbers.

If only the HDDs were fairly priced...

[DanGarion]

FYI, Sony is not allowing streaming of their movies through the 360, it's being talked about on a bunch of sites.

Side note, there is a work around, since via Windows Media Center you could already play Netflix movies via a plugin, pain in the ass, but not an end game.

[SirFozzie]

Tried out the Netflix streaming.. very nice.

[DanGarion]

Netflix + High Speed Internet = HD Movies. Love this.

[DeToxRox]

Netflix + High Speed Internet = HD Movies. Love this.

How is the quality? And you say they are HD?

[DanGarion]

How is the quality? And you say they are HD?

All of them no, but the ones I've checked have been. 1080i to my TV from the 360.

[Rich1033]

All of them no, but the ones I've checked have been. 1080i to my TV from the 360.

Its streams in HD video but with just normal audio if I read correctly. Cant tell for myself as mine is out of commission with the RROD right now.

[MizzouRah]

Nice to see this in action this morning!

[kingnebwsu]

The avatars annoy me quite a bit. It's so Wii-like that it makes me roll my eyes every time I see one. I thought Sony had the market cornered on copying ideas? Argh. I'm a curmudgeon I guess ;)

I like a lot of stuff about the new interface. I think once I get used to it that it will be far better.

The "installing" game option is very cool...so cool that I went out tonight and (foolishly) bought a 120 GB hard drive. I'm transferring the data now and will be installing some games tonight :) I always thought that the mandatory installs the PS3 had was stupid. But since it will speed up load times and is optional on the 360, I think it will be pretty cool. Hopefully the load time reductions are significant. Up to 50% from what I'm reading.

[DanGarion]

Its streams in HD video but with just normal audio if I read correctly. Cant tell for myself as mine is out of commission with the RROD right now.

I'll have to confirm that later. I'm not sure if Netflix sends 5.1 so that would make sense, but maybe they will eventually some day.

[RainMaker]

How is the quality? And you say they are HD?

It's surprisingly real good.

[RainMaker]

Question on this ability to put games directly on the hard drive. Does this mean I could borrow a game, put it on my HD, and be able to use it after I return the disc?

[SirFozzie]

No. Disc still has to be in the drive.

[GoldenEagle]

I am always up for a private game of FOFC Halo.

[Pyser]

uh, netflix faq says they have no hd content. where can i find it, if it does exist in hd?

[DanGarion]

uh, netflix faq says they have no hd content. where can i find it, if it does exist in hd?

From what I can tell it depends on your internet connection, if it decides it can stream higher resolution it does it.

[Pyser]

cool. so how do we see which titles are available in hd?

[Pyser]

i found it. nevermind. cool.

[SegRat]

NFL Head Coach plays so much better off the hard drive.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Quick heads up. Don't bother installing Halo 3 to the HDD. It actually increases loading times.....

http://www.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=news&cid=16252&wa=wsignin1.0

[Fidatelo]

Where do you guys see the Netflix stuff? Is it missing from my interface because I'm in Canada, or am I just not looking in the right place?

[Oilers9911]

I agree with BrianD. After I play a disc-based game, I sometimes want to play something else, but don't feel like getting off my ass to switch disks. So I'll just switch to playing a PSN download game to avoid getting up. Lazy gaming at its finest.

Jesus H....there's lazy and then there is ridiculously lazy. 15 seconds to get up and swap a disc maybe? Not just directed at you but....that's crazy talk.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Jesus H....there's lazy and then there is ridiculously lazy. 15 seconds to get up and swap a disc maybe? Not just directed at you but....that's crazy talk.

Meh, to be honest, my daughter was taking a nap next to me and I didn't want to wake her up. But I agree, it's still lazy. :D

[Eaglesfan27]

Where do you guys see the Netflix stuff? Is it missing from my interface because I'm in Canada, or am I just not looking in the right place?


They have it noted that it is only where available, and I think it might be only available to American users at this point.

[sachmo71]

Tried out the Netflix streaming.. very nice.

+1. This feature caused my wife to ask if we could buy a better tv for our game room. That is a major development.

[Fidatelo]

They have it noted that it is only where available, and I think it might be only available to American users at this point.

Boooooo

[dolfin]

+1. This feature caused my wife to ask if we could buy a better tv for our game room. That is a major development.

That IS major! My wife is excited about the Netflix too. Sounds like a good "family" Christmas present.

[Pyser]

i dont know if my internet isnt fast enough or what, but when i streamed the hd stuff it showed up in a very small window on my tv. i could stretch it, but it looked like crap. didnt play around with it much, though. might be some settings or something i missed, who knows.

[kingnebwsu]

A lot of the previews/reviews for the Netflix said they had trouble getting it to play in HD. I know IGN said something like that and also one other place that I forget.

[Pyser]

tried again tonight. i get 1 signal of bars when i try and stream hd. how disappointing. my hd window on my 42" tv comes up as seriously 12" or so. its pathetic. doubt i want to pay more to upgrade my cable internet speed.

[dolfin]

I didn't have any problems streaming HD last, but I am rather disappointed with the pared down library. Not just the HD content (which is not a great selection), but the SD library isn't all that impressive either. Hopefully, they'll expand their streaming library quickly.

[Alan T]

Is the netflix streaming over Xbox actually look like HD quality or just plays as HD, but still fuzzy? For the last year plus I just have streamed netflix through a computer hooked up to the tv via Svideo, and the quality has always looked fine to me, but the quality of some of their movies are pretty lousy. (originally netflix had only older stuff online play. only lately when they did that deal with starz did they start getting alot of new stuff).

[dolfin]

I only tried one random HD movie just to see if it worked and to check the quality. It looked like pretty good quality to me. If there were better titles, I'd be very happy.

[MizzouRah]

I really like the loading of games on the system.. now I need a 120 GB HD.

[DanGarion]

Is the netflix streaming over Xbox actually look like HD quality or just plays as HD, but still fuzzy? For the last year plus I just have streamed netflix through a computer hooked up to the tv via Svideo, and the quality has always looked fine to me, but the quality of some of their movies are pretty lousy. (originally netflix had only older stuff online play. only lately when they did that deal with starz did they start getting alot of new stuff).

It looked pretty nice to me.

[Cringer]

All of them no, but the ones I've checked have been. 1080i to my TV from the 360.

Newer 360s have HDMI right? I guess the PS3 I got saves me from having to buy a new 360. XBox can have more of my money on the next generation. :)

[MizzouRah]

I love looking at all the FOFC characters!

Craigsca is actually a woman! ;) :lol: :D

[Marc Vaughan]

Finally got around to playing with this - to me it sucks basically.

Things I hate:

* New interface is incredibly flicky/fiddly and I find myself selecting the wrong item quite often.
* Netflicks, why didn't they integrate this into your XboxLive sign in - they have credit on that account and a hookup to my card already no I can't be bothered to sign up to it thanks all the same.
* Filter by Genre now gone, I used to use my 360 for watching most stuff - but I'm a SciFi/Fantasy freak, there doesn't appear to be an easy filter to just show this stuff now.

In summary it means I'll actually bother checking out the PS-3's setup for TV/movie downloads for the first time at some point in the near future ... whereas before I was more than happy with the 360.

[hawk4669]

Things I hate:

* New interface is incredibly flicky/fiddly and I find myself selecting the wrong item quite often.

Same here. I really didn't have a problem with the old interface. Some called it "clunky" but I never personally had a problem with it.

If I'd have wanted a "Mii", I would've gotten a Wii.

Cheers!

[cartman]

If you hit the big Xbox button on your controller when you are at the new Dashboard, it brings up a menu system that is closer to old style menus that were in the 'classic' dashboard.

[hawk4669]

If you hit the big Xbox button on your controller when you are at the new Dashboard, it brings up a menu system that is closer to old style menus that were in the 'classic' dashboard.

My wife found that...and that's what we've been using. :D

Cheers!

[Marc Vaughan]

If you hit the big Xbox button on your controller when you are at the new Dashboard, it brings up a menu system that is closer to old style menus that were in the 'classic' dashboard.

I'll try that late - I liked the old interface a lot, it was simple and it worked (which is all I look for in a UI) ... the one one is very 'flash' .... but too fiddly for my liking.