Official Xbox 360? Thread...Part Deux

[AdamSnow]

Originally posted by: Gnrslash4life
This update scares me more than anything.

Must be a Hitachi drive owner eh?

 

[bucwylde23]

Ok to change my email address for Xbox live I went to live.xbox.com and logged in. Click on manage profile, then Billing and Contact Information. Once on the passport site, click on "go to personal information" at the top. You should see your e-mail address and have the option to change it.

 

[Eug Wanker]

Originally posted by: Eug Wanker
Anyone get the Xbox 360 Dashboard Update yet?
Anyone get the Xbox 360 HD DVD Update yet?

I'm mostly looking forward to the latter myself.

Arggh. The 360 HD DVD update has been delayed, maybe by another week.

If I told you where I got that information, I would have to kill you...

 

[Spineshank]

Originally posted by: AdamSnow

Originally posted by: Gnrslash4life
This update scares me more than anything.

Must be a Hitachi drive owner eh?

Nah its a TS but it is hacked.

 

[bucwylde23]

Looks like the update is coming overnight/tomorrow.

http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2007...board-update-the-countdown-begins.aspx

I can't download till after work so hopefully if there are any problems you guys can find out first

 

[UpgradeFailure]

So with the new update and the h.264 video support, is that for streaming via MCE only, or can you burn those files to DVD and play them right off the disc?

 

[Eug Wanker]

The Dashboard update is now out. VGA gets three settings apparently, but I can't test that since I don't use VGA.

The HD DVD update probably isn't out until next week.

Originally posted by: UpgradeFailure
So with the new update and the h.264 video support, is that for streaming via MCE only, or can you burn those files to DVD and play them right off the disc?

Should work off a disc, but I haven't tried it yet to confirm.

P.S. I hope your screen name doesn't represent this update...

 

[Queasy]

5/9 - Link

I am happy to announce that the May 2007 Dashboard update has now been officially released and is in process of being rolled out across the LIVE service. For many of you, the next time you sign in to Xbox LIVE, you will be prompted to receive the update. A couple of things to keep in mind over the next few hours as the update is deployed:

* You?ll be prompted to accept the update when you sign into Xbox Live sometime in the next few hours. You will only receive the prompt for the update upon sign in. You won?t get it in middle of a game.
* Regardless of what you have heard, it's not geographically based. No one area of the world will get it before another.
* If you log out and then back in again, this won?t force the update?it will only anger people on your friends list who will see you sign in, then out, then in, then out ?
* Be patient, everyone will eventually receive the update

In addition to the LIVE Messenger integration feature in the new Dashboard, you?ll also see:

* New achievement pop-up with name and score value
* New Marketplace blade places content all in one place
* Friends playing now feature at Xbox LIVE Arcade
* Console can be set to turn off after downloads to save energy.

I want to say something about the last bullet point. What this means is that you can queue up your downloads and turn your console ?off.? When you turn it off during a download, you are actually switching your Xbox 360 into low power mode and the power light will blink very slowly as it continues downloading. After all the downloads are complete, the blinking light will stop and the console will automatically turn itself completely off. Downloads done.

Here is the press release that outlines the rest of the new features.

 

[Queasy]

Arcade classic Double Dragon is available on Live Arcade as well for a mere 400 points ($5).

 

[bucwylde23]

I am so glad this update will let you see what game is in the disc tray. I always leave my games in the system and forget which one is in there.

 

[blurredvision]

Updating now......

EDIT: Updated fine, and I'm liking this update! The new Marketplace blade is fantastic. It definitely needed it's own, and now the entire dashboard seems a lot less cluttered and more organized in thought.

Like Chris, I too love the display of the game name in the tray. I also like how it shows a quick glance of your achievement points when you highlight it. I obviously haven't unlocked any achievements to check out the new display there, but I'm sure I will love, as I've often hit the guide button to see what I just unlocked.

Now we just have to queue the Sony fanboys who inevitiably will post that the update bricked their system. I still believe most of the stories of bricking updates are made up, but that's just me.

 

[blurredvision]

Halo 3 beta starts a week from today! I cannot wait .

 

[MrBond]

OK, I'm thinking about buying a 360 for GH2 and in anticipation of my upcoming HDTV purchase.

The 65nm processors are coming right? What's the latest thought on their arrival in retail consoles, sometime in Nov-Dec?

I kind of want an Elite system, just because it's black. Is the black a limited time color, or will the Elite always be black? I've heard both.

If the black elite consoles are indeed limited edition, then I will probably buy one soon rather than wait for the 65nm processors and buy the extended warranty with the expectation that the console will die. Are there any downsides to buying it from MS, other than having to send it back to them for repair? I don't remember exactly how much the MS warranty is, but I know the BB one is $30-40 for two years of coverage - which is really only one year beyond MS's original warranty (since if it fails within the first year, they tell you to go through MS). If I'm going to spend money on the extended warranty, I'd rather throw money to MS than Bestbuy anyway, and besides that, BB is out of the Elite. I'll probably just buy one at Gamestop and pick up GH2 and a play and charge kit or something at BB to use this $100 GC I have.

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: MrBond
OK, I'm thinking about buying a 360 for GH2 and in anticipation of my upcoming HDTV purchase.

The 65nm processors are coming right? What's the latest thought on their arrival in retail consoles, sometime in Nov-Dec?

I kind of want an Elite system, just because it's black. Is the black a limited time color, or will the Elite always be black? I've heard both.

If the black elite consoles are indeed limited edition, then I will probably buy one soon rather than wait for the 65nm processors and buy the extended warranty with the expectation that the console will die. Are there any downsides to buying it from MS, other than having to send it back to them for repair? I don't remember exactly how much the MS warranty is, but I know the BB one is $30-40 for two years of coverage - which is really only one year beyond MS's original warranty (since if it fails within the first year, they tell you to go through MS). If I'm going to spend money on the extended warranty, I'd rather throw money to MS than Bestbuy anyway, and besides that, BB is out of the Elite. I'll probably just buy one at Gamestop and pick up GH2 and a play and charge kit or something at BB to use this $100 GC I have.

I bought a 1 year service contract through microsoft. You can also add another year on at any time while it's still under warranty.

1 year = $30
2 year = $60

To me it's worth it, as I've had the console for 1 year now and am covered through April 2008.

I have read that the black is limited edition, but who knows for sure. If I was buying a 360 now, I would definitely buy an elite.

Also, I'd just like to mention that GH2 is driving me crazy at the moment

 

[RagingBITCH]

I really wish they'd have a browser on the 360 to surf the net...that'd be super handy. Although seeing as how IE gets absolutely pwned, I guess they don't want people figuring out ways to nuke their 360 because some dumbass surfed onto a warez site and got his 360 taken over.

 

[five40]

The mp4 support is awesome! To bad windows media sucks and doesn't recognize the mp4 extension so I had to rename the file to wmv, add it to the library, then it worked great on my xbox. Time to start ripping. The playback quality was pretty impressive and being able to rewind, fast forward is excellent. Now time to find a fix to let windows media recognize mp4 files.

 

[Queasy]

Engadget tests the new video capabilities

Well, that Xbox 360 Spring 2007 Dashboard update did land at about 2:00AM PST as expected, and brought with it a few fun features we were hot to test out -- but none more than the Xbox's expanded video playback capabilities. Before we get to the fun part, though, it's worth noting that the whole Dashboard experience felt a lot snappier; if you ask us, they made some worthwhile performance tweaks. Since we don't use MSN all that much 'round these parts we couldn't delve too far into the new Messenger contact list capabilities, so we'll get to the good stuff: you want to know about the video. Well, we're happy to say it works as advertised. We were able to play back 720p and even 1080p MPEG-4 and H.264 content on our Xbox 360. Technically speaking the Xbox 360 now officially beats out the Apple TV in the digital video arena, both in resolution and bitrate. (At best the ATV only does up to 720p at 5Mbps, while the Xbox does 1080p up to 10Mbps; neither supports higher than stereo audio.) In other words, if you're an Xbox owner thinking about an Apple TV for playing back video in your living room, you might want to think again.

Xbox 360 MPEG-4 / H.264 video test results. Here's what Microsoft said should work, followed by we tested worked and that didn't:

Microsoft added

* H.264 video support: Up to 10Mbps peak, Baseline, Main, and High profiles with 2 channel AAC LC.
* Added MPEG-4 Part 2 video support: Up to 5Mbps peak, Simple Profile with 2 channel AAC LC.
* PlaysForSure (did not test)

Tested, worked

* H.264 / 720p, MPEG-4 container, AAC stereo 48kHz, ~1.1MBps
* H.264 / 1080p, MPEG-4 container, AAC stereo 48kHz, ~5.5MBps
* MPEG-4 / 720p, AAC stereo 48kHz, ~1.1MBps
* MPEG-4 / EDTV, AAC stereo 44.1kHz, ~1.5MBps

Tested, didn't work

* MPEG-4 / 720p, QuickTime container (.mov), AAC 5.1 48kHz, ~6MBps
* H.264 / 1080p, QuickTime container (.mov), AAC 5.1 48kHz, ~9.8MBps

 

[michaels]

Originally posted by: MrBond
OK, I'm thinking about buying a 360 for GH2 and in anticipation of my upcoming HDTV purchase.

The 65nm processors are coming right? What's the latest thought on their arrival in retail consoles, sometime in Nov-Dec?

I kind of want an Elite system, just because it's black. Is the black a limited time color, or will the Elite always be black? I've heard both.

If the black elite consoles are indeed limited edition, then I will probably buy one soon rather than wait for the 65nm processors and buy the extended warranty with the expectation that the console will die. Are there any downsides to buying it from MS, other than having to send it back to them for repair? I don't remember exactly how much the MS warranty is, but I know the BB one is $30-40 for two years of coverage - which is really only one year beyond MS's original warranty (since if it fails within the first year, they tell you to go through MS). If I'm going to spend money on the extended warranty, I'd rather throw money to MS than Bestbuy anyway, and besides that, BB is out of the Elite. I'll probably just buy one at Gamestop and pick up GH2 and a play and charge kit or something at BB to use this $100 GC I have.

Wal-mart has a service plan I juts bought for my Elite that is 2 years for 28 bucks, and it starts after the Ms warranty ends.

 

[raystorm]

I downloaded the dashboard update. Seems nice and played a bit of double dragon (garbage) and then played some Earth Defense Force. All of a sudden my 360 froze and the graphics were all glitched out. wow I think my second 360 just got bricked.


I don't know what to say especially since I have no warranty (totally forgot to pay for it). So thats two 360's now that died. I don't care what anyone says.. the Xbox 360 is the most unreliable piece of garbage EVER. Since I have no warranty it looks like I may just have to search for that "do it yourself" fix that is roaming around the net.


edit: This issue is the same glitchy video problem I had with my first 360. Like my first 360 I never got one "red rings of death" so I assume the freeze with glitchy video is a gpu thing. I know there are video fixes out there in youtube land but they are all regarding the red rings and not gpu stuff. I watched a dvd after the freeze and it worked fine. I'll play a few more games to see if my 360 is truly dead before calling MS. If I'm not covered by warranty (doubt it) then I won't pay the 130+ bucks for repair only to get another old refurbished unit. I'll just get an elite or maybe simply wait until the updated cpu/gpu's that will replace the current ones (the 65nm ones).

 

[Kev]

So my guitar hero 2 x-plorer had 2 buttons on it just randomly stop working, so I returned it to CC and exchanged it for a new one. On the new one the guitar works fine but every time I try to load up a song I get a dirty disc error. It happens on mine and my friend's elite. I'm done with this ****** game.

IT IS THE YEAR 2007. IT SHOULDN'T BE SUCH A HASSLE TO ACQUIRE ELECTRONICS THAT WORK CORRECTLY.

 

[mzkhadir]

http://www.1pstart.com/forza-2-releases-achievements-demo-details/

forza demo

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: mzkhadir
http://www.1pstart.com/forza-2-releases-achievements-demo-details/

forza demo

:thumbsup: Time to dust off the ol' 360. I haven't used it for a while.

 

[Cabages]

Originally posted by: mzkhadir
http://www.1pstart.com/forza-2-releases-achievements-demo-details/

forza demo

OMG demo coming TONIGHT!

Consider me excited!

I havent turned on my 360 in a month, now it will finally get some work.

 

[EKKC]

Originally posted by: AdamSnow

Originally posted by: Gnrslash4life
This update scares me more than anything.

Must be a Hitachi drive owner eh?

hitachi here. i have to hold out on the update. or go back to original firmware first.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: Heller
360 Elites - Already DYING!
Seriously, you gotta be fvckidding me.

http://nexgenwars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6867

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153089

doesn't surprise me one bit because ms used the same heatsink attaching mechanism that put incredible stress on the m/b - with the new elite all they did was put epoxy on the solder joints that break. i think the issue is is that if ms admits the heatsink attachment method is what causes the issue, they will need to modify all of the 360s, and that is ~11M, so i doubt they will ever admit to a issue with their design although it clearly.

i have received more than 1 pm thanking me for the information i provided in this thread. the fix is relatively simple but sadly it does void your warranty, if that matters to you....