The second Xbox 360 revealed: codename Zephyr

[StormRider]

If this is true, I'll be buying an Xbox 360 in the near future...

 

[NFS4]

If you bought your 360 from Costco, you whiners may have an out

http://dailytech.com/Article.aspx?newsid=5306&red=y#comments

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: NFS4
Found the text about the iPTV stuff

"Sunday, January 07, 2007

Microsoft Crosses 10 million Xbox 360s Sold, Announces Xbox 360 Can Be IPTV Set-Top

Dean Takahashi, 06:30 PM in Dean Takahashi, Gaming

Bill Gates and Robbie Bach are expected to announce at the Consumer Electronics Show that Microsoft has sold more than 10.4 million Xbox 360s since the launch in November, 2005. That means Microsoft has also hit its targets for sales of consoles during the holidays.

Microsoft is also dropping something of a bomb at the show. Jim Brady, a spokesman for Microsoft, said Gates and Bach will say in the keynote speech Sunday night at the Venetian Hotel that the Xbox 360 will be able to serve as a set-top box for IPTV, or Internet protocol television. The details on this announcement are sketchy and Brady says only that it will appear later this year.

stBut that raises the specter of how much of a black box will the video game console become. If you can get your television, movies, music and other entertainment downloaded from the telephone companies such as AT&T -- a major IPTV provider that is using Microsoft's IPTV software -- and have it accessible through your Xbox 360, what else do you need? Maybe you don't need a PC.

For sure, there are a ton of unanswered questions here. But the prospects are interesting. Could AT&T give away Xbox 360s for free in exchange for users signing up for subscriptions to IPTV service, which gives high-definition programs, video on demand, and digital video recording? Will Microsoft have to come out with a larger hard disk drive for the Xbox 360 in order to allow it to fulfill the digital video recording function? Brady declined to comment. He did say that no consumers would be left behind, meaning that all of the 10 million plus Xbox 360s in the market would be able to participate in the IPTV services at some level.

Brady says gamers have shown that they like Xbox Live Marketplace and are downloading videos and music more than Microsoft anticipated already, even with the small 20-gigabyte hard disk on the Xbox 360.

In other details, Microsoft declined to say how many Zune music/video players it sold during the holidays. It will only say that it is targeting 1 million sold by June 30. There over 5 million Xbox Live members, though the paid portion is not borken out. Marketplace downloads, messages and other features are exceeding expectations.

Lastly, Nintendo hasn't yet disclosed how many Wiis it sold during the holidays. But Beth Lewellyn, a spokeswoman for Nintendo of America, said that sales in North America exceeded Nintendo's expectations. Nintendo predicted it would sell four million consoles worldwide by Dec. 31, but she could not confirm that number."

http://www.mygen.com.au/article.php?page_id=27247775110181074&se_id=29&format=2

And when your TV starts lagging because your kid is downloading porn in the next room, thank the net neutrality advocates for preventing AT&T from prioritizing IPTV over other data.

WTH are you talking about? The net neutrality advocates are smart enough to know that prioritization can be taken care of at the the customer's router.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: JackBurton
WTH are you talking about? The net neutrality advocates are smart enough to know that prioritization can be taken care of at the the customer's router.

Don't ever support that crap. Unless of course you want to hinder the advancement of the Internet. Stop it.

Seriously. Stop it. Stop this "sky is falling" mentality. It's dumb. Stop believing what you don't understand.

You can lump net neutrality advocates with "thetrught.org" and other wacko sites. It's just dumb. Stop.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: NFS4
If you bought your 360 from Costco, you whiners may have an out

http://dailytech.com/Article.aspx?newsid=5306&red=y#comments

I called my local CostCo last month and they confirmed it's total speculation.

 

[MBrown]

I should have bought my 360 from Costco. This sucks.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I called my local CostCo last month and they confirmed it's total speculation.

Beware your false Oracles.

Lots of bombs are dropped at CES.

 

[skywhr]

Can you hook up an external USB HD to the current 360?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: skywhr
Can you hook up an external USB HD to the current 360?

Sure, but you can't use it for game data or to download movies/trailers/etc.

You can only use it for music and stuff.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: JackBurton
WTH are you talking about? The net neutrality advocates are smart enough to know that prioritization can be taken care of at the the customer's router.

Don't ever support that crap. Unless of course you want to hinder the advancement of the Internet. Stop it.

Seriously. Stop it. Stop this "sky is falling" mentality. It's dumb. Stop believing what you don't understand.

You can lump net neutrality advocates with "thetrught.org" and other wacko sites. It's just dumb. Stop.

Support what? AT&T giving preferential treatment to whatever type of data they'd like? Carriers like AT&T should have only one responsibility, make sure their network runs error free. That's it.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
Throwing more fuel in the fire

DVR functionality with a 120GB drive? Isn't that a bit on the small side?

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: jlmadyson
Gamespot's take: Not bogus

Source: A story with a dimly lit photo on tech blog Engadget.

(clipped)
At the time Rumor Control suggested an HDMI port-equipped Xbox 360 wasn't imminent, but that Microsoft would have to be looking into it in order to ensure the viability of its HD-DVD add-on. Movie studios releasing HD-DVDs have the option of using Image Constraint Token (ICT) flags on their discs, a technology that artificially limits the playback resolution of a film unless the signal is traveling over a secure connection like an HDMI cable (the component cables included with the Xbox 360 don't cut it).

(clipped)

Exactly what does that mean? I've got the HD-DVD add-on drive and I'm using the component video cables into my 1080i LCD and it looks amazing. Is this saying that future DVD's may be unplayable because I don't have HDMI out on my XBox and/or HDMI in on my TV?

 

[jlmadyson]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: jlmadyson
Gamespot's take: Not bogus

Source: A story with a dimly lit photo on tech blog Engadget.

(clipped)
At the time Rumor Control suggested an HDMI port-equipped Xbox 360 wasn't imminent, but that Microsoft would have to be looking into it in order to ensure the viability of its HD-DVD add-on. Movie studios releasing HD-DVDs have the option of using Image Constraint Token (ICT) flags on their discs, a technology that artificially limits the playback resolution of a film unless the signal is traveling over a secure connection like an HDMI cable (the component cables included with the Xbox 360 don't cut it).

(clipped)

Exactly what does that mean? I've got the HD-DVD add-on drive and I'm using the component video cables into my 1080i LCD and it looks amazing. Is this saying that future DVD's may be unplayable because I don't have HDMI out on my XBox and/or HDMI in on my TV?

Sadly, yes, but it must be digital from what I understand, so perhaps DVI/HDMI. Although the dates in which Hollywood studios want to fully implement this move are yet to be determined. Last I read, although I have to admit it's been awhile, some have said as early as 2010 or so.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
Throwing more fuel in the fire

DVR functionality with a 120GB drive? Isn't that a bit on the small side?

Not for standard-def material. Even for HD material, it's not too shabby, you're looking at somewhere around 10-15 hours of time (I'm pretty sure on my numbers anyway).

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: jlmadyson
Gamespot's take: Not bogus

Source: A story with a dimly lit photo on tech blog Engadget.

(clipped)
At the time Rumor Control suggested an HDMI port-equipped Xbox 360 wasn't imminent, but that Microsoft would have to be looking into it in order to ensure the viability of its HD-DVD add-on. Movie studios releasing HD-DVDs have the option of using Image Constraint Token (ICT) flags on their discs, a technology that artificially limits the playback resolution of a film unless the signal is traveling over a secure connection like an HDMI cable (the component cables included with the Xbox 360 don't cut it).

(clipped)

Exactly what does that mean? I've got the HD-DVD add-on drive and I'm using the component video cables into my 1080i LCD and it looks amazing. Is this saying that future DVD's may be unplayable because I don't have HDMI out on my XBox and/or HDMI in on my TV?

If the studios decide to enable the Image Constraint Token (ICT) on new HD-DVD content, then you will only be able to view that content at 720x540 over analog connections. Thus far they have chosen not to enable ICT until 2010.

 

[EKKC]

if the new one is as moddable as the old, im in for another set!

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
Throwing more fuel in the fire

DVR functionality with a 120GB drive? Isn't that a bit on the small side?

Not for standard-def material. Even for HD material, it's not too shabby, you're looking at somewhere around 10-15 hours of time (I'm pretty sure on my numbers anyway).

That's about right. 250GB HDD in my HD DirecTivo holds 30 hours of HD programming.

 

[sswingle]

Hopefully the new ones wont die as easily.

 

[Queasy]

MS Response via GamerscoreBlog

There is lots of debate going on online, on the merits (or harm) of updating the Xbox 360 hardware in the future. To be very clear, we haven?t announced anything, and our official position is to reiterate our standard policy of not commenting on rumors or speculation.

But this is a blog, and it?d be a little disingenuous of us to ignore it completely (and in fact, it?d be disingenuous to use a word like ?disingenuous?). While we?re really not in a position to shed any light (or darkness) on the Engadget story for a number of reasons, I?ll remind everyone of what we have said publicly:

* We have no plans to include an HD DVD drive in an Xbox 360, and in fact, we won?t put games on HD DVD.
* The Xbox 360 is built to be modular, and while we haven?t announced anything specific, the hard drive on the Xbox 360 was made to be easily swapped out.
* We have made no announcements about a new SKU, any new accessories, or any plans for a price drop.

Finally, while it?s true that leaks ?happen,? much of what gets reported as leaks ends up being untrue, so take everything that?s not confirmed with a grain of salt. I find it hard to believe that a ?Microsoft Insider? would chance leaking anything significant, since our legal and security teams make a serious effort to fully investigate leaks, and any short-term notoriety would only lead to being unemployed or even prosecuted. Then again, people do some strange things for their 15 minutes of fame, just look at the popularity of reality TV?

FWIW, we always keep an eye on gaming sites, blogs and forums, and we?re hearing your feedback (good, bad, or otherwise). So feel free to continue to offer your comments, because we?re listening--even if it turns out that everything you?re commenting on so passionately is completely false.

Gates is supposed to be up at CES in about 30 minutes. I guess we'll find out.

 

[50cent1228]

ya this sucks i hope they have an upgrade for us who already have 360's

 

[Queasy]

MS CES keynote

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Queasy
MS CES keynote

there a transcription of that anywhere? highlights?

edit: nevermind, engadget has coverage

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Queasy
MS CES keynote

there a transcription of that anywhere? highlights?

Check Engadget or Gizmodo. They are both live-blogging it.

Bill is just talking about transmitting HD around right now.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: jlmadyson
Gamespot's take: Not bogus

Source: A story with a dimly lit photo on tech blog Engadget.

(clipped)
At the time Rumor Control suggested an HDMI port-equipped Xbox 360 wasn't imminent, but that Microsoft would have to be looking into it in order to ensure the viability of its HD-DVD add-on. Movie studios releasing HD-DVDs have the option of using Image Constraint Token (ICT) flags on their discs, a technology that artificially limits the playback resolution of a film unless the signal is traveling over a secure connection like an HDMI cable (the component cables included with the Xbox 360 don't cut it).

(clipped)

Exactly what does that mean? I've got the HD-DVD add-on drive and I'm using the component video cables into my 1080i LCD and it looks amazing. Is this saying that future DVD's may be unplayable because I don't have HDMI out on my XBox and/or HDMI in on my TV?

If the studios decide to enable the Image Constraint Token (ICT) on new HD-DVD content, then you will only be able to view that content at 720x540 over analog connections. Thus far they have chosen not to enable ICT until 2010.

Ah, okay, that's not great news but not the worst either because it would give those of us in my position 3 years to upgrade their TV's. Considering I've only had mine 2 years it's kinda unfair but I guess we're all gonna have to deal with this DRM crap at some point. At least it's not enabled now though. It would really suck for everyone out there who's got an HD compatible player & TV but doesn't have the secure HDMI connection.

Thanks for the info!

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Nothing announced at CES beyond IPTV but with shots of a new scalar (HANA) floating around it's almost a certainty that an HDMI Xbox will be introduced sometime in the near future (spring announcement, summer availability perhaps?).