Xbox Live: Update

[MinisterofDOOM]

You know...irony. Or maybe it's not irony but just bad timing.

But I've looked forward to this update for months for the Netflix feature.

And now that I have the update, I realize the Netflix feature is useless to me. Why? Because I'm now running my 360 through my PC monitor...where I can ALREADY watch netflix movies.

Oh well. I already signed up for the free trial, so I'll rent a couple of bad sci-fi channel miniseries before it expires just for fun.

[s13jus10]

..so the 360 takes one step forward and takes features from the Wii and the PS3.

congrats!

[xekushnr]

..so the 360 takes one step forward and takes features from the Wii and the PS3.

congrats!

Yep, why dont you go enjoy your new trophies. Wait, that sounds familiar...

This is the video game industry after all. Nothing is new.

[C-Kwik]

..so the 360 takes one step forward and takes features from the Wii and the PS3.

congrats!

We'll remember this if/when the PS3 gets to stream unlimited videos through a Netflix account.

[redtop91]

Which will be very soon around the corner. I'm calling it now.

[OldmanPurdy]

..so the 360 takes one step forward and takes features from the Wii and the PS3.

congrats!

What new feature did the 360 steal from the PS3?

[MinisterofDOOM]

One very nice but small thing the update added that I love is the extra "shut down" option in the guide. Before, you had to hold the guide button down for the shut down menu to appear. That's okay until you try using the machine with a keyboard: for some reason, holding the Windows button (which serves as the guide button) doesn't bring up the shut down menu like holding the Guide button does. It just brings up the normal guide.

But the update added a shut down option to the Settings page of the Guide, so that's not an issue, now. I can just hit Windows and scroll to it. Very small change but very very nice since I usually just use my keyboard to navigate menus when not in a game.

[OldmanPurdy]

It also added (unless I missed it before) a feature to prevent games/movies from autoloading when they are put in the drive.

[marlin29311]

It also added (unless I missed it before) a feature to prevent games/movies from autoloading when they are put in the drive.

Auto-load has always been a feature that could be changed in the dashboard.

Does anyone else's box stay on for about 15 seconds after you turn it off now? It does the "I'm downloading something" noise, flashes the light like it would if you were downloading something, and then turns off off after 15 seconds or so...

[Nali]

Auto-load has always been a feature that could be changed in the dashboard.

Does anyone else's box stay on for about 15 seconds after you turn it off now? It does the "I'm downloading something" noise, flashes the light like it would if you were downloading something, and then turns off off after 15 seconds or so...

Yeah i noticed that, my system stays on for a few seconds after shut down. Im guessing its because the NXE is saving something.Im thinking its just a shutdown algorithm similar to how when you switch off ur PC it goes through the whole shutdown dance.

[xekushnr]

I havent really noticed that. I dont think it's taking longer to shut off, but I'll pay more attention next time I do shut it down.

[C-Kwik]

I haven't noticed, but I honestly don't care. I hit power off on my Logitech remote and I walk away from everything.

[bmike818]

I haven't noticed, but I honestly don't care. I hit power off on my Logitech remote and I walk away from everything.

You mean Logitech Harmony Remote, I have one too. Yep just press a button and walk away from everything...TV..stereo...Xbox all off with one button...Sweet!

Microsoft does owe us for Themes we had previously, it kind of sucks when I can't even use my exculsive Halo theme that I got with my halo console.

I could have lived without this update, the netflix feature is a major plus.

...i hope MS don't charge us for clothes or accesories for our Avatars

[xekushnr]

I've heard that at first it wont cost you anything, but later on it probably will for the good premium stuff.

[C-Kwik]

You mean Logitech Harmony Remote, I have one too. Yep just press a button and walk away from everything...TV..stereo...Xbox all off with one button...Sweet!

Microsoft does owe us for Themes we had previously, it kind of sucks when I can't even use my exculsive Halo theme that I got with my halo console.

I could have lived without this update, the netflix feature is a major plus.

...i hope MS don't charge us for clothes or accesories for our Avatars

Yep. That's the remote I have. However, if I could go back knowing what I do now, I'd get a different Harmony remote. We bought one for the GF's parents a couple of years ago and their's feels much more tactile and ergonomic. Functionally, the big difference is the XYAB buttons. But those don't always do anything anyways (at least in 90% of the stuff I use the 360 for).

One big gripe for me is that MS used a non-proprietary set of IR signals. My remote turns my HP laptop on and off all the damned time if I have it out. Worse still is that the power signal is the same regardless of on or off so sometimes it will turn my laptop on when I turn the Xbox off. God knows how many times I've left my laptop on overnight.

[krimsonviper]

i could have definately lived w/o this update, but it has its plus sides i can forgive it for.

Saving your game on your HD for one. Im hoping that RROD counts are going to be less. Hopefully it'll come true

Netflix.

and typing(yes i hate talking through electronics i.e. phones, mics, recorders, etc.), the scrolling has become a bit faster.

i'm not too worried about the theme thing. i never bought one, i just bought a wallpaper and i still see it, so i'm happy. sorry to you fellas who did buy one though.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I had a picture of the Audi R8 TDI V10 engine as my background. I can't see much of it anymore but it was free, so no loss. I'll just edit a pic of the whole car that'll show above the floor and that'll be that.

I definitely haven't noticed the console taking longer to shut down since the update, FWIW.

Gears of War 2 runs beautifully installed to the hard drive.

[S13-Chuki]

I wasn't very impressed with the update ,but theres another update in spring i think and it should be good.

[young-gunn]

It also added (unless I missed it before) a feature to prevent games/movies from autoloading when they are put in the drive.

I enabled this right away.

Is there any way to make my microphone more sensitive on this new system? My mic doesn't pick up my voice worth a damn.

[young-gunn]

Also, is there a way to go back to the old version? I dont like flipping through this menu at all. What is netflix? And how do I access it?

[Loki]

Netflix is like renting movies through the mail with no return dates. It also let's you stream some movies/tv show seasons over your computer. The new update allows you to instead stream those movies over your 360. I watched every season of The Office this way

It's a pay-for service independent of Xbox Live. http://www.netflix.com

[redtop91]

Don't be fooled, the instant watch queue alone doesn't warrant a sign up for Netflix!

[MinisterofDOOM]

Don't be fooled, the instant watch queue alone doesn't warrant a sign up for Netflix!

No it does not! It's TERRIBLE. I was extremely disappointed in the instant-watch movie selection. Hooray for the trial subscription period.

[OldmanPurdy]

No it does not! It's TERRIBLE. I was extremely disappointed in the instant-watch movie selection. Hooray for the trial subscription period.

So I take it that the instant watch feature does not include the entire netflix lineup? That's a rhetorical question since we don't have netflix in Canada but it was still a feature I was looking forward to

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yeah, Instant watch is entirely separate from the normal lineup. SOME stuff crosses over, but not much. Most of the instant stuff is older or more obscure (read: too crappy to become popular) stuff. Some is good, like the Munsters and other TV shows. But it's definitely not worth a monthly fee.