eesiell carlisle frondah
Leoma Cianchetti
Thanks to the folks at Microsoft and Netflix, I've gotten the new Xbox 360 console upgrade and have started watching Netflix movies on my Xbox this morning. A couple gaming sites have been doing some reviews as well and have raised a bunch of questions, some of which I have already asked Microsoft and Netflix and will update this post if I get answers.
The new Xbox 360 console update, which will be release to the public on November 19th, includes the highly anticipated ability to stream Netflix content to the Xbox 360 console as long as you are a Microsoft Live Gold customer and a Netflix customer.
After downloading the new console update and then downloading a small Netflix update, you active the streaming functionality by entering a code from your Xbox 360 into your Netflix account via the computer. From there, you can add Netflix videos into your watch now queue and they instantly show up on your Xbox 360. Navigating through your movies is done by going to the Netlfix box in the "Video Marketplace" channel which takes you to an app that allows you to very cleanly and very quickly flip through the movies in your queue. The movies are represented by cover artwork of each movie and even when you have a hundred or so titles in the queue, the app is super fast. I would compare the experience to being almost identical to flipping through albums in iTunes using Cover Flow. The only major downside here is that movies still have be added via the computer first, before they can be played back on the Xbox 360.
Once you select a movie, you get a screen with details about the video and the ability to rate the content as well as the ability to start, resume or remove the video. When you select play, the app checks your connection speed and buffers the video. For me, the videos buffered very fast and I never waited more than about ten seconds for any video to start. That may not be the startup time for the average consumer though as I am on a 20MB FiOS connection. While most movies are in SD, Netflix has to date made about 300 videos available in HD, many of which are TV series and not actual movies. Watching the SD movies on a 50" plasma screen looked amazing and HD is really incredible. The quality of the stream is all based on your connection speed and I am waiting on Netflix to hopefully give me details on the encoding bitrates being used. But the bottom line, the video quality is really, really good and in my eyes, is DVD quality with no frame rate issues.
Netflix and Microsoft have clearly thought about the experience, the ease of use and the quality of the videos being delivered and overall, I expect users will be very happy. That being said, this hands on review leaves me with three main questions that will dictate how successful the offering will be.
For starters, what is the business relationship and model behind the new service? With three parties involved, Microsoft, Netflix and content owners, whom is paying whom to make all this happen and how will money be made? I know this is a new service to start and hence, a clear business model has not yet been established. But over time, one will have to emerge.
Second, does the availability of getting movies on the Xbox 360 now mean that more content owners and in particular, major movie studios, will start giving Netflix the rights to encode and deliver more first-run movies? Hopefully so, but they still control the content and have a big say in the success that the Netflix service will have.
I've noticed recently that when my friends are watching Netflix it'll tell me the title of what they are watching. I remember a couple years ago Netflix got into HUGE trouble when they changed their algorithm and users could see other users' queue. I'm pretty sure it resulted in a lawsuit, but I'm having trouble finding the article.
Most of the time when I have a friend watching Netflix I only see that red Netflix cover. However I have a few friends that I can see the movie. I currently don't use Netflix so I'm not aware of their features, but I'm pretty sure you should have this as on optional feature.
Find the 'My Xbox' tab on your dashboard then click the window w/your gamertag and gamerscore. Scroll over to 'Online Safety' and choose to change the setting. Click 'Customize' and scroll down to video and music status. If your friends can see your video status then the current setting should be 'Everyone', switch it to blocked.
Your friends should now only see "Watching a movie" when they see you online. And regarding the queue, I've never been able to see anyone's queue, only that they're browsing it. You can only see the movie they're watching, granted they have their settings adjusted to allow it.
It's just a privacy thing, not even a concern. I'm part of the school of thought that not everyone needs to know what I'm doing/where I am all the time. I don't think it's weird that I don't think everyone on my friends list should see what I'm watching, or that I don't necessarily need to check in on Foursquare of Facebook every place I go. I don't have 1200 photos on my Facebook, nor do I announce when I'm on the toilet via Twitter. Not for any particular reason, just cause I don't. Some people do and while I don't think it's weird, I just don't do it. Just like the people that are critical of privacy don't concern themselves with what they're sharing. Just thoughts. I'm not judgmental.
AWWW! I thought this was going to be a thread where I could tell everyone I just finished watching Battlestar: Galactica seasons 1-4. Or maybe I would tell everyone how I'm a big Kung-fu flick lover and how Jackie Chan's old school films are some of my favorites.
i dont mind. i think i have mine set for anyone to see. doesnt really bother me and it saves me the "whatareyouwatchinnn?" question. If netflix had a buttload of porn im pretty sure people wouldnt like the feature. xP
i dont mind. i think i have mine set for anyone to see. doesnt really bother me and it saves me the "whatareyouwatchinnn?" question. If netflix had a buttload of porn im pretty sure people wouldnt like the feature. xP
While experts can and will debate whether or not the Xbox 360 offers the best visuals and game library, no one will argue against the fact that Xbox Live is the best online system available on any console. Between Netflix, Xbox Live Arcade and additional content for retail games, you're going to want to get online with your Xbox 360. Even if you're not tech savvy, we can help you get started.
If you're using an Ethernet connection, getting online is easy. Simply connect the Ethernet cable into the back of your Xbox 360 and turn on your system - it should automatically log you in. Once you're online, you'll need to sign up for either a Silver or Gold membership (see below) to enjoy Xbox Live's services.
If you're using a wireless router, things are easy if you purchased a new model of the Xbox 360. Simply go to the My Xbox blade and scroll to the Systems Setting tab. Once you're there, go to Network Settings and select Wireless Network, which pulls a list of available networks for you to choose. Click on yours and then type in your password and you'll be all set.
Now, it's a tad more complicated if you have an old model of the Xbox 360. First of all, you're going to need an Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter ($99.99). With your 360 turned off, plug this into the back of your Xbox and position the antenna so it is pointing up. Turn on your Xbox 360. A red light should appear on the back of the Adapter. Once the Xbox launches, you're prompted to set up your Network Adapter.
1. Select Configure Network. 2. Select Wireless Mode. 3. Select Scan for Networks. 4. Your network should appear on this list. Choose it. 5. If you have a password protecting your wireless network, enter it when prompted. 6. The IP and DNS settings should automatically appear. 7. Press B twice to return to the dashboard. 8. On the My Xbox blade, select your profile and press A. 9. Choose the option to sign in to Xbox Live and you're all set.
When you first boot up your Xbox 360, you're asked to create a Gamertag. This is your online name by which the world will know you. Sorry, but it's smart enough to block your dirty jokes, so try to keep it clean. Once you have your Gamertag picked out you can choose from two different membership options. Microsoft offers a free Silver membership to anyone who owns an Xbox 360 or you can subscribe as a Gold member for $60 a year (sometimes as low as $40-50). If your whole family wants to enjoy the benefits of a Gold membership, there's also a Family Pack available that allows four accounts on the same Xbox 360 console to access the services for $100 a year.
Silver Membership: The free Xbox Live service is limited in what it offers. You get access to game demos (after Xbox Live Gold members), movie rentals, TV and game downloads, and can create and outfit your own avatar. If you have no interest in playing with others online this is the way to go. After all, it's free.
Gold Membership: For $60 a year (sometimes as low as $40-50), you get everything available to Silver members, plus online multiplayer gaming, video chat, photo sharing, access to Netflix movie streaming, access to Last.fm and access to ESPN. Xbox 360 is best as a community tool and as such, we strongly recommend that anyone who can afford it sign up for a Gold membership.
Xbox Live is a great way of keeping in touch with your buddies and for finding like-minded folks who also enjoy shooting aliens or Nazis. You never have to play with anyone who appears on your Friends List. In fact, you can simply use this list to keep track of people you know and see what games they're playing and even what movies they're watching.
To add a friend to your list, go to the My Friends blade on the dashboard. At the end of your Friends List is the option to Add a Friend. Select this and enter the Gamertag of the friend you want to add. They'll need to accept your request before they appear on your Friends List. Another way to check your Friends List is to tap the Guide button on your controller. From here you can scroll down and select Friends to see everyone who is online or offline, add friends and check your messages. If you're playing a game with multiplayer, you can use the Friends List to invite others to join you. Or you can select the Invite to Party option, which groups you and your buddies together and allows you to hop from one game to the next (assuming everyone has a copy of the game) without losing sight of one another online. You can even enter Private Chat, which acts like a party line through your Xbox headset.
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