HUGE Xbox 360 update Tomorrow (Oct.31)

[dream431ca]

On October 31st, MS is releasing a huge update for the XBOX 360 which will include 85 changes, new features and more reliability. Here is the complete update, and I'm quite excitied about this one.

New Features

HD 1080p video mode support over VGA and component cables.

Xbox 360™ HD DVD Player support.

Stream WMV video from a Windows PC running Windows Media Player 11,
Zune software, or Windows Media Connect.


Play video from storage devices such as USB flash drives, Xbox 360 Memory Units, etc.

Play video from CD or DVD data discs.

Xbox 360 Wireless Headset support, including battery level indicator in the
Xbox Guide.

Video support for 50 Hz HDTV modes (DVD and HD DVD only).

Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel support.

Set up automatic downloads of newly released Xbox Live Arcade trial games.

Support for upcoming release of XNA Game Studio Express (separate
download and subscription required.)

Stream music, pictures and video from a Zune device.

Xbox Live Arcade



Lightning-fast enumeration and listing of all Xbox Live® Arcade games on the
console.

Find games quickly with two new sort options: Recently Played and By
Category.

Have all new Xbox Live Arcade games at the ready with auto downloads.
Auto downloads optionally adds newly released trial versions of games to
active downloads when you enter Xbox Live Arcade.

View full achievement info in Xbox Live Arcade, including icons, achievement
point details, and descriptions.

Friends leaderboard: Compare yourself with friends and view leaderboard
details right from the Xbox dashboard.

Tell a friend: Send a message to a friend about your newest favorite Xbox
Live Arcade game.
DVD Player

Optionally disable notifications from Xbox Live while watching DVD movies.

Improved support for audio streams on incorrectly authored DVDs.

Better handling of unreadable discs.

Updated count-down timer.

HD DVD player support.

Added zoom support for non-anamorphic content.

Added support to Family Settings to block Unrated Content

Video Player


Improved support for extended all black scenes in WMV content.

Added support for Windows Media Video 9 Advanced profile video.

Screen saver now becomes active when videos are paused.

Now shares UI and player controls with DVD player.

Improved video playback while downloading from Xbox Live.

Added skip controls (forward approx. 30 seconds, back approx. 7 seconds).

Improved messaging around unplayable video content.

Added time elapsed and time remaining displays.

Improved playback of high bit-rate HD content on fragmented hard drives.

Improved visual quality of video playback.

Added selectable display modes: default and letterbox zoom.

Localization


New locale setting for China

Improved German translations in console settings.

Improved German translations in memory area.

Improved Japanese translations in Family Settings.

Added localized text for all supported languages in pictures area

Improved Spanish translations in camera effects.

Improved locale-specific decimal denominators.

Added localization support for title menu and main menu in the DVD player.

Added localization support for “Attempting to Read Media” system message.

Memory Area


Added support for Xbox 360 HD DVD Player content..

Added new page for viewing content size by category.

Other System Improvements


Updated support for new Daylight Savings changes coming in 2007.

Improved support for games to better handle host migration in multi-player
matches.

Improved Xbox Live Vision camera support for changing room lighting while
zooming.

Background downloaded videos appear in video area

Improved Xbox Live Vision camera support while using VGA.

Playing photo slideshows from PC now maintains picture folder hierarchy.

Improved user experience when playing and deleting videos from the Games
or Media areas.

Improved handling of invalid characters during Xbox Live signup.

Better handling of watermarks in gamer cards.

Improved text for Windows Media Connect..

Improved UI performance in Media Center Extender

Improved connection support for Buffalo WZR-G108 wireless router when
using Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter.

Redownload of deleted Arcade Games no longer re-enumerates all games on
the Arcade page.

Improved visual display of text in themes.

Improved support for CD playback after signing up for Xbox Live and losing
network connectivity.

Improved support for long names of items memory area.

Improved handling of gamer pictures downloaded from Xbox Live.

Improved background download notifications when downloading many small
items from Xbox Live.

Improved support for custom backgrounds after returning to the Xbox
Dashboard from the Account Management area.

Improved network reliability between Windows Media Center Extender on
Windows Vista and Xbox 360 consoles using Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter.

Improved voice chat quality in Xbox Dashboard and in-game chats.

Improved messaging when failing to connect to Windows Media Center
Extender.

Improved USB keyboard support when using a USB hub.

Improved consistency of user experience when deleting various types of content.

Improved handling of low storage space for background downloads.

Improved handling of Picture streaming from attached Digital Cameras over MTP protocol

Improved error messaging for optional iPod support download when storage devices are full.

Improved handling of multi-key repeating for USB keyboards.

Expanded Family Settings to include support for blocking unrated DVDs and videos.

Added ability to clear space from storage devices in download areas.

Added support for low-speed and full-speed USB keyboards.

Improved CapsLock behavior for USB keyboards.

Improved look and feel in Xbox Live Marketplace and Xbox Live Arcade areas.

Added redeem code option to Xbox Live signup.

Removed system message at the start of new downloads. Messages will be displayed for completed items.

Added support for CCV credit card validation field in Xbox Live Marketplace purchase areas.

Updated “More Information” instructions in the Xbox Dashboard for connecting an Xbox 360 console to a Windows PC to stream digital media content.

Added auto-scroll to long text descriptions in Xbox Dashboard UI.
Improved support for DVD insertion while playing a video file.

 

[destrukt]

It's going to be so good.

Grr, it's almost the 1st of Nov, hurry up you dirty Americans. <3

 

[dream431ca]

It's going to be so good.

Grr, it's almost the 1st of Nov, hurry up you dirty Americans. <3

Too bad it's still Oct 30th where XBOX headquarters is located. It's around 11:00 PM

 

[Bad^Hat]

Cool. Dunno about so great but there're some nice changes there.

 

[lePobz]

Just got that update thismorning ... WMV playback is seriosuly smooth and funky

I just wish I had a 40" HDTV @ 1080p

 

[destrukt]

I switched to 1080P for fun and it went crazy.. so don't do that if your TV doesn't support 1080P and yes, I knew it wouldn't work.

Anyway, everything seems nice so far and I'll test WMP11 streaming in the morning though I have to say they went overboard with padding in some areas of the GUI.

 

[Venmoch]

This update is awesome!

Not to mention the fact that "apparently" MS are also adding support for DivX and Xvid!

 

[CyberPitz]

It's so weird reading about updates to a console D: So what about those who don't have xbox live? Are they just SOL or are there alternate ways of getting said update?

 

[Venmoch]

It's so weird reading about updates to a console D: So what about those who don't have xbox live? Are they just SOL or are there alternate ways of getting said update?

You should be able to go to Microsoft and download the update, write it to a CD and then put in in and it should install.

 

[Mutley]

It's so weird reading about updates to a console D:

Yah.

 

[Core407]

If you have a modded system, don't get the update. Your system will be bricked and require firmware rollbacks or updates.

 

[lePobz]

It's so weird reading about updates to a console D: So what about those who don't have xbox live? Are they just SOL or are there alternate ways of getting said update?

Something like 70% of every 360 sold is connected to Xbox Live (benefit of the silver package being completely free) so the other 30% deserve to live with the stock dashboard, as punishment for being stuck in the dark ages.

 

[Griz]

This update is awesome!

Not to mention the fact that "apparently" MS are also adding support for DivX and Xvid!

THAT'S the one i'm waiting for!!! Any idea when?

This update includes some great features too...

 

[Iced_Eagle]

The DivX and XviD support is not in this firmware release...

My guess is they put it in the Spring update though.

Core407: Which is why modding an Xbox is stupid and I hope people get their boxes bricked. You pay so much less than a PC to get a high-quality gaming console, and then you pirate games for it... I can understand all of the cool media things and such and homebrew, but now with XNA, you won't need a modded Box and the whole philosophy of modding is gone pretty much... Now it's going to be almost soley for piracy.

Great update though! Some really nicely thought out features and this update does steal some thunder away from Sony's PS3 now that the 360 is the first console out to support 1080p!

 

[RoyaleWithCheese]

FFS just got my repaire4d xbox360 in the mail, I turn it on, d/l the update and the mofo dies on me. Thanks Micro**** for returning a broken ****sole to me

 

[CyberPitz]

Something like 70% of every 360 sold is connected to Xbox Live (benefit of the silver package being completely free) so the other 30% deserve to live with the stock dashboard, as punishment for being stuck in the dark ages.

Unless some people have more important expenses that appeared like a prostetute.

Doesn't it cost to get online with Xbox Live!?

 

[Sprafa]

silver package is free.

 

[lePobz]

No, the silver package is free. Just shove an ethernet cable into the back, or buy the wireless USB kit.

You can do everything with the silver package as you can with the gold package, except play games with other players online (TDU is an exception, it uses their own servers and mainly player-based servers)

 

[XIII]

No, the silver package is free. Just shove an ethernet cable into the back, or buy the wireless USB kit.

You can do everything with the silver package as you can with the gold package, except play games with other players online (TDU is an exception, it uses their own servers and mainly player-based servers)

wuts tdu

 

[destrukt]

Test Drive Unlimited.

 

[CyberPitz]

So what does it take to play other games? The Gold Package? How much more does that cost, and why is it costing so much?

I thought it was a monthly fee to get Xbox Live!

 

[Bad^Hat]

Looks like about $50 for a year's subscription in US. You also need Gold to get access to certain downloads I think, but most of the demo/video type stuff on Xbox Live is free to download with just a silver account.

 

[destrukt]

I don't believe there are Gold only items yet but things like GoW trailer are released to Gold subscribers first than Silver gets access a week or so later.

$50US a year isn't much especially considering how damn good Live is.

 

[Bad^Hat]

Maybe it's just one or two things, but I've definitely tried to grab a couple of items and it's told me it's gold exclusive. Atleast I'm pretty sure...