Xbox 360 gets updates as rivals swarm

While the general public has taken kindly to the Xbox 360's dashboard, nothing inspires change more than last-minute panic. Perhaps sensing big things on the way from the Sony PlayStation 3 and the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft has an pretty hefty UI update (85 new features) ready to deploy today.

The biggest new feature on the way is the addition of the ability to output 1080p--we'll have to fish out our VGA adaptor to test this when it hits, as most HDTVs can't output 1080p via component. Besides providing a higher output for games, the Xbox 360 will also provide that resolution kick to HD-DVDs, which are now playable on the system after this upgrade (and your purchase of the $200 HD-DVD player).

The 360 will have a few other new sources of streaming video at your beck and call starting tomorrow. Whereas users could previously only stream video from a Media Center-enabled PC, this update will allow you to stream WMV video from a Windows PC running Windows Media Player 11, Zune software, or Windows Media Connect. Finally, Xbox Live Arcade is receiving a few tweaks with features allowing quicker startup and easier access to titles, as well as the ability to auto-download trial versions of new games as they release. Be sure to check back in the next few days as we take these new features for a test run. For now, take a gander at the entire list of new features courtesy of Xbox.com. There's a Daylight Savings change next year?

[AmericanCliche]

1080P Support

Will 1080p image quality be as good via componet? I thought that only devices
with HDMI could do 1080p.

I have a new 1080p TV from Sony. I guess we'll see how the update goes.

[agentbb007]

Technically Digital is Better

This page goes into a lot of good detail about DVI vs HDMI vs Component.
http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/122868.html

To sum things up digital(HDMI,DVI) technically should provide the best picture(no loss). Component is analog which can have some amount of degradation. But I've been using component cables for 4 years and never see any degradation on my HD channels from Comcast.

There is a big problem with people believing component cables cannot do 1080P. The problem with component is if Hollywood turns on AACS in HD-DVD or Blue-Ray discs, component cables cannot handle AACS and will give you a 480p signal.

[ithappenz]

Re: 1080P Support

You will need to purchase a HD VGA kit from Microsoft or Monster, and run this connection to your Sony via the VGA port. However, the VGA connection on Sony Full HD sets have been known to be very subpar. You could try to run a VGA to DVI to HDMI Adapter, but I don't know how much that will diminish your picture quality.

While Microsoft is great for offering HD-DVD at $200, they slipped when not offering some sort of HDMI solution.

[kyler]

Getting it...

How do you get the update?
do you download it, or does it just come up on its own after released?

[LiQuiD_FuSioN]

It should be automatic..

It should be automatic, if you still can't get it to run try playing a game. When the game starts to load up, it should stop you from playing and it will ask you to update instead.

Hope that helps!

[AutoTkGrad]

New Cable Required?

I've been shopping HDTVs for some time and no component inputs accept 1080p thus far.

[PhillyBoy919]

Use VGA to HDMI adapter

There are inexpensive VGA-to-DVI or VGA-to-HDMI video converters that you can use. Although if your TV is going to be under 50" it won't matter anyway since the human eye is not capable of distinguishing the difference between 1080i and 1080p unless the screen is over 50".

[vandypsu]

1080p out of a VGA cable?

Sorry folks, this is not going to happen, at least not with the hardware listed. The bandwidth through analog cables is not nearly high enough. It is as simple as that. The other changes look good though. Compitition drives innovation. I just wish Microsoft had not rushed the 360 into production because the ceiling should be much higher than it is. Too bad, I was hoping to be able to play Crysis but am not willing to buy a PS3 or a new video card to play it.

[PhillyBoy919]

You are wrong

1080p is actually possible over analog component cables (the PS3 is offering this actually) and VGA in addition to the obvious DVI and HDMI. Whoever told you that an analog cable cannot carry a 1080p signal was mistaken.

[rohitharsh]

Why is this a panic update

I am wondering why the article calls this a panic update by MS. Maybe they know something we don't. It seemed like pretty ovious that this update was coming for some time. In fact this fits in their strategy pretty well

[LiQuiD_FuSioN]

I guess because of the Zune/WMP 11 support

Other than that, I assume this update has been talked about for awhile now.

[mattmcl1]

New Daylight Savings Time

Yes there is a new Daylight Savings time as part of the Energy Act of 2005. And as a bonus for electronics makers it changes every year for the next 3 years!

Check out: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6393658

[ONLYinHD]

*cough*sony fanboy*cough*

The guy who says you can't do 1080p on VGA or component cables is a troll for sure.

If anybody wants to do a google search you will easily find that that guy doesn't know what he is talking about. He's clearly a sony fanboy with nothing to do but troll about the forums badmouthing the other game consoles - cause s0ny is sooo kewwwwl! ha ha. What a loser!

For the record, your PC might already be using 1080p output via VGA cable (1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz refresh rate) duh!

[robstak]

Love the new updates

Everything looks a lot nicer. And I had just finished complaining in the BOL Lounge about the lack of networked video support wihtout WMCE2005, and bam! now it's supported. Granted WMV only is pretty weak, but it's an effort. HOWEVER, after seeing PS3's media features... WOW. XBox is way behind in good looks!! We'll just have to see about function...