Hands on with IPTV on 360

[Fran]

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/11/hands-on-with-iptv-on-xbox-360/

We had a chance to check out Microsoft's IPTV offering for Xbox 360, announced earlier this week during Bill Gates' CES keynote, and get answers to some of the questions that have been nagging at us since first hearing about the service. Though Microsoft hasn't announced any providers for the service yet, both AT&T and Verizon -- as well as fourteen other telcos around the world -- use Microsoft's IPTV middleware platform to provide television over fiber, so they seem like likely candidates when the service debuts holiday season '07.Of course, if you're considering the DVR functionality, the Xbox 360's anemic 20GB hard drive won't get you very far. A Microsoft rep said the file sizes are dependent not only on the resolution of the feed, but the compression used by the provider; however, one could probably assume that the Xbox Live Video Marketplace's videos would be roughly analogous in size. Regardless, we'd expect an update to the drive before IPTV launches. Because IPTV uses software, not a hardware tuner, to decode the signal, the number of streams that can be simultaneously recorded is limited solely by internet and hard drive bandwidth. In addition, IPTV is capable of offering more HD channels than other platforms, like cable or satellite. Because the service shares the same connection as your phone and internet connection, it can provide telco caller-ID and features like teleconferencing have "been discussed." Perhaps the biggest question we have is whether or not any of this functionality would (or could) be made available to gamers who don't (or can't) get IPTV service in their area. Microsoft isn't saying anything but, considering the small amount of consumers with fiber service to the home, we certainly hope so.

This looks really kick-ass. I just hope Comcast will provide it as well

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

meh.

 

[Fran]

Discuss this topic, GAH, or don't post at all. :meow:

 

[i-n-z-a-n-e]

Really cool, now maybe i do not need to buy a digital cable box for hd channels :P

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

Discuss this topic, GAH, or don't post at all. :meow:

its a lame feature. how does this enhance my gameplay? it does'nt. sure i can see how it might be convenient to some people. but seriously, its not even needed. is MS trying to be a tv network or something?

 

[Fran]

I think it's convenient to people that have it. You can watch TV and be on your 360 at the same time. MS doesn't need to be a TV network, what kinda nonsense is that

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

I think it's convenient to people that have it. You can watch TV and be on your 360 at the same time. MS doesn't need to be a TV network, what kinda nonsense is that

you can also turn off your 360 and watch tv too

 

[Fran]

Well, I'd like to be online with Live and navigate my television without switching over and turning Live off.

 

[Joker]

it is handy...I have 2 tvs set up actually so I could listen to the Daily Show or other things and play GTA or whatever at the same time

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

Well, I'd like to be online with Live and navigate my television without switching over and turning Live off.

or you can just pause the game and navigate through your channals.
seriously tho, is there going to be a small screen in the corner of the game while your playing or what?

 

[Joker]

yeah, from what I understand it's picture in picture

 

[Speedball]

PTV?
So there IS another Family Guy game...

 

[Fran]

LOL

 

[Jerry]

or you can just pause the game and navigate through your channals.
seriously tho, is there going to be a small screen in the corner of the game while your playing or what?

Agreed. This is dumb. Who really needs this? You want to play the 360 while watching TV in a PiP small screen in the corner? Yeah that sounds like its going to work out great. Meh. Just a pointless piece of **** gimmick to waste guillible people's money on.

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

^^ a man with common sense.

 

[Fran]

You're not fooling anyone.

 

[SpiderFan17]

Just a pointless piece of **** gimmick to waste guillible people's money on.

IPTV functionality in the 360 will be a software update, and free. So right now, this is you.

*walking in costco* Free samples? Pffff, sure, thats how they GET YA. *****ing scams...

 

[Fran]

Yeah, they aren't trying to charge us anymore money here. It's an innovative idea.

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

Yeah, they aren't trying to charge us anymore money here. It's an innovative idea.

picture in picture is nothing new and theres nothing innovative about it.

seriously the idea is mundane and you guys are suckers.

MS: guess what guys?! you can watch tv on your 360, picture in picture. is'nt that innovative?

Audience: so your telling me that i get to watch tv while on my 360, while its already plugged into my tv?

MS:yes!!

Audience:so i don't have to pause the game and watch tv, i can still be a lazy ass?

MS:thats right.

Audience:

 

[Fran]

Being a lazy ass isn't new to you at all, GAH, so there you go

 

[Fading]

I'll agree with Gah on this. Don't get me wrong, a new feature is never a bad thing if it's free and doesn't interfere with the old features. Problem is I've had a PiP TV before, and it was the most distracting thing I've ever owned. Having a small box blocking part of the bigger picture, and trying to view two things at once is annoying. At first you think it's a good idea until you find yourself focusing more on one than the other, and then realize your missing out on what has your attention more because that attention is divided, and part of the screen is blocked out.

Not dissing it, just don't get your hopes too high or you'll be dissapointed. The only thing I ever cared about PiP was while I watched WWF and WCW, and had WCW in the small box so I could see who won while I watched the WWF match. Past that I never used it. However like said above this won't cost you extra, so I see nothing wrong with it being there, just don't expect to use it too often during gaming online unless you like dying often.

 

[Fran]

I'm not really excited about it, I'm just looking forward to new features for the 360. GAH is just trying to be an idiot about things. He's pretty much saying the same stuff over and over again.

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

Being a lazy ass isn't new to you at all, GAH, so there you go

says the one on academic probation.

 

[Fran]

Oooh ouch! Burn.

I was lazy, mind you. But now I'm doing much better, thanks for reminding me.

 

[Fading]

I'm not really excited about it, I'm just looking forward to new features for the 360. GAH is just trying to be an idiot about things. He's pretty much saying the same stuff over and over again.

Well I didn't want to come off like I was bashing it (which I know you didn't say I did, just saying), and new features are always a plus. It's just after having had a PiP TV before it's really one of those tech features ppl always wanted, but after I tried it I realized it was never needed. I couldn't imagine trying to play a game and trying to concentrate on it and a TV show at the same time. Maybe it's just me tho and there are ppl that can follow a story and solve a puzzle in tomb raider simultaneously lol. I was just agreeing with GAH that you can just pause and watch the show, then unpause and play during commercials.