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Xbox Spring Update To Offer Codecs, MSN Messenger
adachan writes "It seems that Microsoft has decided to add Xvid playback into the upcoming Spring Xbox 360 dashboard update. Xbox.com has a list of all the upcoming enhancements to the dash. The playback of video using H.264 and mpeg4 codecs seems to be the biggest news for those using the system as a media extender. If this is indeed true, my Xbox Media Center will be used less and less." Update: 04/09 17:29 GMT by Z : MSN Messenger is kinda interesting as well. Several sites are reporting that instant messenging is being added to the Xbox Live experience, with a USB keyboard controller attachment to be offered sometime in the near future.
From what I can tell, the only things I see people marking it down for are either subjective (don't like the color, doesn't work with iTunes) or unique features which don't work as well as they could (wifi
Let me tackle this one. People buy an Ipod for the same reason that they buy anything. Subjective reasons. You really can't be objective about discretionary expenses. No one needs an Ipod. So to be entirely objective, no one would be buying one. The subjective reason that I buy an Ipod over other items has to be due to universiality. I can use my ipod in my car, on my stereo and on my computer with very little trouble and a wide range of products to chose from. Call that being a market leader that everyone tries to sell to. I don't have a 'Zune Dock' in my car.
if I could live in a world entirely free of iTunes I'd be a happier person
I'm not sure this really helps your argument. Zune and Ipods are just different sides of the same coin. Locked into Itunes, or Napster/Urge/Real I'm not sure what the difference is. If you're like the majority of people, the device is a place where you store content *you already have*. I've purchased about 20 usd from itunes, all impluse purchases or purchases for parties where I couldn't just obtain a song from a store for that just right ambiance. Semantically, Itunes and Zune music outlets are the same. I buy my mp3s loose and free from eMusic.
The WiFi was the killer here and makes Microsoft's clamors for freedom from DRM disingenous for me. It encrypts your 'free range' music and ropes it into a format so you can't squeeze (squirt?) your music freely, but only for limited playbacks and limited duration. There is no online purchase capabilities and no extra features that the WiFi angle is just aching to take advantage of. Don't ask me to hack it myself. I want those features out the box. I don't have the inclination to waste my time 'hacking' a product that should 'just work' for me the way I want it. If it doesn't work the way I want it, I won't buy it.
Would I consider buying a Zune? Yes, if it had the features that I wanted. As of now, it's more or less an 'also ran' that doesn't present a significant enough deviation from the Ipod-type device to merit jumping ship. WOuld a larger capacity move me to jump? No, my 30 gig ipod hasn't filled up yet. I don't think an extra 50 would help me that much.
The Zune as it stands deserves to be mocked. It's a joke and a half hearted attempt to topple the king of digital music. If you're going to take on a leader in its own field, you better come with all your dogs fighting. As it stands, the Zune is a five year old idea wrapped up in a five year old design. Give me a reason to switch and I will.
http://cincyboys.blogspot.com/ Everything Cincinnati. Including the word 'Finnih'
I am currently ripping my DVD collection to VOB, converting VOBs to a single straight MPEG-2 file with 5.1 (using VideoRedo http://www.videoredo.com/ not free, but very easy) and streaming from WinXP MCE server (with the My Movies extension installed - http://www.mymovies.name/) to my Xbox 360. This setup works flawlessly and quality is at least DVD quality video with 5.1 surround. However, 4-6GB per movie is eating up my 1.5 TB storage faster than I would like.
H.264/MPEG-4 support could mean significant storage savings in the long run for me. As others have already mentioned, it's not really Xvid, and it would mean lots of transcoding with some quality lost, but I will be experimenting with it when I get my update to see if I can still get decent quality with some storage savings.
[wandering off topic/troll] Although my setup requires more setup and nerd-skills than the Apple TV option, the audio and video quality is significantly better AND I can stream. The lack of streaming of the Apple TV for video is what killed the Apple TV option for me (that and it looked terrifyingly horrendous in the Apple Store - even on the streamed "HD" trailers). For those that are unaware, the Apple TV only allows you to synch selected video content to the measly 40GB drive. You can stream audio from iTunes and some trailers from the Introweb, but you can't stream video from iTunes. With MCE/Xbox 360 I can hang whatever storage I want off my MCE server and stream 'til the cows come home.
I wouldn't recommend the MCE/Xbox 360 combo for everyone, but it was the choice for me because it streams DVD quality video and 5.1 surround AND I was able to convince my fiance to go with it, which also got me a decent gaming console. That and she LOVES Feeding Frenzy HD, which is strangely addicting yet simple.
I still love (and own) Apple/Mac and I would bet Apple TV v2.0 or 3.0 will overcome some of the current shortcomings.