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Next Xbox Will Integrate Further With Cable TV
Taking Several Cues From Google TV

Some additional early details of the next Xbox indicate that the device will tie very closely with existing cable subscriptions, allowing users to essentially use the device as a cable box. That's not terribly surprising, given Microsoft's existing relationships with Comcast, Verizon and others -- which allow users to view a limited amount of cable content via the Xbox 360 (provided you have a cable connection).

The functionality will take several cues from the existing Xbox, but also Google TV. The folks over at The Verge also again make mention of the "always online" nature of the console which has already sparked some controversy:

quote:
We understand that the next Xbox will require an online connection to use the entertainment services, allowing them to be always-on for streaming and access to TV signals.

The functionality will work by taking a cable box signal and passing it through to the Xbox via HDMI, allowing Microsoft's console to overlay a UI and features on top of an existing TV channel or set-top box. We're told that this is a key part of the next-generation Xbox and that it will go a step further than Google's TV implementation thanks to Microsoft's partnerships with content providers.
Again, all of this is well and good again if you have a traditional cable subscription (and pay for an Xbox Live Gold subscription), though some of these previous partnerships initially left something to be desired. Verizon, for example, initially only offered a few channels when using the Xbox as a cable box (they now offer 75) and at lower fidelity that a traditional set top box. It sounds like the next Xbox will evolve on these existing concepts, though hopefully there's some additional content available for the cord cutters among us.
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hey hey hey
@charter.com

hey hey hey

Anon

But you still need a cable box.

Kind of defeats the purpose. Now you're using TWO boxes to watch TV. Imagine the electric bill. Is MS wants to have this they need it where you can plug your cable directly into the XBOX.

xboxuser222
@aloha.net

xboxuser222

Anon

What cable connection?

"Next Xbox Will Integrate With Your Cable Connection"

What is you don't have one?
JohnGalt21
join:2012-12-14
Ridgefield, NJ

1 edit

JohnGalt21

Member

Re: What cable connection?

said by hey hey hey :

Kind of defeats the purpose. Now you're using TWO boxes to watch TV. Imagine the electric bill. Is MS wants to have this they need it where you can plug your cable directly into the XBOX.

said by xboxuser222 :

"Next Xbox Will Integrate With Your Cable Connection"

What is you don't have one?

How come two people in a row typed in 'is' instead of 'if'. If it some inside joke?
PowerMac
join:2011-03-02
Anaheim, CA

PowerMac

Member

Cable box required?

"The functionality will work by taking a cable box signal and passing it through to the Xbox via HDMI, allowing Microsoft's console to overlay a UI and features on top of an existing TV channel or set-top box."
So you saying cable box is required to watch TV on the xbox? 0_o

Metatron2008
You're it
Premium Member
join:2008-09-02
united state

Metatron2008

Premium Member

Re: Cable box required?

It makes about as much sense as an always on console and Windows metro ui+app store on the newest Windows server..

michieru
Premium Member
join:2009-07-25
Denver, CO

michieru

Premium Member

Re: Cable box required?

I think it's time Apple re-introduces the X-Server platform after hearing that nonsense.

AnonVSW2K12
@173.227.18.x

AnonVSW2K12 to Metatron2008

Anon

to Metatron2008
said by Metatron2008:

It makes about as much sense as an always on console and Windows metro ui+app store on the newest Windows server..

Oh heck ya! The heck MS was thinking of putting the Windows 8 UI in Windows 2012? It became useable again because of Classic Shell. Stupid MS!

buzz_4_20
join:2003-09-20
Dover, NH

buzz_4_20

Member

So...

Instead of offering an IP based service, You just get a way to burn through more electricity than using the cable box or xbox alone.
coma9
join:2013-02-05
United State

coma9

Member

Re: So...

Problem with that? Deal with it.
dagg
join:2001-03-25
Galt, CA

1 recommendation

dagg

Member

Re: So...

i am dealing with it.

by not buying the another xbox..... problem solved.

Omega
Premium Member
join:2002-07-30
Golden, CO

Omega

Premium Member

A Video Game System for Video Games?

Am I the only one who uses video game systems for video games? Why would I want my game system to also be my cable box? That means if it breaks or if I cancel a subscription, I lose everything.

I understand people using their xbox for Netflix and other online streaming apps, but it makes no sense to use it as a cable box.

Metatron2008
You're it
Premium Member
join:2008-09-02
united state

Metatron2008

Premium Member

Re: A Video Game System for Video Games?

read again, this requires the cable box as well.
coma9
join:2013-02-05
United State

coma9

Member

Re: A Video Game System for Video Games?

It looks like they're becoming advanced media machines that are easy to assemble, compared to the computers that some of us already have. My computer has 8 cores, 16 gigs of ram, 2gtx680s, and has a PCI slot for a cable card. My point being, if someone wants a machine that can be a media power house, they'd build a computer for it.
Anything you can do, I can do better! I can do anything, better than you!
xenophon
join:2007-09-17

xenophon

Member

Re: A Video Game System for Video Games?

Not a big improvement if it requires a cable box. If next Xbox had PCI slot, a cable card could work.

I'm using TWC, HD Homerun Prime with WMC and using Xbox as extender. Very sluggish menus but video quality good. Will all be moot when I get Google Fiber this Fall - mwahahaha.

asdf85
@usmc.mil

asdf85 to coma9

Anon

to coma9
Yep, and while the xbox survived 8 years of games being released without a single upgrade to the hardware or being considered "obsolete" how long did your computer last? How often did you upgrade your computer in the last 8 years? See, the good thing about consoles, and why we dont care about you pc gamers, is that we know everything we buy for the xbox, will work on the xbox. We dont have to read system specs or upgrade our system every year to keep up. Its a one time purchase of $300 and its good for 8 years. Did your computer cost about $300? i doubt it. In that sense, I did better than you

Metatron2008
You're it
Premium Member
join:2008-09-02
united state

Metatron2008

Premium Member

Re: A Video Game System for Video Games?

How much did you pay per year for Xbox Live? How much do pc gamers pay for online?

asdf85
@usmc.mil

asdf85

Anon

Re: A Video Game System for Video Games?

actually i will retract that statement, cause i did one system with 4 online services, to make it fair, i would divide 100 by 4 which would be 25, times 8 years would equal 200 plus the system 300, and i pay 500 for 8 years of reliable, carefree gaming. less than my non gaming laptop
asdf85

asdf85 to Metatron2008

Anon

to Metatron2008
good point, i pay $100 for 4 xbox's (family pack)

so... over 8 years, $1100. Thats cheaper than most gaming computers no counting the upgrades. and a PS3 is $600, no online fee. So at least that console wins.

Metatron2008
You're it
Premium Member
join:2008-09-02
united state

Metatron2008

Premium Member

Re: A Video Game System for Video Games?

Cheaper then most gaming computers..... LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

asdf85
@usmc.mil

asdf85

Anon

Re: A Video Game System for Video Games?

>:/

you need to reverse my last two comments, not sure why the posted in the wrong order.
coma9
join:2013-02-05
United State

coma9 to asdf85

Member

to asdf85
said by asdf85 :

Yep, and while the xbox survived 8 years of games being released without a single upgrade to the hardware or being considered "obsolete" how long did your computer last? --
-- Its a one time purchase of $300 and its good for 8 years.

Let's start off with a couple of facts here. The Xbox360 had a 33% fail rate when it came out. Over ONE THIRD of them failed. Not a single hardware upgrade? Every time one was sent back it was upgraded to disperse heat better than it did stock, as well as have solder joints fixed. It hasn't gotten much better either, since then. Be honest, how many times have you had your Xbox360 replaced or "fixed" by Microsoft?
Another fact: You don't have reverse capabilities. I do. I can play DOS games from the 80s if I wanted to. Your console has been considered obsolete for years now. Any game that's released cross platform on PC and console, is dumbed down for console, so you can play it with out a dip in frames per second.

But if you want to talk about lifetime of a console, the PS2 simply has them all beat. They just barely stopped producing the console itself last year, while the original Xbox was halted as soon as the 360 was released. What does that say about your chosen company? Not much. They were making games PS2 compatible for over 12 years. I'll take my PS3 with full backwards compatibility (originally a 60Gb, swapped out with a 500Gb, then decided that was an unneeded amount of space and put a 260gb SSD in it. Traded extra space for speed).

That brings up another point, "A one time purchase of $300". If you bought an Xbox for $300 when they first came out, you'd be getting the Arcade version... No hard drive, and no online play. It wasn't a "One time purchase". You instantly had to buy a hard drive, controllers, xbox live subscription, rechargable battery packs, headsets, HD component cables if you wanted 720p, optical cable if you wanted surround sound, (since the original Xbox didn't come with HDMI like the PS3 lol) and a list of other things to even make it playable.

PC>PS3>Wii>360 in value for the money.
Face it, your console lost.

asdf85
@usmc.mil

asdf85

Anon

Re: A Video Game System for Video Games?

thank you, even though you proved me wrong in multiple ways, you ultimately proved me right. My statement was that consoles were a one time purchase and you get the comfort knowing everything made for that system will work on it without having to upgrade anything. Sure, me using xbox (my fav. choice) was not as good as using playstation, but i dont like playstation and dont own one so its hard for me to say. But if you want to jump on every single little detail about the purchases made for the system to be fully loaded... How often do you pay for virus software on a computer? how much does that cost? Do you still have the same mouse and keyboard it came with, have you ever had to take it to get repaired... i think when you enter that category you are going too far, because you can easily do without all of those. Jus like i have controller for my xbox, not 4. It doesnt have to be wireless (but it is). I dont HAVE to play it online, i dont need a harddrive (usb works).

Metatron2008
You're it
Premium Member
join:2008-09-02
united state

Metatron2008 to coma9

Premium Member

to coma9
said by coma9:

said by asdf85 :

Yep, and while the xbox survived 8 years of games being released without a single upgrade to the hardware or being considered "obsolete" how long did your computer last? --
-- Its a one time purchase of $300 and its good for 8 years.

Let's start off with a couple of facts here. The Xbox360 had a 33% fail rate when it came out. Over ONE THIRD of them failed. Not a single hardware upgrade? Every time one was sent back it was upgraded to disperse heat better than it did stock, as well as have solder joints fixed. It hasn't gotten much better either, since then. Be honest, how many times have you had your Xbox360 replaced or "fixed" by Microsoft?
Another fact: You don't have reverse capabilities. I do. I can play DOS games from the 80s if I wanted to. Your console has been considered obsolete for years now. Any game that's released cross platform on PC and console, is dumbed down for console, so you can play it with out a dip in frames per second.

But if you want to talk about lifetime of a console, the PS2 simply has them all beat. They just barely stopped producing the console itself last year, while the original Xbox was halted as soon as the 360 was released. What does that say about your chosen company? Not much. They were making games PS2 compatible for over 12 years. I'll take my PS3 with full backwards compatibility (originally a 60Gb, swapped out with a 500Gb, then decided that was an unneeded amount of space and put a 260gb SSD in it. Traded extra space for speed).

That brings up another point, "A one time purchase of $300". If you bought an Xbox for $300 when they first came out, you'd be getting the Arcade version... No hard drive, and no online play. It wasn't a "One time purchase". You instantly had to buy a hard drive, controllers, xbox live subscription, rechargable battery packs, headsets, HD component cables if you wanted 720p, optical cable if you wanted surround sound, (since the original Xbox didn't come with HDMI like the PS3 lol) and a list of other things to even make it playable.

PC>PS3>Wii>360 in value for the money.
Face it, your console lost.

BS. This link from 2009 has the xbox 360 failure rate at 54%:

»gizmodo.com/5344302/micr ··· spute-it
elefante72
join:2010-12-03
East Amherst, NY

elefante72 to Omega

Member

to Omega
Sure it does, and my kids game on it too. I run W7MC in a VM and use a 3CC to tune with only a cablecard. My only outlays are $4 for the CC and $70 a year for family gold, and I have 5 xboxes.

Move cableco, old CC out, new CC in. 5 minutes, and update the channel list. Verizon FIOS has me for a couple of years, so I'm very happy w/ them and the price was right.

They 360 happily stream netflix, amazon, youtube, last.fm, act as an extender for my VM DVR, and I paid no more than $130 for any of them (all refurb).

The only app really missing for me is native plex, but in the meantime I use windows mediabrowser which is stable (albeit a little slow to navigate). Plex is awesome BTW.

The other thing is, when it's off it's off. My old cable boxes used to run 15-20 Watts 24x7. Granted the xbox takes about 70W when it is on, and maybe between all the boxes we are talking about 4 hours/day for all of them. Kids typically use ipad to watch Netflix.

They also work well for the oddball time the kids want a DVD.

I understand the 720 will have an IP version and a full monty one, so they are bifurcating the consoles to cater more toward STB replacement. The big Q will be where will the DVR functionality be (hardware, in the cloud, etc), and will it be there, and will I be able to happily skip commercials like I do today. If commercial skip and DVR aren't there, I keep my 360 until they rot. Tivo looks decent but their HW is outdated (my phone has more power), and fees only an accountant can love.

In the meantime I'm perfectly happy w/ W7MC. Its rock solid and saves me over $50 a month in STB fees. They have already paid for themselves. Oh, and I can sell them when I am done and barely lose any money...

PacWest81
@qwest.net

PacWest81

Anon

Privacy still a concern

The Kinect telemetry aspect raises my privacy concerns. I'm sure the Xbox will come with a contract that includes Opting Out - right, right? and still be wholly functional from the user perspective, right?

It's one thing to add function to pause a show when you're head turns away, it's another to use that data without our consent or by not disclosing how that data would be used/lost/stolen... or on par, to use the Kinect to monitor of our viewing habits (or worse), perhaps forcing advertisements until completely viewed?

Will the contract terms basically lock a user out of these more advanced Kinect features if they Opt Out of allowing user tracking?

Will we be able to log in locally and not up onto their internet to get robust functionality or will viewers have a crippled experience?

It's great to build new technology, but when bad policy comes between the device and the user experience with the goal of gaining additional revenue through even more invasive tracking, I gotta just say - no thank you. Microsoft, don't blow it, learn from the PS3 fiascos.
fiberguy2
My views are my own.
Premium Member
join:2005-05-20

fiberguy2

Premium Member

No thanks... get it right!

I use my Xbox with MediaCenter and 2 ceton cards to use my "xbox as a cable box"... what they're offering here is a joke. I'm sure xbox gold will also be required.

No thanks.. try again.