HD + Movies + UI = AppleTV - No it's the upcoming XBOX

Ok, the new iteration of the XBOX will look more like a PMC (Personal Media Center), then an online gaming console it was designed as. One day soon, you'll be able to download Halo 10 and the Sex in all the cities!! It's all about being the ALL-IN_ONE Device... I still think a dig-cable tuner and DVR software would be needed, I don't want to have to pay for TV shows if i'm already paying my cable bill. Ok so the hard-drive the addition of Netflix and a UI that looks more Apple then Microsoft. More over at XBOX.com

                

Don't pay full price for the XBOX HDDVD addon

UPDATE: Correction. XBOX HD-DVD will be dumped from the Microsoft product line. Expect to see these with "must go" price tags. In dumpsters, marked as "right-offs" very soon.


Rumor: Microsoft to lower price on HD DVD add on. The rumor mills are flying about what Microsoft will do with it's HD DVD support. Price to hit under $50 in near future for the HD DVD addon drive. Yes the HD DVD content library won't be added to, the same as the BlueRay format anymore, you still might want to pick up one of these to play all the old discount HD DVD content. We say.. forget it! it's still a waste of $50.

                

Will it be a PS3 Blueray or a XBOX HDDVD

Just Commentary: Will BlueRay support be added to the Xbox.
The obvious answer is YES. The when is still up for grabs? Since we now know that HDDVD will be leaving the market "EXIT STORE LEFT". Blueray DVD is now the defacto standard. Microsoft will probably hold out, but eventually they will move to Blueray to support the next generation movie releases.

Maybe SONY won't license the Blueray technology to Microsoft.
Maybe Microsoft will try to extend the HD DVD with promotions of past titles. If you own an xbox then you could always stream Blueray Discs from your computer to the xbox.

Right now like everyone, there are more questions than answers. The only answer I have, is buy a gaming system to play games that you are interested in. If you like Microsoft titles than buy an XBox. If you want a PS3 with Blueray... buy it because you love the PlayStation games.

                

Stream Your Video from your PC to your XBOX

The xbox 360 can be used to stream video from your PC to your TV.

Do you have Vista or XP media Center then you don't need to find a video streaming application for you're pc.

If you want to do this, first consider one of two options on how you will network your PC and your Xbox 360.

1. You can run a network cable from a network hub straight to your xbox 360,.
2. Or you can buy a Xbox 360 Wireless adapter and connect to the network through your home wireless network.

If you don't already have a wireless router, Microsoft recommends the 802.11a to optimize the video streaming. If you already own a 802.11g you may experience jerky video. It is recommended to upgrade to the .11a, fortunately the .11a router is backward-compatible with the older .11g wireless adapters, so you won't need to upgrade any aditional hardware.

Now you need to configure your xbox to communicate with your router. You'll need to go to the system menu of the dashboard, go to the network settings option. Select Edit Settings and go down to the wireless mode, put in the information about your router. ie SID, etc.

Go now to the media tab and select media center. Use the wizard to locate your PC on the network (Make sure PC is on), after you've founde it, the xbox will create a eight digit key.. write it down!

If you have XP media center you need to go to www.xbox.com/pcsetup and install the xbox xp extender software, after you install the program you need to enter the xbox eight digit key.

If you have MS Vista, if already has the extender and all you need to do is start the Media Center and go to the tasks menu and choose Add Extender and follow the instruction and enter the xbox eight digit key.

Import your video and music or photo's to the media center.

Now go have fun, leave your pc on. Go to the xbox and go to the media tab and select the media center.

You can use the xbox controller to navigate, pause, fast forward, play etc. I'd recommend getting the Harmony Advanced Xbox Remote or any other remote that is comatible and has a learn function.