RSSXbox 360, Media Center to Connect Up
By Ed Oswald | Published May 17, 2005, 12:42 PM
Microsoft announced at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles on Tuesday that users of its Xbox 360 gaming console and Windows XP Media Center Edition would work together through a free update from the company. Called the Media Center Extender, it will allow users to pull content off their Media Center PCs and play them on the screen where the Xbox is attached.
"Microsoft continues to advance its vision of digital entertainment anywhere," said Will Poole, senior vice president at Microsoft. "By seamlessly integrating Microsoft's premium entertainment devices, we are greatly enhancing the ways in which our customers will experience entertainment in and around their homes."
While only two million Media Center-enabled PCs have been sold since the operating system was released, Microsoft hopes that the new capabilities within Xbox 360 will spur sales for both the console and computers equipped with the operating system.
The Media Center Extender will also allow users to stream high-definition content from the PCs, and will allow the user to receive game invitations or chat with friends while watching recorded or live television. The Media Center experience will be accessible by pressing a green button on the Xbox remote.
"By integrating diverse technology expertise and innovations across the company, Microsoft is able to deliver rich digital entertainment experiences that consumers have been asking for," said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer at Microsoft.
The update for Media Center is expected to be available sometime in the second half of 2005 before the launch of Xbox 360, scheduled for this Christmas.
I knew it.
Its like the "DVD kit" that was "needed" for playing back DVDs on "the box". Even though it was capable of going it without the "DVD kit".
I can only say that Microsoft is a manifestation of greed.
Score: 0
|What a crock of %$&*t. Just to improve their sales of Media Center
At least we didn't find out about this after we bought it.
Score: 0
|"Hey..it's got Ethernet capability, but let's make sure we limit it's functionality it so that they can only connect to their PCs if they buy a new OS from us."
Another brilliant idea from the Great Minds at MS...
Yeah, I know their in business to make money. Yeah, I know it's a great scheme. But I'm still allowed to think they're b*stards for doing it.
Thank God Sony doesn't make an OS... *shudders at the thought*
Score: 0
|From the official site
"Xbox 360 instantly streams the digital media stored on your MP3 player, digital camera, Media Center PC, or any Microsoft® Windows® XP-based PC."
Score: 0
|Microsoft SUCKS. :D Let The Flaming Begin!
Score: 0
|The current xbox has the same feature for Windows Media Center. Im glad to see that they will have the same feature on the Xbox 360. But you will not need to only have Windows Media Center to get this intergration between your Xbox and computer. I currently have my Xbox and Windows xp system networked together. I can view photos, stream music and video from my computer and I can listen to web radio broadcast on my xobx. Im sure once Xbox 360 has been out for a while there will be ways to connect the two; either it being an underground thing, and I dont mean anything illegal, or a mainstream thing. I guess it would be up to the consumer if they are willing to void thier warranty or not.
Score: 0
|Adobe/Macromedia sucks
Google sucks
MSN sucks
AT&T sucks
Telstra sucks
Oracle sucks
I am fed up with the Microsoft haters.
Just because these companies have more ambition, insight, technological insight, business savy and consumer following than you does not meen they suck.....
If you don't like it don't use it. Simple.
Score: 0
|Here, here....
If this is the case, then all hail to my new Microsoft Home Theater solution.....
Excellent news.
Score: 0
|well considering that this IS a blog... id ask, if you have such a problem with peoples' opinions, why read the comments in the first place?
get a life
Score: 0
|this is a blog? um.. lol
anyway, i'd consider getting a PC with media center, if i don't i'm sure there will be some way to get around it.
Score: 0
|If that is the case, I might actually have to get myself one of those. Who needs a component home-theater system when I can hook my PC up to my Xbox, up to my HDTV?
Already got the TV/FM tuner card, already got the DVR software... I'd say I'm pretty much set.
So when's that 360-thingamabob coming out again?
Score: 0
|I would also have to say that I would buy a media center pc before I would buy a tivo or replaytv unit. You can always upgrade a media pc, plus it has a dvd burner to burn your files, you can do a wireless connection between other computers, no monthly fees (or lifetime service fee). Something about having to pay for a service to use a device makes me worry about, I would always worry about them going out of business and then you would have a worthless device. but if you are interested in one of those then I would say go with replaytv all the way.
Score: 0
|well, by definition it is.
Score: 0
|ditto.....
Score: 0
|