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Xbox 360- An independant media center pc?

UPDATE!!!

Quote; "Did you know?

you can add pictures an music to your library, by connecting your xbox xxx, windows pc, usb flash drive , digital camera or xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"

-This qoute was taken from a blurry video at

http://www.xbox360.com/home.html

...In the flash animation select the power on button symbol, and wait for the video to load. Then scan the video; there is a split screenshot of a bluish screen of Xbox 360 with text on it (80% of the way through), it reveals the capabilities of 360 are not just streaming- because you can add media to the library!!! SO there maybe we were not so right after all!

Woo! Xbox 360 and PS3 announced with specs, pics...and all...offical...

Sorry if I seem behind the times but no-one here is really talking about it yet...A couple of speculation links and thats all.

both consoles look awesome but I will stay loyal to Xbox, despite the fact ps3 looks better hardware wise on paper...

No doubt Microsoft is hoping to win on software and innovation, with Media center.

My question is;

Can Xbox 360 Media Center store photos, music, videos...etc, without another pc, all sites refer to xbox 360 as being an extension of a pc, but my pc is crappy and i want to know if Xbox 360 can be used as an independant media center pc?

-Also; what are your thoughts on the new Xbox 360 console as well as the ps3.

#284762

:slant: I dont want a media center for a gaming console, if i wanted a media center i'd use a pc. I think these console games are... falling off track? Personally I think graphic wise they are both good, but as always, sony knows how to design a better controller.

#284770

Falling off track?

no offence but you gotta be kidding me...A media center PC is good...but An xbox 360 with three 3.2Ghz cores is even better!

-you only have to look at the new games coming out and realise that nothihng has been comprimised in adding media center.

Sure ...games consoles were only ever intended to play games...

but why not do both?

It was microsoft's plan to be the leader of multimedia entertainment, coming into the lounge room...

Clarify...why do you feel consoles are going off track?

...also the questiom is still bugging me- Is Xbox 360 just a Media Center extender? or an independent media center with additional support for your PC?...

Does anyone know?

#284793

for now, xbox360 is two apple g5

http://anandtech.com/tradeshows/showdoc.aspx?i=2420&p=5

so wait n see

#284836

You need a Windows Media Center 2005 PC to use the media functions of the xbox360. 360 is only an extender. All codecs are read from the PC, all rendering of video is done on the 360.

I think it is a good thing, as it allows a wider range of codecs to be used.

Do a search for Media Center Extenders and you will find the MS page detailing what they are. Basically a few extra chips put on the 360 mainboard to deal with interfacing.

#284837

I love the triple core 3.2 ghz PowerPC processor included.

The 512 mb gpu don't hurt much either.

That new x-box seems to kick all the current top-of-bill pc's butt's at gaming. We are soon capable of the dual-core AMD64...but PowerPC & tripple core that's just...wow!

Will the new x-box 360 be the prelude the end of the pc eara as we know it?

#284844

if i'm not mistaken, even the original xbox could be used as a media center, with its hard drive, lan interface, ability to play dvd and divx video.. you could even install linux on it.

#284852

lmao, i'm sorry but that PS3 controller is HYSTERICAL

#284968

You needed a chipped Xbox to get that to work.

The PS3 controller isn't final, thankfully. Hopefully they will change their minds on it.

#284994

lmao, i'm sorry but that PS3 controller is HYSTERICAL

Yea... it's like a boomerang. That might not be the final design though, since XBOX did replace their huge bulky controller with the smaller version.

#285036

The ps3 looks better hardware wise on paper...but to me its uglier and will loose out on software...and yes the controller looks like a BANANA!!! (coated in metal with buttons)...

I know the original Xbox had an extender kit...which was kool, but it meant you had to have a media PC...

Sounds to me like Xbox 360 is forcing people to do the same, upgrade the PC...so that it will be functional with the console :( ...I just want it to be independent...it sux, PCs have too many problems and a media center console would be awesome and spell the death of PCs as the entertainment media machine if only it didnt require the bloody pc!

thanx a lot Microsoft...you've rooted us once again it seems...

Does anyone still think that the Xbox 360 will be an independant console and not a media center extender?

#285102

Thats microsofts plan. All their hardware and software depend on eachother, which can be good because everything is centrally located and easy to find and store without reduncy, but it can be bad because it stifles the capabilities of other hardware like the xbox. They would never give you full media center capabilities because that would make media center sales drop. With such a large all-encompassing company, they have to be careful not to step on their own toes.

I dunno for sure what they all have planned software wise for the xbox, but we dont know for sure about the software for the ps3 either. Sony makes tivo like boxes and theyre a VERY big company when it comes to the latest and greatest hardware, we may see full media center-like capabilities on the ps3 or maybe something similar to a streamer (which is basically what a "media center extender" is). Its certainly capable of a lot more than the the new xbox.

#285452

as for the ps3 controller, keep in mind this is only a "prototype" and will (probably) be changed for the final rendering of it. (considering ive only heard negative feedback on it).

but then again, i doubt anyone who has been passing judgement on the design of the controller so far has ever used one, so..... it might be ergonomically very good (like the xbox controller was, despite being very ugly IMO).

i myself am looking forward to both the xenon and the ps3. i dont like to support microsoft, but however the xbox 360 does have the distinct advantage of being released quite a big leap earlier.

one thing im really looking forward to is that both of them are finally capable of beating a PC game in resolution. the xbox 360 definitely needs its 512MB gpu in order to run the advanced games coming for the x360 and also run them in progressive hi-def.

if i remember correctly every new xbox 360 game will be 720p, and the PS3 will even support 1080p. this would definitely big a big drive for me to get a nice progressive hi-def TV....... ;)

#285571

Media center pc= $3000 (Australian)

Xbox 360= $400 (A bad estimation in Australian $)

Xbox 360 HD= $150 (Aud)

Xbox connectors and wireless network= $200 (Aud)

Hacking 360 till it runs full version of Media center = Priceless, theres something things that money can't buy, for everything else theres Microsoft.

(rip off, of master card add...sorry for the poor joke)

...I'll be hacking my next gen console...no way thier gonna screw me around.

#285835

Sorry for the double post:

Do you think it will be possible to get the full media center running on Xbox 360? If so how easily and how long from release do you reckon it will be done?

(I'm poor and don't like the idea of multiple computers...too many problems, one that does it all with media center would be cool)

#285838

trust me, give it some time for homebrewers to modchip the xbox. :)

My xbox is the most played system, not for the xbox games but for the emulators :)

I mean given that the current xbox has media center like capabilities, this might just make it easier.

and the ps3 controller...this is all i can say

PS3 controller = ring ring ring ring ring ring ring banana phone doo doo be dooo.

#285908

I dont really see the purpose of having full MCE capabilities would serve...it doesnt have the right hardware to be a real media center and anything the hardware does allow is already offered through the MCE extender capabilities.

Having a full OS on your console doesnt really serve much purpose. Even if you get it running, its going to be emulated since microsoft wont be voluntarily allowing things like this to happen. Anything that does run windows successfully wont be running it at any amazing speed and Im sure microsoft will be watching the people using and creating this stuff very carefully.

#286135

Doesn't have the right hardware?

I know the 360 was designed for the extender now...but why not full capabilities?

I mean come on its got three 3.2Ghz processing cores, a hard drive, 512Mb of ram...surely it could be done.

#286232

you can't compare 3.2ghz... if your gonna do real computing you might as well be running a 1ghz g4

#286432

I'm sold to Sony, so i definately think that without a doubt PS3 wins the race already. However, once the Xbox came out i was interested in getting one until i saw a few things:

1-Its size; call it a microwave.

2-That Mutant green X: outdated before it came out.

3 and most of all: If you wanted to watch DVD you had to buy the remote which was sold separately that really made me think: nah Microguys, stick to windows.

Now the Xbox360:

The Playstion will be at its third generation and they are calling it the PS3. Microsoft however will be at its second genration so calling their console Xbox2 would make it look less good compared to the PS3 since its one digit higher. Microsoft had to come up with a cool name and a cool concept that at least had a 3 in it hence 360. That simple theory here makes me believe that Xbox360 is already just a console built to try and kill PS3.

More when i get more time to write...

#286446

Doesn't have the right hardware?

I know the 360 was designed for the extender now...but why not full capabilities?

I mean come on its got three 3.2Ghz processing cores, a hard drive, 512Mb of ram...surely it could be done.

Mainly its missing a TUNER. Its also missing a sound card, video and audio in capabilities and various other combonents such as a media writing capabilities. Even if it did have all the components for a real HTPC, it still wont run MCE simply because windows doesnt support powerpc architecture and microsoft will not create a work around to make it work on the xbox. So it will never be a HTPC. Even if someone does happen to get it working miraculously, microsoft will just upgrade the firmware and bust it all. Kinda like what apple does with the ipod. People do illegal or naughty things: firmware update!

MCE is extremely sensitive to hardware, drivers, and codecs. Its tough building an actual pc with full media center capabilities without something not working quite right. Imagine trying to get it working on completely proprietary hardware with no drivers around.

#286519

you can't compare 3.2ghz... if your gonna do real computing you might as well be running a 1ghz g4

your right... Xbox 360 specs look good on paper, but i shouldn't compare them to that of PCs or Macs, theres a lot more to take into consideration...

Just like Athlon VS pentium, you can never tell which is faster based on CPU GHZ

Mind you I think the 360 will be better Graphics wise than a G4 1.4ghz! I mean obviously you have not seen or have forgotten the visuals seen at the 360's unveiling, they were amazing, no mac could ever pull that off at the moment!

Sorry but macs just aren't gaming machines, thats not thier purpose...

#286913

Even if someone does happen to get it working miraculously, microsoft will just upgrade the firmware and bust it all. Kinda like what apple does with the ipod. People do illegal or naughty things: firmware update!

MCE is extremely sensitive to hardware, drivers, and codecs. Its tough building an actual pc with full media center capabilities without something not working quite right. Imagine trying to get it working on completely proprietary hardware with no drivers around.

What!? :o people can't do illegal or naughty things with Ipods? :P ...ohh dear well there goes my 10, 000 song library of illegally ripped songs! :P

Besides, the original Xbox could get MCE running...even though it would have been slow and crappy and not worth happening...it still can happen...whether its even worth considering (on 360 it might not be any good), time will tell...

#286915

UPDATE!!!

Quote; "Did you know you can add pictures an music to your library, by connecting your xbox ***, windows pc, usb flash drive , digital camera or ****************

-This qoute was taken from a video at

http://www.xbox360.com/home.html

...In the flash animation select the silver ball with the green X symbol and wait for the video to load. Then scan the videe; there is a split screenshot of a bluish screen of Xbox 360 with text on it, it reveals the capabilities of 360 are not just streaming- because you can add media to the library!!! SO there maybe we were not so right after all!

#288138