Jeff Henshaw - 'Xbox 360 is no Trojan Horse'

[fitbabits]

Thanks to Next Generation (http://www.next-gen.biz) for the scoop (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1872&Itemid=2).

Jeff Henshaw, executive producer for the Xbox Digital Entertainment Group has been talking about the 360's place in the digital home of the near-future and how Microsoft isn't interested in owning the family area.

On his role...

"We think about things like casual gaming, retro arcade gaming, stuff like that, and also digital music, digital photos, and other things that people like to play around with when they’re not playing games."

On Microsoft's ambitions to 'rule the living room'...

Well, I’d say having everything connected sounds pretty great! It gives me the ability to get at my digital entertainment content in the ways I want to, and that’s not about ruling your living room. It’s about freeing digital media enthusiasts to live their lives in the way they want and access their entertainment in the way they want. That’s really what the Xbox 360 is all about. It’s about putting the gamer at the centre of the experience.

For us it’s not about owning the living room. We don’t care what kind of TV you have. We don’t care what kind of digital audio player you have. We don’t care what kind of digital camera you’ve got. Xbox 360 works with everything. There are other companies out there that want you to own a brand ‘S’ console. They want you to own a brand ‘S’ TV and a brand ‘S’ digital audio player and a brand ‘S’ portable gaming device. To me, that looks more like trying to own your living room, trying to lock you into a single brand. That’s absolutely not what we’re about. We’re about partners and an open ecosystem where everyone can share content, regardless of what kind of device you have.
Who could this brand 'S' be that he speaks of? It's interesting to me that he seems to have picked up on what has been mentioned on here before - I for one don't appreciate being told that I'll be missing out on the true next generation by not buying specifically branded equipment.

[Reanimated]

In concur with the editorial statment here. If anyone wants to dominate your living room, it's Brand S.

And as far as I'm concerned, Brand S is THE LAST company on the planet I'd want controlling my living room.

[Meusli]

Why whats wrong with Sanyo? ;)

[mister_slim]

So, no problem streaming from my Mac to a 360, then? MS doesn't have a problem with that?

[Rakael]

Oh you guys get real, both brand S and brand M want to control your living room. They both want that control because it means more money for them. Neither of these two is on your side, so forget that. I'd even be willing to bet that brand N would like to control your living room, if they could find a way to do it and the cash to do it with.

This is spin, plain and simple. The oldest form of spin at that, misdirection.

[XenonCJ]

Microsoft is just saying because they don't make TVs.... yet....

[askheaves]

People's Exhibit A: The "Brand S" Memory Stick

That thing is a true Trojan Horse.

/I think this thread would be more fun if we never put a 4 letter word to "Brand S"

[NACIONAL]

So, no problem streaming from my Mac to a 360, then? MS doesn't have a problem with that?

The ones with the problems are the guys at apple.. not at Microsoft..

[Citizen Philip]

Microsoft, the OS monopoly being legally attacked from Korea to Europe for it's business practises (bundling software with their OS) claiming it's all about an open eco-system of business development? Oh, sorry! He meant only the Xbox, which means I ignore the rest of the company?

Sony is no pretty boy in this department and is equally guilty. But having one or either side claiming that "we are a big friendly business teddybear that enjoys sharing the crumpets at imaginary tea-time" is a steaming pile.

We don't mind conceding the living room, because we already own your computer and your business computer, your business servers and if we have anything to say, how you browse the internet too. But yes, the living room is all yours, until we buy some manufacturing companies.

[Stormwatcher]

They both suck.

[Reanimated]

So, no problem streaming from my Mac to a 360, then? MS doesn't have a problem with that?



Can you use an iPod?

How about you ask Apple to put some engineers on building a Mac version of Media Connect (the Winows app that allows you to connect the 360). I don't think it's Microsoft's job to build a similar app for every OS in the world. 360 works just fine with pretty much all standards based digital equipment. OSX does not fit that mold, chief.

[Shifter]

"We’re about partners and an open ecosystem where everyone can share content, regardless of what kind of device you have."

Yes, MS is all about sharing and open ecosystems. Seriously is he @#$! kidding??

[TrackZero]

Who could this brand 'S' be that he speaks of? It's interesting to me that he seems to have picked up on what has been mentioned on here before - I for one don't appreciate being told that I'll be missing out on the true next generation by not buying specifically branded equipment.

Nice work with the highlighting, I think they're really hitting it on the head here. The 360 is meant to be a dynamic device, whereas the PS3 is just more lock-in.

[XenonCJ]

Microsoft, the OS monopoly being legally attacked from Korea to Europe for it's business practises (bundling software with their OS) claiming it's all about an open eco-system of business development? Oh, sorry! He meant only the Xbox, which means I ignore the rest of the company?

Sony is no pretty boy in this department and is equally guilty. But having one or either side claiming that "we are a big friendly business teddybear that enjoys sharing the crumpets at imaginary tea-time" is a steaming pile.

We don't mind conceding the living room, because we already own your computer and your business computer, your business servers and if we have anything to say, how you browse the internet too. But yes, the living room is all yours, until we buy some manufacturing companies."OS monopoly" Because you know, there's just no such thing as Apple OSX, Solaris, Red Hat\Fedora, AIX, BSD.... It's called competition, and it's alive and well.

[NACIONAL]

Microsoft, the OS monopoly being legally attacked from Korea to Europe for it's business practises (bundling software with their OS)

Linux distributions bundles Hundreds of Software with the OS, all for FREE....(Remember, you still have to buy the Windows license) I don't see anyone complaining....

And XenonCJ is rigth.. you have choice.. don't like microsoft?... use ANY of the OS's out there.... you are not going to prison because you bought another O.S.

[Citizen Philip]

"OS monopoly" Because you know, there's just no such thing as Apple OSX, Solaris, Red Hat\Fedora, AIX, BSD.... It's called competition, and it's alive and well.

...

Thank you. I was totally unaware of the potentially toppling of the Microsoft empire because of Freeware. Nor would I suppose Freeware or want it to succeed. It's well understood that the grossly large bank accounts that the Xbox segment draws upon to develop and sell is not derived in part or by whole the total lock on the OS market and exorborant prices MS charge for yearly business licencses or home-user software purchases.

The resistance has a voice and I support it, but it's a minority: I wish it the best, and I support it as I can.

[drakkarim]

i agree, it was a stupid move on Sony's part to claim that nothing is 'next generation' unless everything is owned by a single company. that's just pissing in the wind, someone should explain to them that if there's one thing americans love, is choice, even though they squander it 99% of the time.

i agree with microsoft on this one. although they're only about choice as long as it has nothing to do with operating systems :)

why don't they get it over with and just merge, make one console and make it kick ass, rather then constantly putting out these half assed toys.

[Nite_Moogle]

I don't get it. Brand S is Sega, right?

[Loki_d20]

Yeah, nothing MS does is restrictive based on hardware software at all...

It's nice to say that, but in the end, every major electronic/hardware/software company out there wants the exact same thing: dominance in your household.

[phantomhitman]

"OS monopoly" Because you know, there's just no such thing as Apple OSX, Solaris, Red Hat\Fedora, AIX, BSD.... It's called competition, and it's alive and well.
(this is not directed at you)
But you know those guys are not making money and sharing a digital revolution with the entire world. When the other os' do become as big as windows (massively distributed, in every home) they will have the same exact issues of windows, that is the way it is. By letting programmers share ideas and develop an os from scratch they are sticking it to the man by losing millions in open source programming.............wait. :rolleyes:

I still do not understand the whole hate microsoft because gates is filthy rich and goes after any infriging on him ideal. Like you stated people have the option get whatever os they want, let the dollars do the talking and ms days would be numbered.

[Karmakin]

Actually Windows does play nice with pretty much other operating system, on a technical level. At least as much as everybody else does. There are glitches, of course, there always are.

Now, the problem you're talking about is pretty much in the PR and sales side...but that's industry standard, to be honest. Look of the lack of OS X clone builders, for an example.

I'm amazed that Sony has gone this far without completly FUBAR'ing the PlayStation brand in the race to own everything. By putting in a bunch of features that very little people will actually use, because they own equipment by other manafacturers.

[XenonCJ]

...

Thank you. I was totally unaware of the potentially toppling of the Microsoft empire because of Freeware. Nor would I suppose Freeware or want it to succeed. It's well understood that the grossly large bank accounts that the Xbox segment draws upon to develop and sell is not derived in part or by whole the total lock on the OS market and exorborant prices MS charge for yearly business licencses or home-user software purchases.

The resistance has a voice and I support it, but it's a minority: I wish it the best, and I support it as I can."Freeware" man you really are dumb... Last I checked, Red Hat Enterprise, Solaris, AIX, and OSX arn't free. Companies like Sun Microsystems and IBM may have you convinced that they are poor helpless mom and pop shops, but I assure you, they represent serious REAL competiton for Microsoft, and not just in the OS department.

[TrackZero]

Yeah, nothing MS does is restrictive based on hardware software at all...

It's nice to say that, but in the end, every major electronic/hardware/software company out there wants the exact same thing: dominance in your household.

The difference is MS is going for market dominance with the release of this console. It's designed for open compatibility because not doing so is shooting themselves in the foot. Which means, that their company is going to have to suck our balls to get us to support the 360 this gen. Noone's talking about supporting MS for the whole of eternity here, we're discussing one product that kicks ass. Noone saying that if we buy this console, it means we're stuck with the Xbox 3 being the only console choice in another 5 years.

[JediSanf]

This just in, Microsoft likes own product!

While I'm as much a fan of the puff pieces as the next man, what does this really tell us? That Mircosoft doesn't want Sony to own our souls so they can take a swip at 'em?

No shit, Sherlock.

[MosBen]

I'd just like something clarified for me. Do people actually know that MS has closed the 360 to computers running other operating systems, or is it merely the fact that no other systems have a version of the program which lets Windows connect to the 360? Could someone conceivably write a version for, say, Linux?

[earthworm48]

From what I remember the only reason that they were in court with Windows over here (Europe) and same in Korea I believe was because they had Media Player with Windows. They had to bring out a version without it here, and they did, but it doesn't sell. Also it doesn't stop you getting other media players, and I really don't get what the big point of having Media Player with Windows was with the court case.

[Citizen Philip]

"Freeware" man you really are dumb... Last I checked, Red Hat Enterprise, Solaris, AIX, and OSX arn't free. Companies like Sun Microsystems and IBM may have you convinced that they are poor helpless mom and pop shops, but I assure you, they represent serious REAL competiton for Microsoft, and not just in the OS department.

Thank you for being very defensive and being very civil. I am not here to talk about the specific definitions of freeware or open source business development or this distribution over that distribution. The companies that use linux for developement are based off of free code, they make whatever changes they make and charge you for the changes. Please park, whatever issue you have and get over it.

The FREEWARE (and I'll keep saying it, because you are obviously getting very excited over the term) based companies are laying a very solid foundation that could force a positive paradigm shift in terms of OS. However as it stands, current offerings do not allow us *gamers* (which is the only part I am interested in discussing here) much in the way of gaming freedom on a PC. The day I don't have to check every game box to see if it supports a Linux based distro (because it's assumed all games will be built with it in mind), is the day you should known a year before: the battle was over.

[RMan]

Microsoft is just saying because they don't make TVs.... yet....
Precisely, there was a time not long ago that they could say they didn't care about what gaming console you used either. They conveniently failed to mention that they do care what DVR you use (or at least did, I don’t know if Ultimate TV is really flourishing). They’re both so full of it, but it is amusing.

[Reanimated]

I'd just like something clarified for me. Do people actually know that MS has closed the 360 to computers running other operating systems, or is it merely the fact that no other systems have a version of the program which lets Windows connect to the 360? Could someone conceivably write a version for, say, Linux?



I'm sure that someone who knows how media connect works, and also knows how these other operating systems handle sharing, could put something together for another OS that does the same thing. I would imagine that we'll see apps like this popping up in the future.

[baz]

Can you use an iPod?

How about you ask Apple to put some engineers on building a Mac version of Media Connect (the Winows app that allows you to connect the 360). I don't think it's Microsoft's job to build a similar app for every OS in the world. 360 works just fine with pretty much all standards based digital equipment. OSX does not fit that mold, chief.

There is a very easy counter argument to this, windows only allows streaming video when used with Windows Media Center Edition, so not only do they lock you into a specific OS, they lock functionality based on a specific edition of that OS.

Although having said that I'm now going to argue against myself... a quick look at msdn shows you the API for Windows Media Connect Content Directory Service. (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/WMCCDS/htm/interfacestop.asp)

So maybe it would be possible, I'm not familiar with the interface so I couldn't say for sure. Could be worth giving it a go, can't be too hard.

[baz]

Precisely, there was a time not long ago that they could say they didn't care about what gaming console you used either. They conveniently failed to mention that they do care what DVR you use (or at least did, I don’t know if Ultimate TV is really flourishing). They’re both so full of it, but it is amusing.

I'm pretty sure that Windows doesn't still care what console you use. I.e. Sony could (and should) implement the same music streaming off of Windows Media Connect. There are third party hardware platforms that do this already, so no reason Sony/Nintendo couldn't.

[Reanimated]

I'm sure there is a technical reason for the restriction of streaming video. One could assume that streaming HD video from a computer is not a standard function, nor a simple task for any 'ol operating system.

[GrinR]

I'm pretty sure you can plug in anything that shows up as a drive in Windows - like the PSP, or the iPod or recent-gen cameras. Could be wrong. Will know tomorrow.

[baz]

I'm sure there is a technical reason for the restriction of streaming video. One could assume that streaming HD video from a computer is not a standard function, nor a simple task for any 'ol operating system.

I don't think it can be a technical reason. The hard work gets done on the xbox360 side which has to decode the video and display it, the PC just acts as a streaming device. The marketing behind it is pretty strong though, look at Vista and how many editions are coming out of that, I think they just want to split their product range a bit to target it at different markets. So they beef up the media capabilites of the Media Center edition so it is easier to push.

But I think you are right in that someone could (and therefore will... its just a matter of time) come up with a way to stream video from XP to the 360 with 0 mods on the 360 side and just a peice of software on your comp.

[baz]

I'm pretty sure you can plug in anything that shows up as a drive in Windows - like the PSP, or the iPod or recent-gen cameras. Could be wrong. Will know tomorrow.

Thats right, my mp3 player works as it comes up as a drive in windows, but my girlfriends (creative zen) does not, as it does not come up as a drive in windows. I downloaded something over xbox live for the ipod connectivity, so I guess there might be a bit of bespoke software needed for the odd device, but if its popular, I guess they will provide it as a download over live.

[Loki_d20]

It's nice to say that, but in the end, every major electronic/hardware/software company out there wants the exact same thing: dominance in your househo
The difference is MS is going for market dominance with the release of this console. It's designed for open compatibility because not doing so is shooting themselves in the foot.You just repeated me and yet attempted to contradict me at the same time. They currently want to dominate where they can, which is with the XBox 360. Sony has more to offer in the theatre/living room environment, is all. If Microsoft came out with their own Home Theatre system, you can bet they'd be singing a different tune. This has been and is continually proven in their handling of their Software/Hardware for PCs.

There's no viable synergy element for MS (yet), therefore there's no need to dominate the complete package like Sony.

I doubt they will ever move beyond the consoles in a manner like Sony. Sony started out with entertainment and moved away from that. MicroSoft went towards consoles because they had the experience with software/hardware and know how much money can be made off of the console market without the need for cross-platform/device compatibility (less stress and work).

[XenonCJ]

Thank you for being very defensive and being very civil. I am not here to talk about the specific definitions of freeware or open source business development or this distribution over that distribution. The companies that use linux for developement are based off of free code, they make whatever changes they make and charge you for the changes. Please park, whatever issue you have and get over it.

The FREEWARE (and I'll keep saying it, because you are obviously getting very excited over the term) based companies are laying a very solid foundation that could force a positive paradigm shift in terms of OS. However as it stands, current offerings do not allow us *gamers* (which is the only part I am interested in discussing here) much in the way of gaming freedom on a PC. The day I don't have to check every game box to see if it supports a Linux based distro (because it's assumed all games will be built with it in mind), is the day you should known a year before: the battle was over.If you say there is a "battle", then there is competition. Just like I was saying, you lose.

[Reanimated]

I don't know what kind of system performance is required to stream huge files like that across a network connection, because I've never monitored something like that. I can't imagine it's ALL THAT easy though. You're still pushing a considerable amount of data, regardless of where it's getting decoded.

And yeah, I think there will be emulation apps for both windows and OSX that will trick the 360 into thinking it's looking at a Media Center PC. I don't know when, but I'm sure it will be well before Vista hits, lol.

[RMan]

I'm pretty sure that Windows doesn't still care what console you use.
I was talking about gaming console, Microsoft definitely cares, that's what the 360 is you know. They also know quite well how effective it can be to sell interdependent products (MS Office, for instance), they just don't have as much as Sony does currently in the entertainment market in that respect (not that I'm supporting Sony's latest ploy). IOW, I think they were trying to say they don't want to own the living room because they're taking the high-road and supporting free trade and unlimited interconnectivity, and I think the real truth is that they just don't have the same commodities as Sony, and if the roles were reversed, so would be their stance.

[DiBiddilyBop]

Jeff Henshaw is possibly as full of shit as he could possibly be on this one. First of all, I don't think anyone has ever said, "If you don't buy our brand TV, receiver, speakers, couch and underwear you're missing out." Saying that S brand is trying to take over your living room is like saying Panasonic or Yamaha or Pioneer or anyone else is. It's a company that has diversified their product line. To not self-promote is just stupid. He's making it sound like S brand is trying to drive out competition or something, which is very, VERY ironic considering the source. That anyone thinks his statements are somehow clever or insightful is dumbfounding to me.

[Frogleg Special]

Brand S is Samsung. If you think Sony, then you're stuck in the 90's

[baz]

I don't know what kind of system performance is required to stream huge files like that across a network connection, because I've never monitored something like that. I can't imagine it's ALL THAT easy though. You're still pushing a considerable amount of data, regardless of where it's getting decoded.

And yeah, I think there will be emulation apps for both windows and OSX that will trick the 360 into thinking it's looking at a Media Center PC. I don't know when, but I'm sure it will be well before Vista hits, lol.

You aren't pusing that much before its decoded. Most HD streams are some sort of MPEG4 compression, which puts them at about the same bitrate as a DVD MPEG2 stream. Even at MPEG2, 720p HD streams are well streamable. I'm an embedded software engineer in the Digital TV industry, so I get to play with HD streams quite a bit...

Try to stream HD after its been decoded though and you will need a freaking amazingly fat pipe, that ain't happening.

[bapenguin]

I think it's a marketing philosphy more than an design philosophy. Sony from the getgo markets their products to interact with each other.

MS made a device that can interact with a digital camera, a mp3 player, a usb device, etc. They designed there device to a specification, and with goals in mind and there's all these devices that fit that bill.

Now sony is doing the same thing, but there specification might be a bit different. They are putting their own devices first and foremost and then everything else falls under the umbrella. You want your device to work on theirs, you need to design something close to their spec.

It happens all the time in the real world with numerous things...for instance the website I'm currently working on has it interact with numerous backend systems. We picked the top 3 to test and design for, in reality there's probably 20 systems. For the other systems to interact, we said look, here's our spec, if you can make your system match it you get X, Y and Z benefit.

The 360 DOES have some limited functionality in regards to the media center stuff...but there are alternatives as well. You could put that content on a USB memory device, or burn it to a CD, etc.

You have to draw the line somewhere of what you can support or your device becomes a PC...and in this case, Microsoft already provides the software for that...why compete with themselves?

edit: wow...a lot longer than I thought....total stream of thought hope it's coherent.

[Karmakin]

Thats right, my mp3 player works as it comes up as a drive in windows, but my girlfriends (creative zen) does not, as it does not come up as a drive in windows. I downloaded something over xbox live for the ipod connectivity, so I guess there might be a bit of bespoke software needed for the odd device, but if its popular, I guess they will provide it as a download over live.

Not all devices are configured to come up as external drives. I believe the Creative Zen is one that doesn't. That isn't a Windows, thing, that's a device thing.

[GWhite]

Couple quick comment...
Microsoft's strategy has not really changed much in this arena. I don't mean this in a bad way though. Basically they are treating the 360 like windows.
- A decent development environment.
- Relatively open maybe even chaotic marketplace. (Live!)
- Leaving it to hardware manufacturers to provide support for the 360. (think iPod accessory ecosystem)

Microsoft will try to make money on every console this gen and sooner rather than later.
Unlike Sony they are not a hardware company, so they don't care about vertical integration(Sony keeps screwing this one up). It is to their advantage to have an inclusive system at this time. As soon as they have some sort of lock on the market of course they will likely start requiring license fees accessories (again think iPod).

As a programer I like Microsoft's strategy better, but I have no illusions about how they will act if they ever actually dominate the console market. So long as they are kept below say 60% market share they will probably be on best behavior.

[Syrinx]

Precisely, there was a time not long ago that they could say they didn't care about what gaming console you used either. They conveniently failed to mention that they do care what DVR you use (or at least did, I don’t know if Ultimate TV is really flourishing). They’re both so full of it, but it is amusing.

Ultimate TV is pretty much dead, however, I was never forced into using it by anybody. It was an option provided by DirecTV. I don't recall any special functionality from my service or on the PVR itself that require other Microsoft products.

[fitbabits]

vertical integration
Yowza! Yesterday it was 'value chain' and 'wobulation'. Today it's 'vertical integration'! Not making fun of anyone here at all, just marvelling at the fascinating terminology being used! :)

[Syrinx]

I'm sure there is a technical reason for the restriction of streaming video. One could assume that streaming HD video from a computer is not a standard function, nor a simple task for any 'ol operating system.

I thought it had to do with DRM, similar to the possible requirements of having a monitor that supports HDCP for viewing HD content with Windows Vista.

[anclunn]

How about you ask Apple to put some engineers on building a Mac version of Media Connect (the Winows app that allows you to connect the 360). I don't think it's Microsoft's job to build a similar app for every OS in the world. 360 works just fine with pretty much all standards based digital equipment. OSX does not fit that mold, chief.

Be warned. You are summoning the Mac rage. Ever sense OS X came out with the Mac Panther version, the Mac rage has been rising up to overthrow the Man (Bill Gates). I don't expect the 360 to work with OS X or visa-versa. Apple cares too much about security to let Microsoft's latest media bastard child interface with your computer.

[Dirty Harry]

So fita, are you finished your holy war agaisnt sony?.

[danhoo]

The MS spin machine rears its ugly head again. Of course MS isn't interested in selling TVs -- the profits on selling a single TV vs selling multiple games + a yearly Live subscription aren't comparable. Plus, as has been pointed out already, MS is a software company, not a hardware company. They do want to dominate the living room, but dominate only those things that are platforms on which they can sell additional stuff. The 360 is a vehicle for that, a TV isn't. This is just smart business, and business MS is used to via their Windows platform dominance.

Sony's more of a hardware company (although really they're more of an entertainment conglomerate that reached a point where their left hand doesn't know what their right hand is doing), so it feels like in the long run they might be in trouble here. The main thing they have going for them now is their brand name is more recognizable as a company making products for the living room.

My worst fear is that MS will eventually win. Don't get me wrong, I'm not exactly anti-MS. However, past examples have shown that when MS finally does dominate, they get complacent and they start putting less effort into their stuff (IE, Office, etc). MS is at their best when they have real competition forcing them to step up.

[Citizen Philip]

If you say there is a "battle", then there is competition. Just like I was saying, you lose.

Thanks! You have a nice day. Take the battle to them, brave soldier of the internet.

[fitbabits]

So fita, are you finished your holy war agaisnt sony?.
Shocking as it may seem to you, I have no 'holy war' against Sony. I do, however, take issue with their recent actions. I've said this before, but it obviously bears repeating - feel free to disagree or even submit some positive Sony-related news.

-James

[Citizen Philip]

Shocking as it may seem to you, I have no 'holy war' against Sony. I do, however, take issue with their recent actions. I've said this before, but it obviously bears repeating - feel free to disagree or even submit some positive Sony-related news.

-James

*poke* Aren't you an editor? Aren't you looking for positive gaming news, Sony, Microsoft, PS#, XBOX##, PC, hand-held or otherwise?

;)

[fitbabits]

*poke* Aren't you an editor? Aren't you looking for positive gaming news, Sony, Microsoft, PS#, XBOX##, PC, hand-held or otherwise?

;)

Yes, I am an editor, and I have been posting Sony-related news. It just so happens that the recent Sony-related news has been less than complimentary. I should also point out that I've posted news, both negative and positive, related to Microsoft, Nintendo, Nokia, etc.

[Derwin]

Doesn't matter what S is...but all i know is that S&M always leads to trouble.

[Derwin]

There are other companies out there that want you to own a brand ‘S’ console. They want you to own a brand ‘S’ TV and a brand ‘S’ digital audio player and a brand ‘S’ portable gaming device. To me, that looks more like trying to own your living room, trying to lock you into a single brand. That’s absolutely not what we’re about.

Of course Microsoft doesn't care, it's because they don't even make televisions, MP3 players and portable gaming devices.

[Borys]

You know for the first weeks or so of your modding I thought you were quite cool fit or at least objective.

After a month or so, including todays story, I can safely lump you on the stack of "insecure Xbox fanboys" (gotta love that term) like Reanimated who is BTW very vocal in every Sony-bashing circle jerk going here daily.

Let me explain:

1) We have eyes you know, we can read for ourself. But for some strange reason you decided to LIME and BOLD a part of text that strokes your Xbox ego the most. Thanks for making your readers feeling dumb.

2) Saying that Sony is after your room while MS isn't because Sony is EVIL while MS is HOLY is the most ridiculous and retarded claim I've ever heard.

I know you got a thick skull fit but at least TRY to comprehend that Sony is a HW company while MS is a SW one. Sony acts like Philips, Panasonic, Sanyo, <INSERT_ANY_A/V_COMPANY> and their business is about making you to buy their stuff - TVs, VCRs, DVD-RWs, etc.
MS on the other hand can't do shit about it - about controlling your room that is, so what do they do instead?

Control your software instead.

MS wants you to use its OS, use its office applications, use its internet browser, mail client, database server, developing environment, media player, DRM solutions and on and on and on. They don't want ANY competition in those areas and they are first to use all means possible, shady or not, to drive competitive products out.

Did I read ONE your complain about that idelogy ever?

Nope, but you are the very first person here (with Reanimated right behind you) to rag on Sony's products, technologies and software solutions.

How many DRM stories about Sony did you submit? 14 out of 15? And how many MS FUD stories found on Slashdot? 0 out of 99?

Almost all your recent posts are saying "I won't even give Sony a chance with PS3 cause I frankly hate that company!".

And while you'll be boycotting the PS3 beacuse rootkits and Sony's TVs and DVD-Rs (pathetic reason) I'll be enjoying it because I don't care about Sony as a whole. I don't care about Sony's CDs or Sony's portables or Sony's bozo spewing PRopaganda - I can live without them. I care about one thing that Sony delivers like noone before them did - GAMES.

I hope there's still chance for you to become a news editor worth that title. But you gotta a whole heap of homework before you.

[OUX]

You know for the first weeks or so of your modding I thought you were quite cool fit or at least objective.

After a month or so, including todays story, I can safely lump you on the stack of "insecure Xbox fanboys" (gotta love that term) like Reanimated who is BTW very vocal in every Sony-bashing circle jerk going here daily.

Let me explain:

1) We have eyes you know, we can read for ourself. But for some strange reason you decided to LIME and BOLD a part of text that strokes your Xbox ego the most. Thanks for making your readers feeling dumb.

2) Saying that Sony is after your room while MS isn't because Sony is EVIL while MS is HOLY is the most ridiculous and retarded claim I've ever heard.

I know you got a thick skull fit but at least TRY to comprehend that Sony is a HW company while MS is a SW one. Sony acts like Philips, Panasonic, Sanyo, <INSERT_ANY_A/V_COMPANY> and their business is about making you to buy their stuff - TVs, VCRs, DVD-RWs, etc.
MS on the other hand can't do shit about it - about controlling your room that is, so what do they do instead?

Control your software instead.

MS wants you to use its OS, use its office applications, use its internet browser, mail client, database server, developing environment, media player, DRM solutions and on and on and on. They don't want ANY competition in those areas and they are first to use all means possible, shady or not, to drive competitive products out.

Did I read ONE your complain about that idelogy ever?

Nope, but you are the very first person here (with Reanimated right behind you) to rag on Sony's products, technologies and software solutions.

How many DRM stories about Sony did you submit? 14 out of 15? And how many MS FUD stories found on Slashdot? 0 out of 99?

Almost all your recent posts are saying "I won't even give Sony a chance with PS3 cause I frankly hate that company!".

And while you'll be boycotting the PS3 beacuse rootkits and Sony's TVs and DVD-Rs (pathetic reason) I'll be enjoying it because I don't care about Sony as a whole. I don't care about Sony's CDs or Sony's portables or Sony's bozo spewing PRopaganda - I can live without them. I care about one thing that Sony delivers like noone before them did - GAMES.

I hope there's still chance for you to become a news editor worth that title. But you gotta a whole heap of homework before you.


1) His name is Boots

2) Way to miss the point

[Mason]

*poke* Aren't you an editor? Aren't you looking for positive gaming news, Sony, Microsoft, PS#, XBOX##, PC, hand-held or otherwise?

;)

Oh jeez, here comes the balance police.

Listen, if Sony screws up 8 ways from Sunday (and there's nothing positive to say about them until they release the PS3's price and launch info), no one on this site is required to balance out that negative with fake happy shiny Sony news or bad things about Nintendo and the 360.

Sony really messed up in 05. E3 scandal and messing up thousands of computers tarnished their image. And they won't give any concrete PS3 info, even though we're 3-5 months from the launch, so there's literally nothing positive to report about them right now.

I'd be fine if EvAv mods stopped approving all of the console editorials and PR. MS saying bad things about Sony and Sony saying bad things about MS isn't news. But when it comes to actual news, stop attacking the messenger if you don't like what you're hearing. If companies/politicians/whatever act like fuck-ups, then the truth is biased against them. You can only "balance" that through lies.

[OUX]

I wasn't balancing anything, I honestly feel that he missed it. Fitbabits (Boots) was pointing out what the guy said and he did basically say Sony is trying to take over your house. Now the source isn't that reliable but in light of some of Sony's more bonehead moves in recent months you can't blame the mods for not finding many "positive" news posts about it. If someone can more power to them submit it here but I refuse to read Sony news post from PSM.

[fitbabits]

You know for the first weeks or so of your modding I thought you were quite cool fit or at least objective.

After a month or so, including todays story, I can safely lump you on the stack of "insecure Xbox fanboys" (gotta love that term) like Reanimated who is BTW very vocal in every Sony-bashing circle jerk going here daily.

Let me explain:

1) We have eyes you know, we can read for ourself. But for some strange reason you decided to LIME and BOLD a part of text that strokes your Xbox ego the most. Thanks for making your readers feeling dumb.

2) Saying that Sony is after your room while MS isn't because Sony is EVIL while MS is HOLY is the most ridiculous and retarded claim I've ever heard.

I know you got a thick skull fit but at least TRY to comprehend that Sony is a HW company while MS is a SW one. Sony acts like Philips, Panasonic, Sanyo, <INSERT_ANY_A/V_COMPANY> and their business is about making you to buy their stuff - TVs, VCRs, DVD-RWs, etc.
MS on the other hand can't do shit about it - about controlling your room that is, so what do they do instead?

Control your software instead.

MS wants you to use its OS, use its office applications, use its internet browser, mail client, database server, developing environment, media player, DRM solutions and on and on and on. They don't want ANY competition in those areas and they are first to use all means possible, shady or not, to drive competitive products out.

Did I read ONE your complain about that idelogy ever?

Nope, but you are the very first person here (with Reanimated right behind you) to rag on Sony's products, technologies and software solutions.

How many DRM stories about Sony did you submit? 14 out of 15? And how many MS FUD stories found on Slashdot? 0 out of 99?

Almost all your recent posts are saying "I won't even give Sony a chance with PS3 cause I frankly hate that company!".

And while you'll be boycotting the PS3 beacuse rootkits and Sony's TVs and DVD-Rs (pathetic reason) I'll be enjoying it because I don't care about Sony as a whole. I don't care about Sony's CDs or Sony's portables or Sony's bozo spewing PRopaganda - I can live without them. I care about one thing that Sony delivers like noone before them did - GAMES.

I hope there's still chance for you to become a news editor worth that title. But you gotta a whole heap of homework before you.
Okay, I will respond to your criticisms one at a time:

The reason I highlighted the text was explained in my comment (It's interesting to me that he seems to have picked up on what has been mentioned on here before...). So, I highlighted it because other people (not me) had brought up the same topic on here in the past and I found it genuinely interesting that Jeff Henshaw had also picked up on it. Oh, and I decided on green because it's the Xbox color.

I don't recall ever having said that Sony is 'EVIL'. Nor have I ever said that Microsoft are 'HOLY'. I have, however, questioned Sony's business practices of late (as have others). I was also one of the most vocal critics of Microsoft's dual SKU announcement and their poor MTV unveling. Seems fairly balanced to me.

I've said this in the past - I own a PS2 and a PS1 and I still play on both. I will buy a PS3, but not at launch. I've owned two PSPs (one stolen, the other one given away). I own an Xbox and an Xbox 360, which I bought at launch. Again, seems fairly balanced to me.

I can't be sure of the amount of DRM-related stories I posted, but I think it's about 5 - not the 14 you claim. It should be noted here that it's news, whether you love Sony or Microsoft - it's still news. In my last DRM news post, I also mentioned that it would be the last one I would personally post as it was getting tiresome. Hardly twisting the knife in Sony now, is it?

Most of my recent comments have been along the lines of - "I want Sony to succeed, I really do, but they're not impressing me that much". A far cry from your statement that I would be boycotting the PS3 because I hate Sony.

Feel free to respond, but at the end of the day I think I'm doing an okay job. Sure, I could do better and I will always strive to do so with the help of constructive criticism, but I reject your accusation of my 'retardedness'.

[Citizen Philip]

Oh jeez, here comes the balance police.

Listen, if Sony screws up 8 ways from Sunday (and there's nothing positive to say about them until they release the PS3's price and launch info), no one on this site is required to balance out that negative with fake happy shiny Sony news or bad things about Nintendo and the 360.

Sony really messed up in 05. E3 scandal and messing up thousands of computers tarnished their image. And they won't give any concrete PS3 info, even though we're 3-5 months from the launch, so there's literally nothing positive to report about them right now.

I'd be fine if EvAv mods stopped approving all of the console editorials and PR. MS saying bad things about Sony and Sony saying bad things about MS isn't news. But when it comes to actual news, stop attacking the messenger if you don't like what you're hearing. If companies/politicians/whatever act like fuck-ups, then the truth is biased against them. You can only "balance" that through lies.

I think the editors are big enough people to not need someone to stand up for them. I'm indifferent to Sony or Microsoft, I dislike them both equally. Both companies are guility for many reasons.

For the record I don't think I attack newsposters, as much as I like to to encourage self-doubt in regards to editorial bias. I prefer mostly neutral posts and because this is EvAv, I can do my best to encourage that.

[earthworm48]

I think Fitbabits or Boots/Bootsie, is not doing a bad job.

Also I had a PSP stolen, but not a mugging, it was fraud. Seriously.

[thecrazyd]

I think Fitbabits or Boots/Bootsie, is not doing a bad job.

Also I had a PSP stolen, but not a mugging, it was fraud. Seriously.
I think he is doing alright. This article is PR though, and far from news. And it would be nice if we had a mod who was not admittedly a MS fan first and foremost (with the exception of Liquidize).

[midrael]

Well I was going to mention how strange that statement was in the article considering Microsoft's own monopoly issues, but I think every angle has probably been covered in the last seven pages heh.

This is just PR.

I don't think the mods are doing a bad job at all, though a little less of the obvious marketing bull from either company would be nice.

[bapenguin]

I think he is doing alright. This article is PR though, and far from news. And it would be nice if we had a mod who was not admittedly a MS fan first and foremost (with the exception of Liquidize).

First and foremost I'm pretty sure every mod is a PC fan first. After that...it's different. I'm pretty sure everyone of us has had 2 more consoles at one point...if not currently. Most articles from company interviews ARE PR. Including the Sony interview that was posted today. The ones with Reggie from Nintendo? Yup those are PR too...but they are also news. You want to know what a company is thinking, what their strategy is. Whether you believe it or not...that's up to you. "Fanboys" seem to immediately dismiss whatever comes out of another company's mouth....there's a difference between being critical and saying "this is bullshit"

[Stryfe01]

They both suck.

Aye..I concur

[Kelegacy]

Are any mods Sony fans first and foremost? Meaning, they like the Playstation more than their Xbox or Gamecube? Are there ANY Gamecube loving mods?

I ask this out of curiosity, not hidden criticism.

And the best Sony news out there is already known by millions of its fans: They ain't Microsoft.

[drakkarim]

And the best Sony news out there is already known by millions of its fans: They ain't Microsoft.

somehow i find "all your home technology are belong to us" a little more intrusive (and stupid) then "all your PC are belong to us".

[AspectVoid]

You know, the only thing I don't like about this news post is the highlighting. It makes the post feel anti-Sony where all other news posts strive to be objective toward every company. Take out the highlighting, and I really have no problem with it.

Second, Sony could easily do an interview where they talk about how Company M wants to own your PC. They want you to use their OS, their word processor, their spread sheet, their email client, their money client, their video game developemt platform, etc, etc, etc. Both companies want to own your home.

Its understand able too. Think about it for a moment. Does any company out their look at a customer and say "Oh, you should go buy that company's product instead. There's really no reason to buy ours with that alternative right there." No, they don't. They do everything possible (legal and illeagal if they can get away with it) to get you to buy their product. That is business.

[Syrinx]

Second, Sony could easily do an interview where they talk about how Company M wants to own your PC. They want you to use their OS, their word processor, their spread sheet, their email client, their money client, their video game developemt platform, etc, etc, etc. Both companies want to own your home.

But both companies aren't in the middle of new console launches so it's a bit irrelevant. Company S just tried to tell us yesterday that we can't experience the true next generation without all of their products.

[saran_js]

What utter crap and b*lls*it is this ??? Jeff Henshaw and others who believe this s*it can come give me a rimjaw if he truly expects me to believe this s*it. What coming from a company that has been sued for monopoly, and having a near strangle hold in the PC market. A company that has been using dirty tricks in destroying the opposition.
A company that has controlled nearly all of the PC, low and medium computing industry, a company that is venturing in to the phone and handheld industry, a company that is going in to the media industry, a company that is trying to sell their OS in to the car industry. And all of this also expecting people to pay royalties to on top of having to pay for their products. Who is trying to monopolise here ???

Reality check, the magic word here is software. This is what they are after.

I do not for a second believe what this idiot is saying.

And those of you who actually belive that this is true will be included in my stupid list of stupid people.

Oh, and do give me a weeks notice for that rimjaw.

[moron]

Can you use an iPod?
How about you ask Apple to put some engineers on building a Mac version of Media Connect (the Winows app that allows you to connect the 360). I don't think it's Microsoft's job to build a similar app for every OS in the world. 360 works just fine with pretty much all standards based digital equipment. OSX does not fit that mold, chief.

What "standards" does the Xbox adhere to exactly? Can you FTP into it? Does it support IMAP? Does it support NFS? Can you mount and write to its drive via a non-Microsoft OS?

Microsoft has never embraced open standards and to this day fights them any chance it can so it can use them for vendor lockin. Why do you think they are fighting so hard against the Open Document Format? Couldn't have anything to do with vendor locking to proprietary Office file formats now could it? Naah, Microsoft would never try to do anything underhanded like that.

=)

Cheers

[Kelegacy]

You know what else pisses me off? The lack of 3rd party peripherals for the Xbox 360. Don't companies have to license things and get a go-ahead from MS in order to create things for the console? That means MS can charge their outrageous prices for controllers and memory cards (and Hard Drives) and they have no competition to speak of. They love it when there's no competition around, or eliminating it, as we all know from owning PC's. That's why I don't want them to succeed too much. Enough to make the industry good for gamers, but not so much that every console available on store shelves is an Xbox 4.

[AspectVoid]

But both companies aren't in the middle of new console launches so it's a bit irrelevant. Company S just tried to tell us yesterday that we can't experience the true next generation without all of their products.

I assume this is the quote you're referring to:

"As you well know," he continued, "the Xbox 360 doesn't play high definition movies and doesn't have true HD functionality - PlayStation 3 is the only format that has 1080-progressive, which is the true definition of HD, so it's really premature to be talking about the HD era."

This quote is pretty much true. Do you want to know why? I have yet to see a single High definition movie. I did my christmas shopping today, and there was absolutely nothing in the movie sections of a SunCoast, Media Play, two Targets, and a Best Buy that said "High Definition Movie." This means, of course, that the 360 can't play High-Def movies. Thus, the HD-era really isn't here yet. It's in the drive way, so to say, but it hasn't come in the front door yet.

Now, will the PS3 have HD movies? Most likely. I can easily see Sony releasing some of their catalog on Blu-Ray disks in High Def to go with the PS3, just like they did with UMDs and the PSP. Now, if HD-DVDs and an HD-DVD addon for the X360 (or HD-DVD players) get released before the PS3 and Blu-Ray movies, then the HD Era will be here before the PS3 shows up.

At no time during the interview did Phil Harrison say you have to have Sony devices to be in the HD Era. He said you need content, a player, and an HD TV. Now, whether you're like me and have a Samsung HD-TV, a Sony TV, a Toshiba, whatever, it needs to be an HD TV. That handles that part. Good work.

What the 360 (and everything else) is currently lacking is the player (recall no HD-DVD) and content (no HD movies on the market). Sony can handle those last two parts with the release of the PS3 and some Blu-Ray movies. Microsoft needs HD-DVD to get in gear and beat the PS3 out.

Oh, and thanks for removing the highlighting from the news post. The story reads good and newsish (is that a word?) now rather then something a fanboy would post. Thanks, mods!

[Syrinx]

I assume this is the quote you're referring to:

"As you well know," he continued, "the Xbox 360 doesn't play high definition movies and doesn't have true HD functionality - PlayStation 3 is the only format that has 1080-progressive, which is the true definition of HD, so it's really premature to be talking about the HD era."

This quote is pretty much true. Do you want to know why? I have yet to see a single High definition movie. I did my christmas shopping today, and there was absolutely nothing in the movie sections of a SunCoast, Media Play, two Targets, and a Best Buy that said "High Definition Movie." This means, of course, that the 360 can't play High-Def movies. Thus, the HD-era really isn't here yet. It's in the drive way, so to say, but it hasn't come in the front door yet.

How is it pretty much true? The 1080p being the true definition of HD is wrong for starters. HD goes beyond simply watching movies as well. The 360 CAN output Hi-Def resolution video so yes, we are in the HD-era.

Sony wants you to think the HD-Era begins with movies so you'll jump on the PS3 and it's Blu-ray player.

[AspectVoid]

How is it pretty much true? The 1080p being the true definition of HD is wrong for starters. HD goes beyond simply watching movies as well. The 360 CAN output Hi-Def resolution video so yes, we are in the HD-era.

Sony wants you to think the HD-Era begins with movies so you'll jump on the PS3 and it's Blu-ray player.

I said pretty much for a reason. If the whole thing was true, I would have said "Completely True" not "Pretty much true." There is quite the difference (at least how I and the people I hang around with use it) between the two.

And as for the player, I'll do what I always do, wait to see which format Star Wars (original trillogy) goes on and go with that. Gotta always buy the new version of Star Wars, even though I already own 4 versions (3 versions on VHS, 1 on DVD). I'm weak.

Edit: And as I said above, the X360 CANNOT output Hi-Def video because there are NO HIGH DEF MOVIES to output. When that gets solved you will be right. Until then, you're wrong.

[Last of the Red Hot Mamas]

Lucas has said he's not releasing Star Wars on HD until one of the two formats is totally dead.

Edit: And as I said above, the X360 CANNOT output Hi-Def video because there are NO HIGH DEF MOVIES to output.

You can download high-definition videos over Live. I assume you can stream or copy high-def content from your PC as well (this is just a guess, I don't have a 360). It may well be possible to copy an HD DVD or Blu-ray movie to the 360's hard drive using the managed copy feature. Just because it doesn't support any prerecorded HD media doesn't mean it can't do HD video at all.

[AspectVoid]

Lucas has said he's not releasing Star Wars on HD until one of the two formats is totally dead.



You can download high-definition videos over Live. I assume you can stream or copy high-def content from your PC as well (this is just a guess, I don't have a 360). It may well be possible to copy an HD DVD or Blu-ray movie to the 360's hard drive using the managed copy feature. Just because it doesn't support any prerecorded HD media doesn't mean it can't do HD video at all.

I can give you that, but from what I've heard, they're game trailers and video reviews. Frankly, if all it takes to be in the HD era is some video game trailers, there is something seriously wrong with people.

That would be like me creating a format called DeverLex, get a few players into homes, and then only give out a few preview trailers, and having the masses cry out that the DeverLex Era has begun. I like to think that people are smarter then that. I'm scared because I know they're not.

[bapenguin]

What "standards" does the Xbox adhere to exactly? Can you FTP into it? Does it support IMAP? Does it support NFS? Can you mount and write to its drive via a non-Microsoft OS?

Microsoft has never embraced open standards and to this day fights them any chance it can so it can use them for vendor lockin. Why do you think they are fighting so hard against the Open Document Format? Couldn't have anything to do with vendor locking to proprietary Office file formats now could it? Naah, Microsoft would never try to do anything underhanded like that.

=)

Cheers

USB 2 standard protocol storage devices. Fat32. MP3. DSCIM. There are certain things you can't do for security reasons like write to it's drive.

Kelegacy you'll be seeing a lot more 3rd party stuff soon. I know Madcatz has a few wired controllers out but I know they are going to be releasing Wireless and themed controllers as well as faceplates. They actually ahve an NFL license for all that shit.

And as for hi-def movies...I have a copy of Terminator 2 that has another DVD with a 1080i version of terminator 2. :)

[moron]

None of the stuff you list there has anything to do with connecting to the XBOX 360 (FAT32 is a disk format, not a network protocol or service API). I have no idea what DSCIM is but an quick Google search shows up nada so I am having to guess that was a typo.

For external clients to be able to either write data to the XBOX 360's drive or stream to it or do anything useful with it they need to be able to talk to it over the local LAN which means that they need to have published docs for its services or the XBOX has to support common network protocols and services that already exists (again, such as FTP, IMAP or something similar).

So for the second time, what open standards (in fact any standards) does Microsoft adhere to which would allow the XBOX to be accessed from non-MS operating systems? To my knowledge the only choice is Media Center running on a Microsoft OS.

Cheers

[AspectVoid]

And as for hi-def movies...I have a copy of Terminator 2 that has another DVD with a 1080i version of terminator 2. :)

Well, then I guess you win. Now you need to tell me where you found that and what release version it's on, as I enjoy that movie and it'd look great on my new TV. C'mon, share with me! :D

[XenonCJ]

Thanks! You have a nice day. Take the battle to them, brave soldier of the internet.So you have raised the white flag and admitted defeat... How boring the internet has become these days...

[Last of the Red Hot Mamas]

Well, then I guess you win. Now you need to tell me where you found that and what release version it's on, as I enjoy that movie and it'd look great on my new TV. C'mon, share with me!

It's on the "Extreme Edition." It's encoded in VC-1 so in order to watch it on your TV you need either a DVD player capable of handling that format (unlikely since there's only two or three of them out there) or a home theater PC.

Of course if you're really desperate for HD movies you could just buy a D-VHS deck or one of those MUSE laserdisc players (http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/muse_high_def_ld/Muse_high_def_ld.htm) from Japan...

[mister_slim]

Seems a few of you missed my point. Oh well. If MS wants to release the protocol for mp3/avi requests then applications for other OSs will pop up quickly, but they won't because the MS 'value chain' requires making Windows (esp. Vista) necessary and valuable.

Anyway, my problem with the news post is simple. Like the Phil Harrison comments from yesterday, it's just cheap fanboy pandering. Harrison and Henshaw both know they can say something meaningless and get their fans in a frenzy. If you want to put that on the front page, fine, just don't present catty comments from Sony with outrage and catty comments from MS with glee. We already know where you stand, there's no need for you to make idiots of yourselves.

[buckfutter]

Yowza! Yesterday it was 'value chain' and 'wobulation'. Today it's 'vertical integration'! Not making fun of anyone here at all, just marvelling at the fascinating terminology being used! :)

Sorry to dig this up, but you might be pleased to know that vertical integration (along with horizontal integration) are actual economic terminology and not marketing speak. Dates back a long ways, to before we had the proliferation of buzz words from executives and PR reps.

[kwillhan]

None of the stuff you list there has anything to do with connecting to the XBOX 360 (FAT32 is a disk format, not a network protocol or service API). I have no idea what DSCIM is but an quick Google search shows up nada so I am having to guess that was a typo.

For external clients to be able to either write data to the XBOX 360's drive or stream to it or do anything useful with it they need to be able to talk to it over the local LAN which means that they need to have published docs for its services or the XBOX has to support common network protocols and services that already exists (again, such as FTP, IMAP or something similar).

So for the second time, what open standards (in fact any standards) does Microsoft adhere to which would allow the XBOX to be accessed from non-MS operating systems? To my knowledge the only choice is Media Center running on a Microsoft OS.

Cheers


DVD's are a pretty open standard. That's a good place to get video from. Music? CD's are still very popular, as well as Apple's Ipod; the nano i got for my wife works great with my 360. It even gets the name of the Ipod for you. Any Window's XP computer can share photo's and music. It's actually quite easy to set up.

I know I don't have Media edition.

as far as it not being able to be hooked to a Mac or Linux box, well, that's pretty standard as well. Even if Microsoft didn't own the operating system, it would be a sound business decision to not support other operating systems that make up like 8 percent of the market.

External sources being able to write to the hardrive? Dear Lord, I hope that never happens. I wish I could click a little box on my computer to make it the same way. That would be awesome if only the things i intentionally put into my computer and commanded to work, worked.

anyhoo

kel

[moron]

8 percent of the *US* market. America is only a percentage of the global population you know. China is supposed to be at 30% penetration for Linux now which considering their population isze means that there are likely more Linux users in that country alone than Windows users in the US.

By "sound business decision" I guess you mean "vendor lockin" and "abuse our monopoly"?

Why should purchasing an XBOX require that I also purchase Microsoft Windows if I want to play a file from my Linux box?

Cheers

[blackzc]

So this means i cant play my brand N game tapes on my brand M game machine, What?! I can put white or wheat bread in the same toaster, this should be no different.

[AspectVoid]

8 percent of the *US* market. America is only a percentage of the global population you know. China is supposed to be at 30% penetration for Linux now which considering their population isze means that there are likely more Linux users in that country alone than Windows users in the US.

Actually, you would have to find how many people in China use computers first. I've got a feeling that the total number of people in China who use PCs is far lower then the total number of people in the US who use computers, thus the 30% penetration could be signifigantly fewer users then the US 8%.

[bapenguin]

None of the stuff you list there has anything to do with connecting to the XBOX 360 (FAT32 is a disk format, not a network protocol or service API). I have no idea what DSCIM is but an quick Google search shows up nada so I am having to guess that was a typo.

For external clients to be able to either write data to the XBOX 360's drive or stream to it or do anything useful with it they need to be able to talk to it over the local LAN which means that they need to have published docs for its services or the XBOX has to support common network protocols and services that already exists (again, such as FTP, IMAP or something similar).

So for the second time, what open standards (in fact any standards) does Microsoft adhere to which would allow the XBOX to be accessed from non-MS operating systems? To my knowledge the only choice is Media Center running on a Microsoft OS.

Cheers

FAT32 is a standard file system which the XBox 360 supports for any external storage device. DSCMI or DCMI is a digital picture descriptor format. (yes it was a typo).

Why are we talking about full read/write LAN access to the 360 from any operating system. Microsoft doesn't want to open up their box to anyone for obvious security reasons. Think about it.

But they ARE giving you options to get your media onto the box.

You can stream stuff via XP or Media Center. Both allow MP3s and Picturs. Media Center allows videos to be streamed. You can do any of these things off a standard USB storage device.

[mister_slim]

Why are we talking about full read/write LAN access to the 360 from any operating system. Microsoft doesn't want to open up their box to anyone for obvious security reasons. Think about it.

But they ARE giving you options to get your media onto the box.

You can stream stuff via XP or Media Center. Both allow MP3s and Picturs. Media Center allows videos to be streamed. You can do any of these things off a standard USB storage device.
To the box, not onto the box. Why can't the 360 read and store external media other than audio CDs, though?