Rumor: Microsoft to Release Blu-Ray Player for 360 by May

why would i want to work at conns? i don't like convincing people why they should purchase product a or product b. if they want my opinion on the pros and cons, that's different. i'm all for giving consumers/friends/strangers on clutchbbs all the information and let them decide which one they think is best. the only thing i don't like is when people spread fud. you know, the other thing you're good at besides street fighter

 

i've made lots of people happy owners of HDTVs! and have easily educated the entire world on the Rockets (remember I went to China last year and met with some Clutchfans up there). They know about Maxwell and Kenny, thanks to me.
I've united the Clutchfans chow..I'm walking the path of the righteous, I'm HAKEEM!

 

Except CNET and CR say that the ps3 is the best bluray player out. Look I'm a college guy, and as such must be economical. I can't afford to buy a Blu ray player to go along with my PS3. I use the ps3 as the sole DVD Blu ray player in my apartment so.... I guess to each his own.

 

Randall: "F#$% Peyton Manning, F$#$% Sony, Samsung Represent!!"

"Carry on my wayward son.."

"Vanna Who?"

 

That's the biggest reason why it won't catch on. People might download standard movies, but with limited tech in bandwidth and expensive BR burners, they're going to go with buying the 15 dollar variety for their private collections. Those collections can define people and are centerpieces for an otherwise mundane bedroom...

I also think this rental concept isn't going to take off. I'm sure people feel like I do (sucker) if they buy an HD version of a TV show and then only being able to watch it X amount of times.

Perhaps Ipod TV will lay inroads for MS and Sony, but DD is highly doubtful until there's cheap and plentiful bandwidth, and permanent ownership is cemented with physical packaging.

 

You're probably right that the average person will look to upgrade their Internet before anything else. I think my family looked into upgrading to broadband around 5 years ago or so. 5 years later, and still no broadband. Until someone actually goes into these rural areas and provides broadband, it will continue to be that way. On the other hand, we have 3 HDTVs. Only 1 HD player (my PS3), but that might change with the format war over.

Fortunately, I've moved to Austin for school and can get broadband (although it is no where near as fast as what you guys get, ~600kbps IIRC). I think there are a large percentage of people in America that can't get broadband even if they want it, which I think is definitely a big problem for DD (nearly all of them can easily go down to a store and get a movie for example). Hopefully this will change. I was all for the broadband-over-power-lines idea a while back, although I haven't heard anything about it in a while. Seems like a great idea since it would already have the infrastructure more or less laid out, which seems to be one of the bigger problems (especially with these greedy ISPs).

If you think this will double the availability of broadband, and increase the avg broadband speed by 3x or so in the next ~5 years or so, perhaps it will be ready and I'm just being pessimistic. FWIW, I'm willing to give it around 5-8 years before I think it will be technically feasible for the vast majority of people in the US (80%+ availability, 10-15mbps, affordable, no/reasonable bandwidth caps for most, etc.). That might even be optimistic. I can't find the article right now, but I recall an article mentioning how the DD leaders (Amazon, Netflix, etc.) met and discussed plans for DD. IIRC, I don't think any of them thought it would be ready within 5 years. I think the shortest was 10 years with most putting it at 15-20 years away.

Of course, as I mentioned in previous threads, there are non-technical hurdles. Besides the issue with people wanting physical discs, I think it will be an issue trying to get a single service to provide movies, which I think is the only way it will work. If you have 10 different providers of movies with different rules and different content and different quality (and so on), the average consumer probably won't want to get involved. Now try to get all the major industry players together on one page. We've seen how difficult that can be.

 

Uh no, sorry, wrong again. I'm not arguing against a PS3 purchase - I don't give a damn what you purchase - like i said i don't have any ownership interest in Sony or Toshiba or Samsung or Apple or whatever, I'm merely speculating that in the future, standalone bluray players will be the predominant means of watching bluray.

You don't agree - fine, great, wonderful. I told you - I give up. I love your PS3 purchase. You made a great decision. Thank you for informing the BBS about it. BluRay is the greatest and PS3 is the greatest incarnation of it and always will be. This alone justifies your purchase and your warm and fuzzy feelings about Sony. Sony is the best. Toshiba is dead.

Anything else you want me to say? I am out of ideas as to how to placate you.

 

Yes, yes you were. And it's pitiful that you won't admit it. The type of stuff you've been posting is no less "fanboy-ish" than the stuff I posted. In fact, it is MORE so, because as has already been pointed out, you make an unfounded and inaccurate comparison to the PS2, anytime anyone points out that the PS3 is the best current Blu-Ray player you *can't resist* posting something about how no one should buy one because there will eventually be a better standalone player, and that hi-def hardly matters if it isn't 1080. You're really reaching just to try to get people to agree with you. THAT is the very definition of "fanboy-ism." Deal with it. You are a fanboy.

If you were actually trying to "placate" anyone... which you're not... you would drop the sarcasm, and apologize for calling someone an "idiot" without cause. Or better yet, call YOURSELF an idiot, since you are more guilty of what you accused others of than they are.

 

^lol!

When fanboys attack, part XVIII

here's a distinction that you are missing - fanboys like you care about what people "SHOULD" do - in your case, support Sony.

I'm speculating as to what people would/will do. Maybe I am wrong. If so then I will look a damned fool. Either way it is no skin off my back what player they buy.

And you're right - I'm not trying to placate you. You've whipped yourself up into a frenzy over this, obviously.

 

ditto


Sam's attachment to MS/dislike of Sony is showing.

I did a source by source comparison of a movie that I have two versions of (DVD and BR)....HUGE difference.....let me say it again


HUGE DIFFERENCE.

I use my PS3 primarily as a movie player, I havent played a game on it in a month or better.

btw...the BR remote for the PS3 is not expensive and works fine...just like a real remote( i regularly mistake it for my tv remote in low light conditions)....that criticism is also not valid.

If you got the money to buy a nice HDTV and a PS3, you can certainly afford 25 bucks for a remote so you arent inconvienanced by the bothersome 6 axis controller


I should know better to expect fairness and rationality from you Sammie....but man, your agenda is so clear here it isnt even amusing.


/cue retalitory attack accusing me of being a Sony fanboi in 5....4......3.....2

 

I was under the impression that bluray HDDVD was geared towards true-HD, meaning 1080p plus. If that is wrong then fine. I am wrong. I'm personaly not going to bother with either till I upgrade to 1080p from 1080i, it feels like putting the cart before the horse. But like I said, maybe I am wrong.

But like i said earlier - if you want to bet agaisnt standalone bluray players, go ahead. History seems to indicate otherwise.

 

Which is exactly what you've been doing. You argue every time anyone points out the merits of a PS3 as a Blu-Ray player. If you don't care, why do you continually respond?

All I ever said was that I was happy with MY OWN purchase in the other thread. Said nothing about anyone else. Then someone made a generalization about how all people who are happy they have PS3s are "idiots." I didn't start the crap about everyone else. The PS3-bashers did.

It's very, very sad that you feel the need to go around calling people "idiots" simply for liking their PS3s. And then you turn around and act like the biggest Microsoft fanboy/Sony hater alive, and get all pissy when I call you out. You dish it out, and you can't take it. That is pitiful.

 

Microsoft Sam wrong?

 

You really think it's "very, very sad?"

The tragedy in darfur is sad. Rioting in Kenya is sad.

a random ps3/sony fan who has a deathwish against me because of an internet slight is more amusing than it is "very very sad"

I apologize for e-insulting you and sony. Blu Ray forever!

 

Ha! Yeah, people who are always on the internet are so lame.

































Drexlerfan22
Contributing Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,156
Member: #3635


SamFisher
Contributing Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 20,503
Member: #11807

 

i apologize for e-insulting you too.

Go with god my son. May your chosen video game console/HD movie format have a long and profitable lifespan.

 

I support SAM FISHER in this topic.

May all the PS3 people continue to cry themselves to sleep over their terrible purchase.
Lord knows I MOURN my PS3 purchase. Its sleek, shiny black cover is MOLTING in a thick white cover of my cells known as dust.

 

http://www.xstreamhd.com/index.html
XStreamHD™ Unveils First-Ever Transport Network To Deliver
High-Definition Movies, Music, and More Directly to the Home at CES 2008

MCLEAN, VA – January 8, 2008 – XStreamHD, revolutionizing the delivery and distribution of Full HD entertainment to the home, today unveiled at CES 2008 (Sands Booth #71838) the first-ever transport network to deliver movies, TV, music, electronic games, and more in Full HD (1080p) video and 7.1 channels of DTS-HD Master Audio™, directly to consumers, via satellite.

“We’ve worked hard to address the real needs consumers have and find the solutions they’re looking for. What they’re missing is access to Full HD content,” said XStreamHD Founder and CEO George Gonzalez. “Today is all about Full HD. We are pleased to announce that we are the first to deliver Full HD and 7.1 channels of lossless audio directly to your home.”

The XStreamHD Revolution
XStreamHD is leading the Full HD revolution with the first transport network to bring 1080p video and 7.1 channels of lossless audio directly to the home via satellite. Never before has there been a home theater experience that combines all of the features, quality, value, and convenience that consumers want. XStreamHD offers affordable access to the highest quality HD movies, music, broadcast TV, electronic games, and more – without the limitations of programming schedules, storage space, or physical media, and without the hassles of video rental stores, slow mail service, or out-of-stock titles. With XStreamHD, consumers will never miss the new releases or the broadcast HD content they love. The hottest movies and new releases are delivered via satellite, while vintage titles may be delivered over a broadband Internet connection.

With XStreamHD, consumers can build a customized, unique, and unparalleled in-home entertainment network and enjoy the content they want most, when it’s most convenient, anywhere in the home, and at the quality today’s home theaters were designed to support. Only XStreamHD’s proprietary technology delivers video in Full HD (1080p) – twice the quality of current cable and satellite offerings – and up to 7.1 channels of lossless audio, achieving sound quality that is identical to the studio master and surpassing any other direct-to-home service available.

The complete XStreamHD solution includes three core components that are quickly and easily installed by the user or, if preferred, by a qualified technician. The first is a small outdoor satellite antenna that captures multiple streams of Full HD content delivered by XStreamHD through existing standard geosynchronous satellites. From the dish, titles are stored centrally in the XStreamHD Media Server located inside the home. The Media Server stores your pre-selected titles in your Virtual Personal Library™ until you access them with any XStreamHD Media Receiver or DLNA-compliant device throughout your XStreamHD home network.

Pricing & Availability
The XStreamHD solution will be available to consumers in early Q4 2008. The introductory price for a complete XStreamHD home solution, including a Media Server and a Media Receiver, is available to initial subscribers starting at just $399.

Featured System Highlights

* Satellite delivery of Full HD 1080p video, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4/H.264 in 4:3 or 16:9 screen formats
* Satellite delivery of up to 7.1 channels 96kHz/24bits of lossless DTS-HD™ Master Audio
* View four Full HD video streams simultaneously throughout the home
* Learns users’ choices and preferences to adopt their entertainment profile and continuously updates the Virtual Personal Library™ with titles
* they’re likely to enjoy
* Equipped with three ATSC tuners and a Network Video Recorder for viewing and recording three HDTV broadcasts at the same time – even while watching a fourth selection from your Virtual Personal Library™
* Patent Pending Adaptive Recording™ ensures accurate recording of HDTV programs from start to finish, even if broadcast schedules change or are delayed
* Easy-to-use on-screen menus to manage content preferences, parental controls, spending limits
* DLNA v1.5 certified to integrate all compatible devices on the XStreamHD network
* Dual slide-in drive bays enable scalable storage featuring Seagate® Technology hard drive storage – 500GB, 1 TB, 2 TB options – and the ability to configure an external storage subsystem via the eSATA interface
* Includes a feature-rich Personal PBX business-class phone system; also supports VoIP calls and offers free calls between XStreamHD subscribers
* Uses gigabit Ethernet (GigE) permitting the transfer of HD video and audio at 1 gbps throughout the home
* HDMI interface simplifies installation and ensures signal integrity for vibrant 1080p video
* Front panel USB port for MP3 audio downloads

 

You know SamFisher, why don't you answer me this...

If I'm such an "idiot PS3 fanboy," why do I have no problem at all saying any of the following:

1. The PS2 was poorly built. It failed all the time. I went through 3 in 6 years. It sucked. Oh, and let's not forget it was a crappy DVD player. Sony should be ashamed.

2. 360 controllers are FAR superior for shooters. They just are. And in fact, I find it pitiful that Sony tried to make their L2/R2 buttons "triggers" in response. It's like they were admitting defeat. 360 controller is also better for NBA 2K, which I play all the time, so that's a big deal to me.

3. Online play is way better for the 360. Way better. The only argument you could make for Sony's network is that you don't have to pay for it... but hey, I'd rather pay for something better than take something crappy for free.

4. Generally, the frame rates on identical titles are slightly better on the 360, though this is becoming less prevalent.


...oh my Sam, how could this be? I'm supposed to be praising everything Sony does, even if it sucks! Could it be that I only support the GOOD things Sony does? Noooooo... can't be...

I have nooooooo problem saying any of the above things. I accept them as fact/truth. Those are the 360's major advantages. And I have noooooo problem with someone saying they think the 360 is the superior system because of those advantages. But when people make statements like "the PS3 has no games" or "the PS3 is a waste of time" or "why buy a PS3 for the Blu-Ray player, because it's better to wait for a standalone player," well... those are dumb, fanboy-ish statements. The PS3 does have obvious advantages of its own. And if you can't see those and admit to them, YOU are the blind fanboy, not me.

And hey, I'll even spell them out for you:

1. PS3 not only has a built-in Blu-Ray player, but it's the best Blu-Ray player around. And while the PS2 was a crappy DVD player, the PS3 is a top DVD upscaler. Obviously Sony learned something from their past blunders.

2. Excluding the cheapie 40GB model, the BC is way better on the PS3. I can play every single PS2/PS1 game I own, and I can upscale them to boot.

3. The PS3 has a low hardware failure rate. The PS2 was terrible for this... like I said, I went through 3 in 6 years. Meanwhile, my brother has gone through 3 360s in 2.5 years. While I've only had my PS3 for... ehh... 8 or 9 months I think, it hasn't given me crap of any kind. It took my brother's 360 4 months to fail the first time.

4. The controller does have merits, though fewer than the 360. It's superior for playing driving games, because while the "triggers" fail miserably as triggers, they do very well as "pedals." Of course, I don't like driving games much, so I don't care a whole lot. The controllers are also much nicer for NBA Street and Tony Hawk, because the uniformity of the top buttons makes tricks easier. And I like the PS3 controllers better for Fight Night. Not sure why. I think the concavity of the 360 analogs just doesn't feel quite right for making the punching motions.


So why is it that I'm constantly defending the PS3? Hmmm... maybe because 360 fanboys like you keep saying crap like "PS3 has no games/is a waste of time." I don't see people accusing the 360's online services of sucking, or that their controllers suck, or that it's a "waste of time" in general. If I DID see that going on, I'd jump on THEM just as quick. But I never seem to see that. All I ever seem to see is 360 fanboys screaming "PS3 SUX! LOLZ!" without any prompting.

 

LOL! Shouldn't yo be mourning the tragedy in darfur and the rioting in Kenya?