Microsoft intros Zune movies for Xbox in 1080p
updated 03:00 pm EDT, Mon June 1, 2009
MS Zune Movies on Xbox
Microsoft today launched a range of changes to the Xbox 360's video features. Now rebranded as a Zune service, the former Xbox Video Marketplace will now provide videos in full 1080p and promises an "instant-on" feature that starts streaming videos almost immediately on faster connections. The extension will be available in all countries and should come along with an expansion of video rentals and purchases to 18 countries from the current 8.
As part of its video efforts, Microsoft also plans to improve the Netflix viewer by letting owners find movies and modify the streaming queue directly. British viewers will have access to Sky TV, including live viewing and a program guide. Viewers of most any service will have the option of watching as part of a group of Xbox Live friends.
Music is arriving on Xbox Live in the form of Last.fm streaming that can be sorted by artist or genre.
Most of these features should be available by the fall.
Sky TV
Last.fm
Shady
06/01, 03:33pm reply
REAL 1080p requires 15-20 Mbit/sec to actually match the quality from a disc. Anything less is cheating in some fashion.
dagamer34
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2007
Unless
06/01, 03:44pm (2 replies) reply
Of course if Apple were to provide the very same service and options...then it would be real HD.
lamewing
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2004
Bandwidth Caps
06/01, 04:31pm reply
Will these streaming video services push the ISPs to get serious about bandwidth caps? Sadly, I think so. It's unfortunate that these internet video streaming services are in direct competition with traditional video delivery systems like cable or UVerse. I'd like nothing more than to see more competition in this area, but unfortunately the cable and phone companies are the gatekeepers. And you know they will protect their existing business models.
sgirard
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2005
Don't you all rememeber
06/01, 08:02pm reply
MS always follows this technique. Over promise, under deliver.
slapppy
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2008
Re: Shady
06/02, 01:14pm reply
1080p defines the resolution of the video, but really nothing else. As can be seen from several HD sources, sometimes the content still looks like c***, is pixelated, stutters, etc.
And they didn't say it was going to match the output of the disc. They just said it is 1080p.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001