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• Xbox 360 gets UK price cut

  Microsoft UK have followed the US and cut the price of the Xbox 360. If you after a cheap extender then the new price of the Xbox 360 Arcade would be a good option at £129 (if you can put up with the fan noise). The 60GB model will sell for £169.99 and Read More... Posted 16 September 2008 16:06 by Ian Dixon | 1 Comments Filed under: Xbox

• Microsoft brings Netflix streaming to the Xbox 360

  Looks like the rumours where true, Microsoft are enabling Netflix streaming straight in to the Xbox 360. It would be nice to see an smiler official solution for Media Center users. Details from Engadget : After months of speculation and rumors , Microsoft Read More... Posted 14 July 2008 20:01 by Ian Dixon | 3 Comments Filed under: Xbox

• Another week and another rumour about Xbox 360 and Blu-ray

  Another week and another site claims that Microsoft are working on a Xbox 360 Blu-ray drive. Chris Lanier explained his thoughts on this weeks Media Center Show why he thinks we will never see a Blu-ray drive on the Xbox 360. Chris makes some great points Read More... Posted 02 May 2008 16:37 by Ian Dixon | 1 Comments Filed under: Xbox, Blu-ray

• Xbox.com advert for the Xbox Media Center Extender functions

  There is a nice advert for the Extender functions of Media Center on Xbox.com showing how the Xbox can be used for home entertainment. It's good that Microsoft are highlighting the Extender function of the Xbox. With it being it being on Xbox.com it's Read More... Posted 29 March 2008 08:55 by Ian Dixon | 0 Comments Filed under: Windows Media Center, Xbox, Extenders for Windows Media Center

• Xbox 360 Arcade drops below £149

  If your after a cheap Extender for Windows Media Center and can put up with a bit of fan noise then the Xbox 360 Arcade is now a very attractive. Digital Spy are reporting that Tesco and other UK retails have started offering the Arcade for £149 Read More... Posted 28 March 2008 11:29 by Ian Dixon | 7 Comments Filed under: Xbox

• Video: Comparing The Xbox 360 with a Linksys DMA2100

  I was about to packup the Linksys DMA2100 and unbox the 2200 when I thought it would be interesting to compare the Extender function of the Xbox 360 with the Linksys DMA2100. So with both extenders connected up to my TV I made a side by side comparison Read More... Posted 07 February 2008 14:40 by Ian Dixon | 7 Comments Filed under: Windows Media Center, Xbox, Extenders for Windows Media Center, Linksys

• Microsoft's Bluray problem

  Chris Lanier has an interesting post on the problem Media Center is going to have with HD content now HD-DVD looks in trouble. Read Chris' post for the details but it boils down to the fact that Microsoft has betted on HD-DVD and will not want to write Read More... Posted 25 January 2008 21:12 by Ian Dixon | 6 Comments Filed under: Windows Media Center, Xbox

• UK, Ireland, Canada, France and Germany Get Xbox 360 Movie Downloads

  As mentioned last week Microsoft's Xbox Live movie download is available today in UK, Ireland, Canada, France and Germany. There are 27 movies at the moment with more promised soon. According to Gizmodo "Standard definition movies will cost 250 Microsoft Points (£2.13), while HD movies are priced at 380 (£3.23) Microsoft Points" I am going to get some points and give it a try over the weekend List of titles: *300 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets * Zodiac * The Matrix, * The Matrix Revolutions * The Matrix Reloaded * Ocean’s Eleven * The Perfect Storm, * Swordfish * Three Kings * Training Day * The Fugitive * Risky Business * Space Cowboys * Eyes Wide Shut * Analyze This * Demolition Man * Eraser * Executive Decision * Lethal Weapon 3 * Lethal Weapon 4 * Looney Tunes: Back in Action * Mars Attacks! * Clash of the titans * Superman III * Dead Calm http://uk.gizmodo.com/2007/12/11/uk_gets_xbox_360_movie_downloa.html#more Technorati tags: Xbox 360, movies Posted 11 December 2007 11:06 from Ian Dixon | 0 Comments Filed under: Xbox

• Xbox video-on-demand confirmed for UK

  Microsoft have confimded that it's Xbox Live Video on demand service has is coming to the UK. It's been something I have been waiting to come to the UK (along with the Zune) for some time and it's great to see Microsoft rolling it out to the UK. The HD content is very tempting and if it works well it could mean that I bypass HD-DVD and Bluray and go with VOD Xbox Live users will be able to access and watch a range of movies from next Tuesday after Microsoft confirmed rumours that the firm is to launch its own video-on-demand service. On December 11, the Xbox 360 manufacturer will make available high-definition films, including 300, The Good German, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Downloading a rental movie will cost 250 Microsoft Points (around £2) for a standard definition 480p movie, while the HD films will cost 380 Microsoft Points (around £3.20). “Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store in Europe is all about adding to the ever-expanding number of entertainment choices that our consumers have on their Xbox 360,” Microsoft's director of Xbox Live for Europe Robin Truchy said. “We want to give them the entertainment they want, in the format they want, when they want it and at an affordable price. We were already offering HD games, HD music videos and the option to enjoy HD-DVD format films, now we are offering HD movies to download and rent as well. This is very exciting for us and the consumer.” http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/a81081/xbox-video-on-demand-confirmed-for-uk.html Technorati Tags: Xbox Live Posted 04 December 2007 14:04 from Ian Dixon | 0 Comments Filed under: Xbox

• £199 Xbox 360 Makes Great Extender

  Microsoft have launched the Xbox 360 Arcade pack which makes for the cheapest way to Extender Windows Media Center. The new Xbox pack contains a HDMI equipped Xbox 360, a 256mb memory unit and 5 arcade games. It does not have a hard disk but to be an extender you don't need it . Just connect the 360 up to your network and then to your TV via HDMI (cable not included) and you have a £199 extender. I know people complain about the fan noise but it is not really noticeable on my 360. Also you can switch the 360 to boot directly in to Media Center when you switch it on. From the dashboard, go to System, Console Settings, Startup and there along with Disc and Xbox Dashboard is the new option, Media Center.  Select that and the Xbox 360 will boot directly in to the Media Center extender experience when you turn it on.  While this pack is aimed at casual games it makes for a low cost entry in to the world of Media Center Extenders and considering that the hardware Extenders have not been announced for the UK yet this may be the cheapest way for some time Buy it now from TheDigitalLifestyle.com Store Technorati tags: Xbox 360 Arcade, Wndows Media Center Extender Posted 24 October 2007 10:19 from Ian Dixon | 1 Comments Filed under: Xbox

• Toshiba Working With Microsoft On New Entertainment Xbox - Smarthouse

  According to Smarthouse Microsoft are working with Toshiba on a new Xbox that will be positioned as a Entertainment hub.  The report says the new devices will include a HD-DVD drive, hard drive and possibly dual TV tuners with EPG. This all in one device would have its own Media Center type software enabling it to compete with a tuner enabled PS3. The post says "a spin off from its struggling media centre offering." (I am not sure where they got struggling from) The new Xbox device, while allowing for extensive gaming capability, will be positioned as an entertainment hub that includes gaming and extensive wireless networking capability as well as 1080p playback. There is also talk of it including a dual HD TV tuner and EPG capability and a docking port for an MP3 player. For Toshiba, the device is critical if it is to be successful in beating Sony and the Blu-ray promoters. Would you prefer a all in one Xbox devices with Tuner cards or a centralized Windows Home Server with Media Center Server built in and then user Extender devices to consume the content? I think putting the tuner cards in the Xbox would work for some people but I would prefer my tuner cards in the server and then Extenders, Xbox 360s and other PCs to be able to stream Live and Recorded TV from the server. What do you think? Read the article for more details. Toshiba Working With Microsoft On New Entertainment Xbox - Smarthouse Via eHomeUpgrade Technorati Tags: Xbox , Windos Media Center Posted 20 October 2007 10:08 from Ian Dixon | 0 Comments Filed under: Xbox