New X-Box Experience

[JustJon]

So the new XBox dashboard came out today. What do people think?

I'm digging the ability to put the game on the harddrive. Load times are faster and it's so much quieter without the drive spinning. I stopped playing to watch tv and it was nice that I didn't hear the motor the whole time.

Avatars aren't bad, but I'd like a little more diversity. My avatar pic is still my old Darth Maul, though.

I don't have netflix, so I haven't tried that yet.

I think I may need a bigger harddrive, though, since I just have my original 12gig.

[LordJezo]

Avatars aren't bad, but I'd like a little more diversity. My avatar pic is still my old Darth Maul, though.

You'll be able to buy new clothes every two weeks for your little buddy.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/19/new-avatar-fashions-planned-every-two-weeks-for-six-months/

[Chimee]

So the new XBox dashboard came out today. What do people think?

I'm digging the ability to put the game on the harddrive. Load times are faster and it's so much quieter without the drive spinning. I stopped playing to watch tv and it was nice that I didn't hear the motor the whole time.

Avatars aren't bad, but I'd like a little more diversity. My avatar pic is still my old Darth Maul, though.

I don't have netflix, so I haven't tried that yet.

I think I may need a bigger harddrive, though, since I just have my original 12gig.

I thought the same thing about my hard drive, so tomorrow I'm getting rid of my 360, PS3 and a shitload of games to get the Elite with the bigger hard drive.

[KnoxHarrington]

I tried out the Netflix thing. It works great on my system, the videos are completely DVD quality.

One problem, though, is that just because a DVD is available for instant viewing, that doesn't mean that it'll be available via Xbox. A couple of the on-demand DVD's in my queue were not available to play on Xbox.

[celery]

The look and feel is lightyears ahead of the old one. Absolutely puts PSN to shame (the old version did, actually).

I've got a wimpy 20 gb hard drive, so I doubt I'll be able installing many games on it. The Avatars are neat - but will look out of place in just about any popular 360 game.

Overall, it looks fantastic, but it's probably not much more useful.

[KnoxHarrington]

The look and feel is lightyears ahead of the old one. Absolutely puts PSN to shame (the old version did, actually).

I've got a wimpy 20 gb hard drive, so I doubt I'll be able installing many games on it. The Avatars are neat - but will look out of place in just about any popular 360 game.

Overall, it looks fantastic, but it's probably not much more useful.

The avatars are an odd choice for a system whose reputation is largely built on FPS's and/or RPG's. They work for Wii, because that's kind of the cute n' cuddly video game system, but XBox has always positioned itself more as the one for hardcore gamers.

So you'd think there'd be some more badass ones for FPS enthusiasts. Oh well.

[Reynolds]

I thought the same thing about my hard drive, so tomorrow I'm getting rid of my 360, PS3 and a shitload of games to get the Elite with the bigger hard drive.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/150970/upgrade_your_xbox_360s_hard_drive_on_the_cheap.htm l

[angrymissy]

This is all sneaky bullshit to make us want to buy an upgraded hard drive.

Has anyone actually upgraded it with a regular hard drive like in that link? I don't want to throw MS $200 for a fucking hard drive.

[BMoses]

I tried out the Netflix thing. It works great on my system, the videos are completely DVD quality.

One problem, though, is that just because a DVD is available for instant viewing, that doesn't mean that it'll be available via Xbox. A couple of the on-demand DVD's in my queue were not available to play on Xbox.

I have already watched a couple of movies through netflix and it is great. You can rewind/fast forward with ease. The title selection isn't the greatest but out of the 50 movies in my regular queue I can watch 15 through Xbox.

[KingGeno]

One problem, though, is that just because a DVD is available for instant viewing, that doesn't mean that it'll be available via Xbox. A couple of the on-demand DVD's in my queue were not available to play on Xbox.

Sony Columbia movies are now prohibited from being watched on Netflix through Xbox Live. Sony dropped that bomb on Tuesday.

The install feature is totally excellent. Totally cuts load times, specially for Lost Odyssey and Mirror's Edge.

Warning: Some games are having problems with the Hard Drive install feature. Some will never work. Here is a good example! (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/19/bungie-just-say-no-to-nxe-install-of-halo-3/)

[angrymissy]

One new feature I like is how you can buy things from the Marketplace online, and then just D/L it next time you sign into your live account

[dryerdoor]

I do like the party chat. Also, there is going to be a function on the NXE, that if every person in a party can watch the same movie (like a viewing party), if they have Netflix.

[JustJon]

120gb is $150 from MS. 60 for $100. Elite is $400.

If I use the hack to do the HD thing, can I copy my save games and whatnot to the new HD or do I need to get the MS tool or whatever it was to do it.

[angrymissy]

Yeah, I don't want to give them any more cash. My last 360 RROD with drive failure right when it went out of warranty. They wanted $200 or something BS like that to fix it, so we bought ANOTHER one. Would have bought the fucking elite then if I knew about this.

Maybe you can back your shit up to a memory card then move it to the new drive?

[JustJon]

Yeah, I don't want to give them any more cash. My last 360 RROD with drive failure right when it went out of warranty. They wanted $200 or something BS like that to fix it, so we bought ANOTHER one. Would have bought the fucking elite then if I knew about this.

Maybe you can back your shit up to a memory card then move it to the new drive?

But then you need to buy a memory card, which I don't want to do. The MS HD comes with a "transfer kit" but I don't know what that involves.

[KingGeno]

But then you need to buy a memory card, which I don't want to do. The MS HD comes with a "transfer kit" but I don't know what that involves.

It's very very easy. You plug this thing in, launch software from a DVD, and then it prompts you when to connect your new hard drive, old hard drive, etc. I got mine for free back in the day.

More info: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/console/datamigration.htm

[HBox]

Why do the avatars stand there like they are a bunch of queermos?

And do they have any other use than to stand there like queermos?

[KingGeno]

I was playing Uno last night. An ew update is posted once you launch the game, that includes you avatars standing on the screen while playing. So instead of your avatar, it is standing htere and moving and showing emotion.

Kinda bothered me, so I shut the option off. My avatar was making all of these queer ass faces and motions when angry, sad, and happy. Got on my nerves.

[Fallon]

I watched season one of The Office through the Netflix add on and it worked great. Also the Windows Media Center is way better, it'll play any video I have on my computer. I used to have problems before.

[angrymissy]

I was playing Uno last night. An ew update is posted once you launch the game, that includes you avatars standing on the screen while playing. So instead of your avatar, it is standing htere and moving and showing emotion.

Kinda bothered me, so I shut the option off. My avatar was making all of these queer ass faces and motions when angry, sad, and happy. Got on my nerves.

I'm scared of UNO. I hear people have naked xboxcam UNO sex on there

[JustJon]

I'm scared of UNO. I hear people have naked xboxcam UNO sex on there

That usually happens in the "player games," which is why I stick to the Ranked Games. Rarely people on cams.

[celery]

Why do the avatars stand there like they are a bunch of queermos?

And do they have any other use than to stand there like queermos?

When you're editing, if you move the right stick around, he'll wave his head around. Push it in and he'll belch.

Here's mine:

<embed src="http://card.mygamercard.net/cozinatorX.swf"type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="198" height="135"></embed>

[celery]

http://www.pcworld.com/article/150970/upgrade_your_xbox_360s_hard_drive_on_the_cheap.htm l

Has anyone done this? Seems like a lot of work to save $50 or so. I've heard Circuit City has the 120 gig drives for $99 if you can find one. Here's a CAG thread about that:

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204145

[Reynolds]

Has anyone done this? Seems like a lot of work to save $50 or so. I've heard Circuit City has the 120 gig drives for $99 if you can find one. Here's a CAG thread about that:

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204145

You can find 500 gig drives for 100-150.

I guess if you're big into the marketplace downloads it would be worth it.

Wish they'd just put that usb input to good use and allow external hard drives.

[celery]

You can find 500 gig drives for 100-150.

I guess if you're big into the marketplace downloads it would be worth it.

Wish they'd just put that usb input to good use and allow external hard drives.

That tutorial is written for a specific 120 gig drive, so that's why I'd be concerned about using another unless I had more info.

This hack is designed to work with a specific drive, the 120GB Western Digital Scorpio, model number WDGWD1200BEVS. You'll be replacing the drive's native firmware with Xbox-recognized firmware. You can track down the firmware online by doing a search for "hddss.bin 120 Xbox 360." Place the hddss.bin file in the root of your DOS thumb drive.

[Goatweed]

It's very very easy. You plug this thing in, launch software from a DVD, and then it prompts you when to connect your new hard drive, old hard drive, etc. I got mine for free back in the day.

More info: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/console/datamigration.htmsuppose I have $$ to burn & I grab a 120 G drive with the kit...once I transfer the old files to the new drive, are they physically moved or just copied? Also, can I still use the old drive by swapping? I was thinking of picking up Rock Band and Im guessing the tracks you download take up space, so I thought I'd upgrade to a 120 G drive for my normal stuff then use the older 20 G drive as my personal Rock Band track-save drive.

But yea I really wish they'd enable standard external drive functionality - if they did, the console would be a LOT better IMO.

[KingGeno]

One time swap. It will pull your info over to the new hard drive, and then format the old one. It cannot be moved off of the new hard drive. I'm not sure about the transfer of files from one 120GB to another 120GB.

[angrymissy]

But yea I really wish they'd enable standard external drive functionality - if they did, the console would be a LOT better IMO.

Yes, but then MS can't rape you for overpriced accessories. $99 wireless adapter my ass.

[angrymissy]

I have the hard drive from my old 360. I'm going to test out this hard drive swap deal on it, worth a shot.

[KingGeno]

It works, and then you can go to the other link at the link I provided above to transfer and renew licenses on games and other things purchased from Xbox Live.

And that $99 wireless adapter? I agree, it is complete bullshit to charge that much.

[celery]

Yes, but then MS can't rape you for overpriced accessories. $99 wireless adapter my ass.

Yeah, and mine drops connections all the time.

People bitch about Sony, but they got a lot of the little stuff right this time by going with standards. I like that I can just use any Bluetooth headset, or drop in a standard SATA hard drive right in and it goes. Most USB webcams will even work. They saved the raping to selling us overpriced Blu Ray discs.

[celery]

You can find 500 gig drives for 100-150.

I guess if you're big into the marketplace downloads it would be worth it.

Wish they'd just put that usb input to good use and allow external hard drives.

Yeah, from what I'm reading, the 360 won't recognize a drive larger than 120 gig..

[Reynolds]

Now all of the sudden one of my computers wont stream videos anymore. The other one is fine. It shows the folders, but then just times out when trying to get a list of avi's in the folder.

[Goatweed]

One time swap. It will pull your info over to the new hard drive, and then format the old one. It cannot be moved off of the new hard drive. I'm not sure about the transfer of files from one 120GB to another 120GB.that's fine, if I moved stuff from the smaller drive to the larger drive it would be a permanent move - I would just hate to be stuck with a drive that I can;t use, so I'd want to use it for say Rock Band downloads only, etc.

[Goatweed]

Yes, but then MS can't rape you for overpriced accessories. $99 wireless adapter my ass.I heard their adapter is shit, and when I got my console I was hardwired (still am, even though I'm wireless in the house now).