Rumor: background downloading for Xbox Live this month
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ May 18th 2006 at 2:55PM }
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Boris Schneider, Xbox Germany's senior product manager, has allegedly confirmed (via Xbox Archiv) that an impending Xbox Live dashboard update will install a background downloading feature. In addition, users will be able to queue up to six content items, which will download sequentially (not simultaneously). Downloads will pause during online play sessions and while the console is powered off.Other features included in the dashboard update were not detailed. Schneider also confirmed that the update would be released by the end of the month.
[Thanks, SickNic]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Danno @ May 18th 2006 2:57PM
Sweet Baby Jesus YES.
Now if only they could add a way to schedule downloads from xbox.com I'd be in heaven.
patrick @ May 18th 2006 2:58PM
good. that's something that, imo, the dashboard/360 was seriously lacking.
i'm all for this entire industry seperating itself from physical media. i vote no hd-dvd drives or blu-ray, instead give us 500 gig perpendicular hard drives and a constant connection to the net so that i dont have to worry about scratching my games or losing the disk.
and this is one tiny step closer.
aceattorney @ May 18th 2006 3:00PM
Finally! That is so awesome that MS listens and answers its community...
Tom @ May 18th 2006 3:02PM
finally, I will not have to monopolize all my precious gaming time with downloading! Why they didn't have this in the first place is the real question.
Tom @ May 18th 2006 3:17PM
this is truly welcome new,now if we can only get what I know we al REALLY want....a mouse /keyboard combo! Oh my lord ,wouldn't that be sweet
Mark @ May 18th 2006 3:18PM
When will we be able to access the xbox guide from backwards compatable games?
...That's ALL i want. i don't even care about the downloading.
Dwide Schrude @ May 18th 2006 3:20PM
Sounds like an awesome update, I just hope it's not delayed by them trying to tack on a retalliation to the firmware hack. I'm not saying they shouldn't try to stop the hack, I just hope they release this as planned and then work on battling piracy with a future dashboard update.
CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE @ May 18th 2006 3:25PM
people who say ps3 online servive will be better than 360's well ms can do updates to add a browser like ps3 if they wanted to maybe i am not sure thought it would be cool but i don't want my 360 becoming a pc though. the only thing that could make ps3's online service as good as 360's if they copy it and make it better and that there system can propaply have more players in a game for online gamine already resistance fall of man has up to 32 people but that could be to much people in one game and could get confusing but idk will see so md has nailed it
Pixelantes Anonymous @ May 18th 2006 3:27PM
"Downloads will pause during online play sessions"
So you can only "background" download while you're not doing anything (worthwhile). Wow. That's pretty cool.
Tim @ May 18th 2006 3:27PM
I dont know. I was happy with how it was really. You have to think, 600 terabytes of downloaded stuff from their servers. That didn't cost them 'sweet nothing.' The akward downloading made it so people only got what they wanted. If they'd done this before E3, and people were queueing up 6 demos they didn't even care about, who knows how much money it would cost them. And those pesky silver members aren't even ponying up the dough for it!
The last thing I want is for trailers and demos to start costing me money to offset the gargantuan costs of the servers.
But at the same time, I know Sony's method won't be akward, and they can't let them have an advantage...
Guess we'll have to wait and see what happens?
Tim @ May 18th 2006 3:36PM
10. "Downloads will pause during online play sessions"
So you can only "background" download while you're not doing anything (worthwhile). Wow. That's pretty cool.
---
Could it mean online multiplayer? Because I find Oblivion and Geometry Wars both very worthwhile. I dont need to be playing GRAW Deathmatches while I'm downloading stuff.
Will @ May 18th 2006 3:37PM
"So you can only 'background' download while you're not doing anything (worthwhile). Wow. That's pretty cool."
Or when you're playing a game offline. For me, that's about 99% of the time, so I'm happy.
Besides, if they allowed people to download while playing online, you'd be back here a week after the dashboard update bitching about bad lag had gotten due to people queueing up all sorts of downloads while playing online.
CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE @ May 18th 2006 3:38PM
i don't think has to do with this but it would be cool in sports games when online it could tell sports live and old ones i would really be pissed if they do this in the future
Jason @ May 18th 2006 3:39PM
I would expect the next major piece of functionality will be some additional structure or hierarchy for navigating the growing library of downloadable content. It's an obvious iteration, sure, but grows increasingly important as the library of available content expands.
My other hope for the background downloading is that it will also work while using the media center extender. I'm not sure exactly how that linkage operates but it would be nice to watch TV while downloading.
diggity @ May 18th 2006 3:39PM
In my opinion I believe MS has future proofed the 360. Seeing all of these updates is fantastic! I have been anticipating background downloading for sometime. This is really a great time for all of us, that are considered video game consumers. We can go to any store and buy a next gen console. The console could be a Playstation 3 and no matter what if a key feature is left out Sony or Microsoft can still have an option to provide it at a later date. So as is we can expect background downloading and I believe a new Direct TV tab. (I believe that MS announced a partnership with direct tv for the 360, but don't quote me). Now the future of gaming is really beginning for all of us. The next step.... who really knows but full on digital distrubtion may be closer than we all thought.
CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE @ May 18th 2006 3:40PM
for #13 i meant to say sports scores
CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE @ May 18th 2006 3:42PM
god i am a retard i meant to say#14
CuddleFish @ May 18th 2006 3:42PM
Now tell us when the Direct TV blade is coming.
SymetriX @ May 18th 2006 3:42PM
"So you can only 'background' download while you're not doing anything (worthwhile). Wow. That's pretty cool."
What on earth are you talking about? Would you really want to download files while you're playing online? Have you played DOA4 and thought to yourself "Man, these games are so lag free I wish I could have something to do with all this extra bandwidth".
I'm amazed that they said you could play a game at all while downloading. It would have been perfectly understandable to just allow playing Geometry Wars or watching trailers.
They are basically saying that you could hop into Project Gotham and play solo and still download, but when you play online it will pause. Then, if you decide to go back into the menu and buy a new car your download is continuing. That's incredible!
And the fact that they can "patch" this type of stuff in is really promising. I'd be shocked if there wasn't a team at Microsoft working on an Internet Explorer "patch" now that Nintendo and Sony have confirmed web browsers in their new game consoles/Blu-Ray players :-)
SickNic @ May 18th 2006 3:45PM
Great news from MS. Now lets hope they can fix the Travesty that is navigating through XBL Marketplace.
jaemz @ May 18th 2006 3:45PM
This is the best news I heard all day. Sure I would have liked everything to be included from the start, I understand the importance of getting one thing working before you add on the next feature.
Anyone have any ideas what else might be included in the update besides background downloads?
I would like to see messenger live talk with xbox live. I doubt they are ready this early to bring on their convergence.
James Sorensen @ May 18th 2006 3:47PM
thank goodness for updates to make your software good after you actually sell it as not good... but yes i hope this is true ... i hate getting a demo of 600 megs and not being able to do anythign else...
xbox discovering multitasking yay :)
CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE @ May 18th 2006 3:48PM
#19 ur right there suppose to make direct tv blade u i wot u can do with that since u have media center probably record direct tv straight onto ur hdd to record tv if u bring ur 360 over to a friends house they will probably have an update when ms makes a bigger hdd
Danno @ May 18th 2006 3:48PM
Man, I hope that if they DO put a web browser in, it's not based on IE (although, I suppose, that's not really an option, *sigh*)
patrick @ May 18th 2006 3:51PM
CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE,
hi. please stop posting and get back to english class. kthnx.
love,
pat
CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE @ May 18th 2006 3:53PM
microsoft needs to make a bigger hard drive cuz i am down to 1.3 gb's i hope they do by the end of the year
The New Revelation @ May 18th 2006 3:56PM
@patrick
Right, then you only have to worry about a catastrophic drive failure and losing everything. I'd say the average lifespace for a constantly used hard drive is 5 years or so.
As much as enjoy the convience of my modded xbox with games preloaded on the hdd, i still have those games on disc. I'd rather scratch one disc (which can be buffed out in almost all cases) and lose one game as opposed to losing -EVERYTHING-. :)
CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE @ May 18th 2006 3:57PM
#26 i don't care if i mis-spell don't put periods its just posting a comment who cares then don't read mine u retard
Christopher @ May 18th 2006 3:57PM
Ah, finally background downloads and a download queue... I was really wishing for that when I was wasting all my play time trying to download the halo3 teaser :)
A web browser would be nice, though they'd also have to add mouse support for that to really work. I can definitely imagine people using xbox360's as browser kiosk machines though. xbox360 + vga cable + keyboard/mouse + monitor and you'd have a perfect thin client for all the windows live services Microsoft is working on, and for easily under $1000.
xbox360 = windows mini? (ala mac mini)
patrick @ May 18th 2006 3:58PM
@the new revelation
thats the plus side of digital rights management! at least with videogames, if your drive fails, there is record of you paying for the game and you can re-download it!
next.
puh_fifer @ May 18th 2006 3:59PM
This is some cool shit. But will it work with arcade online since they're small and basic. If I could get my uno on while downloading it'd be hot.
And pat, I agree that cubs-bears-bulls boy should have to learn spelling and punctuation before posting online again.
patrick @ May 18th 2006 4:00PM
29. #26 i don't care if i mis-spell don't put periods its just posting a comment who cares then don't read mine u retard
Posted at 3:57PM on May 18th 2006 by CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE
hahaha ok you're right.
diggity @ May 18th 2006 4:01PM
#26 Please save the insults they are really unnecessary. CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE is just trying to help. Okay back to subject I found the article talking about Directv for the Xbox 360 on Dailytech. Link here: http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=859
Cage @ May 18th 2006 4:02PM
#10 ""Downloads will pause during online play sessions"
So you can only "background" download while you're not doing anything (worthwhile). Wow. That's pretty cool."
Gentlemen...this gamer obviously doesnt have a 360 is is trolling whatever is positive for the console. This is great news coming from MS. They are really making an excellent service. Now comments on a browser? Cmon people...you want a computer then go buy a computer.
CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE @ May 18th 2006 4:11PM
i have seen that direct tv article i just wanna know when probably when ms makes a bigger hdd to record tv to it that would be sweet
Judd @ May 18th 2006 4:13PM
I gotta agree with #4. While the six sequential downloads is pretty cool and everything, I don't know why there wasn't a background downloading feature before. It would take me over an hour to download the halo 3 trailer and I couldn't even exit that screen. And if you don't press anything on your controller for like a half hour it shuts off by itself, and then you have to download it all over again. It's about time Microsoft.
Clint @ May 18th 2006 4:16PM
Wow if they keep on it might work as good as that used iMac I gave my niece!
Mark Felps @ May 18th 2006 4:16PM
I bet MS would love to have a browser on the 360, but they are terrified to put one there. Keep in mind, the last time they got dragged before a court was over bundling a browser, and the restrictions placed on them are still in place.
Stuffing IE on their gaming platform, particularly in Europe, is likely to bring them an entire new round of accusations and lawsuits. While I'd be happy to get a browser on the system, I don't think MS can afford to take the chance of it triggering another anti-trust suit in the middle of their attempt to roll out both 360 and Vista as dominant gaming platforms.
Canadian Geese @ May 18th 2006 4:18PM
patrick is right about re-downloading games... as long as you are signed into the same account you bought the game with, you can download it again.
I think this update is much needed. This will be especially good for those of us who take full advantage of the Media Center functionality in the 360. I watch/listen to EVERYTHING through my 360, so it's always on, and I'll be a downloading fool! =)
Erzengel360 @ May 18th 2006 4:21PM
I hope they will not delay it cause of the firmware hack.
Best Regards from Germany
diggity @ May 18th 2006 4:21PM
#34
If you haven't seen this yet its a must buy! I am sure this resolves your HDD space issues and certainly will address any space needs for our upcoming background downloads and new direct tv features. Article was found on codejumkies. Link here:
http://uk.codejunkies.com/news_reviews.asp?c=GB&cr=GBP&cs=%A3&r=1&l=1&p=8&i=8989&s=8
CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE @ May 18th 2006 4:25PM
#39 thanks i have seen that before cand u buy it yet and for how much
CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE @ May 18th 2006 4:26PM
man i feel like a retard today sorry for my stupid mistacks i meant #41
CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE @ May 18th 2006 4:28PM
mistakes
Canadian Geese @ May 18th 2006 4:28PM
cubs-bears-bulls-rule... Just an FYI... Spend the $200, upgrade your Windows XP machine to MCE2005 (or wait for Vista at this point) and get a tuner card. Why turn your 360 into a DVR when you have a perfectly good DVR already: the DVR you are using to read this response.
For those of you who haven't seen the Media Center extender work and are curious about how well it works, let me tell you it works flawlessly and I've never had a single glitch ever with it. I can't stress enough how well it works (still shocked). I hardwired (cat6) my 360 and MCE2005, my buddy has it set up wirelessly, and neither of us have had a problem. My MCE is my DVR, music, movie, picture, and video hub. There is also an "online spotlight" section in Media Center that lets you browse through tons of MTV music videos, download pay-per-view movies, and even check sports scores and articles real time... all accesible through the 360.
Sorry to get off subject...
pixelate @ May 18th 2006 4:28PM
My guess is that this feature was always meant to be a part of 360's Live experience. You've probably noticed how there are little symbols/audio blips that pop up with notifications from time to time (regardless of whether you're in the Dashboard, or an actual game), like Achievements, New messages, etc. Well they've also always had a similar notification for completed downloads, which until now made no sense considering you had no choice but to stare at the download progress bar.
So chances are that it just took them a few months after launch to actually implement what they had planned. Dont' get me wrong though, I'm psyched about it.
CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE @ May 18th 2006 4:36PM
#45 i do have a tv tuner use it on my laptop and use it with my 360 and what i am saying is if they make a direct tv blade and make ur 360 into a dvr i then could bring my 360 to a friends house and watch tv recorded onto it and be burning a dvd on my media center idk if this makes any sense sry for my retardem
diggity @ May 18th 2006 4:37PM
#42,43,44 CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE. They have the device(see my post on #41 if you are wondering what we are referring to) for sale on bestbuy.com for $49.95 regretfully it's sold out.
CUBS-BEARS-BULLS-RULE @ May 18th 2006 4:44PM
diggity thanks for telling me all this i'll probably go pick one up maybe this weekend this is what i am saying i want microsoft to make a bigger hdd cuz when/if i get that one that hooks up to my computer my 360's memory will be on my computer and not my 360 when i bring to a friends house or get a new computer is that how that works and if u have tell me how it is if u want thanks again
Canadian Geese @ May 18th 2006 4:48PM
**this response does not pertain to the 360 update in the article***
chicagosports-rules:
I think that makes sense. Why don't you just burn all recorded TV onto a DVD? You would be able to play that in your 360. You touched on burning a DVD but I'm not quite sure what's holding you back, unless you are struggling with the workarounds.
Here's a link which will let you convert DVR-MS files to MPG, at which time you can easily burn it to a DVD...
http://www.download.com/DVRMSToolbox/3000-11444_4-10444368.html?tag=lst-0-1
If you want to read more about how to burn dvr-ms files, check out the following forum conversation...
http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/27692.aspxa