Xbox 360 Fall Update tomorrow, 85+ tweaks included
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Oct 30th 2006 at 12:55PM }
We called it! Microsoft has confirmed the worldwide street date for the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard Update: tomorrow, October 31. The update will incorporate roughly 85 changes (down from Spring's 125 features and fixes), most notably:- 1080p output
- HD-DVD support
- XNA functionality
- WMV compatibility (streamed from PC; or read from discs or USB storage devices)
- Auto-downloads for new Arcade demos
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
KineticOnline @ Oct 30th 2006 1:07PM
Its only 85 if you dont see the repeating features (hd-dvd added 3 times etc)
Still some nice changes
John Chamard @ Oct 30th 2006 1:04PM
This is great news, but unless I have an account I'm out of luck. Yeah, I'm a noob.
Thatnerdyguy @ Oct 30th 2006 1:05PM
MS will never, NEVER, support Xvid or Divx, or any other video compression beyond their own. It is simply not in their corporate interest to do so.
James Hare @ Oct 30th 2006 3:58PM
Looks like I'm gonna be converting videos all night...
Journal Fan @ Oct 30th 2006 1:08PM
Anyone have a copy of the full list of changes? That link is blocked here in the office.
Kendrick @ Oct 30th 2006 1:09PM
Unless I missed it on the listed items, there's no backward compatibility changes as part of this update. Anybody know when the next emulator patch is due?
crono141 @ Oct 30th 2006 1:10PM
"Anyone have a copy of the full list of changes? That link is blocked here in the office."
Here's a crazy trick I use. Go to altavista babelfish (if you can), put in the site you want to see, and translate from chinese to english. Since there is no chinese, it acts as a proxy server and gets around your work blockage.
tcc3 @ Oct 30th 2006 1:11PM
I hope they fixed dynamic disk support for streaming Media Center. That maybe a limitation of media center though, Im not sure.
Journal Fan @ Oct 30th 2006 1:13PM
crono141: Yeah, I used to be able to do that, but that's now been blocked in my office as well. :(
Vedesh @ Oct 30th 2006 1:13PM
To number 4
Complete Dashboard Update Feature List
New Features
HD 1080p video mode support over VGA and component cables.
Xbox 360™ HD DVD Player support.
Stream WMV video from a Windows PC running Windows Media Player 11, Zune software, or Windows Media Connect.
Play video from storage devices such as USB flash drives, Xbox 360 Memory Units, etc.
Play video from CD or DVD data discs.
Xbox 360 Wireless Headset support, including battery level indicator in the Xbox Guide.
Video support for 50 Hz HDTV modes (DVD and HD DVD only).
Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel support.
Set up automatic downloads of newly released Xbox Live Arcade trial games.
Support for upcoming release of XNA Game Studio Express (separate download and subscription required.)
Stream music, pictures and video from a Zune device.
Xbox Live Arcade
Lightning-fast enumeration and listing of all Xbox Live® Arcade games on the console.
Find games quickly with two new sort options: Recently Played and By Category.
Have all new Xbox Live Arcade games at the ready with auto downloads. Auto downloads optionally adds newly released trial versions of games to active downloads when you enter Xbox Live Arcade.
View full achievement info in Xbox Live Arcade, including icons, achievement point details, and descriptions.
Friends leaderboard: Compare yourself with friends and view leaderboard details right from the Xbox dashboard.
Tell a friend: Send a message to a friend about your newest favorite Xbox Live Arcade game.
DVD Player
Optionally disable notifications from Xbox Live while watching DVD movies.
Improved support for audio streams on incorrectly authored DVDs.
Better handling of unreadable discs.
Updated count-down timer.
HD DVD player support.
Added zoom support for non-anamorphic content.
Added support to Family Settings to block Unrated Content
Video Player
Improved support for extended all black scenes in WMV content.
Added support for Windows Media Video 9 Advanced profile video.
Screen saver now becomes active when videos are paused.
Now shares UI and player controls with DVD player.
Improved video playback while downloading from Xbox Live.
Added skip controls (forward approx. 30 seconds, back approx. 7 seconds).
Improved messaging around unplayable video content.
Added time elapsed and time remaining displays.
Improved playback of high bit-rate HD content on fragmented hard drives.
Improved visual quality of video playback.
Added selectable display modes: default and letterbox zoom.
Localization
New locale setting for China
Improved German translations in console settings.
Improved German translations in memory area.
Improved Japanese translations in Family Settings.
Added localized text for all supported languages in pictures area
Improved Spanish translations in camera effects.
Improved locale-specific decimal denominators.
Added localization support for title menu and main menu in the DVD player.
Added localization support for “Attempting to Read Media” system message.
Memory Area
Added support for Xbox 360 HD DVD Player content..
Added new page for viewing content size by category.
Other System Improvements
Updated support for new Daylight Savings changes coming in 2007.
Improved support for games to better handle host migration in multi-player matches.
Improved Xbox Live Vision camera support for changing room lighting while zooming.
Background downloaded videos appear in video area
Improved Xbox Live Vision camera support while using VGA.
Playing photo slideshows from PC now maintains picture folder hierarchy.
Improved user experience when playing and deleting videos from the Games or Media areas.
Improved handling of invalid characters during Xbox Live signup.
Better handling of watermarks in gamer cards.
Improved text for Windows Media Connect..
Improved UI performance in Media Center Extender
Improved connection support for Buffalo WZR-G108 wireless router when using Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter.
Redownload of deleted Arcade Games no longer re-enumerates all games on the Arcade page.
Improved visual display of text in themes.
Improved support for CD playback after signing up for Xbox Live and losing network connectivity.
Improved support for long names of items memory area.
Improved handling of gamer pictures downloaded from Xbox Live.
Improved background download notifications when downloading many small items from Xbox Live.
Improved support for custom backgrounds after returning to the Xbox Dashboard from the Account Management area.
Improved network reliability between Windows Media Center Extender on Windows Vista and Xbox 360 consoles using Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter.
Improved voice chat quality in Xbox Dashboard and in-game chats.
Improved messaging when failing to connect to Windows Media Center Extender.
Improved USB keyboard support when using a USB hub.
Improved consistency of user experience when deleting various types of content.
Improved handling of low storage space for background downloads.
Improved handling of Picture streaming from attached Digital Cameras over MTP protocol
Improved error messaging for optional iPod support download when storage devices are full.
Improved handling of multi-key repeating for USB keyboards.
Expanded Family Settings to include support for blocking unrated DVDs and videos.
Added ability to clear space from storage devices in download areas.
Added support for low-speed and full-speed USB keyboards.
Improved CapsLock behavior for USB keyboards.
Improved look and feel in Xbox Live Marketplace and Xbox Live Arcade areas.
Added redeem code option to Xbox Live signup.
Removed system message at the start of new downloads. Messages will be displayed for completed items.
Added support for CCV credit card validation field in Xbox Live Marketplace purchase areas.
Updated “More Information” instructions in the Xbox Dashboard for connecting an Xbox 360 console to a Windows PC to stream digital media content.
Added auto-scroll to long text descriptions in Xbox Dashboard UI.
Improved support for DVD insertion while playing a video file.
ViEt pRiDe @ Oct 30th 2006 1:14PM
no xvid/divx playback... thats too bad, luckily it looks like Ps3 will pick up the slack here. I guess it was too good to be true when it was rumoured.... as an aside, LOL @ WMV playback. What a useless feature, who the hell cares about that? Its just as useless as PS3 playing ATRAC.
Tucker @ Oct 30th 2006 1:14PM
I'll be quite interested to see if the unit does a better job scaling that content to 1080p than my TV's built-in scaler. I have no complaints as-is, but I'm certainly not opposed to any improvements in quality.
KurtM @ Oct 30th 2006 1:18PM
What about those of us who live in the country, and have no hi-speed inernet available? Will new games come with the updates implanted? This sucks.
Journal Fan @ Oct 30th 2006 1:19PM
Cheers, thanks Vedesh!
Matt @ Oct 30th 2006 1:21PM
The one thing that I want changed is to have the ability to reset my current 360 as the primary console for all of my Live Arcade games. Since Microsoft sent me a refurb unit, my Live Arcade games only play when logged in on the gamertag that they were purchased with.
Anthony @ Oct 30th 2006 1:23PM
KurtM:
I read that the update will be included in the next issue of OXM. Sure, it'll cost you, but its not too much $$ for a mag, some demos, and 1080p support.
KineticOnline @ Oct 30th 2006 1:26PM
@KurtM
Im not sure about the game but it should be in next months editions of the official magazines
Duscrom @ Oct 30th 2006 1:25PM
"Improved look and feel in Xbox Live Marketplace and Xbox Live Arcade areas."
It depends on what that means. It was a little annoying durring the "Bringing it home" stuff when they would release tons of content, to have to scroll all the way down, select a file, download it, press continue, then have to re-select it, then scroll all the way down again.
Would also be nice for a prettier Marketplace UI.. i have to admit, i've already been spoiled by the Playstation Network's interfaces.
and finally, to #12.... If I'm not mistaken, you have the option of downloading it from Xbox.com, burning it to a CD ROM, and installing the update like that.
rooot @ Oct 30th 2006 1:28PM
i wanted a dvd speed control (slow but silent) pfff i hate that noise
J @ Oct 30th 2006 1:31PM
I would like to see what disc I have in the drive. I hate having to eject the disc to see what is in the tray!
Corey W @ Oct 30th 2006 1:32PM
WMV, that totally sucks. Like anything cool somes in wmv or wma format. try mpg, divx, xvid, avi or even mov. oh how i long for the day when i can stream video to the 360 like i could with an modded xbox using xbox media center.
Usedtabe @ Oct 30th 2006 1:31PM
Duscrom....
Instead of clicking "continue", hit the "B" button for cancel after you que the item for DL. It'll take you right back to the previous menu. I used to have the same problem till I started doing that
cabrafeliz @ Oct 30th 2006 1:36PM
(Sigh) I'm not put off by the lack of DivX and XviD support, the argument against piracy does make some sense, although it still is kinda stupid, what bothers me is: WHY NOT SUPPORT GOOD OLD MPEG2??? WHY DOES NOBODY SEEM TO CARE??? I have a bunch of DVDs filled with videos and stuff than I'd really like to be able to put on rotation at parties and such. Really, MPEG2 is widely available, and it's just stupid not to support it, it certainly doesn't compete with WMV9, they're not in the same leage of compression!!! Who else wants MPEG2 support from CD-Rs DVD-Rs and USB drives?
Sonrics @ Oct 30th 2006 1:37PM
Something is missing in the list:
"Banning xbox360s due to finding FW hack...." ;)
Ryan @ Oct 30th 2006 1:37PM
I guess I'll still keep the old Xbox around to stream movies through XBMC.
Will anything ever match the power of XBMC?
copa @ Oct 30th 2006 1:43PM
"I'm not put off by the lack of DivX and XviD support, the argument against piracy does make some sense."
What? How would it make sense when they support MP3 playback and WMV playback?
skunkworks @ Oct 30th 2006 1:56PM
bah, still no more vga resolutions.
Erik Novak @ Oct 30th 2006 1:58PM
am I the only one that could care less about having a web browser on my game console?
DSK UK @ Oct 30th 2006 1:59PM
@ cabrafeliz
acording to MS's site, the 360 does support Mpeg2
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925916/en-us
Jason @ Oct 30th 2006 2:03PM
Obviously, the WMV support is a huge add. And for those who think Sony will support DivX, are you forgetting who was behind the CD's that phone home scandal? Need we remind you how stupid the PSP's treatment of videos is?
Can someone do a "how you convert media" post? I know Videora is out there but I'm a little sketchy on the details.
"Optionally disable notifications from Xbox Live while watching DVD movies." - This is big for me personally because my wife and kids aren't really all that interested in knowing when my friends log on.
"Improved support for extended all black scenes in WMV content." You mean I can watch the Halo 3 trailer again?!? Yay!! That little white square near the end of the trailer drove me nuts. It ruined the experience every time. And yes I know I'm a dork for saying "experience" about a video game trailer.
How about fixing the music player? The way this thing handles (or doesn't handle) playlists is just plain dumb. They should just mesh rockbox into the media player and call it a day.
Venator2000 @ Oct 30th 2006 2:04PM
Nice to see that they're already adressing the idiotic new Daylight Savings Time changes that happen next year. Stupid U.S. government! Do they realize how much technology that messes with? Watches, VCRs, etc. This isn't a farming economy anymore, so more hours of daylight means diddly-squat these days.
jharr @ Oct 30th 2006 2:05PM
Thanks Vedesh.
"Play video from storage devices such as USB flash drives, Xbox 360 Memory Units, etc."
I wonder if that means I will be able to watch movies from my iPod. That would be really nice.
Krazy Koala @ Oct 30th 2006 2:07PM
Doesn't the PS3 not support DivX either? I thought it was missinng in the PS3 support list recently released?
unimental @ Oct 30th 2006 2:10PM
I'm with you Eric - web browsing on a console is pretty low on my priority list. I can always sit a laptop down next to me if I absolutely require web service whilst I'm in front of the console.
To each his own, I suppose.
delerious @ Oct 30th 2006 2:20PM
Did you all notice that it says USB Keyboard support, or was it just me, because I noticed it?
delerious @ Oct 30th 2006 2:26PM
OOps, sorry. I did not know that the 360 had USB keyboard support already.
Excuse me.
Alex Kwok @ Oct 30th 2006 2:36PM
How about a system to select multiple things to delete at the same time? It was a hassle deleting 65 saves of Double Agent, one at a time.
Rhys Corlett @ Oct 30th 2006 2:35PM
@2. Totally agree. MS has no reason to add support for Divx or other competitor’s video formats. Just like they allow us to use WMA for audio, but not MP3 or AAC or…. Oh, wait. They do.
If they can sort out licensing issues, I’m sure we’ll see more formats added at a later date.
@11. Your kidding, right? WMA isn’t used for anything?
Most sites I visit have the option of QuickTime (which MS can’t use, apple owns it), realmedia (obviously real only lets real-player play it) and good old Windows Media (WMA). Even most *cough*adult*cough* sites have WMA as an option.
Not having DivX is an annoyance, but I’m sure you can figure out how to convert it.
@35 They improved USB keyboard support, they didn’t add it. There were issues with specific brands, and issues for anyone running a keyboard via a USB hub. Looks like MS have sorted out those issues.
Pat Cavit @ Oct 30th 2006 2:40PM
I can't even begin to understand why you would care about a browser on your console. Just because the other two are doing it doesn't magically make it a good idea that's going to work well. HD resolutions mean it'll finally be crisp enough to read, but I can't say I look forward to using a controller to move through links on pages.
Intangible 360 @ Oct 30th 2006 2:49PM
@Jason:
What you have to do to eliminate that problem with the Halo 3 announcement trailer is re-download it. They released a new version (under the same name) on marketplace that wasn't affected by the fall update ages ago ;)
ill trooper @ Oct 30th 2006 2:40PM
"Improved voice chat quality in Xbox Dashboard and in-game chats."
Cool, long needed. I'm interested in whether it's as good as the original Xbox now, that would be nice.
Wild Homes @ Oct 30th 2006 2:41PM
this update is complete ass. autodownloads for the newest trial Arcade titles? so I need to be spoonfed twenty year old content, now? yay! where is the damn Xvid and DivX support, PLEASE! it's like Microsoft just WANT Media Center to bomb. and it's not like you can only use the codecs for pirated material. I actually archive my OTA HD broadcasts in Xvid, and I'd like to be able to actually watch them on the projector conveniently instead of having to haul the PC's ass next to it.
they came so close to not actually screwing the pooch. now all the whiners who didn't actually shell out for Media Center can stream video using Connect or WMP11 but no-one can stream the content we actually wanted.
what fucking garbage.
although did anyone notice it states directly 1080P VIDEO SUPPORT OVER COMPONENT? (not just VGA?)
Wild Homes @ Oct 30th 2006 2:44PM
PS while you can convert the video using Videora, it isn't lossless, which sucks. and Transcode isn't much better. I like Microsoft but this is stupid.
Lefty @ Oct 30th 2006 2:46PM
Wild Homes
if you use media center to stream you hd tv ax xvid download transcode 360. this program on the fly will convert the file to the right file type to be played. this i have for months used to watch unsupported video files. and it takes seconds for videos to start playing. check it out. might help ya out if your using media center
and yes being able to watch a video with out having to startup meida center is a blast now. good move ms.
Lefty @ Oct 30th 2006 2:47PM
sprry did not see your second post
sorry you feel that way i love transcode 360
Zack11190 @ Oct 30th 2006 2:50PM
Still doesn't look like there will be a way to stream videos from a Mac to 360. :(
Evan @ Oct 30th 2006 3:23PM
@10. "I'll be quite interested to see if the unit does a better job scaling that content to 1080p than my TV's built-in scaler."
Don't hold your breath. As per CSS regulations, manufacturers are NOT PERMITTED to upconvert DVD video over component. Microsoft may scale video over VGA, but they are REQUIRED to change to 480i or 480P when playing DVD video over component cables.
Very few upconverting DVD players upconvert over component out-of-the-box for this reason. However, there are hacks for some players that enable upconversion over component (just like there are hacks for making DVD players region-free).
More info:
http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/06/20/ask-hd-beat-dvd-upconverting-over-component/
Rhys Corlett @ Oct 30th 2006 3:36PM
I’m not sure why people thought that there might be an Internet update when both Major Nelson and Peter Moore both explicitly stated that there will be no browser addition, and they both consider it a waste of time. Unless there is epic consumer support of the PS3 and Wii browsers, don’t expect MS to even consider adding one of their own.
I agree with the Major and Peter that web on my gaming console is a waste of my time. I would be interested in Live RSS Feed support, but I’d rather have my Xbox dedicated to running games.
@45
Most interesting comments ever.
I wonder how many MAC users out there are annoyed at not being able to share media. I never even considered that before now. While it’s obvious why MS would only support Windows, I can’t see why it’d be hard to communicate with the MAC OS.
Is the MAC able to run Media Player 11? If so, would that allow you to share data?
Matt @ Oct 30th 2006 3:34PM
Until they announce plans for a digital out, the 1080p output is just noise. The only displays that I can think of that accept 1080p over component are 7, 8, or 9 inch CRT analog projectors. And, let me tell you, the xbox 360 demographic doesn't overlap much with the owners of old school Sony projectors.
Makes me consider running my 360 over VGA if I get a 1080p TV. Hmm....
unimental @ Oct 30th 2006 3:54PM
@ 48 - I'm one of those Mac users, but I'm not terribly annoyed. Streaming video would be a fun trick from my PowerMac, but I'll stick with running it off my XP laptop. MS stopped support for Mac with MP 9 or 10, similar to ending updates for IE (such a loss that was!).
Also, I think that adding RSS abilities, if done well, would be 100% more useful than a stinkin' browser.