Reader Comments (69)
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 3:48PM The Blank Mage Returns said
For the record, should we care?
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:09PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said
I care since that's pretty much all I use my xbox for since playing everything worth while on the 360 and nothing other than ME2 and MW2 pique my interest.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 3:49PM latin trident said
Man I can't wait to try this. AT&T still hasn't connected my internet for 2 weeks now!!! arghhhh
*blood vessels strain*
*blood vessels strain*
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 8:21PM (Unverified) said
mhm fuck iphones until they get better service!
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 3:50PM Cap Morgan said
So you can be in a room by yourself and express love?
Hmmm
Hmmm
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 3:51PM DigitalChicanery said
Is the performance being improved as well? I've yet to be able to watch a movie due to lousy netflix performance (keeps resetting resolution until it's unwatchable) - I have no trouble with streaming speeds for anything else.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:41PM SpartacusMagnus said
I had this problem as well. It actually isn't 100% Netflix' fault though. For me, I was using wi-fi and my router kept bogging down. I also had Cox cable with their speed burst tech, which started Netflix at a high rate which it couldn't maintain and then would slow down after a minute or two.
Long story short, check your router settings first. A cheap wireless router can be your problem. I bypassed the issue by going wired. I've never had a problem since. I later upgraded my wireless router to a LinkSys WRT54G series with DDWRT firmware (arguably one the most stable router/firmware combos on the market). That helped my laptops considerably, but I still prefer wired for anything beyond casual internet browsing. I have a 360, PS3 and Dish receiver all hooked up via cat5. It's cheap, it's stable and it's not nearly as difficult as people make it out to be.
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Long story short, check your router settings first. A cheap wireless router can be your problem. I bypassed the issue by going wired. I've never had a problem since. I later upgraded my wireless router to a LinkSys WRT54G series with DDWRT firmware (arguably one the most stable router/firmware combos on the market). That helped my laptops considerably, but I still prefer wired for anything beyond casual internet browsing. I have a 360, PS3 and Dish receiver all hooked up via cat5. It's cheap, it's stable and it's not nearly as difficult as people make it out to be.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 3:56PM jagowar said
Id like to know if the performance was improved.... supposedly this update brought smooth streaming to netflix (no more rebuffering screens).
also from what kotaku saw it was only the starz releases that were not party capable.
also from what kotaku saw it was only the starz releases that were not party capable.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:01PM MGarvey said
It's about damn time! I hate having go to their website to add movies to my instant queue just to watch them off of my 360. That should've been there on day 1!
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:11PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said
It wasn't that big of a deal for me, but this is an improvement that I will seriously enjoy.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:05PM arsohn said
If I was able to see that screenshot well enough, and it shows an avatar smoking..
I'm calling it right now, somebody somewhere is going to get up in arms about it and you will see a story about it somewhere...
I'm calling it right now, somebody somewhere is going to get up in arms about it and you will see a story about it somewhere...
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:18PM Mouthsmasher said
According to the following, I though that Avatars weren't allowed to use tobacco, but maybe for some odd reason, it only applies to XNA games.
http://xbox.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/making-an-xna-game-dont-maim-the-poor-avatars/
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http://xbox.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/making-an-xna-game-dont-maim-the-poor-avatars/
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:24PM SuperDunner said
Actually, the screenshot in question does not feature tobacco or smoking. It's actually a storm cloud, because the Avatar is emoting anger. No controversy here.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:06PM (Unverified) said
How about some in-game dash performance improvements? It takes forever to respond to a message, let alone send one to the player you just played with.
It really shouldn't take more than ten seconds (preferably much less) to go through the entire process from the time you hit the guide button to the time you're back playing the game (especially with a short message such as "gg").
It really shouldn't take more than ten seconds (preferably much less) to go through the entire process from the time you hit the guide button to the time you're back playing the game (especially with a short message such as "gg").
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:07PM (Unverified) said
In their quest to improve this application, they still haven't addressed the main problem.
It doesn't work anywhere OTHER than the USA!
Just like the Last.fm app... fucking useless.
Wake me up when they add some features that Canadians and the rest of the world can use.
It doesn't work anywhere OTHER than the USA!
Just like the Last.fm app... fucking useless.
Wake me up when they add some features that Canadians and the rest of the world can use.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:25PM Cap Morgan said
"Last.fm actually also works in the UK."
Looks like someone's country shouldn't have left the motherland hmmm?
J/K
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Looks like someone's country shouldn't have left the motherland hmmm?
J/K
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 5:32PM Saria the Cat said
Isn't Netflix only available in the U.S. period? How would you use an app that requires a subscription membership to something that isn't available in your country in the first place?
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:07PM (Unverified) said
Cool. I'm glad that I'll be able to surf for movies. I like that people will be able to see what I'm watching. I just hope the streaming gets better and that a new "rewind" & "fast forward" system is utilized.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:13PM Mouthsmasher said
I think the idea of somebody and their friends all at their own homes sitting down to their xbox with headsets on so they can watch a movie "together" is the most rediculous thing I've ever heard of. Watching a movie with others who are actually IN the same room already isn't exactly the most social activity around anyways. I think I'd be embarrased to send a 'watch a movie together over xbox live' invite to a friend.
Despite the emberassing fact that our lives have become so virtual that we're now watching movies over the internet together, I have to admit I kinda want to try it out.
Despite the emberassing fact that our lives have become so virtual that we're now watching movies over the internet together, I have to admit I kinda want to try it out.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:34PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said
Yeah, the group party thing is the lamest "feature" if you can call it that in this update. When I wanna watch a movie with my friends I invite them over, order pizza and have a good time. I already don't see enough of them with work, school, and the gym so Party Mode is just plain dumb. Unless you're underage and grounded who in their right mind be happy to use this.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:49PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said
@ben
Isn't the theater in Home just to watch commercials?
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Isn't the theater in Home just to watch commercials?
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 5:01PM (Unverified) said
That's right, the party group thing is incredibly lame. The military moved me to the other side of the country, away from my friends and family. My need to spend time with them virtually, be it playing games our watching our favorite movies together, is the lamest thing I've ever heard of. I should just have them pay for airline tickets to come out here any time I want to watch a movie with them.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 5:40PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said
@Will
It is lame, and guess what you're not the only who lives away from their family. I play online with my brother when I can, but I have this thing to keep in touch that you might have heard off its called a "phone". I know not everyone knows what these gizmos, but trust me they're a lot more effective when wanting to keep in touch.
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It is lame, and guess what you're not the only who lives away from their family. I play online with my brother when I can, but I have this thing to keep in touch that you might have heard off its called a "phone". I know not everyone knows what these gizmos, but trust me they're a lot more effective when wanting to keep in touch.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 5:58PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said
@Vidikron
If you consider doing things in a "virtual" setting as "doing" something with your friends and family, then you need to get off you're computer, open your door and say hi to your family.
Its lame, that you may once in a blue moon use it doesn't change the fact its lame and you're not really doing anything you can't do over the phone.
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If you consider doing things in a "virtual" setting as "doing" something with your friends and family, then you need to get off you're computer, open your door and say hi to your family.
Its lame, that you may once in a blue moon use it doesn't change the fact its lame and you're not really doing anything you can't do over the phone.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 6:01PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said
This is hilarious, my first comment gets down voted when I'm propagating to spend actual time with family and friends face to face instead of this lame virtual party to watch a movie.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 6:36PM brad77 said
No. You're getting downvoted because people don't agree that the party system is only for the underage and grounded. You're also implying that they are dumb, and people don't like that.
Trust me. I know people well enough to over generalize what they're thinking.
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Trust me. I know people well enough to over generalize what they're thinking.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 6:40PM Saria the Cat said
@roger: That's all well and good when you CAN go and see your friends and family easily. My boyfriend is moving to another state soon and I am REALLY glad that I'll still be able to enjoy watching Netflix with him like we've been doing so far at home. If anything, this feature is the most important to have happened for a lot of people.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 7:19PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said
@Saria the Cat
I guess you failed to see that I don't live near my family, and as for friends people make them no matter where they move to since I have lived in 3 countries and 4 different states I know something on the matter. As for having a significant other that's away, you use a phone since its cheap, easy and the most immediate response with no planning needed. Once the novelty wears off you'll go back to using the phone because humans want immediate satisfaction and the phone offers that over a virtual movie night. I've had long distance relationships while away at school and believe me a virtual movie isn't much to keep in touch. I said some will use this once in a blue moon, but this in no way something major.
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I guess you failed to see that I don't live near my family, and as for friends people make them no matter where they move to since I have lived in 3 countries and 4 different states I know something on the matter. As for having a significant other that's away, you use a phone since its cheap, easy and the most immediate response with no planning needed. Once the novelty wears off you'll go back to using the phone because humans want immediate satisfaction and the phone offers that over a virtual movie night. I've had long distance relationships while away at school and believe me a virtual movie isn't much to keep in touch. I said some will use this once in a blue moon, but this in no way something major.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 7:48PM Saria the Cat said
@roger: You're all over the place, man. You said this:
"If you consider doing things in a "virtual" setting as "doing" something with your friends and family, then you need to get off you're computer, open your door and say hi to your family"
But now you're talking about how you can't see your family either so phone is somehow just as good or at least better than using features like this. How is speaking to someone over the phone any less "virtual" than speaking to someone over a headset online? Have you heard of Skype? Why is using the phone any more "real life" than any other video chat service?
This Netflix service is one more way to spend time with someone who you miss or care about. It doesn't have to replace any other methods like the phone. You seriously think people are suggesting that they're going to cancel their phone plans 'cause now Netflix is in town? There is nothing wrong with having more ways to feel like you are spending time with someone you can't physically be with at the moment.
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"If you consider doing things in a "virtual" setting as "doing" something with your friends and family, then you need to get off you're computer, open your door and say hi to your family"
But now you're talking about how you can't see your family either so phone is somehow just as good or at least better than using features like this. How is speaking to someone over the phone any less "virtual" than speaking to someone over a headset online? Have you heard of Skype? Why is using the phone any more "real life" than any other video chat service?
This Netflix service is one more way to spend time with someone who you miss or care about. It doesn't have to replace any other methods like the phone. You seriously think people are suggesting that they're going to cancel their phone plans 'cause now Netflix is in town? There is nothing wrong with having more ways to feel like you are spending time with someone you can't physically be with at the moment.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 9:39PM Vidikron said
@Roger
Why the hell do you continue to argue as if you can only use the phone or another activity like one of the Netflix parties? Your entire point seems predicated on that and is thus completely worthless. Is it not entirely possible to do both? Say, for example, you've been on the phone for 30 minutes and are tired of holding the phone or your cell phone battery is dying so you say, "Hey, lets get off the phone and meet on Live to watch a movie". Is that really so crazy?
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Why the hell do you continue to argue as if you can only use the phone or another activity like one of the Netflix parties? Your entire point seems predicated on that and is thus completely worthless. Is it not entirely possible to do both? Say, for example, you've been on the phone for 30 minutes and are tired of holding the phone or your cell phone battery is dying so you say, "Hey, lets get off the phone and meet on Live to watch a movie". Is that really so crazy?
Posted: Jul 25th 2009 7:14PM Krantzstone said
I've wanted something like this for a long time, mostly because my parents are in Japan and it would be cool to be able to watch a movie online with them at the same time, and explain things to them that they might not understand or laugh together with them through funny moments in the flick.
Or alternatively, I could virtually MST3K films with my geographically-disparate friends. ;)
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Or alternatively, I could virtually MST3K films with my geographically-disparate friends. ;)
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:13PM Wickerman22 said
I wonder why the one movie shown, The Iron Giant, shows up as "This can't be watched as a party."
Just curious as to what the criteria would be for something like that.
Just curious as to what the criteria would be for something like that.
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:22PM WiNGSPANTT from TopTierTacticsco said
Probably licensing agreements.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 5:30PM Mouthsmasher said
I actually just watched The Iron Giant the other night. It's a true classic in my book, and I wonder why it was only rated 2 1/2 stars in the screenshot.
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Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:13PM Tre said
Double-N XE?
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:19PM FredMC said
I don't care about Party views and ratings, just let me always get a high def stream....yes I can wait a few extra minutes to buffer!
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:20PM seamonkey420 said
wait.. i thought all of you xbox users got your xboxs' for gaming? hehe.
na, i'm still sad that sony hasn't gotten a deal worked out w/Netflix to get this on the ps3.
looks like a nice update for the 360's Neftlix!
na, i'm still sad that sony hasn't gotten a deal worked out w/Netflix to get this on the ps3.
looks like a nice update for the 360's Neftlix!
Posted: Jul 24th 2009 4:31PM (Unverified) said
I can't wait. Sadly I have been running out of TV series to watch to stream on it. Hopefully netflix will add some more but that really isn't microsofts fault.
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