| Mail |

You might also like: WoW Insider, Massively, and more

More Sites You Might Like

Old Microsoft patent details gaming console with DVR functionality

by David Hinkle on Dec 29th 2011 9:00PM

Can you imagine the original Xbox 360, with its 20GB hard drive, being used as a DVR? We really can't see it working, but in January of 2007 Microsoft was down with the idea.

Patents discovered by Tom's Guide detail plans for a gaming console similar to the Xbox 360 with a "digital video recorder (DVR) application running alongside a television client component." In the alternate reality where Microsoft actually followed through with this patent, the console in question would be able to directly record content even when playing games or if "the gaming console is turned off."

Of course today the Xbox 360 can stream content in a number of ways, but does not allow for direct recording to the hard drive. Now that the ceiling for storage has been raised on the platform we'd be on board with such functionality, but if this languishing patent is any indication Microsoft is fine with the current state of things.

Via: Tom's Guide
Source: USPTO

Tags: digital-video-recorder, dvr, microsoft, patent, uspto, xbox

Reader Comments (29)

Like Torne.

@PS1

No..more like the PSX.

They more are head towards streaming via "the cloud"...I doubt we will ever see this on a Microsoft console. No matter how much people would like it. Especially since on demand video is still seriously lacking.

@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi We would all love that, but ISPs restrain us so much D:

@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi
I agree that they are heading toward the cloud for DVR-ish things, rather than storing it on the console. They already have the tech in place to do this for their conferences (you can watch developer events live, rewind or stream them in their entirety later)

A cloud-based DVR that records all content as it's played is not inconceivable. Users wouldn't even need to set a timer/channel if MS just captured everything. It would just take a lot of storage.

I'd rather be able to directly stream gameplay from a console to the internet. Vita will have that in Japan with Nico Nico app, hopefully the next Xbox or the PS4 pick up from that.

America, home of super vague patents.

If you have AT&T Uverse your 360 can be a DVR

How did everyone forget this so quickly?

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/27/rumor-360s-iptv-features-spotted-in-dashboard/

And apart from that, you can still get your 360 converted into a set-top box for U-Verse.

http://www.att.com/u-verse/explore/xbox-receiver.jsp

Guaranteed, there's catches (you can't use it as your main receiver, it probably doesn't record to the hard drive, etc.). But this is something Microsoft actually worked on but apparently stopped doing halfway through in favor of more on-demand content. It's not just some weird fantasy patent.

I remember "them" talking about this years ago. I forgot about it but I'm sure it was kind of common knowledge at one point, wasn't it? Maybe I'm thinking of something else.

@Milf Biggenson

No. Mr Hinkle was to busy adding his own twist to this news.

According to the original article from Tom's Guide, this patent relates to being able to record stuff WHILE you are gaming. And record stuff WHILE the system is turned OFF. Things that have never being done before on a console. But ofcouse, instead of reporting the news at hand, he babbles on about why this feature has not been implemented yet. Perhaps the Nextbox Mr. Hinkle? Perhaps?

Didn't the PSX from sony do this years ago?

@mrantimatter

Yep.

@mrantimatter Actually, isn't there an adapter in the European and/or Japanese markets that allow the PS3 to do this now?

@mrantimatter

No. Mr Hinkle was to busy adding his own twist to this news.

According to the original article from Tom's Guide, this patent relates to being able to record stuff WHILE you are gaming. And record stuff WHILE the system is turned OFF. Things that have never being done before on a console. But ofcouse, instead of reporting the news at hand, he babbles on about why this feature has not been implemented yet. Perhaps the Nextbox Mr. Hinkle? Perhaps?

@MaulerX
Just to mention, with PlayTV for the PS3 it is both possible to schedule recordings when the PS3 is in standby, and also to play games while recording.

@TC

That's cool. But can the PS3 do that on it's own? Do you need a third party adapter to accomplish this? Can the actual "console" do this? This is where this patent comes into play.

@MaulerX

You seem hell bent on convincing yourself that this is somehow unique. The PSX played games and recorded at the same time 8 years ago.

From the press release of the day:
5. Various recording/playback features
PSX supports various user-friendly features, such as enabling users to watch recorded content on the HDD without waiting for the recording to finish, watch recorded content on the HDD while recording another program or play games while recording programs, etc.

And it doesn't make sense to build this in when you are mass producing for multiple markets...an add on that can deal with local signal tech (Torne, PlayTV) makes more sense.

@kspraydad

And you seem hell bent in not understanding that PSX was no ordinary Playstation. It was a heavily modified system that had video inputs built in to allow for such function. In fact, it was an actual DVR with the ability to play Playstation games. That's pretty much how Wikipedia describes it.

The patent in question is a totally different method that can be done thru software and broadband. Apples to Oranges is Apples to Oranges.

I would be down with this. I'm in the market for a DVR, so it would be nice if something that I own already had that functionality. It would save me some money.

Seriously doubt they will allow this patent to languish, now when they are trying to make Xbox the central entertantment hub of all living room in america & beyond.

The old Xbox 360 media remote has a record button. I had always wondered why, until now.

@Styli As does the new one, curiously... but it's also missing an eject button, even more curiously.

@Styli

You can watch live tv and record shows with the 360's Media Center. Of course your PC must have a tv tuner, and the shows are actually recorded on the PC. But it seems they are looking to change that. I'm guessing it would be a Nextbox feature.

I think the reason this did not go through has more to do with the cable industry fighting every change to make a consumer friendly dvr available. If this was not the case I would bet Microsoft would have added this functionality.

Back when the 360 was first launched, they were advertising that, within a year or two, it'd have full DVR functionality, apps like XM Radio, YouTube, and some others.

Then that marketing quietly disappeared. Now, 6 years later, they're like, "Hey check it out! Apps! And DVR!"

Bout time, Microsoft.

This article reminds me of a feature Microsoft talked about adding years ago. The said feature was the ability to capture screen shots and capture live video footage of games played on the 360. Yes, they're are games out there that already do this but it was said that the console itself would have this feature integrated and it would work for all games played on the console.

I wanted and still want this feature badly! I love saving films from CoD, Halo 3, and Just Cause 2 (although that's a PS3 only feature and why I bought that version. Granted Just Cause 2's video was sub par quality but the. Idea quality in Halo and CoD is good. I desperately need this feature for my Battlefield games.

I'm aware the PC has programs for this. It I want this feature on my consoles.

@Kang 81

Darn iPhone always messes up the grammar in my posts. Grr!

I can totally envision the Xbox being a media hub. It started out with games, but will support all kinds of content. A DVR would be a logical option for a media hub-- and they're already doing it with AT&T's U-Verse. But long term, I'd much rather see content stored in the cloud rather than locally, but until everyone has highspeed bandwidth, a local drive option would work better.

Breaking News

Old Microsoft patent details gaming console with DVR functionality

Reader Comments (29)

Posted: Dec 29th 2011 9:20PM PS1 said

Posted: Dec 29th 2011 9:55PM kspraydad said

Posted: Dec 29th 2011 9:21PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Dec 29th 2011 9:24PM Eniko said

Posted: Dec 30th 2011 2:50AM Polymorphic Ninja said

Posted: Dec 29th 2011 9:21PM Eniko said

Posted: Dec 29th 2011 9:30PM RX3115 said

Posted: Dec 29th 2011 9:37PM EffinNinja said

Posted: Dec 29th 2011 9:37PM Once known as Shadsy said

Posted: Dec 29th 2011 9:49PM Milf Biggenson said

Posted: Dec 30th 2011 3:06AM MaulerX said

Posted: Dec 29th 2011 9:55PM mrantimatter said

Posted: Dec 29th 2011 9:57PM kspraydad said

Posted: Dec 29th 2011 11:43PM MEGATOOL said

Posted: Dec 30th 2011 3:08AM MaulerX said

Posted: Dec 30th 2011 8:33AM TC said

Posted: Dec 30th 2011 10:16AM MaulerX said

Posted: Dec 30th 2011 10:27AM kspraydad said

Posted: Dec 31st 2011 1:40AM MaulerX said

Posted: Dec 29th 2011 11:44PM MEGATOOL said

Posted: Dec 29th 2011 11:50PM kmcroc said

Posted: Dec 30th 2011 12:17AM Styli said

Posted: Dec 30th 2011 1:33AM Once known as Shadsy said

Posted: Dec 30th 2011 10:26AM MaulerX said

Posted: Dec 30th 2011 9:30AM spid said

Posted: Dec 30th 2011 10:36AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 30th 2011 10:51AM Kang 81 said

Posted: Dec 30th 2011 10:54AM Kang 81 said

Posted: Dec 30th 2011 7:29PM Starcade said

Info

Description

MSRP

Release Date

Genre

Developer

Publisher

Rating

Breaking News

WB conjures up Harry Potter for Kinect this fall

Featured Stories

Stiq Figures, May 14 - 20: He's heating up edition

The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Ballin

Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is a stranger in a strange land

Engadget

TUAW

Massively

WoW