xbox one The Xbox One and live TV -- here's what to expect

[threetonesun]

I don't get your point at all. I really don't because if you're trying to say dont' use it because Microsoft is going to use your data for advertising purposes then I'm sure you don't use google search engine (because google's revenue stream that they make billions of dollars from is from advertisements made possible through every search you do). as a matter of fact i'm sure you don't use a single search engine then, right? because if you do then you'd just be like another hypocrite.

When I use Google, I get search results in exchange for some information. If I run my TV through an Xbox, I get... the same TV I already paid for, but Microsoft collects some part of the information, and gives me nothing.

 

I own an Xbox, before you get all high and mighty on me, and I own stock in MS so I'm all for this. My point was this has always been an obvious advertising grab by Microsoft. XBox live, on the whole, always has been, and if you can't recognize that, then perhaps their advertising is working even better than they thought. The target audience of the Xbox is a gold mine to advertisers, the more data they can get and the more ads they can serve, the better.

[FloatingFatMan]

When I use Google, I get search results in exchange for some information. If I run my TV through an Xbox, I get... the same TV I already paid for, but Microsoft collects some part of the information, and gives me nothing.

 

I own an Xbox, before you get all high and mighty on me, and I own stock in MS so I'm all for this. My point was this has always been an obvious advertising grab by Microsoft. XBox live, on the whole, always has been, and if you can't recognize that, then perhaps their advertising is working even better than they thought. The target audience of the Xbox is a gold mine to advertisers, the more data they can get and the more ads they can serve, the better.

 

I imagine the Nielson people etc will be quite interested in that data, too.

[Fourjays Veteran]

many of the cable satellite companies have apps that give their customers access/dvr management of their DVR list, I'm sure those apps will show up on the xbox one and searchable through bing on the device. this should give the allusion that the xO has direct access to the dvr list.

 

again there are many DTV tuners that has hdmi out so those customers who want the tv functionally can buy one of those also along with the console if they don't have one already. so with this there's no real issue.

Only thing we can do with Sky TV here is set recordings via websites/apps. Nothing to watch recordings.

[spenser.d]

When I use Google, I get search results in exchange for some information. If I run my TV through an Xbox, I get... the same TV I already paid for, but Microsoft collects some part of the information, and gives me nothing.

 

I own an Xbox, before you get all high and mighty on me, and I own stock in MS so I'm all for this. My point was this has always been an obvious advertising grab by Microsoft. XBox live, on the whole, always has been, and if you can't recognize that, then perhaps their advertising is working even better than they thought. The target audience of the Xbox is a gold mine to advertisers, the more data they can get and the more ads they can serve, the better.

 

Microsoft has already said what they'll be able to give you though - they can suggest shows you might like or tell you about upcoming shows, or give you bonus material through SmartGlass or snap view to name a couple of things.  They're going to be able to give us plenty by using the data we're providing them.

[sharpy2k4]

In terms of UK Law isn't there something about the product being fit for purpose. I.E. You buy a product marketed as being capable of doing X. Yet to do X you need to do ABC etc. Then it wouldn't be fit for purpose and is effectively mis-selling the product?

 

Easiest way in the UK would be to solely work with Sky/Virgin as an "extra feature" that it can replace/work alongside their set top box as both their newer boxes have HDMI out on them.

[FloatingFatMan]

^ Yes, a product must be fit for purpose.  If it's sold in the UK as having all these TV features, then it must work.  If it needs anything extra to work, that must be stated clearly on the packaging.  However, if it doesn't, you can't really sue MS over it, just get a refund.

[sharpy2k4]

^ Yes, a product must be fit for purpose.  If it's sold in the UK as having all these TV features, then it must work.  If it needs anything extra to work, that must be stated clearly on the packaging.  However, if it doesn't, you can't really sue MS over it, just get a refund.

Yeah I wasn't looking at the sue microsoft route, just that they would need to specify prior to sale. Otherwise they could face customers buying it for this feature, (mostly adults whos kids want either console, and this feature sways it in their favour as they can tie it in with Sky/Virgin) and then having to return it due to it not working

[MikeChipshop Member]

A few entitlement issues going on here.

 

If you don't have the proper equipment to make use of all the features in the XB1 then i fail to see how that's MS's fault.

 

I receive my television over the air via the built in DVB tuner, my TV is relatively cheap and it still has an HDMI out so chances are i'll be ok with it. A hell of a lot of houses use Sky/Virgin both have an HDMI out.

So basically i don't see the issue with the majority of  UK households. And if you really want to make use of this and you currently can't then you'll have to upgrade some of your other equipment.

 

Regarding marketing, there's no way MS would be allowed to sell it without putting a disclaimer on the box along the lines of "Compatible hardware required".

[Fourjays Veteran]

A few entitlement issues going on here.

 

If you don't have the proper equipment to make use of all the features in the XB1 then i fail to see how that's MS's fault.

I don't think it is entitlement, but people questioning and discussing how Microsoft are going to make it work with the many different and varied TV markets outside of the US. If Microsoft were a bit more forthcoming with information then people wouldn't need to be guessing.

 

Whichever way you look at it, expecting people to buy additional equipment (beyond the usual cables and bits) for a very common use-case would be a pretty poor show. Is it their responsibility? Certainly not, but I don't think saying "you need extra equipment for something already built-in to your TV" would exactly go down well with the non-tech consumer. Their best strategy would be to bundle or sell a USB tuner like the PS3's PlayTV in the territories where it'll work (most of Europe and Australia afaik).

 

Well no, actually their best strategy would be to properly communicate with their potential customers, both in the US and outside of it.

[FloatingFatMan]

A few entitlement issues going on here.

 

If you don't have the proper equipment to make use of all the features in the XB1 then i fail to see how that's MS's fault.

 

 

Entitlement issue? Not even close. Just one massive reading comprehension issue.

[MikeChipshop Member]

Entitlement issue? Not even close. Just one massive reading comprehension issue.

 

I'm sorry but people complaining it ay not work for them and it should, is an entitlement issue.

[FloatingFatMan]

I'm sorry but people complaining it ay not work for them and it should, is an entitlement issue.

 

Again, you have a reading comprehension failure.  I'm not complaining that it won't work for me.  I'm asking how MS are going to make it work for all the different ways of receiving TV.

[ctrl_alt_delete]

Again, you have a reading comprehension failure.  I'm not complaining that it won't work for me.  I'm asking how MS are going to make it work for all the different ways of receiving TV.

This is an interesting comment/question because with that you opened a whole can of worms that really goes against your point while backing up other people's point of "entitlement". I'll explain.

Your premise that Microsoft should provide the means for everyone to watch tv on the Xbox one without the need to buy additional equipment regardless of provider or said provider technologies IS in and of itself a entitlement or at least carries a sense of it (entitlement).

Because then what about the people who doesn't have an hdmi equipped TV? Should Microsoft also provide RCA and RCA-HD cables in the box along with hdmi cables in the box?

What about those who's soround sound system doesn't use digital input? Should Microsoft also provide an digital to analog converter in the box?

I'm wondering if by now you see where your argument falls apart.

[FloatingFatMan]

I don't see that it does.  MS are touting this device as being the ultimate TV experience.  That indicates they intend for it to be so in all markets where it's released, so it's going to have to work with all the different ways that TV makes its way into people's TV or it will fail at its purpose.  If people need additional equipment to be able to use those features, I can't see that they'd actually bother to buy it in the first place, especially given its rather high price.

[spenser.d]

I don't see that it does.  MS are touting this device as being the ultimate TV experience.  That indicates they intend for it to be so in all markets where it's released, so it's going to have to work with all the different ways that TV makes its way into people's TV or it will fail at its purpose.  If people need additional equipment to be able to use those features, I can't see that they'd actually bother to buy it in the first place, especially given its rather high price.

 

They're only touting it as the ultimate TV experience if you have the necessary equipment for it.  They're still billing it first and foremost as a gaming machine.  The TV and other stuff is icing on the cake if you're able to take advantage of it.  Just because they say a gaming console can do something beyond gaming doesn't mean they have to provide the means for it to do so - it's still a gaming machine at heart and can be a gaming machine for anyone.

[ctrl_alt_delete]

I don't see that it does.  MS are touting this device as being the ultimate TV experience.  That indicates they intend for it to be so in all markets where it's released, so it's going to have to work with all the different ways that TV makes its way into people's TV or it will fail at its purpose.  If people need additional equipment to be able to use those features, I can't see that they'd actually bother to buy it in the first place, especially given its rather high price.

 

Sony only ships hdmi cables in their boxes, so what about the people who's TVs doesn't have an hdmi port? won't they have to go out and BUY an hdmi-to-RCA adapter or other equipment to be able to play the ps3 or ps4 on their TV??

 

Microsoft is marketing their device as an all in one entertainment device that provides for great TV, games and apps experiences.

[Klownicle]

To stat the obvious.. I'll buy my Ceton Six Tuner (usb + network capabilities), and use a cable card in a HTPC.  I won't need to subscribe to Xbox Live to use any features I'm already paying for (hulu, netflix, etc).  I won't need another settop box on my entertainment center.  I'll have full DVR capabilities for up to 6 channels at one time recording.  I will not be limited by anything other than upgradable HD space.  Windows Media Center to this day is still the best Guide.  I can share any of my 6 tuners to any other pc in my house and over the internet anywhere in the world pending provide bandwidth host and client side.

 

Nothing to this date beats that.

 

My HTPC is my;

Gaming Machine

TV Tuner

Blu-Ray Player

Web Browser

 

One Input to rule them all.  And it all runs thought my HT Equipment.

[ctrl_alt_delete]

To stat the obvious.. I'll buy my Ceton Six Tuner (usb + network capabilities), and use a cable card in a HTPC. I won't need to subscribe to Xbox Live to use any features I'm already paying for (hulu, netflix, etc). I won't need another settop box on my entertainment center. I'll have full DVR capabilities for up to 6 channels at one time recording. I will not be limited by anything other than upgradable HD space. Windows Media Center to this day is still the best Guide. I can share any of my 6 tuners to any other pc in my house and over the internet anywhere in the world pending provide bandwidth host and client side.

Nothing to this date beats that.

My HTPC is my;

Gaming Machine

TV Tuner

Blu-Ray Player

Web Browser

One Input to rule them all. And it all runs thought my HT Equipment.

Lol nice setup.....but sounds like a whole lot a power draw to me. I'd never leave my computer running constantly.

Plus that ceton is like $300! + your power bill. You know what, it's your money, use it how you will.

[BajiRav]

I don't see that it does.  MS are touting this device as being the ultimate TV experience.  That indicates they intend for it to be so in all markets where it's released, so it's going to have to work with all the different ways that TV makes its way into people's TV or it will fail at its purpose.  If people need additional equipment to be able to use those features, I can't see that they'd actually bother to buy it in the first place, especially given its rather high price.

Apple launched iPhone as the ultimate 3-in-1 device but it assumed that you had a mobile connection with data. They didn't need to make it work with 3G. They designed and supported only 2G/2.5G.

 

So is that a bad design? No. Xbox One has some requirements to work with. If your TV service can't match it, it's hardly anyone's fault. Just won't work.

[Klownicle]

Lol nice setup.....but sounds like a whole lot a power draw to me. I'd never leave my computer running constantly.

Plus that ceton is like $300! + your power bill. You know what, it's your money, use it how you will.

 

You can get the Ceton Quad (same as 6 but with 4 tuners) for 169$ most times.  CableCards can be free from your provider, and if you only have 1 device as your "one input to rule them all" power is no more than anything else.   Are we to forget the Xbone is 499$? ;)  Yeah you can say a gaming HTPC can rack up cost, but when you cut the monthly setop box cost, the blu ray player cost, extra cabling, etc.  Saves you money in the long run.  Imagine paying for 4 hd dvr boxes throughout your house.  I don't know about you but verizon charges 20$ a box, thats 100$ a month i'd be saving.  If you want tuners for rooms without the need for a PC you can get the Ceton Echo Extender.

 

And why would it always be on?  With operating systems such as Windows 8 or even sleep modes, PC's boot up within seconds.

[Steven P. Administrators]

Thread cleaned, keep the personal insults to yourself.

[Fourjays Veteran]

This is an interesting comment/question because with that you opened a whole can of worms that really goes against your point while backing up other people's point of "entitlement". I'll explain.

Your premise that Microsoft should provide the means for everyone to watch tv on the Xbox one without the need to buy additional equipment regardless of provider or said provider technologies IS in and of itself a entitlement or at least carries a sense of it (entitlement).

Because then what about the people who doesn't have an hdmi equipped TV? Should Microsoft also provide RCA and RCA-HD cables in the box along with hdmi cables in the box?

What about those who's soround sound system doesn't use digital input? Should Microsoft also provide an digital to analog converter in the box?

I'm wondering if by now you see where your argument falls apart.

That is a poor comparison. TVs without any HDMI are few and far between now in the markets that the Xbox will be targeting. Those who still haven't got an HDMI port wouldn't be likely to be buying an Xbox either (although it isn't possible, but that is an edge case).

 

Nobody is saying that Microsoft need to support every possible usage scenario in every possible market. What they are saying is that it would be counter intuitive not to offer decent support for a majority market. And in the UK particularly (a key market for the Xbox) OTA TV is the way the majority of people watch TV and something Microsoft will need to take account of. To further complicate matters, it would be fair to assume that those most likely to buy an Xbox are also those most likely to have a TV with an integrated digital tuner (no idea on the prevalence of HDMI out on TVs though).

 

Microsoft could say that you need a non-integrated tuner, but expecting someone to buy one just for the Xbox isn't something that would necessarily sit well with consumers, especially the less technically minded. Not to mention that it uses more power (and adds more clutter) unnecessarily. Hence why most here have suggested (constructive criticism, not entitlement!) that the Xbox One should bundle or strongly recommend alongside it, a suitable USB/HDMI DVB tuner (they aren't expensive) or offer another sensible solution straight up. Making it Sky/Virgin/non-integrated OTA only in the UK would doom the TV features to minority use only (and the same would apply anywhere else with a similar TV market).

 

I don't know why the some here seem to be against having a system that is going to work for as many people as possible with as little effort as possible. Do you want it to fail or something?  :wacko:

[Yogurtmaster]

So, MS are going to have available every TV code and every set top box code there is, for the XBox One to send?  What about the many people who get digital TV over the air, such as the majority of homes in the UK? In many cases, there IS no set top box, and almost none of those TV's have a HDMI out, either.

 

The TV features are nice, but I just don't see how they're going to work for many countries outside of the US.   For you guys, cable TV might be the norm, but outside the US it's a whole other story.  Even IN the US, I doubt it'll cover a huge number of folks...

 

Would be nice if MS actually ponied up some REAL information about how this is going to work...

 

   In the USA they would have to cover these and they would cover most of everyone....

 

   These first two can be accessed anywhere in the U.S.A as they are satellite companies. 

 

   Dish Network

   Direct TV

 

   These companies are regional in the U.S.A

 

   Comcast

   AT&T Uverse

   Time Warner

   Cox

   Charter

   Cablevision

   US Cable

   Atlantic Broadband

   Verizon

 

I personally have the Dish Network HD DVR It's 700 something as the model.  It's an HD DVR that records HD TV and has a HDMI port on the back and it's ready to go.  When I get my Xbox One, I can just put an HDMI cable from the back of that into the HDMI in to my Xbox One and then use the HDMI out on my Xbox One into HDMI 1. 

[Yogurtmaster]

To stat the obvious.. I'll buy my Ceton Six Tuner (usb + network capabilities), and use a cable card in a HTPC.  I won't need to subscribe to Xbox Live to use any features I'm already paying for (hulu, netflix, etc).  I won't need another settop box on my entertainment center.  I'll have full DVR capabilities for up to 6 channels at one time recording.  I will not be limited by anything other than upgradable HD space.  Windows Media Center to this day is still the best Guide.  I can share any of my 6 tuners to any other pc in my house and over the internet anywhere in the world pending provide bandwidth host and client side.

 

Nothing to this date beats that.

 

My HTPC is my;

Gaming Machine

TV Tuner

Blu-Ray Player

Web Browser

 

One Input to rule them all.  And it all runs thought my HT Equipment.

 

How much does all of this cost you?

[JonnyLH]

To give some more context to this article, there are very solid rumours that BT are wanting to provide their sport service on the X1 and Sky actually want to offer it subsidised as a fully fledged set-top box. In terms of the UK anyway.