Re: Movies, Us and Our Xbox 360

**birdie_in_Texas** · 10-30-2008, 12:41 PM

Even though I have had my 360 for a couple years, I know very little about how it works..as we only have a couple games for the kiddo.

To be able to get to these places where you can stream movies, do you have to pay for that access or it is something you can already do just because you have a 360..?

I need a "360 for dummies" link!

hahahaha

**P8riot** · 10-30-2008, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by birdie_in_Texas

Even though I have had my 360 for a couple years, I know very little about how it works..as we only have a couple games for the kiddo.

To be able to get to these places where you can stream movies, do you have to pay for that access or it is something you can already do just because you have a 360..?

I need a "360 for dummies" link!

hahahaha

If you have Vista Home Premium or Ultimate, Media Center is built in and you can stream from your PC just by having the XB360 on the network - the steps walk you through setting it up are in the XB360 MC setup. If you are using XP, I think you need the media center add-on or media center edition.

I think the Netflix add-on that is coming to the 360 doesn't need Media Center - could be wrong tho.

When the Netflix add-on goes live you need to have the Netflix Online subscription to access the Netflix Online library. It was initially reported that Netflix Online would be available without additional charge to XBL gold subscribers, but from what I've read recently - that may no longer be the case.

FWIW - I use the wireless network adapter for the 360 to access stuff in Media Center and it works great.

**birdie_in_Texas** · 10-30-2008, 02:00 PM

Can I just plug in a usb "G" dongle and it work, or do you have to use a proprietary wireless thingy for the 360..?

**birdie_in_Texas** · 10-30-2008, 02:00 PM

and what is "XBL GOLD"..? I bet that really is a n00b question..

**Delta** · 10-30-2008, 02:48 PM

XBL Gold is Xbox LIVE Gold membership. It is pretty much what allows you to play online with other players and download stuff, etc. It's really cheap. Like, 50 bucks a year cheap. Totally worth it.

**P8riot** · 10-30-2008, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by birdie_in_Texas

Can I just plug in a usb "G" dongle and it work, or do you have to use a proprietary wireless thingy for the 360..?

Originally Posted by birdie_in_Texas

and what is "XBL GOLD"..? I bet that really is a n00b question..

I dunno about the USB dongle.. I like how the XB360 one fit in the back though.. and I don't think it was very much at the time.. maybe $5 more than a comparable wireless USB thingy.

*XBL - Delta got it, just one of those acronym things..

**birdie_in_Texas** · 10-30-2008, 04:46 PM

Ok..so I have to pay for the XBL thing to be able to get online at all with my 360, in addition to having to buy the MS xbox wireless thing? I already have a shoebox full of USB dongles to use..

If I have to pay to access it at all, then I will stick with $1 Redbox rentals..

Thanks for the quick replies fellas!

**P8riot** · 10-30-2008, 05:07 PM

You might be interested in this -

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-...ml?tag=nl.e775

**birdie_in_Texas** · 10-30-2008, 05:56 PM

So it seems that the "Experience" will be "free" but not the XBL, which is where the online gaming part takes place?

**P8riot** · 10-30-2008, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by birdie_in_Texas

So it seems that the "Experience" will be "free" but not the XBL, which is where the online gaming part takes place?

I think you are right. I think 'Experience' is the term they have given to the new XBox interface and features. I think you also have access to XBox Live Silver just because you own an XBox360. I don't know what the features of Silver are though - I've had Gold from the beginning.

'XBox Live Experience' might be the general replacement for Live Silver.

The Netflix HD thing is probably the name they gave the Starz HD package.

**birdie_in_Texas** · 10-30-2008, 06:22 PM

I have Starz and Starz HD thru my cable already..but it would be cool to be able to access any of their movies at any time in HD (can do it now but not HD) but not sure about yet another monthly bill to pay..

**P8riot** · 10-31-2008, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by birdie_in_Texas

I have Starz and Starz HD thru my cable already..but it would be cool to be able to access any of their movies at any time in HD (can do it now but not HD) but not sure about yet another monthly bill to pay..

I know what you mean. If you haven't yet, you should try seeing what XBL silver has to offer for you trying your USB wireless adapters.

I am by no means a regular console gamer - maybe once a week - but I enjoy having XBL access and I think it is only 4.95 a month. You can also buy a card for gold access at the store and try it out. OR check the games you've bought.. some of them include a week or month free and you can use it for credit whether you are already a subscriber or not.

**Clodhopper** · 10-31-2008, 03:38 PM

A year XBL access card will cost you a little less than an actual game. No need for monthly payments, should you decide to keep the service after a free trial/paid month.

**TheFatKidDeath** · 11-03-2008, 06:22 PM

Am I correct in reading that you will need to have movies in your Queue to select movies from Netflix? So if you want to browse movies, you will have to go to your PC account, select the movies you want in your Queue then go back to your 360 and download the movie?

**P8riot** · 11-03-2008, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by TheFatKidDeath

Am I correct in reading that you will need to have movies in your Queue to select movies from Netflix? So if you want to browse movies, you will have to go to your PC account, select the movies you want in your Queue then go back to your 360 and download the movie?

I've seen both scenarios described (download queue and direct selection).. it'll be available soon and we'll see!

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