Microsoft finally fixes huge Netflix issue on Xbox 360
With the advent of the NXE, many new features were delivered to Xbox 360 owners. Some of the features such as avatars and dashboard advertisements may not be popular, but additions like Netflix are very much welcomed. Despite the novelty of Netflix on Xbox 360, it remained hindered by Microsoft’s implementation of the service. However, with the latest update, Microsoft may have fixed one of the biggest grips of the feature.
The NXE update for the Xbox 360 came out last year to mixed reaction. The NXE still has a good amount of problems that has me scratching my head as to what I am actually paying for when compared to other services like PSN. Thing like paying an annual subscription fee for basically P2P play and advertisements, while Sony offers reliable dedicated servers for free has me questioning my sanity at times.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my Xbox 360 as it houses awesome exclusive titles I can’t pick up anywhere else such as Gears of War and Mass Effect, but some of the nagging changes made to the 360 have me frustrated at times. I have grown to like the NXE layout over the original dashboard. The NXE functions similarly to the way the XMB does on the PS3 which is actually pretty intuitive over the old Blades.
However, one of the problems I have been having with the NXE is its slowness. As even GameInformer mentions, pulling up a message while in a game and closing it can take as long as a two minutes. PS3 owners will probably tell you that accessing messages while in-game via XMB takes less than 2 seconds. I also have to agree that refreshing my game library list and using the quick launch function has been absolutely frustrating due to the slowness.
I am glad to see that Microsoft has been targeting these issues for the latest update that will be rolling out soon. It will be difficult to say if these nagging issues are completely fixed until some of these stat servers are taxed by users, but early impressions indicate some sort of improvement in the speed. The other big improvement I talk about in the title is in regards to the way Netflix handles queues.
I’m sure many of you may recall my famous Netflix on Xbox 360 defeats the purpose article, which became highly visible and grabbed the attention of thousands of gamers and Microsoft as well. In the article I talked about the ridiculous way Netflix was implemented into the Xbox 360. Users have to gain access to a PC and load movies into a queue in order for them to watch it on their Xbox 360. However, in the latest update as promised during E3, Microsoft is finally making it so you can add movies into your queue straight from your Xbox 360.
This is exactly what I have asked for and Microsoft is delivering this change in the next update. As I recall, some of you actually defended Microsoft on this issue in my previous article. As Microsoft stated, they listened to the feedback and have made these changes. The lesson learned here is that as the consumer, if there is something that rubs you the wrong way it is your responsibility (duty) to speak out about these issues. As in this case, it really paid off to complain about the issue. Responsible consumers really should not defend issues as part of some fanboy mechanism, because in the end the only person you’re shafting is yourself.
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July 27th, 2009
hahahahahaha @ Gaychubbydating.com.
July 27th, 2009
People seem to have gotten the wrong idea about Netflix streaming, and have forgotten it is actually a supplementary service, not a stand alone service; let alone that it really has no competition at this time, and that nothing this big for streaming movies has ever been accomplished before via home gaming consoles.
The main focus initially was to bring over some of the millions who already subscribed to Netflix and Gold. Of course, some people feel “entitled” to perfection from the get go, but even they had the option of a free trial before making a purchasing decision (which they probably subscribed to the service anyway because they enjoyed the added value and convenience).
Watch instantly existed before, but the quality was lacking over pc/laptop, plus you had to hook up via hdmi or media extender if you wanted to watch it on big screen, which made the picture even worse.
Now that it is running through 360 without media extender, the picture quality is much improved. All at no extra cost to previous gold/Netflix subscribers like myself. This was the initial phase, and it had more than enough people to tweak the service and get an estimate for future expansion.
I’ve had 400+ movies in my queue that could quickly be navigated through via the left and right shoulder buttons if necessary. Not ideal, but I certainly would rather have Netflix than nothing or just media extender until it was perfected. I can also add movies at any time via my iPhone or laptop (right next to the sofa), so it was never really a “huge” issue for me.
I am glad I didn’t have to wait for over a half year before they figured out server issues from the huge influx of viewers, and I have watched many hours worth of streaming hd content since I’ve been back, and even saved money from my previous 2 at a time disc subscription. Of course, this service will only continue to improve in the future, with many more updates (this is not the first update).
For those inexperienced with the Netflix service before, this initial offering could seem like a letdown, but for those who have been subscribers for years, it really is a great idea that has been positively executed so far.
As for the delay on messaging, it sounds like somebody doesn’t know how to use their guide button, because it’s never taken me over a couple of seconds to access any incoming messages even in game. Guide button, messages, and you are there. Of course, I do have a fast connection, so I guess that could be a factor.
July 27th, 2009
@harry,
Perhaps the real reason why people like Mike and Ivan hack their 360’s?
July 27th, 2009
We don’t have netflix here in Aus, so this is pretty much nothing to me.
Something similar is available though. Bigpond (Australia’s biggest ISP, telco etc) has it’s ‘Bigpond Movies’ service integrated with Media Center, which as you would already know is accessible with the 360. Bigpond movies seems to be rather similar to Netflix, where you can stream movies etc. The problem though is the software you need to install to get it working. For some reason it does not install on Vista properly, i.e at all.
Anyway, it’s all going to be a moot point as we’ve been told that the Zune Movie Marketplace or whatever it’s called is going to be available by the end of the year.
July 27th, 2009
@ charlieb,
Possibly! If only Ivan was a little stouter I would have put a profile up for him. Last I checked he has his pics up on his page.
His singlemuslim.com account has gone cold.
July 27th, 2009
I’ve noticed the slowness but it’s not the NXE it’s the 120 GB HD. It takes longer on that drive becausce there is more memory to process. My friends with smaller drives cycle through the menus faster then mine. It’s always taking it’s sweet time. Mike if you got a 120 GB HD I’m sure that is the reason.
July 27th, 2009
Yes, I have a 120 also, but I’ve never come across anything like a two-minute wait to read an incoming message. About 2-5 seconds, and sometimes up to 5-10 seconds for games from the hard drive. For Netflix it can be up to 15 seconds to pull up the queue, and another 15 to start.
July 27th, 2009
“Ever seen the bottom of an avatars shoe? … WELL BAM”
lol i still can’t get over that.
July 27th, 2009
Really? wow
July 27th, 2009
Carlb:
“Perhaps the real reason why people like Mike and Ivan hack their 360’s?”
what is wrong with that. thats just like getting free songs from ur PC, or movies. Look at the PSP many of us have it hacked but u dont see anybody conplainning, but if it is a 360 now its a big deal right?
if I ever get a 360 i would definetly hack the shit out of it. I mean why not? i spend to much money on games as it is. and the problem why i did not do it back when i had my x360 was because my M$ bans your accound if you go on Live without the lastest update. but there are custom firmware that uses the lastest 360 update and u can download all the games u want and STILL GO ON LIVE.
July 27th, 2009
A console’s games, hardware, and extra features are nice and all but, I make my console choice based on the advertisements they run on the OS. Who wouldn’t want gaychubbydating and Mc Donalds adds rammed down there throat constantly?
July 27th, 2009
I’m thinking they may want something slightly different rammed down their throats then simply McDonalds
July 27th, 2009
oh right, lol i just noticed all those damn ads
the NXE is a christmass tree full of ads lol.
but if thats what M$ need to do to keep their gaming business alive, then we cant complain
Harry, you can go to the “gaychubbydating” and molest any kid you want, and you wouldnt get banned like HOME.
July 27th, 2009
Ok now I know were your getting that Gaychubbydating thing. Holy Crap that would piss me off to see that on my 360 The sports ticker is nice and McDonalds I can live with but don’t push no gay sexual nastyness on the 360. When I get my 360 back and If I see that shit I’m going to flip out.
July 27th, 2009
lol CAD, maybe to get they gay thing you have to put “gay or unknown” in your profile.
which makes me wonder how Mike got it on his dashboard
July 27th, 2009
I’ve a 120gb HDD and I can’t say as I’ve noticed it being especially slow (and not even compared to my old 60gb HDD Xbox either).
I haven’t really looked but no ads have caught my attention yet either.
Here in the UK we don’t have Netflix but Sky satellite TV are going to be offering their movie selections (not sure if it’s happening when the new dashboard comes in Aug).
There’s some deal if you’re a subscriber (I am) so hopefully it’s like their Internet d/l service & free if you’re already a sub.
July 27th, 2009
@Roca.
Photoshop?
July 27th, 2009
Does it include the official Gaychubbydating theme pack for your dashboard?
July 27th, 2009
M$ is now targeting the Casual market and the Gay community. sounds like a good Mix
July 27th, 2009
“gaychubbydating”
LOL MS knows it customers well.
July 27th, 2009
Looks like some of the PS3 gang just can’t help leaping into the whole gay thing again…..what was that about hime being full of lads pretending to be girls?
Suspicious, much?
July 27th, 2009
Well at least we know now what is in Mc Donald’s secret sauce.
July 27th, 2009
HappyMealHockum……
July 27th, 2009
Wow.
Never let it be said that the writers here on Blorge don’t know how to artificially inflate the number of hits and comments their articles get…
Real slick choice of pics, Mike.
-Arvis
July 27th, 2009
The “Coke bottle Cap” should be refreshing on a dashboard
July 27th, 2009
phranctoast
LOL
But tell me, how come I’ve not seen a single ad on my dashboard yet?
July 27th, 2009
It might be regional. Maybe they haven’t expanded the gay chubby website to other regions just yet.
July 27th, 2009
Fat Princess THIS WEEK! Time to carb up!
July 27th, 2009
OH HELL YEAH THIS MOTHER ****** had me waiting for a while now. and they had me wasing money on some other PSN games while i waited.
Battlefield 1943 is the shit though.
cant stop playing it.
July 27th, 2009
there are ads on the dashboard here in the US.
July 27th, 2009
Fat Princess is coming out soon? RAWR
And yes, 1943 = Great.
I’m really hoping all my PC buddies pick up and get into it. Can’t wait to play with people who use squads %95 the time instead of %20
and understand that holding one flag (even if its the airfield on wake island) is not a good thing, or that sometimes you have to abandon the flag you want and go cap the 3 undefended ones…
Alas, I fear it will be too ’simplistic’ for many PC gamers, with the unlimited ammo and all…
July 27th, 2009
Fat Princess is coming out soon? RAWR
And yes, 1943 = Great.
I’m really hoping all my PC buddies pick up and get into it. Can’t wait to play with people who use squads %95 the time instead of %20 and understand that holding one flag (even if its the airfield on wake island) is not a good thing, or that sometimes you have to abandon the flag you want and go cap the 3 undefended ones…
Alas, I fear it will be too ’simplistic’ for many PC gamers, with the unlimited ammo and all…
Double post due to nazi smiley control FTW.
July 27th, 2009
Barnabe, I’ve decided to go ahead and preorder Dissidia. What was that deal on Amazon you were talking about again?
-Arvis
July 27th, 2009
SW,
I understand ur frustration. why dont you get it for the PSN also. and can get ur PSN name, even if you dont BF 1943, we can kick some ass in Fat Princess
July 27th, 2009
Splinter Cell Conviction got Delay to 2010. (anyone saw that coming)
that puts the 360 exclusive line up down to 3 (F3,halo odst, L4D2)
July 27th, 2009
I do own it for PSN
July 27th, 2009
whats ur ID
July 27th, 2009
Never mind, got it!
$32 bucks for a sweet new game. Not too shabby.
-Arvis
July 27th, 2009
is it free shipping?
July 27th, 2009
It was for me. I chose the “Super Saver” shipping option, which is a couple days slower, but free. Don’t know if that option is available to everyone, though.
-Arvis
July 27th, 2009
Sorry for the delay Arvis. I don’t know if you noticed, but I was the one who posted the “save $5″ thread on the product page
I’ve put a pretty big dent into Oblivion GOTY. I’m about half way through the main quests for both Oblivion and Shivering Isles. And I’ve completed countless side missions for the two. I’m looking forward to Fat Princess and playing something different.
July 28th, 2009
woohoooo Fat Princess!!!! I thought this game wasn’t coming out till 2010. What a nice surprise.
July 28th, 2009
lets get a Blorge-Party Going for Fat Princess
just put you PSN name in the list below(copy and paste it with ur PSN ID)
Members PSN IDs:
1- D-Roca
2-
3-
4-
5-
6-
7-
8-
July 28th, 2009
Members PSN IDs:
1- D-Roca
2- phranctoast
3-
4-
5-
6-
7-
8-
July 28th, 2009
I already have everyone here I think, but…
1- D-Roca
2- phranctoast
3- kdiggd123
4-
5-
6-
7-
8-
Also I’ll probably only get a chance to play on Thursday, but I’ll be at the gf’s Friday night-Sunday afternoon.
July 28th, 2009
1- D-Roca
2- phranctoast
3- kdiggd123
4- Arvis_Jaggamar
5-
6-
7-
8-
Barnabe, did you spell your PSN ID correctly?
Until I get 100% confirmation that the blood can be turned off, I don’t think I’ll be playing this.
I’d also love to know what the heck happened to DarkWhiteHair…
-Arvis
July 28th, 2009
The game has blood? I’m sold!
Anyone else see the CoD MW 2 MP trailer? That trailer made me cream my boxers multiple times within a one minute peroid.
Create your own freakin’ kill streak chains, and you can use an AC 130, and you’re the gunner.
July 28th, 2009
1- D-Roca
2- phranctoast
3- kdiggdy123
4- Arvis_Jaggamar
5-
6-
7-
8-
Arvis, nope I misspelled my own name. I forgot the “y”.
On the PlayStation blog yesterday the developers confirmed that there are three levels of filters for the gore. The first is no blood at all, the second is just blood, and the third is blood and body parts. So it could be completely blood free if you wish.
blog.us.playstation.com/2009/07/27/fat-princess-worth-the-weight-heres-the-date/
I really wonder about DWH myself. He hasn’t logged into his PS3 for about 2 months or so. I check his blog on Destoid, and he hasn’t posted there for months either. Makes you wonder.
July 28th, 2009
I’ll have to check out that trailer. That sounds awesome. I saw it available on gametrailers, but I just figured it was another trailer with no gameplay.
July 28th, 2009
lol I’m incompetent. Third time is a charm… kdiggYd123
1- D-Roca
2- phranctoast
3- kdiggyd123
4- Arvis_Jaggamar
5-
6-
7-
8-
July 28th, 2009
1- D-Roca
2- phranctoast
3- kdiggyd123
4- Arvis_Jaggamar
5- KNIGHTHAWK
6-
7-
8-
And Harry, no I will not Video Chat with you! lol
July 28th, 2009
You guys are gay
July 28th, 2009
As in happy!
July 28th, 2009
why you dont want to see any blood Arvis? just wondring?
Cad, I know u want to join us. See you thursday if you get a PS3 by then.
July 28th, 2009
so far we go 6 members, anybody else want to kill some calories in Fat Princess?
1- D-Roca
2- phranctoast
3- kdiggyd123
4- Arvis_Jaggamar
5- KNIGHTHAWK
6-
7-
8-
Optional:
9- CAD
July 28th, 2009
Did you get any of your things back CAD?
July 28th, 2009
A couple reasons, Roca. Mostly, it’s wildly unnecessary (especially for a game like FP) and just… a needless representation of base violence. I don’t like it at all. Not only that but I have a 2 year old nephew (not blood related, son of friend’s sister) who comes over a lot, and I’d like to be able to keep playing the game with him in the room.
No blood, no gore, and they’ve got another buyer!
-Arvis
July 28th, 2009
understandable. well you got lucky as you can turn the blood and gore off. Hope playing FP with you soon.
July 28th, 2009
Not yet my wife is taking her sweet old time filling out the stupid claim form. But really she is waiting on the appraisal from the Jeweller. I’m hoping to get the claim in by Friday.
July 28th, 2009
Hey you guys should hook up Natal to the PS3 and throw cupcakes at Fat Princess and watch her eat them. Really though, what is this game really all about.
July 28th, 2009
I think its just CTF with a princess instead of a flag. And then theres something about feeding her to keep her heavy or something…
Some people like BBW.
July 28th, 2009
The bigger the better I allays say.
It’s basically capture the flag, but the flag is a princess. You can go out and gather cake to feed the princess which makes her fatter, and in turn makes her heavier to move. There are also 5 or so classes of characters to choose from. The art style is awesome also.
July 28th, 2009
I love my chunkers.
July 28th, 2009
Back onto the topic. I just received an email from Microsoft telling me that I’ve been accepted into the preview BETA for the NXE. I’ll let you know how it is (apart from Netflix, as we don’t get it here).
July 28th, 2009
OK now I’ve heard it all. I can’t believe this is a game. So you guys will feed this fat princess and have fun doing it and yet most of you diss the Wii. This sounds like a game for the Wii and better yet the DS. You guys crack me up.
July 28th, 2009
Just wanting to inject some common sense here. If you boys want to organise something like that, you might be best suited to do it in the forums and give it it’s own topic, rather than hijacking a Microsoft article and then have to scroll down pages and pages of comments to find what you need. At least that way the comments below can stick to the topic at hand.
July 29th, 2009
Really Harry, what thread stays on topic within 15 posts anyway.
July 29th, 2009
Jofa, it would be nice if that happened. Most times it diverts into the same shit. However if you really want to organise a game or something, the forums would be the better place to do it.
July 29th, 2009
@CAD
Deary me…
If you put a ball and chain on the princess and then abused her with the gears of war chainsaw, would that make the game seem cooler/less wii-like to you?
Its simply a tactical thing to make it hard for the other team to capture the ‘flag’.
People only rag on the wii because %90 of the games are shallow, and it just happens that most normal people prefer cute/cartoony stuffs over seeing the intestines of a creature splatter on the screen.
For the record, I’m all about intestines all over the screen.
Take a look at Castle Crashers and Fat Princess (similar art style)
xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/844289/castle-crashers/images/castle-crashers-20080715003821929.html?page=mediaFull
ps3.ign.com/dor/objects/14266745/fat-princess/images/fat-princess-20090428111324970.html?page=mediaFull
Which looks to have the more adult theme?
@Harry
I’m with you but there are a fair amount of people who just have not registered on the forum. You could say ‘thier loss’ I suppose…
July 29th, 2009
I enjoy cartoonish looking games alot (if they are fun to play) im enjoy BF1943 right now, and the graphics sucks compared to CoD or Killzone but idk why but I cant stop playing that gamer right now.
Fat Princess seem like it going to be a blast. Granted it might look like a DS or Wii game but at least it is just $15 on the PSN for small games like this, rather than $50 or $40 on the Wii/DS
July 29th, 2009
the wii wouldnt be able to hold the fat princesses girdle. This game is primarily a MP online game, which is not that friendly on the wii.
July 29th, 2009
their MP games sucks (SSBB, Mario Kart the only exception).
..I have noticed something about Nintendo lately, we all go at each other faces arguing about XBL membership price and PSN bandwith fees. but they real money sucker is Nintendo. they are ripping ppl off left and right.
-their web browser cost 500 points ($5).
-lately it seems that every wii games needs/comes with a pheripheral. so if you going to play with 2 or 3 more friends you need to buy 3 more of those damn things.
-Wii Motion Plus. ($25/each) so $100 for 4 of them
-Wii Fit Plus ( Really????)
-Some Channels Cost points (they are basically updates on the PSN and Live.
- two separate pieces for a One player controller. (if you want 3 more, you have to buy 6 of them shits)
-Classic controller ($20)(for some wii games, or better yet some Wii remote games or motion games plays better using the classic controller) so 4 of those sucker is $80
-Some games shouldnt even be $50, lets say CoD: WaW. looks worse on the wii, limited to their controller and Multiplayer is limited and not on par with the 360/PS3 version (which is the whole point of buying a CoD game). that game should be half price.
July 29th, 2009
I believe Nintendo figured out a way to achieve mass hypnotism. Thats the only thing that makes sense.
July 29th, 2009
If you put a ball and chain on the princess and then abused her with the gears of war chainsaw, would that make the game seem cooler/less wii-like to you?
Yes it would
July 29th, 2009
heheheh
July 29th, 2009
‘looks worse on the wii, limited to their controller ‘
You’ve never used the wiimote for a FPS have you? It makes them alot of fun.
July 29th, 2009
the ridiculous amount of gore doesn’t make it seem less wii like?
July 31st, 2009
Actually that does sound like a good addition.
July 31st, 2009
Fatten up the Princess?
Has Feed (2005) some to the Wii!?
(and people say the Wii’s aimed more towards children?)
July 31st, 2009
excuse me?
July 31st, 2009
It’s a film (a very nasty little gem).
If you knew the reference you’d not be asking.