US Americans, go ahead and enjoy your
Netflix streaming over your Xbox 360, Brits are about to land a deal that'll put live football, TV, and films over Microsoft's broadband-enabled console -- a first live television service for Xbox 360
anywhere. Beginning in Autumn, Xbox Live subscribers in the UK and Ireland will gain access to Sky's Sky Player service that includes subscription-based live, on-demand, and pay-per-view access to your favorite shows without the need for an additional set-top-box or satellite dish. Unfortunately, specifics like prices and channel line-up have not been announced, though content is expected to be similar to the Sky Player service already available on Macs and PCs. Of interest, Xbox Live users will be able to watch sporting content together virtually and sling insults and taunts at one-another via avatars or virtual personas. Something that will lead to slurring songs in a fit of semi-social inebriation or fisticuffs, depending on the score. One more image after the break.
[Via
Gadgetoid]
posted May 29th 2009 4:41AM
Have they actually said the streaming will be in HD?
I'd love it if it was, and plenty of people in the UK have internet connections that are capable of streaming HD, but I just can't see it happening unfortunately.
Why not? Netflix streams in 720p HD on this side of the pond...
no, as you can see from the screenshot they are going to take a pal broadcast and squeeze it down into that frame and have those avatars at the bottom so it will be small and crisp looking, but still low res. It is the same crap the pull on the Inside Xbox videos.
@inteller Its just a screen shot. There could be an option to go full screen and it could be in HD. But I would think if it was really going to be in HD they would at least mention it in their press realease.
On other note, why don't us Americans get TV on our consoles? The PS3 already does and I think this is the second time the Xbox has gotten some type of TV functionality in Europe. We are totally getting shafted.
Microsoft should do this with Hulu
So happy with this. Hope the stream quality will atleast be a bit better than BBC's live stream. If it does end up with an HD option I will be subscribing instantly.
Sky Player costs too much money, has a pathetic selection of channels and only becomes free if you already pay Sky for a multi-room package.
http://skyplayer.sky.com/aboutskyplayer/online-live-tv.html
This more or less cancels out any reason to use the service unless you already have multi-room or have broadband but no way to receive satellite.
At least the implementation looks a little more integrated than the PSP Go!View effort (pretty much DOA due its stupid implementation) but the same underlying problem remains. Sky are greedy f***kers. I think Sky would have a lot more success if they did some deals with more ISPs and bundled service with premium broadband packages rather than charging extra for something people already have.