Chasing, we convey details! (Fall 360 Dash Update)

[Kulock]

(Subject from Google Engrish'd feature list.)

The update will hit on the 31st worldwide. In addition to Cheesifying the buttons and updating the interfaces for the Arcade and Marketplace, and setting things up for the upcoming HD-DVD player, this adds some nice features like 1080p support (for some games, and probably upscaling), playback of WMV files streaming from a PC, on a USB drive or on a CD-R/DVD-R (you don't need to stream it from Media Center anymore, but it's just WMV at this point for obvious reasons), changes to how it logs in to Xbox Live (I think something is even mentioned about automatic downloads?), and probably quite a bit more we'll learn about quite soon.

Some example shots of the new Dash buttons and WMV playback

Just a heads-up I suppose, thought a few might be interested. Also, early mutterings that 360s might be starting to have pack-ins, but so far it could just be store-specific (it was a Wal-Mart after all, and places like that do get special versions of games every now and then as part of promotions).

[Andrusi]

Wait, what's this again?

[BlazeHedgehod]

Xbox 360 Dashboard update. Basically, when you first turn on your Xbox 360, you are met with the "dashboard". On the Dashboard you can do stuff like view videos, photos, download game demos, etc. Think of it like the operating system of the Xbox 360.

This update adds several new features; 1080p output, for example. The ability to stream WMV video from your desktop or CD-R. It also has a setting to automatically download any new XBLA (Xbox Live Arcade) demo games that come out.

[Andrusi]

Ohhh, I see. I didn't make the connection that Dash meant Dashboard, and I thought maybe Microsoft was releasing a tweaked 360 called "XBox 360 Dash" in preparation for the upcoming PS3 and Wii and I'd somehow managed to avoid hearing about it.

[Kulock]

Ah, sorry to be confusing. And the update is going out now.

Even the battery charge icon has apparently been changed for better visibility. It's kind of strange living in a time where they can make consoles function better and have new features over the internet, far after sale. Past the days of static (or unchanged) bios, or required hardware add-ons. I mean, it's not like it can download a new video card or anything, obviously, but comparing the first bios/dashboard with what just a download will provide you now... it's pretty nice.

[Epon]

Does anyone know if the prices for 360 are dropping anytime soon?

[BlazeHedgehod]

I don't think they are. We MIGHT get a bundle, but I'm starting to lose faith in a price drop...

[Kulock]

They keep saying "No." There's always a chance, since they've got a powerful Fall season coming up, but it's more likely they'll find something to bundle in to match Wii Sports (technically there's already Hexic for the Premium, but that's not quite the same thing). Then that would make two consoles bundled with games, and one that's only including a movie for the first 500,000 consoles. It'd be a subtly effective move of sorts.

[Kulock]

Whoo, _small_ problem has supposedly cropped up...

It's the Dutch, always spoiling the party! Shame on you H!

Multiple Dutch websites are reporting that when you activate an entirely new Xbox 360 since the dashboard update, that you can't, there will be a fatal error. If you take these steps, it will happen:
- Start the console;
- Select language;
- Choose 'I am a member of Xbox Live';
- Download mandatory dashboard update;
- Update installs;
- System reboot, Xbox 360 logo appearst;
- Fatal 'System Error E71'.

Only solution after that is to replace the console.
It has been confirmed by multiple people that got replacement 360's yesterday that this is the real deal.

So this basically means that anyone who gets a replacement 360 is affected by this problem and can return their console the very same day.

I'm reading on various boards that this is happening to other brand new consoles in other parts of the world as well as consoles that have never had a dashboard update previously.

Somebody at IGN said he just got a refurbished console back from Microsoft today and as soon as he plugged it in and downloaded the update, it bricked his system. Apparently his refurb unit had not received the Spring update first and it looks like this is the problem.

If your console is brand new, or never had any of the dashboard updates... do not install today's update.

GOOD JORB. So yeah, Blaze, you buy that 360 any time soon, you make sure they've fixed this first. :P

[diablohead]

They added no new vga resolutions even though they have activated 1080p, makes me sad

[Optimus Prime]

kulock said:

GOOD JORB. So yeah, Blaze, you buy that 360 any time soon, you make sure they've fixed this first. :P

Just don't connect it to the internets until it's fixed =D. INTERNETS!

At least they're replacing systems that've been bricked... it'd shore up more sales in the short run if they didn't. It's a nefarious plot! MWaa haa ahaaaa~!

[Epon]

I've been playing Madden 07 nonstop on PS2 for the past week. I've demo'd the 360 version and love it. If they drop the price of the unit, drop the price for Madden, or make a combo deal with something that's fun (Perfect Dark Zero, hint hint), I'll max out my credit card ASAP.