Red Kawa
04-09-2007, 12:32 PM
Microsoft just dropped a huge video bomb today with the announcement of the Spring Dashboard update to the Xbox 360. Tucked away behind all the hubbub about Instant Messaging and a Keyboard Accessory were these golden eggs:
- H.264 video support: Up to 15 Mbps, Baseline, Main, and High (up to level 4.1) Profiles with 2 channel AAC LC and Main Profiles.
- Added MPEG-4 Part 2 video support: Up to 8 Mbps, Simple Profile with 2 channel AAC LC and Main Profiles.
Microsoft has also added tons of other minor features to enhance the video playback experience on the Xbox 360. You can find a complete list here (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0408-im.htm).
Unanswered Questions:
Is Windows Media Center (2005 or Vista) is required to stream these types of videos?
Can we stream videos using Windows Media Connect (which basically means any recent Windows PC)?
Can we playback these videos off of removable storage?
Our Analysis:
This puts Microsoft at the head of the pack in the Apple TV vs PS3 vs Xbox 360 video battle royale. Wth the Xbox 360 you get full 1080p video support (aka H.264 Level 4.1) as well as H.264 High Profile support. The Apple TV maxes out at 720p (Level 3.1) and H.264 Main Profile support. Meanwhile the PS3 supports 1080p (Level 4.1) but only at H.264 Main Profile as well.
Unfortunately, all 3 devices are still not capable of outputting discrete 5.1 audio. The best you can get from each is likely some form of matrixed 2 channel sound like DPL I or II which will give you a simulated surround sound experience but not discrete.
Another let down is the "Up to 15 Mbps" maximum they've enforced for H.264 video. Technically Microsoft shouldn't be saying they support Level 4.1 since the max video bitrate for Level 4.1 is 50 Mbps. This means that AVC video found on HD DVD and Blu-Ray discs will not playback since they have bitrates of 35-45 Mbps. At least 15 Mbps should be more than enough for user generated 1080p video.
Mini FAQ:
Are you going to update Videora Xbox 360 Converter to support these new formats?
Of course! We will also add a few cool features that PS3 Video 9 users are currently enjoying.
Will the Xbox 360 play divx/xvid/avi/mkv files?
No, the Xbox 360 will only support the WMV and MP4 containers. It also supports the MPG container but only via Windows Media Center
Can the Xbox 360 play xvid video streams without re-encoding?
No the Xbox 360 only supports MPEG-4 Part 2 Simple Profile. Xvid videos are encoded as MPEG-4 Part 2 Advanced Simple Profile.
Final Notes:
It's easy to get bogged down in the negative and complain about things not included. The fact is when you have millions of users, its impossible to satisfy everyone. Also at the end of the day, Microsoft is a business and their goal is to make money for their shareholders.
This dashboard update is a HUGE deal and we'd like to thank Microsoft and all the developers working on the Xbox 360 for adding this functionality and giving it away for free.
- H.264 video support: Up to 15 Mbps, Baseline, Main, and High (up to level 4.1) Profiles with 2 channel AAC LC and Main Profiles.
- Added MPEG-4 Part 2 video support: Up to 8 Mbps, Simple Profile with 2 channel AAC LC and Main Profiles.
Microsoft has also added tons of other minor features to enhance the video playback experience on the Xbox 360. You can find a complete list here (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0408-im.htm).
Unanswered Questions:
Is Windows Media Center (2005 or Vista) is required to stream these types of videos?
Can we stream videos using Windows Media Connect (which basically means any recent Windows PC)?
Can we playback these videos off of removable storage?
Our Analysis:
This puts Microsoft at the head of the pack in the Apple TV vs PS3 vs Xbox 360 video battle royale. Wth the Xbox 360 you get full 1080p video support (aka H.264 Level 4.1) as well as H.264 High Profile support. The Apple TV maxes out at 720p (Level 3.1) and H.264 Main Profile support. Meanwhile the PS3 supports 1080p (Level 4.1) but only at H.264 Main Profile as well.
Unfortunately, all 3 devices are still not capable of outputting discrete 5.1 audio. The best you can get from each is likely some form of matrixed 2 channel sound like DPL I or II which will give you a simulated surround sound experience but not discrete.
Another let down is the "Up to 15 Mbps" maximum they've enforced for H.264 video. Technically Microsoft shouldn't be saying they support Level 4.1 since the max video bitrate for Level 4.1 is 50 Mbps. This means that AVC video found on HD DVD and Blu-Ray discs will not playback since they have bitrates of 35-45 Mbps. At least 15 Mbps should be more than enough for user generated 1080p video.
Mini FAQ:
Are you going to update Videora Xbox 360 Converter to support these new formats?
Of course! We will also add a few cool features that PS3 Video 9 users are currently enjoying.
Will the Xbox 360 play divx/xvid/avi/mkv files?
No, the Xbox 360 will only support the WMV and MP4 containers. It also supports the MPG container but only via Windows Media Center
Can the Xbox 360 play xvid video streams without re-encoding?
No the Xbox 360 only supports MPEG-4 Part 2 Simple Profile. Xvid videos are encoded as MPEG-4 Part 2 Advanced Simple Profile.
Final Notes:
It's easy to get bogged down in the negative and complain about things not included. The fact is when you have millions of users, its impossible to satisfy everyone. Also at the end of the day, Microsoft is a business and their goal is to make money for their shareholders.
This dashboard update is a HUGE deal and we'd like to thank Microsoft and all the developers working on the Xbox 360 for adding this functionality and giving it away for free.