Conspiracy or not, Sony-owned Columbia Pictures movies are mostly good to go from Netflix to the Xbox 360. Initially the studio claimed that licensing was to blame for the restricted access but apparently the proper papers have been pushed ’cause most Columbia flicks can now be played with the notable exceptions of Walk Hard and Bad Boys. Chances are those will be available soon.

Now that the NXE lets users install games onto the hard drive, space is premium cause these games aren’t small. Plus, the Xbox’s standard hard drive space for the majority of the past three years was a measly 20GB so you really should know how much space these games are going to take up. Full list after the jump.

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Looks like the NXE is out for those who signed up for a preview account and Netflix has confirmed that there will be 300 HD titles in the new streaming system. Looks like Christmas came early!

Instead of adding another 10,000 people to the preview program like we did last week, we’ve decided to do something a little different: everyone who successfully applied to the preview program (and submitted a valid console ID) will be getting the New Xbox Experience sometime within the next few hours. That’s right…we’re hooking everyone else up with NXE a bit early. If you signed up and are not prompted, that means you did not enter your console ID properly and you’ll have to wait until Wednesday.

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The Xbox 360 just gained Netflix high-def streaming capability but a small issue has arisen concerning HDCP and compatible displays. It seems that these high-def files are protected by the copy protection, but no fear, it has nothing to do with component video – and never did. You see, HDCP was devised to protect digital audio and video content that travels over digital mediums such as DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort, GVIF, and UDI. Since component video is an analog signal, the movies, will of course stream just fine. 

However, if you have a LCD monitor or older HDTV – say, pre-2005 – your display has a DVI port that might not be HDCP compatible; some were and some were not back then. So users can either revert back to component video or utilize a VGA adapter. True, you will be losing your 100% digital signal and the switch might mess up your whole wiring scheme if the gaming system is within a home theater setup, but at least you will be able to stream HD Netflix movies.

HD Netflix streaming just dropped on the Xbox 360 and while the reviews have so far been stellar, a little issue just appeared in the form of copy protection. It seems in order to stream the HD videos, the Xbox 360 must be connected to a HDCP-compatible display, therefore alienating most owners using DVI-equipped screens. The situation doesn’t come as much as a surprise though now that consumers have instant access to high-quality videos via a very hackable device like the Xbox 360. It just would have been nice of Netflix to give a little heads up.

[Thanks for the tip, Tyler!]

We have all had poorly shipped packages, but apparently Microsoft has had enough with DHL’s piss-pore shipping; specifically after a whole train derailed destroying 21,600 Xbox 360s. The suit is seeking $2 million in total damages due to the October 13, 2007 incident. It seems that we here in the States would not have noticed an inventory shortage as these units were destined for Hong Kong. Which so happens to be a struggling market for the console.

But then it will get faster say some folks at Golem. Apparently games on the hard drive suffer from a seek problem that DVD based games don’t have. While the game is loading on DVD, for example, pertinent blocks are placed closer together to speed load times – and the PS3 writes those blocks a few times on the disk to make things even faster – while the HD drive spins around madly like a dervish as it seeks and reads. There are plans to fix this, ensuring that your next game load time won’t enter the double digits.

via Giz

The gaming news keeps on rolling with word of an improved XBOX 360 controller. It seems the boys over at Microsoft have outfitted a larger rocker underneath the d-pad, thus improving control. The new controller looks the same as the current model so don’t expect anything from that department as the change is inside. Time will tell if many gamers will ditch their current controllers though and spend the coin to get this one when it launches around the same time as Pro Evolution Soccer. There isn’t a gamer out there though that wouldn’t appreciate a little better control though. But then they won’t be able to blame their death on the controller. [I pressed that button. Really I did. aaarrrrggg!!]

A lot of people got double-screwed when there were all those 360s failing. Not only did your damn console die, but if you had downloaded content like XBLA games, chances are it wouldn’t be on your new console when you got that. Until now, recourse has been difficult, but the license transfer tool lets you consolidate any licenses you had on your last four systems that died. However, I recommend reading the FAQ, otherwise you might miss stuff like this:

How often can I use the tool?
The tool can only be used once every twelve months.

Why can I use the tool only once per twelve months?
The tool is intended to allow consumers to consolidate their licenses they purchased on multiple consoles to a primary console. It is not intended to continually move content between multiple consoles.

Right. Because everybody likes artificial limitations on content they’ve paid for.

Mr. Miyamoto, tear down this wall! DS and 360 gamers may soon be united by their hatred of Viva Pinata: Trouble In Paradise, a game that simulates brain death.

The game uses the 360’s camera to track and decode trading cards. These cards can also appear on devices like Zunes, cellphones, iPods and… DSes. MTV is positing that the upcoming Viva Pinata title for the DS may include electronic cards in the game to unlock features on the 360. It’s not quite real connectivity and it’s a pretty far stretch but hey, who are we to judge gaming reporting produced by the network that brought you The Hills.

To combat the red ring of death and other problems that plagued the 360, chip evolution and improvement has been an important consideration for Microsoft. The Falcon revision, for example, has improved things slightly.

Microsoft, then, hopes with this next update, codenamed Jasper, will let them put the rash of console problems behind them. Microsoft is setting up provisions to start updating the Xbox 360 with a 65nm GPU late August. This information is backed by a report from CENS, saying they already contracted with a few company’s to build the new chips.

It is also known that the Falcon chips are depleted, so that paves the way for a quick transition to Jasper. Reports are also saying that the next update after Jasper will not happen for a year after its release.

via dailytech.com

Microsoft has just discontinued their HD DVD players for the XBox 360. Microsoft chose… poorly.

As a result of recent decisions made by Toshiba, Hollywood studios, and retailers, Microsoft plans to withdraw from HD DVD. Xbox will no longer manufacture new HD DVD players for the Xbox 360, but we will continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD DVD Players in the market. As we stated earlier, we do not believe this decision will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room, along with playback of the DVD movies they already own.

via GamerScore

Sure, they’ve been shooting panoramas since the days of sepia-tone, but it’s never been so easy, and it’s never been so def. Hi-def, that is. This new Olympus gadget shoots full circle within a vertical plane of 50°. The company explains that by optimizing the axisymmetric free-form-surface lens, which apparently is the cylindrical lens element, they were able to achieve this high definition feat. The same element is used in the Surround-video camera’s mate, the surround-video projector. It’s easy to think of uses for this little guy, from security camera to full-immersion video tourism to mounting on your car so you don’t run over so many kids. The devices shoot and project in 1080i, which looks great, but if they’re doing cool future-toys, I’d like to see them lose that “i”. And what’s with that cord hanging from the top?

Olympus: Shooting and Projecting Omnidirectional Video Images in Full HD [TechOn, via Wired News]

We’ve heard a few rumors about Xbox 360 owners being able to get a special deal if they want to trade up to an Elite model and now some have been confirmed. Here’s the deal: If you’re going to trade in your old 360 for an Elite model, go to Gamestop. They’ll give you $50 for an Xbox (wow, not too bad at all), $200 for a Core Xbox 360, and $250 for your Premium version.

Even if you don’t plan on getting an Elite, it might be worth trading in that original Xbox. Fifty clams is a lot of cash for an old beat-up system used solely for playing Halo 2. Better hop on this deal while it lasts though. I have a feeling after the Elite has been out for a while Gamestop will lower the trade-in value.

CONFIRMED: Xbox 360 Trade-In Deal! [Xbox 360 Rally]

Apparently GameSpot posted — and yanked — a video of the 360 Dashboard updates coming May 7. Good stuff includes:

- Releases May 7th.
- Add up to 600 Windows Live Messenger contacts to your Friends List.
- Text chat with up to 6 Live Messenger contacts at once during games or movies.
- The Marketplace will be getting its own Dashboard Blade.
- The Marketplace will be skinned independently of the Dashboard, for special events.
- The Marketplace will be getting a new, easier-to-navigate remake.
- Achievement Pop-ups will now display how many points and which Achievement you have gained.
- Low-power downloading (fans off) and auto-off after finishing queued downloads.
- View partially downloaded video files.

http://news.mygamercard.net/2007/04/06/xbox-360-spring-2007-dashboard-update/ [MyGamerCard]

With the success of Guitar Hero 2, it was only a matter of time before some publishers and developers went “Hey…what if we did the same concept with a whole band?!” Rock Band is that next step, which is set to drop in November of this year. The game will include a whole band setup using unique controllers for guitar, bass, and drums, as well as microphones for belting out those vox. But with the early pricing set over at the Gamestop website, this game is probably one of the costliest games ever.

If you plan on going all out, you’ll need the drums ($80), two guitars ($120), a bass ($60), say two mics for main and backup vocal duties ($80), and of course, the damn game ($60). Add ‘em all up and you’ve spent a whopping $400 on your virtual band that will never make it out of the living room. Of course, it’s about a good $2000 cheaper than trying to form a real rock and roll band, so one could argue that somehow, you are saving here. The game will be released for both PS3 and Xbox 360, so better start saving no matter what side you’re on. And kids? Go buy a nice Strat, some drums, and a microphone and start your own band. Trust us: no matter how good you are at “The Final Countdown,” the groupies will not flock to your virtual stylings.

The $300 game? Gamestop hints at Rock Band pricing [Ars Technica]

Though Vista is great and all and quite the improvement over XP, it still has a lot of issues with certain programs and hardware. Hence why Microsoft is taking awhile to roll out its Games For Windows Live service. Luckily, the time is almost upon us. Microsoft will be releasing Games For Windows Live for Vista owners come May 8th. The service will allow gamers to easily play against each other on certain games. Plus with the ability to hook up a 360 controller to Vista, plenty of people are going to be giving it a whirl.

And that’s not all. Halo 2 comes out the same day, allowing tons of 14 year olds to call each other “Gay” and “Lame” regardless if they’re playing on an Xbox or a PC. Either way, cross-platform gaming actually looks like it has a shot for once. Kudos to you Microsoft for doing something awesome with the gaming world.

Games for Windows Live and Halo 2 hit Vista May 8th [Joystiq]

Well, here’s a bit of news you can use while you spend 70 hours trying to finish Zelda. The Wii uses considerably less electricity than the PS3 or Xbox 360 and makes the PC look as wasteful as a Hummer with a hole in its gas tank.

At its peak, the Wii sucked down 18.4 Watts during gameplay as compared to 209.7 Watts in the PC and 199.7 Watts in the PS3. The total power consumption is basically a flat line when compared to the high peaks and valleys of the 360 and PS3.

The article also discusses power usage during video playback and other tasks, but it looks like the tiny Wii sips energy like a proper lady sipping juleps at the Kentucky Derby.

Power Consumption in Today’s Consoles [HardCoreWare via Engadget]