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Been awhile guys, finally brought out a new piece of software. This time it is for Windows Home Server, the new operating system from Microsoft. You may have heard about Windows Home Server earlier this year when Bill Gates was demonstrating it at (I believe) the CES - consumer electronics show. The new software I am putting out is called Community Feeds; it’s basically just like XB Stream but for a server interface where software like this is better suited. You get the same features as XB Stream and you can stream content directly from your dedicated Windows Home Server directly to your Xbox 360 console.
Windows Home Server isn’t officially out yet but it will be very soon, if you have the Release Candidate of Windows Home Server give this software a try!
Looks like Microsoft is now supplying a 3 year warranty with all consoles (new and previously purchased) for all versions of the Xbox 360. This is very good to hear, I was almost out of a month of gaming last month due to my 360’s red ring of death - I would definately have been upset if I had to pay for that fix. So all in all this is very good news, hopefully Microsoft has located the problems with the 3 red ring issue and is fixing the issue permanently.
– PGXL
Okay so I’m now on my 4th console, it’s been shipped back to Microsoft countless times. Yes, I’ve received the dreaded three red lights 
Good thing I have an extended warranty otherwise I’d have to pay for repairs. Microsoft says it will take up to 3 weeks to repair and have a new one out to me. Really I believe Microsoft should send a new console to the customer, bill their credit card until the old one is shipped back - this way it’s less of a hassle on the consumers end.
[update June 21, 2007] I finally received a replacement Xbox 360 today, Microsoft did include a 1 month Xbox Live card to cover the lost time on Xbox Live that was paid for. Sure wish this repair process was MUCH MUCH faster though!!
– PGXL
Added new video support for Mpeg and Quicktime, also added a few new content feeds. A great thanks goes out to Microsoft for this Spring Dashboard Update.
- Added video codec support. Added new MPEG and Quicktime video codec support due to the Xbox spring dashboard update adding these codes into the Xbox 360.
- Added new feeds. Added new content feeds.
– PGXL
Recompiled XB Stream with a new version of Delphi 2007, fixes for Windows api, help file access, on going Windows Vista compatibility and changing of gamertag and other text.
- Optimized software. Recompiled software with latest version of Delphi 2007, which fixes api problems with Windows and fixes html help file access.
- Changed text. Changed information with several feeds, changed to new gamertag - PGXL, updated the copyright information.
- Added Vista compatibility. Added application flip3d and preview modes within Windows Vista.
– PGXL
My new gamertag is now PGXL, the old one was linked to a previous Windows Live ID I had. Due to the 360 now having Windows Live Messenger integration I needed to create a new GamerTag linked with the same Live ID associated with Messenger. If you wish to contact me or want to be on my friends list please use the gamertag - PGXL. Thanks.
–- PGXL
I’m sure everyone has heard about the new Xbox 360 Elite and the 120 Gb HDD. I’m definately an Xbox supporter but the pricing for the HDD is way off at $180 USD. I really suggest people do not buy this harddrive to send a message to Microsoft that this excessive pricing will not fly; and they will drop the price eventually.
As to those rushing out to buy the Xbox 360 Elite for the HDMI - WAIT. I can guarantee to you that within a few months there will be Xbox 360 Core and Premium units that will come with HDMI connections. Microsoft is not about to create two separate motherboards for core/premium and another for the elite. They will get rid of current stock of core/premium and then replace these with upgraded HDMI versions at the same pricing. Why pay more for something you can get in a few months for much less of a price.
–- PGXL
Minor update to XB Stream for Windows Vista users.
- Fixed Windows Vista compatibility. The XB Stream system tray program was set with the adminstrator token, which causes the software not to run on system startup as per Windows Vista UAC security.
- Changed text. Made a small change to text on the main XB Stream settings window; typo which listed audio only under the video label.
– PGXL
Long story short - do not ever buy a computer from Dell. They flat out lie on their website about computer configurations; falsely advertise computer configurations and send you modified hardware which cannot be upgraded and send you stripped down motherboards which limits your computers capabilities. Take a look around the internet regarding the XPS 700 and how Dell has lied to their customers. Felt I needed to let people know about this to avoid any potential issues they might run into.
– PG4
Anyone update to Windows Vista yet? I updated a few days ago and it’s great. Purchased a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate and definately like the new interface and security in Vista. Remember XBS is Vista compatible as well 
Can’t wait to start playing cross platform from Vista to Xbox 360 when Live Anywhere hits.
– PGXL
I know I’m not the only person who uses the VGA cable and plays the Xbox 360 using a widescreen monitor so it’s likely I am not the only one affected by this. Why Microsoft does not add in 1440×900 and 1680×1050 and possibly even 1920×1200 resolutions I don’t know. Microsoft does support a 5:4 aspect ratio with 1280×1024 and many other 16:9 as well as one 16:10 ratio so adding these higher resolutions in would be very nice. It makes viewing games so much better while viewing them in the monitors native resolution. Right now I’m using the 1280×768 near 16:10 resolution, and then using my monitor to adjust the aspect ratio correctly, but certainly would be nice to have true 1680×1050 added in. Microsoft are you listening??
::Update - Just bought a new 24″ Dell HC monitor with 1920×1200 resolution so that fixes the problem of resolution issues; I’m now running full 1080p Still Microsoft needs to push to get 1680×1050 and 1440×900 as two standard monitor resolutions otherwise they really should not have a vga adapter on the market.
– PGXL
New feeds have been added into the XB Stream software, check them out. Both are great new Xbox 360 websites:
The Online Nation - http://www.theonlinenation.com/ - Add To XB Stream
Do It Yourself Gamer - http://www.diygamer.com/ - Add To XB Stream
– PGXL
Due to the enormous number of spam posts that have been posted on the Xb Stream forums and the general lack of valid posts, I will be closing the forums down. I have opened up anonymous comments on the blog here so please feel free to post (the blog has a content filter feature which prevents what has happened on the forum).
On a side note, hope everyone is doing good. I’ve been busy playing Oblivion, yeah I know the game came out months back but I finally had some free time to start playing the game It’s definately one of the better Xbox 360 games that I’ve played so far.
– PGXL
So today I decided to head out to Circuit City and see the huge line of Wii buyers, didn’t feel like joining that crowd so I went in to take a look at Xbox accessories. I’ve been reading up on surround sound systems and saw the HTS-GS1 Pioneer 5.1 surround sound system specifically licensed for the Xbox 360. Well I got a little impulsive and decided to buy it, the system has the Xbox 360 color scheme and design and looks great. I’m not a huge audiophile so I can’t really compare how good they are in comparison to other audio systems but I’ve got to say the speakers sound great and the subwoofer is amazing. I’ll have to crank this thing up all the way some night when all my neighbors are asleep and play the Halo 3 trailer It was extremely easy to setup and go, took about an hour to put all the wires and speakers in place but otherwise wasn’t difficult at all. For those that are considering getting this system, you can get a $50 rebate from Pioneers website . Also Circuit City is running a sale and you can get the speakers at $249.00 rather than the $300 they typically sell at. These speakers originally were going for $500 which I definately would not have bought at, but at this price for a pretty nice surround sound system that matches the 360 look they can’t be beat IMHO.
– PGXL
Today I was accepted into the Xbox Community Developer Program (XCDP), which is a program Microsoft has within the Xbox division. This program allows developers access to XML data for gamertag data - such as games played, last time logged into Xbox live, gamerscore, and achievement information. This is great as it allows developers to build all sorts of Xbox related software; which means more toys you guys can play with. I’ll be playing with this data and start tinkering with some ideas I have. Thanks to Daniel at Microsoft who heads the XCDP!!
– PGXL
New version released due to Xbox 360 now supporting video streaming. . Below are the changes:
- Changed Images. Changed some of the images within the software, and modified the XBS logo on the output display image.
- Added Video Feed Compatibility. Added the ability for WMV videos to be downloaded and displayed on the Xbox 360 due to the Xbox 360 November Dashboard Update which allows video streaming from a computer.
– PGXL
Okay so I was over at Major Nelson’s website and was reading the story about Sony’s GamerDay. Well Nelson linked off to an Engadget article where it shows how desperate Sony is to pawn off their PS3 to unwilling victims. Sony is claiming that Xbox 360 users are REQUIRED to purchase a HDD, wireless controller, memory cards, and to top it off the HD-DVD drive, thus putting the Xbox 360 over $700 compared to the Grillstation 3’s $500 price point. Sorry this is a bunch of bullsh8 and Sony needs to be called on it. Well thats my rant for the day, and let me finish off by saying Sony are scumbags and I’ll never buy any of their products - not that I do anyway.
I decided to go ahead and create my own chart, obviously it’s fake:
So I was emailed today by a very nice guy in Austria. He suggested I use the XB Stream technology and use it for the Ipod, where text/blogs are converted to images, and audio/images are transfered over to the ipod via iTunes software’s sync feature. What do you guys think? I don’t have an Ipod but I suspect this wouldn’t be very hard to create since the majority of the technology is already built. I’d eventually like to do the same for the Zune device too. Maybe a whole blog/podcast software suite for all sorts of portable devices What are your opinions?
(update) Received a generic form letter from Mark Aaker from Apple, apparently they don’t like the idea and have no intentions to work with me (remember this was going to be a freeware program - helping promote the Ipod - no finanical benefit for me whatsoever). I don’t see any reason to support Apple’s products since they are not willing to work with community or developers. Likely this product will evolve into one that works with Microsoft’s Zune device
Based on the number of unique users that have downloaded XB Stream, it looks like a little over 50,000 people are using XBS. Those are great numbers in under one month of the software being released. I never expected that many people to download and use the software ever, and to imagine those numbers in under one month is very exciting. Thanks all, and enjoy the software.
So I mentioned a few days back that I was interviewed by Trixie over at Xbox.com, well the interview has been posted up over at Xbox.com, so check it out. Thanks again goes out to Trixie for promoting XB Stream, check out Trixie’s blog here.
– PG4