According to a long thread at the AVForums, several Xbox 360 users are losing all sound after upgrading to the New Xbox Experience. Apparently, the problem only appears in HDMI-connected systems. but there has been one report of someone having the same problem using a SCART connector. Fortunately, there seems to be a fix.
Reports from the front lines regarding the Xbox 360′s ‘New Xbox Experience’ update are just coming in, and so far, so good. We’ve heard that updates are taking as little as five minutes (including download and installation), which isn’t bad at all. The only technical glitch we’ve heard about is that Netflix device activation went down for a bit, but it seems to be working now. Share your own experience in the comments and let us know if your system bricked or something so we can all have a good laugh. Also, be sure to check:
In what’s a slightly suspicious coincidence, but Sony’s suddenly pulled a bunch of its movies from the Xbox’s Netflix Watch Instantly streaming service just a few hours before Microsoft’s New Xbox Experience goes live. Previously available titles like Superbad and Bad Boys, which are owned by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment subsidiary Columbia Pictures, have been made unavailable for Xbox users. Netflix VP Steve Swasey says there’s no foul play involved, and that the NXE Instant Queue had just run into a licensing issue with Columbia Pictures. [Joystiq via Engadget]
The New Xbox Experience, a.k.a. the new Xbox 360 Dashboard, hits tomorrow. If you’ve got an Xbox 360 that’s connected to the internet, you’re going to be prompted to update your console as soon as you turn it on. No exceptions; this is what your machine will look like until either it dies, you die, or Microsoft decides to make ANOTHER Xbox Experience. Unfortunately, unlike Batman, you didn’t have time to prepare. Here are the ten things you should know about the new Xbox experience so you can be set for tomorrow.
Without much ado, Microsoft’s released the New Xbox Experience for some of you an entire day and a half earlier than announced. Woohoo. Everyone who applied to the “preview program” for NXE can as of now check out the avatar system, redesigned menus and other knick knacks. Previewers, tell us how it’s going. The rest of us who couldn’t be bothered to fill out Microsoft’s sign-up form will still have to wait until the 19th. [Kotaku]
While we’ve already reviewed what it’s like to stream Netflix movies on the New Xbox Experience, we missed that there were 300 pieces of HD content right below our noses. Since then, we loaded up The Thing in HD and gave Netflix Instant Streaming HD our full once-over.
The New Xbox Experience—which we just gave a stellar review—will not only stream Netflix movies. It will be streaming Netflix movies in HD. Whaaa? Nobody else does that!
This November, the Xbox 360 will turn three. So far, it’s been a profitable and successful system for Microsoft, capturing the attention of developers, snatching exclusives away from the PlayStation 3 and gaining lots of street cred from hardcore gamers.
But in spite of this success, Microsoft has chosen to make an aggressive, totally unprecedented step. They’re completely overhauling the Xbox 360 firmware with a free update called the New Xbox Experience (NXE) that hits consoles on November 19th. Functionally, it’s hiding at least one killer app. Visually, it’s a bigger jump than Windows XP to Windows Vista. Given that NXE is a mandatory update for anyone on Xbox Live, it’s a good thing we really, really liked it.
Major Nelson has just dropped the details on how to get into the New Xbox Experience early. They’re looking for a “few thousand” participants. All you’ve gotta do is sign up and answer a few questions (click here) to be considered for the Preview Update. Gold and Silver Xbox Live members can apply, but Gold gets first priority. If you’re accepted, you’ll hear from them in about a week, meaning the preview should be within the next 10-14 days. AU: Haven’t had a chance to see if it’s available to Aussies… Anyone know? Share the knowledge in comments.
[Sign Up via Major Nelson]
The New Xbox Experience is, in a word, fantastic—I got to check it myself out last week, and was amazed by its totally smooth re-imagining of the Xbox UI. If you’re jealous, you won’t have to be for long. On his podcast, Major Nelson not-so-subtly hinted you’ll be able play with it early, maybe as soon as next week:
