Bugs Plague New Xbox 360 Video Service

eldavojohn writes "The BBC is running a story on problems with the Xbox 360's HD video service that went live a few days ago. I have wondered quite a bit how Microsoft runs the proxy caches for this service and how they are ensuring that their end consumers are not creating high amounts of internet traffic while downloading HD video." From the article: "Gamers can buy TV programmes but the movies are rented and are automatically deleted from the console's hard drive after a fixed period. 'We've made progress over the past 24 hours, and the team is dedicated to fixing the issues and continues to work as fast as they can around the clock to get the service running as seamlessly as you have come to expect,' wrote Mr Hryb, who is Xbox Live's director of programming, on his Major Nelson Xbox blog.

Not so good... :)

[Lord_Rion]

Well.. I logged into live on the first day this service was offered (stupid I know) and have been trying to dl a HD movie for a couple of days now. When I went to bed last night it was at 59%. If this is the best they can do "It's not soo good!". IMO.. :)

Re:arg

[Yvan256]

I don't know where you live in Canada, but here in Quebec (part of Canada, last time I checked) 3Mbps DSL connections and 5-10Mbps cable connections are the norm, not the exception.

In fact, even the "low-cost" option is to have a 1Mbps DSL connection.

Re:arg

[Headcase88]

I got access to the Shop on launch day easily. I visit it plenty though I've only bought one thing (Bomberman '93), and no probs with that download. It does take about 15-30 seconds to enter the shop though.

Long story short, the online service has always "been working", if you're fortunate enough to have a fully-working system to go with it.

Re:Why have a 'Fixed Period'?

[Keeper]

Storage space isn't the issue. Rental movies can't be stored for any real duration -- they're deleted after you watch them. TV shows can be redownloaded as many times as you like after purchasing them. If you run out of space, delete the show; if you want to watch it in the future, download it again for free.

Re:Not so good... :)

[abandonment]

if it's based on their standard DRM stuff you recieve your license the first time the movie is played - WiMP goes onto the net and grabs the license...so in 'theory' it wouldn't start until you actually finish the download.

which is the biggest area of issues with this new service apparently - simply getting a download to complete is the hard part...

File Sizes and costs:

[cgenman]

V for Vendetta: 132 minutes
Standard Definition: 1.7 GB, $4
High Definition: 6.1 GB, $6

Poseidon: 98 minutes
Standard Definition: 1.3 GB, $4
High Definition: 4.5 GB, $6

Clash of the Titans: 117 Minutes
Standard Definition: 1.3 GB, $3
High Definition: 5.2 GB, $4.50

CSI Season 6, Episode 1: 43 Minutes
SD: 745 MB, $2
HD: 2.6 GB, $3

UFC Fights, Episode 1: 9 Minutes
SD: 240 MB, $2
HD: 997 MB, $3

Transformers Teaser Trailer: 1 minute
SD: 25 MB, Free
HD: 86 MB, Free

(1000 points for $12.50)

SD AVG: 10 MB per minute
HD AVG: 50 MB per minute

The quality of the normal-res shows are about what you'd expect for a mid-bitrate rip. I'm guessing a rip from an already compressed video source, just by the particulars of the artifacting. It looks fine for most filmed daylight videos, assuming there isn't too many solid sheets of light or dark. It does break down quite a bit on cartoons, a place where WMV has not done traditionally well, as the solid color gradients get stepped like a mayan temple and edges get fuzzy. Unfortunately, I haven't seen a high-def show on a high-def set, but the high-def videos that I've seen on regular resolution seem worth the upgrade if you like pretty pictures. If you just want to laugh at the South Park Warcraft video, the regular resolution stuff is fine. If you want to own a pristine, perfect, never-to-be-touched version... wait for the blue-ray.

BTW, a 100 GB disk is rumored / expected shortly. And now, badly needed.

Re:Anyone tried it out yet?

[Anonymous Coward]

Since it seems that nobody has answered your original question, the HD content on the 360 is 720p, SD content is 480p. I haven't dl'ed any of the new content but the free HD game and movie trailers that I have dl'ed in the past have been good quality.