Verizon will find a way to overprice it even more than the cable companies eventually if they hold to form

Are they bringing their dependable connections and top notch customer service along too? Because I'd rather deal with the cable company, quite frankly.

If my ISP (Charter) ever signs on, I'm definitely getting an Xbox. Been torn between that and the PS3 for the longest time; since I'm not much of a console gamer, I've never made the leap. For that same reason, PS3 and its free PSN (and, therefore, free access to Netflix, etc.) was more attractive than Xbox and their $60 annual subscription. Who pays $5 a month for something they don't really need? But if I can get TV on an Xbox, plus the benefits of using it as a WMC Extender, that just about seals the deal.

Aaaand most people missed the important part, it seems.

Starting in December, Xbox Live Gold members will be able to download a Verizon Fios TV application to their Xbox 360 gaming consoles. Upon doing so, and as long as they're both Verizon TV and Internet subscribers, they'll be able to watch live programming on 26 channels through Verizon's service. Verizon didn't say which channels will be offered, but it did acknowledge that the selection will depend "on the customer's TV package."

Congrats. You get to watch the TV you're already paying for without changing your input to your set-top box.

My potential interest for this TV package just went to zero.

In fact, it probably went into the negatives, since I could see AT&T doing away with my access to ESPN3 and instead only offering it to TV customers through this.

Balchinian: Are they bringing their dependable connections and top notch customer service along too? Because I'd rather deal with the cable company, quite frankly.

Fios is pretty reliable.

Jragghen: In fact, it probably went into the negatives, since I could see AT&T doing away with my access to ESPN3 and instead only offering it to TV customers through this.

You win!
These monoliths don't want to innovate, nor provide better service. They only want to charge you more for the things you're already getting.

Verizon's TV app bringing 26 channels to Xbox 360. Can you hear me now, cable companies?

Umm...yeah, they can. They are the ones that signed the agreement:

"The software giant announced this morning that nearly 40 television content providers--including Comcast, Verizon, and HBO in the United States--will roll out programming over Xbox Live. The company also has deals lined up with providers in the U.K., Spain, Canada, Mexico, Germany, and Italy."

Or you could pay nothing and watch illegal streams for free like the rest of us. Your call.

You can only get these channels if you already have Verizon TV service. Why would I use my xbox to watch TV when I already have a cable box that provides more channels, plus the cable box has a DVR. This is zero value added for anyone.

we'll see. my blu-ray player has about 30 "channels" from some of those same companies and those are nothing more than portals for viewing music videos, trailers or 90 second clips of their shows.

Most people don't know this, but you can already do this with U-verse (new window). Rumor are that they will be offering a Kinect enabled version soon.

MrEricSir: Or you could pay nothing and watch illegal streams for free like the rest of us. Your call.

Can't do that on the Xbox 360, directly.

Xbox you could.

quantum_csc: You can only get these channels if you already have Verizon TV service. Why would I use my xbox to watch TV when I already have a cable box that provides more channels, plus the cable box has a DVR. This is zero value added for anyone.

Voice control?

Uverse had this for a long time. Pay 100.00 fer the privelage to hav xbox as receiver.

StoPPeRmobile: quantum_csc: You can only get these channels if you already have Verizon TV service. Why would I use my xbox to watch TV when I already have a cable box that provides more channels, plus the cable box has a DVR. This is zero value added for anyone.

Voice control?

Are remotes really that cumbersome? I have to agree with quantum, this adds no value. You aren't getting anything new or extra. Basically it's a stepping stone to replacing the set top box with an Xbox. Which in all honesty I hope doesn't happen because it'll probably spell the end to gaming as we know it. Now if they offered this service for free or a reduced price, it could be interesting (reduced since you're only getting 26 channels)

fark channels. I'll chose what I want to watch, and when.

RyansPrivates: Most people don't know this, but you can already do this with U-verse (new window).

That doesn't seem particularly worthwhile. It sounds like they charge you $100 for the privilege of using a device which you already own as a second receiver. I guess it potentially eliminates one device, but how much does a 2nd standard receiver typically cost?

Rumor are that they will be offering a Kinect enabled version soon.

Okay, that would be pretty cool. And one step closer to being able to interact with our TV shows, just like in dystopian novels (can't remember if it's Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, or 1984 where people interact with the screens).

madden101: That doesn't seem particularly worthwhile. It sounds like they charge you $100 for the privilege of using a device which you already own as a second receiver. I guess it potentially eliminates one device, but how much does a 2nd standard receiver typically cost?

not to mention that (with u-verse) I use the ethernet port on the second receiver for my wired connection to the internet

Yo, I heard you wuz paying for Fios, and Xbox and Internet, so we put the Fios in your Xbox, so you can watch it over the internet.

/Even though you still have to pay for all three
//Brilliant

Young Rory Calhoun: StoPPeRmobile: quantum_csc: You can only get these channels if you already have Verizon TV service. Why would I use my xbox to watch TV when I already have a cable box that provides more channels, plus the cable box has a DVR. This is zero value added for anyone.

Voice control?

Are remotes really that cumbersome? I have to agree with quantum, this adds no value. You aren't getting anything new or extra. Basically it's a stepping stone to replacing the set top box with an Xbox. Which in all honesty I hope doesn't happen because it'll probably spell the end to gaming as we know it. Now if they offered this service for free or a reduced price, it could be interesting (reduced since you're only getting 26 channels)

Xbox was the end of gaming as I knew it.

Yes, remotes are cumbersome. How many does the average home have? How many batteries is that? I'm tired of buying and charging batteries. What about when they have something spilled on them?

Loving Netflix with voice control.

/could care less about paying for TV

Until all cable TV is entirely on demand at all times and for all shows TV will continue to be a waste of time.

madden101: RyansPrivates: Most people don't know this, but you can already do this with U-verse (new window).

That doesn't seem particularly worthwhile. It sounds like they charge you $100 for the privilege of using a device which you already own as a second receiver. I guess it potentially eliminates one device, but how much does a 2nd standard receiver typically cost?

Rumor are that they will be offering a Kinect enabled version soon.

Okay, that would be pretty cool. And one step closer to being able to interact with our TV shows, just like in dystopian novels (can't remember if it's Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, or 1984 where people interact with the screens).

Fahrenheit 451, Montag .

Axel_Gear: Until all cable TV is entirely on demand at all times and for all shows TV will continue to be a waste of time.

Isn't it just for people that need to watch sports?

I'm still pissed MS requires a gold account to watch Netflix on the xbox. Assholes. Netflix content doesn't go through your servers.

Rent is too damn high: Balchinian: Are they bringing their dependable connections and top notch customer service along too? Because I'd rather deal with the cable company, quite frankly.

Fios is pretty reliable.

I had it for 19 months in VA and it was awesome! We had ONE cable/internet outage the entire time, and it was an area-wide problem that only lasted about 4 hours. Meanwhile, I've now had Comcast (in Seattle, where FiOS isn't) for 18 months and my internet goes out at least twice a week, including this past Sunday night, for 8 hours. I would pay $200 a month (with no pay channels, even) for the privilege of using Verizon FiOS instead of Comcast. Comcast is literally my only option. I hates them, Precious!

quantum_csc: You can only get these channels if you already have Verizon TV service. Why would I use my xbox to watch TV when I already have a cable box that provides more channels, plus the cable box has a DVR. This is zero value added for anyone.

Because maybe you don't want to connect a cable box to every tv in the house. They aren't free you know?

Sure, it's shiatty logic, but it's the only thing I can come up with.

Like I want channels - people telling me what to watch and when

Jragghen:
Congrats. You get to watch the TV you're already paying for without changing your input to your set-top.

Good farking Lord THIS! In what God damn way is this anything but?

StoPPeRmobile: Axel_Gear: Until all cable TV is entirely on demand at all times and for all shows TV will continue to be a waste of time.

Isn't it just for people that need to watch sports?

Well obviously sports are shown live, but why cant I watch any show I want that is being shown on any given channel any time I want? For example if Fox shows the Simpsons and I forget to record an episode or don't set a schedule I cant go back. They may offer it on demand some time in the future, but who knows when or for how long.

If I want to watch last weeks episode of House right now why shouldn't I be able to? I already pay for the channel that shows it.

If this weeks episode of The Office premiers at 7 pm why do I have to record it to watch at 8? Shouldn't I be able to turn on my TV and just watch. I already pay for it and the technology is already there.

But a system like that will probably drastically reduce "channel surfing" which in turn will drastically reduce ad revenue (which was supposed to bear the cost of cable TV entirely in the first place) so it will never happen.

Jragghen: Aaaand most people missed the important part, it seems.

Starting in December, Xbox Live Gold members will be able to download a Verizon Fios TV application to their Xbox 360 gaming consoles. Upon doing so, and as long as they're both Verizon TV and Internet subscribers, they'll be able to watch live programming on 26 channels through Verizon's service. Verizon didn't say which channels will be offered, but it did acknowledge that the selection will depend "on the customer's TV package."

Congrats. You get to watch the TV you're already paying for without changing your input to your set-top box.

My potential interest for this TV package just went to zero.

In fact, it probably went into the negatives, since I could see AT&T doing away with my access to ESPN3 and instead only offering it to TV customers through this.

It sounds like Microsoft is the driving force behind this in an effort to make the Xbox competitive against Roku as a streaming device. They know that the day will come when cable channels will be available for purchase a la carte via the web, and they want people thinking that the Xbox is the best device for accessing the content. And I think it's going to happen sooner than people think. Now that HBO GO is available on Roku -- meaning, you can watch HBO without a cable box -- it's really only a matter of time until they open up that service to non-HBO subscribers.

Evil Kirk vs Bad Ash: Jragghen:
Congrats. You get to watch the TV you're already paying for without changing your input to your set-top.

Good farking Lord THIS! In what God damn way is this anything but?

I have two TVs and two 360s but only one DVR. Sadly, I don't have Verizon.

I have Fios, an Xbox, and Live gold. I pay for those things already and you are telling me that I can now watch TV on the Xbox by downloading an app? How is this bad unless you just want to cry about something? I guess I can always get another box for a monthly fee instead.

yea, for the 75% of america living with no high speed internet, or really shiatty high speed internet, this is pointless.

buffering, loading times, poor quality? sign. me. up.

/had netflix on my xbox.
//took forever to load, stopped and started, looked like rotten pixelated ass.

havocmike: yea, for the 75% of america living with no high speed internet, or really shiatty high speed internet, this is pointless.

buffering, loading times, poor quality? sign. me. up.

/had netflix on my xbox.
//took forever to load, stopped and started, looked like rotten pixelated ass.

Except you already have to have Verizon TV service, which usually means FiOS, which also means you have damn good high speed internet.

exparrot: Yo, I heard you wuz paying for Fios, and Xbox and Internet, so we put the Fios in your Xbox, so you can watch it over the internet.

/Even though you still have to pay for all three
//Brilliant

Yeah, I am not seeing how this changes anything. Now, I have an Xbox, live in the sticks, and don't want to pay for satellite TV. I can do Netflix and whatnot, but if I could use my Xbox to get various streaming channels, that would be great.

If I have to have current service and just get to use my Xbox to access it, that is kind of stupid.

fark YOU FIOS COME TO GA!

/rant

Dr J Zoidberg: MrEricSir: Or you could pay nothing and watch illegal streams for free like the rest of us. Your call.

THIS.

Probably going to get satellite though. HBO, Starz, Cinemax, Showtime all free for three months. And it'll be nice to watch Game of Thrones, The Borgias, Spartacus etc, on something bigger than my computer screen for once.

What exactly is preventing you from connecting your computer to your TV?

Uverse been a set top box for a while now.
/Wake me up when you can use kinect with it

Dr J Zoidberg: Don't know how I guess. Know enough to download torrents and stream movies for free on my computer. That's about it.

I've probably heard this a million times. People have actually said to me "I wish I could display this on my TV" My only response is so do it.

Depends on your graphics card or laptop. Generally you have DVI or VGA on your computer and more than likely HDMI on your TV. DVI on your computer is better because its digital like HDMI, but VGA will work as well.

DVI port:


VGA port:


HDMI port:


So what you need is a DVI (or VGA) to HDMI cable.
Amazon basics cable (new window)

There are cheaper ones but thats what I have. For 8 dollars your TV becomes a huge monitor.

If you have windows 7 it will automatically change the resolution to match the TV so you wont have to adjust anything. Hope that helps.

Streaming is so stupid. Accidentally cancel the feed? Well, no problem, just restream the 90% you hadn't watched yet. And you can still record the stream anyway. So stupid.

Mike Chewbacca: Rent is too damn high: Balchinian: Are they bringing their dependable connections and top notch customer service along too? Because I'd rather deal with the cable company, quite frankly.

Fios is pretty reliable.

I had it for 19 months in VA and it was awesome! We had ONE cable/internet outage the entire time, and it was an area-wide problem that only lasted about 4 hours. Meanwhile, I've now had Comcast (in Seattle, where FiOS isn't) for 18 months and my internet goes out at least twice a week, including this past Sunday night, for 8 hours. I would pay $200 a month (with no pay channels, even) for the privilege of using Verizon FiOS instead of Comcast. Comcast is literally my only option. I hates them, Precious!

Woa man that sucks. Two internet outages a week is insane, even my old, slow, and shiatty Verizon DSL was never that bad, I remember having an outage probably once every month or so. So far, Fios has only gone out because of loss of power for me.

Sergeant Grumbles: They only want to charge you more for the things you're already getting.

Yep, exactly. See also: tiered Internet.

quantum_csc: You can only get these channels if you already have Verizon TV service. Why would I use my xbox to watch TV when I already have a cable box that provides more channels, plus the cable box has a DVR. This is zero value added for anyone.

Easily the biggest waste of my time press release in a long time.

This appeals to absolutely no one.

Let me know when I can pay for TV through my xbox on a channel by channel basis.

Until then, piracy. Get with it.

Axel_Gear: Dr J Zoidberg: Don't know how I guess. Know enough to download torrents and stream movies for free on my computer. That's about it.

I've probably heard this a million times. People have actually said to me "I wish I could display this on my TV" My only response is so do it.

Depends on your graphics card or laptop. Generally you have DVI or VGA on your computer and more than likely HDMI on your TV. DVI on your computer is better because its digital like HDMI, but VGA will work as well.

DVI port:


VGA port:
[upload.wikimedia.org image 300x225]

HDMI port:
[www.cable-trader.co.uk image 450x305]

So what you need is a DVI (or VGA) to HDMI cable.
Amazon basics cable (new window)

There are cheaper ones but thats what I have. For 8 dollars your TV becomes a huge monitor.

If you have windows 7 it will automatically change the resolution to match the TV so you wont have to adjust anything. Hope that helps.

If you have a new laptop many have HDMI out. If you have a desktop you can buy s HDMI video card that outputs sounds swell for under 50 bucks from amazon

i let my gold account expire in sept. i was fully counting on a xmas time price drop for a 12 month sub. i paid $35 last year for mine and this year i have yet to see a deal for less than $48. there are some combo deals but not just a 12 month gold sub for under $40. bummer.

this 'deal' can shove it, too. sounds awful.