Xbox 360 set-top box won't record TV

By Ellie Gibson Published 10 January, 2008

Streaming only, says BT.

BT has confirmed the new set-top box for Xbox 360 won't allow you to view or record live television.

As announced earlier this week, the telecoms company has signed a deal with Microsoft to offer 360 owners access to the BT Vision service. At present, BT Vision users receive Freeview TV channels via a set-top box which also works as a digital video recorder.

The Xbox 360 service, due to launch this summer, will only be available to BT Broadband subscribers. It will offer users access to on-demand movies, near-live FA premier League matches and other content. Users won't require a set-top box, but they won't enjoy all the benefits of BT Vision other users get.

Speaking to the BBC a spokesperson said, "The reason for streaming only on the Xbox is because currently the console does not have the capability for live TV or enough hard drive for practical downloading of content."

Microsoft could face stiff competition in the face of PlayTV, the new television and personal video recorder for PS3. As revealed at last year's Leipzig Games Conference, it will let users watch and record live TV and can be controlled remotely via PSP. PlayTV is due to launch in the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain early this year.

UPDATE: Microsoft has since contacted Eurogamer to clarify matters. Apparently. Here's what they have to say: "Xbox 360 is able to offer the complete Microsoft Mediaroom experience, including both live TV and VOD, when delivered over an Internet Protocol (IP) network.

"BT Vision is unique in that it does not deliver live TV over IP. It delivers live TV over antenna-based digital terrestrial television (DTT) to a set-top-box. There are currently 13 other service providers delivering commercial TV services with the Mediaroom platform, and each of them delivers a live TV service that could potentially be accessed via the Xbox 360.

"That said, BT Vision customers can transfer live television content to their Xbox 360 that they have captured on their set top box."

Anyone?

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (89) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • t8yman #1 4 years ago

    s'funny, my ps3 is getting more use nowadays, and my 360 getting less.

    I see the trend continuing at this rate.

  • ccfb #2 4 years ago

    Does anyone really want their xbox or ps3 to be an all-encompassing media hub?

  • NickNack #3 4 years ago

    The trend of using your PS3 for everything but games you mean. Lets keep consoles for gaming please, and stop this utter crap about movies and recording tv. Gamers don't care about that stuff, only nonces do. Because PS3 has a terrible list of games PS3 owners have turned this generation of console talk into a discussion about Shrek, Disney and what MGM are doing.

    It's pathetic, thank GOD MS and Nintendo are doing better than Sony this generation, or it would all be about movies and unoptimized multiplatform games for the next ten years.

    But yeah, enjoy that Spiderman 3 Blu-ray disk, I'm sure it makes owning a PS3 totally rad.
    Edited by 1 at 10/01/08 @ 10:27

  • Blerk #4 4 years ago

    Set top boxes for telly, consoles for games. This is how it should be!

  • L42yB #5 4 years ago

    "The reason for streaming only on the Xbox is because currently the console does not have the capability for live TV or enough hard drive for practical downloading of content"

    That is such a blatant lie. Live TV can be sent via the internet (many websites do it) and if they are providing On-Demand movies then they are already offering downloadable content...

  • wyli #6 4 years ago

    I didn't think BT were supplying a set-top box for the 360, as the article suggests, more that they were letting the 360 connect to the BT vision service via BT broadband. I don't know why people would expect to get recordable live TV over that.

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #7 4 years ago

    would you want to record on to a 20gig hdd, and they can keep there rediculously overpriced 120gig hdd.

  • L42yB #8 4 years ago

    @wyli - It wouldn't be a hard thing to achieve... admittedly they would need to give the Xbox and update, but I assume they will need to do that just to get it to connect to BT Vision anyway...

  • moggsy #9 4 years ago

    So will the PS3 be able to record TV while you're playing a game? If so then it may be useful; if not then it's a waste of time.

  • seasidebaz #10 4 years ago

    360 doesnt have a built-in tuner.

    btvision does.

    btvision box is free.

    btvision box is capable of hd, and comes with an hdmi port.

    i know which one makes more sense to me...

  • L42yB #11 4 years ago

    @seasidebaz - The box may be free but the service isn't...

  • miiiguel #12 4 years ago

    "s'funny, my ps3 is getting more use nowadays, and my 360 getting less.

    I see the trend continuing at this rate. "

    And that's because PS3 set-top box records TV ?

  • seasidebaz #13 4 years ago

    and you really think it will be free on the xbox?

    there is no contract for bt vision. therefore, free box. no monthly subscription. on demand programming if you want it. built in hard-drive recorder.

  • symbiote #14 4 years ago

    Ah well, and A+ for effort anyway MS :)

  • miiiguel #15 4 years ago

    t8yman, dude! the trends changing! We will prevail. 360 will doom! Sony will rule the world. We see the light!

  • drumbaby #16 4 years ago

    When you've got your console plumbed into internet, HDTV and home cinema all at the same time, this sort of thing is a must.

    Kudos to Sony if PS3 can do this.

  • miiiguel #17 4 years ago

    Kudos to Sony, either way.
    Edited by 1 at 10/01/08 @ 10:34

  • wyli #18 4 years ago

    @L42yB - its more that the BT vision service doesn't provide live TV in the first place. You get that via freeview, and it just records that. The streaming stuff is all on demand from its catalogue of programmes, and that works better streamed as you don't need to wait. I can see it working really well on the 360, just i can't see why people who have BT broadband would use it, when they can get the Bt vision box for free anyway.

  • miiiguel #19 4 years ago

    SONY! SONY! SONY to Rule them all!

  • Moz #20 4 years ago

    "and if they are providing On-Demand movies then they are already offering downloadable content... "

    On-demand movies can using buffering using 1GB max or even just buffer to the RAM so that core systems can use on demand.

    I don't know the tech requirments but stream live content is a lot harder, this is why the sports are "near live" as assumedly they recording the sports to the on demand service so you'll need to be a few minutes behind to allow for buffering.

    As for recording tv Sky+ boxes has an 80GB hardrive, your avergage 360 has 8GB available which just can't record enough to be worth while, I'd guess they're not wanting to offer the server to Elite owners only.

    My personal biggest problem with this is the need to BT Broad band which isn't the cheapest available, your better off having sky and getting sky's free broadband package.

  • miiiguel #21 4 years ago

    Join the muhajedins of Sony!... Now!´
    Blast the yankees!

  • Moz #22 4 years ago

    miiiguel, WTF i'm guessing your posts are a lame attempt at sarcasum, which in a thread which is so far more or less free from over zelous fan boys just makes you sound like a twat!

  • J.C #23 4 years ago

    Getting tired of all this now. i wish they would just drop all this HD movie streaming downloading bollocks, and release more games!

    I really miss the megadrive/ snes days.

  • Moz #24 4 years ago

    "Getting tired of all this now. i wish they would just drop all this HD movie streaming downloading bollocks, and release more games!

    I really miss the megadrive/ snes days."

    I understand yor sentament, but with the increased complexity and cost of consoles and games I can also understand why MS and Sony are so keen to deliver more services through the consoles

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #25 4 years ago

    I think the MUCH BIGGER STORY here is :-

    "The Xbox 360 service, due to launch this summer, will only be available to BT Broadband subscribers"

    Thats a bit of a kick in the balls aint it, i dont know how big BT is as a broadband provider but surely that limits the market this is available to quite considerably, it certainly makes EVERYONE i know ubale to get this feature.

  • miiiguel #26 4 years ago

    Moz, what's a twat ?
    And can't I express my support to a company I fell in love with? That's a first! Everyone's entitled to that, but not the portuguese guy ? That's lame, and xenophobic!
    Edited by 1 at 10/01/08 @ 10:46

  • Olemak #27 4 years ago

    Games are just one one of many features intended for both consoles, I think, and it is not really a desireable feature for neither Sony nor MS. Games are a perfect early adopter feature, but as we all know, gamers smell funny, are not an attractive demograpic for commercials, and besides gamers regularily go on serial-killing sprees after too much GTA.

    Pretty, pastel-colored families concisting of Sally, Bob, Joey and little Britney are a much more attractive demographic, with their BMW's and mortgages and impending divorces which will split the happy little household into two happy little households, both requireing the same utilities and gadgets - ka-ching!

    Sally and Bob don't play games, of course, but they do watch TV. So in order to appeal to this attractive suburban demographic, the PlayBoxes must become TV's. The logic is solid. Feel free to examinate the detailed spreadsheet and the powerpoint I've prepared for this briefing.

  • Wash #28 4 years ago

    @GamesProgrammer

    Isnt BT the first announced partner, maybe more to follow.

    I'd assume BT are pretty big also.

    @t8yman

    You dont use your PS3 for games then...

  • wyli #29 4 years ago

    @GamesProgrammer - I expect they've done it this way as because its streamed from BT and they wouldn't be able to guarentee reliable service if it went through a different ISP.

    Tis a shame to be sure, but kind of understandable.

  • Moz #30 4 years ago

    miiiguel, sorry, your comments sounded like anti sony sarcasum.

  • kangarootoo #31 4 years ago

    "So will the PS3 be able to record TV while you're playing a game? If so then it may be useful; if not then it's a waste of time"

    That seems a bit harsh. TIVO type functions are well handy. What if you are down the shops instead of playing a game?

    "And that's because PS3 set-top box records TV ?"

    Yeah. Here be some blurb.

    [link url=http://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content/Detail. asp?ReleaseID=4413
    ]http://ww w.scee.presscentre.com/Content/...[/link]

    Add a PSP, remote play and "wake on lan" and you can set things to record on your PS3 even if you aren't at home (I know I bang about remote play a lot, but its dead nifty and much overlooked).


    Anyway, Play TV and BT Vision aren't quite the same service, as has been mentioned. Most people could probably benefit from having both if they had the right bits and pieces.

  • Moz #32 4 years ago

    @WASH"@GamesProgrammer

    Isnt BT the first announced partner, maybe more to follow.

    I'd assume BT are pretty big also. "

    No it's because they are using BT's already existing on-demand service which is only available to BT customers because BT are trying to regain their manopoly of yester year.

  • LetsGo #33 4 years ago

    /me Microsoft puts best foot forward

    /me Microsoft gets gun out

    /me Miicrosoft shoots itself in foot.

    I think MS are losing the plot. PS3 is gaining a lot of momentum......

    Can anyone tell me the next five AAA MS exclusives?

    /me drops pin

  • Wash #34 4 years ago

    @Moz

    This doesnt stop anyone else from offering a similar service tho no? :z

  • Stu #35 4 years ago

    Only for BT Broadband subscribers.

    Bastards.

  • Wash #36 4 years ago

    @Lets Go....

    Tell me the PS3s nxt 5 AAA exclusives first? ;)
    Edited by 1 at 10/01/08 @ 10:56

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #37 4 years ago

    @Moz

    Well there isnt a chance in hell id ever go back to BT( Weather it be Phone Broadband or TV ), so this new feature is a complete right off to me.

  • seasidebaz #38 4 years ago

    @Moz

    the concept of iptv is that tv is not streamed over the internet, it's a bit like cable in that you have a direct connection to the provider.

    hence, if you want iptv you must go with a provider that offers it. there is a minimum quality of service that must be achieved, and rerouting from one isp to another degrades this, not to mention is pretty silly.

  • LetsGo #39 4 years ago

    @Wash

    Hmm ok, heres a few....

    - GT5
    - LBP
    - God of War
    - Motostorm 2
    - Metal Gear Solid
    - Resistance 2 (debatable)
    - Killzone

    Im not trying to troll, I have all three home consoles. Im just impressed (and happy) that Sony are finally getting their arse into gear and unimpressed by the lack of 360 exclusives coming up.

  • Psiloc #40 4 years ago

    Most off-putting 'feature' here is that your ISP needs to be BT. I had BT broadband for a month whilst in between houses, and it is downright shit.

  • mattigan #41 4 years ago

    Who still records TV out there?

    The last time I used a VCR was about 5 years ago, and I haven't really missed it at all apart from about 2 occasions, which I got over pretty quickly.

  • mattigan #42 4 years ago

    @LetsGo

    Can you tell me the last 5 PS3 AAA Exclusives?
    Edited by 2 at 10/01/08 @ 11:07

  • LetsGo #43 4 years ago

    Nope....

    Maybe Warhawk/R&C/Motostorm? Usual first year console trash other than that.....

    Still console game linups are meant to get stronger over time and not the other way around! (take the PS2 for example, God of war/Shadow of the coll.)

    EDIT: BTW - I record TV all the time on Sky Plus/and a recordable freeview box....
    Edited by 1 at 10/01/08 @ 11:12

  • thomastantrum #44 4 years ago

    ^ Whats this got to do with the article?

  • Wash #45 4 years ago

    @LetsGO

    Hmm ok, heres a few....

    - GT5 - Fair dos, whats the release date.
    - LBP - Uknown Quantity tbh, but september release aint it?
    - God of War - Yeah, popular franchise good game (Y) release date TBA?
    - Motostorm 2 - First one wasnt triple AAA, fun, but no means great.
    - Metal Gear Solid - April
    - Resistance 2 (debatable) - Release Date?
    - Killzone - Hmm, this the halo killer? or is that haze - first one wasnt as nearly as a good as resistance.

    Anywho, theres how subjective those lists are anyway - i'm sure everyone and their uncle could argue aboot it. Just know tho that in the time all of those games are released.

    360 (hopefully) will see:

    Halo Wars - Great pedigree behind the making of this game.
    Too Human
    Splinter Cell Conviction
    Fable 2
    Alan Wake (highly doubtful, pft could be the next duke nukem forever)
    Banjo 3

    ** Gears Of War 2 (i really think this may be shown closer to e3 for a holiday release - few copy and pastes here and there and they'll be set, still one of the best looking games on the console anyway)

    Off the top of my head.

  • philw #46 4 years ago

    @mattigan - you're joking right? the couple of million Sky+ users for a start. Then you've got everyone with a Freeview PVR. Oh and the couple of people with a V+ box.

  • peterfll #47 4 years ago

    Agreed - live TV shouldn't really be a problem on a decent broadband connection and server, so that's rubbish. But with regards to storage, the 360 is woefully inept, with the PS3 being only marginally better. Neither really are fit to replace a proper recording solution due to the limited storage available. And Sony seem to be going backwards with the storage aspects of the PS3, going from standard 60gb to 40gb, not forwards.

  • Moz #48 4 years ago

    "Who still records TV out there?

    The last time I used a VCR was about 5 years ago, and I haven't really missed it at all apart from about 2 occasions, which I got over pretty quickly. "


    Use Sky+ all the time, I'm out the house when most my fav shows are on and live pause comes in surprisingly useful.

  • Moz #49 4 years ago

    @peterfll: as pointed out above the BT service uses a standard freeview reciever for live tv something 360 doesn't have.

    The PS3 solution comes with a separate box with a freeview reciever, as for the hard drive size with PlayTV plus a 160GB hard drive costs less then a freview PVR then you well away.

  • tonynibbles #50 4 years ago

    So basically it pales in comparison to PlayTV's twin tuners (HDD capacity limited to those brand new 500Gb drives) and a 'from the future' HD Freeview tuner.
    PS3 has definate advantage hardware-wise. Not just the 3-tuner freeview unit but the ability to upgrade to any 2.5" SATA drive you can get your hands on is far cheaper than having to buy 360-proprietry hardware. Not to mention remote programme access and record scheduling via PSP.

    @Wash Motostorm 2 - First one wasnt triple AAA, fun, but no means great.

    By ALL means it was *great*.
    Edited by 4 at 10/01/08 @ 11:31

  • peterfll #51 4 years ago

    @Moz

    Of course you can buy a bigger hard drive for the PS3 - like you can for the 360 - but that's not my point. Out of the box, neither are that well placed to replace a PVR. My Sky+ HD box is 160gb, and that's not really enough, certainly not when you start storing HD content.

  • Wash #52 4 years ago

    @tonynibbles

    I couldnt disagree more, it certainly gained greater precendence due to the lack of quality software around launch.

  • Dizzy #53 4 years ago

    This is on demand TV... recording live TV is a different thing. Still both would have been better.

  • Moz #54 4 years ago

    @peterfll

    What i was getting at is that it could work out cheaper to up grade a PS3 with PlayTV and a bigger hard drive then buy a standalone system, but until we know the price of PlayTV we can know for sure.

    If a decent PVR is cheaper then you may as well get a standalone as PlayTV still gives you an extra box so wont save any space, but then if remote scheduling is useful to you then your main choices will be Sky+ or PlayTV.

  • CannonAnBall #55 4 years ago

    ...so 'next Gen' is really about cramming stuff into your 'gaming' console?

    My 360 will be used for games and games alone.

  • mossychops001 #56 4 years ago

    Just orderd my PlayTV for the PS3, I have a 250GB inside and 500GB external Hard drive.

    Good times ahead for me and my PS3.

    @Moz £99 from HMV

    [link url=http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/disp layProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1&sku=757271
    ]http://ww w.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/displayProdu...[/link]
    Edited by 1 at 10/01/08 @ 12:15

  • Daithi #57 4 years ago

    I stll think MCE and a 360 as an extender is the best solution although i must admit I only use the extender when i want to watch a bit of TV while waiting for firends to pop up online (my MCE is connected to the same TV)
    Edited by 1 at 10/01/08 @ 12:20

  • dllord #58 4 years ago

    I've got this box under my TV called SKY HD, so BT and Sony can suck my balls if they think i'm even remotely interested in what they've got to offer!

  • moggsy #59 4 years ago

    Just orderd my PlayTV for the PS3, I have a 250GB inside and 500GB external Hard drive.

    Good times ahead for me and my PS3.

    So does it support Freeview phase 2 i.e. accurate recording and series links?
    Does it support live pause?
    Does is support chase play?
    Can you record two channels while watching another channel (on the same mux) or another recording.
    Can it record while you're playing a game or watching a Blu Ray?
    Can you edit recordings?
    Can you do a text search on the EPG?
    Does it show you the channel you are viewing while looking at the EPG?
    Can I upload recordings to a PC?

    If it can do all this then it's as good as the £150 Humax 9200. I doubt it will be able to though...

  • L42yB #60 4 years ago

    Been away for a while, but I just wanted to say I checked and BT Vision is not really free... I checked (cos I use BT Broadband)They force you to extend you contract with BT by a minimum of 12 months in order to get it :(

    So kinda free... but only if you are willing to tie yourself down...

  • L42yB #61 4 years ago

    Oh, and it costs £30 to get it activated...

    So not really free at all then...

  • BobsUncle #62 4 years ago

    I'll be fucked if I sign up for anything with those retards at BT. I'm still pissed at the fact my house can't get cable so I have to have a phone line with them. Cue 1 hour long phone calls on hold trying to sort their problems out.

    I'm getting broadband, Phone and TV with Sky, and the Sky+ box pretty much makes me not give a toss about this feature. And 8Mb BB with Sky is only £5.

  • seasidebaz #63 4 years ago


    Can it record while you're playing a game or watching a Blu Ray?
    ...
    If it can do all this then it's as good as the £150 Humax 9200. I doubt it will be able to though...
    i need to get me a humax... bluray and gaming for under £150? rock on!!!

  • moggsy #64 4 years ago

    i need to get me a humax... bluray and gaming for under £150? rock on!!!

    Yep it's simple. You set the recording up on your Humax and then place the Blu Ray into your PS3 and press play...

  • seasidebaz #65 4 years ago

    ah but that's not all in one box.... as was implied by the poster...

  • moggsy #66 4 years ago

    ah but that's not all in one box.... as was implied by the poster...

    No, what I was implying was that I'd rather pay £150 extra for the Humax than £100 for the PS3 add on which potentially has a lot less features, recording TV while watching a Blu Ray or playing a game being one of them.

  • mossychops001 #67 4 years ago

    @moggsy

    Most of that would just need a firmware update. if it does not already.
    Edited by 1 at 10/01/08 @ 13:21

  • skillian #68 4 years ago

    You're also stuck with a SCART connection with that Humax PVR, whcih is not great if you have a plasma or an LCD. It's definitely a nice bit of kit and great value, but that would put me off.

    I just use my PC for PVR functions - seems to work very nicely, and you can pick up a DVB tuner for next to nothing these days.

  • moggsy #69 4 years ago

    Most of that would just need a firmware update. if it does not already.

    It would need to be developed first! The distribution method is not the issue...

  • moggsy #70 4 years ago

    You're also stuck with a SCART connection with that Humax PVR, whcih is not great if you have a plasma or an LCD. It's definitely a nice bit of kit and great value, but that would put me off.

    That's the one advantage the PS3 does have - upscaling the SD picture over HDMI. For me personally though that isn't as big a deal as most of the other features I've mentioned.

  • BM #71 4 years ago

    @skillian

    Quite alot of LCD's and Plasmas have got freeview built in these days, all you need is a cheap-ass dvd recorder with a hard drive and you're sorted. I'm pretty sure you can get one for just over 100 quid

  • lockload #72 4 years ago

    People are failing to grasp is a lot of the content on BTVision is content that is not available on freeview to record anyway like all the premiership football matches, movies, music and other tv content.

    Also BTVision offer a 7 day catch up facility on channel 4 and bbc programmes so you dont need to record them they are there to watch on demand for 7 days..

    When you subscribe to BTVision you get a free box anyway which contains a freeview tuner and PVR, the 360 will have the ability to communicate with the settop box to watch recorded programs.. for someone that cant get freeview or sky this service will give me a lot more content than is available on freeview whihc i already have a PVR for anyway..

  • groovychainsaw #73 4 years ago

    so it is officially useless....
    /slow clap

  • Pedrolot #74 4 years ago

    lol360

  • Pedrolot #75 4 years ago

    @ mem

    Unfortunaly things arnt so 2-d anymore. Games consoles are evolving into other things as you can currently see.

    Lets for arguement sake the PS3 keeps on going the way it is and the 360 suddenly stopped and went back to being just a games console, would you be completely satisfied?

  • BM #76 4 years ago

    @lockload

    link me up to where it says they'll be showing all the premiership....more than likely it'll be an extended Match of the Day type affair a good hour or so after the matches have finished.

  • moggsy #77 4 years ago

    @ Pedrolot

    Ever heard the term 'Jack of all trades, master of none'. These game console companies need to keep in mind where their bread is buttered. Sony have had to learn this the hard way over the last couple of years. Selling games is where the profit is.

  • yashin #78 4 years ago

    What else do M$ and $ony's console divisions have to do at this point but add software features to their consoles? The studios deliver the games, these guys add the media/online features.

    I for one am happy that both companies are looking at ways to expand their media capabilities. I've found the streamed XviD playback very helpful for TV catchup. Yep, the 360 is a noisy beast, but it's just that little bit easier to browse shared video content on.

  • moggsy #79 4 years ago

    @ BM

    A one second google later:

    BT Vision Football

  • skillian #80 4 years ago

    @BM: [link url=http://sport.btvision .com/what/
    ]http://sport.btvision .com/what/
    [/link]

    Unfortunately it's a lot more than an hour after the game - they come on at 10pm the day of the game. Which means you'd also have to miss (or record!) MOTD too. But you do get to watch the whole game, not just highlights.

  • skillian #81 4 years ago

    Selling games is where the profit is.

    So not true. The big profits are for whoever can be the company who gets a box under every TV in the country and serves up movies, TV shows games, music, on-demand, internet and all the rest of it. There are lots of companies fighting to be that provider at the moment, from lots of different sectors (BT, Sky, Virgin, Microsoft, Sony etc.). The winner will rule home entertainment and advertising and be in a very enviable position.

  • Ikari2001 #82 4 years ago

    I agree, only a handful of titles each year make megabucks in actual profits I suspect. Once they get us all signing up to subscriptions for games like MMOs, then they will make some real money... oh wait, MS already do, we all pay for Live! :o

  • moggsy #83 4 years ago

    @ skillian

    Nah, I don't agree. The massive competition in this sector means low profits - ask Virgin. The only company who is likely to dominate in this area is Sky - neither Sony nor MS should relish taking them on.

    They should stick to selling games consoles and forget the rest of the tat.

  • moggsy #84 4 years ago

    @ Ikari2001

    Videogames are one of the biggest growing sectors when it comes to home entertainment. HMV, for example, are giving more and more room to games in their stores. They make plenty of profit out of selling games don't worry. And that's before you take into account the downloadable content and full downloadable games.

  • skillian #85 4 years ago

    The only company who is likely to dominate in this area is Sky

    Please God I hope not :p

  • callum9999 #86 4 years ago

    BT shows the games near live because thats what their contract allows them to do, its not because its the only way possible

  • slickster #87 4 years ago

    who gives a shit i've got sky+.im a ps3 owner and going to get a 360 in the week.sorry ps3 owners i cant wait no more for some AAA game but im going to keep the ps3 for the blu-ray.
    Edited by 1 at 10/01/08 @ 20:42

  • ThitherBoot #88 4 years ago

    does it really matter whether we get this stuff or not, why not just get SKY + for an extra fee a month or VIRGIN MEDIA. honestly games console are meant to be about games, why not improve gaming service rather than bringing this kind of stuff.

  • Downside #89 4 years ago

    The BT system is a bodge. They have the software but not the infrastructure to our homes to deliver "Full Fat" IPTV, with everything delivered over IP, as it should be. Must be frustrating for MS who've sold them the head-end platform. For most, why not go out and buy a twin tuner, 160GB PVR (£99@Sainsburys) and a setanta card?

    As for a PS3 PVR, I've already got a PVR and now I can d/l eps of Lost in HD via XBL.
    I think it's great that both consoles are turning out to be really capable, with the Wii for a bit of light relief.

  • PEANUTXXI #90 4 years ago

    Watching TV through my xbox would be pointless. I wouldn't be able to hear a bloody thing without turning my volume up over half way. To me they are games systems. Don't care about all this "home media centre" rubbish. I'll manage my own media, thank you very much.