Netflix updates Xbox 360 app with Kinect control, still lacks 1080p streaming

By Mike Flacy December 7, 2011

Netflix_New_Xbox_360_Experience_FINAL — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Mentioned within an official blog post earlier today, Netflix announced a redesigned version of the Xbox 360 interface that now includes more extensive gesture and voice control in conjunction with the Kinect accessory. Subscribers of Netflix can put down the controller and search for content with voice commands as well as scroll through the box art with gestures. According to Netflix, the redesigned interface allows users to browse up to three times the amount of titles on a high definition screen compared to the previous layout of the application. Other improvements to the application includes interaction with ratings, subtitle settings and related title suggestions. The Netflix application is also tied into the universal search function for the Xbox 360, assuming the Xbox 360 owner is also subscribed to Xbox Live.

Also announced in the upgrade, the Netflix application supports adaptive video streaming to constantly adjust the quality of the picture based on changes in bandwidth. Videos play up to 720p resolution and also include Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound support. However, the application does not support 1080p streaming yet. This leaves the Xbox 360 at a disadvantage to the PlayStation 3 as well as set-top box devices like the Roku 2 XS. Streaming in 1080p resolution has been available on the PlayStation 3 since October 2010. The new version of the application also doesn’t support Dolby Digital Plus, a codec that’s often touted by Dolby as being more efficient in delivering data.

The Netflix application can be downloaded for free within the Xbox Live dashboard, but requires the standard $7.99 a month fee for access to streaming movies and television shows. If the Netflix application was already installed previous to the dashboard update, the new version will be automatically installed with the main update to the user interface. Netflix also announced that the application is now available to Xbox 360 owners in Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico since Xbox Live memberships have been extended to those countries.

Topics

Contributing Editor

By day, I'm the content and social media manager for High-Def Digest, Steve's Digicams and The CheckOut on Ben's Bargains…

Mobile

Emulators have changed the iPhone forever

Street Fighter emulated on an iPhone.

The iPhone App Store is finally home to a few emulators. For folks not into gaming, an emulator is software that allows you to run code from another platform. In this case, we are talking about emulators that let you play titles from retro game consoles (such as the Game Boy Advance) by taking the code installed on hardware (like a cartridge) and letting it run via apps on non-native machines (such as iPhones and iPads).

It seems fans have kept their eyes on this landmark development. Soon after its release, the Delta emulator app climbed to the top of the App Store download charts in 35 countries. An iPad app is already on its way. The momentum continued with the release of the Gamma emulator for PlayStation 1 titles. And last week, PPSSPP – arguably the best mobile emulator out there – landed on the App Store.

Gaming

How to high five in XDefiant

XDefiant

XDefiant is a thrilling first-person competitive shooter that provides plenty of strategy and deadly shootouts. While you're out there on the battlefield, your teammates will (hopefully) be giving it their all just like you. As such, there's no better way to show your support than to give them a big high five for everything they've done.

Whether you're after the "High-Fivist" trophy/achievement for giving 20 high fives, or you're just looking to give your teammates some positive reinforcement, here's how to give high fives in XDefiant.
How to high five in XDefiant
So, we've covered how giving a high five is a great way to show appreciation to a teammate for a job well done, but what if we told you that high fives in XDefiant aren't actually, well, high fives? Strangely enough, you won't be actually handing out high fives, but rather thumbs-up sthat are, for whatever reason, called "high fives."

Gaming

XDefiant ‘Unable to Find a Match’ error: troubleshooting and how to fix

XDefiant

Online shooters like XDefiant have one key requirement: You need to be able to find matches in order to play. Most games launch with a few errors, but in this case, the majority of people hoping to play Ubisoft's latest free-to-play title are getting hit with the "Unable to Find a Match" error when looking for a game. This isn't actually an issue with too few people playing the game, especially since it has cross-platform support, so what's really going on? Here's how you can attempt to resolve the "Unable to Find a Match" error in XDefiant.
How to fix the 'Unable to Find a Match' error
This particular error is a little misleading because it implies no matches are available, but it is really an issue with your connection or the games servers themselves.

If it is indeed the Ubisoft servers that are struggling, which is most likely during the launch period when the most players will be trying to play at once, there is unfortunately nothing you can do but wait for the issues to be resolved on the developer's end. You can check on the XDefiant server status via this website.