Attached below is a video by Dan Rayburn at The Business of Online Video demonstrating the Zune add-in currently available through Xbox LIVE Preview. The add-in, as you’ll see, gives you the option to download or stream a movie from the service in SD or HD and has the ability to detect your connection speed before giving you the option to make the purchase (a 1080p movie, Dan says, requires a minimum broadband connection of around 4Mbps). But what’s really impressive is that movies seem to start instantly with no apparent buffering. Check it out. MORE »

Microsoft has a rolled out a new system update for the Xbox 360 that adds a slew of new user experience enhancements and an exclusivity agreement. For the foreseeable future, the Xbox 360 will be the only game console to natively offer Netflix movie streaming (available only to Xbox LIVE Gold members). In other words, Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii owners are out of luck — though you can tap into Netflix via PlayOn. Another bit of news that was mentioned in the system update announcement is that Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm, and Zune Video functionality will be coming this fall to the console.

A new add-in for Windows Vista Media Center has some interesting potential. While currently in Alpha stage, tubeCore is capable of integrating content found and delivered by PlayOn, TVersity, and TwonkyMedia (other DLNA / UPnP media server applications coming soon) directly into Windows Media Center and even Media Center Extenders like the Xbox 360. TGB member, CLaRGe, who is behind the project is currently looking for testers to help work out any bugs. So, if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, give him a hand. [via]

Vuze fans will be happy to learn the the latest 4.2 release has added a new “Devices” tab that enables users to play their Vuze downloaded content on game consoles like the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. In addition, Vuze can also add downloaded content to your iTunes library for playback on Apple TV or iPhone / iPod. Note: in all instances, Vuze can create a console or player compatible version of a downloaded file on-the-fly if needed. If it’s been a while since you’ve used Vuze (formerly Azureus), you definitely need to take it for a spin. The Vuze dashboard and social / community publishing features is taking Azureus to the next level as a content platform. [via]

For those Samsung HDTV owners who’ve been saving up or putting the Samsung MediaLive on their wishlist, EngadgetHD has a review post you should have a look at before pulling the trigger on this tiny little Media Center Extender. Bottom line: It’s a nice a device if all you care about is adding Media Center Extender functionality to your TV and don’t mind not having all the new whiz-bang features now included the Xbox 360’s NXE (New Xbox Experience) for about the same price (note: the Samsung MediaLive has built-in 802.11n connectivity while the Xbox 360 does not). Interestingly, or not so interestingly, EngadgetHD found that the Samsung HDTV’s Toslink is only capable of passing two channel audio from the extender, which may put a hamper on your style if you’ve invested in a high-end home theater system.

Related: EngadgetHD – The Media Center Extender shootout (6/19/08)

Sweet! It looks like HD video content is very much going to be a reality from Netflix; and the Xbox 360 is going to be the first to bring it to users. According to Engadget, who’ve just published a hands-on impression article on the New Xbox Experience (NXE), state that the “quality was stunning.” Darren Murph at Engadget followed up on this new feature and discovered that HD Netflix Streaming is currently in a “soft launch” with about 300 titles available for viewing. Interestingly, neither Netflix’s Watch Instantly for PC, Netflix Playber by Roku, LG BD300 or Samsung P2500/P2550 Blu-ray players will be able to access or play any of the new HD content — at least for now.

UPDATE 1: It appears that “full” Netflix HD video will only be playable on HDCP compliant HDMI / DVI TVs & computer monitors, according to Format War Central and Gizmodo. Component connections also seem to work, but some belive that it may become limited to 480p resolution. Engadget currently has a post up claiming that 1080i via Component is working just fine with Netflix HD.

UPDATE 2: Gizmodo is reporting that the Neflix Player by Roku will begin supporting Netflix HD Streaming in December 2008.

The long awaited release of the new Xbox 360 dashboard, dubbed the “Xbox Experience”, which, among other things, will allow streaming media for Netflix subscribers, has a release date of November 19. The twist in the announcement for this date is that Microsoft is going out of its way to ensure that all 360 owners will be able to enjoy the new features. Microsoft has announced that owners of the core version of the Xbox 360 may qualify for a free 512MB memory unit and a refurbished 20GB hard drives for $20. Arcade version owners may buy the same refurbished drive for $30 which includes three months of Xbox Live. The dashboard update is said to consume a minimum of 128MB, while the Netflix feature requires an additional 8MB. In other words, the memory unit will handle the entire update. To find out if you qualify, you will need the console ID and serial number for your Xbox. Both of these are found in the “system” area of the dashboard. [via]

Over the weekend I got tipped off by reader, Nate, that MediaMall has a fairly new software app called PlayOn (powered by ActiveTV) that provides PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and HP MediaSmart TV owners (Nintendo Wii support coming soon) the ability to stream content from some of their favorite Internet video sites like Hulu, CBS, YouTube, and ESPN. It appears that the way PlayOn accomplishes this is through aggregation of website RSS feeds and on-the-fly video transcoding from the PC to supported UPnP consoles/devices when a selection is made. Now the thing that I’m still a bit unclear on is: How is PlayOn supporting Netflix? What kind of Netflix feeds are available? Since I don’t have a Netflix account, I can’t test this out. Luckily, anyone with a supported device can sign up for the PlayOn Beta and put the software through its paces. MORE »

Imagine if friends and families had the ability to instantly watch movies from Netflix, live out their musical fantasies through “Rock Band 2” (Harmonix/MTV Games) and “Lips” (iNiS Corp./Microsoft Game Studios), star in their own Hollywood classics with “You’re in the Movies,” or have the power to never miss the latest episode of “Heroes” — all from one device, starting at $199.¹ That device is Xbox 360, and Microsoft Corp. today announced it will offer the gaming and entertainment console, which offers the leading Xbox LIVE service, at a new low price in the United States. Beginning Sept. 5, Xbox 360 Arcade will retail for the estimated retail price of $199.99, the Xbox 360 console for $299.99 and Xbox 360 Elite for $399.99. MORE »

If you’ve ever wanted to remedy heating issues and reduce noise pollution coming from your Xbox 360, Lian Li has a $149 solution you just might be interested in. The company today has announced the late August availability of a replacement aluminum chassis for the game console/media center extender, dubbed the PC-XB01, that offers disc drive sound dampening features, generous ventilation, a 120mm near-silent fan (w/ air duct), external power supply, cut-outs for liquid-cooling pipes, and a slot for a 2.5-in hard drive. Just bolt in your Xbox 360’s guts and you’re good to go.

More: HEXUS.net First Look & Preview Video | (New) Bit-tech.net Unboxing and First Impressions