XBox Dashboard Kills PSN Crossbar

[dakshdar]

Since my old PS3 died (again) I decided I'll just use the Xbox as the media center in my bedroom. I don't think I'd even turned it on in a year.

Anyway, the dashboard is so much better than the PS crossbar interface it isn't even funny. Better graphics, better user interface, better presentation. Better availability of media streaming options (especially with HBO Go now available on 360 with Live Gold membership).

It does stink that you end up paying for the premium online content (though I just got the "2 months for $2" trial and after that I'll pick up a 12 month card for $50 from Amazon if another better deal doesn't come along) but I can see why: the Xbox online capabilities are just better.

It would be really, really nice if Sony would do a complete overhaul of the crossbar since it virtually hasn't changed since launch of the system.

[trendon]

Yep. And you can look up your achievements, send a message, add/remove a friend, etc without having to get a snack to hold you over until it is done.

[dakshdar]

Not to mention cross game chat where you can talk to people on your friend's list via the headset even if they're playing a different game than you.

[ajalves]

Since my old PS3 died (again) I decided I'll just use the Xbox as the media center in my bedroom. I don't think I'd even turned it on in a year.

Anyway, the dashboard is so much better than the PS crossbar interface it isn't even funny. Better graphics, better user interface, better presentation. Better availability of media streaming options (especially with HBO Go now available on 360 with Live Gold membership).

It does stink that you end up paying for the premium online content (though I just got the "2 months for $2" trial and after that I'll pick up a 12 month card for $50 from Amazon if another better deal doesn't come along) but I can see why: the Xbox online capabilities are just better.

It would be really, really nice if Sony would do a complete overhaul of the crossbar since it virtually hasn't changed since launch of the system.

so, i have a 360 and have a golg live memebership.....with just that i can use HBOGo ? or do i need to have HBO

[dakshdar]

You need an HBO subscription. And your cable provider has to allow it, but it seems like most do now.

I thought you had HBO/were in on the Game of Thrones thread?

HBO Go is just an 'app' you download in the XBox dashboard. Works great (tested it this morning).

From the wiki entry:

It is available to HBO subscribers of Verizon FIOS,[38] AT&T U-verse, Google TV,[39] Cox Communications, Comcast,[40] DirecTV,[41] Dish Network,[42] Suddenlink Communications,[43] and Charter Communications.[44]

So if you have one of those cable companies, and have an HBO subscription, you can use Go on your Xbox.

There might a couple missing, but I believe you can watch any episode of any HBO show ever made on Go along with most of the current movies they're showing on the channel.

[ajalves]

we usually get all the movie channels just in the summer months when we have time to get into them. thats when i'll catch up on Thrones (and others)

thanks for the info

[jsence2]

we usually get all the movie channels just in the summer months when we have time to get into them. thats when i'll catch up on Thrones (and others)

thanks for the info

AJ, I get access to HBO Go through work but I don't use it very often. If you want I can hook you up w login/password so you can use it sometimes.

I wish PS3 would get it, I get tired of having to watch stuff on my phone or on my laptop.

[ajalves]

we usually get all the movie channels just in the summer months when we have time to get into them. thats when i'll catch up on Thrones (and others)

thanks for the info

AJ, I get access to HBO Go through work but I don't use it very often. If you want I can hook you up w login/password so you can use it sometimes.

I wish PS3 would get it, I get tired of having to watch stuff on my phone or on my laptop.

sweet man, thanks.

ill give you a shout. although we're getting it back in 30 minutes

[Hoos]

Yea, I use mine in my bedroom to watch movies. It is a far superior interface compared to what the PS3 has.

[cougnix]

Funny how this topic crops up all the time.

Pay versus Free

It's like complaining about getting a car from your parents that you don't have to pay for versus spending $30000 for a brand new car.

The brand new car you paid for is going to be better, the free one was free for a reason...

[dakshdar]

Funny how this topic crops up all the time.

Pay versus Free

It's like complaining about getting a car from your parents that you don't have to pay for versus spending $30000 for a brand new car.

The brand new car you paid for is going to be better, the free one was free for a reason...

$50 a year is hardly a killer price to pay for the better features.

And your comparison is a bit off.

The better comparison is buying a car for $25,000 that has a terrible interior to a car that costs $25,000 plus $500 for a better interior when both cars perform, essentially, the same.

At least I know my PS3 wasn't free.

[I_S33M_THAB33T_U]

I.agree here totally, I have xfinity n have it linked up.through my xbox, so I dont need to have a box.or anything to watch same channels on my 360, n also everything is in HD, also the HBO GO and all.the other streaming stuff they have is great also.

I think until ps3 starts making u pay for online ur gonna continue to get the same stuff

Ps3 themes n backgrounds are better, n they both do have some.of.the same.things, mlb TV, Netflix.

Also the kinnect is killin.the move

[cougnix]

Okay so your example is a bit better, but the point still remains that you are asking for improvement on something that is free to match something that costs money. It is what it is, and what you are asking for is a pay service from PSN.

[dakshdar]

Okay so your example is a bit better, but the point still remains that you are asking for improvement on something that is free to match something that costs money. It is what it is, and what you are asking for is a pay service from PSN.

Except the dashboard itself is better and you get that for free regardless of whether you pay for Gold membership. The features that are gold exclusive (like HBO Go) have actual value to the user.

In general, I'm saying the overall interface is much better on the XBox side and they've actively made it better over time while offering that interface and all the updates for free.

I feel this is more a case of Sony being locked into their "X-Bar" idea that they use in the TVs as well, and the idea just sucks to start with.

[Block M]

Not to mention cross game chat where you can talk to people on your friend's list via the headset even if they're playing a different game than you.

This was my favorite feature when I owned a 360. It'd be cool to be playing NCAA while chatting with my friends who are playing WaW and updating me on how they are doing each game. Or if you're trying to learn a new game or teaching someone else the ropes...you can only hear and be heard by the people you want to (in your party) so you don't out yourself or friends as new players and have a 12 year old calling you a "NOOB" like it is on PSN.

Oh, and dont forget the best thing ever...avatars! I keed, I keed!