Microsoft has added several enhancements to its Xbox Live online game service. Among the new features included in the upgrade is support for high-definition 1080p video playback, compared to the earlier 720, an improved, faster interface for the Live Arcade service and streaming video capabilities for Windows PCs running either Windows Media Player 11 or Windows Media Connect. Xbox 360 owners will be able to download a firmware upgrade that provides some 85 new features. These enhancements are being made available free of charge to gold and silver Xbox Live members.

The support for HD video to 1080p resolution will enable Xbox 360 users to enjoy games designed for high quality viewing. Microsoft is planning to release an Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on drive in Japan in November.

Users of Xbox Live's Live Arcade will now be able to access new games faster than in the past and they will be able to look at titles using "recently played" and "by category" options. Titles can be downloaded automatically without searching by names and gaming enthusiasts can keep tab on each other's scores or the progress of the game on a leader board to be provided.

The enhancements are incorporated at a time when Microsoft is readying to take on Sony, which is shipping its PlayStation 3 gaming console on 17 November and Nintendo its Wii a few days later.

The company has clarified that it is not slashing the price of its console, which is pegged at $299 for the base version and $399 for the high-end model. Sony has indicated its PS 3 will carry a price tag of $499 for the base version and $599 for a high-end version. Wii is priced at $250.

New Features

- HD 1080p video mode support over VGA and component cables.
- Xbox 360 HD DVD Player support.
- Stream WMV video from a Windows PC running Windows Media Player 11, Zune software, or Windows Media Connect.
- Play video from storage devices such as USB flash drives, Xbox 360 Memory Units, etc.
- Play video from CD or DVD data discs.
- Xbox 360 Wireless Headset support, including battery level indicator in the Xbox Guide.
- Video support for 50 Hz HDTV modes (DVD and HD DVD only).
- Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel support.
- Set up automatic downloads of newly released Xbox Live Arcade trial games.
- Support for upcoming release of XNA Game Studio Express (separate download and subscription required.)
- Stream music, pictures and video from a Zune device.

Xbox Live Arcade

- Lightning-fast enumeration and listing of all Xbox Live? Arcade games on the console.
- Find games quickly with two new sort options: Recently Played and By Category.
- Have all new Xbox Live Arcade games at the ready with auto downloads. Auto downloads optionally adds newly released trial versions of games to active downloads when you enter Xbox Live Arcade.
- View full achievement info in Xbox Live Arcade, including icons, achievement point details, and descriptions.
- Friends leaderboard: Compare yourself with friends and view leaderboard details right from the Xbox dashboard.
- Tell a friend: Send a message to a friend about your newest favorite Xbox Live Arcade game.

DVD Player

- Optionally disable notifications from Xbox Live while watching DVD movies.
- Improved support for audio streams on incorrectly authored DVDs.
- Better handling of unreadable discs.
- Updated count-down timer.
- HD DVD player support.
- Added zoom support for non-anamorphic content.
- Added support to Family Settings to block Unrated Content

Video Player

- Improved support for extended all black scenes in WMV content.
- Added support for Windows Media Video 9 Advanced profile video.
- Screen saver now becomes active when videos are paused.
- Now shares UI and player controls with DVD player.
- Improved video playback while downloading from Xbox Live.
- Added skip controls (forward approx. 30 seconds, back approx. 7 seconds).
- Improved messaging around unplayable video content.
- Added time elapsed and time remaining displays.
- Improved playback of high bit-rate HD content on fragmented hard drives.
- Improved visual quality of video playback.
- Added selectable display modes: default and letterbox zoom.

Localization

- New locale setting for China
- Improved German translations in console settings.
- Improved German translations in memory area.
- Improved Japanese translations in Family Settings.
- Added localized text for all supported languages in pictures area
- Improved Spanish translations in camera effects.
- Improved locale-specific decimal denominators.
- Added localization support for title menu and main menu in the DVD player.
- Added localization support for ?Attempting to Read Media? system message.

Memory Area

- Added support for Xbox 360 HD DVD Player content..
- Added new page for viewing content size by category.

Other System Improvements

- Updated support for new Daylight Savings changes coming in 2007.
- Improved support for games to better handle host migration in multi-player matches.
- Improved Xbox Live Vision camera support for changing room lighting while zooming.
- Background downloaded videos appear in video area
- Improved Xbox Live Vision camera support while using VGA.
- Playing photo slideshows from PC now maintains picture folder hierarchy.
- Improved user experience when playing and deleting videos from the Games or Media areas.
- Improved handling of invalid characters during Xbox Live signup.
- Better handling of watermarks in gamer cards.
- Improved text for Windows Media Connect..
- Improved UI performance in Media Center Extender
- Improved connection support for Buffalo WZR-G108 wireless router when using Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter.
- Redownload of deleted Arcade Games no longer re-enumerates all games on the Arcade page.
- Improved visual display of text in themes.
- Improved support for CD playback after signing up for Xbox Live and losing network connectivity.
- Improved support for long names of items memory area.
- Improved handling of gamer pictures downloaded from Xbox Live.
- Improved background download notifications when downloading many small items from Xbox Live.
- Improved support for custom backgrounds after returning to the Xbox Dashboard from the Account Management area.
- Improved network reliability between Windows Media Center Extender on Windows
- Vista and Xbox 360 consoles using Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter.
- Improved voice chat quality in Xbox Dashboard and in-game chats.
- Improved messaging when failing to connect to Windows Media Center Extender.
- Improved USB keyboard support when using a USB hub.
- Improved consistency of user experience when deleting various types of content.
- Improved handling of low storage space for background downloads.
- Improved handling of Picture streaming from attached Digital Cameras over MTP protocol
- Improved error messaging for optional iPod support download when storage devices are full.
- Improved handling of multi-key repeating for USB keyboards.
- Expanded Family Settings to include support for blocking unrated DVDs and videos.
- Added ability to clear space from storage devices in download areas.
- Added support for low-speed and full-speed USB keyboards.
- Improved CapsLock behavior for USB keyboards.
- Improved look and feel in Xbox Live Marketplace and Xbox Live Arcade areas.
- Added redeem code option to Xbox Live signup.
- Removed system message at the start of new downloads. Messages will be displayed for completed items.
- Added support for CCV credit card validation field in Xbox Live Marketplace purchase areas.
- Updated "More Information" instructions in the Xbox Dashboard for connecting an Xbox 360 console to a Windows PC to stream digital media content.
- Added auto-scroll to long text descriptions in Xbox Dashboard UI.
- Improved support for DVD insertion while playing a video file.