From here on out, it’s a safe bet we’ll be hearing at least one rumor a month about the next iteration of Microsoft’s Xbox. January’s first morsel has to do with a possible DVR in the next console, and it comes courtesy the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. On December 27, those fine folks granted a patent to Microsoft for a device that would serve as both a game console and a digital video recorder. Kotaku broke the story, and they report patent #8,083,593 as saying the following: “A digital video recorder (DVR) application running alongside a television client component allows users to record media content on the gaming console. The DVR application also integrates itself with the console menu. Once integrated, users can record media content while playing games. Alternatively, users can record content when the gaming console is turned off. The recorded content can include television programming, gaming experience (whether local or online), music, DVDs, and so on. When in the recording state, users can also switch between various other media modes, whether gaming, television, and so on.” Of course the patent was originally applied for in 2007, back when Bill Gates was promising the Xbox 360 would be a TV-playing powerhouse. That doesn’t seem to have truly happened (despite the recent additions), but perhaps we’ll have it all when the new unit is unveiled.Next Xbox to feature built-in DVR?
From here on out, it’s a safe bet we’ll be hearing at least one rumor a month about the next iteration of Microsoft’s Xbox. January’s first morsel has to do with a possible DVR in the next console, and it comes courtesy the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. On December 27, those fine folks granted a patent to Microsoft for a device that would serve as both a game console and a digital video recorder. Kotaku broke the story, and they report patent #8,083,593 as saying the following: “A digital video recorder (DVR) application running alongside a television client component allows users to record media content on the gaming console. The DVR application also integrates itself with the console menu. Once integrated, users can record media content while playing games. Alternatively, users can record content when the gaming console is turned off. The recorded content can include television programming, gaming experience (whether local or online), music, DVDs, and so on. When in the recording state, users can also switch between various other media modes, whether gaming, television, and so on.” Of course the patent was originally applied for in 2007, back when Bill Gates was promising the Xbox 360 would be a TV-playing powerhouse. That doesn’t seem to have truly happened (despite the recent additions), but perhaps we’ll have it all when the new unit is unveiled.
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Yeah, the OTA antenna and tuner inside would be a smart move… throw a TB HDD in there and you’d be set, I think. Of course I can’t see any of the cable giants being down with this in the least bit.
it’s a great idea but two things…how big is that HD going to have to be? if you’re holding both games and hd programming (i would hope) that is going to eat up your drive quick unless you talking at least a terrabyte.
also, i would think there would be conflict with service providers. you think Dish or Directv would go for this? doubt it. BUT, Microsoft might think about including an over-the-air antenna to record free shows from NBC, ABC, etc. This is why I considered a TIVO and dropping my TV service plan.
I’m still hanging on the “PS3 Bandwagon” but if Xbox really does release this built-in DVR i’m off for good. I’ll have to consider myself a full-fledged Xbox fanboy at that point.
I wonder though how they will do this when it comes to the cable and Satellite providers. Will you be able to DVR record any show regardless of what cable provider you have? Or will it be restricted to specific contracts Microsoft has with say Dish or DirecTV? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.