Mythbusting: Can an Xbox 360 play BluRay Movies?

Back in 2008, the questions abounded – would the Xbox 360 ever support BluRay? Rumors flew in all directions, but nobody knew for sure. We knew the Xbox console couldn’t read the discs the the way it was, but maybe a replacement drive, or an external device? When word broke that Microsoft, as a company, were trying to stay compatible with BluRay, people seemed to forget Windows was a bigger part of Microsoft than Xbox, at the time. I quashed that rumor myself, and helped to clarify the confusion. Xbox 360 owners ended up getting the external HD DVD add-on drive, which still works to this day. But that was it. BluRay support was never added.

Now, it seemed to me that this was an open and shut case, but I’ve seen the question asked in the past, and I’ve seen it answered and a really untruthful way. A person said YES, but then linked (referral links, no less) to paid software to convert the BluRay movie. It enabled person to put a BluRay disc into their computer (provided it had a BluRay drive), then convert the software, then you had your option of transferring it to a thumb drive or streaming it to the Xbox 360. This doesn’t mean the Xbox 360 can play a BluRay movie, this means the Xbox 360 supports several digital video formats – but it cannot read BluRay discs no matter what you connect up to the Xbox 360.

I just wanted to re-hash this – hopefully there was no more question, but I think people are still looking for the answer, and I wanted to provide it for them. Unfortunately for movie buffs, the final answer is NO – the Xbox 360 does not and will not support BluRay movies. The next console from Microsoft (what I’m dubbing the Xbox “365”) might, but we’ll probably need to wait until E3 2013 to find out.

A guide to setting up Xbox Live Security Proofs

I received a message from Xbox Live this week, letting me know that security proofs are being made mandatory. Yes, the message is legitimate and is really from Microsoft. I had a post before which had a video explaining security proofs and a link to the page where you set them up. Unfortunately, Microsoft has taken down the video. I’ve recently found this newer video on Xbox Supprt, but who knows when that’ll change as well. So, to help you out, below the video, I’ll walk you through setting up a few security proofs! Continue reading “A guide to setting up Xbox Live Security Proofs”

What is Xbox Live? An answer from Microsoft


Picture Credit: Godfree @ GamerTagRadio.

What is Xbox Live? When the name first came out, people thought it was a video service. Xbox Live might feature news anchors, or live broadcasts of some kinds. Now, ten years later, people are closer than ever before to being right – no matter how they answer the question. Here is what Microsoft says about Xbox Live:

“Xbox LIVE is the online service for Xbox 360—and a whole lot more. Your TV is transformed into a connected entertainment experience with Xbox LIVE. Play Kinect and controller games with online friends wherever they are or instantly watch HD movies, TV shows and sports. Use Kinect to discover entertainment options that interest you—just say what you want to watch, and Xbox finds it.”

Xbox Live is the core service you sign in to, and from there you can everything from playing games, to watching movies on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video, etc… to browsing the internet with Internet Explorer. There are different tiers of Xbox Live, and there are some big differences between Xbox Live Gold vs. Silver, so go ahead and read up on them, then join us online!

Know your Xbox 360 controller… guide, bumpers, shoulders, triggers?

When the Super Nintendo Entertainment System made its debut in 1990, it introduced the “L” and “R” buttons on the top of the controller. The PlayStation took it a step further with the “L1” / “L2” and “R1” / “R2” buttons. The Xbox 360 continues that tradition, but the buttons are clearly marked “LB” and “RB” – and then a pair of triggers.

The confusion comes in because different games use different names for these buttons. Generically, you may hear “LB” referred to as the Left Bumper, or the Left Shoulder Button. Same goes for the right side. The Triggers are generally called by the name left or right trigger, but are sometimes simply designated as “LT” and “RT.”


You can press in or “click” each of the analog sticks, as well. In games, these are sometimes referred to as “L3” for the left analog stick and “R3” for the right analog stick.

The face buttons are all well labeled, including the Back, Guide, and Start buttons, and of course the main X, Y, A, and B “skittles” as they’ve been nicknamed. One more button worth pointing out, found only on wireless controllers, is the Sync Button. The Sync button is pressed only when you need to synchronize a controller with an Xbox 360, for instance, if you just bought a new controller, or are taking your controller to a friend’s house.