iOS and Android apps no longer able to receive antenna TV signals through console
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Microsoft ending support for Xbox One’s broadcast TV streaming
- Thread starter JournalBot
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It's sad to see a product launch before it's time.
I see people wishing that Alexa can turn on and control their TVs now. This is already happening with the assistants being embedded into the TV and some remotes...
Edit: As someone that uses this, I use the TV control voice commands a lot more than streaming aspect of it.
Mostly to watch football in bed lol.
I see people wishing that Alexa can turn on and control their TVs now. This is already happening with the assistants being embedded into the TV and some remotes...
Edit: As someone that uses this, I use the TV control voice commands a lot more than streaming aspect of it.
Mostly to watch football in bed lol.
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It sucks to lose functionality but I don't see this as much of a loss. I think the HDHomeRun is a better solution.
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More than that, though, the move is a reflection of how little the Xbox One's once-ballyhooed media functions have faded in the system's value proposition.
You mean "how much"?
You mean "how much"?
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For that price point for the dongle, one could essentially migrate to an HDHomeRun which already has a native app on the Windows Store. Not the prettiest UI but at least servicable.
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Yes. When this was announced I was interested and looked into it as a cord-cutting opportunity--then realized I already had an HDHomeRun capable of feeding devices throughout the whole and didn't need a redundant single-unit device.
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It does sadden me to see the loss of some of these features. The original vision for the Xbox One was not one that was wrong imho, just one that was timed and sold terribly. I mean if you're going to be paying ~$600 for a beefy living room computer it doesn't seem that crazy to also have it double as your living room media center and if it's going to do that then making it a voice assistant with an IR blaster to control all your devices makes sense, as does having Snap / PiP so you can game and watch stuff, and so does the ability to take in and then restream all your living room content to wherever you are.
But sadly those kind of services were likely only supportable with a big enough base that they just never got this generation.
But sadly those kind of services were likely only supportable with a big enough base that they just never got this generation.
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I came so close to buying an XBox One actually for the convergence vision - especiallt for the Skype calls using Kinect.
Pretty glad I didn't now.
Pretty glad I didn't now.
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"Still, it's always odd to see a console maker removing features from the hardware rather than adding them"
Snap mode.
Family play
Sony killing Linux
Sorry but there has not been one single update to my XB1 where I've felt a value add. In fact, If I had known about this feature I would have bought the WinTV device to watch OTA on the xb1 which already serves as the main source for TV in my house. Sling and YouTube mainly.
More of the same you don't actually own what you thought you bought into.
Snap mode.
Family play
Sony killing Linux
Sorry but there has not been one single update to my XB1 where I've felt a value add. In fact, If I had known about this feature I would have bought the WinTV device to watch OTA on the xb1 which already serves as the main source for TV in my house. Sling and YouTube mainly.
More of the same you don't actually own what you thought you bought into.
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I'm not overly surprised that uptake was unexciting on the xbox; people were pretty cold on the 'xbox rules your digital home!!!' theory on launch; and the ongoing dominance of cheapie streaming sticks tied to whatever service you care about, if any on the one hand and profound lack of cooperation with anything that isn't their awful rented STB by Team Cable on the other, it's likely the case that things have gotten worse rather than better since.
What is a trifle odd about killing the mobile app is that it would seem to cut against Microsoft's ongoing move to add more desktop/mobile tie-ins, at least for Android users with Microsoft accounts willling to install the relevant app on their phones. It very much seems to be the case that, with Windows Phone bled out, Microsoft is working on the (plausible) theory that their best bet for mobile is to construct a little enclave of Microsoft that sits on top of Android. They've been especially busy on the business side(with their first party apps that all obey MAM policies and mostly huddle around Microsoft Authenticator for account management rather than using the platform native behavior and their encouragement of 3rd party use of the intune SDK so their apps can join the party); but the Cortana SMS syncing and the phone connection features they keep adding to Win10 releases are consumer-focused as well.
It would have seemed more logical to see the app at least kept on life support and gradually shoved toward being a broader ecosystem tie in(with OneDrive and whatever Zune audio and video have mutated into; along with some 'xbox'-branded stuff related to streaming(eg. a 'second screen' for streamers who don't already have an elaborate PC setup for that).
However, clearly that isn't what's happening; and I suppose it fits with the substantial abandonment(to the point of deliberate breakage) of the Windows Media Center stuff; which also didn't set the world on fire in terms of popularity; but had some dedicated fans. That, though, is a move I also find slightly puzzling. Their plan to be hegemonic clearly didn't pan out; but essentially abandoning the entire thing(with a few pitiful exceptions like crowing about how Edge has 4k netflix first because it supports the special DRM and such) seems oddly myopic, particularly for a company that can, and has in the past, put considerable money into a project up front with a willingness to let the gains accrue in the medium term(eg. all things Xbox, that was strategic; but far from cheap or immediately profitable).
Is Microsoft just not willing to take the long view and/or support niche cases; or do we suspect that someone on the rightsholder side really doesn't want any more easy-to-use consumer OTA time/place shifting floating around than is strictly necessary and told them that their next licensing deal for Zune Video would be cheaper and more pleasant if they terminated this sort of feature?
What is a trifle odd about killing the mobile app is that it would seem to cut against Microsoft's ongoing move to add more desktop/mobile tie-ins, at least for Android users with Microsoft accounts willling to install the relevant app on their phones. It very much seems to be the case that, with Windows Phone bled out, Microsoft is working on the (plausible) theory that their best bet for mobile is to construct a little enclave of Microsoft that sits on top of Android. They've been especially busy on the business side(with their first party apps that all obey MAM policies and mostly huddle around Microsoft Authenticator for account management rather than using the platform native behavior and their encouragement of 3rd party use of the intune SDK so their apps can join the party); but the Cortana SMS syncing and the phone connection features they keep adding to Win10 releases are consumer-focused as well.
It would have seemed more logical to see the app at least kept on life support and gradually shoved toward being a broader ecosystem tie in(with OneDrive and whatever Zune audio and video have mutated into; along with some 'xbox'-branded stuff related to streaming(eg. a 'second screen' for streamers who don't already have an elaborate PC setup for that).
However, clearly that isn't what's happening; and I suppose it fits with the substantial abandonment(to the point of deliberate breakage) of the Windows Media Center stuff; which also didn't set the world on fire in terms of popularity; but had some dedicated fans. That, though, is a move I also find slightly puzzling. Their plan to be hegemonic clearly didn't pan out; but essentially abandoning the entire thing(with a few pitiful exceptions like crowing about how Edge has 4k netflix first because it supports the special DRM and such) seems oddly myopic, particularly for a company that can, and has in the past, put considerable money into a project up front with a willingness to let the gains accrue in the medium term(eg. all things Xbox, that was strategic; but far from cheap or immediately profitable).
Is Microsoft just not willing to take the long view and/or support niche cases; or do we suspect that someone on the rightsholder side really doesn't want any more easy-to-use consumer OTA time/place shifting floating around than is strictly necessary and told them that their next licensing deal for Zune Video would be cheaper and more pleasant if they terminated this sort of feature?
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We just bought a TiVO Bolt OTA. Also have an ‘original’ Bolt that is cable card AND OTA capable.
This time last year, we killed cable TV and installed a tiny amplified OTA antenna on the eave of the house, aimed at the TV antenna farm 35-45 miles distant. Our HOA can’t fuss as we’re not on the actual roof and it’s nearly impossible to see from the street.
We get 59 channels. Plus Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, Plex and Pandora clients (our favorites among a fair amount that TiVo supports)
Also have a Hulu TV subscription with HBO and Starz add-ons.
I have SEVERAL tuner rigs for PC, including the Hauppage stick. None are in use; Microsoft just never made it fun or useful...it was always a PITA to deal with.
We watch Hulu TV on Apple TV 4Ks...which has even more clients than TiVo...and use Harmony remotes to control both the HT setup and the one in the bedroom.
I have an original Xbox console...still works. I wish Microsoft would actually get their act together for media, but have no hope of that.
So, I’ll stick with the convoluted but actually easy to use setup I have.
(Price Is Right in 4K is surreal...just saying)
This time last year, we killed cable TV and installed a tiny amplified OTA antenna on the eave of the house, aimed at the TV antenna farm 35-45 miles distant. Our HOA can’t fuss as we’re not on the actual roof and it’s nearly impossible to see from the street.
We get 59 channels. Plus Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, Plex and Pandora clients (our favorites among a fair amount that TiVo supports)
Also have a Hulu TV subscription with HBO and Starz add-ons.
I have SEVERAL tuner rigs for PC, including the Hauppage stick. None are in use; Microsoft just never made it fun or useful...it was always a PITA to deal with.
We watch Hulu TV on Apple TV 4Ks...which has even more clients than TiVo...and use Harmony remotes to control both the HT setup and the one in the bedroom.
I have an original Xbox console...still works. I wish Microsoft would actually get their act together for media, but have no hope of that.
So, I’ll stick with the convoluted but actually easy to use setup I have.
(Price Is Right in 4K is surreal...just saying)
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Family play is still kind of a thing. You can share games if you set another console as the home console, but then you won't have access when there's no internet. Same as family play...
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Don't get me wrong here. I agree wholeheartedly as someone who has had some interest in a lot of tech over the years that never really followed the 'mainstream'. As such the original marketing of the Xbox One with these types of features was pretty enticing. The only reason why I never bought one was mainly due to finances and also the relatively slow game library build up initially. And now with a lot of titles going Play Anywhere, already having a gaming laptop capable of playing a lot of these titles nixes it.
But as far as the media convergence stuff I feel they were a little too late and built it when the whole 'traditional/cable TV' usage already started hitting the downward edge of that bathtub curve. In fact at the time the Xbox One was announced I think most argued this then. Extra expensive hardware to build in the box that was not optional (HDMI passthrough and IR blasters namely) and extra software development for something that was eventually going to see little use.
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I didn't even know this was a feature or I would have used it. Now it's going away.
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Firing from the hip, but they have been slowly sun-setting their media center options. At the very least the program guides require licensing that is paid by Microsoft so that could be a cost they are trying to get off the books at some point.
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I purchased the TV tuner for the promised DVR capabilities that they never developed. I guess its just a matter of time before they remove the functionality to watch the last 30 minutes of an OTA channel.
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Likely not enough use justifying support. I bought into the TV parts of the Xbox soon after it came out, but the Android and iOS streaming never made sense to me even then. I'd stream to a laptop in another room, but why would I want to watch TV on a cell phone?
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Skype with Kinect is awesome, and latest updates have made it even better.
There is nothing that makes my living room feel more futuristic than calling people on the TV...straight out of Back to the Future II. And I have smart home stuff controlling everything.
The TV features also work well. We the cut the cord ages ago but use the tuner daily.
My 3 year old doesn't even know what a TV remote looks like...it's the Xbox controller and voice.
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That's a shame. Microsoft seems intent in loosing their opportunities. With their Xbox install base with around 20 million Kinect, they were positioned to be the home assistance market leader with Cortana. But instead, they killed it and gave the market to Amazon and Google. I wonder what will be their next lost opportunity (AR/VR seems to be well positioned there).
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I still make Skype calls using my Kinect. Other than the streamlined login, it is the feature I use it for the most.
Like others I missed this feature and would have used it had I been aware of it. I'm looking at the HDHomeRun and a little confused. From what I can tell, I would need to get the Connect for about $90, connect it to my network, and then use that to stream to the XB or my phone/tablet via their respective apps. With the Haupage, I would need to spend $80 plus an antenna (total about $90), connect it directly to the XB, and then use OneGuide to watch and (until 12/1-ish) stream to my phone/tablet.
At this point I'm looking at an equal cost and have to choose between streaming to multiple devices or a more attractive interface?
Edit: as soon as I posted, I realized that I would need an antenna with the HDHomeRun as well. So that would be a $10 extra to add multiple devices?
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If you use Plex, you can use the HDHomeRun as a DVR and then watch the recordings through the Plex app on the Xbox. That's what I do. I'm rarely home when I want to watch a show. Also, the HomeRun can watch 2 channels or watch and record at the same time as it has dual tuners.
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As people are cutting the cord more and more and returning to OTA broadcasts and spectrum efficiency is getting better thus allowing for coexistence of both? Why? Spectrum availability isn't even that much of an issue. At most (congested) cell tower, the limiting factor is the backhaul and density not the spectrum availability.
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Have you tried it lately? I guess it's not beautiful, but it works perfectly. They even recently added pause and rewind without a subscription. In fact, this free app is so good, I'm going to get the DVR subscription and finally do away with my old Win7 Media Center.
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Good news. You can still watch OTA on the XB1 with this device, you just can't stream it to your phone via the Xbox app.
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The Dreamcast was great wasn't it! Oh that isn't what we are talking about? Since the PS3 lawsuit was mentioned, when am I actually going to get that $45?
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Heads up, this usb device works perfectly on windows with something like NextPVR, so if you do own one of these you shouldn't through it out just because it won't work on your console!
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Thats good to know. It's the only thing that keeps me on one device in the living room. Thank you.
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And somewhere, the legal team who led that suit started salivating and don't know why.
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Family mode was never removed (it was never fully added the way it was originally proposed) but a limited version of it does exist and works perfectly. Use it every day, and you can even play multiplayer titles together at the same time.
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I'd be interested in seeing an update to the article if Microsoft comes out with their rationale. If killing this frees up resources that can go towards better usability, it could be argued it is a good decision. Microsoft has extensive data on what is being done with their consoles--I believe at one point more than half of its use was some type of media streaming, rather than gameplay.
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There are dozens of ways to do this with a bare-bones PC, in virtually any form factor, running any OS you wish. You just have to know the right questions to ask. Given a sufficient network connection, it doesn't need to be on the same floor, much less the same room.
That tuner will work on a Windows PC. Install it, and install the copy of WinTV 8 that came with it (you did keep that license key, right?) to get full driver support for the device. Then install your PVR application of choice (I use NextPVR, but that's not the only one out there). You can add a different front end if you wish, but it's not entirely necessary. You can use some of the paid services for media guide information, or you can use zap2xml (a free utility which pulls data from zap2it.com or tvguide.com - both of which are free to access). Not knowing any of this when I started, it took about 2 days to get everything working correctly. Over the last 2 years, the tools in question got a little bit more reliable, and I got used to the system. The latest hurdle it just crossed without problem was the DST switch Sunday night, which it passed with flying colors (I just had to set my media guide update to happen after the clock rolled back - a minor oversight that I should have realized 2 years ago). All of this will cost you nothing but a few hours of playing around with application settings and scheduled tasks.
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All the more reason why X-Box should be separated from the hardware. Make X-Box a bootable environment coupled with Windows 10, and have minimum hardware specifications (coupled with a parts branding campaign) such that the parts with that branding are guaranteed to reach the minimum required level of performance to match the standalone console.
For the life of me, I cannot understand (other than the convenience and ease of operation of a console for those without the time, technical knowledge, or funds for a mid-range gaming PC) why console and PC haven't merged. All the parts are there, the rest is (as far as I'm aware) a matter of code.
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That stinks.
OTA was a primary driver in picking up the XBox One S and making it my media concentrator: On disk media, Netflix, etc...
I used WMCE on Windows 8 until they pulled the plug. That was a great solution by MS.
OTA was a primary driver in picking up the XBox One S and making it my media concentrator: On disk media, Netflix, etc...
I used WMCE on Windows 8 until they pulled the plug. That was a great solution by MS.
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