Kinect is pretty awesome. It tracks my girlfriends 4 year old perfectly and we played Kinect Sports Rivals without any hickups. Xbox Fitness with Kinect is cool too. I passed this off as a big 'meh' before i tried it, but the Kinect tracking and point system actually makes working-out a game as much as it can be.
The controller is probably my only complaint. The thumbsticks are smaller diameter than the 360 (albeit more responsive), and it is lighter making it feel a little cheap (but I am also a supporter of the now long gone 'Duke' controller). The triggers feel a whole lot better though, and I dig the positioning of the LB and RB buttons.
The quick switching is outstanding. Absolutely amazing.
The only legit game I have played is BF4 and it does look amazingly better than the 360 version. It does have its issues, but I think a lot of it is blown out of proportion. The only issues Ive had is playing conquest with the number of players maxed out. It ran fine, but once the match was over, loading the next map just seemed to 'hang' (but that is more of a DICE issue).
The system is dead silent, even after playing games or movies for a few hours.
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I'm thoroughly impressed with the new Xbox One. The new features including the integration with your other entertainment devices are awesome. Being able to have everything turn on and off with the Xbox is great. The UI is nice. I don't have any issues with it at all. The system is very responsive.I've played Assassin's Creed so far and the graphics look great. One nice thing is that when you are in the market place looking at games you can see the clips of people that uploaded. This way you can see how the game plays before you buy it.
Setup:
I don't think this was bad at all. It took about an hour or so from initial startup to having a fully integrated entertainment experience. My setup goes like this… cable box xbox one Onkyo Receiver TV. The Xbox One controls them all very nicely.
A few points about the setup:
The initial boot can take a few minutes. Do Not mess with it during this time. It may sit at the logo for up to 5 minutes or so. Just be patient.
Once it's started for the first time you need to get the patch. It will automatically detect that it needs it and start downloading. Again, don't mess with it until it's done.
After the update it will want to restart. This seemed just like the initial boot, it stayed at the logo for a few minutes. This makes sense since it's booting after a large update. Just be patient and it will eventually get to the dashboard.
After all of that it will take you through the rest of the setup.
After the update once everything is setup I have not seen a boot to dashboard time longer than 10-15 seconds. It's mostly very fast and that includes it turning on everything else as well.
One issue I did have was the TV picture would flicker. This turned out to be a bad HDMI cable going from the cable box to the Xbox One. I replaced it and haven't seen the issue since. Others had the same issue and another fix is to make sure the cable is plugged in all the way. Some have had to give it an extra push.
You can also still use your normal cable box remote to change channels etc. I haven't had any issues using the other remotes if needed.
Best Deals for Xbox One Console - Day One Edition
I have been playing my Xbox One Day One Edition non-stop this weekend and felt comfortable giving a first impression review. The first thing you notice out of the box is that the design is nothing that is going to blow you away. They made it big and when it was opened up by those sites that take these boxes apart a large part of it is a fan. I don't really mind at all to be honest. Too much has been made of how it looks. I have it in an entertainment center that has nothing but large black boxes in it. Well here's another one. Not really a big deal.I plugged it in and went through the initial set up in around 20 minutes. I will start by saying I have a small child who also uses this television, so I will not be reviewing anything regarding the TV features. I decided not to use them, as I don't want my son to have to use the Xbox. The user interface is very nice and simple to use once you get going. I had an Xbox 360 and PS3 last generation and always liked the 360 interface better. I feel the same way about this one. You can still pin your favorite apps and games and navigating is fairly easy. The Kinect in my household with a small child (lots of noise) works well. I have had no problem with the commands and have found that they add quite a bit of easy navigation to the system. I will say it helps to learn what the commands are that the Kinect understands. Microsoft has released a sheet of all those commands since release. I will note that this would not have been a bad sheet to put in the box with the console, but I'll print it out on my own I guess. There is nothing better than saying Xbox On and Xbox Turn Off, or Xbox Go To Forza Motorsport 5 and it just goes! So in that sense I'm very pleased. I wouldn't say these are lazy features either as some may think. It's just a convenience that they have decided to give you. If you don't want to use it you can unplug it. I also really like the auto sign in when it sees me. The biggest thing that the Kinect brings to the table for nongaming is the ability to scan in QR Codes. The last generation brought us all that dreaded DLC and 25 digit code entry. Nothing worse than entering all 25 digits and then trying to figure out which one was wrong. Well the Day One Achievement and a 7 day Xbox live pass come with the system on a QR code sheet. Ask the Xbox to use a code and the Kinect will ask you to hold it up to the screen. Here the beep and you are all done. Thank you so much for this. Now if everyone can just start including these rather than the typed in codes with the games it would be appreciated. So you must be wondering how Kinect is for games. Well it is really a huge improvement. Kinect Sports has a free demo on Xbox live right now and the interactions were read well and precise. I really can't complain about how well the new Kinect works. All in all the Kinect and UI have really been integrated into the new system well. I really think Microsoft really sees how we interact with a lot of UI as stale and the Kinect is an attempt to change that. I don't mind it and the possibility of where they could go is intriguing. Hopefully including one with each system will turn into some great features from Kinect.
The new controller is another plus of this system. I'll add that last generation the Xbox 360 controller was my favorite and that will likely continue this generation. The new thumb sticks with the new grippy feel and updated LB and RB buttons are all great improvements. I also like the new D-Pad as it is very clicky and precise. Yes I know these are not real words I'm using. The controller also feels like the general shape has been changed a little, as it fits into your hands much more comfortably than the 360's, overall a great improvement. I had some really long gaming sessions this weekend and the controller didn't cause any fatigue from holding it. I for one am also a fan of the double A batteries in the controller. I know a lot of people feel this is a thing of the past but it just works for me. I don't like having the controller wired to the system to charge and the battery packs all eventually die and need to be replaced. Batteries can be charged and recharged simply and I will never have to replace the controller due to battery life waning over time. I know I am the minority with this opinion but it's mine and I'm sticking to it. I'll step down from my soap box now. Finally how about those force feedback triggers. Nothing like slamming on the brakes hard in Forza Motorsport 5 and having the trigger for braking shaking, just like if you slammed on the brakes in a real car. Also love when I'm holding down RT in Call of Duty Ghosts and it's shaking like a leaf just like it should. I think this will be a great feature moving forward.
The One also comes with a headset much like the 360 did. If you are not going to be a heavy gamer then it will do just fine. I have to say this was my only area of disappointment with the One out of the box. The headset that came with the 360 had a habit of being pretty cheap as well but this one is a downgrade. The set is not adjustable on the head as it's just a solid piece of flexible plastic. The sound quality is what it is, nothing earth shattering. I had a Turtle Beach headset with my 360 and I think I'm now spoiled. If you are not going to be using the headset often this one will likely take care of your needs. If you are a heavy multiplayer gamer you will likely be investing in a new headset, as this will not get it done for you. The Kinect is also auto set to be used as a headset out of the box, but I turned that off. That's a great way to be the guy online who has a ton of background noise!
There is also an included 4K capable HDMI cable that is included with the system. It's a fairly nice cable and I think we are all at the point where we expect the Xbox One and PS4 to have these included. The power brick is also outside the box. Ohhh nooo. I have no clue why so much has been made of this. Power bricks create heat. Putting them in the box may be nice for the end user but not for the ones who are trying to make this box as cool as possible. I understand why they kept it out considering the heat issues the previous console went through. Underneath the entertainment center it goes. Why are we even discussing this!
The longest that I have run the system was on release day and that was for about 8 to 9 hours non-stop with a disc in the drive. The system remained whisper quiet the entire time. I was playing at night with the volume down and couldn't hear that it was running in the room. Overall I would have to say that I feel much more confident in the hardware effort this time around by Microsoft. It seems like a sturdy well-made piece of hardware. Obviously the RROD that I experienced with my release edition of the 360 was not until over a year later, but at this point my initial impression of the One is that it's a much better made machine. Time will tell and I could not be happier after my first few days with the Xbox One.
Honest reviews on Xbox One Console - Day One Edition
received my console on launch and after going through the setup everything seemed great. Played a few rounds of Killer Instinct but then really wanted to get down to it and popped in Dead Rising 3 but was greeted with what you hear in the video. If it was just a sound from the initial load might live with it for now but nope it won't recognize a disc is in the drive even.
Called Microsoft and after on hold for 58 mins told that they would send a shipping box in 5 days...next week is Thanksgiving. Means the 5 business days is more like 8 days and no telling how long it would take before getting it back from repair.
Amazon to the rescue! Got in online chat with a rep and said that due to the situation they would send a new console out rush so I would have it by Monday and just slap a shipping label on my current broken console. Why can't Microsoft; the maker of the hardware; be that helpful.
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UPDATE 1 11/25/2013:
Got an email from MS customer support reaching out to me in regards to the issue I experienced on launch offering one of four free digital launch titles. Options were Forza, Ryse, Dead Rising 3, and Zoo Tycoon which is a really nice showing they truly are making an effort. However; I presented this to the rep over the phone on launch day and instead only offered 1 free month of gold. If this had been done initially that would have been stellar service on the part of MS.
But as I stated I do feel they are going the extra mile by directly reaching out which I really appreciate. Bumping review up to 2 stars to reflect the customer service effort
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UPDATE 2 11/25/2013:
Received my replacement console from Amazon and sorta bummed that was sent just a standard edition since I had reserved mine the second they made the announcement at E3. Nothing Amazon can do they just sent me what they had so grateful for that and does not affect functionality in anyway.
Before even setting everything up just plugged it in for power and verified that the disc drive did not sound like a jack hammer so that was a good start. With the system update, kinect setup, downloading apps, etc did not have much in the way of hands on yet since it was late but with this holiday weekend will have plenty of time with the interface and gameplay.
Bumping review up to 3 stars since this unit actually functions which is the very least I would expect from a product.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Xbox One Console - Day One Edition
Let me start with a disclaimer: I am an Xbox 360 owner, and primarily a PC gamer. I've never owned a PS3/PS4, and the only reason I had a 360 to begin with was for the exclusives. That being said, because of this I will be reviewing the Xbox One from the pros/cons of the product itself, and not be comparing it to any of the alternatives. So let's begin.-The Console Itself --
It's big. It's very big. I can see how this could be an issue for people with space concerns, small A/V racks, or who travel with it. But for most individuals, I feel it will make an excellent addition to your entertainment system. It looks fantastic. The box is very plain and rectangular, but the simplicity of it along with the white Xbox logo (which doubles as a touch controlled power button), I personally believe is part of its attractiveness.
The only con I can think of is the separate power brick, which is in itself rather large. However, in my setup where I plan on permanently keeping the Xbox One, the power brick fits very nicely behind my A/V cabinet and is no bother at all.
-The Setup --
Setting up the physical Xbox One is as simple as one would expect. Plug in the power, plug in the Kinect, and hook it up to the TV. I really can't say much other than that.
The first time you turn it on, you'll be presented with the Xbox Logo splash screen. It'll ask you for your language, location, and timezone settings. It will then proceed to seek out wireless networks and give you the opportunity to connect to one. After it's connected to the internet, it'll check for updates. And since there is a required "Day One" update, it'll find one and begin downloading it. After downloading and installing the update (a process which takes maybe 20-25 minutes if you have an average internet connection), it'll begin setting up the Kinect. Since there's a lot more I'd like to say about the Kinect, I'll skip over the Kinect setup for now and we'll come back to it. Overall, the setup process is fairly quick and extremely straightforward.
-The Interface --
If you've seen or used a computer with Windows 8 on it, or used the Xbox 360 the interface will look similar in a lot of ways. And in my opinion, that's a good thing. Information is presented to you in an efficient manner, and navigating with the controller is quick and intuitive. The main tile on the home screen shows a live preview of the "main" task the Xbox is currently performing, such as a paused game, a movie on Netflix or Amazon Instant Video, or Live TV. In the case of video/music, this "tile" will usually continue playing while displaying the home screen, which is nice. Switching between applications is fast. It's incredibly fast. And even though I heard how "fluid" it was coming up to the launch, I personally was expecting a bit of lag. There isn't. It's impressive.
-The Controller --
If you've used the Xbox 360 controller, I probably can't tell you anything you don't already know. The Xbox One controller feels extremely similar, but slightly better. The "grip" material covering the controller is extremely comfortable against your hand and I feel provides better access to the buttons and joysticks without the controller squirming around in your hands. The additions of the rumble motors in the left and right trigger is so barely noticeable, but at the same time, when you think about it after playing a game that utilizes them (such as Forza 5), you realize how nice they actually are to give you small little hints about what the car is doing.
The slightly smaller joysticks aren't all that different, but the addition of the "grib" on the tips is a nice touch. And finally, the controller has a proper D-pad that feels great.
The controller takes standard AA batteries, but the battery pack is "embedded" into the controller itself, which gives it a much cleaner look on the back. I've played for many hours so far, and it of course lasts a good long time with these AA batteries.
-The Games and Graphics --
Based on what I stated in my introductory paragraph, I'm not going to compare to any alternatives. Because of that, let me just state that this is a next-gen console. The graphics are pretty much what you'd expect for a next-gen console with launch games. And I'm certain there is even more potential hidden away that we won't see until much later in this generation. Game developers are creative and crafty, and I know they'll figure out a way to push every last pixel out of this thing.
There's not much I can say about games themselves since games are largely a personal preference. I can just say that I am more than satisfied with the launch lineup, and definitely looking forward to many of the exclusives (such as Titanfall, Quantum Break, and Halo 5) coming in the future.
-The Kinect --
There is an awful lot I can say about the Kinect. But let me start off with a little bit of advise: go into it with realistic expectations and realize what is and isn't practical to expect from what the Kinect offers. When you first turn on the Xbox One and go through the setup process, it'll recognize your face instantly. It'll track your face almost perfectly and quickly around the room. You can then associate your face with your Microsoft Account/Gamertag and subsequently (provided there's a saved password), log into the system simply by walking in front of the console. If there are multiple people in the room, it'll recognize both faces and each person can easily switch to their own customized dashboard by simply saying "Xbox show my stuff" to the device.
Speaking of audio commands, let's be honest: It's not perfect. You will need to repeat yourself at times, which can be frustrating. But after many hours of use over the last 24 hours, I can honestly say that I've gotten used to what works and what doesn't. Where I need to place pauses in my words to get the system to understand me the first time, almost every time. I haven't played any games where there's voice control, so I cannot comment on that functionality, but I can say that if you use the voice commands where they benefit you, you'll be very impressed and enjoy the ease with which you can perform those actions. Those actions include: switching between applications, changing channels when watching live TV, playing/pausing videos, and searching for content in Bing (which can also be used to find movies available on Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu, and Vudu).
My favorite feature so far: It's a small one, but it's a nice one. You can turn on settings to let the Kinect control (via IR) your TV, cable box, and A/V receiver. When using the HDMI passthrough for Live TV, you can have it turn on everything, automatically, simply by saying "Xbox On." You can also have it shut everything off. I can honestly say some of the remotes on my couch were simply there just to turn stuff on and off, nothing else. Those remotes are now gone, and that's worth it in itself.
The key takeaway: You won't be controlling everything you do with your voice. But it provides great convenience if you're selective of when you use it and take some time get used to how to talk to it.
I would also also like to suggest: If you're getting an Xbox One and have a flat panel TV (who doesn't?) get the PDP Xbox TV Mount. It's cheap, it works, and gets the Kinect on top of your TV where it should be.
-Live TV --
Not sure how much I can say about this. Setup is easy, controlling channels (via the connect) or via your Cable box is straightforward, and there's no loss of video quality. Controlling all of the devices (TV, cable box, A/V receiver) via the Kinect great.
-Other Stuff --
There's really only one thing I want to feature here: Xbox One SmartGlass. If you've never heard of this before, it's an application for your Windows 8 PC (or Surface tablet), Windows Phone 8 device, Android, or iPhone. And it's incredible. I had used the Xbox 360 version and wasn't at all impressed. The concept was cool, but the execution was horrible. The best part about the Xbox One version is you can, quite literally, control every aspect of the Xbox from this application. Want to watch a TV Show on Netflix? Push the Search button on your tablet/phone. Type the name of what you're looking for, and the app will tell you which services its available on. Select the service, and the TV show starts playing instantly. That's cool. And there's so much more you can do with it (control live TV, volume controls, answer/start Skype calls, view notifications or chat with Xbox friends, and the list goes on).
-The Conclusion --
There's probably a lot more I could have said in this review, and probably a lot of I should have said. The Xbox One isn't perfect. But Microsoft has a real winner here, and provided there's an active development team up in Redmond, things will only get much better with time going forward as updates are released. The hardware is there, and the framework is there. All we need now are some tweaks and improvements in software and this device really will become the centerpiece of your living room and entertainment center. I've owned it for just over 24 hours, and I can honestly say that its already earned its spot on top of my A/V console.
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