Thank You FOXTEL Lap Sponsors!

Thank you to everyone who sponsored me for the FOXTEL Lap today. Collectively you guys helped me raise over $500 for the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. Sponsors please check your email for a little thank you from me (and sorry I’m so bad at spelling Murdoch!).

FOXTEL Lap 2010

Now for my big thank yous.

I said before I would have a little something extra for those who dug deep, and you guys really came through.

Top Donor

Aleks S.

Runners-up

Benjamin C.

Jess H.

Mark F.

Now, since I had an exact 3-way tie on my Silver medal awesome donors and I only have 2 controller bundles, I’m going to have to get a bit creative about finding an equivalent prize for one of you, but we’ll sort something. Keep an eye out for an email from me!

Give yourselves a round of applause! Who cares if it’s the internet and no one else can hear? I hear it loud and clear, and it’s saying you guys are awesome.

- jinx

Help the Kids, You Could Win Stuff

The beautiful thing about my job is I usually have free stuff lying around, and I like finding good things to do with it.

This Friday I and the rest of the Xbox team here in Sydney are participating in the FOXTEL Lap, a fundraising run for the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, which is dedicated to finding answers to the most pressing health issues affecting children today.

We need sponsors, and I’m putting on my puppy dog eyes and looking at you, and throwing in something to say Thank You to those of you who open the wallets and contribute.

• The person who sponsors me the most will get a Tekken 6 arcade stick bundled with Tekken 6.
• The 2 runners-up who sponsor me second and third most will get a Halo 3: ODST limited edition controller that comes bundled with Halo 3: ODST.
• The first 100 people to sponsor me for at least $5 will each get a code for an Xbox LIVE Arcade game (game will vary).

To sponsor me, go here and fill out the form. You will have to put your first name, last name, and email address in the form. Please use a real email address! That’s how I’ll get in contact with you to send you a thank you present and I solemnly promise not to abuse the info or use it for any other purpose. From the “Participant to Sponsor” list select “Ashley Jenkins (XBOX – NSW)” — I can only see those who sponsor me, not those who sponsor the whole Xbox team, but it all goes to the same good use.

- jinx

Xbox is Running for Charity

We in the Xbox team have decided to put our legs to good use and participate in the FOXTEL Lap on December 3, raising funds for the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. We’re happy to sweat for it but we need your help.

If you’re interested in sponsoring me or the entire Xbox team, please go here. You can sponsor an individual runner (I’m registered as Ashley Jenkins (XBOX – NSW) or sponsor our entire team (registered as XBOX – NSW) as we tag team to keep the treadmill going for 10 straight hours. I’m aiming to run 50 100m laps, or 5K, in 30 minutes and that’s faster than I’ve ever run for that long so I could really use the motivation!

The FOXTEL Lap is held in support of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Australia’s largest and most prestigious child health research organisation.

Proceeds from the event support research into  priority areas such as diabetes, cancer, asthma, premature birth, genetic conditions, obesity and mental health problems to help children lead happier, healthier lives.

- jinx

FOXTEL on Xbox 360 Launch FAQ

FOXTEL on Xbox 360 will begin appearing on the Xbox LIVE dashboard for Australian gamers from today, bringing heaps of live, catch-up, and on demand TV and movies to your Xbox 360. I figure many of you will have questions about the service, so here’s a quick FAQ and I will continue to update as I get more questions and tackle the answers.

Go here to skip the questions below and just get started.

I see FOXTEL in the Video Marketplace but it says “Coming Soon” and I can’t download it. Why?

We’ve obseerved a high demand for this service. In order to ensure a smooth user experience for those who have FOXTEL installed, we’re performing a gradual rollout of the service to all users across Australia. This may take a few days. Once your console has access to FOXTEL the text in the FOXTEL box will change and you will be able to download and launch the application.

Why can’t I have it now? Do you hate me?

No, we don’t hate you. Actually, we were just talking and we think you’re pretty cool. We like you so much that we want to be sure you have a good time when you get started with FOXTEL.  We’ve automated the gradual rollout to ensure a good, smooth experience from the moment you download the FOXTEL application, rather than stuffing you into a crowded queue with no regard for your personal space.

I live in an Austar area. Can I still get FOXTEL on my Xbox 360?

Due to content distribution agreements, FOXTEL can only be provided to users in FOXTEL-serviced areas.

How do you know I’m not in a FOXTEL area?

This is determined by the billing postcode on your FOXTEL on Xbox 360 account. If you don’t live in a FOXTEL-serviced postcode you will not be eligible for this service.

How much does it cost?

The Get Started package is $19.50 and includes a bunch of great channels, like FOX8, Nickelodeon, FOX SPORTS News, MTV, and a ton more. There are additional packages available for Sports, Entertainment, and Movies so you can choose a programming set to meet your interests. Additional packages start from $10.

How much of my internet will this use?

We haven’t announced any unmetered plans for FOXTEL on Xbox 360, so before you install it and go crazy make sure your broadband internet can support your intended use. There are 3 different streaming qualities, and each will use a different amount of bandwidth. High quality streaming will use approximately 800mb/hr, medium quality will use approximately 540mb/hr, and low quality will use approximately 360mb/hr. Additionally, we recommend an internet connection speed of 1.5mbps for a smooth streaming experience.

Australia has recently seen some great improvements to most broadband plans so check yours. You may be due an upgrade in speed and/or bandwidth usage cap without it costing any more!

Where do I get started?

Visit this link to get started, and enjoy!

- jinx

Updates to ZUNE Video Marketplace

Tonight the new Xbox LIVE update is coming out, with changes to the user interface, improved voice chat, tweaks to avatars and the avatar editor, and other fun stuff. One of the other “fun stuff” items is an update to the ZUNE Video Marketplace.

Starting from tonight, you will be able to purchase movies through the ZUNE Video Marketplace in addition to renting On Demand titles. This means there are HEAPS of new titles coming. I counted 491 that will be available for purchase from the time of the update. It also means we’ll have some titles available on ZUNE Video Marketplace earlier, since we don’t have to wait for them to enter the On Demand window–once they are available for digital distribution we can make them available for purchase.

Another bonus? It’s available on all 3 of your screens. Once you’ve purchased the title on Xbox LIVE you can also choose to watch it on your PC via the ZUNE software, or even transfer it (from your PC) to your Windows Phone 7 and watch it on the go. You’ve bought it, you should be able to watch it, right? and now you can.

I’ll try to get my hands on a complete list of the titles coming tonight for those interested.

UPDATE:

Here’s a list of all movies available for purchase on the Video Marketplace in Australia so far.

2001: A Space Odyssey

• 2010: The Year We Make Contact
• 48 Hrs.
• Absolute Power
• Ace In The Hole
• Addams Family Values
• Aeon Flux
• Airplane 2: The Sequel
• Airplane!
• Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams
• Alexander
• Alfie (1966)
• Alfie (2004)
• Alien Autopsy
• Alien Raiders
• All I Want for Christmas
• All The President’s Men
• Along Came A Spider
• American Beauty
• American Gigolo
• American History X
• American Pastime
• American Teen
• Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
• Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
• Ant Bully
• Any Given Sunday
• Any Which Way You Can
• Appleseed Ex Machina
• Assassination of Jesse James, The
• Assassins
• Avengers, The
• Babel
• Babylon 5: The Lost Tales
• Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever
• Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub Zero
• Batman & Robin
• Batman (1989)
• Batman Begins
• Batman Beyond: Return of The Joker
• Batman Forever
• Batman Returns
• Batman vs. Dracula, The
• Batman: Gotham Knight
• Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
• Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
• Batman: Under the Red Hood
• Beerfest
• Beetlejuice
• Before Sunrise
• Before Sunset
• Ben Hur (1959)
• Best In Show
• Beverly Hills Cop II
• Big Red One, The
• Big Top Pee-Wee
• Black Beauty
• Black Rain
• Black Sheep
• Black Snake Moan
• Blade Runner: The Final Cut
• Blades of Glory
• Blast from the Past
• Blazing Saddles
• Blind Side, The
• Blood Diamond
• Blood Work
• Bloodsucking Freaks
• Blowup
• Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides Again
• Boomerang
• Breakfast at Tiffany’s
• Broken Embraces
• Browning Version, The
• Bucket List, The
• Bug (1975)
• Bullitt
• Caddyshack
• Caddyshack II
• Cannibal The Musical
• Capitalism: A Love Story
• Case No. 39
• Cast Away
• Cat in the Hat
• Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
• Catch-22
• Chamber of Horrors
• Charlotte’s Web (2006)
• Child’s Play (1972)
• Chinatown
• Chosen One: Legend of the Raven, The
• Christmas Story, A
• Cinderella Story, A
• City Hall
• Clash of the Titans (1981)
• Clash of the Titans (2010)
• Class of Nuke Em High
• Clear and Present Danger
• Client, The
• Clockstoppers
• Clockwork Orange, A
• Cloverfield
• Clue
• Clueless
• Coach Carter
• Cobra
• Collateral
• Collateral Damage
• Combat Shock
• Coming to America
• Coneheads
• Congo
• Conspiracy Theory
• Contact
• Cop Out
• Core, The
• Cradle 2 the Grave
• Critical Condition
• Cyxork 7
• Dance Flick
• Dance Flick
• Dave
• Days of Heaven
• Days of Thunder
• Dead Again
• Dead Calm
• Dead Pool, The
• Decampitated
• Deep Impact
• Def By Temptation
• Demolition Man
• Departed, The
• Devil’s Advocate, The
• Dial M For Murder
• Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star
• Dirty Dozen, The
• Dirty Harry
• Disclosure
• Disturbia
• Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
• Domestic Disturbance
• Double Jeopardy
• Dreamgirls
• Drillbit Taylor
• Drop Zone
• Duchess, The
• Eagle Eye
• Eddie Murphy Raw
• Education of Little Tree
• Education, An
• Election
• Elizabethtown
• Enduring Love
• Enforcer, The
• Enter the Dragon
• Eraser
• Escape from Alcatraz
• Eurotrip
• Event Horizon
• Every Which Way But Loose
• Everybody’s All American
• Excalibur
• Executive Decision
• Exorcist II: The Heretic
• Exorcist, The
• Eyes Wide Shut
• Failure To Launch
• Fallen
• Falling Down
• Fearless Vampire Killers, The
• Ferocious Female Freedom Fighters
• Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
• Fire in the Sky
• Firefox
• Firm, The (1993)
• First Monday in October
• First Wives Club, The
• Flashdance
• Foot Fist Way, The
• Footloose
• Forget Paris
• Forrest Gump
• Four Brothers
• Frankie & Johnny
• Free Willy
• Free Willy 2
• Friday the 13th (2009)
• Friends of Eddie Coyle, The
• Fugitive, The
• Full Metal Jacket
• G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
• Galaxy Quest
• General’s Daughter, The
• Ghost
• Ghost Town
• Godfather Part II, The
• Godfather Part III, The
• Godfather, The
• Golden Child, The
• Gone With the Wind
• Good German, The
• Goodfellas
• Grease 2
• Green Lantern: First Flight
• Grumpier Old Men
• Grumpy Old Men
• Hangover, The
• Hard to Kill
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
• Heartbreak Ridge
• Heaven Can Wait
• Hey Arnold! The Movie
• Homie Spumoni
• Horror of Dracula
• Hotel for Dogs
• How She Move
• How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
• Hud
• Hunger, The (1983)
• Hunt for Red October, The
• Hunter, The
• Hustle & Flow
• I Love You, Man
• I.Q.
• Imagine That
• Imagine: John Lennon
• Inconvenient Truth, An
• Incredible Hulk, The
• Indecent Proposal
• Informant!, The
• Intersection
• Interview with the Vampire
• Invictus
• Iron Giant, The
• Iron Man
• Italian Job, The (1969)
• Italian Job, The (2003)
• Jack Frost
• Jackass 2.5
• Jackass Number 2
• Jackass: The Movie
• Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
• Joe’s Apartment
• John Carpenter’s Escape from L.A.
• Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths
• Justice League: The New Frontier
• Killer Condom
• Kite Runner, The
• Krush Groove
• Ladies Man, The (2000)
• Lady in the Water
• Lady Jane
• Lara Croft: The Cradle of Life
• Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
• Last Boy Scout, The
• Last Holiday
• Last Samurai, The
• Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events
• Lethal Weapon
• Lethal Weapon 2
• Lethal Weapon 3
• Lethal Weapon 4
• Let’s Do it Again
• Letters from Iwo Jima
• Little Shop of Horrors
• Logan’s Run
• Lollilove
• Looney Tunes: Back in Action
• Losers, The
• Lost Boys, The
• Love Guru, The
• Lovely Bones, The
• Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
• Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
• Madigan’s Millions
• Magnum Force
• Malibu’s Most Wanted
• Man with Two Brains, The
• Manchurian Candidate, The (2004)
• Marathon Man
• MARS ATTACKS!
• Maverick
• Mean Creek
• Mean Girls
• Meet the Fockers
• Meet the Parents
• Message in a Bottle
• Mexican, The
• Michael
• Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
• Mission: Impossible
• Mission: Impossible II
• Mission: Impossible III
• Mostly Martha
• Mother’s Day
• Murder at 1600
• Murder by Numbers
• My Blue Heaven
• Nacho Libre
• Naked Gun 2 & 1/2: The Smell of Fear
• Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult
• Naked Gun: From the files of Police Squad!, The
• Napoleon Dynamite
• Narc
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
• National Lampoon’s European Vacation
• National Lampoon’s Vacation
• Natural Born Killers
• Neverending Story II: The Next Chapter
• New Jack City
• Nightmare on Elm Street, A (2010)
• No Country for Old Men
• Norbit
• Observe and Report
• Odd Couple, The
• Officer and a Gentleman, An
• Old School
• Omega Man, The
• Once Upon A Time In The West
• One Missed Call
• Orange County
• Ordinary People
• Orphan
• Outbreak
• Pale Rider
• Parallax View, The
• Passenger 57
• Patriot Games
• Pay it Forward
• Payback
• Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure
• Pelican Brief, The
• Perfect Score, The
• Perfect Storm, The
• Perfect World, A
• Pet Sematary
• Phantom, The
• Planes, Trains and Automobiles
• Plaza Suite
• Pleasantville
• Polar Express, The
• Police Academy
• Police Academy 3: Back in Training
• Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol
• Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach
• Police Academy 6: City Under Siege
• Pootie Tang
• Poseidon
• Posse
• Postman, The
• Pot Zombies
• Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead
• Presidio, The
• Primal Fear
• Proof of Life
• Purple Rain
• Racing With The Moon
• Rebel Without a Cause
• Reckoning, The
• Redneck Zombies
• Regarding Henry
• Replacements, The
• Rest Stop
• Rest Stop: Don’t Look Back (Unrated)
• Revolutionary Road
• Ring Two, The
• Ring, The
• Rio Bravo
• Risky Business
• Road Trip – Beer Pong
• Road Trip
• Roman Holiday
• Romeo & Juliet (1968)
• Romeo Must Die
• Rookie, The (1990)
• Rosemary’s Baby
• Rugrats Go Wild
• Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
• Rugrats Movie, The
• Ruins, The
• Sabrina (1954)
• Sahara
• Save The Last Dance
• Scanner Darkly, A
• School of Rock
• Searching for Bobby Fischer
• Seconds
• Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD
• Shaft
• Shaft in Africa
• Shaft’s Big Score
• Shane
• Shawshank Redemption, The
• Shining, The
• Shooter
• Shorts
• Shutter Island
• Singles
• Sizzle Beach USA
• Sky Captain and The World of Tomorrow
• Slaughter Party
• Snow Day
• Soapdish
• Soldier
• Son of Rambow
• South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
• Space Jam
• Spark
• Spawn
• Special Needs
• Sphere
• Spies Like Us
• SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, The
• Spring Breakdown
• Star Trek (2009)
• Star Trek I: The Motion Picture
• Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
• Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
• Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
• Star Trek IX: Insurrection
• Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
• Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
• Star Trek VII: Generations
• Star Trek VIII: First Contact
• Stardust
• Staying Alive
• Stepford Wives, The (2004)
• Stop-Loss
• Strange Brew
• Strangers on a Train
• Sublime
• Sum of All Fears, The
• Summer Rental
• Sunshine
• Superfly
• Superman II
• Superman III
• Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
• Superman Returns
• Superman: Doomsday
• Superman: The Movie
• Surf Nazis Must Die
• Team America: World Police
• Tequila Sunrise
• Terminal Man, The
• Terms of Endearment
• Terror Firmer
• THX 1138
• Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride
• Time to Kill, A
• Timeline
• Tin Cup
• To Catch A Thief
• Top Gun
• Top Secret!
• Toxic Avenger Part II
• Toxic Avenger Part III
• Toxic Avenger, The
• Toxic Crusaders: The Movie
• Trading Places
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
• Trekkies
• Trekkies 2
• Trick ‘R Treat
• Troma’s War
• Tromeo and Juliet
• Tropic Thunder
• Troy
• Troy: The Director’s Cut
• True Crime
• True Grit
• Truman Show, The
• Twilight Zone: The Movie
• Twisted
• U.S. Marshals
• Unforgiven
• Uninvited, The
• Untouchables, The
• Up In the Air
• Urban Cowboy
• V for Vendetta
• Valentine’s Day
• Van Wilder: Freshman Year
• Vanilla Sky
• Varsity Blues
• Virgin Suicides, The
• War of The Worlds, The (1953)
• Warriors, The
• Watchmen
• Watchmen Motion Comics
• Watchmen Motion Comics
• Watchmen Motion Comics
• Watchmen Tales of the Black Freighter
• Wayne’s World
• We Are Marshall
• Weather Man, The
• Wedding Party, The
• We’re No Angels (1989)
• Wes Craven’s New Nightmare
• What a Girl Wants
• When Nature Calls
• Wild Bunch, The
• Wild Wild West
• Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
• Win a Date With Tad Hamilton!
• Winter Solstice
• Without A Paddle
• Without a Paddle: Nature’s Calling
• Witness
• Wizard of Oz, The
• Women, The
• Wonder Woman (Animated Movie)
• Wrong Turn at Tahoe
• Wyatt Earp
• Yeti: A Love Story
• Young Sherlock Holmes
• You’ve Got Mail
• Zombiegeddon
• How to Train Your Dragon

- jinx

Foxtel on Xbox 360 Packages

Christmas holiday season is creeping closer and so is the launch of Foxtel on Xbox 360. Today Foxtel and Microsoft have announced the channels and packaging that will be available on the service when it launches next month.

In addition to catch-up TV and Foxtel on Demand, there will be several packages available so you can customize your viewing experience. The Get Started package, the entry level channel selection,  will be available to all Foxtel on Xbox 360 subscribers for less than $20 per month. Additional packages start at $10 per month.

LIVE TV Packages

Get Started: FOX8, MTV, Nickelodeon, Channel [V], LifeStyle, YOU, Discovery, National Geographic, TV1, SKY NEWS, FOX Sports News and CNN.

Entertainment Package: MTV Hits, MTV Classic, [V] Hits, UKTV, Disney, The Comedy Channel, Discovery Turbo MAX, Nat Geo Adventure, Universal, BBC Knowledge, and SCI FI.

Sports Package: FOX SPORTS PLAY, ESPN, Eurosport and FUEL TV. FOX SPORTS PLAY will be an Xbox 360 exclusive channel specially programmed to feature Australia’s most-loved sports programming, including Hyundai A-League Football, Barclays Premier League Football, Rugby Union Spring Tour, KFC Twenty20 Big Bash, India vs New Zealand test cricket, live boxing, ATP World Tour tennis finals and many more.

Showtime movies package: Showcase and Showtime Premiere.

Movie Network movies package: Movie One and Movie Two.

FOXTEL ON XBOX 360 FAQ

Will this be available everywhere in Australia?

Foxtel on Xbox 360 will be available in all Foxtel-serviced areas. It will not be available in areas not serviced by Foxtel.

What kind of internet speeds do I need?

We recommend a minimum internet connections speed of 1.5mbps for an optimal viewing experience.

Will watching Foxtel on Xbox 360 count towards my internet data transfer cap?

Yes. As an internet TV service, Foxtel on Xbox 360 will use bandwidth that will count towards your internet data transfer cap. We have not announced any ISP partnerships for unmetered Foxtel on Xbox 360 at this time.

Do I have to be an Xbox LIVE Gold member?

All live TV packages are available exclusively to Xbox LIVE Gold members. Foxtel on Demand will be available to Xbox LIVE Silver members.

If I already have Foxtel do I automatically get this?

If you already have a Foxtel account you can attach your Foxtel on Xbox 360 as a multi-room account.

Full press release below.

XBOX A GAME-CHANGER FOR FOXTEL

SUBSCRIPTION TV AND NEW RELEASE MOVIES ON DEMAND WITHOUT A FOXTEL SET-TOP-BOX

FOXTEL and Microsoft today announced the channels and packaging for the much-anticipated FOXTEL on Xbox 360 television service.

From November, Xbox 360 owners in Australia[1] will be able to watch over 30 of FOXTEL’s world-class channels through Xbox LIVE on their Xbox, via the Internet.

The FOXTEL on Xbox 360 television service will feature a range of FOXTEL’s popular channel brands and offer a mix of:

-       Live streamed television channels

-       Catch-up TV

-       FOXTEL On Demand – FOXTEL’s recently launched Internet TV and movie pay-per-view service

The Get Started package of live channels streamed online through the Xbox are: FOX8, MTV, Nickelodeon, Channel [V], LifeStyle YOU, Discovery, National Geographic Channel, TV1, SKY NEWS, FOX Sports News and CNN, available from FOXTEL for less than $20 per month. Popular programming titles include Gossip Girl, Jersey Shore, The Hills, The Simpsons, Hustle and WWE.

FOXTEL on Xbox 360 subscribers can also choose from a range of additional packages covering Entertainment, Sports and two Movies packages, which will offer both live streamed channels, a catch up TV service, and video On Demand content. Additional channel packages start at $10 per month from FOXTEL.

FOXTEL Chief Executive and Managing Director, Kim Williams, AM said: “FOXTEL on Xbox 360 offers a new and convenient way to get FOXTEL without a set-top-box and over the internet, which is one part of our overall internet television strategy.

“We are innovating in the packaging and delivery of FOXTEL expanding across multiple devices to provide customers with more ways to enjoy television programming, sport and movies. With the addition of the FOXTEL on Xbox 360 Internet TV service FOXTEL is at the forefront on entertainment technology and will now offer Australians mobile, HD, 3D and Internet TV.

“FOXTEL is moving beyond the set-top-box and we are delighted to be joining forces with Microsoft on the Xbox platform to allow a new generation of customers – who traditionally may not have been able to get FOXTEL – to explore our fantastic programming. FOXTEL on Xbox 360 includes some of the world’s best channel brands such as FOX8, Disney, Nickelodeon, CNN and SKY NEWS, indeed we have secured a channel line-up to rival any competitor.

“FOXTEL on Xbox 360 is affordable, easy to use, and will provide instant access to live and catch-up TV, current and library movies, and video On Demand with no fixed term contract and low cost packages.”

David McLean, Managing Director of Xbox Australia said, “We couldn’t be more pleased to be partnering with FOXTEL – an organisation with more high quality film, television and sports content than any other in Australia. Together we’re pioneering the delivery of Internet TV on a scale not yet seen in this country. We have sold over a million Xbox 360 consoles already in Australian homes. FOXTEL on Xbox 360 will be available to all Xbox LIVE members in FOXTEL serviced areas.

“Besides access to great content, users will no longer need to wait until the following day to discuss their favourite shows. With Xbox LIVE, you can see what your friends are watching, watch together or even voice chat without ever leaving the experience. FOXTEL on Xbox 360 will bring interactive entertainment to a whole new level for Australians.”

LIVE TV

In addition to the Get Started package of live channels, FOXTEL on Xbox 360 subscribers may elect to subscribe to any of the following packages; Entertainment, Sports, showtime and Movie Network, each including live streamed channels mirroring the channels broadcast on the FOXTEL television platform.

The Entertainment package offers these live streamed channels: MTV Hits, MTV Classic, [V] Hits, UKTV, Disney, The Comedy Channel, Discovery Turbo MAX, Nat Geo Adventure, Universal Channel, BBC Knowledge, and SCI FI. Popular programming titles include The Chaser, Tosh.0 and Robot Chicken.

The Sports package offers these live streamed channels: FOX SPORTS PLAY, ESPN, Eurosport and FUEL TV. FOX SPORTS PLAY is an Xbox 360 unique channel that will be specially programmed to feature a collection of Australia’s most-loved sports programming including Hyundai A-League Football, Barclays Premier League Football, Rugby Union Spring Tour involving the Wallabies, KFC Twenty20 Big Bash, India v New Zealand Test Cricket, Live Boxing, ATP World Tour Tennis Finals and many more.

showtime and Movie Network will offer two separate movie packages for FOXTEL on Xbox 360 customers that will provide two live channels each, and catch up TV programming. The showtime movies package offers two live streaming channels – showcase and showtime premiere. The Movie Network package offers two live streaming channels Movie One and Movie Two.

CATCH UP TV

Subscribers to the FOXTEL on Xbox 360 live TV service can access a selection of catch-up TV programming at no additional cost.

The Get Started package offers the following channels that will provide a wide and diverse range of catch-up TV programming: FOX8, MTV, Nickelodeon, Channel [V], LifeStyle YOU, Discovery, National Geographic Channel, SKY NEWS and CNN.

The Entertainment package enables customers to view catch-up TV programming from the following known and much-loved brands: UKTV, Disney, The Comedy Channel, Discovery Turbo MAX, Nat Geo Adventure and BBC Knowledge.

Catch-up movies from Movie Extra, Movie One, Movie Greats, Starpics, FMC, and online channels Movie Comedy, Movie Action and Movie Drama will also be available as part of the Movie Network subscription at no extra cost providing a choice of around 100 movies each month.

Catch-up movies from showtime premiere, showtime comedy, showtime drama, showtime family, showtime horror and showtime action will also be available as part of the showtime movies subscription (at no extra cost) providing the choice of not less than 70 movies each month.

FOXTEL ON DEMAND

A range of FOXTEL’s On Demand content including new release video on demand movies, library movies and TV Series will also be available on FOXTEL on Xbox 360. New release movies will cost $5.95 to rent each, library movies for $3.95 each, and TV Series episodes for $2.95 each, with some children’s TV episodes available at $1.95.

FOXTEL On Demand lets you watch what you like from a choice of hundreds of movies and over a thousand TV episodes, with the number of titles expanding and increasing to over 5000 movies and TV episodes by 2011.

All packages will be available by subscription from FOXTEL, registration will be available on the website www.foxtel.com.au from November 1, 2010.

FOXTEL recommends Xbox LIVE subscribers wishing to receive the FOXTEL on Xbox 360 service have an eligible ADSL/cable broadband service with a minimum broadband speed of 1.5MB per second.

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[1] Only available to Xbox 360 owners who live in FOXTEL areas of Australia and who subscribe to both the Xbox LIVE service and the FOXTEL on Xbox 360 service. Xbox LIVE Gold subscription required for all live TV packages.

- jinx

Xbox LIVE Shopping Spree – Get 800 Points!

Are you an Xbox LIVE shopaholic? Always grabbing the newest Xbox LIVE Arcade games, add-ons, and games on demand? This month when you spend, you save!

Spend 2400 points on Xbox LIVE Arcade and/or game add-on content through the month of October and get 800 points automatically deposited into your Xbox LIVE account. It’s as easy as that.

Terms & Conditions

Limit one (1) gift per person. To qualify for your gift, you must purchase the games and/or game add-ons content from Xbox LIVE Marketplace using your Xbox LIVE account by Octobe 31, 2010 11:59PM EST (US Eastern Standard Time). The free points will be deposited automatically into your Xbox LIVE account after the end of the promotion perioed.
Please allow 4 weeks for delivery–on or around November 30, 2010.

Offer available worldwide in all Xbox LIVE countries, excluding Italy and France, while suppliest last, is non-transferable, not redeemable for cash, and cannot be combined with any other rebate or offer. Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the recipient. Download charges may apply as set by your iSP. In New Zealand, only adult accounts (18+) can download or stream content over Xbox LIVE Marketplace. For Xbox LIVE Terms of Use and system requirements, see www.xbox.com/live.

Offer provided by Microsoft corporation. One Microsoft Way, Redmond WA 98052.

- jinx

Come Work at Xbox

Are you in the Sydney area and looking for the ultimate gaming job?

Apply for it here!

We’re looking for an Xbox Events Project Manager for a 12-month contract managing and delivering a range of technical events in locations around Australia, from retail environments to sporting events to expos. You’ll deliver events anywhere our marketing team will use to raise the Xbox profile. You will work with our logistic vendor to coordinate the events by briefing, training, and delivering with their team. You will also manage our major technical assets, including marketing equipment, Xbox units, laptops, displays, furniture, vehicles, etc.

Skills You Need:

• Project Management Skills
• A Passion for Gaming
• Excellent Vendor Management experience/ Vendor Briefing / cost control / budget management
• Event Management
• Excellent Stakeholder Management -
• Experienced working in a large corporate environment
• Able to solve technical issues with PC, Laptops, XBOX’s, Networks, Audio Visual.
• Excellent customer relationship building skills
• Able to manage a multiple interaction across a complex business
• Good understanding of specific industry drivers within the Retail Marketing Channels
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Products
• Passionate attitude for Marketing and technology
• Experienced building Partnerships that helps grow businesses

Still with me and want to apply?

Go forth, and come work with me at Xbox

- jinx

Kinect Tour

I’ve just added a new page to the blog to support the Kinect Tour that’s revving up to travel around Australia. So far there are confirmed stops at a few major Westfield centres in NSW, VIC and QLD but even if those aren’t close enough for you to get to don’t worry. There will be a LOT more stops coming all over the country and I’ll update the page as new stops are confirmed..

Kinect Tour

- jinx

Xbox LIVE Update Preview Program

By now you’ve probably heard that there’s a dashboard update coming along soon with new features like family settings and updates to the Zune Video Marketplace. Yeah, it’s true. And you could get your hands on it early as part of the preview program–you assist us in testing the new features by using them as you normally would, and you get to be the cool kid on the block with the toy that’s not out yet.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Signing up does not automatically mean you’ll become part of the program
• We’re looking for thousands of games across a wide variety of requirements so your chances are pretty good
• This is NOT a Kinect beta, and preview program participants will not receive Kinect beta units
• This is open to both Xbox LIVE Gold and Silver members, but priority will be given to Gold
• If you participate in this preview program you will not be able to participate in party chat with users who are not in the program
• To sign up you’ll need both your Serial Number and Console ID. These can be found under System Settings > Console Settings > System Info in your dashboard

Sign Up Here

- jinx