One of the most pushed features of the new Xbox One is its ability to control your television and we were given a very American view of that last night with the ESPN and other weird American shows that I can’t remember.
But what about us in here in deepest darkest Africa? Will I still need to swap between different HDMI inputs when swapping between watching Liverpool dominate on DSTV to dominating in Call of Duty: Ghosts on the Xbox One?
Well according to a pretty Xbox One press release that arrived on my media stick last night… no we won’t. According to the press release the Xbox One has been designed to work with all types of TV interfaces and specifically states
Navigate and watch live TV from your cable, telco or satellite set-top box through your Xbox One Microsoft is committed to bringing live TV through various solutions to all the markets where Xbox One will be available.
There is a caveat though, the voice technology will still only be supported in certain countries so there is still no confirmation that we will be able to use it locally with a South African store account. and unfortunately, in the same press release, Microsoft has confirmed that all those cool Tv features will only be available in North America at launch – so who knows how long it’ll take for them to work here, if at all.
My current Xbox is setup as a UK console and the voice commands work acceptably there… but then again I am of English descent. Also remember this is what a press release has said, we have no solid proof that this will in fact work.
Last Updated: May 22, 2013
Ultimo_Cleric_N7
May 22, 2013 at 09:49
Well it looks like a DSTV decoder anyway so that makes sense. Think the las t Xbox looked better.
Scruff304
May 22, 2013 at 12:10
Agreed and agreed.
But I can see this becoming a thing after awhile. Same as when the iPad hit the market… People were like, “for what?” Now try take it away from those same people and see what happens…
Trevor Davies
May 22, 2013 at 09:56
Let’s guess what gestures Kinect will respond to when accessing Top TVs porn channels 😀
Admiral Chief Commander
May 22, 2013 at 10:02
O_O
Ultimo_Cleric_N7
May 22, 2013 at 10:04
Bwwwahaahaaa!!!! Love you Trev, nice!
Ultimo_Cleric_N7
May 22, 2013 at 10:04
Bwwwahaahaaa!!!! Love you Trev, nice!
Ultimo_Cleric_N7
May 22, 2013 at 10:04
Bwwwahaahaaa!!!! Love you Trev, nice!
Johan du Preez
May 22, 2013 at 12:28
ROFL brilliant 🙂
Admiral Chief Commander
May 22, 2013 at 09:58
No DSTV, no console, no tears for me.
I’m feeling really sad for the console guys
Trevor Davies
May 22, 2013 at 10:17
I’m with you there. I thought one of the main ideas behind consoles was to simplify the process of playing games for people who were turned off by PC gaming.
Admiral Chief Commander
May 22, 2013 at 10:23
You mean the peasants?
Ultimo_Cleric_N7
May 22, 2013 at 10:29
Well I am of the master race, but was wanting to get one of the new consoles…if Sony do the same thing with the games payment, I might just upgrade my PC
Trevor Davies
May 22, 2013 at 10:39
Well… yes, but I was trying to be nice in the way I said it lol
HvR
May 22, 2013 at 10:31
I found it funny how the console justification arguments have waned over the years:
You just plug it in 🙁
You just put in the disc 🙁
No Patches 🙁
No OS (later no bulky PC OS) 🙁
No full installs 🙁
No DRM 🙁
It is easy to sell/buy 2nd hand 🙁
IT IS JUST FOR GAMES 🙁
Trevor Davies
May 22, 2013 at 10:42
Exactly, they simplified gaming by taking all those parts of PC gaming which people didn’t like out, and they’ve all worked their way back.
RichardC
May 22, 2013 at 12:33
Explain to me this though, if PC is the so called Master Race, why is it that video games would not exist today if it wasnt for consoles? Oh and not to mention the 1st 15 years of gaming (plus minus) the PC was struggling to keep up, was not nearly even a viable platform for gaming and was suckin on the tit of console games. Still baffles me to this day, cause last time I checked PC and console is equal and one needs the other.
Admiral Chief Commander
May 22, 2013 at 12:40
“video games would not exist today” Ummm, seriously dude?
Struggling to keep up? Proof?
Equal? Perhaps if you look at the average PC out there
Consoles require PC, yes, but not the other way around. How are you writing code then?
PS: The comment was made as a jest and tongue in cheek, and my condolences for the console guys are sincere.
PPS: I have nothing against consoles, I have everything at people thinking them superior to others (be in in games, hardware, politics, etc)
RichardC
May 22, 2013 at 14:42
Yes last time I checked Pong came long before any PC game so yes, they wouldnt exist today without the idea of consoles.
Not struggling, struggled, open your ears and stop twisting my words, and if you want prrof look at the 1st 3 entire generation of gaming for proof.
Yes, with standardised hardware and a dedicated OS, consoles are equal, why do you think they get the same visuals as PC at a fraction of the specs, gadooi!
Yes its obvious consoles require PC, games get developed on PC, but to say PC deosnt require consoles is ignorant and untrue. PC requires the consoles’ dedicated hardware and OSs to serve as guidelines and benchmarks on getting a game to run equally on every single PC architecture out there, esp multiplats. Not to mention consoles set a comfortable standard that PC adheres to until the gap between the hardware becomes so big that the dedicated hardware and OS cant do what new PCs can do and then the tide shifts to PC again unitl the new consoles are out and fully understood. Rinse and repeat through each Video game gen.
PS. and we all know sincerity is the biggest form of bullshit.
PPS: Yes you do have a superiority complex when you claim something to be superior without even understanding proper video game history.
Admiral Chief Commander
May 22, 2013 at 15:36
Now first of all, remove stick from ass, breathe, relax and realise that the initial comment was made as a jest, and even sincere condolences.
To assume that NO video games would exist, is very naive indeed.
I was also not twisting your words (hence opening my ears would imply that I was listening to you, in fact was reading what you were going on about). I ask again for your proof (not prrof) on why you believe that PC was lacking behind.
Early generations had some epic games indeed, and at no point was I knocking them, at all. But to say that PC was lacking behind is just silly.
I believe in gaming, I believe in gaming for all, so I don’t quite get what you are going on about.
Current gen consoles do not compare to current gen PCs, fact.
Next gen consoles are marvellous, it opens up many, many doors, but will still not be as powerful as PCs. Am I superior about it? No, because such uber power PCs will not be economically viable to the average end user.
The reason why I am saying that PCs don’t need consoles, is that without PCs, there shall be no games. Without consoles, there shall still be games. Now this is not my point even remotely and I’m all for gaming on your platform of choice. Just merely pointing out a little fact, not wishing for it, or approving of it.
So now, why I am even entertaining you with a response is not because I’m elitist and all “Mr Master Race” and all, but merely to state my case and inform you that rudeness will get you nowhere.
For my PS to your PS about my PS, is that its indeed sad that you compare sincerity to bullshit, because then my friend, you need to find new/other friends/circles. To say that I am sincere about something, means that I am sincere about it. And I know it to be true, because that is my feelings on it. Any of the regulars here who are XBOX, Nintendo or Sony fans, I consider my gaming brothers, regardless of the gaming platform of their choice. But because we share a common bond. And that is gaming.
So yes, I prefer PC, but its my choice/preference. And as such, I respect other people’s choices/preferences.
Now, LazyGamer is a wonderful site, with amazing staff and awesome articles. The community is awesome. But every so often there is someone like yourself, trying to vent or prove a point or something, and disrupting the awesome vibe we have going there.
IF you were to discuss/debate with me in a civil matter, perhaps you would not have gotten this type of response.
Lastly, I believe the only superiority complex here comes from you. Since my not “understanding proper video game history” situation is so clearly detected by yourself, even though we have never met.
Good day
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
May 22, 2013 at 15:39
Bloody Pc fanboys. 😉
Admiral Chief Commander
May 22, 2013 at 15:41
Heh, at least it wasn’t a TL;DR
Console plick
😛
Admiral Chief Commander
May 22, 2013 at 15:41
Heh, at least it wasn’t a TL;DR
Console plick
😛
Rince an repeat
May 22, 2013 at 15:45
I fell asleep, wait, where am I?
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
May 22, 2013 at 15:39
Bloody Pc fanboys. 😉
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
May 22, 2013 at 15:45
Ok, let’s all calm down guys. We all love gaming, we all love our platform of choice and each has brought it’s own good/bad things to the industry.
The fact that consoles are now emulating PC’s in regards to hardware is amazing because it means it will close the gap in quality. Hopefully it won’t cause the new consoles to release at ridiculous prices.
The sad part is that they are also emulating the very bad online authentication thing from PC’s. This sucks big time and we all feel very sorry for those who play on consoles because believe me, it’s kak to do so. Especially when you have a network failure in your area and can’t install your game for 2 weeks because of it.
But yeah, let’s not turn in to angry rantings at eachother. Aim that hate at DiabloIII instead guys
CC RichardC
Rince an repeat
May 22, 2013 at 15:47
if any a time this was needed brother, it is NOW! Ladies, gentleman and RichaaaaaaaaaaaardC LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SIGH!
RichardC
May 22, 2013 at 17:24
@Rince and Repeat: Yes cause the insert generic meme here approach is always easier and you dont have to do all those messy things like try to actually voice youre opinion and you gain the attention of all the other idiots that like to have pictures summarise how they feel and able to join the herd.
Rince an repeat
May 22, 2013 at 18:46
That isn’t a generic meme you TIT. I made it. YOU FAIL.
Admiral Chief Commander
May 23, 2013 at 07:37
Ignore him dude, let him wander off somewhere else
Admiral Chief Commander
May 23, 2013 at 07:37
Ignore him dude, let him wander off somewhere else
Admiral Chief Commander
May 23, 2013 at 07:37
Ok maybe if you were not acting like a doos, people will stop treating you like one
Admiral Chief Commander
May 23, 2013 at 07:37
Ok maybe if you were not acting like a doos, people will stop treating you like one
RichardC
May 22, 2013 at 16:55
Wow, okay wasnt really getting worked up at all just stating facts and logic, and jusdging by the length of your article, sorry reply, Id say your the one with the stick your ass and needs a breathe.
Im not Assuming, that is history, that s how history turned out, I dont know quite what you mean, like are you saying hypothetically if consoles werent invented games would have been made on PC anyway, yes that might be true but if we lived life on “hypotheticals” we could say any bullshit could be true.
I said look at the 1st 3 gens of games all the good games back then were on console either Oddyssey/Pong for the 1st gen (back then you didnt even get PC games, people didnt have PCs). 2nd gen Atari and Coleco/Intellivision (with sum others) rained supreme and PC gaming started trickling in but was mostly in an undergroun indie nerd developer scen. 3rd gen Nes and Master System rained supreme. It was only when such titles like Wolfenstein and Doom started coming out for PC when the consoles guys could really start getting jealous and proving its worth to consumers as a gaming platform. Gadooi! know your game history.
Consoles will leap ahead of PCs for a while mark my words, I know the base hardware is better in a gaming rig PC no shit that will always be true but are you seriously blind or retarded when you cant see that a console does what ever a PC does (and better if its in the 2-4 year lifespan of the console, look at the past gens you know it to be true and I dont think the cycle will change just yet) with a fraction of the same hardware specs due to the fact that it has dedicated hardware and OS. And yes you automatically act superior when you call yourself “Master Race” duh!
And Sincerity is the biggest bullshit cause you dont say nice things cause thats what you mean, you say it cause thats what will make people happy and make your self seem like a better person, case in point why you say you like your fellow console brethren equally, yet call yourself the PC Master Race. Your quick to troll console people with your Master Race comments but when someone tries to defend it by trolling back you climb on your high horse.
Debating isnt civilised by definition your trying to disprove the person who disagrees with you, its not negotiating, its not coming to equal ground, so dont get all pussy when the going gets tough, debating isnt for the lighthearted.
RichardC
May 22, 2013 at 16:56
And you dont deserve a snappy funny picture from me (or to quote/meme Fez, that guy is actually cool).
RichardC
May 22, 2013 at 17:02
Besides this comment streak isnt just directed towards you personally but kinda this website and its elitist biased community atleast a lot of them there are sum cul ppl on here.
RichardC
May 22, 2013 at 17:26
Plus I never said console is overall superior yes I do prefer a console for various reasons but I do not think consoles are superior, the game industry is an ecosystem and all platforms are equal and serve their own purpose and support each other.
Rince an repeat
May 22, 2013 at 18:46
Richard, if this website is something you don’t like, go away.
Admiral Chief Commander
May 23, 2013 at 07:38
Amen
Admiral Chief Commander
May 23, 2013 at 07:38
Then why don’t you make like a tree, and get the f$%# outta here
(to quote an awesome movie)
Admiral Chief Commander
May 23, 2013 at 07:40
Ok, as I say, I’m done with you.
last thing, never once mentioned master race, you did. Did not start the argument, you did.
Stick is firmly up your ass and I say good day again. Have fun where ever you come from, and I wish you peace and clarity (not about facts, but about how to act proper)
cupricflame5 .
November 4, 2013 at 13:02
I wonder how pong got onto the console???
AndriyP
May 22, 2013 at 15:40
Meh i stopped reading at
“why do you think they get the same visuals as PC”
Rince an repeat
May 22, 2013 at 15:48
I nearly had to swallow my mouse when I read that… And all this time I’ve been dreaming about a Chrysis that was a lie 🙁
AndriyP
May 22, 2013 at 15:54
We been livin a lie mate :'(
Admiral Chief Commander
May 22, 2013 at 15:59
Wtf is Chrysis?
😛
Xelus
May 22, 2013 at 17:20
@Erwin_Kempff:disqus You sir are f****** awesome! XD
In general, the whole pc console war is really retarded and it was started thanks to fanboys. Simple, consoles are pc’s. If the pc market is behind, it means the console market is behind, both are the same, they just look different. Just wish the fanboys would go back to the hole they came from. Again commander, hats off to you mate!
RichardC
May 22, 2013 at 18:28
You sir are retarded a console is not a PC and a PC is not a console. And dont try to use the same sinceretiy bullshit, by making that statement youre obviously being biased and then you still want to come off as being fair and equal to both, you cant have your cake and eat it plain and simple, thats why I started this debate (well that and to state my opinion of consoles and PC being equally important and neither beng a MASTER RACE) but everyone just misunderstood it and went all PC has better specs rawr and look at crysis rawr.
Admiral Chief Commander
May 23, 2013 at 07:41
Heh, people like YOU make this an awesome community. We shall not speak of the bile filled comment you received below. Ignore him
Rince an repeat
May 23, 2013 at 08:32
Agreed! I raise the flag of ‘Thou shall not fee this troll’ for the community!
RichardC
May 22, 2013 at 17:33
Im assuming youre reffering to Crysis. Crysis?! oh yeah that game that looked amasing but couldnt run decently on anyones PCs for like 2 years, yeah great code optimisation there Crytek, very appropriate name youre game has. That just proves that you cant jump the gun with all that glorious PC tech cause no one will be able to play it for the 1st year or two.
RichardC
May 22, 2013 at 17:29
They do though sometimes better PS3 exlusives and 360 exclusives prove that as well as the muliplats about 2 years ago, but yes PC has taken over but Xbox One and PS4 will overtake the PC again in about a year and ahalf to two years time for a period of about 2-3 years (maybe 4) and then PC will overtake again, its just pure history and logic.
Xelus
May 22, 2013 at 18:30
Lol thanks for showing your fanboyness to the public. Cheers
Rince an repeat
May 22, 2013 at 18:47
I know hey! I REALLY hope this is Gavin trolling us, because to be that stupid must actually hurt…
Admiral Chief Commander
May 23, 2013 at 07:45
Didn’t think of that one, haha, you know what the shorter name is for Richard? Well this dude acts like one
Admiral Chief Commander
May 23, 2013 at 07:48
Found one perfect for you dude
cupricflame5 .
November 4, 2013 at 13:09
i have both, pc and console. sorry pc wins hands down.
Umar 'Van Hohenhaim' Bastra
May 22, 2013 at 10:04
Man I’m so happy , I always needed my GAMING console to control the tellie…
HvR
May 22, 2013 at 10:25
Good luck, the HDMI control protocol has been badly implemented on the DSTV 2P decoder I’ll be very surprised if you would be able to do more than basic switch on/off without using the DSTV remote.
Umar 'Van Hohenhaim' Bastra
May 22, 2013 at 10:04
Man I’m so happy , I always needed my GAMING console to control the tellie…
Umar 'Van Hohenhaim' Bastra
May 22, 2013 at 10:04
Man I’m so happy , I always needed my GAMING console to control the tellie…
CaptainNemo42
May 22, 2013 at 10:07
No Gavin, you wouldn’t have to switch between HDMI channels because Liverpool never dominates. 😛
Gavin Mannion
May 22, 2013 at 10:31
Please we destroyed some teams this year 🙂
CaptainNemo42
May 22, 2013 at 10:37
I’ll believe you. I don’t watch football, but I just had to. 😉
ElNicko
May 22, 2013 at 11:17
other than Newcastle ?? ??
Brady miaau
May 22, 2013 at 11:32
some yes. But not a great final position
Scruff304
May 22, 2013 at 12:12
Perhaps you guys need a new manager again? I hear Rafa is looking for a job :-þ
Anon A Mouse
May 22, 2013 at 12:27
The manager can only work with the team and funding that he has. There where much improvement from January and no silly 35mil purchases. A lot of promise for the new season (still no where close to winning it).
ElNicko
May 22, 2013 at 12:31
oh , you mean that 35million pounds donkey Andy Carroll ??
thats only a 20million pound loss after selling him to westham for !5mil.
Anon A Mouse
May 22, 2013 at 12:37
Imagine the quality you can buy for 35million, add Adam to that list and I’m crying all over again.
ElNicko
May 22, 2013 at 13:24
35Million would be a nice down payment on Ronaldo or Gareth Bale.
Scruff304
May 22, 2013 at 12:34
Agreed, I was just trolling 🙂 They have done well with the limited resources they have. It just one of those catch 22 cases right now. Need to get into Europe to make the big money, but can’t need to spend a bit of cash to get the players to get them ot Europe.
If it makes you feel better, we could have a couple of lean seasons now that SAF has hung up the hair dryer.
But enough footie talk, today is about the xBaws!
Anon A Mouse
May 22, 2013 at 12:27
The manager can only work with the team and funding that he has. There where much improvement from January and no silly 35mil purchases. A lot of promise for the new season (still no where close to winning it).
CaptainNemo42
May 22, 2013 at 10:07
No Gavin, you wouldn’t have to switch between HDMI channels because Liverpool never dominates. 😛
CaptainNemo42
May 22, 2013 at 10:07
No Gavin, you wouldn’t have to switch between HDMI channels because Liverpool never dominates. 😛
e1ace
May 22, 2013 at 10:31
My understanding is that it will work with any HDMI device. It’s just an HDMI passthrough where they can add visual layers to it. The difference is that in the US with the TV features they can actually get data and represent and control the set top box. That is something that DSTV will never get.
So while it will work – it won’t work anything like what we saw in the reveal event.
HvR
May 22, 2013 at 11:19
The BIG problem is that although HDMI control features has been specced in HDMI1.3 there was never a standard for the HDMI controls so everyone went with their own flavour. The only time I’ve seen this work is with Sony products with CERTAIN generations of Sony TVs.
Sting-Ray
May 22, 2013 at 10:39
is ‘Liverpool’ an obscure sport reference? That’s precisely why I cancelled my DSTV… our 360 (with iPlayer, Channel 4, Channel 5 and other free and subscription services) is our TV now. and I don’t have to pay for those 5 million sport channels.
Johan du Preez
May 22, 2013 at 12:35
What do you use for sports ? I haven’t found a proper sports streaming service yet.
Sting-Ray
May 22, 2013 at 12:48
I suppose it depends what kind of sports you want to watch. (you can get MLB, NHL, etc on xbox… even sky if you have an english mate willing to let you tap their subscription)
But, I don’t. Watch sports, that is. If there’s a particularly large game going on like a rugby world cup final, then maybe – but I’ll be at somebody’s braai where they’ll be displaying it.
Otherwise I usually find out on Monday that some person kicked/carried/otheractioned a ball over the weekend.
It’s all fixed anyway.
Sargon
May 22, 2013 at 10:46
“But what about us in here in deepest darkest Africa? Will I still need to swap between different HDMI inputs when swapping between watching Liverpool dominate on DSTV to dominating in Call of Duty: Ghosts on the Xbox One?”
The cutest thing about this write up is that Liverpool haven’t dominated anything since the Champions League final in 2005 – so this reference to watching it being done at the start of the new season is just CRAZY. Let’s be honest. Wishful thinking. 😛
Aussious
May 22, 2013 at 10:49
Right just like they brought a gimped version of Xbox live here…
Darthdad
May 22, 2013 at 11:11
HvR
May 22, 2013 at 11:16
I call bullshit, Xbox the next water cooler? At least I can play tic tac toe on my water cooler.
Skyblue
May 22, 2013 at 11:39
Dude! I lol’ed so hard at that !!!!
Gerhard Davids
May 22, 2013 at 11:19
I highly doubt that Naspers will buy into this.
I would love it, make no mistake. Fantasy league rugby on the one? Hell yeah!
Just cannot see it happening though.
Skyblue
May 22, 2013 at 11:28
Yeah HDMI input thing gets on my nerves as well. I imported a 5 port switcher a few years ago (locally available for 2.5k vs R500 imported…) as I had to switch between DSTV, PS3, X360 and my Media Player (never liked the PS3 solution or the X360 so went dedicated) and a decent universal Logitech remote. Still running but it’s a bit clunky.
InsanityFlea
May 22, 2013 at 11:48
It’s just a simple HDMI pass-through? Saves having to flip tv modes.
Swartskaap
May 22, 2013 at 12:37
Awesome !
Giovanni
August 9, 2013 at 14:52
but what about the dstv smart card. where do you insert it, cause you’ll need it ti watch dstv with