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Fall update won't play nice with Sony 1080p TVs

Angry owners in the AVS forum report that the Fall Update's vaunted 1080p support works as advertised with Samsung HDTVs -- but not with two of Sony's most popular (and expensive) 1080p LCD models XBR2/3:
I just had the time to quickly start poking around with the 360 dashboard update, and I'm sorry to report that 1080p is broken on the XBR2 via both component and VGA. When I select 1080p in VGA, I get a windowboxed picture with tons of info cut off on both sides and a warning from the TV saying "Invalid Signal--Check Your PC Output". Over component, when I select 1080p I get a screen full of static for 10 seconds before the console reverts to 1080i.
Feh. Since the XBR2 is one of the most high-profile, wildely available 1080p displays on the market, you'd think MS' engineers would find a way to get the two to work together, but noooooo...
Feh. Since the XBR2 is one of the most high-profile, wildely available 1080p displays on the market, you'd think MS' engineers would find a way to get the two to work together, but noooooo...
While it's outrageous to suggest that MS would intentionally blacklist their rival's most popular HDTVs, it is amusingly ironic -- unless you're staring at a $4000 distorted screen right now. Another patch could be imminent. It's worth pointing out that most people on that thread say they're going to return their Sony set, not their Xbox 360. And, as usual, someone comments that an upscaled 1080i signal is indiscernible anyway.
Sidenote: The general public doesn't have a prayer of grasping this stuff.
X360F plays FEAR, needs new shorts

I managed to grab a copy of the latest OXM yesterday, containing the long awaited F.E.A.R. demo. Let's get one thing straight. I have never played F.E.A.R. My PC can run Diablo II and that's fine by me. As you can imagine, I was giddy when I found out about the 360 port of F.E.A.R., and, now that I've played the demo, I'm intrigued to say the least. The game will be instantly familiar to anyone who has played Monolith's other title for the 360, Condemned: Criminal Origins. The environments and the overall tension of the games are very similar. The difference here is that the enemies in F.E.A.R. are run of the mill soldiers -- which makes the appearance of The Ring-inspired Alma that much more frightening. The supernatural elements of the game feel immediately out of place, which intensifies the...um...fear of them.
The only concern I have is whether or not the gun battles will grow stale. That said, the story and horror elements present in the demo are more than enough to pique my interest. The demo is short and barely offers a taste of the action, but horror fans may just want to plunk down the cash for the latest OXM. We promise you at least one genuine scare.
Joystiq reviews Condemned: Criminal Origins

Check out the review over at Joystiq for more information.
Update on Japanese 360 compatability

So, while Microsoft made region encoding option for publishers, they themselves have opted to lock their titles down. So don't go importing your 360 to get one in time for Christmas.
[Via Gamebrink]
First 10 minutes of gameplay - videos

- Kameo (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)
- Condemned
- PGR3
[Update: IGN also has the first eight minutes of Perfect Dark Zero available to watch. Thanks, Don]
[via TheNextBox]
Fanboy QuickTake: Condemned

Sega's Condemned: Criminal Origins is one of the first games I've experienced that creates a constant atmosphere of complete and utter dread. That's a compliment. You're not going to be "scared" just when something jumps at you, you're going to be on the edge of your seat for most of the game.
The gameplay itself is one part 1st person shooter mixed with one part adventure game. You'll quickly find yourself battling waves of insane (literally!) enemies while searching the dark rooms and halls of the game for the forensic clues that can help you clear your good name.
I've been purposely vague about the story, because the set-up and subsequent twists are much of the fun. Try to avoid any spoiler filled reviews if you can.
Pros: Immersive graphics, compelling story, truly frightening
Cons: No multiplayer, combat could get repetitive
Verdict: Buy it!
Agree or disagree? Contribute to this QuickTake with your comments and help your fanboy brothers (and sisters) make an informed buying decision.
What's your gamertag?

Continuing its long history (3 days now) of bringing gamers together, Xbox 360 Fanboy is providing some bandwidth for you to add your Xbox live gamertag, your zone and your list of 360 games to the comments below.
We'll go first:
Gamertag: Master Rogue (yes, it's lame. So, no need to waste valuable gaming time commenting on the obvious).
Zone: Underground
X360 Games: Quake 4, PGR 3, King Kong, Tiger Woods 2006, PDZ, Call of Duty 2, Condemed, Kameo
Penny Arcade does 360 camping

He devotes particular attention to launch title Condemned which he calls a "psychological thriller" that "doesn't really have an analogue anywhere else" and also refers to the "second launch" early next year when all the titles that couldn't make launch are released. Good stuff.
Xbox 360 FAQ

[Update - part 2 now available, delving into Xbox Live!]
We'll start off with the absolute basics, as inspired by the BBC's Xbox 360 Q&A.
Manual scans to wet your lips

GameFly's most popular 360 rentals

- Call of Duty 2
- Perfect Dark Zero
- Quake 4
- GUN
- Need for Speed: Most Wanted
- Dead or Alive 4
- Condemned: Criminal Origins
- Project Gotham Racing 3
- Madden NFL 06
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
[Via Team Xbox]