Xbox or PS4, who's getting one?

[Skybolt]

So has anyone picked up their new system yet? If so how do you like it?

[vividweb]

Hope to have mine today.

[mikejaner]

Originally Posted by Skybolt

So has anyone picked up their new system yet? If so how do you like it?

This may be random giddy babble, so beware.

I got my Xbox One on friday. I love it. The interface works well, with exception to the party system. The Kinect is very good at what it does. The voice commands work well, except for "Xbox On", which seems to need three tries. The controllers are very well made. and the Games, except Call of Duty look good. Ryse, although getting bad press for being repetitive, is actually fun. It is also the best looking game I have ever seen in my life, hands down.

The TV integration takes the SageTV HD 300 input. I got it to treat the HD300 as a Xbox 360 for the IR blaster, which seems to be built into the Kinect and or the actual Xbox. It will pause, play, ff, rr Live TV. I am still trying to figure out how to get the Xbox Guide to make it change channels, but it's not a priority since the SageTV interface works just fine for that. I love being able to switch to TV, or snap it to the corner, while I play a game. There are a few issues with it, which they are probably working on. For example, the screen locks up if you have it on a static SageTV screen, like the home screen. I think it has something to do with the Xbox trying to detect a TV signal. If you wait about ten seconds or switch to a video stream, like hitting the TV button, then it comes back, and seems to be fine the rest of the time.

[vividweb]

I put the HD300 into the Xbox One this weekend as well. Saw the same issue with it locking up the passthrough in menus. Its almost at a point where it is unusable.

[mikejaner]

Originally Posted by vividweb

I put the HD300 into the Xbox One this weekend as well. Saw the same issue with it locking up the passthrough in menus. Its almost at a point where it is unusable.

After a cold boot and having the HD300 on the menu screen is when I see the issues. Leaving the extender on live tv, then going away and coming back and booting, it hasn't been an issue. Also, having the extender left on, and stopped, but displaying a screensaver of my photos, also worked well.

I used it all weekend with no issues. I think the key is to wait a little bit after the Xbox Boots and calls up TV. As long as i have a moving image, like the screensaver, or live tv, it works fine every time I go back now.

The next thing I want to do is get a universal remote, and have it programmed to be acting like a Verizon Box remote, so I can program the extender to receive the number and enter commands, so I can tell the Xbox Guide to change the channels.

[vividweb]

I'm in canada, so do not have the OnGuide features, so can't change channels. I found mine would pause and lock up on any static menu, It seems anything that didn't have sound would not refresh the screen. I have my system setup to pop up the menu after pressing the stop button, it would hang on this screen until I switched away from the TV app to something else and then came back to TV. I didn't spend a lot of time with it, was just too frustrating.

What are thoughts overall?

This seems just like a 360 refresh, it doesn't have any real WOW feeling that I had when the 360 first came out. I've played Forza and Battlefield 4, both are good, but still feel like the same game from the 360. The graphics for Forza are great, but its still the same game.

The system is a definite improvement, but it seems like it was rushed to make it for Christmas.

[Skybolt]

Originally Posted by stanger89

... Forza just isn't the same without a wheel, so I'll be getting what I can get, which happens to be a Thrustmaster. ...

Have you seen the prices on the thrustmaster? Wow $400 sounds pretty nice though - "industrial-class brushless motor allows for super smooth and seamless Force Feedback " And their out of stock ...

[stanger89]

Yeah, I've got one of those ordered.

[flavius]

I got an Xbox One for the kids.

[SWKerr]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Yeah, I've got one of those ordered.

I don't see myself spending $400 buck on a driving wheel but please post back with a review of how fabulous it is once you get it.

[Skybolt]

The wife managed to pick up an Xbone for me for Christmas, but is making me wait to use it! - I think I am going to order one as well, it looks pretty awesome. Crazy money for a controller though ...

[stanger89]

I'd rather get a Fanatec wheel (not just because I have the clubsport pedals), but there's no info on when Fanatec will have their Xbone wheel out so for now I've got a Thrustmaster ordered.

FWIW, Newegg "claims" to have them in stock (Thrustmaster). I just cancelled my amazon order and ordered one from Newegg, so hopefully I'll get it this Friday.

[Skybolt]

Originally Posted by stanger89

I'd rather get a Fanatec wheel (not just because I have the clubsport pedals), but there's no info on when Fanatec will have their Xbone wheel out so for now I've got a Thrustmaster ordered.

FWIW, Newegg "claims" to have them in stock (Thrustmaster). I just cancelled my amazon order and ordered one from Newegg, so hopefully I'll get it this Friday.

Yeah, the Fanatec wheels have always had great reviews. But I don't see buying the thrustmaster and then the Fanatec, that makes no sense. The thrustmaster looks to have the Fanatec quality though, metal pedals dual motor feedback etc. I would think they would have to function the same it would just come down to wheel types and such.

Please let us (me) know how it is, I am on the fence right now between ordering now and right after Christmas. Prices tend to drop significantly especially on this stuff a week or so after.

[Skybolt]

Gamestop hase a Mad Catz wheel as well.

I am going to wait until I can get one with a stick, I don't really care for the paddles unless racing F1. It would be nice to have both.

[stanger89]

Unboxing reactions? Well the Fanatec is a much nicer wheel. Alcantara wrapped wheel, the Thrustmaster is molded rubber. There were instructions to to a firmware update right away, I have mixed feelings about that, on the one hand it's nice it can be done, on the other, why do I have to install drivers on my PC for a wheel that will never be used on a PC. Also disappointed it appears it has to be plugged in via USB.

We'll see if I get a chance to use it tonight so I can give some more valuable feedback. As for right now, it's too bad there's no ETA on a Fanatec wheel. Also sort of ironic that when it does come out it will probably cost me less than the Thrustmaster (I've already got the Fanatec clubsport pedals)

[Evil_Attorney]

USB? Seriously? This isn't 1999. I note that there are a relatively high percentage of unhappy reviews on Amazon with titles like, "junk", "started smoking", and "broke within minutes".

[Skybolt]

Both wheels for the xbox one are USB at this point. Even the controller doesn't have a rechargeable battery yet. Can you say rushed to market?

I am defietly going to wait untill I can get a wireless wheel with a stick, unless thats a year off. I'll have to see how bad the controller stick is. Disapointing at best. ...

[stanger89]

So, now that I've built a stand for the Thrustmaster (I clamped my Fanatec to the pad off an old Microsoft wheel, and the Clubsport Pedals stayed where you put them, neither worked with the Thrustmaster) what I can I say, it's different.

The tricky bit is how much of the difference is due to Forza 5 vs Forza 4, and how much due to the wheel.

The Force feedback is a lot stronger, I may end up turning it down a bit. Overall it has decent feel, probably my biggest impression though is that you just can't "save it" if you get out of shape. Like I said I'm not sure how much of that is the wheel and how much is the game.

I'll have to see as I get more of a chance to use it. Though I'll probably keep it since it's so much easier to put the car where you want it with the wheel than a pad.

[Skybolt]

Originally Posted by stanger89

... The Force feedback is a lot stronger, I may end up turning it down a bit. Overall it has decent feel, probably my biggest impression though is that you just can't "save it" if you get out of shape. Like I said I'm not sure how much of that is the wheel and how much is the game. ...

So did you figure this out? Are you able to save configurations, like you can with the Fanatec?

I have never really liked the Thrustmast brand of wheels, Madcatz has always been a little better in that level of wheel. Logitech and Fanatec have been almost a simulator grde of wheel. JMO.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by Skybolt

So did you figure this out?

Yeah I did, there were two problems/bad settings:
Simulation steering (Forza) is essentially impossible. I really can't say if it's accurate or not, but it's definitely not fun. Much better (like Forza 4) with it set to Normal.

The other is the wheel rotation angle. I think Forza defaults to 900 degrees, not sure about the wheel. But I know if it's set to 270 it's like I had my Fanatec (by default, I never messed with it, or can't remember what I did).

With those two, and having a proper stand, I've got to say I've got no real complaints. Ergonomically the Fanatec GT2 is better, and the Clubsport Pedals are better two, but the Thrustmaster does what it's supposed to, make a racing game fun/possible.

Oh, and the Lotus E21 (F1) is insane, absolutely insane, it is awesome, and I finally get to drive Spa

Overall, no regrets on the One, Forza 5, or the Thrustmaster, only I suppose "disappointment" that I couldn't "perfect" the combo with a Fanatec instead, but I suppose that's coming, and when it does I can pick one up and then my friends and I can race when they come over again.

Are you able to save configurations, like you can with the Fanatec?

I don't think so, but I haven't looked into it, not sure if you can program it on the PC or not.

I have never really liked the Thrustmast brand of wheels, Madcatz has always been a little better in that level of wheel. Logitech and Fanatec have been almost a simulator grde of wheel. JMO.

The only real complaint I have with it now is that when you compare it to what Fanatec has made, say the GT2 RS with "cheap" pedals, it's about $75 more still and just not as nice. You can tell Fanatec puts more care and better materials into theirs. But I guess that's the price you pay to be an early adopter.

The ironic thing is that since I've already got the Clubsport Pedals, buying a Fanatec when it comes out will likely be cheaper than the Thrustmaster.