I don't have anything really movie related to talk about this week (as most can tell), but I miss chatting with people int eh forum.  Here is my opinion of two video game consoles and based off the latest firmware upgrades to each system.  Since I own both, I get asked which is better.  This might also help if you are looking to pick one up for a holiday gift.  Also, I am not going to go into a HD DVD vs Blu-ray rant.

Xbox 360
Largest number of available games
Backwards compatible with roughly 500 Xbox games (requires model with hard drive)
1080P support
HDMI connection now standard
DD 5.1
Built in Ethernet connection
Supports playback of DIVX and XVID as well as WMV
Point based purchase of downloadable content including original Xbox games like Halo and Fable (you can buy point cards)
Pay to play online
Several PC games have a Xbox 360 version
HD DVD with add-on purchase
History of hardware failure in the older models

Playstation 3
Newer system so fewer games
Not all models are backwards compatible with PS2 games
1080P support
HDMI connection (I have experienced issues with the HDCP and games)
DD 5.1, DTS, PCM, AAC audio supported
Built in Ethernet and Wi-Fi
Not sure what video formats it supports as I am still trying to figure that out (video files the Xbox plays, the PS3 reports as corrupt)
Credit card based content purchases
Free online with built in web browser
Blu-ray built in (as far as I can tell this format offers more movie titles for the time being)
Can load 2nd OS like Linux (haven't tried this)

Right now, for me, the 360 is the choice for gaming and the PS3 is the choice for high definition movies.

What are your opinions?

Quoting Peter von Frosta:

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You don't need to pay for your gold membership per se, if you time it right, you can use those evaluation periods forever.

True.  I just caved in and paid, but not sure why anymore since I don't play against others.

I don't think they raised it here.  Like I said it is the one part I like about the PS3, but Sony needs to utilize a point system like MS and Nintendo have.  Not that I have kids, but I would rather get a kid a point card to download what he wants instead of attaching my credit card number and hope the kid doesn't abuse it.

That is one more thing for Xbox that I like, achievements.  Best example I have for this is Assassin's Creed.  I friend told me he beat it on PS3 in less than 10hrs and couldn't understand why a week later I was still playing it on 360.  Because of the achievements i could earn, it came more side stuff I could do.  Didn't add to the story, but did add to the game play and I had fun.

Quoting Dr. Killpatient:

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Did they recently add DivX to the 360?  Last time I tried a couple months ago, the media server didn't recognize my DivX AVI movies.  Or do they have to have a DivX file extension?

With the Dec 4 update they added the ability to play DIVX and XVID.  I haven't tried to run a video off media in the machine like a CD or DVD, but I can play them from my PC across the network sharing them through media player 11.

Well, I have a main server in my house that's always running.  Perfect for media sharing.

Quoting RossRoy:

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Quoting Peter von Frosta:

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I still don't know why they added support for this considering the fact, that you would need to run a PC (400-600Watt) and the 360 (was it 120Watt?) which is a real waste of power (and thus money).

You can play them off a CD or DVD : Article on Gizmodo

You can also pick up one of the cheap Xbox remotes and pause, rewind, fast forward, etc.