Help with purchasing an X box.

[Bantam]

Definitely get a new one.

Not only can your lad play games on it (and that's the least of it's abilities) but it's also a Microsoft Media Centre unit, so you install an extension on the Windows XP on your PC, connect it to your LAN (or wireless LAN if you like) and play all your music / videos etc.. through your TV in the lounge via the Xbox.

Oh - and you can now get a HD-DVD drive for £129 for it and watch the latest Hi-Def Movies, if you have a HiDef TV of course.

I'm not a games person (had a PS2 and played it twice) but I bought one of these a couple of months ago and it's brill. Lego Star Wars is hilarious (making Princess Leia mince along is a laugh) but the best games are the Xbox arcade retro stuff, like Frogger / Pac Man / Defender / Uno etc..

And if you do get a new one, don't go for the value pack - HMV do the all-singing all-dancing one for £299 which includes the HDD, two wireless controllers (and they don't eat batteries either), HD AV Cable, 2 games and a long ethernet cable. You can get a wireless LAN add-on for about £40.

Mark.

[turbanator]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

The XBOX360 is quite cool IMO. I don't play games but use the XBOX360 as a media extender off my Windows Media Centre.

It makes my little nephew sick....he'd do anything to have his own XBOX360

Mal

How does that work Mal.
I'm waiting for the PS3 (I'm a Sony man) but was taking about media PCs last night with Kirstie.
So can I see a situation where I get another games machine and both new DVD formats ?

Originally Posted by WBC

Don't be tempted with the Playstation as it is replaced early next year - although from all accounts it'll be expensive and very resource hungry.

I suggested the PS2 for that reason, it and the games will drop in price and it's better then the original X-box.

When you say "resource hungry", what do you mean with respect to a console?

r
Paul

[keith_henson]

new one - the xbox 360 is ace. Especially playing need for speed carbon on a HDTV with massive surround sound and sub.

I would really love an xbox 360, but alas money is rather tight after buying a house.

Keith

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by turbanator

How does that work Mal.
I'm waiting for the PS3 (I'm a Sony man) but was taking about media PCs last night with Kirstie.
So can I see a situation where I get another games machine and both new DVD formats ?


I suggested the PS2 for that reason, it and the games will drop in price and it's better then the original X-box.

When you say "resource hungry", what do you mean with respect to a console?

r
Paul

The long versions are in my blog if you are very keen .... Part 1 and Part 2

in short the WMC sits under the TV, has a freeview card in it and pumps live TV through to the lounge TV. The WMC plays DVDs, CDs and ripped music as well as displaying Photos. It can also pause and record live tv and play back recordings. There's also an EPG which makes recording indivual programmes or series a doddle.

The XBOX360 is connected to the TV in the kitchen, and can control and pull the content from the WMC over a wireless network and (dis)play it in the Kitchen....brilliant! This ability is native to the XBOX360 so no extra software required (the wireless adaptor is £60 ish)

HTH
Mal

[turbanator]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

The long versions are in my blog if you are very keen .... Part 1 and Part 2

in short the WMC sits under the TV, has a freeview card in it and pumps live TV through to the lounge TV. The WMC plays DVDs, CDs and ripped music as well as displaying Photos. It can also pause and record live tv and play back recordings. There's also an EPG which makes recording indivual programmes or series a doddle.

The XBOX360 is connected to the TV in the kitchen, and can control and pull the content from the WMC over a wireless network and (dis)play it in the Kitchen....brilliant! This ability is native to the XBOX360 so no extra software required (the wireless adaptor is £60 ish)

HTH
Mal

Thanks Mal, I shall check your blogs.

Ok, Mark, the thread's all yours again

[Bantam]

Originally Posted by turbanator

I'm waiting for the PS3 (I'm a Sony man) but was taking about media PCs last night with Kirstie.

You might want to have a look on DIGG with regards to the PS3.

There are demo machines in places like Best Buy / Wal-Mart, and there are loads of reports of crashing units / slow running / lag and stuttering and general instability.

I was of the same mind until I saw the PS3 up close, and it convinced me to buy an XB360 instead!

[aclivity]

Nintendo Wii as it has a fishing game that you play using the remote control to "cast" and the other bit as the "winder".

Sorry - I'm not really a gamer but I've seen this fishing game and I REALLY want to give it a try!

[turbanator]

Originally Posted by Bantam

You might want to have a look on DIGG with regards to the PS3.

There are demo machines in places like Best Buy / Wal-Mart, and there are loads of reports of crashing units / slow running / lag and stuttering and general instability.

I was of the same mind until I saw the PS3 up close, and it convinced me to buy an XB360 instead!

Thanks I'll look.
Both the PS2 and the Xbox had issues with the new units, overheating PSUs and naff lasers in one batch, so I'd never but a new PS3 anyway.

That said, I'd wait a year and now launch date id March, so I'd proably get some use out of a 360.

As I'm not making the pretence that it's for my offspring ( ), I can wait till the sales, or until the PS3 comes out, because the 360 will probabky drop in price again.

r
P