Curse

-Makai- · Oct 04, 2008, 07:09 PM // 19:09

Since most of the good games are going to the XBOX 360, and the Wii is essentially devoid of new blood, I'm considering purchasing one. According to a couple friends, the system recently had another price reduction, which makes the deal that much sweeter.

Since I've been out of the console scene for a while, I have no clue about the new generation...I do have a Wii, but since it's running on dated technology, it hasn't helped me figure any of this out. Here's a few questions/concerns:

1. An HDTV isn't in my budget and my current set is 15 years old. Would this be a huge problem?
2. Also, a wireless router isn't in the budget right now and based upon my cable modem's positioning, it would be difficult to do a direct connection. I'm not planning on getting any multiplayer games for the time being, so this isn't a huge deal. What I'm wondering is if the system or any games require online registration.
3. I've heard about the 'red ring' scenario. Has Microsoft fixed it? I'm planning on getting the $299 60GB set if that makes any difference. I thought about getting a refurbished model for $100 less, but if the red ring problem persists, a warranty would be a good investment.
4. I don't have a DVD player other than my PS2 (which is only a player in the physical sense) or PC. How well does the 360 work as an entertainment/media center?

Is there anything else I should know before buying the system? I'd rather get some feedback before making a final decision.

AidinSwiftarrow · Oct 04, 2008, 09:16 PM // 21:16

1. Not really a problem, might want a newer TV for better quality.
2. NO games REQUIRE online registration. You can actually hook an ethernet cord from your Xbox to your router or modem(probably) and play Xbox Live(if you have registered gamercard and bought Xbox Live). I just hook my Xbox to my router.
3. WELL, no, Microsoft hasn't "fixed" it. BUT, Microsoft has given a 3 YEAR WARRANTY FOR RED RING OF DEATH FOR FREEEEEE! Just get a $300 one if you want memory and a headset/wireless controller and xbox live to come with it, if not, buy the cheapie.
4. The xbox works fine as an entertainment center.

Just one thing, EXPECT THE RED RING OF DEATH. I had my Xbox for about 2 years before it took a shit(2 weeks ago it got RRoD). Overall it's a pretty reliable system(get Halo 3 + COD4). Sooo, yeah.

Lord Sojar · Oct 04, 2008, 09:29 PM // 21:29

1). The concept of the newer consoles is HD readiness. The 360 less so than the PS3, but still. Yes... you can get away with an HDTV on the 360, but the 360 really shines with said HDTV.

2). If a wireless router isn't in the budget, then XBOX Live isn't either.

In addition, you have to buy a wireless adapter for the 360 to do wireless. You are looking at buying 2 wireless routers essentially if you want to go the wireless route. Wired would be far cheaper, but again, XBX Live charges you per month (or in one bulk price for X number of months at a slight discount per month if divided out)

3). The most current 360s have all but fixed the RROD issue. However, if you pick up a model that is more dated (been on the shelves a while), the risk of the RROD is much higher (They have a 9% failure rate on the newest consoles whereas the older models have anywhere between a 16-27% failure rate) You would be foolish to pick up the low end model (Arcade or w/e they call it now, Core? I dunno anymore...) as it lacks the HDD. What you want is the 60GB Pro version. But, alas... you will need a non HDMI cable to play on your TV. Make sure the new Pro edition comes with analog cables, or you may have to buy them separately.

4). The 360 is fine a DVD player. The drive is a bit loud on many models though, so go in expecting that. As a media center, it is decent. The issue with the 360 is that it doesn't support that many formats for media playback, and the list on Media Server mode is limited and takes a while to refresh if your collection is large.

Kanyatta · Oct 04, 2008, 10:24 PM // 22:24

1. I play my 360 on a 10 year old CRT set. Many games (Dead Rising, Oblivion, etc...) don't look anywhere near as good as on an HDTV, but it's still a huge upgrade from the Wii, which, imo, looks worse graphically than the PS2.

2. No games require online registration, so XBox Live isn't critical by any means. My 360 is about 3 feet from my router, so, the ethernet cable that came with it works more than fine. The only think Live is required for is playing multiplayer and getting updates (roster updates for Madden, patches for Halo, etc...).

3. I've had my 360 (Pro) for almost a year and a half, never RRoD'd. I have 6 or 7 friends that have had 360's longer than me, and 4 or 5 that have newer ones than I have, and so far, only one has RRoD'd, the guy that bought it on launch. Everyone else I know has bought theirs after launch, anywhere from a week to almost 2 years and no one else has RRoD'd. If you do red-ring, Microsoft will pay for shipping each way and fix it free, usually in under a week. Although it's not really a problem anymore.

4. It gets the job done on DVD's and playing music and such, more so than a PS2 anyway. I've played a few dozen DVD's, never any problems, and I use my own music for every game I play. Using music and stuff is really convoluted. Sometimes it will put a song on loop even though I didn't tell it to, or it will shuffle through all of my songs even though I didn't tell it to at random. It still works perfectly about 50% of the time. All in all, it gets the job done. I really don't know of anything about it being a media center beyond movies n music.

Neo Nugget · Oct 04, 2008, 11:56 PM // 23:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahja the Thief

1). The concept of the newer consoles is HD readiness. The 360 less so than the PS3, but still. Yes... you can get away with an HDTV on the 360, but the 360 really shines with said HDTV.

2). If a wireless router isn't in the budget, then XBOX Live isn't either.

In addition, you have to buy a wireless adapter for the 360 to do wireless. You are looking at buying 2 wireless routers essentially if you want to go the wireless route. Wired would be far cheaper, but again, XBX Live charges you per month (or in one bulk price for X number of months at a slight discount per month if divided out)

3). The most current 360s have all but fixed the RROD issue. However, if you pick up a model that is more dated (been on the shelves a while), the risk of the RROD is much higher (They have a 9% failure rate on the newest consoles whereas the older models have anywhere between a 16-27% failure rate) You would be foolish to pick up the low end model (Arcade or w/e they call it now, Core? I dunno anymore...) as it lacks the HDD. What you want is the 60GB Pro version. But, alas... you will need a non HDMI cable to play on your TV. Make sure the new Pro edition comes with analog cables, or you may have to buy them separately.

4). The 360 is fine a DVD player. The drive is a bit loud on many models though, so go in expecting that. As a media center, it is decent. The issue with the 360 is that it doesn't support that many formats for media playback, and the list on Media Server mode is limited and takes a while to refresh if your collection is large.

Router is 100 bucks i think, and I just got a 13 month Xbox Live subscription for 50 bucks, pretty good deal I think. But yeah I hate how the 360 is so much louder than my ps3(which sometimes doesn't make a sound when playing games

Games will be able to be installed like the PS3 when the NEW XBOX LIVE EXPERIENCE(oooahhhh) comes out in a month or so.

Joe Fierce · Oct 05, 2008, 12:23 AM // 00:23

well, honestly here's what i did, walked into my local pawn shop, picked up abunch on ones that were "broken" and had the red ring, asked the pawnie to let me hold them all real quick, jotted down serial numbers, went on microsofts xbox site, found out which one had an unregistered serial number, registered it in my own name, went back, bought box from the pawnie for 50 bucks since it was broken, it was the 60gb pro w/o the hard drive, i bought all the hardware, chords, controller, and awimpy 20g hard drive, that with the box all prices adding up to 200 bucks, sent it in to microsoft saying that it red ringed, they sent it back to me fixed with a 3 year warranty free, they gave me a three month card for xbox live free and a copy of halo 3 free as well because i bitched them out and i'm customer services worst nightmare.

so essentially, if you've got nothing but time on your hands, you can get an xbox much cheaper, lmao.

Kanyatta · Oct 05, 2008, 08:14 PM // 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Fierce

well, honestly here's what i did, walked into my local pawn shop, picked up abunch on ones that were "broken" and had the red ring, asked the pawnie to let me hold them all real quick, jotted down serial numbers, went on microsofts xbox site, found out which one had an unregistered serial number, registered it in my own name, went back, bought box from the pawnie for 50 bucks since it was broken, it was the 60gb pro w/o the hard drive, i bought all the hardware, chords, controller, and awimpy 20g hard drive, that with the box all prices adding up to 200 bucks, sent it in to microsoft saying that it red ringed, they sent it back to me fixed with a 3 year warranty free, they gave me a three month card for xbox live free and a copy of halo 3 free as well because i bitched them out and i'm customer services worst nightmare.

so essentially, if you've got nothing but time on your hands, you can get an xbox much cheaper, lmao.

It's people like you that make the general public look like a bunch of self-serving, retarded assholes.

Nice work on the cheap 360 though.

Joe Fierce · Oct 05, 2008, 08:56 PM // 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kanyatta

It's people like you that make the general public look like a bunch of self-serving, retarded assholes.

if you don't help yourself, no one will, nice work on trying to be self-righteous though.

Dante the Warlord · Oct 05, 2008, 08:57 PM // 20:57

Personally I would go for size rather then quality since split screen in XBOX 360 is annoying. If you have anything less then a 40 inch tv or something don't even bother with 4 player on the same XBOX 360 - its so small that I couldn't even see what i was shooting in halo. But yea... XBOX 360 is probably the most popluar right now especially since its had a massive price decrease..

AidinSwiftarrow · Oct 05, 2008, 09:00 PM // 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Fierce

well, honestly here's what i did, walked into my local pawn shop, picked up abunch on ones that were "broken" and had the red ring, asked the pawnie to let me hold them all real quick, jotted down serial numbers, went on microsofts xbox site, found out which one had an unregistered serial number, registered it in my own name, went back, bought box from the pawnie for 50 bucks since it was broken, it was the 60gb pro w/o the hard drive, i bought all the hardware, chords, controller, and awimpy 20g hard drive, that with the box all prices adding up to 200 bucks, sent it in to microsoft saying that it red ringed, they sent it back to me fixed with a 3 year warranty free, they gave me a three month card for xbox live free and a copy of halo 3 free as well because i bitched them out and i'm customer services worst nightmare.

so essentially, if you've got nothing but time on your hands, you can get an xbox much cheaper, lmao.

Epic, lmao. I'm sending mine in maybe today or tomarrow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahja the Thief

In addition, you have to buy a wireless adapter for the 360 to do wireless.

OR, you can buy a $10-$15 ethernet cord ^_^ If you can get past having a cord running through your house/dorm/apartment, it's a cheaper route.

Joe Fierce · Oct 05, 2008, 09:05 PM // 21:05

minor side note, if you set your box up on the side it's more likely to red ring then on the normal flat laid down surface

this is because the whole common red ring problem is that it heats up and some of the bonds on the chips get soft and melt and the chips fall outta place

if your box is pointing downwards though, where does it have to go if the bonds do break? gravity holds it where it should be and hopefully it will re-cool and reattach if it wasn't pulled through he little prong hole thingies, but, this is no garuntee, just a hope.

but it's worth trying, and i've seen the inside of the box, seems logically possible, i personally didn't believe that this may be true myself till i saw the inside of one and the way it's put together.

Jumping Is Uselss · Oct 05, 2008, 10:52 PM // 22:52

After looking at trends of most 360 games, if you have an up to date computer with a medium range graphics card, a 360 is not worth buying. If you really want the controller feel in your hands while you play, just buy a controller adapter for your PC.

Joe Fierce · Oct 05, 2008, 11:13 PM // 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jumping Is Uselss

After looking at trends of most 360 games, if you have an up to date computer with a medium range graphics card, a 360 is not worth buying. If you really want the controller feel in your hands while you play, just buy a controller adapter for your PC.

precisely, but, if you're a cheap ass like me, it's a lil bit cheaper to get a cheap xbox.

Wrath Of Dragons · Oct 06, 2008, 04:49 AM // 04:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahja the Thief

2). If a wireless router isn't in the budget, then XBOX Live isn't either.

In addition, you have to buy a wireless adapter for the 360 to do wireless. You are looking at buying 2 wireless routers essentially if you want to go the wireless route. Wired would be far cheaper, but again, XBX Live charges you per month (or in one bulk price for X number of months at a slight discount per month if divided out)

3). The most current 360s have all but fixed the RROD issue. However, if you pick up a model that is more dated (been on the shelves a while), the risk of the RROD is much higher (They have a 9% failure rate on the newest consoles whereas the older models have anywhere between a 16-27% failure rate) You would be foolish to pick up the low end model (Arcade or w/e they call it now, Core? I dunno anymore...) as it lacks the HDD. What you want is the 60GB Pro version. But, alas... you will need a non HDMI cable to play on your TV. Make sure the new Pro edition comes with analog cables, or you may have to buy them separately.

You dont need to spend 100$ on a wireless adapter....you can use a computers wireless connection to connect to wireless through the computer. I have noticed minimal lag caused by it, usually no difference. Google "internet connection sharing laptop 360". Lots of vista/XP guides

As for the RRoD, when you buy the console, check the power brick for the wattage. 175 watts are the newer, lower power ones. If its (225? 250?) its super old and no good. I just bought an arcade, and mine has the 175watt brick, so i know the arcade has finally upgraded.

Why did I buy the arcade?

Arcade = 200$. 120gig HD seperate is 150$ = 350. 360 elite is 400. I save 50 bucks, get a free memory card (30 bucks), and missout on the sexy black color and the HDMI cable, which is useless anyways, cuse you dont have HDTV

All versions come with an analog cable kit (non-hd), and all come with an HDMI plugin (HD)

some guy · Oct 06, 2008, 05:47 AM // 05:47

Just buy a 20 meter long cable, it's cheaper.

I had my 360 for a year now, it's awesome no rrod and i play tons on it. Another cheap alternative to a HDTV is a monitor. You can get a 22'' flatpannel HD LCD monitor for around $200 easy, and you can buy a VGA cable that connects the 360 to the monitor for around $30. It's a nice alternative to a big HDTV. The audio is a bit tricky to set up, but it's not hard. PM me if u have questions.

I play on my 22'' widescreen monitor and it's awesome. I don't see any difference between my 47'' LCD 1080i and my monitor.

Racthoh · Oct 06, 2008, 06:09 AM // 06:09

1. I have a pretty old T.V. as well I've noticed one major issue with the two 360 games we've purchased so far (Tales of Vesperia, Infinite Undiscovery). Text in some instances is completely illegible. My brother will literally be sitting a foot away from the screen and cannot even attempt to read the writing. Although what's worse is we're forced to play games on widescreen when our T.V. is not, otherwise we lose about an inch of what is supposed to be visible around the edges. Neither display method fixes the squished text problem either.

-Loki- · Oct 06, 2008, 06:45 AM // 06:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by some guy

I play on my 22'' widescreen monitor and it's awesome. I don't see any difference between my 47'' LCD 1080i and my monitor.

So it plays in a little 22" box in the center of your 42" TV?

Joe Fierce · Oct 06, 2008, 07:34 AM // 07:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racthoh

1. I have a pretty old T.V. as well I've noticed one major issue with the two 360 games we've purchased so far (Tales of Vesperia, Infinite Undiscovery). Text in some instances is completely illegible. My brother will literally be sitting a foot away from the screen and cannot even attempt to read the writing. Although what's worse is we're forced to play games on widescreen when our T.V. is not, otherwise we lose about an inch of what is supposed to be visible around the edges. Neither display method fixes the squished text problem either.

it can get that way for particular games for me as well when i'm using the tv in my room, it's an old 22"

so not so nice, but it's bearable, otherwise i just wait for my roomates to leave the big screen in the living room unattended for more than five seconds.

some guy · Oct 06, 2008, 08:11 AM // 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Loki-

So it plays in a little 22" box in the center of your 42" TV?

Moving out, since I'm going into university soon. Can't take a 47'' with me, first of all it's my parent's, and it's too big.. My 22'' widescreen is awesome actually, since I sit close to it, the screen feels pretty big.

I Dont Do Coke · Oct 06, 2008, 02:17 PM // 14:17

I've never had a RRoD before, but that's probably because I've never used my 360 much.

And yes, the 360's DVD drive gets pretty damn loud. I have to take it and put it in the other room if I wanted to download things overnight, otherwise it'll drive me nuts.