What do I need to know before I buy a X360

[Ruslan74]

1. I dont have a HDTV, will it look bad on my 74cm telly?

Dont despair, the X360 still looks good on your regular telly whilst viewed in SDTV, if you have a modern telly which has COMPONENT inputs ( dont confuse with COMPOSITE please ) you can even run it on EDTV mode which provides you with a higher resolution quality than SDTV.

For more info read on here. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDTV)

2. Can I use my PC monitor with the X360?

Yes. You will need to purchase an accessorie called VGA HD Cable (http://www.btgames.co.za/btgames/InfoPages/03193.asp?IndexNo=71) which will allow you to connect your X360 to your current LCD/CRT monitor. Note that many X360 games run at a native 16:9 (widescreen) resolution, so if you have a normal 4:3 (CRT) or 5:4 (LCD) ratio PC screen you will get a movie like effect (ie. black bars on top & bottom).

The best bet is for you to have a widescreen LCD monitor which are really not that expensive and can set you back between R2000-R2400 depending what make you buy.

Connection between PC & X360 is simple if your LCD screen has both DVI & analogue inputs. It becomes a simple matter of swapping out between sources on your monitor's OSD. ;)

3. What Xbox 360 should I buy?

You get the Core & Premium ( called Pro in SA ) units.

The Core is identical in hardware to the Premium unit but doesnt come bundled with :

A wireless controller ( The Core unit has a wired controller )
A 20GB HDD
A shiny DVD face plate
An ethernet cable
A headset
A component set of cables ( The Core unit has the regular AV cable set )


Currently the Core in SA sells for around R2699 and the Premium for R3699 although many stores are having specials in which the Premium has been sold for as little as R3000.

The Premium unit stands as the best bang for the buck system to buy.

4. Can I play on the internet on the X360?

Definetly. Upon your first purchase you have 30 day free trial on the Xbox Live Service which basically is an enhanced version of MSN + Xfire ( just a comparison ).



With the launch of the Xbox 360, Microsoft's online gaming service, Xbox Live went through a major upgrade, adding a basic non-subscription service, Silver, to its already established premium subscription-based service, Gold. Xbox Live Silver is free of charge and allows users to create a user profile, join on message boards, access Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade and Marketplace and talk to other members. An Xbox Live Silver account does not generally support multiplayer gaming; however, some games that feature their own subscription service can be played with a Silver account. Xbox Live supports voice communication along with video communication, a feature possible with the Xbox Live Vision Camera.

Xbox Live Gold has the same features as Silver, plus online game playing capabilities. Microsoft has allowed for previous Xbox Live subscribers to maintain their profile information, friends list, and games history when they make the transition to Xbox Live Gold. To transfer an Xbox Live account to the new system, users need to link a Windows Live ID to their gamertag on Xbox.com.

When users go to add a Xbox Live enabled profile to their console, they need to provide the console with their passport account information and the last four digits of their credit card number, which is used for verification purposes and billing. An Xbox Live Gold account has an annual cost of US$49.99, CD$59.99, £39.99, or €59.99. As of October 18, 2006 Xbox Live has over 4 million subscribers.


Or read more here. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_Live)

This is work in progress so feel free to post more queries. ;)

[TG]

Q: Does owning a 360 hurt?
A: Yes, yes it does. Your wife has beaten you so badly that you spent a few weeks in hospital. Never mind though, I'm sure you can still play 360 when you get out, even with broken thumbs.

[SlappY]

OK, so how does the XBox live thing work in SA.
How much do I have to fork out???

[Ruslan74]

OK, so how does the XBox live thing work in SA.
How much do I have to fork out???

A XBL Gold subscription costs around R600 for a year sub depending on foreign currency rates.

It also works best if you get an unshaped prepaid account if you want to play online against international players. For local gaming a shaped account works just fine.

[doobiwan]

Q: Does owning a 360 hurt?
A: Yes, yes it does. Your wife has beaten you so badly that you spent a few weeks in hospital. Never mind though, I'm sure you can still play 360 when you get out, even with broken thumbs.

Or not, if your wife discovered Xbox Live Arcade while you were in hospital, you're never getting it back . . . ;)

[SlappY]

Jeesh... do they want a kidney too?

[Ruslan74]

its true... since my wife discovered Hexic, Uno and Lumines on the XBL Arcade its been a tough battle to play my own games. :(

[Vexx007]

Most important question :

Where can I find the cheapest one? :D

[Ruslan74]

Well, keep your eyes peeled for opening store specials or Xmas specials from Game or Makro.

Just a couple of weeks back the BT Games store opened @ East Rand Mall and i picked up a X360 Premium for R3k for a friend. They only had 20 units for sale at that price. Currently Hi-Fi Corporation have ( or had ) the best price @ R3400 if i am not mistaken. But perhaps it was also limited stock.

[doobiwan]

The good news there, Vex is that BT is opening in Tygervalley on Friday! I'm sooo tempted . .

Besides that, HiFi Corp as the Core for R2599, Game has the Pro at R3599.

(I don't know if it would work, but CNA is also offering a R200 discount if you open an account and it's 6 months interest free to pay, so you may be able to wangle one for R3400)

[sss]

... hmmm... soo...err... maybe i should go buy one!

the itch has started!!!!!

[sss]

makro are kookoo with prices

http://www.makro.co.za/ProductDetail.aspx?cat=6350&prod=33051&SKU=000000000000106938|EA

http://www.makro.co.za/ProductDetail.aspx?cat=6350&prod=31615&SKU=000000000000105327|EA

[doobiwan]

Not really, the R3999 version includes F.E.A.R. and Eragon.

Bit of an odd mix. rather Pick up the Pro at Game for R3599 and get your hands on Gear of War.

[Sminty]

If I bought an XBox it would turn out just like my PS2...I'd buy maybe 3 games for it and then it would become an expensive paperweight....nah, I already spend an average of 2.5 hours a day playing BF2....I can't afford to spend more for games that will take up more time.

[sss]

least i wont have to buy a hi def dvd player

[doobiwan]

Unless you're planning on using the new movie download service, you'd still need to buy the HD-DVD drive to watch Hi-Def movies.

Personally I'll wait till there's either a clear winner, or dual HDDVD/Blu-ray players available before I commit. At least the 360 gives you the option.

[sss]

yea well at the moment a good deal of my media is coming down from the net.. would be nice to have a box to play it... and when the drives and hd-dvds surface i'll be getting some

[RotoRouterZA]

There are some tools available to convert any format to be playable on an Xbox360. Also if you have wmv files, you can use Media Player 11 to directly play it on your 360.

The HD-DVD drive will upscale all DVD's to 1080p if using the VGA cable and 1080i if using the component HD cable.

[Vexx007]

Thanks doobi! I heard about the Tygervalley store but couldn't find it :d I know where it is now (It is shop 116, BT Games by Entrance 6) :p

[doobiwan]

So what time are you going to start queueing ;)

[Ruslan74]

During the East Rand Mall opening there were only around 5 people at opening time, although I expect Cape Town to be a bit more busy seeing there aint too many shops of BT's caliber in the area.

[SlappY]

Media Problems = waxed!

http://www.take2.co.za/product.php?id=2035618

[doobiwan]

That requires a PC with Media Centre installed.

And why bother when there's a free app to do much the same ;)
http://www.tversity.com/

[SlappY]

Well mine comes with a cool box and a network cable. It's 1337

[doobiwan]

I take it then that you've ordered you 360? ;)

[Ruslan74]

I am waiting for Vista to have full support for Media Center... RC1 was OK and it worked quite nicely with the X360... it could be the only PC item I would actually buy now. :p

[rainy]

Can you buy a core system and put in a hard drive yourself?

[sss]

yea.. hdd is just an addon

[doobiwan]

http://www.take2.co.za/list.php?type=2&detailfield=Platform&detailvalue=Xbox%20360%20Hardware

It's about R1000, so if you're buying them all at once it's much better value to get the Pro bundle, you get a wireless controller and HD cables as well. If you're stretching budget, it's a good option. (Oh, the core does support wireless controllers, it just doesn't ship with one)

[TG]

You can't use a normal HDD - you have to use an 'xbox' hdd, cuz it comes in a special case etc.

[rainy]

Yeah, I saw that. Of course they had to do that, otherwise every doos would buy a core set and then chuck in a normal harddrive by themselves. Can't have that now, can we?

Anyway, I was just interested. Not planning on buying one anyway :D

Oh, and by the way: R1000+ is a rip-off! Too bad Amazon doesnt ship hardware overseas...

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-20GB-Hard-Drive/dp/B000B6ML32

[doobiwan]

I agree with you on that, R1000 for a 20Gb drive is ridiculous. as is R900 for the Wifi adapter.

[Vexx007]

Well, I queued this morning along with 15 other people and bought my fiance......ummmm.....a nice surprise gift for the holidays :gyes: Now to see what happens tonight when I get home :D

Got the Pro bundle plus ANY game in-store except Gears of War(which I bought separately) for R3000. Took DOA4 as my free game since a buddy already has Dead Rising.

[RotoRouterZA]

Welcome to the club, you wont be sorry!! Let me know if you want to co-op Gears!!

[Vexx007]

hehe, Thx!

Problem is my internet connection is not setup at my house. We shall see what the new year brings :)

[RotoRouterZA]

Been playing GoW co-op over Live, and it is really amazing!

What tv do you have?

[Vexx007]

74cm SDTV

[sss]

i'll join u fellas shortly!

[doobiwan]

I'm am idiiot. I'm going to get it tatoo'ed on my forehead.

Vexx, we nearly met on Friday morning! I was thiiiiiis close . . .

Thursday night, when I got home there was a letter from the taxman, a good one, like a sign. So I set to work, and my wife agreed, I couldn't believe it she said yes I could go get me a 360, I couldn't believe it. So an hour later in my good grace I asked if she wanted to choose which free game to get.

. . . *Gentlemen, there's a time in life when you learn it's just better to shut it* . .

So she says she doesn't like the 360 games she rather want's a Wii. :o

Only then she also hauls out a barrage of logical and sensible arguements against getting one that I was totally unprepared for.

I cried myself to sleep on Thursday night *sob*

[Ruslan74]

ouch... did you show her a preview of Viva Piñata to convince her? tsk tsk...

[Vexx007]

My fiance said she MIGHT start to like the 360 if I get her a girly game :D Any recommendations? :p

[sss]

i should have a 360 by the end of the week!

i've got some great videos, gigs worth of ps3 VS xbox360 VS Wii basically frame to frame comparison of the same games

[Ruslan74]

Girlie games... mmm... There are plenty of Arcade games which appeal to chicks plus Viva Piñata, Open Season, Kameo come to mind.

[Roloreaper]

[Off topic] Hey Useless long time no see alive![/OFF topic]
Girlie games ... Hmm.... Girly Games I'm sure the Sims is on the XBox 360! If PS2 can have it why does Xbox not?

[doobiwan]

I think the Xbox version of the Sims may be upwards compatible.

My wife hates the Sims, and I tried VP, she wasn't interested. How do you argue with : "I want the one with the thing that you swing and wave like the real thing"

She like games like Grim Fandango, Monkey Island, Zork etc.

But the DS Lite is currently on Special for R1030!!!!! :o

[sss]

i got one :D

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8551/image26fb9.jpg

[sss]

ended up with a big " awrgjjjjgjg what the hellll.."

went home.. plugged into plasma.

went straight to settings-display.. set to 720p... and bang.. the image shoots off to somewhere odd.. i'm like "f***".... set back to 480p.. stupid image still is off centre... try like 10 more times... reset xbox.. reset tv.. not happening :(

look down at the output cable and see a switch to set it from "tv" to "hidef "

hey presto .. can see :D in hi def too

[sss]

why is it such a noisy machine :(

[doobiwan]

Congrats! Nice bundle. Did you pick up GoW as well?

how's it look on that there 50"? (Once you got it sorted . . )

[sss]

well i've had about 7 minutes of gameplay.. then had to dash off back to work.. will go home and fiddle in 5 minutes

[sss]

apparently erragon is crap... so i'm not even going to open it... just go trade it in unopened!

[RotoRouterZA]

Welcome to the club SSS. Did you get Gears of War or Rainbow6: vegas?

As for the noise of the system. yes, it does get noisy at times. But it depends on where you put your xbox ie ventilation etc. I found while watching movies it is pretty quiet. When gaming it does start to get noisy when the processors start heating up.

Let me know if you get connected to Live! If you want a 12 month gold subscription, i know where to get it for R350.

[sss]

got neither yet... there was no GOW at the shop!

[sss]

man... im struggling to get media streaming from my pc to my xbox nicely... either my amd 3500 is too slow or somethings buggered!

user tversity at the moment

[doobiwan]

Hmm, dunno, maybe try manually transcoding to .wmv first and just check that streaming is working okay?

Oh, and Hi Fi Corp is advertising GoW for R399.

[sss]

on the fly transcoding is a bit cpu intensive... going to wmv first works.. but its painfull to wait for that

[Ruslan74]

cool bananas SSS... hope to see you online! let me know if you require 48 Gold Trial keys... i got PLENTY to give away! ;)

[sss]

ooh groovy.. where do u get them all?

i think i can go trade in my erragon today and get R250 credit

[sss]

is it possible to use a keyboard and mouse with games like FEAR.. cause im still sucking with the joypad

[Ruslan74]

nope. just practice, you will manage. Before you know it you wont even look at the gamepad to search for the buttons. It will be 2nd nature. ;)

what game are you going to get btw?

i got 4 48hr trial keys which usually come with games.

[sss]

well i got 1 month free gold and 1 48hr trial key, so i'm good for now!

[Ruslan74]

cool! let me know if you get GoW or R6:Vegas if you want some online action. ;)

[sss]

i may just pop off and buy GOW just now!

having issues getting my live account working though!

wont accept my south african postal code

[Ruslan74]

Use any UK postal code. There is an issue with using SA codes since SA isnt an official LIVE enabled country.

[sss]

whats a legit code to use?

[stoke]

N4 6BQ or SW1 4AB

[Ruslan74]

yebo. what is your XBL nick SSS?

[sss]

i dont have one yet, will do one tonight

anyway

http://happybeggar.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=60&Itemid=2

to make fast wmv files!

[doobiwan]

If you're manually transcoding, I highly recommend "Super"

http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html

I use it quite a bit for home movies / cell clips and it's a charm, does batch as well.

[sss]

kiff stuff.. took my "eragon" to that trade shop and the dude said he'd give me back origional price - R100

[sss]

well i walked into my friendly CNA and saw GOW for R549, then the chicky says why dont i open an account and get a R100 voucher and buy the game for R449, so i did, then i got another two R50 vouchers for my next two purchases.

So score thats a good plan if you want to go buy a game from cna and dont have an account with them

[doobiwan]

Nice one.

What do you think of GoW?

[sss]

so far much more played than fear, myself and a buddy did some co op till 12:30

[N3ddy]

GoW ROCKS!!!!!!!!

[doobiwan]

I must say it's even more awesome at home on my own telly :D

It's interesting to see how the colours mush on a below par telly, cuz they're so subtle. Even my 2 year oldan my wife are impressed.

Although the wife's not impressed about me showing it to my 2 year old :$ . In my defence he woke up and walk in on my at 7am.

EDIT: If it wasn't obvious I got a 360 on Friday! :D I was prett chuffed, I paid R3300 for a Pro, and Gears of War :D

@sss if your 360 is noisy, it's not normal, I think my 360's fan is a bit iffy, Roto's doesn't sound like that. Typically there's a bit of wind noise, but you shouldn't hear the fan. I'll probably get it looked at after the silly season.

[Ruslan74]

wooot! Doobi got himself a X360!

/me faints.