xbox 360 advise for new owner

ohskigod

just got the core system with an extra controler and Madden 2007. I'm a happy boy.

now I know I have to get component video cables for hi def. I can easily tell I'm not getting everything out of the XBOX without it.

what I need guidance on is memory. as I see it, I have 2 options.

1) a 20 g hard drive
2) a 64 m memory card (or 2)

I like the memory card because its portable, and of course cheaper.

now dollar for dollar, the HD has so much more memory, but will I ever use it all? I pretty much plan to use it only for game saves and for online profile (which can be done with both)

what do you guys have, just so I have some educated ideas

thanks

beardog03

congrtas !

I got one too, but I`m still trying to learn how to work it..!!
I think mine has the built in HD, but for what your gonna use it for , either way should be fine...

Demiurge

20G Hard Drive -- no questions asked.

BIZILL

downloads via xbox live alone would be worth the 20 gig hard drive. was it a gift? should have gotten the platinum edition as it comes with the component cables and the hard drive. either way, i say get them both.

ohskigod

might just do that, sounds like good advise.

what do I have to do to hook up to live? just hook up the ethernet cable (after putting in Hard drive, i know I need that too)

the directions said silver edition Live comes free, whatever the heck that means. I gotta find a way to get an ethernet cable to my basement from my router upstairs. can do the wireless thing too, but for another benjamin....CHRIST

Shizelbs

I had just the hard drive and ended up getting the memory card also. The card is cool because you can keep your gamertag profile on there, and then take it to friends and use it there. I honestly would highly suggest getting both.

Get another modem for downstairs. Its cheaper than going wireless on the 360.

The Silver version of live is worthless. Gold is the one you want to be able to play games online.

ohskigod

cant play online with silver? I'm a complete xbox noob, what is the difference between silver and gold?

jakelm

I have the core system ($399) and it came with component and composite cables, with the HD switch on the box. Yours didnt?

Also with having just the basic core system, what else do you need for HD DVD?

Jake

EDIT: Nevermind I do have the Pro system, with wireless controller and HD (component) cables.

Shizelbs

ohskigod wrote:

cant play online with silver? I'm a complete xbox noob, what is the difference between silver and gold?

Silver, I believe, lets you pay to download stuff off the marketplace, but Gold is what will let you play online multiplayer games.

ohskigod

cool, thanks

I was under the impression that all I needed was the component cable to play games in HD (not DVD, I know that). is there something else I need?

been a playstation guy for years, this XBOX stuff in confusing as hell

Shizelbs

Component or VGA cables is all you need for HD.

jakelm

Thanks ****, I guess all I need is the $199 Toshiba HD DVD player.

BIZILL

Shizelbs wrote:

Silver, I believe, lets you pay to download stuff off the marketplace, but Gold is what will let you play online multiplayer games.

i'm quite sure the silver also fetches you any software updates/patches for free as well. gold is what you want. that will enable you to play with your fellow polkies online. if you want to get your feet wet with hd dvd, then there are bargains out there to get the 360 add-on drive for under 2 bills. but wait on that a few weeks until they get the audio output fixed as well as some lip synch issues. put the picture quality rivals that from my cox hd cable.

BIZILL

jakelm wrote:

Thanks ****, I guess all I need is the $199 Toshiba HD DVD player.

???

jakelm

BIZILL wrote:

???

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360hddvdplayer/

I thought I read that it was built by Toshiba, my bad.

Toshiba is backing HD with microsoft, not building for Microsoft...DUHHHHHH

BIZILL

either way, i'd say get it. it's an inexpensive route to get some hd action. there are some issues that i'm sure will be corrected. and the only permanant short-comings are no analog 5.1 output nor hdmi. but i need neither for my current setup.

beardog03

I`m becomming addicted quickly..!!

jakelm

BIZILL wrote:

and the only permanant short-comings are no analog 5.1 output nor hdmi. but i need neither for my current setup.

My setup either, I'm running optical out straight to my H/k anyway.

BIZILL

love gettin' the good 'ole boys such as beardog and lou in this funky mess. i can already see a 'virtual' polkfest in the near future.

Jer_ry

The only advice I can give and this is great advice, If you have an HD TV please besure to CHANGE THE SETTING TO 720p OR 1080i ON YOUR 360 CONSOLE!!!!!!!!!!! Some of you might think this is retarded advice but you have no idea how many people I have encountered that are not impressed with the 360 and It's because they never took the setting off 480. Even my walmart here In my home town has the setting wrong. Everyone is all "nah i saw it at wally's and it sucks" (walmart only thing with 360 demo here) You can clearly see they have the setting wrong. Other than that get the 20GB or both. It's sweet to download game demo's off the marketplace even though they are timed trail versions.

PolkThug

Demiurge wrote:

20G Hard Drive -- no questions asked.

Ditto. Makes it easy to download game demos and usually when you play a game the latest patch gets downloaded. I even through a bunch of music on mine for fun.

punk-roc

I would also suggest the HD, with all the Demos and stuff you can D/L from XboxLive, you'll be pissed if you dont have a HD - if you have the cash to get a memory card too, i would definitely recommend that for the reasons shizz described.

Also, Gold membership is a must unfortunately, i was Silver for a long time until i tried to play online and i couldnt, what a ripoff! lol...Gold membership for life!

Jason

BIZILL

wait for a sale on xbox live 12 month subscription to surface. if you want, you can do like i did and get this set, http://www.buy.com/prod/Xbox_360_Live_Vision_Gold_Pack_Camera_Headset/q/loc/108/202850141.html ...it comes with a vision live camera that allows you to have video chat and some games even allow you to put your own mug on your character's face in the game you're playing (rainbow six, vegas, whilst online, for example) and just use the google checkout and save $20 on $50 or more. comes to $54.99 shipped. not too shabby.:)

oh yeah, it also comes with the headphones which you did not get with your core system.;)

cheddar

That hard drive may seem big. But after you get it hooked up to live, the space left after the microsoft preinstalls fills up fast. Forces you to keep it cleaned up to use it. I think they have a download that will let you share files with a networked PC. Been too lazy to try it, though. I think if you really want to use it as a media hub, you have to jump through that hoop.

So game saves - memory card
xbox live - hard drive, gold
multimedia hub - networked pc

BIZILL

all you need to stream files from your pc is windows media center operating system, or with xp, just download and use windows media player 11 or the zune software (must have service pack 2 for xp first for download and install of wmp11 and zune). go to www.xbox.com/pcsetup for more details. obviously you need a wired or wireless setup between your 360 and pc.

ohskigod

Jer_ry wrote:

The only advice I can give and this is great advice, If you have an HD TV please besure to CHANGE THE SETTING TO 720p OR 1080i ON YOUR 360 CONSOLE!!!!!!!!!!! Some of you might think this is retarded advice but you have no idea how many people I have encountered that are not impressed with the 360 and It's because they never took the setting off 480. .

I got the VGA cable, and changed the display size setting (dramatically imroved the quality) I gotta check if I still have it on 1080I though. any idea where the hell I would do that?

Demiurge

ohskigod wrote:

I got the VGA cable, and changed the display size setting (dramatically imroved the quality) I gotta check if I still have it on 1080I though. any idea where the hell I would do that?

On the 360 dashboard go to the settings section. I think it's the last menu page option on the dashboard, but don't quote me on that since I don't have it in front of me. There should be a tab that says "display settings," or something of the sort.

BIZILL

i thought i was reading that if you use the vga cable, it does not support 1080i, only 720P and 1080p. many have requested support from micro$oft to include 1080i via vga.

as well, with the vga connector, your xbox is now an up-converting dvd player. won't up-convert through component.

ohskigod

BIZILL wrote:

i thought i was reading that if you use the vga cable, it does not support 1080i, only 720P and 1080p. many have requested support from micro$oft to include 1080i via vga.

as well, with the vga connector, your xbox is now an up-converting dvd player. won't up-convert through component.

oooooo, I thought that was only through hdmi, but logic would tell me your right.

hey, either way, through the VGA, it looks friggin awesome on whatever setting I have it on.

BIZILL

for shitts and giggles, try the component vs the vga. consensus on other forums eludes to the fact that vga gives washed out colors. but all tv's are different.

welp, nevermind. i assume you purchased the vga cable stand-alone. you'd have to purchase the component cables to try pq between the two. if you're happy, keep the vga. especially since it up-converts dvd's.

you diggin' your box lou? i've been spendin' much time with call of duty 3 on xbox live. i like hiding out in bushes and sniping ****'s from hundreds of yards out!

Demiurge

BIZILL wrote:

for shitts and giggles, try the component vs the vga. consensus on other forums eludes to the fact that vga gives washed out colors. but all tv's are different.

welp, nevermind. i assume you purchased the vga cable stand-alone. you'd have to purchase the component cables to try pq between the two. if you're happy, keep the vga. especially since it up-converts dvd's.

you diggin' your box lou? i've been spendin' much time with call of duty 3 on xbox live. i like hiding out in bushes and sniping ****'s from hundreds of yards out!

You need Rainbow Six.