Purchasing gaming console

Thanks for all the info guys. My kids do not know that we'll be purchasing a gaming console for them and it was with great difficulty that we had to try and find out what they would prefer, without letting on what we have planned. Also it was a very tough decision to decide on which console to purchase in the first place:confused:, as both units have their pros and cons (and they don't come cheaply), as well as for me to get to this point, leaning towards the XBox 360. There will always be someone preferring one unit over the other, so at the end of the day it comes down personal choice.
The blu-ray is not an issue for me, as all movies are watched via media player and my dvd player hasn't been used in years. A work colleague who has a PS3, has never used it to watch movies, and he had his for about 2 years now.
And from what I've read, there are also more games for the XBox360 than for the PS3, as it is easier to write games for it (and XBox 360 games are cheaper:D). My only concern really was for the Kinect, but it seems from the responses here, that most people are generally happy with it.
One other question though (just out of interest). The colleague that has the PS3 says that he attaches his wireless controllers to the PS3 unit to charge them and while they are charging, he can continue playing his games with the controllers. Can the same be done with the XBox 360?
 
Magandroid said:
Thanks for all the info guys. My kids do not know that we'll be purchasing a gaming console for them and it was with great difficulty that we had to try and find out what they would prefer, without letting on what we have planned. Also it was a very tough decision to decide on which console to purchase in the first place:confused:, as both units have their pros and cons (and they don't come cheaply), as well as for me to get to this point, leaning towards the XBox 360. There will always be someone preferring one unit over the other, so at the end of the day it comes down personal choice.
The blu-ray is not an issue for me, as all movies are watched via media player and my dvd player hasn't been used in years. A work colleague who has a PS3, has never used it to watch movies, and he had his for about 2 years now.
And from what I've read, there are also more games for the XBox360 than for the PS3, as it is easier to write games for it (and XBox 360 games are cheaper:D). My only concern really was for the Kinect, but it seems from the responses here, that most people are generally happy with it.
One other question though (just out of interest). The colleague that has the PS3 says that he attaches his wireless controllers to the PS3 unit to charge them and while they are charging, he can continue playing his games with the controllers. Can the same be done with the XBox 360?
Click to expand...
Yep, the MS Play and Charge kit goes for about R200 and comes with a rechargeable battery pack + cable, which connects to the USB port and charges the battery while you play. My experience is that the battery pack charges well for about two years before the battery needs replacing, in which case you'll only need to replace the battery and not the entire kit.

Here you go, this is what you're looking for: http://www.take2.co.za/games-official-xbox-360-play-charge-kit-black-2670931.html
 
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Did not read the whole thread, so maybe someone has mentioned this, but the 360 is very very nice as a htpc/media centre device, have a look at this addon for win7 media centre, been using it for awhile now and in my personal opinion it kicks add

WWW.mediabrowser.tv

Sent from my Desire HD using MyBroadband Android App
 
You adapt to the system and I feel no lag just make sure its setup to your body and room surrounds...the kinect has gone down to finger tracking in the kinect labs app, so its capable of a lot
 
Magandroid said:
One other question though (just out of interest). The colleague that has the PS3 says that he attaches his wireless controllers to the PS3 unit to charge them and while they are charging, he can continue playing his games with the controllers. Can the same be done with the XBox 360?
Click to expand...
I have both and I prefer being able to pop the batteries out and put in a new set. With these rechargeable batteries that hold their charge you can easily always have a set ready to go. No cables for people to trip over. But others swear by their play and charge kit.
 
noxibox said:
I have both and I prefer being able to pop the batteries out and put in a new set. With these rechargeable batteries that hold their charge you can easily always have a set ready to go. No cables for people to trip over. But others swear by their play and charge kit.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a good idea. If a may ask though, how long does a set of recharged batteries last before you have to replace them with a fresh set.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Kinect is awesome, works very well. Great family fun. Just ensure that there are no obstructions between the camera and the person (coffee tables etc.).
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yeah, these beats are pretty cool. But your kids seem a bit old for it.

Cruelty said:
Is this JUST for gaming? If so, have a look to see what games are available on the different platforms. While most of the games on the market are multi-platform, each platform has its exclusives (Gran Turismo and Halo, to name two off the top of my head.) If your sons are dead set on playing Forza and you come home with a PS3, your name is gonna be mud.

If you want more than just gaming, then the PS3 has more capabilities than an XBox - such as blu-ray and wireless. May be relevant, may not be.

If the motion-detection portion of kinect is a big selling point for you, then consider a Wii. They're going cheap now and are great interactive fun.

As for the controller size, I wouldn't worry too much about it. My 9 yo son never complained about the size of the XBox controller. He actually prefers its feel to the PS3 controller.
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listen to this guy.


Did you ask them?

Lastly: Look at what games you gonna buy, look at the older releases, reason is that games cost money and you will find yourself buying more older games (probable 1 -2 years older) to save cash and there nothing arong with that. So look at the past games and what you want them to play. NB Black ops is not for children, period. Also Xbox LIVE arcade games rule, you dont need gold to buy arcasde games. PS3 has PSN but they were hacked recently whcih is a problem.

Edit: with regards to charging batteries 2 options: play and charge OR get rechargeble batteries try sanyo enelooop batteries, I use the sanyo eneloop batterier with seprerate charger so that I can have 4 extra batteries ready for when I have friends overs.
 
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ponder said:
I'm amazed no one has called you a liar yet :p

Just be honest and say it's for yourself :D
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I truely wish it was so, but sadly I'm from the pacman and space invaders generation. These new games are too advanced for me. Only game I really got into was a street racing type game where you have to work your way up through the ranks and the police also chase you.
 
Magandroid said:
I truely wish it was so, but sadly I'm from the pacman and space invaders generation. These new games are too advanced for me. Only game I really got into was a street racing type game where you have to work your way up through the ranks and the police also chase you.
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you never to old dude, I'm not too far behind you in terms of when I started gaming.
 
Magandroid said:
I truely wish it was so, but sadly I'm from the pacman and space invaders generation. These new games are too advanced for me. Only game I really got into was a street racing type game where you have to work your way up through the ranks and the police also chase you.
Click to expand...
Pinball machines, now those were the days.

Magandroid said:
That sounds like a good idea. If a may ask though, how long does a set of recharged batteries last before you have to replace them with a fresh set.
Click to expand...
Not sure. I've played all day without running them down. The rechargeable batteries do go from operational to non-operational more abruptly, but the games pause automatically if the controller disconnects, so it's not a big deal.
 
Ran into a buddy of mine that has a an XBox360+Kinect and he invited us over so that the kids (and me :D) could experience the gaming console for ourselves, and geewhiz, am I unfit. The boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves, myself included, and best of all, I could see for myself regarding any concerns that I might have had. The lag is not that bad and it only happens on certain games, but overall, it was a very enjoyable experience. My mind is now made up and I'm definitely going the route of the Xbox. So thanks to everyone for their input it is really appreciated. :D
 
Justinmw said:
You adapt to the system and I feel no lag just make sure its setup to your body and room surrounds...the kinect has gone down to finger tracking in the kinect labs app, so its capable of a lot
Click to expand...

the "finger tracking of kinect funlabs is not really full finger tracking it can track one or two fingers along a path but not multiple fingers moving different directions yet. So it can't do things like pinch zoom and typing or for instance playing piano in a music game. It does recognize your hand opening and closing and fingers moving one direction simultaniously. There are some people though who are experimenting with finger tracking for kinect but it seems full finger tracking is pretty tricky to program with the current kinect system, so maybe it'll come eventualy with this system or we have to wait 'till the next kinect
 
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