Some newbie XBOX360 Questions

Brawler

Brawler

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Hi All.
Finally got myself a Xbox 360, played GTA4 just about whole of last night, awesome :D. Even on my Sony 74cm CRT it looks stunning. However being new to the whole console thing (always been a PC gamer) I have a few questions:

1: Heat Put my xbox in TV cabinet which is fully open in the front and is generally quite well ventilated but there was still a bit of heat building up behind the XBOX, should i worry about this and move it somewhere completely open?

2: Wireless ControllerHow long do the batteries last? Can I use the normal recharagables I use in my digital camera?

3: Freezing Playing GTA4 last night had one complete lock-up, had to turn off xbox and start up again? comman?

4: XBL Where is the best place to buy membership? Would really like to play online. Got the Arcade so no free XBL.

5: Ethernet Cable Want to hook Xbox up to my Media Center PC, normal straight cable to the router?

Thanks in advance :)
 
Rather make it open at the back, that is where the heat comes out.

Also, you need a crossover cable if you don't have a hub
 
Brawler said:
1: Heat Put my xbox in TV cabinet which is fully open in the front and is generally quite well ventilated but there was still a bit of heat building up behind the XBOX, should i worry about this and move it somewhere completely open?
Click to expand...

Mine is in a similar setup and has been fine BUT the 360 is not the most reliable of consoles and it would be better to give it full ventilation.
If it starts freezing or slowing down then move it.

Brawler said:
2: Wireless ControllerHow long do the batteries last? Can I use the normal recharagables I use in my digital camera?
Click to expand...

I use a charge and play so I can't answer the first part but yes you can use normal recharge batteries... The Xbox 360 does have the best battery life though, that has been proven.

Brawler said:
3: Freezing Playing GTA4 last night had one complete lock-up, had to turn off xbox and start up again? comman?
Click to expand...

GTA has some freezing problems on both platforms. I haven't experienced it myself yet though. However it may also be because of your heat question. If it starts happening more often move it out of the cabinet.

Brawler said:
4: XBL Where is the best place to buy membership? Would really like to play online. Got the Arcade so no free XBL.
Click to expand...

The Arcade will also give you 1 month free, but you can buy subs from www.gamerpointsnow.com, eBay or local guys such as www.awx.co.za and www.take2.co.za

Brawler said:
5: Ethernet Cable Want to hook Xbox up to my Media Center PC, normal straight cable to the router?
Click to expand...

Yes, normal cable... You can buy a wireless adapator but it's stupidly expensive and I don't like wireless... I have just have a 25m ethernet to my router
 
GavinMannion said:
Mine is in a similar setup and has been fine BUT the 360 is not the most reliable of consoles and it would be better to give it full ventilation.
If it starts freezing or slowing down then move it.



I use a charge and play so I can't answer the first part but yes you can use normal recharge batteries... The Xbox 360 does have the best battery life though, that has been proven.



GTA has some freezing problems on both platforms. I haven't experienced it myself yet though. However it may also be because of your heat question. If it starts happening more often move it out of the cabinet.



The Arcade will also give you 1 month free, but you can buy subs from www.gamerpointsnow.com, eBay or local guys such as www.awx.co.za and www.take2.co.za



Yes, normal cable... You can buy a wireless adapator but it's stupidly expensive and I don't like wireless... I have just have a 25m ethernet to my router
Click to expand...

Thanks.
Will move it out the cabinet tonight, see how it goes. Only problem now is I spent the best part of yesterday afternoon drilling huge holes for the rather large XBOX cables and now I have to move it LOL.
 
Hey Brawler!

I did the same as you, moved away from pc gaming and gone for the xbox. How you liking it?

I love it!
 
Brawler said:
Thanks.
Will move it out the cabinet tonight, see how it goes. Only problem now is I spent the best part of yesterday afternoon drilling huge holes for the rather large XBOX cables and now I have to move it LOL.
Click to expand...

Mine is also in a cabinet. I also drilled some large holes in the back.
I then attached two PC case fans over the holes and connected them to a 12V DC power supply plugged into the switched AC port on my A/V receiver. Works like a charm.


Regarding the Ethernet cable. It's correct that most NICs will automatically switch between crossed and normal. Technically the PC and XBOX are considered host devices and therefore should normally require a crossed cable when connecting them directly. Personally I like to stick with the technically correct setup, because many NICs are also not very good at auto-sensing and this can cause network problems.
 
O, and get a Play-and-charge kit. It works great.

I bought the play and charge kit which comes with a battery pack. I then bought a second battery for my second controller. Personally I think this is better than the quick-charge kit.
 
Gav nailed most of it Brawler, just a few bits:

1. Mine's in an enclosed open-front cabinet with the PSU, it get's hot, but I haven't had issues with it (I have the newer 360, like the Arcade). But if you have a cooler option, probably a better idea ;)

2. Plain rechargeables are fine. I get about a week (2-3 hours a day) out of a pair of 2500's. That obvious varies on the game / rumble etc etc. A normal set of alkalines can last 3-4 weeks.

3. I've had one freeze during a load in 15 hours. Same, just reset and carried on.

5. If you want to run media centre use a cable, wireless is too flakey to stream HD. Any cable will do, the 360 has an auto sensing port.
 
Inf3CteD said:
Hey Brawler!

I did the same as you, moved away from pc gaming and gone for the xbox. How you liking it?

I love it!
Click to expand...

loving it, so much more relaxing lying back on the couch causing havok on gta :) going to get some more games later this month. Already got these on my list:

COD4
Forza
Dirt
 
And don't forget that seeing as you mentioned you have the Arcade, that if you wanna get on XBL you might want to organise a HDD. :D
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
And don't forget that seeing as you mentioned you have the Arcade, that if you wanna get on XBL you might want to organise a HDD. :D
Click to expand...

A HDD is recommended for Live but not required. You can quite happily play online with your memory card, apart from a few games like Burnout Paradise and something else that has slipped my mind for now
 
GavinMannion said:
A HDD is recommended for Live but not required. You can quite happily play online with your memory card, apart from a few games like Burnout Paradise and something else that has slipped my mind for now
Click to expand...

Yeah I know but I reckon you won't be able to not d/load all those lovely extras for very long ... and of course .... The GTA extra content :D I also have the Arcade and am hopefully getting a HDD soon.
 
A related question ...... what's the diff between buying a UK vs USA XBL Gold ?
There's a diff in the price so was just wondering.
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
A related question ...... what's the diff between buying a UK vs USA XBL Gold ?
There's a diff in the price so was just wondering.
Click to expand...
Some DLC content is only released to specific regions (AFAIK) with the US usually on the receiving end of it so maybe that's why some people choose US over UK. I stand to be corrected though..
 
Content restrictions and price. It affects match making as well.

Brawler, you can DL arcade games onto the 256Mb card if you want, they're capped at 150Mb so you'll be able try one or two at a time (A lot are still only 50Mb).
 
Cant wait to get home and give XBL a bash, how do I go about it? Does it just give me one free month when I log on or what?
 
Brawler said:
Cant wait to get home and give XBL a bash, how do I go about it? Does it just give me one free month when I log on or what?
Click to expand...

It does on the Pro, I'm not sure about the Arcade. If not just go grab 3 months on gamepointsnow, it'll take less than a minute.

It's my wife's birthday tonight, so I don't know if I'll be able to hook up, but when you create your live account just remember to do the following:

Rather create the account totally through the 360, create a new windows Live ID, make sure the locale is UK (or US but I'm weary about doing that on a PAL console) and when you add your address you must use a UK postal code.
(just google for one).

When it asks silver or gold, insist on Silver, and that's when it would give you the 1 month free, also it'll ask for CC details, which will fail.
 
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