Wire up and connect now! (Gameware Xbox 360 Network Link Cable)

Member Name: shamis4

Product:	Gameware Xbox 360 Network Link Cable
Date:	12/09/08 (880 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great prce, and very useful item indeed !

Disadvantages: a longer version would be good

I have now owned my xbox console for over a year now and have had absolutely loads of use out of it. However my enjoyment from the xbox would certainly never have been anywhere near as good as it is if it had not been for this superb cable! With this cable I have been able to attach my xbox 360 console to my wireless router and been able to play online on my xbox. This has greatly enhanced my online enjoyment being able to fulfill the potential of the console by downloading stuff, playing with my friends and playing most of my games online against the world!

So, what is it?:
This is simply a long black cable which allows you to connect your xbox console into a network router and ultimately connect to the internet and your computer if you so wish. It is 10 metres long and can therefore be used to connect the xbox a long distance from the router. For example for me this is perfect as my console is upstairs in my room whilst the router is downstairs, but the length is great and I simply connect the wire up when I want to play online and connect to xbox live.
The wire is great and is the same at either end so there is no confusion as to how it works. One end needs to be connected into the back of the xbox, whilst the other into the network router. It simply pushes into the socket and once in will stay in by some small plastic clip. To remove it you simply push the clip bit up and the wire will be released.
The wire is completely plastic and of a substantial thickness so that the minor scratch and cut to it will not reveal any bare wires. It is completely child safe and will not be dangerous in any way.

Why don't I use a wireless adaptor?:
An alternative to this product would be to purchase a wireless adaptor for my xbox console which simply connects in to the xbox and will pick up any wireless signal within a certain range.
This wireless one of course has many advantages as it is wireless to start of with and will therefore not leave any wires in the way that could possibly be tripped over and cause injury. It can also pick up a signal quite easily and ultimately is used to connect your console to xbox live, alike the wired version I am reviewing here.

However, I personally much prefer the cable to the adaptor for multiple reasons:
1. The price of the cable is by far cheaper at only £6.99, and can easily be replaced at that cost if it breaks for some reason. The wireless adaptor costs around £70 which is very expensive and would not be easily replaced at that cost.
2. I am not overly keen on connecting using the wireless system as our current system at home is not wireless as we feel it is safer that way in order to prevent people from hacking into our network and potentially taking any private information. I also sometimes feel that wireless internet can be unpredictable and can lose signal and the adaptor may be unable to locate a signal. This of course would very much hinder my gaming on the console and lead to me constantly7 having to reconnect to xbox live.
So in my view the cable is by far a more practical method and far more reliable and cheaper - so there is really no choice as to which option to go for.

What has the cable has enable me to do?:
The cable has basically allowed me to connect my xbox to our computer and able to access any videos, music, and photos on the computer and put them on my xbox which is very useful and saves wasting space on my xbox hard drive. This is only a secondary purpose and the main purpose of the wire is to connect me to xbox live!
Connecting to xbox live I have been able to fully unlock the potential of my xbox 360 console. I have been able to download themes, pictures, music, videos, and even arcade games on top my console. I have also been able to chat and play with loads of my friends whilst on my xbox. And another great thing is that most of my games can be played online and are so much better than they were offline - for example I absolutely love playing Call Of Duty 4 online with all my friends!


Another great advantage with this cable is that it the 'Game' version. Game of course is one of the leading retailers in this country in gaming consoles, games and accessories. They will of course be supplying one which is specifically designed for gaming and for the xbox 360 console. They are also a well recognised and reliable retailer so you will know that this is going to be a very reliable product, and if there are any problems it can be taken back and they will certainly sort out the problem or provide a new cable. I have had my wire fo about a year and it hasn't had any problems and is still working just as well as it did from day one!
The wire can also be easily stored and cab be simply wrapped up (as I tend to do) when it is not in use and stored in a cupboard or somewhere like that and then just unraveled and taken out when it is needed again.

A few problems with the cable:
One major problem (kind of) is that it would have been better if Mircrosoft had supplied one of these 10 metre wires with all the consoles. They do provide one but it is far too short and can hardly stretch across a room let alone upstairs to where I have my console.
Another problem is that I would have to say it would be good if they could also make another cable which is maybe 20 metres long for those people who have their xbox a long way from their network router. This would be more expensive, but still much cheaper than the wireless router which is the only other option.

Price: £6.99 from Game
Conclusion:

One of the main components of my xbox console which I wouldn't do with out. It has been very reliable and is at a superb price. It has enable me to play all my favourite games online and with my friends. Certainly the better option to purchasing the wireless adaptor at around £70!

Summary: A network cable to connect your xbox to a network adaptor