Xbox 360 is like an incredible mini computer (Microsoft Xbox 360)

Member Name: Dando83

Product:	Microsoft Xbox 360
Date:	20/06/06 (1762 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Next generation graphics and sound. Smaller than predecessor. Compatible with PC

Disadvantages: Games are expensive. Not all original Xbox games compatible. Loud. Hot.

BUYING
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My son's interest in his PS2 had been waning for a while. Eventually he got the go ahead to Ebay it and add his birthday money to upgrade to the Xbox 360 games console.

I found out first of all that availability is now good. No waiting in queues if you were worried. The pricing is rigid. I've seen it only once for £15 cheaper than I paid for it. Don't anticipate any huge price reductions for at least a year so no real need to go price-hunting.

I picked up the complete console with one store-bundled game, Ghost Recon: Advance Warfighter, for £309 from one of the major retailers. This system includes ONE wireless controller, communication headset, 20GB hardrive, network cable, and Hi-def component /lo-def composite-SCART video cable. Microsoft haven't provided any "free" games in the box. Keep in mind that the CORE version is a trimmed down package that includes no hard drive and a wired controller instead of wireless. I did not buy the CORE version and if you read this review, you may decide you won't either.

The hard drive allows Xbox Live connection and storage of trailers, music and saved games. On its own the hard drive is proposterously priced for it's storage size. But the gizmo is almost a necessity for the Xbox 360. The value of the complete system makes it a better deal than the CORE version if you have any allusions that you'll be needing the hard drive.

The store-bundled game Ghost Recon is allegedly one of the better titles to start with (review for another day). On its own it was selling for £50 as were all the other games. Average game prices have dropped a tenner in the last month but new PS2 games are being released at only £25. Games are where it's really gonna hurt your wallet.

SET UP
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Everything needed for connection to either a hi-definition television or to a composite/SCART TV is included. I don't have a hi-def TV. There's very little hi-def content on the networks at the moment, so don't let all those adverts on TV convince you it's time for a new £500 TV.

I chose to use the yellow component plug attached to the supplied SCART adapter to send the picture to my 4:3 aspect 20" TV. Sound connection is via red/white composite plugs for basic stereo sound.

Supplied is a very long network cable. This DID work with my PC's router to allow Xbox Live access. More on this later.

Power is provided by one of the biggest transformers I've ever seen. It's hot and heavy and you'll need room to put it somewhere. I can see why it's a separate unit from the Xbox itself.

The wireless controller takes two AA batteries. It knows to talk with the console with very little fuss. Connectivity buttons on the console and controller do the trick. (note: You're lucky to get a week or two of juice from alkaline batteries).

To top it off, a headset/microphone is included. It plugs directly into the controller to allow communication with other players (usually on Xbox Live, the online gaming network). It seems especially useful when playing Ghost Recon.

LOOK/SOUND
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Graphics are very good even on a 20" TV in low-def. From a distance, it's hard to see the difference from a Hollywood movie. Water effects and shadows are amazing. Round edges appear round. The graphical atmosphere is spot-on. With graphics as good as they were on the PS2 the emphasis these days is in the detail and how close to realism the game designers can get.

As the little guy paid over £300 for this system, I didn't think it fair not to try out the fancy high definition graphics. But I have no high definition television you say? For £15 I purchased a digital HD-VGA cable. I plugged the Xbox into a high def display that all of you are using right now, the computer monitor. With resolutions surpassing the best high def TVs, it's a great (free) display to use. The Xbox even knows you've gone high res and adjusts accordingly.

Of course it looks much better as lines are very clean and colours are great. The most satisfying part is you can read the teeny tiny text and small icons that were obviously programmed for high resolution displays. The overall display looks as good or better than playing a PC game as ultra-high resolution. The benefit over the PC is that the high resolution doesn't cause the Xbox 360 to jutter or crash. The console handles it great without the need to upgrade the video card or computer memory!

With only the stereo sound from the composite cables I cannot say it sounded extraordinary with my setup. Digital surround sound has been around for ages and I would imagine that the Xbox will handle it just fine. Game designers will certainly be adding cool 3D effects. I'd expect only a trained ear will be able to compare the Xbox 360 sound effects to the future PS3.

It's worth noting that the aftermarket VGA cable I bought included an optical SPDIF cable for direct connection to a 5.1 stereo receiver or 5.1 PC speaker set. This digital sound cable is NOT supplied with the console, nor with Microsoft's offical HD-VGA cable. Look for one of the aftermarket suppliers like Joytech or Madcatz if you are interested.

You get the typical playback of DVDs and CDs you would expect. Nothing fancy here except for some cool visualisations while playing CDs.

NETWORKING
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I couldn't believe it, but upon plugging the amply long network cable into my Linksys router, the Xbox figured out how to get itself online. My router was set to DHCP mode, so I think this made it easy for the Xbox. With software from the Xbox website my PC was even able to share up its MP3s for playback on the Xbox which was now effectively part of my house network.

Unfortunately the permanent home of the console is out of reach of the router. That means no network connection and no Xbox Live most of the time. Microsoft sells an incredibly expensive wireless network adapter. I've already tried my own USB network adapter from my PC and it will not work. I would advise sticking to the network cable if you can until the aftermarket companies come up with a cheaper adapter.

Xbox Live was quite a good (if simplistic) service when I used it . The usual profiles and buddy systems are used on Live to keep in touch and play games. One of Live's best features is the ability to download game demos, patches, and trailers to the console's hard drive. Apparently a lot of your old favourite Nintendo and Sega games will end up as low-cost downloads on Live.

A one-month trial of the Gold Service is provided with the console. While I am disappointed Microsoft are making users pay for it after that month, the subsequent yearly fee of about £40 to play ALL your games online is a lot more cost-effective than most online gaming services. The fee can be paid via credit card. If you are deciding if it's worth it, remember how fun the PC was before the internet came into fashion?

NOT SO GOOD
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The games are expensive. Not that the console is cheap, but it is similarly priced to the last gen consoles when they were new. Microsoft is even taking a loss on each unit to get them into your house! Game prices will eventually come down, but don't expect to build a library just yet.

The console itself runs loud and hot. Imagine your PC fan always on medium to high speed. This is what the Xbox sounds like. Eventually you become accustomed to the noise but for a unit that Microsoft expects people to put in their lounge, it's a wee bit noisy. Ensure proper ventilation as well, as overheating will damage your console. I have read of many instances of the Xbox 360 crashing due to another device being placed on top of it (if you choose the horizontal way of setting it up).

The final caveat emptor is that not all original Xbox games are supported. Only those that have been Microsoft-tested and patched are playable. New patches (available on Xbox Live or via a CD you can burn) allow more and more games to work but don't necessarily count on your favourite being among them.

Microsoft claims no conflict of interest exists should they happen to be coming out with an Xbox 360 release of a game that you already own on the original, but they haven't gotten around to patching yet... sure sure...wink wink.

Furthermore, games that are patched to work may not with the digital HD-VGA cable for the computer monitor. This is due to a timing/frequency problem. It's a design limitation and not a bug.

MY VERDICT
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Get this console. Sony dropped the ball in delaying the PS3 until holiday season 2006. With a year's head start, Microsoft's games and accessories will always be better and cheaper, even if the PS3 comes out champion on technical specs.

Speaking of technical matters. Games are provided on standard DVDs. Bear in mind that this is the same DVD technology that's been around for year. Microsoft did NOT opt to use any new optical formats. Over the console's life this might become a factor for some "bigger" games as individual discs are limited in size to 4-8GB. It may mean some disc swapping. Microsoft have hinted at providing future connectivity to HD-DVD,the competing optical format to Sony's Blu-Ray disc.

Lastly, I would recommend having a shop around Ebay or Gamestation for used games if you don't want to shell out £40-50 for a new one.

Summary: Worth your pocket money if you don't want to wait for the PS3