05_771805 ch01.qxp 12/21/05 9:23 AM Page 7 Chapter 1 Meet the Xbox 360 In This Chapter ᮣ Arming parents with information ᮣ Understanding what the Xbox 360 can do ᮣ Buying the right system ᮣ Touring the console ᮣ Checking the connections he Xbox 360 is a gaming console. The definition of gaming console has Tevolved over the years, but its core remains the same: a platform from which to play great games. The Xbox 360 does that and much, much more: It rips and plays your favorite singer’s CD, plays the DVD you just rented, keeps you in touch with your auntie, and grabs hold of your PC for a full-on TV experience. It’s an exciting time for digital entertainment. The Xbox 360 is a hugely pow- erful system that introduces crisp, clear, high-definition gaming for the first time ever and offers an incredible, fully-featured online service in Xbox Live. This chapter is worth reading, even if you already have an Xbox 360. But if you can’t wait another second, you can skip to Chapter 2 and connect your Xbox 360 console now. You can read this chapter later. COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL Parents, Start Here If your children will play with the Xbox 360 (or any other system), you should know what the console can do. It’s both ߜ A gaming system with games from tranquil to potentially disturbing ߜ A powerful communication device 05_771805 ch01.qxp 12/21/05 9:23 AM Page 8 8 Part I: Xbox 360 Out of the Box Children can communicate with strangers on Xbox Live and in the game forums on the Internet. People of all ages and intents frequent the forums. But the Family Settings in Xbox 360 allow you to set a pass code before anyone can use the Xbox Live functions, which means you get to control access and can monitor online use (see Chapter 11 for further instructions on the Family Settings). There’s a lot to know about Xbox 360 if you’re a parent: ߜ Keep children safe while playing in Xbox Live (see Chapter 4). ߜ Use the tips in Chapter 16. ߜ Check the game ratings (see Chapter 11). Playing with an Xbox 360 The Xbox 360 is more than just a game console. It offers a ton of extra functionality. Games Xbox 360 signals the arrival of the next generation of video games. It’s the first console system to support high definition, meaning that video games have simply never looked as good as they do on Xbox 360. Better yet, with the combination of incredible graphics, surround-sound support for every game, and online options, you get the trifecta of gaming features that every gamer wants to try. Visual clarity, incredible sounds, and online functionality are only part of the story; this next generation of gaming means game developers can craft expe- riences that video gamers have never witnessed before. Realistic worlds, where locations look virtually like their real-life counterparts; beautiful fan- tasy settings that you can lose yourself in; and inventive situations that you’ve never played before usher in a true step forward in interactive enter- tainment, and it’s all delivered on Xbox 360. DVDs You have to take a break from gaming every once in a while, right? The Xbox 360 is high-end video hardware that fits into a home entertainment system. The Xbox 360 makes a great DVD player. 05_771805 ch01.qxp 12/21/05 9:23 AM Page 9 Chapter 1: Meet the Xbox 360 9 Chapter 5 describes how to use your Xbox 360 to play your DVD movies. Music The Xbox 360 provides high-fidelity audio output that makes your home entertainment system sing: ߜ Play music directly from • CDs • Your portable MP3 player • Standard PCs Chapter 9 shows how you use your Xbox 360 to play your music. ߜ Play music from your Windows Media Center PC. Chapter 13 shows you how to connect your Xbox 360 to your Windows Media Center PC. ߜ Rip music to your Xbox 360 hard drive and play it. Xbox Live In olden times (that’s before 2001), nearly everything that you played on your game console required a disc or cartridge. Times have changed: ߜ All Xbox 360 games have online features, such as • The ability for the game publisher to provide more content (such as additional game levels, equipment, and characters) • Public scoreboards on both your own Xbox 360 console and on the Web so that you can compare your game scores with the scores of your friends and others • Online play with other Xbox Live gamers (Xbox Live Gold member- ship required) ߜ You can download games, demos, trailers, and gamer pictures from the online Xbox 360 Marketplace. ߜ You can update your console by plugging into the Internet. 05_771805 ch01.qxp 12/21/05 9:23 AM Page 10 10 Part I: Xbox 360 Out of the Box ߜ You can download emulator software that lets you play original Xbox games on your Xbox 360. (And you get to enjoy them with graphics upgrades that boost the resolution of your old games to 720p — which means high-definition; if you thought Halo 2 looked good on the original Xbox, just imagine how great it looks now in glorious high definition . you’ll drool!) Communications The Xbox 360 provides a number of communications tools: ߜ Communicate by both text and voice. ߜ Talk to your friends who come online while you’re playing. ߜ Leave messages for friends who aren’t online. And how much more fun is it to talk to your brother while you’re racing each other or playing a football game? Chapter 4 shows how to use the communications features. What the Xbox 360 can’t do The Xbox 360 does a lot, but it can’t do every- ߜ Surfing the Web. The Xbox 360 can connect thing. You need other equipment for these jobs: to the Internet, but only through Xbox Live. You can access the whole Internet through ߜ Recording video. The Xbox 360 isn’t a video a Windows Media Center PC, but you need recording device. You can’t pause live TV to do some work to get a scenario like that with the Xbox 360 without a Windows working. Chapter 13 shows you how. Media Center PC. ߜ Replacing your cable box. You need to con- ߜ Playing high-definition DVDs. The Xbox 360 nect to a Windows Media Center PC to play isn’t a high-definition (HD) DVD player. TV though your Xbox 360. This is described HD DVDs require a special reader, and the in Chapter 13. Xbox 360 doesn’t have one. (At the time of ߜ Replacing your PC. The Xbox 360 is a power- the Xbox 360’s release, there weren’t any ful console, but you can’t do your homework high-definition DVD discs or players on the on it — unless your homework includes market, except for some expensive experi- reviewing video games! mental equipment for video professionals.) 05_771805 ch01.qxp 12/21/05 9:23 AM Page 11 Chapter 1: Meet the Xbox 360 11 Extending your Windows Media Center PC The Windows Media Center PC can be extended to the Xbox 360 through your home network. The Windows Media Center PC lets you record and play TV and provides a user interface that works great from the couch. When networked with an Xbox 360, the Media Center functionality of the Windows Media Center PC is available to you from your couch. This lets you keep the Windows Media Center PC in your office or den while you access your PC’s video features from the Xbox 360 in the living room. We guide you from the Windows Media Center PC to the Xbox 360 in Chapter 13. Xbox 360 Packages In the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, the Xbox 360 comes in two versions, as described in Table 1-1: ߜ The loaded Xbox 360 package is simply labeled the Xbox 360 System. (It comes in a white box.) Many retailers call this the “Premium Xbox 360 System,” but the box just says “Xbox 360 System.” This package includes the console and several desirable accessories, including the Xbox 360 wireless controller, Xbox Live headset, and (for a limited time at launch) a remote control. ߜ The Xbox 360 Core System includes the Xbox 360 console and the mini- mum accessories you need to play Xbox 360 games with most TV sets. Table 1-1 Xbox 360 Retail Packages Component Xbox 360 Core System Xbox 360 System (“Premium”) Xbox 360 Console Yes Yes Wireless Controller Optional Yes Wired Controller Yes Optional (continued) 05_771805 ch01.qxp 12/21/05 9:23 AM Page 12 12 Part I: Xbox 360 Out of the Box Table 1-1 (continued) Component Xbox 360 Core System Xbox 360 System (“Premium”) Hard Drive Optional Yes Headset Optional Yes Component HDAV Cable (for TV) Optional Yes Composite A/V Cable (for TV) Yes Included in Component HDAV Cable Power Cable Yes Yes Xbox Live Free Silver Free Silver membership membership Look for promotional deals on Xbox 360 systems from both Microsoft and individual retailers. You might find packages and bundles with extra goodies, such as ߜ Media remote control (see Chapter 10) ߜ Xbox Live Gold subscription (see Chapter 4) ߜ Xbox 360 games You won’t get any game discs in the Xbox 360 console packages from Microsoft unless a retailer adds games in a “bundle.” If the Xbox 360 System will be a gift, make sure someone’s giving a game, too.