Xbox Online Gaming - Easy Question!

[Rhys]

I'm considering buying an Xbox in the next month, over a PS2. Is this wise?

My main questino is concerning online gaming; namely, how do you connect to the internet using an Xbox? Can I just use my existing Blueyonder broadband cable connection? What kind of speeds are required? And are there enough decent games which support online gaming to make this a worthwhile investment?

[AllYourBase]

Just stick your broadband cable into the xbox, min speeds you could get away with would be 256k, many find 600k a winner, or with 1M you are away!

Better still use a router to share your internet connection, you don't have to do this right away though

Check out burnout 3 and upcoming outrun2, pro evo and halo 2 for fun xbox live games, there are countless other FPS, sport and driving games on live already that are excellent.... just look for the orange stripe on the game case, probs 1/4 xbox games are fully live now it seems

[RLench]

I connect my Xbox using a router but you can use a direct connection (modem>Xbox)

I use it like this:

Cable modem > Belkin 4 port router > Xbox

Connect router to modem using an ethernet cable, then an ethernet cable to the Xbox.

I use a 25m cable from the router to the Xbox and don't have any problems with this length.

I'm on 768kpbs (was 512 before Telewest updated everything by 50%) and this is ample for online gaming. I played someone on 512k last night and it was perfect

[razu]

If your modem has an ethernet port then you can plug it straight into the xbox, (you'll probably have to reboot the modem when switching between PC and xbox).

If you want to keep your PC connected then you'll be wanting a router to plug the Modem, PC and Xbox into, (about ?30-40). Check on xbox.com for compatible routers.

I have a Linksys BEFSR41 and the xbox just worked once it was all plugged in. The PC worked fine for email and http, etc. but I had to go into the settings of the router to forward traffic for certain ports.

[Rhys]

Thank you guys! That is most helpful!!!

Well, I already use a Netgear wireless router for my laptop, so a cable running to an Xbox would be ideal.

Do you mean Pro Evo 4 would have online play enabled?
How about Street Fighter Anniversay Collection?
GTA San Andreas?
And does anyone know if NBA Street 3 is expected to come out on Xbox?

Those are the main four games that I am buying a console again for. If they offered online play, it would certainly make me go for an Xbox over a PS2!!!

[RLench]

Well, I already use a Netgear wireless router for my laptop, so a cable running to an Xbox would be ideal.

Just run an ethernet cable from the router to the Xbox and the Xbox will automatically set everything up. If there's a problem, it will tell you what it is

[Ish]

I don't know if there's an easy way to tell but not all routers work correctly with XBox live. I know... I found out the hard way!

Most of Live worked but I would have problems connecting to some games. Then when playing Rainbow Six last Monday I couldn't hear some voices and they couldn't here me.

On looking into it it was the router - and there was no way to get that particular router to work.

xbox.com have a list of 'certified' routers but other than that and searching the net I'm not sure if there's an easy way to tell.

[TheShend]

How about Street Fighter Anniversay Collection?

Fully Live as well as SFIII:3rd Strike