XBox 360 - New User

[JP]

To cut a long story short, I've just been given ?250 by my work which I wasn't expecting. I spent some time thinking about the sensible things I could do with it before deciding that it's essentially 'spare money' and then thought I'd re-buy a current console.

We've had both a Wii & 360 in the past here and after assessing the two options I'm fairly sure that as much I really love (Forget about anybody else in the house) Mario Galaxy that a 360 was probably the preferred console as there are a few exclusives I'd really like to play on it.

Bear in mind that we've not had a 360 for over 2 years and everything has changed so some of these questions are probably going to be really stupid s I'm so far out of date with what I know about this stuff.

I'm sure most, if not all have been answered on here previously but there's loads of different threads here and some aren't exactly clear.

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HARDWARE
I want an Elite for the hdd and HDMI port (and because it's black) but there seems to be so many different chipsets around that I'm really not sure what is what now. Went through 3 or 4 (well looked after) consoles last time but I want to make sure I'm getting the most reliable & quietest possible hardware now.

What chip-set should I be looking for and how can I tell which is which if I'm buying a console online?

Are there any known revisions on the way shortly that would I should wait for?

I'll get a wireless controller with it but does that come with all the charging stuff I need? I seem to remember buying a separate thing to put re-chargable batteries in before?

Using HDMI, do I need additional hardware to connect an optical cable to it as I seem to remember something about the HDMI cable blocking access to another slot?

Does the console still have have a big power box thing or is that now internal?

I know we still have a thread going on here but has the reliability improved over the past couple of years and what protection do Microsoft give customers now as I remember them extending the issues that teh warranty covered a while back?



SOFTWARE
It's it safer to run games from the DVD or hdd now there's an option to install them all?

I've got no more interest in the Avatar things than I had in the Mii things or the Home Avatar things, do I now have to use the system as I can't find any reference to the old system on XBox.com now?

I'm quite interested in stuff like films, I know we're always behind with things like that over here but are the downloadable films, Sky & Netflix all available in the UK now?

I don't have Sky or Netflix, can I set them up ready online or do I hav to wait to get the console?

There are quite a few Japanese SHUMUPS available now, is it right that there is no way to play them on a UK 360?



XBOX LIVE
I know they're still charging for Gold access but the online gaming side isn't a major thing for me anymore, if I was to stick with Silver do I miss out on other things such as demos?

I'm forgetting about my really old Tag so I've set up a new one. To get access to demos & games from other regions do I need to set up Tags for other regions in similar to how it's done on the PS3? If so, apart from the UK, US & Japan, is there anywhere else it's worth setting one up for?

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Like I said, a load of noob questions here because that's how I am with the system at the moment. I'll probably be able to think of more questions before I buy one as it probably won't be until the end of this or beginning of next month that but it.

Thanks for helping!

[fahrenheit]

Hardware-wise, if you are getting an Elite, you will have your HDMI+optical solution taken care of (you will need to buy an optical cable though). If you buy any other model, you will need to also buy the dongle that comes as part of the elites bundle

You will want a console produced in 09 to ensure it is a Jasper. On the side of the box is a sticker that reads something like -

'LOT NO: 0927X'

The first two digits are year, so '09' is what you want as all consoles made this year are Jasper. The second two digits are the week.

The other thing to look for is -

'TEAM: CSON'

This is one of two factories that produce 360's in China. CSON are known to use Nidec fans which are the preferred brand as far as acoustics go.

There will not likely be another 360 revision for over 12 months.

The consoles still come with a big power brick, but, the Jasper revision has one that weighs a good deal less. The very latest produced units have also just had a size reduction that takes almost a quater off the length of the brick.

[Matt]

This thread explains the friend request today!

[JP]

This thread explains the friend request today!

I've started working my way through people on here but there's probably loads I've missed out.

I can't send messages to people to let them know who the invite is from yet as I'm not gold. Mind you, if people don't work out that JohnParry UK is me then it's just as well they don't accept.

I'm happy to accept invites from people but as I said, it'll be a few weeks before I get it.

fahrenheit, thanks for that! I've been able to find some pictures online which should make it easier to identify a Jasper but it's good to have some info confirmed on here rather than just reading random comments from random people.

I've just remembered that I'm going to need to buy a wireless adapter too!: I don't need to get one but it would be convenient so unless I see one cheap I'm going to hold off getting one.

Do any online shops in the UK actually mention if they're selling Jasperfied machines or am I going to need to brave the high street? Mind you, I do have a DSi which I may just trade in due to it only being switched on 3 times since the machine was launched.

I it recommended to run games from DVD or from the hdd in terms of which is going to be best at not making the 360 explode? Does it matter which I choose? I know using the hdd is quieter which I'd really prefer.

[fahrenheit]

The Elites were the last models to get 'jasperfied' and since they are a model that tends to sit on the shelves longer than any others, there is a chance that you will get old stock if you order one online.
Aslong as you can get confirmation of an 09 on the barcode sticker you are safe though.

The older model DVD-ROM drives did tended to suffer dirty disc errors more frequently than the currently used Lite-on models, so running off the drive is perfectly fine. Running off the drive will not stess the CPU/GPU/RAM any more than running off the hard drive, only the DVD drive itself will be stressed.

If you are going for the elite then you will have ample space to install games and it generally takes only 10 minutes off your life max. Well worth doing. And when you are finished with a game, you can delete it off to clear some space.

[Paulos G]

Harware taken care of so here are some other bits.

Software

You will have to use the avatar system. Creating one is the first thing you'll have to do when you turn on the console. Once you've done that you can disregard it if you want to.

On demand films are available now. Netflix is only available in the US. Sky is due to launch in the uk later this year.

You can't get around the region locking. There are a few shmups on the games marketplace (including Ikaruga and Triggerheart Excelica). Senko no Ronde has had a PAL conversion.

Xbox Live

You won't miss out on demos: you'll just have to wait a week longer before you can play them.

Setting up other regions is pretty straightforward. Here's a guide. No real point setting up anything other than US, JPN and UK (although I do also have a Korean account I set up to nab a free XBLA game which was on offer yonks ago).

[MonkeyJuggleDX]

I guess another advantage of going gold is the discounts they do on downloads.

HD Remix was 800 instead of 1200 points and a few others have had 50% off, but only for gold members.

If you like 2D fighters as well then there's loads available:

KoF98UM
HD Remix
SFII Turbo
Samurai Shodown 2
Fatal Fury Special
Mortal Kombat 2
Garou
MvC2
Soul Calibur

[Jebus]

It's it safer to run games from the DVD or hdd now there's an option to install them all?

It could prolong the laser life, but only if the laser unit is fault in the first place. If you have the space then I'd install the games purely for noise factor. The 360 makes a right racket when running a game, but install it and it's lovely and quiet.

[Mayhem]

This thread explains the friend request today!

Yeah, I was wondering that myself too

You should have waited to set up the new tag on the 360 though, you'd get a free month of Gold for doing that...

[JP]

You can't get around the region locking. There are a few shmups on the games marketplace (including Ikaruga and Triggerheart Excelica). Senko no Ronde has had a PAL conversion.

I'd forgotten about those, they'll definitely get bought by my. I've just remembered about Rez HD too!

You won't miss out on demos: you'll just have to wait a week longer before you can play them.

Setting up other regions is pretty straightforward. Here's a guide. No real point setting up anything other than US, JPN and UK (although I do also have a Korean account I set up to nab a free XBLA game which was on offer yonks ago).

I'm not seeing any reason to not go old to be honest, I'll probably sign up straight away but I won't be giving them m credit card details after what they did last time!

I seem to remember setting up a Korean one before too, wasn't it Carcassonne that was free for a while?

I'll stick with the UK, US & Japanese accounts that I've just set up as it's easy enough to start a new one if they're giving something free in other regions.

You should have waited to set up the new tag on the 360 though, you'd get a free month of Gold for doing that...

Ii looks like they don't do it automatically as I'm still Silver and have the option for a free month when I look at my XBox Live account.

I guess another advantage of going gold is the discounts they do on downloads.

HD Remix was 800 instead of 1200 points and a few others have had 50% off, but only for gold members.

If you like 2D fighters as well then there's loads available:

KoF98UM
HD Remix
SFII Turbo
Samurai Shodown 2
Fatal Fury Special
Mortal Kombat 2
Garou
MvC2
Soul Calibur

I'm really not a fan of any fighters that aren't from the Virtua Fighters or Bushido Blade franchises to be honest.

I definitely into 2D/3D scrolling shooters though as well as the unusual stuff like Braid sounding really good.

I'd like people to recommend stuff that I may have completely missed, even if it doesn't sound like my sort of game. If I've got a name of a game, it's easy enough to investigate it further on here and other places.

It could prolong the laser life, but only if the laser unit is fault in the first place. If you have the space then I'd install the games purely for noise factor. The 360 makes a right racket when running a game, but install it and it's lovely and quiet.

I'm probably going to install games as often as possible, the noise used to drive me mad and if it helps prolong it's life in any way at all then I can't think of any reason not to.

The Elites were the last models to get 'jasperfied' and since they are a model that tends to sit on the shelves longer than any others, there is a chance that you will get old stock if you order one online.
Aslong as you can get confirmation of an 09 on the barcode sticker you are safe though.

The older model DVD-ROM drives did tended to suffer dirty disc errors more frequently than the currently used Lite-on models, so running off the drive is perfectly fine. Running off the drive will not stess the CPU/GPU/RAM any more than running off the hard drive, only the DVD drive itself will be stressed.

If you are going for the elite then you will have ample space to install games and it generally takes only 10 minutes off your life max. Well worth doing. And when you are finished with a game, you can delete it off to clear some space.

Hey, don't mock 'jasperfied', it's a real word...now!!!

I'm lucky in that as I know people who work in the local chains, I went in and asked and they've said I can check anything I want as long as I don't open the box.

I'll be able to make sure I'm getting the best I can. Hopefully they'll all have fairy recent models although I wouldn't have thought any '08 models would still be available. I suppose could be wrong though.

Thanks to everybody for helping, I've got another few questions to annoy you with:

• I've signed up to mygamercard.net (recommended by a mate) & had a look at majornelson.com, are there any other sites that I really should be paying attention to when it comes to 360 stuff?
• If I was to buy R-Type Dimensions now on xbox.com, it shouldn't cause any problems due to me not being able to download it for weeks?
• Is it true that the latest Elites have flash memory built in? is it 512MB or 256MB? I'm guessing they don't have the memory as I'm struggling to see the point in it.
• Does the Play & Charge kit use standard rechargeable batteries or is the Battery Pack a proprietary battery?
• Can you can get a black Vision Cam or Messenger Kit? I've only seen the beige stuff and it's really not important but given a choice, I'd prefer the black to go with everything else in the set.
• With regards to the 360's health, does it make any difference using the console horizontally or vertically? I mention this as I vaguely remember some sort of issue from a while back.
• Where's the cheapest place to buy Gold membership & points at the moment?

[Matt]

First thing I do is install a new game, I'd not play it any other way. The console is still noisy with the fans, but the real racket (the DVD drive) is lost after the install.

Just factor in a decent size HDD. I think 120gig is the way to go. I ended up buying an Arcade and added a 120gig I picked up for £60 in a sale.

It's a right bugger having the HDMI blocking the standard output so you either have to buy the optical adaptor or butcher the component/optical cable. Not sure of the current price, when I looked the optical adaptor plus HDMI cable was £35! Yes, I know, but best not say anything negative about the pricing as it upsets the fanboys

I got lucky, as my mate had an Elite and didn't need his His TV has optical out, so he went HDMI to the TV, then optical from TV to his amp. That's by far the cheapest solution if your TV has it. Of course, in an ideal world your amp would accept HDMI, but obviously unless it's pretty recent it won't.

[JP]

I'll definitely be going for the Elite so I'll get the adapter thing with that. I'm half thinking about getting one of custom cases to reduce the noise and improve the air flow but I won't be doing that while it's still under warranty.

[Matt]

Regarding built in memory, the Jaspers used to have 256, now I think it's 512.

However, you'd be insane to actually use it given the 360 will almost certainly implode sometime over the next year or two and you'd then most likely lose your saves. That may be unfair, maybe the Jasper will be solid, but mine is already playing games - sometimes I get no picture when it's turned on, even after multiple reboots, and have to actually pull out the PSU plug from the 360 and plug it in again to get it working. I've power, I can hear the sound through the amp, but no image. Happened about 3 or 4 times the last month.

Your gamertag location isn't a concern as you can recover that online, though it seems to take quite a while.

Pick up a cheap memory unit would be my advice. I've not heard of a 360 HDD dying, they seem solid enough, but I prefer the portability keeping my profile and saves on a card.

[fahrenheit]

• Is it true that the latest Elites have flash memory built in? is it 512MB or 256MB? I'm guessing they don't have the memory as I'm struggling to see the point in it.

Only the Arcade Jasper units have larger internal memory.

• Does the Play & Charge kit use standard rechargeable batteries or is the Battery Pack a proprietary battery?

Proprietary.

• With regards to the 360's health, does it make any difference using the console horizontally or vertically? I mention this as I vaguely remember some sort of issue from a while back.

Its up for debate.
The old Xenon (launch models) had a very heavy CPU heatsink and I never felt comfortable having it in the vertical position due to the stress it would add to the board.
But the models onwards have had lightweight alluminium heatsinks.

The 360 is designed to draw air in from the sides, so having it vertical in my mind is blocking one of those sides from open air.
On the otherhand, the 360's tiny feet when horizontal mean that the underside vents are worthless and heat can radiate back off the underlaying surface and back onto the console.

You are damned either way.

[JP]

Pick up a cheap memory unit would be my advice. I've not heard of a 360 HDD dying, they seem solid enough, but I prefer the portability keeping my profile and saves on a card.

Yeah, think I'll see if I can find a cheap one somewhere. I quite often back up my PS3 saves to a memory card...just to be safe.

Its up for debate.
The old Xenon (launch models) had a very heavy CPU heatsink and I never felt comfortable having it in the vertical position due to the stress it would add to the board.
But the models onwards have had lightweight alluminium heatsinks.

The 360 is designed to draw air in from the sides, so having it vertical in my mind is blocking one of those sides from open air.
On the otherhand, the 360's tiny feet when horizontal mean that the underside vents are worthless and heat can radiate back off the underlaying surface and back onto the console.

I may leave it horizontal and see if I can find something to raise off the ground. Not the same as this but something along the lines of this sort of thing:

If anybody knows of something similar that may be suitable then please let me know.

People may think that I'm being over cautious but I'd be really pissed off if I lost yet another 360 so I really want to make sure this time.