Digital Trends

Microsoft Xbox 360

November 22nd, 2005 | by Scott Steinberg

Moving right along, setup's a breeze – the system auto-detects wireless home networks and wired broadband connections, although you can also configure IP addresses and encryption settings manually. You don't necessarily need high-speed online access to use the device either, but to deprive yourself of such options is to miss out on many of the Xbox 360's most impressive features.

Plug in a digital jukebox, PDA or PMP, and you can easily transfer music onto the console. (Provided, that is, you've sprung for a hard drive and aren't trying to use tracks downloaded from iTunes, which are incompatible.) But more fun still is using Windows Media Connect software for your Windows XP desktop to beam over hit singles or albums into any room, then creating custom playlists or user-defined soundtracks for various games.

Photo viewing options are also possible, as are provisions for producing personalized slideshows complete with funky effects. The prospect of beaming snapshots into the den may not excite you outright, but it beats going over family picture albums individually with each of your relatives the next time they come to visit.

Windows Media Center PC owners have it best, however: They can buy music online, record/pause/playback live HDTV feeds, and stream videos throughout the house.

All Xbox 360 units offer CD-ripping and decent progressive-scan DVD playback capabilities as well. Neither option is all that impressive this side of 2004, though you will enjoy support for inserting tunes of your own choosing into different titles. After all, nothing goes better with Quake 4 than a little Hanson.

In short, a free Silver subscription to online networking service Xbox Live is included with every Xbox 360. This lets you see which buddies are signed on ay any time and instantly communicate via voice or text chat with pals. And, for that matter, sample the wares at Xbox Live Marketplace, an online shopping center featuring free demos, movie trailers, and extra content (new weapons, costumes, maps, etc.) for purchase.

While the need to handle Marketplace transactions via Microsoft Points – virtual tokens you purchase in quantities of 500 ($6.25) or more – is a bit pesky, the overall concept's great. You can purchase fresh pictures for your user profile, grab cool add-ons for your favorite game, or sample upcoming titles at no expense. No to mention do so at any time of day or night.

Xbox Live Arcade, a special mainstream user-friendly subcategory of Marketplace featuring coin-op conversions that sport minor functional/audiovisual upgrades and HD-ready ports of popular PC titles, is especially interesting. These games, which you can sample or buy on-demand (offerings are downloaded directly to your system in minutes), are often designed by small independent studios and created with casual audiences in mind. Even if Hardwood Hearts or Zuma isn't your speed, most gamers can appreciate the potential of getting to enjoy four-player rounds of Gauntlet wirelessly, and in actual HD.

An Xbox Live Gold membership ($49.99 a year) is required for multiplayer access. But what an experience it should theoretically provide. (Ed. Note: The service has just gone live, making in-depth tests impossible previously. We'll follow up shortly after the service's debut with honest impressions.) Gamertags – personalized profiles which track the games you own, in-game accomplishments, your skill level, and what other individuals think of you – help improve social networking. Automatic matchmaking features quickly pit you against players of similar skill level. And invites to play can be received at any time, even if you're in the middle of a late-night screening of Saving Private Ryan.

Then again, there's plenty to enjoy here by your damn self, including one of the finest user front-ends seen in recent memory. The menu system is completely intuitive, divided into various color-coded subcategories, or tabs, known as blades. Under each blade (Games, Media, Xbox Live, or System) are commands for instantly signing into Xbox Live, perusing trailers, loading photos or music, configuring one's display or performing any other desired action. It's amazing how efficiently everything's presented – online options are seamlessly integrated too – ensuring even complete neophytes won't encounter any trouble getting up and running.

 

Media Blade Screen Shot

In the end, the whole experience feels a lot like using any Pentium-compatible computer. Only now, all members of your family can be downloading demos, scrounging for hints/tips or jamming along with MP3s from the comfort of the den. 

Image Courtesy of Microsoft