Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

Scott,
As far as the $49.99 for XBox Live goes, I've subscribed to it since I 1st got the system in 2006 and I think it's worth it even though I don't play people online.

If you have Netflix, you can watch movies streaming through the system with no added charge. You can log onto Facebook or Twitter through it. And of course you can download game demos, add on's like Maps or extras through XBox Live. Some of the add on's you can download for free. As far as stuff you need to pay for, you need to purchase Xbox Live Point Cards. $20 gets you 1600. You can buy them at Target or Best Buy or directly purchase them through your system. I've used the points to download inexpensive classic games like Frogger, Mortal Kombat 3 or Marvel vs Capcom 2.

Also, XBox Live also has Zume where you can download TV shows and Movies....but you have to pay for those and they are available in HD or SD. It comes in handy if there is a show you missed that is not available streaming and you don't have to watch it on Itunes.

If you like music, there is also Last.fm where you can set up your own personalized radio stations and stream them through your system.

There is also PlayOn and TVersity. You have to purchase PlayOn separately, but it enables you to stream Hulu.com content through XBox Live. It's a little buggy, but it's cool when it works properly. TVersity is free software that allows you to stream AVI files from your harddrive to your XBox.

Good Luck and Have Fun

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

I thought the COD4 unit was 250 gig?

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

I don't think xbox live is worth 50 bucks if you are not going to play games online. You do get other stuff as mentioned above, but it just makes it sting when playstation gets all of that stuff free. The only thing xbox has going for it is better servers...and that to many is worth the 40-50 bucks a year...

Don't get it right away, you get one month free anyway.

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

If it was $50 a month, then I would say it's not worth it. But, this is $50 for 365 days and IMO I think it's worth it, plus if you choose to, you can play people online.

For me, I use alot of the content that I mentioned above and it's well worth it for me.

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

Scott, just remember what snowmizer mentioned about deals on the Live kits. $30 per year is the most I've ever paid. I rarely play online, but still think it's worthwhile, especially with the streaming Netflix.

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

i don't think i will use Live for anything really. i don't do netflix, twitter or stuff like that right now. i am simple person.

i am just interested in getting old games. really wanted Panzer Dragoon though and disappointed i won't be able to dl.

1) is there a handy link that shows me all the old XBOX games that i can get and how much they are?

i got from Gamestop just now (used, buy 2 get 1):
Dead Space
BioShock
Ghostbusters (how is this one?)
Resident Evil 5 (first game that will be played)

2) how is the reliability of used games? i don't plan to play for awhile and want to make sure i won't have problems after the 7 day return policy.

along with:
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Left for Dead 2
Lego Batman (free with Elite system)
Pure (free with Elite system)

should make for a good start right? i don't plan on playing anything really until X-mas break in a couple weeks though.

3) is there a place to get new, empty XBOX game cases (to replace the sticker infested Gamestop ones)?

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

If you just want old games then I'd lean towards the arcade unit. Wait, are you talking Xbox games or Xbox 360 games?
Yes, and there is also a magical list of every book available and what it costs where.

Seriously, there are thousands of Xbox games out there available at thousands of different places for variable prices.

Gamestop is the biggest seller of used games probably, but you find games all over the place for all kinds of changing prices.
Generally, if the disc plays fine, you're probably safe if you take care of it.
A bottle of goo gone would be a lot cheaper, but yes, just like DVD cases there are dozens of places that sell empty xbox cases.

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

1. http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/back...ygameslist.htm
I would also google and/or check gamefaqs if there is a particular game on this list you MUST PLAY. For instance, Fuzion Frenzy has framerate drop issues here and there.

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

If you want third person then get Gears of War 1 or 2.
Oblivion and Fallout 3 are RPG games and can be played in first or third person, both are excellent.
Brutal Legend is third person and is pretty good.

You don't need to pay for Xbox Live to buy stuff from the marketplace.

There is a setting to force autoplay when a disc is inserted but I don't think it will bypass the dashboard. MS wants you to see their advertisments first.

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

That would be quite a turnaround since the only option at launch was Autoplay where it skipped the dash. Booting to the dash was added a year later. I'd be surprised if they removed it altogether.

If you want a horror game you want Condemned. It's first person and it's far more scary than anything mentioned thus far. There is an achievement for finishing the game without firing a gun and I highly recommend playing it that way. With the right setup (HD, 5.1, no distractions, playing at night), this one is hard to beat in the 'creepy' department.

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

I will chime in with Bioshock and Dead Space, funnest games I have ever played! Although Fallout 3 is very close... not done with that one yet. IMHO they are must own games.

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

Dude, I'm assuming that you have internet since you, y'know, post here, but have you thought to Google "Borderlands" or perhaps read the thread (like four threads below this one) dedicated to it in this forum?

If you're looking for an awesome zombie experience with a ton of replay value, pick up Dead Rising. Great game.

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

i saw Dead Rising and remembered ads for it. 3rd person? i might return Bioshock bc i don't want too many FPS.

will look into Gears of War 2 as well, but i got a lot to consume me over break and don't want to get too overwhelmed. i am not an experienced gamer and don't want to get overwhelmed by controls and stuff.

so is Left for Dead 2 pretty much a bust for me if i plan on playing solo and not too keen on FPS?

see this is what i was sorely lacking the Gamecube, a lack of horror titles and a lack of varied titles all together.

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

Don't you need XBox Live to receive patch updates to your games to fix bugs? Or is that just a default thing since the machine is hooked up to the net?

I know occasionally I will receive a message to download a new patch for my NBA 2K10 game.

There is also a patch you need to download on the 360 to be able to play original XBox games.

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

Also, for me XBox Live comes in handy because of the free Demos you can download to see if you like a game or not. The files are pretty big and can take awhile to D/L, but it will save you some $$$$ from spending $60 a game.

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

i've been doing that. i got like 10 demos in my queue!

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

Since you went with the Elite, I strongly recommend saving the games to your hard drive (the actual game disc). I think it saves your discs & your system a bit, less spinning.

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

is there a certain option i have to set to do this or will it do it automatically when i play and save?

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

It's not automatic. Just go into your game playlist through the dashboard and select the specific game. Within the screen should be the "save to HD" option or something similarly worded.

-

Another vote for Dead Space. Fanatical game and well worth playing in the dark with a surround sound system, if available.

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

3rd person.

Read this thread: http://forum.dvdtalk.com/video-game-...ft-4-dead.html

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

What is this Windows Media Extender that pops on my PC when i boot it up?

is there a way to have it not pop up automatically? it has only started since i connected the XBOX...

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

Of ALL the games mentioned Bioshock is NOT the game to return.

Oh and don't ever pay full price for Live. Dell has it for $35 right now.

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

but i don't like FPS. is it an easy FPS to get into/pick up and play if i am nto good/don't really like them?

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

if my standard def Sony has component inputs, can i connect the XBOX with its component cable to it and get better resolution than composite?

i read xbox/setup and it said if i have a standard def that i would use the XBOX cable composite wires (i assume the XBOX brand wires has both running from it), switch the AV connector to TV and not hook it up to the component R,G,B...

but if the tv has the connection, regardless it isn't HD couldn't i still use it and get at least better pic quality?

the TV manual states: Connects to the component video Y, PB, PR, and AUDIO L and R
jacks on your DVD player or digital set-top box (480i only).

XBOX setup states for standard TV: Steps to connect an Xbox 360 console to a standard-definition TV
1. Turn off the Xbox 360 console.
2. Connect the AV connector on the component HD AV Cable to the AV port on the Xbox 360 console.
3. Set the HDTV switch on the AV connector to TV.
4. Connect the yellow RCA composite video connector on the component HD AV Cable to the yellow input jack on the TV. Do not use the red, green, and blue RCA connectors.
5. Connect the red and white RCA audio connectors on the component HD AV Cable to the corresponding colored input jacks on the TV.

XBOX setup states for HD TV:Steps to connect an Xbox 360 console to a high-definition TV
1. Turn off the Xbox 360 console.
2. Connect the audio-visual (AV) connector on the component HD AV cable to the AV port on the Xbox 360 console.
3. Set the HDTV switch on the AV connector to HDTV.
Note Only set the switch to HDTV if the TV supports high-definition resolution, such as 480p, 720p, 1080i, or 1080p. (1080p became supported after the November 2006 Xbox LIVE update.)
4. Connect the red, green, and blue RCA connectors on the component HD AV cable to the corresponding color input jacks on the high-definition TV. Do not use the yellow RCA composite video connector.
5. Connect the red and white RCA audio connectors on the component HD AV cable to the corresponding colored input jacks on the HDTV.
6. Turn on the Xbox 360 console. From the System section, you can change your display and HDTV settings. Select the appropriate high-definition video setting for the HDTV.

notice 480i from TV setup is not supported with XBOX setup, but still thought if connection on tv and XBOX it would work...

thanks for letting me know before i run out and get...

Re: 1st Time X-Box 360 Owner (Basic Questions)
 

also, how long does it take for downloads?

i have my XBOX off, but running downloads in backgroud and out of 11 only 1 finished and currently dl another. it has been hours for the one.

how long would it take a full game then?