Buying an XBox360, have questions

[IHateMyJob2004]

I suppose first and foremost is what do I need for networking? I have a wireless network and would like to use that.

Price. Looks like I can get my XBox Pro for $350. Any way to get it for less (not refurbished)?

$100 for this:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hard...360wirelessnetadapter/
Not a F'ing chance I am paying that.

 

[fatdragondzc]

The guys down at gamestop said the wireless on the 360 is bad. You drop connection frequently. Also any 2.4ghz equipment interferes with the connections, Unless your router has wireless a/b/g guess it would be better.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Only $80 at Amazon. What a rip off. I'm not that worried about connections. My laptop is solid. I need a network conenciton and the only way to do it is wireless.

So besides the raping Microsoft is offering, what are my options? It looks like a simple USB network adapter. Am I missing something here?

USB based wireless G (and B/G) adapters cost $35 by most brands.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Does the 360 have a network jack?

 

[fatdragondzc]

Pretty much what it is. If you Browse around the web(usually mod forums), some people have alternative solutions. You can give that a shot. EB sometimes have them used for 50-60.

Does the 360 have a network jack?

yes

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Given that it has a network jack, I'll buy a wireless bridge before I buy that MSFT branded ripoff. Out to price one of those now.

 

[fatdragondzc]

I tried that, didn't work for me. Good luck with yours:thumbsup:

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Do they evn sell wireless bridges any more? I can't find them at Best Buy?!?!?

 

[fatdragondzc]

Try newegg, I think they'll have some there.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Ehhh, wireless bridges are still $90. Was hoping for a $50-$60 price. For that, Iguess i'l jsut buy the Xbox one

 

[fatdragondzc]

50ft of cat-5 cable ftw.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Besides the obvious, what does networking give me? Are there game patches?

 

[fatdragondzc]

Xbox Live content,and with the right software on your computer and setup, steam music and movies to your xbox.

 

[Queasy]

Your options:
1) Buy a 360 USB wireless for $80-$100 depending on the deal.
2) Buy an original Xbox ethernet wireless adapter for $50 or less. Link. Note, this does not do WPA.
3) Buy a router like a Linksys WRT54G (ver4 or earlier) or Buffalo (forget the number) and install the DD-WRT or Tomato firmware and set it up as a bridge. Usually $50 or less.
4) Buy an ethernet based wireless game adapter/bridge (price varies greatly)
5) I can't remember who it was (sorry!) that said they were using something that was basically two wireless receivers that were hooked up between the 360 and the router. It was good for gaming and that was about it.

Originally posted by: fatdragondzc
The guys down at gamestop said the wireless on the 360 is bad. You drop connection frequently. Also any 2.4ghz equipment interferes with the connections, Unless your router has wireless a/b/g guess it would be better.

The guys down at gamestop are about as trustworthy as the guys down at Best Buy. I wouldn't take advice from either.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Besides the obvious, what does networking give me? Are there game patches?

Yes, game patches, console updates, demos, DLC (extra maps, extra characters, extra cars, extra tracks, etc), Xbox Live Arcade games, Live Video Marketplace Movies and TV Shows, other downloadable content, streaming movies, streaming music, streaming pictures...

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: fatdragondzc
Xbox Live content,and with the right software on your computer and setup, steam music and movies to your xbox.

What is the live content? I keep hearing XBox live but have no idea what it is.

Also, what about the game patches? Do they exist?

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
USB based wireless G (and B/G) adapters cost $35 by most brands.

The MS USB adapter does A band as well. That is why it costs more. Plus the required MS markup on all accessories. I didn't mind the price of the adapter when it first came out but the price should have been dropped by now.

 

[fatdragondzc]

Originally posted by: Queasy
Your options:
1) Buy a 360 USB wireless for $80-$100 depending on the deal.
2) Buy an original Xbox ethernet wireless adapter for $50 or less. Link. Note, this does not do WPA.
3) Buy a router like a Linksys WRT54G (ver4 or earlier) or Buffalo (forget the number) and install the DD-WRT or Tomato firmware and set it up as a bridge. Usually $50 or less.
4) Buy an ethernet based wireless game adapter/bridge (price varies greatly)
5) I can't remember who it was (sorry!) that said they were using something that was basically two wireless receivers that were hooked up between the 360 and the router. It was good for gaming and that was about it.

Originally posted by: fatdragondzc
The guys down at gamestop said the wireless on the 360 is bad. You drop connection frequently. Also any 2.4ghz equipment interferes with the connections, Unless your router has wireless a/b/g guess it would be better.

The guys down at gamestop are about as trustworthy as the guys down at Best Buy. I wouldn't take advice from either.

I tried option 3 and failed. And yes, sometimes the people at EB/Gamestop don't know what they talk about half the times. I went with ethernet cable cause it was the cheapest option.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

OK, here is hte thing. If I go with ethernet cabl, I'll probably need 75 feet. That doesn't botehr me. But how often will I need to run that 75 foot cable?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
OK, here is hte thing. If I go with ethernet cabl, I'll probably need 75 feet. That doesn't botehr me. But how often will I need to run that 75 foot cable?

Based on your other thread you aren't going to be playing online? They have system updates I think every quarter, many games have at least one update in their lifetime, sometimes more. And anytime you want to download anything. If you're not going to be playing online, I'd just get the long Ethernet cable. I'm running Ethernet to my living room in my new house so I won't have this problem.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
OK, here is hte thing. If I go with ethernet cabl, I'll probably need 75 feet. That doesn't botehr me. But how often will I need to run that 75 foot cable?

Based on your other thread you aren't going to be playing online? They have system updates I think every quarter, many games have at least one update in their lifetime, sometimes more. And anytime you want to download anything. If you're not going to be playing online, I'd just get the long Ethernet cable. I'm running Ethernet to my living room in my new house so I won't have this problem.

I think I'll just go the long ethernet cable route. Thanks for hte input. If I ever get hooked on on-line play I'll upgrade.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
OK, here is hte thing. If I go with ethernet cabl, I'll probably need 75 feet. That doesn't botehr me. But how often will I need to run that 75 foot cable?

Based on your other thread you aren't going to be playing online? They have system updates I think every quarter, many games have at least one update in their lifetime, sometimes more. And anytime you want to download anything. If you're not going to be playing online, I'd just get the long Ethernet cable. I'm running Ethernet to my living room in my new house so I won't have this problem.

I think I'll just go the long ethernet cable route. Thanks for hte input. If I ever get hooked on on-line play I'll upgrade.

You should be aware that you do have to pay to play online on the 360 (~$40/year if you find a half decent deal). Online play is free on the Playstation 3. Most people say Xbox Live is better than PSN, but the only online game I own for the PS3 is Warhawk so I can't really judge myself.

You don't have to pay to get an Xbox Live SILVER account which will let you download demos, buy Xbox Live Aracde games, etc - pretty much everything but play online multiplayer games.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

A co-worker has a PS3. built in wireless and we can trade games when we are done with them. I'm 32 and have a kid so if I play 2 hours at night every day, it will be a miracle. It would be nice to play GTA4 online with him.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
A co-worker has a PS3. built in wireless and we can trade games when we are done with them. I'm 32 and have a kid so if I play 2 hours at night every day, it will be a miracle. It would be nice to play GTA4 online with him.

Sounds like the PS3 is the way to go for you. And you get the Blu-Ray/upscaling DVD player as an added bonus.

 

[sourceninja]

I shelled out the cash for the wireless adaptor for the 360. It works without a hitch at my house. The ONLY complaints I have are this.

1) It does not support WPA2, but shows it as an option you can't select. (the manual says WPA2 support is planned, but not supported).
2) It did not work at all until I connected without an security (had to turn off wpa) and did a system update.

After that it is working fine with WPA-PSK. I have had no issues playing games online or downloading content. There are a few wireless networks in my area too.