Can I connect my XBox 360 to my PC for gaming?

[BoomerD]

I have an XBox 360 that I bought for my grandkids several years ago. It just sits in an empty bedroom collecting dust. Can I connect it to my PC and game that way? Not sure what I was thinking there...Duh...no way to input the console to the PC...but, can I connect it to my PC monitor? (monitor is a Dell S3222DGM with both HDMI and DP inputs and can switch inputs via the Dell Display Manager.)
I struggle with the stupid controller "joystick" controls, which is why it never gets used., but IF I can make this work...I'm willing to try.
(I'd love to play the XBox games with keyboard and mouse, but I've read that even with the right equipment, it's game dependent)

Thanks

 

[quikah]

You can connect it to the HDMI input on your monitor. Audio might be the only issue. I don't recall what the 360 audio was like, there were different adapters depending on which model of 360 you have. Also there was an SPDIF output I think on the console you could feed to an AV receiver.

 

[BoomerD]

You can connect it to the HDMI input on your monitor. Audio might be the only issue. I don't recall what the 360 audio was like, there were different adapters depending on which model of 360 you have. Also there was an SPDIF output I think on the console you could feed to an AV receiver.

Yeah, I'll have to go look to see what kind of audio connections it has. HOPEFULLY, I can connect it to my FiiO K5 Pro DAC/Amp.

OK...Xbox 360E. No SPDIF connector, only what looks like a 3.5mm A/V jack. (plus HDMI, ethernet, and a pair of USB connections...)

 

[BoomerD]

Well...connecting headphones to the A/V jack didn't work. Couldn't change audio output from the HDMI/Digital.

 

[quikah]

The A/V jack uses a special cable to breakout a L/R audio and composite signal.

Amazon.com

It came with the Xbox, so you should have it unless it was discarded.

There should be an audio out on your monitor, see if you are getting audio from there.

 

[WelshBloke]

Plug the headphones into the audio jack under the screen on the monitor. You should get sound from whatever sources are feeding it.

Edit: quikah already got there!

 

[BoomerD]

The A/V jack uses a special cable to breakout a L/R audio and composite signal.

Amazon.com

It came with the Xbox, so you should have it unless it was discarded.

There should be an audio out on your monitor, see if you are getting audio from there.

Yep. Found that cable, connected it to the FiiO DAC/amp...and VOILA! I have sound.

Plug the headphones into the audio jack under the screen on the monitor. You should get sound from whatever sources are feeding it.

Edit: quikah already got there!

Tried the audio out connection on the bottom of the monitor. It worked...but the sound levels were dismal at best.

I managed to get it working...FOR NOW...now if I can only train my fingers to work the silly little joysticks...

 

[WelshBloke]

Tried the audio out connection on the bottom of the monitor. It worked...but the sound levels were dismal at best.

If it's the same layout as my dell monitor theres two audio outputs. The one that's easy to get to has a volume setting using that little joystick. There's another connection up where the other inputs are, that one is a line out and doesn't have a volume setting in the monitor osd.

 

[BoomerD]

If it's the same layout as my dell monitor theres two audio outputs. The one that's easy to get to has a volume setting using that little joystick. There's another connection up where the other inputs are, that one is a line out and doesn't have a volume setting in the monitor osd.

Nope...just one. I DID NOT attempt to adjust the volume with the imitatiion "joystick" on the back...but just checked...it was at 50%.

 

[igor_kavinski]

I bought my Xbox 360 only for Alan Wake. Made it to the train track level and then life made me forget all about it.

 

[BoomerD]

Just a quick update...I did finally get this working...but <sigh> the joysticks on the controller defeated me.

 

[igor_kavinski]

but <sigh> the joysticks on the controller defeated me.

Keep at it. Eventually your brain's neural circuits will rewire. It just takes time to get used to it.

 

[Muadib]

Just a quick update...I did finally get this working...but <sigh> the joysticks on the controller defeated me.

Was this due to the controller or the user? I loved the 360's controllers, but I think I replaced them twice before I moved on.

 

[BoomerD]

Keep at it. Eventually your brain's neural circuits will rewire. It just takes time to get used to it.

I've played with this thing for...about 10 years. I fire up a game, get frustrated because I can't make it work, turn it off for another year.

I used to occasionally operate excavators and backhoes. There are two main types of controls...Cat and John Deere. Because I learned on Cat all those years ago, I never could make the mental adjustment to Deere. (I'm sure SkyKing will laugh at me if he sees this) and the 4-stick Case backhoe controls? Fugadaboutit. Call the hall. Get someone else out here to do this crap.

Was this due to the controller or the user? I loved the 360's controllers, but I think I replaced them twice before I moved on.

100% user malfunction.

 

[igor_kavinski]

I used to occasionally operate excavators and backhoes. There are two main types of controls...Cat and John Deere. Because I learned on Cat all those years ago, I never could make the mental adjustment to Deere.

That's why you need to be obsessive and relentless about it. Good for the brain to re-learn things. Keeps it active and far, far away from any nasty age-related decay.

 

[WelshBloke]

I'm with BoomerD on this. I just cannot get used to a controller.
I bought a nice Xbox elite 2 controller to play Jedi survivor as that game doesn't really work with a M&K ended up just not playing the game as I hated the controller so much.

 

[igor_kavinski]

ended up just not playing the game as I hated the controller so much.

Lie back, relax and concentrate on the game instead of fighting with the controls. In time, you will get the hang of it. It's still not as fun as M&K even after you get used to it but it's kind of a compromise you can live with if you are willing to.

 

[WelshBloke]

Lie back, relax and concentrate on the game instead of fighting with the controls.

That involves a lot of shouting things like "what the hell is LB?" "Which one is B?"

I've tried. Like I can see how two sticks works logically but how do two sticks work when for one stick you also have to use 4 buttons!

 

[BoomerD]

There are (or were) some adapters that provided limited keyboard/mouse functionality. MOST seem to be discontinued. NOT going to buy one from some unknown on ebay or some other site...just to be disappointed. I wish I could just plug the console into my PC and play the games with mouse and keyboard...but that would be too easy.

 

[balloonshark]

I also can't get comfortable using a controller. I tried playing maneater and couldn't even get out of the cave at the beginning of the game.

I have a Xim4 adapter collecting dust. It would allow me to use a mouse and keyboard with my xbox but I've only used it to play cod when my nephew would visit.