The Official Xbox 360 Thread

[General Mannerheim]

Who fancies a TW team Deathmatch on GTA4???

Raoul J Campo is my gamertag.

[BWFC_Insane]

Just bought a new HD telly, and lookin to hook it up to my 360 - allegedly some of the older consoles don't have the HD cable slot, and mine appears to be one of these - anyone had this problem and found a work-around?

Don't get confused by all this HD jargon Batman. EVERY 360 is HD compatible, you just need the right cable.

To get a HD signal from the 360 to the HDTV you need one of three cables :

Component cable (phono looking leads with 5 cables on the end, 2 sound, 3 video)
VGA cable (like a PC monitor cable)
HDMI cable (digital cable, only compatible with the newer 360's and the "Elite" model)

It's all down to personal preference but I use Component as my 360 is older. Unless you have a 50 inch + TV you are not going to notice the difference between the cables. VGA can be trickier to set up and you can end up with a worse looking signal as the colours may look washed out. Component is the easiest and best bet if you don't have a newer model 360 as you just plug it in, go to the settings on your 360 and set it to either 720p or 1080i. (720p will probably look better).

DO NOT BUY on of the madcatz HDMI conversion kits as they are an absolute waste of money. If the output on the back of the 360 isn't HDMI then you are buying an expensive bit of kit that DEGRADES the signal as it's forcing more processing to be done.

Bottom line, if you have an older premium 360 then you already have a component cable, so use that. If you have a Core 360 you will need to buy a component cable.

ANY HDTV should have VGA, HDMI AND COMPONENT, if it doesn't then you've paid money for a shit TV. Component is not "old" technology at all.

Also though, DO NOT buy a new 360 and transfer the stuff across, if you do this and have bought any stuff from live (Live Arcade games etc) they will ONLY work if you are online, otherwise if you try and play them offline they will appear as trial versions. It's a problem with the digital rights management on the 360 and it pisses a LOT of people off. Transferring data to a new 360 is only worth doing if your old one is knackered. You'd have to go through the incredibly laborious process of ringing Microsoft customer service to get the old data linked with the new 360 and they are TERRIBLE on the phone.

Newer 360s are just as prone to red lighting (dying) as the older ones, I know a lot of people who bough the new "Best ever" Elite model and it died after 2 nights.

Thats not quite true FD. Newer models do still die, but nowhere near to the same rate as the older models. New models (and this is date dependent, so just buying an elite doesn't guarantee it) have new heat pipe construction. Additionally they have a new type of CPU which is supposedly better in heat terms. It is thought that when the new GPU chips are out, that the problems will be eliminated on the whole.

[FD]

Thats not quite true FD. Newer models do still die, but nowhere near to the same rate as the older models. New models (and this is date dependent, so just buying an elite doesn't guarantee it) have new heat pipe construction. Additionally they have a new type of CPU which is supposedly better in heat terms. It is thought that when the new GPU chips are out, that the problems will be eliminated on the whole.

The Falcon model is just as prone to breaking down as the others in my opinion BWFCI. The NEW NEW models that are supposedly developing to solve the problem aren't out yet. There are many types of "failure" the 360 has and in my view some of the major problems have not been rectified in any of the new models.

It's a fundamental problem they won't solve, the inside of the machine isn't big enough for the components. There is a sheet of metal that the motherboard is mounted on that is BENT because it's so cramped. When the machine gets hot (and 360s get VERY hot) the cheap solder keeping the parts together re-melts and the components become disconnected causing the dreaded "RROD".

I've got a mate who fixes consoles for a living, according to him there is barely an improvement with the newest models.

My launch model lasted 18 months. Bought a new one and it lasted 3 months, it was one of the new models. I will say though, the newer of the machines isn't as loud, you can nearly watch films at a reasonable (children in bed) volume on it, but it's still loud. The earlier model is like having a helicopter in the room constantly taking off.

The bottom line is that the 360 is the biggest pile of shit going when it comes to hardware, rushed out the door to get the leap on the other consoles and it only gets away with it because it's LIVE integration and software lineup is just a million miles away from it's competitors. However, if MS think that the 360 will be a good media hub they have to be joking! Downloadable rented HD movies that have STEREO sound? Come on, pathetic. My PS3 is the media hub for me with it's built in HDD and almost silent running, if Sony could get their act together when it came to online (they've never been any good at it) and actually getting some games out there then MS would need to start worrying. Anyway, apologies for transforming it into a 360/PS3 conversation

There is NO excuse for the 360 fail rate in my view.

[General Mannerheim]

that is my ONLY gripe with the 360, its makes a racket! why is this? it dosent normally bother me becasue the missus makes me where headphones when im playing, but if i want to pause the game and leave it on while i watch summat on tele for a bit, it does my head in!

[BWFC_Insane]

Thats not quite true FD. Newer models do still die, but nowhere near to the same rate as the older models. New models (and this is date dependent, so just buying an elite doesn't guarantee it) have new heat pipe construction. Additionally they have a new type of CPU which is supposedly better in heat terms. It is thought that when the new GPU chips are out, that the problems will be eliminated on the whole.

The Falcon model is just as prone to breaking down as the others in my opinion BWFCI. The NEW NEW models that are supposedly developing to solve the problem aren't out yet. There are many types of "failure" the 360 has and in my view some of the major problems have not been rectified in any of the new models.

It's a fundamental problem they won't solve, the inside of the machine isn't big enough for the components. There is a sheet of metal that the motherboard is mounted on that is BENT because it's so cramped. When the machine gets hot (and 360s get VERY hot) the cheap solder keeping the parts together re-melts and the components become disconnected causing the dreaded "RROD".

I've got a mate who fixes consoles for a living, according to him there is barely an improvement with the newest models.

My launch model lasted 18 months. Bought a new one and it lasted 3 months, it was one of the new models. I will say though, the newer of the machines isn't as loud, you can nearly watch films at a reasonable (children in bed) volume on it, but it's still loud. The earlier model is like having a helicopter in the room constantly taking off.

The bottom line is that the 360 is the biggest pile of shit going when it comes to hardware, rushed out the door to get the leap on the other consoles and it only gets away with it because it's LIVE integration and software lineup is just a million miles away from it's competitors. However, if MS think that the 360 will be a good media hub they have to be joking! Downloadable rented HD movies that have STEREO sound? Come on, pathetic. My PS3 is the media hub for me with it's built in HDD and almost silent running, if Sony could get their act together when it came to online (they've never been any good at it) and actually getting some games out there then MS would need to start worrying. Anyway, apologies for transforming it into a 360/PS3 conversation

There is NO excuse for the 360 fail rate in my view.

FD I also know someone who fixes 360's (although only part time) he thinks the new heat pipes and new CPU's have made a difference.

However, I agree that the failure rate is unacceptable.

My first lasted about a year. My current one is now about 12 months old and still going strong.

Still think the 360 is miles better value than the PS3 and certain features are far better on it.

[a1]

The Falcon model is just as prone to breaking down as the others in my opinion BWFCI. The NEW NEW models that are supposedly developing to solve the problem aren't out yet. There are many types of "failure" the 360 has and in my view some of the major problems have not been rectified in any of the new models.

It's a fundamental problem they won't solve, the inside of the machine isn't big enough for the components. There is a sheet of metal that the motherboard is mounted on that is BENT because it's so cramped. When the machine gets hot (and 360s get VERY hot) the cheap solder keeping the parts together re-melts and the components become disconnected causing the dreaded "RROD".

I've got a mate who fixes consoles for a living, according to him there is barely an improvement with the newest models.

My launch model lasted 18 months. Bought a new one and it lasted 3 months, it was one of the new models. I will say though, the newer of the machines isn't as loud, you can nearly watch films at a reasonable (children in bed) volume on it, but it's still loud. The earlier model is like having a helicopter in the room constantly taking off.

The bottom line is that the 360 is the biggest pile of shit going when it comes to hardware, rushed out the door to get the leap on the other consoles and it only gets away with it because it's LIVE integration and software lineup is just a million miles away from it's competitors. However, if MS think that the 360 will be a good media hub they have to be joking! Downloadable rented HD movies that have STEREO sound? Come on, pathetic. My PS3 is the media hub for me with it's built in HDD and almost silent running, if Sony could get their act together when it came to online (they've never been any good at it) and actually getting some games out there then MS would need to start worrying. Anyway, apologies for transforming it into a 360/PS3 conversation

There is NO excuse for the 360 fail rate in my view.

didnt $ony's original playstation (and the second one too) have the worst cd drives ever built ? stories of turning the console upside down just to make it read the discs ? loads of peeps had that problem.. "ive had to buy another PS after the cd drive died for the 3rd time" , at least M$ extended the guarantees.

as previously mentioned - s'all drm'ed up the bollox anyroad..

[FD]

at least M$ extended the guarantees

It took them a long time to do that and they ONLY did it to avoid the HUGE amount of negative press the machine was starting to recieve.

[boltonbhoy1978]

just got fifa 08 back, so if any one wants a game, just give us a holla, gamertag is at bottom in my signature, also got euro 2008.

[adamworthy2002]

just got fifa 08 back, so if any one wants a game, just give us a holla, gamertag is at bottom in my signature, also got euro 2008.

I would, but according to your signature you don't exist.

[adamworthy2002]

Just bought a new HD telly, and lookin to hook it up to my 360 - allegedly some of the older consoles don't have the HD cable slot, and mine appears to be one of these - anyone had this problem and found a work-around?

You need the component or vga cable.

[boltonbhoy1978]

just got fifa 08 back, so if any one wants a game, just give us a holla, gamertag is at bottom in my signature, also got euro 2008.

I would, but according to your signature you don't exist.

lol, sorry changed my gamertag yesterday.

xX Big Stan xX

[General Mannerheim]

So FD, did you take the deal, or revenge???

[FD]

Revenge I believe! Been a pretty nice guy up til then but he just utterly deserved it! You?

[General Mannerheim]

same! although i havent done it yet, chose revenge last night, died a couple of times on the boat, then had to turn it off!

No way that scumbag was gonna get away with what he did to Roman!

also read a spoiler this morning as to what happens if you choose 'deal' not gonna spoil it buit i reckon revenge will be better!?

[hisroyalgingerness]

looking forward to lego indy jones. sounds ace. shame i'm in canada the day after i get it

[FD]

also read a spoiler this morning as to what happens if you choose 'deal' not gonna spoil it buit i reckon revenge will be better!?

I think the revenge ending is better than the deal one, yeah.

[General Mannerheim]

looking forward to lego indy jones. sounds ace. shame i'm in canada the day after i get it

looking forward to regular Indiana Jones coming out...

http://uk.gamespot.com/video/928545/615 ... -trailer-1

never played any of the lego series, any good?

[FD]

Lego Star Wars was fun but nothing amazing. Quite a "big" game if you wanted to 100% it, nice sense of humour.

Never felt it was worth the full £40 though, don't know why.

[hisroyalgingerness]

£30 on pre order i think, try game

sense of humour is fantastic. really funny. i didn't do bad on the old %, did about 805 of it and i'm not a big gamer. good fun, and lots of hidden levels etc. can't wait to see what they do with the indy trilogy

[Daxter]

also read a spoiler this morning as to what happens if you choose 'deal' not gonna spoil it buit i reckon revenge will be better!?

I think the revenge ending is better than the deal one, yeah.

I chose deal. Sad but satisfactory ending.