Microsoft's Xbox now accounts for 37 percent of the game console market, and the new Xbox 360 is due out for the 2005 holiday season, months before Sony's PlayStation 3. When gamers take the new Xbox home, however, they'll soon discover that it's more than a just a game machine-it's a full-fledged home media hub with more power than most PCs. This friendly guide shows how to maximize both gaming and non-gaming features of this amazing machine.
Topics covered include hooking up Xbox 360, taking advantage of HDTV and Dolby capabilities, using built-in digital video recording and wireless functions, storing media files, playing music, and displaying photos Shows how to have even more fun by taking an Xbox online for massively multiplayer gaming, instant messaging, and more Discusses the social potential of the Xbox, which people can use to make new friends, join groups and teams, and even throw fantastic parties Includes tips for securing the Xbox from online threats
Author(s): Brian Johnson; Duncan Mackenzie
Series: For Dummies
Publisher: Wiley Publishing
Year: 2006
About the Authors
Authors’ Acknowledgments
Contents at a Glance
Table of Contents
Introduction
What’s in This Book
How to Use This Book
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Chapter 1: Meet the Xbox 360
Parents, Start Here
Playing with an Xbox 360
Xbox 360 Packages
Shopping Smart
Making Your Way around the Xbox 360
Connecting to Your Home or the World
Chapter 2: Setting Up Your Xbox 360
Opening the Box
Planning Your Xbox 360 Installation
Connecting the Xbox 360 to a TV
Connecting Your Sound System
Connecting to the Internet
Flipping the Switch and Testing
Troubleshooting Error Messages
Chapter 3: Dealing with the Dashboard
Initial Setup
Finalizing Setup Details
Introducing Blades
Multiple Gamers
Chapter 4: The Live Blade
What’s Xbox Live?
Send and Receive Messages
Using the Xbox Live Marketplace
Finding Out What’s Happening Online
Chapter 5: The Media Blade
DVD Movies
Accessing Your PC
USB Media Devices
Videos
Chapter 6: The System Blade
Setting Up with the System Blade
Console Settings
Family Settings
Memory
Network Settings
Computers
Initial Setup
Chapter 7: The Games Blade
Saying Hi to the Games Blade
Listing Your Achievements
Reviewing Played Games
Playing Games on Xbox Live Arcade
Playing Demos and Viewing Trailers
Chapter 8: HDTV, EDTV, Plain Old TV
Television Basics
Thinking about a New TV
Using a Computer Monitor
Recording Your Games for Fun and Posterity
Chapter 9: Getting the Best Audio Experience
Xbox 360 Game Sound
Hooking Up Xbox 360 Sound
Great Sound Systems
Buying a New Home Theater System
Chapter 10: Customizing Your Console
Faceplates
Dashboard
Wireless Accessories
Chapter 11: Parental Control
Rating Systems
Controlling Access
Xbox Live
Family Rules
Chapter 12: LAN Parties
What’s a LAN Party?
Play Games with Your “Real” Friends
System Link
Going Mobile
Chapter 13: Windows Media Center Extender
What Is Media Center?
Extenders
Setting Up the Xbox 360 as an Extender
Comparing Media Center with TiVo
Getting Windows XP Media Center Edition
Using Media Center through Your Xbox 360
Chapter 14: Ten Great Web Sites
www.xbox.com
http://forums.xbox.com
www.bungie.net
www.majornelson.com
www.joystiq.com
www.activexbox.com
www.teamxbox.com
www.officialxboxmagazine.com
www.g4tv.com
www.xbox4dummies.com
Chapter 15: More Than Ten Great Games
Perfect Dark Zero
Kameo: Elements of Power
Project Gotham Racing 3
Top Spin 2
Gears of War
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter
Quake 4
Dead or Alive 4
Halo Series
Call of Duty 2
Condemned: Criminal Origins
Gun
Full Auto
Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland
Chapter 16: Ten Tips for Parents
Gaming Safely
Communicating with Your Family
Chapter 17: Ten Ways to Make Friends
Xbox Live
Online Communities
The Real World
Chapter 18: Ten Great Accessories
Memory Devices
Wireless Gaming
Xbox 360 Headset
Windows Media Center PC
Video Connections
Faceplates
Appendix: Original Xbox Games
Hard Drives
Software Downloads
Compatible Xbox Games
Index
