Hardware inside Xbox 360 Reviewed and Explained

Xbox 360 | Posted by admin April 1st, 2009

Gaming has reached new levels with newer and meaner machines coming into the market. The Xbox 360, PSP3, and Wii are all set to fulfill gaming dreams. What makes a console powerful and state-of-art is its hardware.

The Xbox 360 has a 20GB hard drive; wireless controllers; headset; DVD remote; Ethernet cable; AV cables; and external power supply.

• Inside the mean gaming machine, the Xbox 360 is a powerful computer. The Xbox 360 harbors a customized IBM Power PC CPU with three processing cores with 3.2 GHz power. The system has a 3.2 GHz tri-core PowerPC based CPU and a 500 MHZ GPU.

• The ATI graphics processor has a capacity of 500 million triangles per second. It has a chip, Xenos, designed by ATI. This raises the 3D effects and graphics to astounding levels of clarity and definition. The X box 360 is said to have a 16 giga samples p/s fill rate along with 4X antialiasing and 48 billion shader operations per second and a9 billion dot product operations per second. The specifications are breathtaking and according to the CNET editors review, ” it is hard to compare or comment on a machine with futuristic capabilities and one that is yet to have a comparison.” What the Xbox 360 will have is realistic graphics.

• The memory system is GenX and has a 512 MB of 700 megahertz GDDR3 RAM on a 128-bit bus. The system has a unified memory architecture which is shared by the CPU and GPU.

• The bandwidth is high and is utilized for z-buffering, alpha blending, and antialiasing. The system is designed to be efficient and save time and space on the GPU die.

• The Xbox 360 has a six channel Dolby Digital surround sound. The sound files are encoded and an MPEG-2 decoder is included in the DVD video playback. The voice communication is handled by the console and allows cross-game communications. The system is sophisticated and has no voice echo.

The CNET Editor’s review has awarded the Xbox 360 a rating of 8.4 /10. According to the reviewers the Xbox360 will support high definition gaming. The Xbox 360, a gaming console developed by Microsoft is user-friendly and sturdy in design. The system offers downloads, communications, and excellent gaming opportunities. A GenX media hub the Xbox 360 allows playing of DVDs, CDs, TV shows, and games. It has the power and performance of a high-end gaming console which includes great networking. What is negative about the X box 360 is that it has a few design flaws that need ironing out. The power supply is oversized, the fan noisy, there is no inbuilt wireless networking, no DVI or HDMI output, a substandard DVD player, and no suitable storage for high definition content.

Opinions on the Xbox 360 are widely divided. A firm consensus can only be reached twelve months or so after the release when gamers and developers world wide begin using the console and discover the flaws and hidden facets.
Gaming has reached new levels with newer and meaner machines coming into the market. The Xbox 360, PSP3, and Wii are all set to fulfill gaming dreams. What makes a console powerful and state-of-art is its hardware.

The Xbox 360 has a 20GB hard drive; wireless controllers; headset; DVD remote; Ethernet cable; AV cables; and external power supply.

• Inside the mean gaming machine, the Xbox 360 is a powerful computer. The Xbox 360 harbors a customized IBM Power PC CPU with three processing cores with 3.2 GHz power. The system has a 3.2 GHz tri-core PowerPC based CPU and a 500 MHZ GPU.

• The ATI graphics processor has a capacity of 500 million triangles per second. It has a chip, Xenos, designed by ATI. This raises the 3D effects and graphics to astounding levels of clarity and definition. The X box 360 is said to have a 16 giga samples p/s fill rate along with 4X antialiasing and 48 billion shader operations per second and a9 billion dot product operations per second. The specifications are breathtaking and according to the CNET editors review, ” it is hard to compare or comment on a machine with futuristic capabilities and one that is yet to have a comparison.” What the Xbox 360 will have is realistic graphics.

• The memory system is GenX and has a 512 MB of 700 megahertz GDDR3 RAM on a 128-bit bus. The system has a unified memory architecture which is shared by the CPU and GPU.

• The bandwidth is high and is utilized for z-buffering, alpha blending, and antialiasing. The system is designed to be efficient and save time and space on the GPU die.

• The Xbox 360 has a six channel Dolby Digital surround sound. The sound files are encoded and an MPEG-2 decoder is included in the DVD video playback. The voice communication is handled by the console and allows cross-game communications. The system is sophisticated and has no voice echo.

The CNET Editor’s review has awarded the Xbox 360 a rating of 8.4 /10. According to the reviewers the Xbox360 will support high definition gaming. The Xbox 360, a gaming console developed by Microsoft is user-friendly and sturdy in design. The system offers downloads, communications, and excellent gaming opportunities. A GenX media hub the Xbox 360 allows playing of DVDs, CDs, TV shows, and games. It has the power and performance of a high-end gaming console which includes great networking. What is negative about the X box 360 is that it has a few design flaws that need ironing out. The power supply is oversized, the fan noisy, there is no inbuilt wireless networking, no DVI or HDMI output, a substandard DVD player, and no suitable storage for high definition content.

Opinions on the Xbox 360 are widely divided. A firm consensus can only be reached twelve months or so after the release when gamers and developers world wide begin using the console and discover the flaws and hidden facets.

Author’s Bio

Aaron Brooks is a freelance writer for www.1888freeonlinegames.com, the premier website to play thousands of free online games including arcade games, action games, card games, flash games, strategy games, puzzle games and more.

Learning about the Xbox 360

Xbox 360 | Posted by admin March 25th, 2009

Do you know what’s special about the Xbox 360? Here are some of the special features you can expect from Xbox 360:

Ring of Light and Xbox Guide Button. The ring of light is the power button and it is divided into four quadrants that can display a number of different colors depending on what is going on.

The Xbox Guide button is prominently featured on the controller as well as the Xbox 360 remote. This will allow you to instantly access information on person who just challenged you on Xbox Live. Or you can even jump right to where you can find downloadable content for the game you are currently playing. The Xbox Guide button will also allow you to turn the Xbox 360 system on and off from the comfort of your couch. That is one great idea that is has long been overdue.

Xbox Live - There will be two types of Xbox Live for the Xbox 360.

The Silver version is free. It allows you to access the Xbox Live Marketplace as well as communicate with your friends using voice chat. However, you cannot play games online.

With the Gold version of Xbox Live, you get all of the possible features. Most importantly, you can play games online. Your achievements and statistics will be stored so you can check them whenever you want. You will also be able to use video chat and video messaging. Microsoft has announced that all new Xbox 360 owners will get Gold Service feature for the first month. After that, the pricing will be similar to Xbox Live on the current Xbox.

Xbox Live Marketplace. Another great feature of Xbox 360. The marketplace is an area where you will be able to download game demos and trailers as well as new content for games such as new levels, characters, vehicles, weapons, and many others. Some things are free of charge but you will have to pay for some premium content.

Digital Entertainment. The Xbox 360 allows you to rip your music to the hard drive to be used during games. It will also stream music off of any MP3 player that you plug into the USB 2.0 ports. This is including Sony PSP.

You can also upload photos to the hard drive and share them with your friends on Xbox Live. The Xbox 360 also features DVD movies. Unlike the original Xbox, the Xbox 360 can display them in progressive scan. It seems like DVD playback will be available out of the box and will not require the purchase of an extra remote or anything. Definitely an improvement.

Personalizing your console. With the interchangeable faces of the system itself, you can change the color of your system whenever you want by simply snapping on a new face.

You do not even have to buy new faces because you could simply paint the stock face yourself. It is guaranteed that Microsoft will roll out a line of limited edition and collectible faces to lure people in, though.

You will also be able to customize the look and feel of the Xbox Guide browser on the system. Suspiciously similar to changing themes in Windows on your computer. Customization is always a good thing and while these features do not really mean anything in the long run, they certainly provide a nice change every once in awhile.

Xbox 360 and its great features are a great deal unto itself. Keep in mind though it can be addictive and it’s good to get your homework done too.

Basically, the hard drive is the one playing a major role in how you can use the Xbox 360. You are given the choice of saving the progress of the game on the hard drive, as well as rip your CDs to it.

You can transfer music, videos, and photos from your mp3 player or other USB devices. It will also be necessary to spend more time on Xbox Live because custom content, patches, and other downloadable content needs to be put stored somewhere and a little 64MB memory card isn’t going to cut it.

The hard drive is required for backwards compatibility. The other bonus to having such a hard drive is that loading time is faster especially in some games and other performances boosts.

With all these Xbox features available I bet you can find some good entertainment. Try to remember it’s important to exercise and read too though!

Author’s Bio

Lisa Whister is a publisher and website owner. Learn more about technology and entertainment. Visit www.gripping-games.com for technology and game information.

Xbox 360: Something Shiny, Something New

Xbox 360 | Posted by admin March 25th, 2009

In my childhood days, I remember going to my friend’s house every weekend. Was it because he was a great friend to hang out with? No, it was because he owned the latest Super Nintendo system, while I was still playing around with my Atari 2600. The pixilated blocks on his Nintendo looked more like people, or tanks, or aero planes than the pixilated blocks on my Atari. (Which looked like, well, blocks).

Fast forward about 20 years and here we are with the latest iteration of the console war. The first contender being Microsoft’s Xbox 360. We’ve now gone from barely recognizable pixilated characters on screen to barely distinguishable from reality. The Xbox’s next-gen console is really starting to blur the line between a video game, and watching a movie or a sports game on TV.

In Street Fighter, we exchanged insults with our buddy sitting next to us, as we moved our characters left or right in a 2D environment. We could jump, and there were 6 basic moves (3 punches, 3 kicks) and a couple of special moves. Back then, it was a revolution in gaming, and I remember all of us kids talking about it every day, thinking about how far technology has come. Now, I’m exchanging insults with a stranger halfway across the globe through Xbox live, while we move incredibly detailed characters in a 3D environment. Our fighters perform hundreds of different moves. Punching, kicking, blocking, throwing, counter attacks, dodging, and other moves spanning several martial arts disciplines. We use the environment to our advantage, kicking the other fighters through to another room or another level.

However, I’m not completely amazed with this. In fact, I’m very nonchalant about this. I think it looks great, but it could be better, and it’s not because I’m an adult now too. Kids all around the world appreciate the games, but they know that in a year, or even a few months, it will be a lot better. In our technology rush, this is no great breakthrough; it’s just a small step.

The Xbox 360, is probably closer to being a computer than any of the current consoles out on the market (So much so, that it does occasionally crash and overheat). It has a hard drive and internet capabilities (for playing games and downloading content).

The 360 is definitely superior to its Original Xbox counterpart in every way. It’s more powerful, the games look better (although a lot of them play the same), the online play is better, the wireless controllers feel great, and added features like achievements really add a satisfying dimension to finishing a level, or defeating 50 opponents in a row. Of course, High Definition is the way to go with the Xbox 360. With a HD TV, or computer screen, the 360 really shines with graphics looking so crisp and shiny that they will hypnotize you.

I can’t wait to see what Sony, and Nintendo has in store with their new console Iterations.

Author’s Bio

Ben Howe is an avid gamer. He splits up his time between playing his new Xbox 360 and the website dedicated to reviewing Xbox 360 games www.liveon360.com

Xbox 360 - Gaming Now

Xbox 360 | Posted by admin March 18th, 2009

With a variety of gaming consoles available today, all produced by well known and high profile corporations, it can be difficult to know which one is the best to invest your hard earned money in. The choice can become even more overwhelming as technology marches on relentlessly and consoles seem to change as quickly as you can turn around, so if you are having some trouble making a choice, here are some thoughts that might just help you out.

The average lifespan, it is estimated, of a games console is about five years. That is not to say that your still working gaming equipment will suddenly and inexplicably combust after a five year period, rather that at about that time, manufacturers typically introduce a more technologically advanced version of their former console. If being at the cutting edge of technology is important to you, then purchasing a console at the start of this standard five-year period is a wise move.

That’s partly why the Xbox 360 is a great choice right now. Released at the end of 2005, the technology it comprises is absolutely cutting edge, making it, according to a whole host of reviewers, the best buy available. With a wide range of features, including high quality online gaming capability and HDTV compatibility, the Xbox 360 offers a fantastic all round gaming experience. And though this version of the Xbox surpassed its predecessor after only four years, the lifespan of the previous console has been extended to a certain extent, as over two hundred of the most popular Xbox games are compatible with the new 360 version.

Some gamers are holding off on purchasing the Xbox 360. Why? Because the PlayStation 3 is due out sometime this year. But while most experts agree that the PS 3 is likely to contain more technological innovation that the already released Xbox 360, the PlayStation is likely to cost up to $200 more. For the extra investment, the PS 3 will include a Blu-ray high definition DVD player - the down side of this, however, is that movies are not currently available in this format, though they are likely to surface within the next two years.

There is little question that the upcoming PlayStation will be somewhat technologically superior to the Xbox 360, but with a release date still to be confirmed, many gamers prefer not to wait to enjoy gaming of the highest quality. And with technology that will be useless to the majority of consumers for the next couple of years, for many gamers, the PlayStation 3 simply isn’t worth the wait. So enjoy the moment in all its glory, and go for an Xbox 360.

Author’s Bio

Dave is the owner of myxbox360movies.info website that provides information on xbox 360.

A New Level in Gaming

Xbox 360 | Posted by admin March 11th, 2009

Those of us of a certain age can remember a time when computer gaming signified all the excitement inherent in a game of Pong, that toe-curlingly breathtaking game where one or two players hit a computerized ball against a computerized wall or between tow, you guessed it, computerized paddles. While those early days of gaming were exciting enough for a generation to whom all this technology was new, today’s gamers are merely bemused by what used to pass for a good time. But then they’re used to so much more, a fact exemplified perfectly by the 2005 pre-Christmas release of Microsoft’s Xbox 360.

Computer gaming has come a long way in the last twenty years. From iconic Atari Pac-man who chomped through a screen of varying two-dimensional foes, gaming today is now barely recognizable as the same species of fun. Today an enormous variety of games include graphics that are startlingly life-life and storylines complex enough to sustain film versions of the same plot, creating a leisure activity so immediate and thrilling that it satisfies the urges of the most dedicated adrenaline junkie.

The Xbox 360 exemplifies all that is possible in today’s gaming world. With powerful graphic and audio capabilities, this console offers a gaming experience that is second to none. And as developments in the world of technology allow functional lines to be easily crossed, the Xbox 360 also offers much more than those old Atari games ever could.

With the release of the Xbox 360, Microsoft also revamped their Xbox live, the service that allows gamers to connect to the Internet and thereby to one another, creating their own personal profile and gaming history and buddy lists that allow communication between fellow gamers. As well as this high quality gaming experience, and the ability to share it with others, the Xbox 360 also acts as a larger media center, allowing users to download movies, music and pictures, on top of playing movies on DVD and music CDs.

With the release of the Xbox 360, many reviewers argue that Microsoft has set a new standard for gaming. And with a variety of functions and an enormous array of games to choose from, there is little doubt that this new standard will not disappoint.

Author’s Bio

Dave is the owner of xbox360preview4free.info website that provides information on xbox 360.

10 Reasons To Buy An Xbox 360

Xbox 360 | Posted by admin March 4th, 2009

Gamers and techies have waited with bated breath for advancements and innovations in gaming. To set the pulse racing and the mind thinking one needs to be challenged. This has become possible by computer technology and the wonderful world of gaming. Just as adventures and wars would have done in yester years these days it is technology that offers to quench the thirst for adventure. Microsoft has created a challenge in the form of the Xbox 360– a visionary, super powerful, multimedia console that brings to you the GenX gaming world. Of course, the markets being competitive present so many choices.

If you need to be convinced here are a few reasons why you must buy the Xbox360.

1. There are games galore for the thirsty. Kameo elements of power, Project Gotam 3, Perfect dark Zero, and many more. All unique, with great effects and gaming wizardry.

2. The Xbox360 has wireless controllers as well as internet connectivity. The premium pack presents great delights offering freedom of movement and a superb range of over 30 feet. Ergonomically designed the controller has skip wires, tangles and boomerangs.

3. With an aim to please even the most discerning palate, the Xbox360 has an amazing variety of games. Some are exclusively designed for the box like Condemned, and Dead or Alive. Titles that have been widely acknowledge by expert gamers are: Call of Duty 2, Project Gotham Racing 3, Kameo, King Kong, and Condemned.

4. Amazing and most welcome is the fact that over 200 Xbox games will be backwardly compatible with the Xbox360.

5. Xbox 360 brings with it the arcade marketplace. Imagine free games, cheap games, and addictive non-stop games. The possibilities are endless and thrilling.

6. The Graphics are stupendous and bring to life the games in virtual reality. Xbox360 has three 3.2 GH processors that run with a 500MhzATI graphics processor. Whew-let’s bow to power.

7. Endless possibilities with the Xbox360. Games, CDs, movies and customized music. It even connects to the Microsoft media center for a complete media sensation. You can let your creativity and innovativeness take wing.

8. The Xbox 360 is more than an everyday console. It is interactive and you can buy many things like bonus levels, episodic content, gamer specials, and gamer tag images. You can download demos, and bonus packs from game developers. A live platform with no limits marketplace for developers and publishers.

9. The Xbox360 is a keeper of records. It creates history. The gamer card becomes your identity with name, image, scores, games you like, and your aims and mottos. This takes online fraternities a step closer to one another.

10. Fulfils many dreams and fantasies. The games are the best, interesting, mind stimulating, and exciting. The Xbox 360 takes the gaming world forwards and offers options like downloads, online plays, movies, as well as a touch button marketplace for games.

The Xbox360 is a must for serious gamers. It indicates your dedication as a gamer and reflects your tastes and reputation in the cyber gaming universe. Opens up endless possibilities and takes you to the next generation gaming delights.

Author’s Bio

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for www.1866Shopping.com, the premier online shopping directory provides online shopping, outlet shopping, retail shopping stores, offer online shopping cart, shops and store directory, online shops, Shopping Malls, shopping centers, discount shopping, shopping offers and more.

Xbox 360 - Gamer’s Dream Machine

Xbox 360 | Posted by admin February 25th, 2009

The Xbox360 is a video game console that is visionary. It competes with the Sony Play Station 3 and Nintendo Revolution. A gamers’ dream machine, the Xbox 360 is sold in two versions a premium edition that has a hard drive, a wireless controller, headset, Ethernet cable, a HD AV cable, and an Xbox live silver subscription and a core system.

Powerful and futuristic the Xbox360 includes HD gaming, perfect sound, and sensational graphics. The system offers high-end gaming with several exciting possibilities. It revolutionizes video game consoles and is, in actuality, a computer dedicated to gaming. It is not just a gaming machine it is a media center that allows you to play games, network with other gamers around 360 of them, rip, stream, and download high definition movies, music, digital pictures, games, music, and play DVDs and CDs. It is what makes dreams into realities.

The Xbox360 has around 18 titles in the US including games like Call of Duty 2, Dead or Alive 4, Every Party, FIFA 06, NBA live, Kameo, Perfect Dark Zero, and Project Gotham Racing 3. Technically, it has advanced graphics and a 115 GFLOPS theoretical peak performance. All games support a six channel Dolby Digital Sound with no voice echo.

Apart from video and DVD playing the X box 360 live market place allows the user to connect to Xbox live even if offline. Users can view messages and game invites sent by other Xbox live members. The live market place allows download of avatars, trailers, as well as game demos.

With the Xbox360 a person can view a complete record of games played, play games downloaded from marketplace, play game demos, watch movie as well as game trailers, listen to music customized for the user, view pictures as well as videos stored on a camera or any other portable device, and activate the media center extender.

The Xbox 360 has backward compatibility and so, users can play games originally developed for the earlier versions of the box. Wireless connectivity and wireless controllers offer great freedom and connectivity at large distances. And, you can download and play arcade style games using the Xbox Live Arcade. Game demos and trailers are offered free but full versions of games have to be purchased using Xbox Live Marketplace using Microsoft points which can be bought through Live or via game cards sold retail.

Technically a few small glitches have been reported. There is what is known as the Xbox360 screen or death which is an error screen. This stops the console and the user is requested to contact technical support. Another problem is that of the Xbox 360 freezing due to overheating. To solve this, users are requested to ensure proper airflow and a cooler environment. If the Xbox is moved from its vertical to its horizontal position while reading a disc, the movement causes the pickup assembly to brush against the disc resulting in radial scratches. Often the Xbox displays red lights instead of a green ring of light to indicate errors.

The X box360 transforms gaming experience into something futuristic and exciting.

Author’s Bio

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for www.1888FreeOnlineGames.com, the premier website to play thousands of free online games including arcade games, action games, card games, flash games, strategy games, puzzle games and more.