by Toby Johns
The world of Xbox 360 is here, advancing the online gaming community with one of the most sophisticated, and mind-blowing gaming systems on the planet. Taking the world by storm since it’s introduction on MTV in the summer of ‘05, the platform introduces the gaming world to one of the most advanced, sophisticated and mind-blowing platforms ever!
Developed in cooperation with ATI, SIS, and IBM, the Xbox 360 platform has sold over 22 million units globally as of September 30, 2008. The Xbox 360 platform is available in three configurations of consoles. 1) The “Arcade”; 2) The “Pro” or “Premium”, and; 3) The “Elite.” These console choices each ocome with their own complete collection of Xbox 360 accessories, such as heasets for chatting, faceplates for graphic customization, wired and wireless controllers, webcams for video chatting, three different memory card sizes, dance and Gamercize exercise mats, and even three sizes of hard drives (20GB, 60GB, and 120GB), each of which has been designed to coordinate with the console.
There are now so many different peripherals in different configurations, colors, styles and technological capabilities, that hard-core xBox 360 gamers now pride themselves on building their own custom systems. Here are a few of the major Xbox 360 accessory categories and descriptions of each:
* Consoles
The heart, soul and brains of the Xbox 360 gaming system is, of course, the console. Placed either vertically or horizontally, the Xbox 360 console, with its sleek, ergonomic design, looks great. Nearly all Xbox gaming accessories are attached to the platform via the console. Measuring 3.3″ x 12.2″ x 10.2″ the unit weighs just over 7-and-a-half pounds. The console gets its power via a custom IBM PowerPC-based CPU (three symmetrical cores each operating at 3.2 GHz.) The Xbox 360 console includes a custom ATI graphics processor (10MB of embedded DRAM), a 48-way parallel floating-point dynamically-scheduled shader pipelines, and unified shader architecture. This, by the way, is enough power to enable the system to draw five-hundred million triangles per second–easily enough horsepower to provide for amazing-looking games in standard TV definition, and made even more phenomenal with support for HDTV 1080i TVs. And, as you’d come to expect, the xbox 360 console also supports widescreen 16:9 format. The Xbox 360 console, out-of-the-box, uses a 12x dual-layer DVD-ROM drive, playing games and progressive-scan DVD movies equally well. Users can access media storage and game saving through either the detachable and upgradeable 20GB hard drive, or a 64MB flash Memory Unit (sold separately). More than simply storing files, the hard drive allows the Xbox 360 backward-compatibility with many of the existing Xbox game library titles.
* Controllers
The Xbox 360 Controller, a hand-held device, allows users to navigate and access all on-screen activities. Reminiscent of Batman’s iconic symbol with its boomerang shape, the controller fits well in the palm of both hands. The ergonomic device employs right and left should buttons, 2 analog pressure-point triggers as well as two vibration feedback motors, and an 8-way directional pad. Wired and wirelss controller models are available. With the wried model, you get a nin-foot break-way cable. At the center of the controller is a glowing Xbox Guide button which gives quick access to your game libraries as well as music and digital movies. You can also customize your gaming experiences or contact your friends via Xbox Live. In addition, the controller provides a port for your Xbox headset. Among all gaming controllers, many users consider the standard Xbox 360 controller the best game controller ever made.
* Adapters
With a wireless network adapter, you can set up your home wireless network quickly and easily, getting you online and back into the game. These adapters synchronize easily with your Xbox 360 system and are easily configured to do so. Once you’re all set up, you can then tranfer music and video via your media Center PC, or chat with friends…play games via Xbox Live…all without the clutter and mess of wires.
* Batteries & Charge Kits
It is highly recommended that you use rechargeable battery packs and charge kits with your wireless controllers. These battery packs will eliminate your need to buy disposable batteries. The packs last over a year with its normal rechargeable life, and will recharge your batteries even while you’re using your system. When your Xbox 360 system is shut off, the unit can still be recharged by connecting it to the USB port on your computer.
* Hard Drives
You can download content to your Xbox 360 hard drive to further expand upon your Xbox 360 experience. Xbox 360 hard drives add to your gaming fun because they let you save both games and game demos, and even soundtracks from your favorite music collections. Of course, these hard drives also make it possible for you to play a boat-load of original Xbox 360 games. They typically even come with an Xbox Live Arcade game, videos and music preloaded on the drive.
* Headsets
A wide variety of different Xbox 360 headsets are now available which work in harmony with your Xbox 360 system. These headsets are available in a number of styles: over-the-ear, earbud headset…even wirless headsets are now available. And as you’d expect, each style is flexible to meet the specific needs and requirements of every Xbox 360 gamer. As you’d imagine, you will get enhanced clarity and performance from these stylish headphones, along with comfort and ergonomic design. Included in each headset is state-of-the-art audio technology that will provide you with years of clear, clean and crisp reception and audio delivery.
* Remotes
Remotes for the Xbox 360 range from the Universal Media Remote to the Light Up Wireless Remote to the Intelligent Report, among an assortment of others. The Universal Media Remote, for example, functions as an integrated control center for the entire Xbox 360 experience, all with the touch of a single button. You can play DVD movies and music, control your TV and Media Center PC, all with this single remote. The Intelligent Remote 360, on the other hand, is a self-programming remote that learns the functions for other remotes.
* Faceplates & Skins
Faceplates and console skins are sticker graphics that allow the Xbox 360 gamer to customize their hardware components towards their own personality traits and characteristics. The typical faceplate and skin designs range from the psychedelic to iconic representations of favorite Xbox 360 games like Halo and Guitar Hero II.
* Cables & Wiring
The right cables and wiring can make all the difference when it comes to enjoying your Xbox 360 system. When users upgrade their televisions, they may need to take care in order to upgrade their Xbox 360 cables as well. By doing so, they will be able to retain the sharp, crisp screen details they’ve come to enjoy on the Xbox 360 platform. One user describes how he converted from a CRT television to a 60-inch plasma and lost a tremendous amount of resolution in the process. By converting from a CRT television to a 60-inch plasma, for example, you will likely lose a significant amount of resolution in exchange unless their proper cables are upgraded in the process. In this situation, if you were to switch over to Xbox 360 VGA HD AV cables, you would rapidly notice that game images would become crisp, clear and more intense. The on-screen details would be visibly sharper. Fonts on charter conversation’s voice bubbles would suddenly become significantly clearer and easier to read. Having the right cables can make all the difference and you will certainly notice the quality difference from make smart choices about the wiring.
Hardly a generic, one-size-fits-all system, the Xbox 360 gaming platform is a highly sophisticated, multi-component device. The system allows gamers to personalize their game play based on their style, preferences and personal performance requirements. The ability to select among these features makes the Xbox 360 platform one of the most flexible, exciting and technically-advanced gaming systems available today.
About the Author:
Contributing writer, Toby Johns, provides Xbox 360 gaming news, industry analysis, and consumer product reviews to the
xbox 360 Accessories Guide.Toby endorses Amazon affiliate store,
xbox 360 accessories, for the biggest and most comprehensive collection of Xbox 360 gaming accessories, peripherals, and components that support Microsoft’s premier gaming system.