Xbox 360 components and accessories

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The Xbox 360 game console, developed by Microsoft, features a number of first-party components and accessories.

Contents 1 Controllers 1.1 Steering wheel 1.2 Battery packs and chargers 1.3 Cross platform compatibility 2 Wireless Gaming Receiver 3 Faceplates 4 AV connection 5 HD DVD Player 6 Storage 7 Networking 8 Headset 9 Universal Media Remote 10 Live Vision camera 11 References

[edit] Controllers

Up to four controllers are supported by the Xbox 360, including wired and wireless gamepads. The wired gamepads may be connected to any of the three (one at the rear, two at the front) USB ports located on the console, or to a USB hub. USB keyboards are also supported, but only for inputting text and navigating the dashboard; additionally, the number pad and hotkeys are non-functional.

[edit] Steering wheel

The Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel was introduced by Microsoft at the 2006 E3. Released in November 2006, the force feedback steering wheel controller includes the standard gamepad buttons and floor-mounted accelerator and brake pedals. Although the wheel is capable of running off the rechargeable battery pack, use of the force feedback and active resistance features requires an external AC adapter.^[1]

[edit] Battery packs and chargers

• Rechargeable battery pack: This nickel metal hydride battery pack provides up to 20 hours of continuous gaming for the wireless controller. It is recommended in place of disposable AA batteries (which differ slightly in voltage). It also ships as part of the Play & Charge Kit.
• NiMH Rechargeable AA's: Simple rechargeable NiMH AA batteries are the exact same voltage as the battery pack you can buy from Microsoft. In fact, all that is in the battery pack are two 1800mAh AA cells giving up to 1800 mAh at 2.4v. On the other hand, two 2500mAh rechargeable AAs in the standard battery holder will give you up to 2500mAh @ 2.4v, lasting approximately 50% longer. A charger with 4 x 2500mAh AAs can be purchased for about $20, which gives you the ability to power two controllers, or one controller while another set is always charged, for the same price as a Microsoft "Play and Charge" kit. There are also now third party rechargeable battery pack kits available in the retail channel.
• Play and Charge Kit: allows the controller to be recharged while playing a game by plugging the wireless controller into one of the USB ports. The kit also includes the rechargeable battery pack. It should also be noted that the Play and Charge kit allows you to use a wireless controller with the battery pack removed (please note: the manual states this will damage the pad). However, it does not allow the wireless pad to be used as a wired controller on a PC.
• Quick Charge Kit: Charges up to two rechargeable battery packs and does so in less time than the Play and Charge Kit. Comes with one new battery pack.

[edit] Cross platform compatibility

As a first for console controllers, the wired version can be used as a PC gamepad out of the box without the use of any converters. Regardless of the green Xbox 360 packaging or the red PC packaging, it is the same controller either way- the only difference being that the PC package comes with a driver disc included, while the standard package requires users to download the PC drivers. The Xbox Guide button has no function when the controller is used on a PC. Unofficial, third party drivers have also been able to use the controller on other platforms, such as Mac OS X and Linux.

[edit] Wireless Gaming Receiver

At E3 2006, Microsoft announced the Wireless Gaming Receiver, which allows all wireless Xbox 360 accessories to be used on a Windows based PC.^[2] This allows PC and Xbox 360 owners to use their wireless gamepads, racing wheels, and headset on their computer. The device acts similar to an Xbox 360 as it allows up to 4 controllers and 4 headsets at a time to be connected to the receiver. The device has a 30 foot range and a six foot USB cable.^[3] It is specifically designed to work with games bearing the "Games for Windows" logo, however, will function with most games that permit a standard PC gamepad. The wireless device retails for US$19.95, or AU$29.95, and was released on February 16, 2007. It is notable that the official Xbox website says that the adapter will work with 'all future wireless devices'.

[edit] Faceplates

The default white faceplate can be replaced with a range of custom designs, each sold separately. The prices of these custom designs are around $20 with more to be released by third party manufacturers. Microsoft has also distributed three promotional faceplates, one for those present at the E3 2005 unveiling, one for those at the Zero Hour launch event and one for VIP X05 attendees. While the faceplate exists mostly for aesthetic reasons, it still serves several other functional roles like airflow direction, dust and particle deterrence, and protection for the DVD-tray and memory slots.

[edit] AV connection

Adapters and cables are available for TOSLINK, RCA (audio and video), S-video, Component video, VGA, D-Terminal, and SCART connections, depending on regional standard.

On March 28, 2007 Microsoft officially announced the Xbox 360 Elite which includes a built-in HDMI port. An HDMI cable is included in the box.

[edit] HD DVD Player

Bill Gates announced during his keynote speech at CES 2006 that an external HD DVD drive would be released for the 360 during 2006.^[4] At E3 2006, Microsoft officially presented the external HD DVD drive. The HD DVD drive launched in North America on November 7, 2006, retailing for US$199.99, and in Japan on November 17, 2006 at a price of ¥25,900 (US$220).^[5] The drive is able to play HD DVD movies, but all Xbox 360 games will continue to use DVD-9 media.^[6] The HD DVD drive does not have an HDMI output; it connects to the Xbox 360 via USB. The unit also functions as a USB hub with two ports on the rear, along with a spot for the Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter to clip on to.

Despite the fact that it is an external drive for the Xbox 360, it can be connected to a normal PC with a USB 2.0 cable.^[7] Windows will recognize it as a DVD drive, and drivers have surfaced so Windows will see it as the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive. Mac OS X, however, natively recognizes it. Windows Vista has native drivers.

As of December 31, 2006, 92,000 Xbox 360 HD DVD drives have been sold in the United States.^[8]

Peter Moore has stated that if HD DVD loses the format war, Microsoft may also release an external Blu-ray drive.^[9] This was later denied by Microsoft. According to Japan's chief of Xbox operations, Yoshihiro Maruyama, Microsoft will not release Xbox 360 games in the new disc formats. On October 31, 2006, Microsoft released an update for the Xbox 360 that allows it to support native 1080p games and movies.^[10]

On February 2, 2007, Microsoft announced that the HD DVD player for the XBOX 360 will make its debut in Australia on March 29, 2007 retailing for AU$250.^[11] The launch of the HD DVD player will coincide with the Australian release of the PlayStation 3, which was released six days prior to the HD DVD player launch. Similarly to the USA, the HD DVD player will be bundled with the Universal Media Remote and a copy of King Kong.

On February 28, 2007 the HD DVD player hit the European market. In this case there was no movie bundled, only the player and Universal Media Remote.

[edit] Storage

• Detachable hard drives: An optional detachable SATA 20 GB hard drive ($99.99) is used for the storage of games, music, downloaded trailers, levels, demos, player preferences, and community-created content from Xbox Live Marketplace; it may also be used to transfer such content between Xbox 360 units. It is required to play original Xbox games. Only 14 GB of this hard drive is available to the user; the rest is reserved for the system and games. A 120 GB hard drive will be available on April 29, 2007 for $179.99. It includes a data exchange transfer cable for moving content from a previous hard drive.

• Memory Units: a portable 64 MB device ($29.99) which allows the transfer of saved games, in-game achievements and unique gamer profiles to other Xbox 360 consoles. Microsoft also announced a 512 MB version at GDC 2007, which will be available on April 3, 2007, priced at $49.99. The 512MB memory unit will be pre-loaded with the Xbox Live Arcade game Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved for a limited time. [4]

• Upgrade to IPTV: An upgrade for the Xbox 360 is coming with IPTV and an Upgrade for a Larger HDD

[edit] Networking

Wireless Networking Adapter: The Wi-Fi (802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g) adapter is sold separately for an MSRP of $99.99. There are also many third-party adapters which are connected through the ethernet port, and recognized by the Xbox 360 as a wired connection. Using an official or third-party wireless bridge the console will automatically detect and link up with other Xbox 360 consoles that are within range and form a mesh network. Please note that although the adapter's manual states that it supports WPA2, it does NOT support it at this time. It is unknown whether or not Microsoft has plans to enable this feature through a future firmware or software update through Xbox Live. When setting up a connection to an unlisted access point, there is an option titled 'WPA2' that is currently greyed out on the 'Edit Wireless Security Settings' screen.

[edit] Headset

Main article: Xbox 360 Wireless Headset

• Headset: allows gamers to talk to each other when plugged into the controller's expansion port and connected to Xbox Live. Some upcoming Xbox 360 titles may benefit from voice command. It has an in-line volume control and a mute switch. You do not need an official headset for your controller, any standard 2.5 mm socket handsfree set from a mobile phone will work as a headset, however you will not have volume control or mute functions.
• Wireless headset: The Headset can be used for in game voice chat, private chat, audio for video chat and in game voice recongnition. you can use up to four wireless headsets simultaneously on on a single Xbox 360. The headset features a built-in rechargeable battery, which lasts up to 8 hours, and comes with a charger and an instruction manual. The headset fits over either ear and comes with two sizes of removable ear grips for a better fit. The headset uses the same 2.4 GHz wireless technology as the wireless controller and functions within the same 30 foot range and can be used with or without a controller connected to the console. The headset sells for GB£35.99 or US$59.99.

[edit] Universal Media Remote

The Universal Media Remote assists in the playing of DVD movies and music (although the console can play such media without the remote), and offers controls for a TV or Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC. The universal media remote is a larger version of the media remote that was initially shipped with the Premium version of the console, and replaces the Xbox Live Headset in the Australian and New Zealand Premium Xbox 360 Systems. Both remotes allow basic control of games, along with being able to navigate the dashboard. The remote control interfaces with the Xbox 360 via infrared.

[edit] Live Vision camera

Main article: Xbox Live Vision

The Xbox Live Vision camera was announced at E3 2006 and was released in North America on September 19, 2006, and Europe and Asia (except Japan, as the release date has not been confirmed yet) on October 2, 2006.[5] [6] At present there are 6 Live Arcade games which have camera functionality included: UNO, TotemBall, Texas Hold'em, Hardwood Backgammon, Hardwood Hearts and Hardwood Spades. The ability to create an in-game representation of yourself is possible using this camera and a suitable game, similar to Sony's EyeToy for the PS2. The retail game Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas allows you to create an in-game version of your face with this feature. The dashboard software released on June 13, 2006 added an option in the system tab to support its functions.

[edit] References