Can you tell me what all I can do these days w/ a 360elite besides games and netflix?

Have you tried using it as a Media Extender??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaKgCYkSCjc

Have a look into media center.... it opens up a ton of possibilities for the xbox.

Like what if I might ask? I just got a WIN7 machine with home premium and did not even know it had wmc!

Lots of possibilities. Once you get it set up (lots of ways to do so), it's a super convenient way to watch movies, tv shows, streaming net videos, music, photos, you name it. I use my consoles for PC media all the time (PS3 mostly, but same idea).

It's the secret best thing about the HD consoles this gen.

Agreed with the Media Extender thing. Right now my 360 does this:

1) Play all my music (MP3s and Last.fm)
2) Play Netflix movies
3) Play movies I have burned to my PC
4) Play back Youtube videos, Hulu shows, CBS.com and about 50 other sites. I use PlayOn (from www.themediamall.com) but I think there are other options for that do similar functionality.

Oh, and it plays games too...although honestly I probably use it for games the least. I watch a LOT of Netflix movies and Hulu on it.

My PS3 does all this too of course. I just like using the XBOX better cause I can turn it on with my Harmony remote, Netflix doesn't require a disc, and I like the GUI better (YMMV). If only my XBOX played Blu-Rays (**sigh**)

New update will allow the 360 to do your/your kid's homework, no lie.

You can also connect with a friend via Xbox live and control the vibration of the other person's controller to "massage" each other. No lie, it's an "indie game".

They will work with Vista and Win 7.


Depends on the tuner. Most can do OTA, Clear QAM, and/or analog cable.


I think it is as simple as plugging the iPod into the USB port. Granted I have never tried it, since I just have everything shared via the PC connection.


You can regularly find deals on it for $20, so just hold out until the next sale for purchase. But it actually works rather well if you can get by with the limitations (sketchy FF/RW, non-HD).

are you playing VOBs? i don't currently use my 360 as an extender but i definitely would if i could stream my ripped movies.

One thing that I really love is using my Xbox as a media center extender. I have an old pentium 4 machine that I have Windows 7 Home Premium on and I have ripped my entire DVD library to the machine getting as close to lossless as possible. Streaming the DVD's to the Xbox looks pretty good IMO. I am hooked up to a Panny 42" G25 Plasma.

Also I think that netflix on the xbox is great even though it is limited, but getting better. Finally, the HD movies and tv shows in the Zune Marketplace are priced fairly and IMO better quality than what my cable provider offers on-demand.

You can also use it as an virtual aquarium or fireplace.

yea, lots it can do.

If you have a PC with CableCARD tuners, the Xbox can replace a cable box in another room...big savings on cable. You can also hook up multiple Xbox360s that can use that tuner. There are 4 tuner cards coming out...and this could be the only thing one would need for their whole house (though the one "free" box that comes with cable is usually a good idea, as CableCos are hit and miss on supporting CableCARD well).

last FM is pretty cool, even the free version allows you to listen to a good deal of music. Have to see a few ads here and there, but not bad at all. I'll turn that on sometimes when I'm doing things around the house.

i have been surprised at the amount of time I have used last FM

That is a flat out lie lol.


This I can back up. Currently in the beta but can't speak in detail due to NDA but ooohhhh man wait until you get to use Project Natal. More at E3

Media extender.

I was using mine to play P90x from my PC to my LCD in the living-room....I got the RROD one day in the middle of my work-outs. How ironic.