So, I won some money recently and I'm thinking of getting a 360. I'm just confused about some of the accessories and options available through an Xbox. And, some of the stories I've read about the 360 are a little concerning. I'm new to online gaming and have several questions about the nature of the 360 and Xbox live.
I also just bought a Panasonic Plasma TH-42PZ77u that plays 1080p and an Yamaha audio receiver that passes video and audio through HDMI. The receiver does not accept audio through HDMI. I have to connect audio through 5.1 channel analog jacks, digitial optical input, or digital coaxial input.
Based on that equipment, I have a few questions:
1) Does the 360 have a way to connect video to the TV through HDMI but audio to the receiver via digital optical cable?
2) If not, then do the Xbox 360 component cables have a jack to plug a digital optical cable to the receiver like the original Xbox had?
3) Is there much difference in video quality between component cables and HDMI?
4) Besides the 120gb hard drive, what is the difference between the Pro and Elite versions?
5) Is the Elite version a good deal for what it comes with? How
6) Can the Pro version have an HDMI interface? If not, which 360 have HDMI interface?
7) Which ones come with an HDMI cable? Does the 360 use 1.3 HDMI cables? If not, then when?
8) Can the Xbox use any HDMI cable or is it a special propietary cable that plugs onlyinto the Xbox?
9) Why would I need 120gb of storage space on an Xbox? What purpose would it serve?
10) Do the new Xbox systems still have the "ring of death" or any other issues I should be made aware of? Please list them?
11) What is the difference between the 360 pro and the Halo limited edition version?
12) Can you plug in an Ipod to get music off of the 360?
13) Can I transfer movies or music purchased through the marketplace from the 360 to any external harddrive?
13) Do I need a cooling fan for one of the new 360s?
14) How much do xbox marketplace points cost? What do things cost in the marketplace?
15) How much free time on Xbox live do you get when purchasing a new 360 system?
16) How much does membership on xbox live cost?
17) What's the difference between Silver and Gold membership?
18) What's the best and cheapest way to buying a Gold membership? I've seen those Gold membership packs at the stores offering 12 months of service. Is that cheaper than buying a Gold membership over Xbox live?
19) Is it cheaper to buy one of the 12 month membership packs than one of the 3 month live cards I've seen at Target?
20) What is the benefit to buying one of those 12 month Gold memberships in the store than buying it online?
21) Do you need a Gold membership to play friends online on some of those multiplayer games?
22) What other equipment or accessories would you recommend when getting a 360?
23) Does the 360 have a loud drive when playing games?
24) Does the 360 play 1080p? If not, is Microsoft planning on realeasing a 360 that plays 1080p?
25) Can the 360 rest flat like the original Xbox? Is that a problem? I have a nice equipment cabinet and a standing 360 would not work.
26) I read a few days ago about Xbox live issues that closed it down. There was something about it not being able to handle all of the new traffic over the holidays. Is that still an issue?
27) Are there any new Xbox system being released or upgrades planned for the near future? If so, what are they and when? Why should I get one now rather than later?
28) Can the 360 play HDDVDs out of the box or do you need another piece of equipment to do that?
28) Lastly, why should I get a 360 instead of a PS3? If you think I should get a PS3, let me know why. Does the PS3 play Blu-ray out of the box or do you need to purchase something else?
Thanks for answering a newbie's questions.
Gaelinic
I also just bought a Panasonic Plasma TH-42PZ77u that plays 1080p and an Yamaha audio receiver that passes video and audio through HDMI. The receiver does not accept audio through HDMI. I have to connect audio through 5.1 channel analog jacks, digitial optical input, or digital coaxial input.
Based on that equipment, I have a few questions:
1) Does the 360 have a way to connect video to the TV through HDMI but audio to the receiver via digital optical cable?
2) If not, then do the Xbox 360 component cables have a jack to plug a digital optical cable to the receiver like the original Xbox had?
3) Is there much difference in video quality between component cables and HDMI?
4) Besides the 120gb hard drive, what is the difference between the Pro and Elite versions?
5) Is the Elite version a good deal for what it comes with? How
6) Can the Pro version have an HDMI interface? If not, which 360 have HDMI interface?
7) Which ones come with an HDMI cable? Does the 360 use 1.3 HDMI cables? If not, then when?
8) Can the Xbox use any HDMI cable or is it a special propietary cable that plugs onlyinto the Xbox?
9) Why would I need 120gb of storage space on an Xbox? What purpose would it serve?
10) Do the new Xbox systems still have the "ring of death" or any other issues I should be made aware of? Please list them?
11) What is the difference between the 360 pro and the Halo limited edition version?
12) Can you plug in an Ipod to get music off of the 360?
13) Can I transfer movies or music purchased through the marketplace from the 360 to any external harddrive?
13) Do I need a cooling fan for one of the new 360s?
14) How much do xbox marketplace points cost? What do things cost in the marketplace?
15) How much free time on Xbox live do you get when purchasing a new 360 system?
16) How much does membership on xbox live cost?
17) What's the difference between Silver and Gold membership?
18) What's the best and cheapest way to buying a Gold membership? I've seen those Gold membership packs at the stores offering 12 months of service. Is that cheaper than buying a Gold membership over Xbox live?
19) Is it cheaper to buy one of the 12 month membership packs than one of the 3 month live cards I've seen at Target?
20) What is the benefit to buying one of those 12 month Gold memberships in the store than buying it online?
21) Do you need a Gold membership to play friends online on some of those multiplayer games?
22) What other equipment or accessories would you recommend when getting a 360?
23) Does the 360 have a loud drive when playing games?
24) Does the 360 play 1080p? If not, is Microsoft planning on realeasing a 360 that plays 1080p?
25) Can the 360 rest flat like the original Xbox? Is that a problem? I have a nice equipment cabinet and a standing 360 would not work.
26) I read a few days ago about Xbox live issues that closed it down. There was something about it not being able to handle all of the new traffic over the holidays. Is that still an issue?
27) Are there any new Xbox system being released or upgrades planned for the near future? If so, what are they and when? Why should I get one now rather than later?
28) Can the 360 play HDDVDs out of the box or do you need another piece of equipment to do that?
28) Lastly, why should I get a 360 instead of a PS3? If you think I should get a PS3, let me know why. Does the PS3 play Blu-ray out of the box or do you need to purchase something else?
Thanks for answering a newbie's questions.
Gaelinic