XBOX 360 E User Guide
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Which One Are You?—Xbox Live® Silver Membership SILVER MEMBERSHIP ALLOWS YOU TO:> Create your gamer profile. > Create and maintain a friends list. > Access the Xbox Live Marketplace to download games, trailers, demos, and more. > Send and receive text messages and voice messages. > Access massively multiplayer games (though they may have an additional cost). Check this out: For no cost you get a surprisingly robust array of features (all of which will be discussed later in the book). You can create a unique online identity. You get to shop for add-ons, demos, movie trailers, television clips, and more on the Marketplace, many of which are free. You can communicate with your friends and fellow Xbox 360 gamers. Even if you don’t think you will do all of the above, you will probably make use of some of these features. In any case, Xbox Live Silver gives it all to you free. Go for the Gold—Xbox Live®Gold Membership GOLD MEMBERSHIP ALLOWS YOU: > All the benefits of Xbox Live Silver > Online multiplayer gameplay > Exclusive content on the Xbox Live Marketplace > TrueSkill ™ matchmaking > Gamer feedback > Video chat (Xbox Live Vision required) If you’re serious about your online gaming, this is the Xbox Live membership you need. Not only does it let you play online, it also offers a strong matchmaking system that helps you find players of similar interests and skill levels. Through a heavily monitored feedback system, you also get to help weed out players who tarnish online gaming for everyone. You might be thinking that all these premium services come at a premium price, but that’s not the case at all. You can try out a Gold Membership for a low monthly fee or jump in head first and purchase a year-long membership for a discounted price on the monthly rate. If you have a taste for online gaming, this is your golden ticket. 26 Xbox 360™Han dbook While it’s easy to purchase an Xbox Live Gold Membership online, you don’t have to go that route. You can also purchase Xbox Live Membership cards at many ret ail outlets. These cards come with a code that you redeem on Xbox Live to begin or extend your Xbox Live Membership. Did You Know? Protected by copyright. Unauthorized or unlawful copying or downloading \ expressly prohibited.
Live Wired! Once you decide to cause some havoc online, you need to know how to set up shop. Begin by pur- chasing an Ethernet cable to run to a high-speed modem or router. 1.Insert one end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port in the back of your Xbox 360. 2. Insert the other end of the Ethernet cable into your high-speed modem or router. 3. Power down your modem or router by disconnecting the AC plug for at least two minutes, then power it back on. 4. Once your modem or router is back online and all the appropriate lights are flashing (this will depend on your model modem or router), power up your Xbox 360 and press “Connect to Xbox Live” on the Xbox Live blade. 5. Follow the onscreen instructions. Typically, the Xbox 360 does all the hard work for you. 27 Get Started If you purchased the Xbox 360 system,you already have everything you need. Reach for one of those orange bags and grab the Ethernet cable included in the box. NOTE If you’re still having trouble setting up a connection to Xbox Live, go to Xbox.com, choose the Support section, and click on the Connect to Xbox Live subsection. There you’ll find everything you need to know about getting hooked up. TIP Protected by copyright. Unauthorized or unlawful copying or downloading \ expressly prohibited.
Look Ma, No Wires! Of course, the Xbox 360 is all about clean design, no-mess setup, and wireless connectivity. That means that you can also connect to Xbox Live using a wireless gateway (also called a wireless network access point) or the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter (sold separately) instead of a modem or router. While the wireless gateway will need to be configured on your PC first, configuring the Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter can be done through the System blade on the Xbox Dashboard. Both procedures are easy. Road Signs It’s no accident that we call your Xbox 360 experience a journey. It begins when you hook it up, takes a turn when it becomes the center of your entertainment setup, and ends when...well, it doesn’t really end. After all, my original Xbox is still sitting next to my Xbox 360. No joke. All along the way, however, there are signs you need to recognize and observe. This section is your road map. Study it carefully to make sure you don’t make any wrong turns. 28 Xbox 360™Han dbook YIELD STOP Protected by copyright. Unauthorized or unlawful copying or downloading \ expressly prohibited.
Official Microsoft Products for Xbox® This little sign is your best friend. When purchasing additional accessories or peripherals, always be sure it has the Xbox Authentic Product logo. That way you know that it was created, tested, and approved by the maker of your console. Licensed for Xbox 360™ If you plan on purchasing third-party products, learn to recognize this logo. Microsoft has enlisted a team of A-list third-party companies to produce everything from fancy-shmancy faceplates to wireless controllers.To be sure you are buying a product from one of Microsoft’s third-party brethren, look for the Licensed for Xbox 360 logo. This way, you know that the product has been tested and approved by Microsoft, even if they didn’t make it. Xbox Live®Compatible This logo is gold. Online players will be happy to know that this little symbol can be found on networking hardware (such as modems and routers) and used by online service providers. If it has the Xbox Live Compatible logo on it, it will enhance the Xbox Live experience somehow. Look for it. Green vs. Orange Remember what we mentioned about green and orange bags in your Xbox 360 box? Well, the two colors are back. Only this time they’re in little boxes on the back of every Xbox 360 game package. Knowing how to read these is the first step in getting the type of game you’re after. Green still refers to the basic function elements of the Xbox 360; orange refers to the game’s Xbox Live functionality. Mind you, every game for the Xbox 360 is Xbox Live–enabled. The degree of functionality will depend on what the orange text says in those little boxes. 29 Get Started Protected by copyright. Unauthorized or unlawful copying or downloading \ expressly prohibited.
Green text boxes will delineate the following: > Number of players: 1 player, 1–2 players, 1–4 players, etc. > Maximum resolution: HDTV 720p, HDTV 1080i, etc. > Audio capabilities: In-game Dolby Digital, etc. > Save-file size: 50KB, 100KB, etc. > Multiplayer functionality: co-op, system link, etc. Orange text boxes will delineate the following: > Online multiplayer > Leaderboards > Voice chat > Video capabilities Good to Go Okay, you’ve learned about what comes inside your Xbox 360’s box, you’ve seen some pics of the physical setup, and you’ve learned about the different types of memberships on Xbox Live. It’s time to turn your Xbox 360 on and see what it can do! Let’s get going. 30 Xbox 360™Han dbook Always check the back of the game package before you buy. That way you won’t have any surprises when you get home. TIP Protected by copyright. Unauthorized or unlawful copying or downloading \ expressly prohibited.
Xbox 360™Han dbookThe Official User ’s Guide 03: Four Blades , Infinite Possibilities Protected by copyright. Unauthorized or unlawful copying or downloading expressly prohibited.
IT’S NOT A DASHBOARD, IT’S A DESTINATION Everything you need to do on your Xbox 360 starts at one point. Everything. Play a game or view some photos. Chat online or listen to music. All are made possible through the Xbox Dashboard. That makes the Xbox Dashboard more than just a control system—it’s a destination.In the first chapter, we compared the Xbox 360 to a sleek sports car. If it really were a sports car, the Dashboard would be where you would check engine readings, insert the key, and turn on your headlights. Same here. Power down your system, play a game, or manage your files—whatever you need to do, this is where you do it. Navigating the Xbox Dashboard and Xbox Guide Just because there is so much to do on the Dashboard doesn’t mean it’s difficult to navigate. In fact, it’s the model of ease and efficiency. Chances are you’ll have a harder time finding ways notto use it. It is color-coded for quick reference, extremely well organized, and uncluttered by excessive buttons and menus. The entire Xbox 360 Dashboard can be navigated using the D-pad and 1. Use up and down on the D-pad to scroll through your options, and left or right to change the blades. To make a selection, simply press 1. That’s it! At the bottom of the screen is a list of features that change according to what you’re doing on the Dashboard, but they are clearly marked, so you’ll never get lost. Some of those options are: 2 = Back 3 = Sign Out (only when a gamertag is signed in) 4 = Play All Music (while navigating music) 32 Xbox 360™Han dbook 7can be used to page up and 8to page down while navigating lists. Pscrolls the blades left and +scrolls the blades right. Users who are particularly fond of the 9 and 0buttons can use them as select (1)and back ( 2), respectively. And if you want to use the left stick instead of the D-pad, you can. TIP Go Back Scroll Up and Down Lists Scroll Left and Right for Blades and Tabs Select Sign Out Brings up Xbox Guide (Left Bumper) Scroll Left for Blades and Tabs Scroll Up and Down Lists Scroll Left and Right for Blades and Tabs (Left Trigger) Page Up for Lists (Right Trigger) Page Down Lists Sign Out Go Back Context Sensitive Button: • Play All Music (While in Music Options) • Change Sort Order (While in Achievments Lists) • Add Friend (While in Friends List) • Create New Message (While in MessageOptions) (Right Bumper) Scroll Right for Blades and Tabs Protected by copyright. Unauthorized or unlawful copying or downloading \ expressly prohibited.
A Guide for Navigation Don’t confuse the Xbox Dashboard with the Xbox Guide. Though they have similar features, they are different beasts. Head for the Xbox Dashboard when you want to do something on your Xbox 360. It’s sec- tioned off into four blades, each with very specific functions.The Xbox Guide is a quick reference or short- cut to a few of the Xbox Dashboard’s more com- monly used functions. It houses your gamer card, private chat channels, music controls, a shortcut to your personal settings, and a com- munity center for messages, friends, and recent players. All of those features are organized in their respective blades, but because they are the most used, they are also in the Xbox Guide. Sweet. Online Status Under the Xbox Guide button is the Online Status option. This option allows users to change the way others see (or don’t see) them online. It’s very similar to the “away” feature in many chat programs. You have the following choices: Online: This tells other users that you are online and available. Away: This indicates to other users that you’re currently away from your Xbox. Your status automatically changes to away after you’ve been idle for a certain amount of time. Busy: This is a more emphatic “away.” It says “please don’t bother me.” Appear Offline: This makes you completely invisible, as if you aren’t online. 33 Four Blades, Infinite Possibilities Don’t forget to change your status back to online if you’re no longer away or busy, or no longer want to appear offline. NOTE Protected by copyright. Unauthorized or unlawful copying or downloading \ expressly prohibited.
Voice Under the Voice options, you can change the volume of your voice communications and even select whether you want to hear chat over your headset or your speakers.For players who would like to listen in on team channels but aren’t keen on contributing, you can mute the microphone, but still listen in over the headset. Vibration Do you like vibration on your controller or not? This is where you turn it on or off. Notifications You’re watching an intense movie, and just when the action begins to pick up, your eye is drawn to the bot- tom of the screen. Good news: M3RCUTIO is online! If that has happened way too many times, check out the Notifications settings. You can choose to turn notifications off completely, turn them off during movies, or just turn off sound. 34 Xbox 360™Han dbook Many games offer this feature as well. The vibration function might be more valuable in one game than in another, so we recommend leaving the Vibration option turned on in the Xbox Guide. That way you can toggle it on and off in specific games. NOTE Protected by copyright. Unauthorized or unlawful copying or downloading \ expressly prohibited.
Themes This option allows you to change your themes. When you select it, a list of every theme you’ve downloaded pops up. Choose one and bam! Instant personalization. Active Downloads The Active Downloads screen is a great way of queuing up a few downloads and keeping track of their progress. You can also cancel downloads in this option, but it’s by far the easiest way to keep track of your downloading activity. If you need to make room in your hard drive for more downloads, use the Clear Space option and clean house. Shut Off Shut Off is just that, a way to shut off the Xbox 360. Nothing fancy, nothing sparkly, just a way to do it without having to get up. You can also set the system to auto-shut off after six hours of inactivity in the System blade. If you want to shut off the Xbox 360 from the comfort of your own seat, hold down the Xbox Guide button for three seconds and you’ll be given an option to shut off your console or wireless remote. 35 Four Blades, Infinite Possibilities You can click on your gamer card or choose a disc tray option from any of the blades except the System blade. NOTE The Xbox Dashboard has a neat little memoryfeature that remembers where your cursor was on each blade. Say, for example, that you highlight your gamer card on the Xbox Live blade and then switch to the Games blade. Your cursor won’t default to the gamer card. Instead, it will auto- matically return to whatever position it was previously on in the Games blade. NOTE Protected by copyright. Unauthorized or unlawful copying or downloading \ expressly prohibited.