Xbox Shopping FAQ
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Considering to buy an Xbox? This page answers frequently asked questions (FAQ)
and may help you decide which items are essential and what to look out
for.
If a question related to buying the Xbox online is not answered in this
FAQ, please feel free to send your inquiry to us.
Click here for the latest shopping news for the Xbox 360.
We thank our mascot, The Austrian Snowtiger™ who kindly agreed to model for our Xbox photo shoot.
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Can the Xbox play DVD movies?
| Yes it can - however, you need to buy the Xbox DVD Movie Playback Kit which includes the hardware and the driver, and also an infrared DVD remote control. Without it, the Xbox does NOT play DVDs but uses its DVD drive only for the games. Some retailers sell Xbox bundles with the DVD kit included. If you already have a good DVD player at home, you don't really need to spend the extra money for the DVD kit. If you don't have a DVD player yet, then the DVD kit is a good investment. For the techies: Please note that the Xbox cannot playback DVD movies in progressive scan. (Neither can the Playstation 2 nor most stand-alone DVD players). If you wish to play DVDs from other countries, refer to our DVD region codes information. |
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Does the Xbox have good games?
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Yes! Clearly, the value of any video game system is determined by the
quality of the games for it. The Xbox has been released with a long list
of excellent games, and this list is growing rapidly. One of the launch
games, the Xbox shooting game
"Halo" has certainly set new standards for its genre.
There are also a large number of excellent racing games, sports games
and many other games available.
Snowtiger™ recommends Halo, Max Payne and Dead or Alive 3 as his favorite Xbox games.
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Do I need to buy a controller?
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No. The Xbox controller is included when you buy an Xbox console.
However, many games feature multiplayer options, and the real fun begins
when you play with or against a human opponent, making a second controller a good investment.
The Xbox controller has built-in vibration feedback, most of its buttons are fully analog for precision control, and it houses the ports for the Xbox memory cards. The Japanese Xbox controller is designed for smaller hands and is compatible with US Xbox consoles. It is difficult to obtain a Japanese controller in the U.S. The cable that connects the controller to the xbox has a safety-release built-in, so you won't pull your Xbox off the table when you trip over the controller cable (as I frequently do). |
 Snowtiger™ loves fighting games (especially with girls in cat-suits...) |
What about the Xbox Controller S?
| This is an American version of the smaller Japanese controller. The new Controller S is available now and costs the same as the regular Xbox controller. Microsoft sources say that it will not be included in Xbox bundles. The controller S is different from the Japanese controller as it has a longer cable (almost 10 ft) and the springs in the triggers are different. Click here to read more about Controller S. |
 Xbox Controller S |
Can I use my Playstation 2 controller with the Xbox?
| Yes! With the Xbox Dreambox Converter you can connect your favourite PlayStation or PlayStation 2 controller to your Xbox console. It supports vibration function plus features a memory card slot for saving game data. A great accessory for owners of both systems. |
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Are there extension cords available for the Xbox controller?
| Find the Xbox controller cord a tad short? So do we! But now there is a solution! The Xbox Extension Cable extends the length of the Xbox controller cord by 2 meters. |
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Can I get a steering wheel for the Xbox?
Yes. If you like driving games, then you already know that real bliss
can be enjoyed with a dedicated steering wheel. The accessory
manufacturer MadCatz offers an Xbox
Steering Wheel and other manufacturers have announced their plans to
offer steering wheels too.
Do I need to buy a memory card?
Not really. The xbox console has a large 8 GB harddisk built-in, which is used to
save game information etc. Thus, an Xbox
memory card is really only useful to transport your saved game data
to another Xbox, eg. when visiting a friend. Unlike the PS2, the Xbox's memory card is not an
essential item, and in fact you may never need one.
What kind of accessories exist for the Xbox?
The typical range, including Xbox
cables and adapters (quite popular in this range is the controller extension cable!), bags and
cases, controllers, steering wheels...
Can I play PC games on the Xbox?
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No. The Xbox is not compatible with games developed for the PC and vice
versa. You can only play games developed specifically for the Xbox. Similarly, you cannot use PC peripherals on the Xbox. Although the Xbox has a USB socket, the plug is slightly different (and non-standard) and wont fit.
Right: Snowtiger™ is unimpressed and presents us his backside.
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Does the Xbox have better graphics than a high-powered PC?
Yes - although the CPU of the Xbox is slower than some high-end PCs, and
PC video cards are being developed
that match the power of the Nvidia graphics in the Xbox, the Xbox may
still produce better and faster graphics because it is not slowed down
by the PC operating system environment. Naturally, with time more and
more powerful graphics cards and faster CPUs are being developed, and
thus it is only a matter of time until PC hardware and corresponding PC
computer games exist that can outperform the Xbox hardware.
Can I connect my Xbox to a PC monitor?
Yes - there is a special Xbox VGA Adapter available that enables to connect your Xbox console to any VGA monitor.
Can I get a real RGB signal out of my Xbox?
| Yes. We have dedicated a separate article to this issue: Our Xbox RGB Scart FAQ deals with component video, NTSC/PAL issues and RGB Scart. |
Does the Xbox have HDTV support?
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Yes it does. You need to purchase the High Definition AV Cable. The
standard xbox only comes with standard A/V (RCA) cables. You need the
advanced A/V cable or the HD cable if you want to get Dolby Digital
Sound, because only these cables have a socket to connect an optical
digital audio cable. Please note that the Xbox does not have separate audio outputs - it has only one combined AV port. You need a special Xbox cable either way, ie. the standard RCA one that comes with the Xbox or a special one to get higher quality video signals and the digital audio. Read more about component video and HDTV for the Xbox in our Xbox RGB Scart article. |
The Austrian Snowtiger (TM) is impressed with the HDTV output of Dead or Alive 3. |
If you're considering to get a HDTV or are interested in Home Cinema Systems with Dolby Digital Surround Sound, we recommend to have a look at
sonystyle.com.
What about Sony Playstation 2 and Nintendo Gamecube?
The PS2 and the Gamecube are very powerful video game consoles. In terms
of graphics and power, they can't match the Xbox, but they have other
advantages. The choice which system to buy is ultimately a personal one.
Read more about the great debate here: Xbox vs Gamecube vs PS2.
Which retailer to buy from?
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Psreporter.com lists only reputable online retailers. Shopping at any of
the listed sites is safe. The choice were to buy should be decided upon
the particular bundle, and perhaps the individual retailer's shipping
conditions.
The prices for the actual Xbox console don't differ that much. There was a dramatic Xbox price drop in May 2002, and now the invidual Xbox console costs only $149.99. Bundle
offers that contain console, games and accessories usually can save you
some money, compared to buying the items individually. Since the Xbox
(and the box it comes in) is fairly large, expect additional costs for
shipping.
Right: Snowtiger poses on the rather large Xbox box.
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Are the UK and U.S. Xboxes compatible?
No. You cannot play US games on a UK console and vice versa. Same goes for DVDs because of the DVD region encoding. However, an Xbox mod chip is now available that
circumvents this problem.
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