Sunday, April 18, 2010

Xbox 360 802.11n Wireless Networking Adapter Review (Xbox 360)

The elephant in the room for any discussion of the official Xbox 360 wireless-n adapter from Microsoft is price. In comparison to USB 802.11n adapters for Windows PCs which tend to ship with MSRPs of 50-80 dollars USD (and often retail for much less due to high margins for retailers), the Microsoft adapter lists for 99.99 USD (and can typically be found for just under 90). This fits in with the already established "Microsoft overcharges" narrative that found its voice with the high price of Xbox 360 hard drives. However, this review isn't around to stoke that fire. What I'll look at is what the adapter does, and whether it's worth the money that Microsoft is charging for the people who should be taking a long hard look at it. You'll know by end if you're part of that target audience. This review focuses less on the 802.11n adapter's differences with its 802.11b/g predecessor, and more on how it stacks up to the default wired solution.
Design
Xbox 360 Wireless-n Adapter.
If nothing else, the Microsoft adapter fits the Xbox 360 well from a visual standpoint. The matte black surface matches the Elite's finish, and the adapter clips on to back of an Xbox 360 painlessly. A short USB cord stretches just far enough to reach the rear USB port of the Xbox 360 next to the Ethernet port. This can be nice, as it's great not to have a lot of slack cable hanging from the back of your system from an aesthetic point of view. However, it does make the life of any HD-DVD add-on owners out there more complicated, since this is typically where the HD-DVD add-on is connected. If this is you, the adapter also has a pair of "feet" that swing out from one side that allow the adapter to sit on a flat surface without issue. If you're clinging to your HD-DVD player add-on (and I'm not judging), you can plug the adapter into the rear of the HD-DVD add-on with little difficulty (albeit making your Xbox 360 accoutrement seem even more disjointed).
Setup
With the wireless adapter plugged in, you're good to go in all likelihood, unless you've never updated your Xbox 360 over Xbox Live (or even certain more recent Xbox 360 titles that had included system updates). If that's the case (and I'm wondering how you found us and this review if it is), then the included installation disc will handle most of the dirty work. Otherwise, you'll then find Wireless settings under the Networking options in the System Settings tab in the NXE. For most users, this will be as simple as selecting the appropriate wireless network (i.e., yours, or a friendly/unassuming neighbor's) and entering any necessary passwords, whether WEP or WPA/2. However, a quick caveat: the Xbox 360 will only allow connections via either wired or wireless, and wireless functions will not be enabled if the Xbox 360 detects a wired connection (so no connecting to two networks for media streaming, in case you were thinking about it). Reception was good throughout a decent sized apartment, with no detectable problems in signal quality. The Xbox 360 adapter also supports Windows Connect Now, which allows you to export wireless settings to a USB drive, which can then be used with the Xbox 360 to make setup even simpler.

 
Performance
This is where the previous wireless solutions for the Xbox 360 suffered. While streaming music is a relatively bandwidth light application, the increasing emphasis on video streaming from Windows PCs made things more complicated. Put simply, loading a standard definition video file over a network wirelessly on the Xbox 360 would take 10-12 seconds, and much longer for HD video files (if they would load at all). Windows Media Center Extender mode also performed poorly with the Wireless G adapter.
Thankfully, this has been fixed; there's little to no delay for standard definition video content streaming from a PC, and HD video offers generally acceptable levels of performance, as long as a file isn't too large (4 GB seemed to be the limit in this case). There were increased buffering times to loading streamed videos in comparison to a wired connection, and if you're streaming very, very high bit-rate content, you may encounter difficulties. However, these difficulties are also present to a lesser degree while wired.
As a side-note, Microsoft, would it kill you to introduce a gigabit LAN into future Xbox 360 configurations? If media streaming is as important a part of the Xbox's strategy, it seems like a no-brainer to include a connection more capable of HD streaming than the standard 10/100 LAN the current crop of Xbox 360's possess. Media Center can still be sluggish, but there are so many factors that this can be attributed to that it's unlikely that this is the fault of the Wireless-N adapter.
Xbox 360 Wireless-n Adapter.
Should you buy it?
If you stream HD media often through your 360 and wires are not a feasible solution, then absolutely. While it retails for 100.00 MSRP, you can find it for less than 90 online. However, if media streaming in a room far away from a router isn't an issue for you, then there's little point in paying the money for slightly less clutter behind your entertainment center. You'll notice no mention was made of online play here, because there was no tangible affect on Xbox Live play whatsoever. There was also little to no affect with the previous generation of wireless adapter either. 802.11n in this case benefits only media streaming. Buy or not with that in mind.

Pros:

* The standard benefits of a wireless solution: no wires
* Well built and attractive finish
* Well thought out and designed (mostly)
* Painless setup/connection process
* Windows Connect now support
* Supports 5 Ghz for decreased interference.
Cons

* Short cord from the device can be problematic
* Still not as fast as a wired network.
* Price

Monday, April 12, 2010

Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter Review

Usually, first-party accessories are simply peripherals that exist because of the console manufacturer’s obligation to offer such products.
These accessories are usually outdone by third-party manufacturers who find ways to improve the basic first-party design with additional features, and even sometimes, better performance.

However, the first-party accessory we are reviewing today will definitely be an exception. The Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter is one of the most innovate, well designed first-party accessories ever created. Manufacturers of networking gear will have a tough time offering a competitor to this terrific device. Aside from its compact design and Xbox 360 aesthetics, how good does the adapter perform? We find out.


The Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter is a USB-powered, dual band wireless bridge that has been specifically designed to work in concert with the Xbox 360. Just as gameplay is what really matters in games, all peripherals should be judged by their features and performance. It’s after checking those that one realizes how good the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter really is.
Features
First, its USB interface allowed Microsoft to get away from using an external power supply such as those found in practically all wireless bridges. This is what has allowed the adapter to match the Xbox 360 minimalist design and connect on back of the console without any annoying cables. This also frees up the built-in Ethernet port, and although Microsoft has not yet revealed any intention to use the Xbox 360 as a home router (for which two networking ports would be required), the possibility is at least there and we are sure both Microsoft and Sony have paid attention to that.
The second most important feature of this adapter is its dual band capability. Although 802.11g remains the most popular Wi-Fi flavor, because it offers the same bandwidth found in 802.11a while also being backward compatible with 802.11b, the fact that 802.11g uses the same band that microwave ovens and cordless phones utilize, results in some interference depending on your home construction. If your router supports it, using 802.11a, which works in the 5GHz range, is always a good alternative.

Finally, the size of this adapter together with its ability to attach on the back of the Xbox 360, make the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter a must have accessory if you plan to use the Xbox 360 for networking gaming. Speaking of which, it is worth clarifying that the adapter can be used in either infrastructure (for Xbox Live play) or ad hoc mode (for System Link play).

Even if we agreed to focus on features and performance, I must mention again that I’m still impressed by the size of the adapter, not only because of its dimensions, but also of its relative small size for the number of features it packs in. The smallest wireless bridge that I’ve seen, the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter is a lot like a notebook wireless bridge in terms of size.
Setup

I don’t know if you can call it a “setup” due to the how easy the process is. All that’s to it is, opening the package, plugging the adapter onto the back of the Xbox 360 by pressing the adapter’s tabs into the two slots found on the back of the console, and simply going to the System blade to choose the corresponding Wi-Fi network.



Most wireless bridges require the initial setup to be performed using a computer, but the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter has obviously be designed to work with the Xbox 360 right out of the box. Even if you use any form of wireless security, you still don’t need a computer to configure the adapter since Microsoft has included such utility within the Xbox 360 system.

Performance


Now here comes the biggest surprise. For some reason, I don’t believe the saying that “good things come in small packages” and the first time I saw the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter, I was concerned about its performance - which for a wireless bridge, will always be measured around signal strength and bandwidth in correspondence to distance to the access point.
Well, we can tell you the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter is a Wi-Fi champion and the truth is that it performs as good as any other, larger, wireless bridge.
We have been using the adapter for more than a week now, attached to both retail and XeDK units, in rooms full of consumer electronics, including cordless phones, other wireless network cards, and even microwave ovens.


No interferences, no glitches, no interruptions at all. And if you have been asking yourself the same question we had for months, here is the answer: There is no interference at all between the Xbox 360 wireless controllers and the Xbox 360 wireless networking adapter.
But so far, this is how the device is supposed to perform, and as we mentioned above, a wireless bridge should be tested not inside the same room as the access point, but far away from it. And that’s exactly what we did.

In the case of Wi-Fi networks, distance is not necessarily important as a total number because what will make or break your adapter performance is the building infrastructure. Some will reach longer distance while other will barely be able to move to a different floor. It will all depend on the type of walls and ceilings found in the building.
I was able to connect from a basement to a wireless router found on the second floor. Signal strength had two, sometimes three bars filled of the entire four bar indicator and bandwidth was good enough to participate in multiplayer games.
As I mentioned several times, I’m still shocked about the adapter’s performance considering its small size and it almost seems like alien technology made its way into this adapter for it to perform so well.
The Bottom Line
Of course you can use any other existing wireless bridge or even use the built-in Ethernet port found in the Xbox 360, but you won’t be able to enjoy the unique functionality found in Xbox 360 wireless networking adapter.
Although you can get wireless bridges for less than $99, there is no way you can get something better than the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter at this point. Unless you don’t care about having a nasty cable reaching the top of your Xbox 360, the Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter is simply a must have.
Its performance is on par with any other wireless bridge and its ability to attach to the console while sporting the same look of the system puts the Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter on top of the competition.
In my opinion, all the accessories that Microsoft has created for the Xbox 360, even though the wireless controller is outstanding and the VGA cable was definitely demanded by the masses, the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter is the most ground-breaking of all the Xbox 360 peripherals.
It is almost impossible to imagine that a third-party manufacturer will create a better design than this adapter and that alone tells you that Microsoft has outperformed our initial expectations with this handy peripheral.
If we can think of any downside it could be its relatively high price, and we say relative because when compared to other wireless bridges, the price of the Xbox 360 wireless adapter is on par. The fact that adding $99 to your investment in the Xbox 360, along with a few games, might mean this peripheral is more of a luxury than a necessity. If you don’t have access to a wired connection and want to go wireless, this adapter is hard to beat.

If budget is not a concern, then you definitely consider investing in the Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows


There’s a reason why gamers choose the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller over other gamepads; it delivers a mean combination of precision, speed and accuracy. Windows gamers can take advantage of the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller and other Xbox 360 wireless accessories with the Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows, which is now available on store shelves.

As a great gift for yourself or for fellow gamers, the Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows costs $15.76  and is available at Zeromartz.com. For gamers that need both a wireless controller and receiver, Microsoft is offering the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows which includes both the receiver and controller in one package for $23.71 .

The Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows opens up a whole new world of Windows gameplay by allowing the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows, Xbox 360 Wireless Headset and Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel to work on any Windows Vista or Windows XP (SP1 or higher)-based PC.

Not sure which games support these accessories? You can be confident that all Games for Windows branded titles natively support the Xbox 360 accessories when applicable. Additionally, you can easily map button configurations for any game that enables gamepad support.

What else can you do with the Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows?

* When you use the Xbox 360 Wireless or Wired Headset with the Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows or the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows, it will be recognized as a second sound device. That means you can configure the headset in games that use voice communication or voice over IP programs. For example, in Games for Windows title, “Flight Simulator X,” you can output voice communication and radio chatter through the Xbox 360 Wireless or Wired Headset, while still hearing the airplane noise through your main speakers – just like a real cockpit!

* Talk to other gamers through the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset when you play online via Games for Windows - Live, soon to hit Windows Vista with “Shadowrun,” “UNO” and “Halo 2 for Windows Vista,” later this year. Use the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset to chat with friends online on MSN Messenger and other applications that use a voice input device.

* Use the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows with all of Windows Vista’s inbox games or navigate Windows Media Center.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

XBOX 360 Hard Drive Transfer Cable Kit

XBOX 360 Hard Drive Transfer Cable
With this Xbox 360 Hard Drive Transfer Cable, You can easily back up your Xbox 360 data from Xbox 360 hard drive to pc. Easy to transfer large games from pc to Xbox 360 hard drive after the game been downloaded. Transfer content from your Xbox 360 20Gb hard drive to another Xbox 360 20GB, Xbox 360 60GB, or Xbox 360 120GB hard drive.

Xbox 360 Hard Drive Transfer Cable Features :
1. Transfer content from your Xbox 360 hard drive to another HDD.
2. Connect your Xbox 360 memory unity to any PC.
3. Include one driver CD.
4. Especially for Xbox 360.

Xbox 360 Hard Drive Transfer Cable Package Including :
1 x Hard Drive Transfer Kit for Xbox 360
1 x Driver CD

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