I bought an XBOX today.

[amdhunter]

I've held out from buying a next-gen console for a long time. I've always bought consoles the first month it comes out, but none of the new consoles seemed worth it, since I mainly play RPG's. I very rarely play anything else.

I thought I'd get a PS3, but damn, how long will the console RPG'ers have to wait for a bone from the SONY camp. There's a lot of RPG's on the horizon, but they are years away still.

Then I thought, maybe a Wii, but that console is just super ghey. If I had to wiggle a stick back and forth, well, nature has given me something to wiggle for free.

But I've never EVER considered an XBOX, until this morning. I saw a commercial for Infinite Undiscovery and just have to go and get it. I might also pick up Tales of Vesperia since that also looks very pleasing to me.

Before I run out and buy the console (which I will probably buy ~4PM or so) I have a couple of questions.

1) Do the newer xbox consoles still suffer from RROD issues? If so, what is a reasonable amount to spend on extended warranty (which is bullshit but whatever, I don't want issues.)

2) Do the Pro (premium) versions have DVI or even HDMI? I want to use my 22" Westinghouse monitor, can the premium version connect to a run of the mill monitor and run at 1680x1050? I have an HDTV, but I want the console in my room.

3) XBOX Live - How does this work -- You tie a CC to your account? Can it be used without a CC? I don't like the idea of my CC info tied into a console that will probably die, and be given away somewhere for repairs. lol

Thanks for any info...

 

[Queasy]

1) The current 360s still suffer from RROD but no where near the rate that they did before. The current 360s use the Falcon chipset which has an estimated 10% failure rate. RROD is covered by a three-year warranty by MS. If your 360 gets a RROD, they send you a box, you send it back, they send you a new 360 or a fixed 360 in return. Total time is usually 2-3 weeks. If that doesn't float your boat, buy it from a Costco where it will have an extended warranty and you don't have to pay for it.

2) Yes, all 360 versions have HDMI. The highest it will run is 1080p.

3) You don't have to tie a CC to your account (I believe...could be wrong). You can buy cards for your Live subscription or your MS points to purchase games and DLC. You can get 13 months of Live for $39.99 with free shipping from Newegg

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: amdhunter
1) Do the newer xbox consoles still suffer from RROD issues? If so, what is a reasonable amount to spend on extended warranty (which is bullshit but whatever, I don't want issues.)

2) Do the Pro (premium) versions have DVI or even HDMI? I want to use my 22" Westinghouse monitor, can the premium version connect to a run of the mill monitor and run at 1680x1050? I have an HDTV, but I want the console in my room.

3) XBOX Live - How does this work -- You tie a CC to your account? Can it be used without a CC? I don't like the idea of my CC info tied into a console that will probably die, and be given away somewhere for repairs. lol

Thanks for any info...

1.) The newest ones don't seem to have the problems of the earliest models. There is no proof of this, just general internet feedback. I believe everyone would agree on this.

As for an extended warranty, I wouldn't buy one myself. It comes with a 1-year "bumper-to-bumper" warranty already, 3-year coverage for the 3RROD problem.

2.) ALL 360 systems have HDMI built-in now, even the Arcade. You can buy a separate VGA adapter for $40, but I'm not aware of any first-party DVI offerings.

3.) I'm not sure if you need to tie a CC to a Live account, but you may have to in order to prove you're over 18. You can always buy a Live subscription in a retail store and give it a shot .


Don't be so down on buying a 360. It's a great system.

 

[gorcorps]

1.) MS claims they have fixed the problem, but they haven't been out long enough to tell. All we know is that for the past few years the RROD hasn't been nearly as bad as the supposed 33% failure of the launch console.
2.) All 360s these days have HDMI ports. They didn't at first but since the release of the Elite they all have HDMI.
3.) You buy a card at target, gamestop, BB or wherever and put in the code on the card. It'll just add time to your account. No need to tie a CC to it.

 

[amdhunter]

How will I know if I am getting a newer "Falcon" XBOX? Is there something I can look at on the box itself? I am pumped now.

As for the HDMI, I have an HDMI - DVI adapter already, so that might work wonderfully with my monitor. Will it support a native res of 1680x1050? My monitor has built-in scaling options, so it's probably not that big a deal.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: amdhunter
How will I know if I am getting a newer "Falcon" XBOX? Is there something I can look at on the box itself? I am pumped now.

All 360s on the shelves right now are Falcons. If the wattage on the power supply says 175 watts, you have a Falcon.

The older chipset is already out of the retail channels. A newer chipset, Jasper, is supposedly coming this month but there haven't been any reports of anyone picking one up yet.

As for the HDMI, I have an HDMI - DVI adapter already, so that might work wonderfully with my monitor. Will it support a native res of 1680x1050? My monitor has built-in scaling options, so it's probably not that big a deal.

I don't believe it the 360 will support a native 1680x1050 res. It does 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p.

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: amdhunter
How will I know if I am getting a newer "Falcon" XBOX? Is there something I can look at on the box itself? I am pumped now.

All 360s on the shelves right now are Falcons. If the wattage on the power supply says 175 watts, you have a Falcon.

The older chipset is already out of the retail channels. A newer chipset, Jasper, is supposedly coming this month but there haven't been any reports of anyone picking one up yet.

As for the HDMI, I have an HDMI - DVI adapter already, so that might work wonderfully with my monitor. Will it support a native res of 1680x1050? My monitor has built-in scaling options, so it's probably not that big a deal.

I don't believe it the 360 will support a native 1680x1050 res. It does 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p.

But it should scale to your monitor well enough regardless OP.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: gorcorps

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: amdhunter
How will I know if I am getting a newer "Falcon" XBOX? Is there something I can look at on the box itself? I am pumped now.

All 360s on the shelves right now are Falcons. If the wattage on the power supply says 175 watts, you have a Falcon.

The older chipset is already out of the retail channels. A newer chipset, Jasper, is supposedly coming this month but there haven't been any reports of anyone picking one up yet.

As for the HDMI, I have an HDMI - DVI adapter already, so that might work wonderfully with my monitor. Will it support a native res of 1680x1050? My monitor has built-in scaling options, so it's probably not that big a deal.

I don't believe it the 360 will support a native 1680x1050 res. It does 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p.

But it should scale to your monitor well enough regardless OP.

Yeah, but I am a sucker for the native resolutions. I don't mind bars on top and bottom though.

I can't wait. I have an RPG itch. lol

 

[DaveSimmons]

You do have a PS2 right? They are still cranking out the JPRGs for it, like Persona 3 FES this year and P4 next year.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: gorcorps

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: amdhunter
How will I know if I am getting a newer "Falcon" XBOX? Is there something I can look at on the box itself? I am pumped now.

All 360s on the shelves right now are Falcons. If the wattage on the power supply says 175 watts, you have a Falcon.

The older chipset is already out of the retail channels. A newer chipset, Jasper, is supposedly coming this month but there haven't been any reports of anyone picking one up yet.

As for the HDMI, I have an HDMI - DVI adapter already, so that might work wonderfully with my monitor. Will it support a native res of 1680x1050? My monitor has built-in scaling options, so it's probably not that big a deal.

I don't believe it the 360 will support a native 1680x1050 res. It does 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p.

But it should scale to your monitor well enough regardless OP.

Yeah, but I am a sucker for the native resolutions. I don't mind bars on top and bottom though.

I can't wait. I have an RPG itch. lol

Didn't they announce at E3 that they were adding a couple of more resolutions when the "new XBOX experience" dashboard releases this fall? There were 2 of them, but can't remember what they are. I almost want to say 1680x1050 is one of them.....

EDIT: Holy shit, I'm awesome.

http://gamerscoreblog.com/team.../14/mrcwhtnltrxle.aspx

Last bullet point in that link.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
You do have a PS2 right? They are still cranking out the JPRGs for it, like Persona 3 FES this year and P4 next year.

My PS2 died after 5 years of service. I wanted to bad to get a PS3, but I want one with BC so I could keep playing PS2 games. Unfortunately, the PS3's price is kind of high for me.

I still have to finish FF12.

I haven't played a jrpg since FF12 came out. I think I got a weeks worth in, and the PS2 died.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: gorcorps

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: amdhunter
How will I know if I am getting a newer "Falcon" XBOX? Is there something I can look at on the box itself? I am pumped now.

All 360s on the shelves right now are Falcons. If the wattage on the power supply says 175 watts, you have a Falcon.

The older chipset is already out of the retail channels. A newer chipset, Jasper, is supposedly coming this month but there haven't been any reports of anyone picking one up yet.

As for the HDMI, I have an HDMI - DVI adapter already, so that might work wonderfully with my monitor. Will it support a native res of 1680x1050? My monitor has built-in scaling options, so it's probably not that big a deal.

I don't believe it the 360 will support a native 1680x1050 res. It does 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p.

But it should scale to your monitor well enough regardless OP.

Yeah, but I am a sucker for the native resolutions. I don't mind bars on top and bottom though.

I can't wait. I have an RPG itch. lol

Didn't they announce at E3 that they were adding a couple of more resolutions when the "new XBOX experience" dashboard releases this fall? There were 2 of them, but can't remember what they are. I almost want to say 1680x1050 is one of them.....

EDIT: Holy shit, I'm awesome.

http://gamerscoreblog.com/team.../14/mrcwhtnltrxle.aspx

Last bullet point in that link.

That is frikken awesome. I just wish my friend would get out of work already so I could go and buy the thing.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: blurredvision
EDIT: Holy shit, I'm awesome.

http://gamerscoreblog.com/team.../14/mrcwhtnltrxle.aspx

Last bullet point in that link.

:thumbsup: good catch

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: blurredvision
EDIT: Holy shit, I'm awesome.

http://gamerscoreblog.com/team.../14/mrcwhtnltrxle.aspx

Last bullet point in that link.

:thumbsup: good catch

You were the one who originally posted the link in the Microsoft E3 thread. :shocked:

 

[Xed]

Tales is great, pick it up =)

 

[abaez]

If you're getting an elite get it from amazon since they're offering a $60 gc with purchase.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: abaez
If you're getting an elite get it from amazon since they're offering a $60 gc with purchase.

I wanted to get a "pro" system, but NYC is getting drenched in rain right now. It will have to wait until tomorrow. Elite is kind of expensive.

Maybe I will see if I can find a deal online somewhere. I really wanted it for tonight so I could play the hell out of it.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: Xed
Tales is great, pick it up =)

I will.

 

[Dumac]

1. Not really

2. Yes

3. You don't have to tie a credit card to your account, but it makes things easier.

Tales of Vesperia is excellent, make sure to get it.

You should also try Lost Odyssey, as it's a great game.

Don't forget about Eternal Sonata!

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: abaez
If you're getting an elite get it from amazon since they're offering a $60 gc with purchase.

I wanted to get a "pro" system, but NYC is getting drenched in rain right now. It will have to wait until tomorrow. Elite is kind of expensive.

Maybe I will see if I can find a deal online somewhere. I really wanted it for tonight so I could play the hell out of it.

Amazon is giving a $60 gift card along with the purchase of a 360 Elite.

link

 

[JPB]

Avatars on the 360 are coming ?

Kind of odd that Avatars show up on the 360 after the Mii's kicks its butt

 

[Queasy]

eh, it's the way everything seems to be moving what with Home on the PS3 having avatars as well.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: JPB
Avatars on the 360 are coming ?

Kind of odd that Avatars show up on the 360 after the Mii's kicks its butt

Mii's are the most pointless thing Nintendo has ever done. Not saying avatars will have a point, but everyone bashes Microsoft for "copying" Nintendo's idea of having stupid little children looking things with very few customizable options and hardly anything to do with them besides using them in Wii Sports and dragging them on simple yes/no questions.

 

[rainypickles]

if you aren't going to play online, you dont need xbox live gold. i don't know which rpgs have online play.

you can buy stuff from the marketplace with a silver account, which is free.

 

[amdhunter]

w00t, picked up a 60GB at 11:30PM in the local Virgin Megastore in Union Sq. All I was able to pick up was Infinite Discovery as tales wasn't available. I also was unable to pick up the VGA cable, so I had to stick it on my HDTV.

I am very happy with my purchase, even if Infinite D is sort of clumsy. (but what RPG isn't at first.) I got in close to 2 hours of gameplay, and turned that sucker off! I can't wait to wire everything up properly tomorrow.

2 Questions again!

1) How long is the VGA cable? I am hoping at least 8 feet.
2) Updates: How are updates pushed? Is there a menu option somewhere to "force check" an update? I am going to set up my 360 tomorrow to stream video from my Vista PC, and I want to make sure I have all the latest codecs, updates...etc.