XBOX 360 E User Guide

							
GAMING OUTSIDE THE BOX
Now you know what the system is capable of. But do you know how to do it? The
following pages will show you, step by step, covering everything from setup to nav-
igating your media using a Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC.
Sounds like a mouthful? Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.
Xbox 360™System vs. Xbox 360 Core System
There are two versions of
the Xbox 360 system—the
Xbox 360 and the Xbox
360 Core. In terms of
what the hardware can do
when it comes to playing
games, there’s no differ-
ence. So if you were con-
cerned that one package
might play games better
than the other, get that
silly thought out of your
head! Both the Xbox 360
and the Xbox 360 Core
packs can play every 360
title out there with aplomb.
But there are some important differences between
the two. Let’s take a peek at what’s inside each box
and see how the differences impact your Xbox 360
experience.
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Xbox 360™Han dbook

Aside from the differences in box content, the Xbox 360 system and Xbox 360 Core system
sport one small physical difference. The Xbox 360 system has premium chrome details on
the disk tray. It adds a little touch that says, “Check meout!”
NOTE
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Xbox 360 Core
> Xbox 360 Console
> Wired Controller
> Composite AV Cable
> Power Unit
> Xbox Live 
Xbox 360
> Xbox 360 Console
> Wireless Controller
> Component HD AV Cable
> Hard Drive
> Xbox Live Headset
> Ethernet Cable
> Power Unit
> Xbox Live 
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Get Started

The Xbox Live
included with both
Xbox 360 packages refers to the Xbox
Live Silver and free
30-day trial of Xbox Live Gold.
NOTE
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To Wire or Not to Wire
The most obvious differ-
ence is in the packaged
controllers. The Xbox 360
Core comes with a wired
controller, while the Xbox
360 comes with the wire-
less controller. The rele-
vance of this depends
entirely on your personal
preference. The controllers
are equally effective when
it comes to playing games;
the wireless controller
offers more freedom at the
cost of two AA batteries or a rechargeable battery pack.If you’re fond of old-school conventions and are
convinced that wired controllers perform better (even
though this is absolutely not true—the wireless con-
troller offers lagless play) or would rather not spend
money on batteries, then stick with the wired variety.
If you want the convenience of wire-free gaming and
don’t mind spending a bit more on batteries or a plug
& play kit, then set yourself free with the wireless
controller.
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Xbox 360™Han dbook

If you’ve purchased an Xbox 360, then you might have noticed that every component is wrapped in green
or orange plastic. Cool-looking plastic is always fun, but there’s actually an important reason for this. The
green bags contain everything you need to get your Xbox 360 up and running, but not to connect it to the
Internet. The orange bags contain parts that are essential for Xbox Live. 
Did You Know?

Truth is, both controllers have their advan-
tages. The wired controller is also compatible
with Windows XP–based PCs and can be used for PC gaming. The wireless controller offers great range and mobility.
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Half Empty or
Half Full?
The most significant dif-
ference is the inclusion
(or omission if you’re a
glass-half-empty kind of
person) of the hard drive.
If you’ve purchased an
Xbox 360 Core System,
you’ll need either a hard
drive or an Xbox 360
Memory Unit for game
saves and to store your
gamertag for Xbox Live. If
you want to play your old
Xbox games—of which
more and more are com-
patible with the Xbox 360
each day—you’ll need a
hard drive to house software compatibility scripting.If you plan on doing considerable downloading, invest in the hard drive. It enhances the Xbox 360 experience
immensely. While not essential for enjoying your console, a hard
drive will greatly enhance your Xbox 360 experience.
Sure, it’s convenient for game saves, but being able to
experience Xbox Live is an essential part of any Xbox
360 game. Not only does Xbox Live allow you to play
against other gamers online, it also offers a wealth of
experiences ranging from communicating with other
gamers, downloading games, downloading video clips,
and much more. Buyers of the Xbox 360 Core needn’t
worry, though; they can purchase the hard drive as a
system accessory.
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Get Started

Attention Xbox gamers! Many of your original Xbox
games are compatible with the Xbox 360. You just
need to get a software update for the game you want
to play. The easiest way to do this is via download
from Xbox Live, but you can also burn the file to a
CD or DVD or order a disc by mail. The entire list of
Xbox games compatible with the Xbox 360 can be
found at Xbox.com. For more information on this feature and a
detailed list of compatible games, skip over to
chapter 12, “What Is Old Is New Again.”
Did You Know?
All Xbox 360 games are Xbox Live–enabled. That means that regardless of whether you
can play multiplayer online, they automati-
cally feature some online connectivity, even if it’s just leaderboard content.
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HD vs. Composite
You’ve also noticed that each package comes with a
different type of cord that connects your console to your
television. The Xbox 360 Core System features an Xbox
360 Composite AV Cable, which is a serviceable but
standard type of connection (red, yellow, and white
plugs). Your games will look great, but you won’t be able
to take advantage of high-definition resolutions. If your television has component inputs, then you
definitely, definitely, definitely want to go with the
Xbox 360 Component HD AV Cable (dark red, green,
and blue cables split with red, white, and yellow
cables). They deliver a high-definition picture so you
can see Xbox 360 games the way they were meant to
be seen. High-definition graphics allow for significant-
ly more detail and a far better image than standard-
definition graphics. Every game for the Xbox 360 is
required to be in high definition, so if your television
can support these resolutions, the component HD AV
cable is worth the cost.
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Xbox 360™Han dbook

Don’t worry if you
don’t have a televi-
sion capable of high-
definition resolution.
The HD AV Cables also double as composite cables. Just flip the
switch at the base of
the cable to standard and leave the dark
red, green, and blue cables unplugged.
Besides, if you don’t have an HDTV,
there’s no place to
insert the last three plugs, right?
NOTE
The component HD
AV cable has a little
switch at the base of
the cable. This switch designates whetheryour output will be
standard def or high def. The factory
default is standard, so if you have an
HDTV, flip that switch to high def right away.
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Setting It Up
Connecting your Xbox 360
to your television and
getting it ready to go
couldn’t be easier. For the
benefit of those consider-
ing buying the system,
here is a brief rundown,
complete with diagrams.
Hook It Up!
First, take a peek at the back of the Xbox 360. Notice
the four inputs—one for your video connection, one
for your power supply, one for an Ethernet cable, and
a lone USB port (see diagram).Plug your audio/video cable into the AV slot on the
back of the Xbox 360. Then insert the three color-
coded cables into their respective inputs on the back
of your television. Match red with red, yellow with 
yellow, and white with white.
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Get Started

Do not cover the vents on your Xbox 360. It doesn’t matter if you cover them with a paper or another heat-producing device. Just don’t do it!
While you’re at it, don’t place the system on the floor either. Small
particles of dust, lint, and pet hair can get inside the vents and mess with your system’s components.
CAUTION

Before attempting to
connect anything to
your TV or Xbox 360,
be sure everything is turned to the OFFposition. Turn off your television,
audio receiver, and
anything else in your entertainment center.
CAUTION

USB port
Ethernet port

Vents

Audio/video cable port

Power supply port
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Xbox 360™Han dbook

Listen up! If you have a surround-sound systemwith a digital audio input, run down to your
local electronic retailer and pick up a digital audio cable for true surround sound.
Once you have the cable, insert one end into
the base of your Xbox 360’s AV cable (the part
that goes into your console) and the other end
into your surround-sound receiver. That’s it. Well, don’t forget to set your receiver’s channel to
transmit from the digital input...and to do that, friend, you’ll have to check your receiver’s manual.If you have a
monaural TV (one audio plug only),
choose either the white or the red
cable; it doesn’t matter which.
NOTE TIP

The process is much the
same for connecting
using the HD AV Cables.
Instead of plugging in
the yellow (video) cable,
insert the dark red,
green, and blue cables
into their respective
inputs on the back of
your component-ready
television.
Be sure to leave the
yellow cable unplugged,
and flip the switch on
the base of the AV Cable
to HDT V.
Did You Know?

When connecting the AV cables to your televi- sion, be sure you’re plugging them into the
“audio/video IN” inputs. Most televisions have IN and OUT connectors.
CAUTION
There are other methods of connecting your
Xbox 360 to your television. If your television
supports S-Video or VGA HD AV Cables, invest in them. Your picture quality will be amazing. The quality depends on your connection
cables. VGA HD AV offers the highest level of
quality, followed by component HD AV cables, then S-Video, and lastly composite.
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If you don’t get a
picture or a speaker isn’t delivering
sound, review these points:
> The yellow cable is for video.
> The red cable is for the right speaker.
> The white cable is for the left speaker.
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23
Get Started

Before connecting the
power supply unit,
examine the unit itself.
There are two main
components to the
power supply.
1. The large box-likepower unit.
2. The power cord (one end male, the
other female).
Before connecting
either end to the wall
or the Xbox 360,
assemble the unit by
inserting the female
end of the cord into
the hollow cavity in the power unit. That’s it, you’re ready to proceed!
With the power supply
assembled, insert the
power connector (it
looks like a cube with
two edges shaved off)
into the power slot on
the back of the Xbox
360. Next, insert the
male end of the power
cord into an AC outlet.
You’re ready to rock.

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Xbox 360™Han dbook

Unless you want to create an expensive drinkcoaster,  do notchange the orientation of the
system with a disc inside. Taking this simple precaution can avoid big problems for your system and games.
CAUTION
Regardless of the orientation you choose for
your Xbox 360, be sure it and the power supply are in well-ventilated areas. The system’s
processing power rivals that of most high-end computers, so expect it to generate a decent amount of heat.
But don’t worry—you won’t be frying any eggs on it.
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One convenient design
feature of the Xbox
360 is the ability to
position it horizontally
or vertically. This lets
you save space or
position your console
in an aesthetically
pleasing fashion that
complements your
entertainment
center setup.
Did You Know?
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Now all that’s left to do is plug in your wired
controller. Press the power button on the console
or the Xbox Guide button on your controller, and
your journey begins.
Coming at You Live
While Xbox Live for the original
Xbox had a huge impact on gam-
ing, the updated service for the
Xbox 360 takes its predecessor
a long way down the evolutionary
path. Xbox Live now lets you do much more than play games online.  There are two types of Xbox Live Memberships: Silver and Gold. To get on Xbox Live, you need a broadband
connection and a storage device (either a hard drive or a memory unit) to store your gamertag. Hardcore gamers will definitely want to go for the Gold. Every online-capable Xbox 360 gets an Xbox
Live Silver Membership free with purchase. There may be additional costs to purchase games or other
goodies, but it costs nothing to become a Silver member. 
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Get Started

If you purchased an Xbox 360 system, the controller
connection is a little bit simpler. Each Wireless
Controller packaged with an Xbox 360 system is
already pre-programmed to that particular system.  If you want to use it on another system (while
visiting a friend perhaps) or if you want to add a
second wireless controller to your console, follow
the instructions below.
1. Press and hold down the Xbox Guide button on
the controller.
2. Turn on your Xbox 360.
3. Press and hold the connect button on the front
of the console (it looks like a small circle with
waves emanating from it).
4. Press and hold the connect button atop your
wireless controller.
5. Wait for the Ring of Light on the Controller and
console to synchronize, and you’re set.
Did You Know?
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