Microsoft's Xbox

Microsoft's Xbox

Scott Manning
March 23, 2003 | Comments (24)

Company: Microsoft

Market Price: $199.99
See it on Amazon

The wife and I finally caved into the propaganda coming every direction from Bill Gates and bought an Xbox.

My video game journey
Video games and I go way back. I was five when Nintendo first came out. It was the most amazing thing I had seen in my five years on the planet. My brother and I teamed up to pressure the parents into buying one. Their response was, "Just wait and they'll come out with something better soon."

During that time, we continually went to houses that owned a Nintendo and saw how life was better because of the console. The houses seemed to smell better and even have prettier carpet. The kids there were definitely happier. Realizing this obvious necessity we were missing in our childhood, we kept the pressure up until the parents finally gave in five years later.

Our lives were changed. Finally, staying home would not be boring. We started collecting, buying, and trading games at all corners. It was never a question of whether we'd get another Nintendo game for a birthday or Christmas, it was a question of which ones.

A year later, Super Nintendo came out to make Nintendo look like a modern day Pong.

We never got another gaming system.

Now that I'm living my own life, the wife and I... well, at least I'm determined to not wait until a gaming system is about to be out-dated before I get one.

Why an Xbox?
Some of you are probably asking why we picked Microsoft's Xbox over Sony's PS2 or Nintendo's GameCube. There are several factors that came into our decision.

First of all, getting all three gaming consoles like some people have suggested is ridiculous. I'm not a kid anymore so my life is full of things called responsibilities. Trying to find time to play with one console is trouble enough; finding time for three is impossible. Then there is that whole budget factor I've been living on since I moved out from the umbrella of my parents. So we had to pick one and only one.

Second, in order to justify this new purchase to the wife, it had to do something practical like play DVDs. That ruled out the GameCube.

Third, according to the side-by-side stats, Xbox beats out PS2 and GameCube in sound quality, polygons, disk space, processing speed, and memory.

Finally, the wife was able to find a refurbished one for 150 bucks. That is a lot more appealing than the original $300 price tag attached to the Xbox when it first hit the market.

The Interface
The interface is something straight out of a futuristic hacker movie. Everything is tinted green just like The Matrix. It's all very slick, but, more importantly, easy to navigate.

If there is no disc in the console, the user has three options on the screen: Memory, Music, and Settings. Recent releases of the Xbox also have an option for Xbox Live. If you insert a game, DVD, or CD, the Xbox begins to play the inserted disc.

I was very impressed at how easy tasks were with the Xbox including setting the time, clearing up disk space, changing the language, and setting parental controls. This is much more advanced than previous game systems that only had two settings: On and off.

Playing DVDs
Just so Microsoft can squeeze a little more money out of its consumers, a $30 attachment is required in order for the Xbox to play DVDs. The attachment comes with a remote that doesn't even have an on-off button which pisses me off to no end. Just think about it: I can control virtually everything in my house via remote. Hell, I can even lock my car doors from the bathroom, but I am still forced to get up to turn on my Xbox. I guess I need the workout.

Other than my bitterness towards the extra money and the weak remote, the Xbox plays DVDs beautifully. It offers every option I've ever needed in a DVD player. We've watched dozens of movies in widescreen format and with subtitles without a hitch.

Playing games
It's impossible to say that game play rocks since every game is different. Some games seem to take advantage of Xbox's extra power while others are just lame. While I do plan on doing reviews for individual games, I've played about ten of them and my overall impression is, "Wow!"

I've come a long way from Super Mario Brothers and my life will never be the same (until Xbox2 comes out, that is). The role playing games are so in-depth that the wife and I have been enthralled in them until late into the night. The action games are extremely life-like. But my favorites are the games based off of cartoons. These games create 3D worlds that look exactly like the cartoons.

The Xbox has an 8 GB hard drive with more than enough room to save games on it. Every game I've played so far has the option to save checkpoints and/or profiles.

Playing and copying CDs
My big beef with the Xbox appears when I try to play CDs. The console is extremely picky when it comes to which CDs it will play and which ones it won't. Apparently it will only play original music CDs, Sony CD-Rs, or CD-RWs. So far, I've only been able to get it to play original music CDs. This sucks since my 3000+ MP3 collection would be a nice feature on my Xbox.

Also, what if I want a CD in my car, house, and at work? If all electronic devices behaved like the Xbox, I'd be stuck lugging all my CDs around wherever I went or buying several copies of the same CD (I'll bet the music biz would like that one!).

Personally, I think Microsoft is trying to get into bed with Hollywood. They can use stuff like this to say, "See, people can't play downloaded music on our gaming system. We're all for protecting musicians' rights." Then the music industry can reply with, "That's so cool. Let's make a multi-billion dollar deal together. We'll all be rich by milking the hard working man for every penny he's worth and giving him as little music as possible." (For more on the Music Industry and its treachery read The Music Industry is slitting its own throat.)

However, there are some cool aspects to the CDs that the Xbox will play. For one, you can copy the music to the Xbox itself. From there, you can mix, arrange, name, and delete the music in anyway you desire. Some games will let you play the music saved to the Xbox during the game.

Other minor annoyances
There is no doubt that this console is a computer at heart. When I turn the thing on, it has the classic computer sound of a fan constantly blowing. This gets bothersome while watching a movie with a quiet scene in it. Suddenly, the effect of silence is ruined by the sound of the Xbox humming in the background. The wife and I have to put the thing behind some glass doors which has solved the problem. I can see this problem becoming worse as more appliances become computerized. Soon we'll have a house full of humming equipment. It will be just like working in an industrial plant instead of living in a home.

When telling some friends I was about to get an Xbox, they told me some stories of it overheating. I haven't experienced that yet, but after leaving it on for hours, it does seem a little sluggish. This is solved by simply turning it off and on. Too bad I can't use the remote for that task though.

Physically, the Xbox is big. It's big enough to kill a donkey with and definitely too big to carry around often. Those who enjoy taking their gaming systems to their friend's house for a slumber party are going to curse the day they bought an Xbox. Luckily, I don't do slumber parties, so it just sits there.

Conclusion
With all its annoyances, the Xbox is still a fine addition to our home entertainment. The games are incredible and DVDs play without any problems. It is Microsoft's first game console and they have a track record for doing much worse. On the contrary, I think they've got a killer gaming system.

Related links:
See it on Amazon
Xbox official site
More hardware reviews

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Comments (24):

1) Posted by: Mom
March 25, 2003 11:01 AM

So son, it seems a little early in your life for a second childhood but I was wondering . . . which new XBox game do you want for your birthday?

2) Posted by: FATALH
March 30, 2003 10:22 PM

1)Has the uk version of the xbox console got parental control how can i access it on the dash board menu?
2)will there be a res evil for the xbox?
3)also i have heard of faults with xbox playing some dvds like Gladiator it always freezes on chapter 13 on any xbox, with any (brand new,scratchless clean)copy of gladiator dvd...you can give it a try on your xbox if you dont believe me. any one else experienced any of this or similiar. Any how i would like to know what would be the best model of xbox, to own which has less faults, my Xbox was made in 2002-10-22. thanks for reading and answering if have or not, but thanks anyway

3) Posted by: Mat
April 1, 2003 5:40 PM

"So son, it seems a little early in your life for a second childhood but I was wondering . . . which new XBox game do you want for your birthday?"

I love moms.

4) Posted by: MikeInk
April 12, 2003 4:12 PM

Hey Scott, good article, reminds me of the time I bought my first system. I grew up in Europe so it was a bit harder to get a Nintendo. I am a Canadian, and I had to ask my Dad to go out of his way to go to the American Exchange Store to buy a Nintendo. My father was strict, so I had to pay for the gas, and also for the console itself.

Let's just say I had to save my xmas money for all the stuff, and my birthday money.

5) Posted by: Dubie
June 25, 2003 4:15 PM

Hey what up scott manning? I have over 600 songs copied to my xbox drive. about 3/4 of them are downloaded of the internet. if you want to know how just email me at therealdubie@yahoo.com.

peace out
"Dubie"

6) Posted by: Jason
July 30, 2003 8:35 PM

yeah u r right the xbox is big but its got great dvd 5.1 sound witch the ps2 hasnt got they only got 2.1 plus u got the hd with 10gig space but ive noticed on my xbox it doesnt have the parental control option so i find it strange but otherwise it is like a dream when it is on alittle loud with the fan but it is ok

7) Posted by: carlos
December 21, 2003 1:02 PM

hi all i want some one to help me to but a copied cd on my xbox hard drive it works with real ones but not copied one can any body help please thanks.

8) Posted by: ian
February 2, 2004 10:41 PM

if u've got probs ripping music of copied cds, its likely ur using cd-rs. the laser on the dvd drive supplied with the xbox is of comparitively poor quality and the reflectivity on cd-rs isn't very high. those two things mean the xbox won't pick up burnt cd-rs.

however, most xbox's can pick up the dye on cd-rws. i've been able to copy most of my cd-rs onto that cd-rw, which u can reuse, and rip my music onto the xbox.

9) Posted by: Indiana Matt
February 19, 2004 4:14 PM

Well, if your XBOX ever gets outdated, Scott, it still has a purpose: it's large enough that if you beaned an intruder over the head with it, it could probably take them out.

10) Posted by: jon
June 28, 2004 11:04 PM

hi, i was woundring if zelda was made for a xbox
if so pleas send me a email.

11) Posted by: ashley
August 4, 2004 4:49 AM

hi i have a problem i need to change my parental control on my xbox but my xbox is that old that it doest have parental control ive just had a mod chip in as well but for some reason it still dont play copied dvds but it does play anyhting else that is copied if any one can help me my email is ashleypass@hotmail.com

12) Posted by: ashley
August 4, 2004 4:55 AM

ow and all so does any one no how to change the region on the xbox in anyway just help me if you can email ashleypass@hotmail.com

13) Posted by: ashley
August 4, 2004 4:57 AM

ow and i no how all you think you cant play copied cds but you can if you put a mod chip in it also copy from xbox to any disc as well with an mod chip i have the xecuter2.3b lite very good chip

14) Posted by: raiden22004
August 10, 2004 9:18 PM

hi, its really easy to put downloaded music to your x-box. you can use the program you used to download "Advanced cd ripper pro". and it lets you burn mp3 music to a cd in regular cd format. and like he said rd-rw is what xbox reads . i havent tried the sony cd-r.
if you cant find the advanced cd ripper then you can also try
shareaza. its like kazaa and its my favorite. you can get it at download.com . if you have windows xp, windows media player should be able to do what advanced cd ripper pro does but you probably wouldnt understand how to do it.

15) Posted by: raiden22004
August 10, 2004 9:21 PM

i meant you can use the program you used to download your mp3 music to download Advanced cd ripper pro. my mistake

16) Posted by: Ryan
November 30, 2004 1:16 PM

If you want to burn music to your xbox.

When burning a CD, choose "burn as audio" and instead of burning as a file CD it will burn as a music cd, like the ones you listen to on your cd player, and can hold from 70-99minutes of music.

Ryan.

17) Posted by: EviLClownLivE
January 23, 2005 10:15 AM

Personally, I think Microsoft is trying to get into bed with Hollywood. They can use stuff like this to say, "See, people can’t play downloaded music on our gaming system. We're all for protecting musicians' rights." Then the music industry can reply with, "That’s so cool. Let’s make a multi-billion dollar deal together. We’ll all be rich by milking the hard working man for every penny he’s worth and giving him as little music as possible."

Yes because you have to but the system because you have no choice in the matter over whether or not you should buy the system. Making money and forcing people to buy a xbox. (just a hint of sarcasim)

18) Posted by: navi
February 23, 2005 4:12 AM

hello sir,
i am navi from india. i bought xbox a month ago. suddenly it changes its display from green to grey colour.now its not playing games installed on hard disc. it only play games directly only.niether it plays movies, songs ,nor any installed data . i donot know what happened to it .it happens automatically .now its plays on game discs directly.its display is now in grey colour and shows only 5 things
1 ms dashboard
2 reboot
3 power off
4 settings
5 backup
it doesnot show play game from cd , play from hard disc ,mediaplayer etc options .my xbox loads& saves game normally .i donot know what happened to it .
sir please help me and tell me whats it problem is it hardware or software problem. and how i make it perfect and play games by installing on harddiscs.
sir if u know the anser pl. tell me or pl .tell me from where i got answer of this or where i got repaired. i will be great thanful to u.
navi

19) Posted by: U SUCK FAGBOY
March 14, 2005 6:44 AM

dude, most normal people can afford 3 systems. i mean hell, i got all three, i got a wife a kid, 2 cars, and a house. if you cannot find time or money to do these things, then i suggest getting out of working double shifts at mcdonalds and get a real job, or maybe an education

hows it feel to know the rest of the world things you are the biggest polesmoker on earth?

20) Posted by: blacktie
April 13, 2005 11:28 AM

Dear, You suck Fag boy

I am only 15, and i have more common courtacy then you, I grew up with a single mother and 4 sibblings, and she could barely afford the bill's, yet she still bought me a super nintendo.
Just because some people cant afford 3 consoles, and you can, doesnt mean you can treat them like shit, some people dropped out of school thinking they would be fine living by themselves, and now they cant afford many luxuries, doesnt mean there not entitled to respect.

21) Posted by: Bill
June 10, 2005 1:21 AM

The only warning I have to Xbox users is DO NOT play DVDs on them, it will ruin the lazer eye inside of it and cause it to shift, yes this problem can be fixed for around 40-50 dollars, but still it's a lot easier to go out and buy a $25 dvd player and just use it :)

22) Posted by: obbo
June 12, 2005 2:09 AM

i've had my xbox for over a year and recently purchased gta san andreas i visited a friend and stuck gta on and it worked and played ok.
so when i got home i tried again much to my disgust my xbox repeatedly came up with the message 'unable to read disc due to it being dirty or scratched' rubbish even though theres no visible scratches or dirt has anybody else had this problem and if so how did they rectify this anoying problem?

23) Posted by: ladeda
July 1, 2005 3:48 PM

Thats usually b/c u may have a thompson drive, it has troubles reading GTA San An

24) Posted by: IFE
September 11, 2005 5:26 PM

at first when i got my xbox i can play and copy music with the xbox them somehow i entered the application menu trying to delete the game i had on the HD then after that proccess i discovered that the xbox wont play music again,plz tell me what can be done about it cus its worring me IFE from nigeria