Xbox 360 for Dummies

by Brian Johnson and Duncan Mackenzie

Book Overview

Microsoft's Xbox now accounts for 37 percent of the game console market, and the new Xbox 360 is due out for the 2005 holiday season, months before Sony's PlayStation 3. When gamers take the new Xbox home, however, they'll soon discover that it's more than a just a game machine-it's a full-fledged home media hub with more power than most PCs. This friendly guide shows how to maximize both gaming and non-gaming features of this amazing machine. Topics...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471771805
• ISBN13: 9780471771807
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Wiley Publishing
• Length: 332 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Xbox 360 in and out

If you want to know your Xbox 360 really well then this books for you, it covers everything about the system and the hardware that can be added later on. The book even covers Xbox Live and also some games. you will not be sorry if you purchase this book, it is a perfect addition to anyones home library.

If your DVD (or VCR) player is still flashing 12:00...

Hi... I'm not a gamer, but I have one in my household. I can't tell you how many game consoles we've purchased over the last 20 years, but I don't think we've missed very many. I'm a bit surprised I haven't gotten the hard-sell from "da kid" on getting an Xbox 360 yet. But after reading Xbox 360 for Dummies by Brian Johnson and Duncan Mackenzie, I'm somewhat tempted to get one anyway for myself... :) Contents: Part 1 - Xbox 360 Out of the Box: Meet the Xbox 360; Setting Up Your Xbox 360 Part 2 - The Xbox 360 Blades: Dealing with the Dashboard; The Live Blade; The Media Blade; The System Blade; The Games Blade Part 3 - Xbox 360 in Your Entertainment System: HDTV, EDTV, Plain Old TV; Getting the Best Audio Experience; Customizing Your Console Part 4 - Pushing the Outer Limits: Parental Control; LAN Parties; Windows Media Center Extender Part 5 - The Part of Tens: Ten Great Web Sites; More Than Ten Great Games; Ten Tips for Parents; Ten Ways to Make Friends; Ten Great Accessories; Original Xbox Games; Index Xbox has definitely crossed the line from being a gaming console with extra features to being a multimedia computer that happens to play games really well. Johnson and Mackenzie do a very good job of covering and demonstrating all the features of the Xbox 360, how it all meshes together, and how to get the most out of the platform. This includes everything from, of course, playing games, to making the device the central point of a multimedia setup for your home. The Xbox 360 integrates with Windows Media Center, so you can use it to watch TV, record shows, play music, etc. In fact, it's very possible to buy an Xbox 360 and never even play a game on it. :) Add in network connectivity, and now you can reach out to others as part of Xbox Live. The capabilities are truly impressive, and this book is an excellent way to delve into those areas that you may not have yet uncovered. Granted, most 12 year olds will probably have most of this figured out an hour after opening the box, all without reading the directions. Yes, and my DVD player still flashes 12:00. At least it's not a VCR any more. But a book like this will appeal to those of us who are interested in the latest and greatest, but want a little structure and guidance added to our exploration. Now to keep this book out of my kid's hands...

A great book for the novice

This is a great beginning book for learning all the ins and outs of the Xbox 360. It was especially valuable to me because I was very interested in the 360's Media Center capabilities. This book also has great details regarding the A/V hookup possibilities for your new Xbox. The section on parental controls is a must have for all parents who are buying a 360 for their kids. Overall I thought this book was very helpful. It includes plenty of tips, even for the experienced gamer.

Every Parent should buy one

If your a parent and are considering buying or have bought a 360 for your children you should purchase this book. If you want to be a responsible parent this book is great resource in understanding what your children are doing and what this console is capable of. Even as an experienced gamer I found a number of tips in regards to what the 360 is capable of. but it was not written for experienced gamers it was written for beginners trying to get the most out of there purchase and does a remarkable job in doing so.

Do Yourself a Favor and Read IT!!!

We were fortunate to land Microsoft's latest and greatest right before Christmas. We also purchased the Xbox 360 for dummies to make sure we fully utilized all it has to offer. This machine truly has it all. This book teaches you all the little secrets hidden in the Xbox 360. If you own an Xbox 360 (or are looking for a gift for someone who does) this book will show you how to push it to the max. From learning about high def TV's and how they affect the game play to multimedia content. An excellent text. Highly recommended. Very easy to read and a must for anyone who wants to really push the horsepower out of this incredible machine