Besides being the ultimate in gaming systems, the Xbox 360 is also the cheapest, most convenient media hub on the market. What makes this such a great deal you ask? Well, for starters, it rings in at a staggering $149 for the base model Arcade system. For an additional ten bucks you can pick up a four gig USB drive, and voila!, instant hard drive for a great set top box. The 360 has a myriad of non-gaming benefits including Netflix, last.fm, Facebook, and the ability to access information from your Windows PC in an instant. Do not forget about what Kinect will do for the system’s user interface when it releases: HANDS FREE! No more searching for a remote to pause playback.
Netflix
The aforementioned Netflix is a definite selling point for the masses that are considering buying the system for more than just gaming.
If you were to purchase a Roku set top box that is Netflix ready as a way to access your Netflix queue in your living room the standard definition would cost approximately $79.99 and the HD would run about $99.99. Why drop change like that, when beyond streaming video all the Roku does is take up space in the entertainment center and use up another input terminal on your TV? Netflix boasts an impressive thirteen million members. More that thirteen thousand xbox users sign up for Netflix using their consoles daily. Plans that include one DVD at a time and unlimited instant watching start off at only $8.99 a month. The only downside is they need more current releases. However, it is a great place to look for those hard to find eighties titles.
Zune
Can’t find those new releases you are looking for on Netflix? Check out Zune on the Xbox 360 dashboard. Not only does Zune supply the latest box office blockbusters, they also have an ever growing library of music, videos, and TV shows. A nominal fee is charged for most Zune downloads. So pop your popcorn and skip those long lines at the local video mart. Grab a seat on your couch, or in some cases, your exercise ball, and get comfy. You might be there for a while.
Speaking of not leaving your mom’s basement, let’s talk about Facebook. I hate it, with the fiery passion of ten thousand burning suns. It is the biggest waste of time, and nobody cares about your damn farm. That being said, I am glad that Microsoft added it to the console. It is all about convenience and skinny fingers. If you have one of those keypads that attaches to your controller, or a keyboard plugged into a USB port, you are in business, and ready to upgrade your status for every “timmy” you kill on Xbox Live. Hmm, I wonder if I can “like” that?
The Audio Alternative
Since we are on the subject of shrill, prepubescent voices, I want it to be known that I have a strong disgust for radio DJs and those annoying screaming ads on terrestrial radio. It is terrible to listen to the radio now, which is why having your 360 and your computer linked together is such a great thing. Be your own DJ and jam out to your personal playlist already set up on your PC in Windows Media Player, or you can set up your favorites using last.fm. With last.fm you can search for any artist that you like, and not only do you get to listen to music by them, but they hook you up with music by artists that are similar to their sound.
Total Package
While the system doesn’t make the best DVD player, it has improved. But with Blu-Ray on the rise, and price of the 360 steadily falling, it is acceptable in a pinch. The 360 can also play CDs but really, how many more of those are you going to buy? Especially when you can rock out to your Windows PC using the media center, or even check out what last.fm has to offer.
There are only a few points of improvement that would shoot the Xbox into stellar orbit: having a web browser like the Wii and using Blu-Ray like the PlayStation3. But since the douches at Sony aren’t keen on competition, I will have to use the Blu-Ray player I have. In short, the Xbox 360 would be an excellent choice for gamers and non gamers alike. What other set-top multimedia system do you know with all of these bells and whistles standard? Not to mention, it is travel friendly.
Geat job Bluebird!!!! If this doesn’t sway people over to the Xbox camp nothing will!!!
Well Done Blue. A great read even though I actually use some of the features, Still good to hear it from another perspective . Well done.
Good article BlueBird!
Great article Bluebird! I still need to link my ZuneHD to my 360.
Good read until you kicked the Dj.
I don’t take advantage of all that the 360 has to offer, but you’ve inspired me to take a break from matchmaking and enjoy some of its other features. Great article!
Great article BB!