I did a couple of similar threads on other topics in the past, and the idea is to share some tips on stuff people might not be aware of, and questions comunly asked.
Anyway, the XBox 360:
-USB Ports, Hubs, Controlers-
-supports USB Keyboards. Just plug your USB Keyboard to the XBox 360, and type away (be it to fill in data in the dashboard, to send messages to other players, or to use in PSU, any USB Keyboard will work with the XBox 360)
-supports 4 wired controlers. You just need to use a USB HUB (all the USB stuff can be connected to USB HUBs, including the webcam, wireless adapter, etc)
-only supports wireless microsoft controlers. That means we won't see wireless guitars for Guitar Hero II, or any other similar stuff, other than the MS wireless products (Wireless Wheel, controler and comunicator)
-You can keep charging your controlers with your XBox 360 turned off. Just turn off the console like you would any other time (with your controlers already connected), and after 2 or 3 secconds your controlers should light up, and the charging leds should turn up again (the console will keep making a very low "hum", despite all the leds being turned off). When the controlers are charged the console will totally shut off.
-The 360 doesn't read USB HDDs that are formatted for NTFS. Which is a bummer if you have HD downloads, as they can typically exceed the 4GB file size limit of FAT32. [by bivith]
-You can use your wired XBox 360 controler on your Windows XP PC.
-Dashboard Tricks-
-supports custom dashboard background images. Go to your media blade, select pictures, select either your PC (with shared pictures via Media Connect) or a USB device, place the cursor over the picture you wish to put in the background, and press X (do not select the picture, you need to be on the directory screen). You cannot put different pictures in different blades however.
-You can turn on the console remotly by pressing the guide button or the start button on the controler for 2 or 3 secconds. You can also turn it off remotly, by pressing the guide button for 5 secconds, where a new menu will pop up, asking you if you want to turn off the console or turn off the wireless controler.
-Pressing the guide button when the notification for friend logging on appears will bring up their gamercard, allowing you to message or invite them to your game. [by Tiger_Walts] this tip works with any notification pop up BTW. PRessing when you win an achievement shows the achievement screen when you receive a message shows you the message, etc.
-You can disable communication from anyone who is not on your friends list. It's hidden away in a Live options menu accessed by clicking on the gamercard. It can be found by clicking on your gamercard in any of the blades that display it. Then click Account Management > Privacy Settings > Communications - from there you can choose Everyone / Friends Only / Blocked. [by BraveArse]
-Media Streaming-
-only suports WMV movie streaming from your PC (both in Media Center, and Media Connect), and does not support DivX, MPeg, Mov, XVid, Avi, etc.
-You can skip your custom soundtracks while playing games by pressing the skip button on the remote (both remotes work, the Limited Edition, and the Media one), no need to go to the guide menu. [Windows MCE remotes, or even a Universal remote if you find the codes work as well; thanks Valver]
-If you have a Mac you can still stream content to your 360 (not video) using: http://www.nullriver.com/index/products/connect360 [by Vroom!]
-The 360 recognises WMP and M3U playlist files, use these to create playlists quicker and easier than with the 360's interface. [by Tiger_Walts & nickthegun] This is very handy. Create a playlist of the MP3s on your PC, put the folder with the playlist shared on the Media Connect, and that playlist should show up under Playlists in your Music Player screen.
-If you're ripping music to your 360 HDD, it does support CDDB lookups so you dont have to enter song titles manually. [by Furbs]
-Hardware Problems-
-Don't use a cheap surge protector/plug strip. It'll underfeed your XBox 360, and it might result in ocasional crashes.
-Don't ever move your XBox 360 with a disk inside. It might scratch the disk or damage the lens. Don't put it standing or lying down either, with a disk inside, much less while the console is turned on.
-Avoid carpets and such fabrics. Lay the console on top of cold materials (a wood desk, stone floor, etc). Never on top of carpets because these will heat up the console considerably. Don't stack the XBox on top of other electronic devices. This goes to every eletronic device actually. Avoid carpets and such, and stacking them up is usually not a good idea (specially hot stuff like the XBox 360, or a PS3).
Edited by CyberClaw at 10:52:42 10-11-2006
Anyway, the XBox 360:
-USB Ports, Hubs, Controlers-
-supports USB Keyboards. Just plug your USB Keyboard to the XBox 360, and type away (be it to fill in data in the dashboard, to send messages to other players, or to use in PSU, any USB Keyboard will work with the XBox 360)
-supports 4 wired controlers. You just need to use a USB HUB (all the USB stuff can be connected to USB HUBs, including the webcam, wireless adapter, etc)
-only supports wireless microsoft controlers. That means we won't see wireless guitars for Guitar Hero II, or any other similar stuff, other than the MS wireless products (Wireless Wheel, controler and comunicator)
-You can keep charging your controlers with your XBox 360 turned off. Just turn off the console like you would any other time (with your controlers already connected), and after 2 or 3 secconds your controlers should light up, and the charging leds should turn up again (the console will keep making a very low "hum", despite all the leds being turned off). When the controlers are charged the console will totally shut off.
-The 360 doesn't read USB HDDs that are formatted for NTFS. Which is a bummer if you have HD downloads, as they can typically exceed the 4GB file size limit of FAT32. [by bivith]
-You can use your wired XBox 360 controler on your Windows XP PC.
-Dashboard Tricks-
-supports custom dashboard background images. Go to your media blade, select pictures, select either your PC (with shared pictures via Media Connect) or a USB device, place the cursor over the picture you wish to put in the background, and press X (do not select the picture, you need to be on the directory screen). You cannot put different pictures in different blades however.
-You can turn on the console remotly by pressing the guide button or the start button on the controler for 2 or 3 secconds. You can also turn it off remotly, by pressing the guide button for 5 secconds, where a new menu will pop up, asking you if you want to turn off the console or turn off the wireless controler.
-Pressing the guide button when the notification for friend logging on appears will bring up their gamercard, allowing you to message or invite them to your game. [by Tiger_Walts] this tip works with any notification pop up BTW. PRessing when you win an achievement shows the achievement screen when you receive a message shows you the message, etc.
-You can disable communication from anyone who is not on your friends list. It's hidden away in a Live options menu accessed by clicking on the gamercard. It can be found by clicking on your gamercard in any of the blades that display it. Then click Account Management > Privacy Settings > Communications - from there you can choose Everyone / Friends Only / Blocked. [by BraveArse]
-Media Streaming-
-only suports WMV movie streaming from your PC (both in Media Center, and Media Connect), and does not support DivX, MPeg, Mov, XVid, Avi, etc.
-You can skip your custom soundtracks while playing games by pressing the skip button on the remote (both remotes work, the Limited Edition, and the Media one), no need to go to the guide menu. [Windows MCE remotes, or even a Universal remote if you find the codes work as well; thanks Valver]
-If you have a Mac you can still stream content to your 360 (not video) using: http://www.nullriver.com/index/products/connect360 [by Vroom!]
-The 360 recognises WMP and M3U playlist files, use these to create playlists quicker and easier than with the 360's interface. [by Tiger_Walts & nickthegun] This is very handy. Create a playlist of the MP3s on your PC, put the folder with the playlist shared on the Media Connect, and that playlist should show up under Playlists in your Music Player screen.
-If you're ripping music to your 360 HDD, it does support CDDB lookups so you dont have to enter song titles manually. [by Furbs]
-Hardware Problems-
-Don't use a cheap surge protector/plug strip. It'll underfeed your XBox 360, and it might result in ocasional crashes.
-Don't ever move your XBox 360 with a disk inside. It might scratch the disk or damage the lens. Don't put it standing or lying down either, with a disk inside, much less while the console is turned on.
-Avoid carpets and such fabrics. Lay the console on top of cold materials (a wood desk, stone floor, etc). Never on top of carpets because these will heat up the console considerably. Don't stack the XBox on top of other electronic devices. This goes to every eletronic device actually. Avoid carpets and such, and stacking them up is usually not a good idea (specially hot stuff like the XBox 360, or a PS3).
Edited by CyberClaw at 10:52:42 10-11-2006
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