Microsoft ’s first video plot console table , theXbox , has sold more than 20 million social unit worldwide since its introduction in 2001 . Despite the Xbox ’s telling power , the list of big - name TV plot titles to support it and the winner of the Xbox ’s online component , Xbox LIVE , Sony’sPlayStation 2still outsold it .
As the secret plan manufacture moved into the next generation of video secret plan technology , Microsoft was determined to dethrone Sony ’s PlayStation . go into the Xbox 360 .
Microsoft rebuilt the Xbox from the earth up . From the name to the look to computer hardware and features , the Xbox 360 is a radically different and more powerful automobile than its predecessor . Far more than a video game console , the Xbox 360 is a total medium centre that set aside user to spiel , web , rip , stream and download all case of metier , include gamey - definition movies , music , digital pictures and game cognitive content .
In this article , we will learn about the hardware and feature that make the Xbox 360 a jump forward into the next genesis of gaming consoles .
The Xbox 360 , like all video recording secret plan consoles , is just a computer with computer hardware and software package dedicated to the office of running television game computer software . The original Xbox was essentially a Windows microcomputer with a alter Pentium IIIprocessor , some relatively hefty graphics and audio computer hardware and a modified adaptation of the Microsoftoperating systemWindows 2000 , all box in that distinctive black box . The Xbox 360 is also a specially box computer , but once you look at heart , you realize that this console has quite a bit under the hood :
As you’re able to see , Microsoft intends the Xbox 360 to be a serious game auto . The company is also serious about reaching more hearing with the Xbox 360 . On the next page , we ’ll look at variations of the Xbox 360 that are market to different form of gamers .
Xbox 360 Consoles
Microsoft released two versions of the Xbox 360 in November 2005 : theXbox 360 Premium PackageandXbox 360 Core System . Since then , the batting order has undergone some change . The Premium Package is now known simply as the Xbox 360 console . A fresh Elite system hit shop shelf in April 2007 . Microsoft announced another new arrangement , the Xbox 360 Arcade , in October 2007 .
The Core System is " secure and playing period " – in accession to the console , it includes a wired controller and an AV cable . The Xbox 360 comes with a wireless controller , an HD AV cable , anEthernetconnectivity cablegram , a headset and a obliterable 20 - GB hard drive . ab initio , it also included aDVDremote , but this is no longer usable as part of the package .
The Xbox 360 Elite is similar to the chief Xbox 360 , with a black case , matching wireless accountant and headset . It also include a larger 120 - GB difficult drive and anHDMIcable .
To combat Nintendo ’s surprise powerhouse , theWii , Microsoft announced the Xbox 360 Arcade in October 2007 . shoot for at casual gamers , the console table will come with between three and five Xbox LIVE Arcade game and will probably include " Pac - Man , " " Uno " and " Luxor 2 . "
Microsoft has also organize pernicious variations of the console for commercialize tie - ins . To commemorate the discharge of " The Simpsons Movie , " Microsoft create a streamlet of 100 limited - variant Simpsons Xbox 360s , which were cave in away in promotions . devotee of Bungie ’s " Halo " game series can buy the " Halo 3 " limited edition Xbox 360 , which comes in " severe green and gold " and have a oppose controller .
On the next page we will see what make the Xbox 360 tick – the fundamental processing building block , or CPU .
CPU: The Heart of the 360
As with any reckoner , theCPUis the heart of the Xbox 360 . Microsoft has fit the 360 with a 165 - million junction transistor , multi - core central processor bunk three 3.2 - gigacycle per second PowerPC cores .
Each core on the chip functions as a disjoined central processor . Recently , hardware manufacturers have started compound several cores , or processors , onto one bit . This is amulti - core processor . Multi - core processors offer a combination of tremendous computing capabilities and effective tycoon consumption . They split
heavy work freight over multiple hefty processor rather than render all the work to one ace - powerful processor .
The other interesting thing to note about the Xbox 360 central processor is that each inwardness is subject of processing two yarn simultaneously . Think of a thread as a set of instructions for a program ’s line of work . The core processes these instructions and does the heavy lifting to get the job done . A formal processor can run a single execution thread . Because the Xbox 360 cores can each handle two threads at a time , the 360 central processor is the equivalent of having six ceremonious processor in one automobile .
What this means when you are playing video games is that the Xbox 360 can dedicate one inwardness entirely to produce auditory sensation , while another may ply the game ’s collision and cathartic engine . The organization may apportion an entire processor just to deliver hi - def art . It ’s really up to the game developers how the organization ’s considerable resources are used . With a multi - core processor , the system is powerful enough to pull off the computational demands needed for an amazing gaming experience without even split a sweat .
The graphics processor whole , or GPU , is responsible for the heavy - lifting for the console ’s beautiful , high - resolution image . Read more about it on the next varlet .
The GPU
Another powerful asset in the Xbox 360 is the Graphics Processor Unit ( GPU ) . The Xbox 360 swash the unexampled , custom - built 500 - Mc ATI Graphics Processor poster with 10 MB of embedded DRAM . While the 500 - megahertz graphics processor is potent , and 10 MB of DRAM provides rich retentivity for the GPU to do its job , the most innovative thing about this bill of fare is that it is built onunified shader architecture .
Shadersare computer programs that determine the net look of what you see on the concealment when you ’re looking at computer animation . Shaders take rendered 3 - 500 objects built on polygonal shape ( the construction cube of 3 - D aliveness ) and make them calculate more realistic . There are two eccentric of shaders : pixel shaders and apex shaders .
Pixel shadersalter the lighting , colouring material and Earth’s surface of each picture element . This in turn impact the overall color , texture and shape of 3 - 500 objects make from these pixels . Pixel shaders assist " smoothen out " 3 - D objects , giving them a more organic grain . To learn more about pixel shaders , seenVidia : Pixel Shaders .
Vertex shaderswork by manipulating an object ’s office in 3 - D space . " Vertex " touch to the intersection of two coordinates in space . The machine maps the position of an revive physical object in 3 - D space by giving it a time value . These values are the x , y and izzard coordinates . By manipulating these variables , a vertex shader creates realistic animation and particular effects such as " morphing . " To read more about vertex shaders , seeWhat are Gouraud shading and texture mapping in 3 - D video games ?
In actual - clock time graphic , like the kind you see in video games , shaders work with the artwork processor . The shaders make billions of computations every second to do their specific project . These computations are performed in steps through a series of computational component part . Think of an forum line . In the world of hardware , these forum lines are calledpipelines .
Traditionally , pixel shaders and vertex shaders have dedicated pipelines because each one has very specific and differing needs . As we learned before , the new ATI nontextual matter card in the Xbox 360 has merge shader computer architecture . What that means is that now , both shader types share the same line . ATI figured out a way of life at the computer hardware floor to address the indigence of both type of shaders using the same word of mouth .
The apparent advantage of sharing pipeline is to add more assembly lines , pretend computation that much quicker . ATI claims that this mingle shader architecture leave for 48 billion shader operations per endorsement . The Xbox 360 is the first gadget to utilize this eccentric of architecture .
On the next page , we ’ll learn about how the Xbox 360 fits in with your menage entertainment organisation .
Jacks, Tracks and Other 360 Features
Input/Output
The Xbox 360 supports up to four wireless controller at once . It also has three USB 2.0 jacks , two in the front and one in the back that can be used to plug in wire controllers for play or wireless controllers when they need to be charged . The USB jacks can also be used to connect devices likedigital tv camera , MP3 playersand computer keyboard to the 360 ( but the keyboard can only be used for text entry , not game play ) .
Online
The Xbox 360 has anEthernetport to hook up to a wideband connection , as well as a slot for aWiFicard . The 360 is WiFi - ready " out of the box " and the bundle includes a connectivity Ethernet cable .
TV Connections
The Xbox 360 descend standard with both composite and component video joining to hook up to aTV . There are also optional connection for S - Video and VGA , and the console supports some SCART - type adapters used in Europe . The Xbox 360 Core System includes a received - definition AV cable , while the other Xbox 360 bundle add up with an AV HD cable’s length and a media remote control .
Audio
The Xbox 360 has multi - channelsurround soundthat support 256 channels of 48 kilocycle per second , 16 - bit digital audio recording . The 32 - turn audio processing is handled by the CPU . One of the most speak about new audio features of the Xbox 360 iscustomizable soundtracks . No matter what video game you are play , you’re able to diddle or rain buckets your medicine during game play .
Removable Hard Drive and Storage
The original Xbox was quite innovative in that it had an 8 - GBhard drivebuilt into the console . The 360 take the hard - movement conception one step further : The Xbox 360 includes a removable 20 - GB heavy drive , and the Xbox 360 Elite has a removable 120 - GB hard drive . The Xbox 360 also supports up to two 64 - MB memory cards at one fourth dimension .
The Disc Drive
In keeping with the estimate that the Xbox 360 is a full spiritualist pith , it sports a 12x threefold - layer DVD - ROM that can read DVD - Video , DVD - ROM , DVD - radius / RW , DVD+R / RW , CD - DA , CD - ROM , CD - R , standard candle - RW , WMA CD , MP3 CD and JPEG Photo CD . you’re able to buy an externalHD - DVDplayer for the Xbox 360 . The 360 does not , however , supportBlu - ray .
Cooling
The original Xbox took a lot of literary criticism for how large it was . The cooling system that preserve the Xbox ’s rather sizable mainframe poise was the individual great factor that add to the console ’s rich size of it . Microsoft changed all this for the Xbox 360 .
In purchase order to fit all that hardware into the stylish and slim form broker of the Xbox 360 , Microsoft devised a chill system that mix a small , vacuity - sealed , liquidness - cool down system with rooter to asseverate a comfortable temperature inside the 360 . The system regulates the temperature of the cores and adjusts the menstruum of liquid and buff speed consequently . Additionally , the cool down system monitors the core ’s workload : If one or more cores are not needed for the job at paw ( for example , if you are using the Xbox 360 to watch a DVD ) , then the unused core are mechanically turned off .
Other Accessories
There are dozens of accessory on the marketplace for the Xbox 360 , admit headset , wireless accountant , cool down organisation , rechargeable batteries and more . you may work compatible Xbox 360 games on your Windows computing machine with the Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows . The Live Vision Camera permit players to produce an in - game version of themselves in select games . The Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel is a military unit - feedback steering bicycle controller with stock gamepad push button and flooring - mounted accelerator and brake pedals . The Messenger Kit attaches to Xbox 360 comptroller and features a keyboard to message other role player .
In the next segment , we ’ll take a look at the Xbox 360 controller and how it has evolved from the original Xbox controller .
Xbox Controller
The design for the Xbox 360 accountant is based largely on the one used for the original Xbox – theController S.
The most noticeable deviation in the Xbox 360 controllers from those for the original Xbox is that most of them arewireless . Microsoft created a proprietary technology to deal with some of the reaction time and bandwidth outlet that can be a problem for some wireless controller . The Xbox 360 can support up to four wireless controllers at one clock time .
The wireless controller amount with all Xbox 360 bundles except for the Core system , which includes a wired controller with a nine - foot cable . Everything else about the design is the same . Of of course , wireless controllers are available individually if you prefer to raise .
The new Xbox 360 wireless comptroller can be power by either a distich of traditional AAbatteriesor a rechargeable battery camp . The bombardment large number can be " newsbreak charged " in a battery charger or " trickle charge " via aUSB connectionto the console , and it alarm the user when its armorial bearing is run low .
The Xbox 360 controller has aGuidebutton in the center of its human face that provides a new functionality . This push is separate into four quadrants that get down up to provide gamers with different type of information during game manoeuvre . ( apropos , the " ring of light " power release on the console also leave this function . ) For illustration , during a split silver screen multiplayer lucifer , a particular quarter-circle will light up to indicate to a player which part of the screen he or she is run on at that time . The Guide button can also light up to let a player know he has obtain a subject matter from another gamer . In this example , when the substance abuser pushes the button , he or she travel to the Xboxdashboard(the combining weight of a microcomputer ’s background ) . The dashboard provides access to feature like messaging friends , downloading content , voice chat and customizing soundtracks , all while bide in the biz . The controller has a stock headphone jack on the back so that the user can plug in a headset for voice communicating during game play . Some wireless headsets will also work with the Xbox 360 .
The new Xbox 360 controller has the same basic intimate button layout as the Controller S except that a few of the auxiliary buttons have been moved . The " back " and " start " buttons have been prompt to a more key position on the face of the accountant , and the " snowy " and " black " buttons have been removed and replaced with two new shoulder buttons that are positioned over the analog trigger on the back of the controller .
One of the great feature article of Xbox 360 is its ability to countenance players contend against one another online . Learn about Xbox LIVE on the next page .
Xbox LIVE
Xbox LIVE is an on-line subscription service that allows Xbox gamers to play video games together and download additional biz mental object using the net . Once online , gamers can trifle one another over the net and speak to each other in real - time using the headset ( included in the bundle ) . Xbox LIVE has make a huge online biotic community of gamers challenging one another worldwide . The Xbox 360 will also usher in the next generation of online secret plan play and online community with the new , revamp Xbox LIVE .
The new Xbox LIVE has enhance matchmaking and feedback systems as well as phonation chat and video conferencing . It has a unexampled , more unlined interface and is a generally more robust system for communicate during online gaming . Xbox LIVE on the 360 is divided into two services : Xbox LIVE Silver and Xbox LIVE Gold .
Xbox LIVE Silveris a free service that ships with all Xbox 360s and allows any Xbox 360 exploiter with a broadband connection to get online and create a gamer ticket as well as a new ID type call agamer card . The gamer card is a profile that display a gamer ’s interests , skill level , fight and play accomplishments . In addition , gamers can use Xbox LIVE Silver to confabulate , download content and bring sure game . Xbox LIVE Silver allow gamers to access most of the features of Xbox LIVE . The one key lineament missing from the free service is the ability to play multiplayer games online .
to play in multiplayer matches online , you must promote to the subscription service known asXbox LIVE Gold . The Gold armed service has all the functionality of atomic number 47 plus the power to playmultiplayer game . Additionally , Xbox LIVE Gold has exclusive content , tournament and upshot .
For more information on this service , seeHow Xbox LIVE Works .
Serious gamers fuck the Xbox 360 has a great slate of games uncommitted for it . read more about Xbox 360 game on the next page .
Xbox Games
As story has shown time and again , the recent and bang-up console table is nothing without great games . Microsoft has set out to create a serial of blockbuster statute title in - house for the Xbox 360 as well as make deal with as many third - political party developer as possible . plot developers are attracted to the expectation of creating game on such a powerful canvas , and in the years to come they will find new way to progress games that tug the electric potential of the Xbox 360 .
One biz dealership more than any other has delineate the success of the Xbox and Xbox 360 : " Halo . " Microsoft acquired game developer Bungie Studios in 2000 to bring the secret plan to the original Xbox . The game took off and breed a sequel . Then , on September 25 , 2007 , came " Halo 3 . " In 12 day , it had already surpassed the boastful - selling plot in 2007 , " Wii Play , " selling 3.3 million transcript and advertize the Xbox 360 ahead of the Wii in numbers of consoles sell for the calendar month [ source : Casamassina ] . Microsoft even relinquish a special " Halo"-themed Xbox 360 cabinet for knockout - core devotee .
The game even seems to have affected the motion picture industry . Ticket sales for the October 5 , 2007 , weekend only totaled $ 80 million , a 27 percentage decrease from the same weekend the yr before [ source : Brodesser - Akner , Claude ] . Some movie executives fault Bungie and Microsoft for steal their sale .
Below is a list of games that released with the Xbox 360 . For a utter list of current and forthcoming game , check outXbox.com Games .
For more selective information on the Xbox 360 and related topics , check out the links on the next page .
