Xbox 360: HD and Networking Questions

rjcube · 19-10-2006, 06:25 AM

I'm wanting to save up and buy a 360 (If I play my cards right I can get it early December

) but I have a few minor questions before that.

I have Comcast digital cable, and our cable box is HD supported, we have a Wide screen HD TV, when I change it to an HD channel, it only shows up in the middle of the screen. It does not go on the entire screen, just that one small part. Will this happen to the 360?

And if/when I get a 360, I will want to play on Xbox Live a lot, but the problem is, my TV is far away from my modem/voip router and my computer. The question is, whats the best way to connect it? some possibilities I was thinking of is get a pretty cheap Cable modem, and hook it up directly. Or I could buy a 100 foot long or more ethernet cord and use that, although that would be a hassle and people might trip or something.

Any answers to these questions are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

syngod · 20-10-2006, 04:31 AM

Games should be in widescreen. The reason the tv channels are showing up cut off on the sides is they were shot in 4:3 mode to fit a standard tv while HD content is shot in a 16:9 widescreen ratio. The two pillarboxes on the sides of the content on your HD channels are just to preserve the aspect ratio of non-hd content.

As far as online gaming I'd say if your running it a distance I'd go for a wireless connection.

rjcube · 20-10-2006, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syngod

Games should be in widescreen. The reason the tv channels are showing up cut off on the sides is they were shot in 4:3 mode to fit a standard tv while HD content is shot in a 16:9 widescreen ratio. The two pillarboxes on the sides of the content on your HD channels are just to preserve the aspect ratio of non-hd content.

As far as online gaming I'd say if your running it a distance I'd go for a wireless connection.

Thanks for the post.

Good to know about the HD. And for the wireless connection, I do have a wireless router that i could hook up to my VoIP router (if that would work and if i can find a power cord) but then wouldn't I have to buy that $90 Wireless Network Adapter?

Im sorta looking for a lot cheaper way if possible.

syngod · 22-10-2006, 03:57 AM

Any usb or ethernet card will work, I've seen some go for about $9.00 here with a wireless g router so there are cheaper solutions than the official MS wireless adapter.

rjcube · 21-11-2006, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syngod

Any usb or ethernet card will work, I've seen some go for about $9.00 here with a wireless g router so there are cheaper solutions than the official MS wireless adapter.

I just came back to these forums and noticed my thread was still here.

And I am getting my Xbox in about a week. So I'm starting to be more concerned about my Network issue.

syngod, can you show me examples of the stuff you were talking about? I'm not sure if i fully understand.

I would enjoy a cheap solution to a Wireless connection most of all, that way I could play in my living room and in my room.

Another idea, Cheap Cable modem and hook that up to it?

syngod · 21-11-2006, 05:15 PM

Not sure what Best Buy is offering in the states but quite often Future Shop which is owned by BB here has on a Trendnet Wireless G router & USB network card for anywhere between $9.99 and $14.99.

I'm thinking if you look around BB or Circuit City should have similar deals.

19-10-2006, 06:25 AM	#1 (permalink) Top
rjcube Geek Trainee Join Date: Jul 2005 Age: 18 Male Posts: 47 My Mood: Bored Status: Offline My Computer	Xbox 360: HD and Networking Questions I'm wanting to save up and buy a 360 (If I play my cards right I can get it early December ) but I have a few minor questions before that. I have Comcast digital cable, and our cable box is HD supported, we have a Wide screen HD TV, when I change it to an HD channel, it only shows up in the middle of the screen. It does not go on the entire screen, just that one small part. Will this happen to the 360? And if/when I get a 360, I will want to play on Xbox Live a lot, but the problem is, my TV is far away from my modem/voip router and my computer. The question is, whats the best way to connect it? some possibilities I was thinking of is get a pretty cheap Cable modem, and hook it up directly. Or I could buy a 100 foot long or more ethernet cord and use that, although that would be a hassle and people might trip or something. Any answers to these questions are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

20-10-2006, 04:31 AM	#2 (permalink) Top
syngod Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Age: 28 Male Posts: 949 Times Helpful: 16 My Mood: Stressed Status: Offline My Computer	Games should be in widescreen. The reason the tv channels are showing up cut off on the sides is they were shot in 4:3 mode to fit a standard tv while HD content is shot in a 16:9 widescreen ratio. The two pillarboxes on the sides of the content on your HD channels are just to preserve the aspect ratio of non-hd content. As far as online gaming I'd say if your running it a distance I'd go for a wireless connection. __________________ DVD Collection

22-10-2006, 03:57 AM	#4 (permalink) Top
syngod Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Age: 28 Male Posts: 949 Times Helpful: 16 My Mood: Stressed Status: Offline My Computer	Any usb or ethernet card will work, I've seen some go for about $9.00 here with a wireless g router so there are cheaper solutions than the official MS wireless adapter. __________________ DVD Collection

21-11-2006, 05:15 PM	#6 (permalink) Top
syngod Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Age: 28 Male Posts: 949 Times Helpful: 16 My Mood: Stressed Status: Offline My Computer	Not sure what Best Buy is offering in the states but quite often Future Shop which is owned by BB here has on a Trendnet Wireless G router & USB network card for anywhere between $9.99 and $14.99. I'm thinking if you look around BB or Circuit City should have similar deals. __________________ DVD Collection

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