XBOX Live (and PS2) Advice Wanted

Silent_Bob_3

Currently I have a PS2 and and XBOX and have been thinking about using them online.

Went to look at an XBOX Live kit yesterday and whilst reading the buff on the side of the box I noticed no mention of an ADSL line.

As I currently have Tiscali 512k (soon to be 1mb) broadband using ADSL down a BT line my question is this:-

Can you use both of the online services for these consoles through a ADSL/BT line?

If so, do you have to have your pc turned on (as that powers the modem) and logged into the broadband or does the live kits power the modem and route it through Tiscali's servers?

TIA

rodders

I don't know about the Xbox but I have a slimline PS2, which comes with the Network Adaptor built-in (otherwise you'll need to buy a separate one). It was reasonably easy to set up. You will need to request a Network set up disk - details on how to get this come with the slimline PS2 or optional extra Network card.

You can't connect an ADSL USB modem to the front of the PS2. The two main options seem to be either plugging your PS2 into a Network Interface Card (NIC) on your PC (PC needs to be on) or through a router (PC can be off). I used the former method which works fine. The NIC and cable cost around a tenner from Maplins or other.

The Sony helpline is pretty efficient, from my experience.

Checkout the link below for online help.

http://uk.playstation.com/networkgaming/support.jhtml?linktype=NAV

Hope this is useful

Cat72

hi
I can only speak for the xbox and my connection was ADSL so I had to fork out for a router. The best ones are recommended on the xbox live site - and I would definately go with them as the router we bought had a firewall that interfered with the games.
The advantage is you can still use your PC at the same time. Disadvantage is more cash to spend !
Also you do not need to have your Pc turned on with a modem or a router for the xbox system to work. I may also add that the XBOX live systemis BRILLIANT - really makes the games better and is tons of fun. ( especially HALO 2).

grilli

what router did you go for?

Malestrom

Buying a router is not necessary for Xbox Live. As posted above for the PS2, you can add a NIC to your PC, plug your Xbox into it with a crossover cable and then activate Internet Connection Sharing in Windows. This does have the drawback of needing your PC to be on when you want to go on Xbox Live but it works fine and is the cheapest method. This process is explained in the instructions that come with the Xbox Live Starter Kit.

Maplins do a cheapo 10/100 NIC for £4.99 (product code ZT32K) which is all you need or you can buy it from somewhere like ebuyer, dabs or aria for similar money. Don't forget the crossover cable - it will need to be long enough to go from your Xbox to your PC. You can go wireless too, although this is more expensive.

ADSL over a BT line is fine for Xbox Live. I used to have a 512/256 service and never really had any problems except when trying to host large games of say, 10+ players, when there could be some lag depending on a players location (USA/Japan/Australia). Haven't tried the PS2 online but I can agree with the poster above, Xbox Live is a hell of a lot of fun.

Recommended routers are here should you decide to go down that route.

Malestrom

Sorry grilli, my reply was aimed at the OP of this thread. (just to avoid confusion)

Cat72

Hi
I bought the bt voyager 205 BUT I would NOT recommended it ! I had a lot of problems with the firewall in it and Bt are not clued up on xbox gaming. My brother just bought the same one ( after I told him not to ) but I will have to wait a few weeks to see how he gets on with it.
If I was to buy one again I would buy the THOMSON SPEED TOUCH 510 or 530 as they are recommended a lot and are used a lot for gaming.The firewalls on the routers can interfere with the games, causing lagging or we were unable to join freinds games.
Hopefully some nice poster clued up bet on routers will give you some advice.