XBOX (original)

newscrooge

I know it's not 'this years thing' (or even last), but I've seen brand new original XBOXs in both our local Asda and Blockbuster for £30. Games can be picked up second hand (or even new) for just a couple of quid. Even tho' its a few years old now there are still plenty of games for this console that (IMHO) beat some of the modern games hands down. Don't forget it's not just graphics power that makes a game good.

freddysmith

If I didn't already have one, £30 is a great price for what it can do.

seth

Remember these can also be softmodded to Xbox Media centres.

There is a guide on episodes of DL.TV allows you to play media etc..

Also a cheap low power PC for BitTorrent (Legal uses) and Home NAS type applications

lumpy_bum

seth wrote: »

Remember these can also be softmodded to Xbox Media centres.

There is a guide on episodes of DL.TV allows you to play media etc..

Also a cheap low power PC for BitTorrent (Legal uses) and Home NAS type applications

in english that means....

vyseyboy

lumpy_bum wrote: »

in english that means....

You can connect it to a home PC network, and play media files, such as mpg / divx (common format downloaded from the web,) over the network, or use it like a DVD player and play such files from a disc, without the need for the network. Also works in a similar way for mp3's and other music formats. Basically it'll play nearly every type of media file out there through your TV.

It also allows for the (illegal) playing of copied / downloaded games on the Xbox, but it isn't really the focus of modification.

I've done it, and it's brilliant. Really slick interface, and at this price, better than all DVD / divx players out there.

seth

lumpy_bum wrote: »

in english that means....

You can install software on the Xbox for media center use. To play music and movies (e.g. to store lots of DVDs on a hard disk) like a DVD jukebox. Sample screenshot and more details. If you have an internet connection you can also use the Web, YouTube (a video sharing site), weather reports, internet radio.
http://sourceforge.net/project/screenshots.php?group_id=87325

You can also use if as a low power PC (a typical PC is 400W an XBOX <60W) where you might want to keep it on for long periods. Such as sharing files or music over a home network.

If you have a slow internet connection there is a guide here: http://www.productwiki.com/microsoft-xbox/article/how-to-go-from-xbox-to-xbox-media-center-in-30-minutes.html

and if you have broadband an internet TV show called DL.TV at www.dl.tv had a set by set guide. Part 1, Part 2. The show can be downloaded or viewed in a web page. You can pick up the parts to do this cheaply on ebay or at game stores.

There is also a remote control (like one from a TV) to control the XBOX rather than the joystick, if you want.

Mark_Ice

Original Xbox for 30 notes........... I will repeatedly hit my balls with a hammer if this is right, just paid many many pennies for a unused, boxed example of this console!

wissychraddle

Thanks OP, I will be going down to ASDA and Blockbuster tomorrow. I'd like a cheap PC, modding sounds an interesting venture!:j

machofairy

Another excellent use for a modded xbox, apart from playing 99% of any media format, is its emulation capabilities....

99% of all console games up to the SNES / Megadrive era can be perfectly emuated on the xbox.... about 50% of N64 games will play perfectly.... so can a lot of 2d arcade games up to the late 90s.... that is a lot of games! And you can fit every single SNES game ever released on a single dvd5!

sco0ter

Got one of these last christmas in the ARGOS £50 with 3 games deal.... Its been brilliant and I still play a load of games on it bought mostly from car boot sales and bargain bins for £1... My local Comet still has originals in thier bargain bin for 49p...

mrsmr2

I was going to reply right at the start and extol the virtues of Xbox Media Centre (XBMC) but thought better of it. However, having seen the posts since, I've just got to join in.

My Xbox is mostly used as a media centre and I use it to play Freeview recordings captured on my PC (gives perfect copies of the transmissions), my ogg format music, various home videos, and movie files from the internet, etc.

There is an official Media Centre for the Xbox but it requires you to own XP Media Centre edition, which is quite expensive if you don't already have it.

The unofficial XBMC that I have (and has been mentioned in this thread) is much more flexible in that it will play most formats of music and video, whereas the official version is very limited.


Those screenshots look very different to how mine looks but that's the beauty of the different skins that can be chosen.

I'm very tempted buy another one as a backup.

Oh yes, it can also pay games:cheesy: