The XBOX 360 can do so much more than allow you to play games, touting abilities that go far beyond the gaming aspect. It can give you the ability to watch videos, listen to music, and view photos from a number of places, including a networked Windows Home Server. You can also view other users with the XBOX 360 Vision Webcam so you can talk to your friends online, download games, trailers, and demos.

Networking and Windows Connect

The most important feature of the XBOX 360 owner to the MediaSmart Server owner is their built in networking features and Windows Media Center Extender software. When used together, viewing videos, music, and photos on your TV with XBOX 360 is a snap.

Networking on the 360 can be slightly frustrating if you’re running a wireless home network, but Microsoft has made things a bit easier with the XBOX 360 wireless network adapter. Allowing the XBOX user to connect to their home computers makes it easy to stream digital audio and video from your PC to play right on your TV set. Using the wireless network adapter is only recommended if you are having any wired network problems or if you have a wireless network.

If you don't have a home network or don't want to invest in a wireless adapter, you can still play your digital media right on your home TV using the XBOX 360. Plug a USB flash drive into one of the USB ports, and you can playback digital content right from your portable drive. How convenient is that?

XBOX Live!

Much of the what sets XBOX 360 apart from the rest of the gaming competition is To truly understand the multitude of entertainment options embedded in the 360, lets start by taking a detailed look at XBOX Live!, the powerful service that drives the 360 online in ways like no other gaming platform before it. The XBOX Live service allows the users to enter a vast online world filled with other fellow gamers. XBOX Live! has two levels of service, Silver (the free version) lets users connect with others, download updates, and buy things from the Marketplace. The Gold version has a recurring monthly fee (or a yearly subscription) that also allows you to game head-to-head with others. You can find out more about the XBOX Live! service offerings at the XBOX website.

Accessories to Enhance the Experience

There are so many different accessories that can make the “live” experience that much better. For example, the XBOX Webcam allows for live, instant video conversations between other XBOX users who are online and have a webcam. My personal thought is that this feature is used more for the skilled and experienced Xbox user that would like to meet and converse with other gamers worldwide for gaming tips and chit-chat. The add-on webcam is a great, fun filled addition to any XBOX 360 unit.

While we are on the topic of chatting, the Xbox 360 would't be complete without their wireless headset and microphone they offer. It proves very useful, particularly to hardcore gamers that constantly play online. The use of this headset give the user the ability to strategically communicate with other gamers when they play other teams in online enabled games. Wireless XBOX 360 controllers have a built in jack for a corded headset, but Microsoft also offers a fully wireless headset model if you want a little more freedom from cords.

Movies, Movies, Movies!

Exploring the world of DVD movie entertainment with the XBOX 360 is so easy! Plus, Microsoft has a whole new line up of accessories that will increase movie accessibility. The High Definition Digital Video Disc Player (HD-DVD) add-on allows 360 owners to play the latest high definition movies on any HDTV (if you have any of those now defunct discs). Of course, the 360 has built-in support for regular DVD movies, so an add-on drive isn't needed for those not ready to take the DVD plunge.

Who wants to control a movie using a gamepad? Great question, and the 360 has just the right stuff to enhance the movie experience. The XBOX 360’s Universal Media Remote allows for full remote functionality of the XBOX console, TV, and Media Center PC. The remote allows the user to control the 360’s menu and media capabilities, and with the universal TV support, you can have all home theatre control in the palm of your hand.

Storage

And finally, the hard drive features of the Xbox 360 can be upgraded to an astounding 120GB. The reason for such large capacities in a console is that the wide variety of game demo’s, videos, music, and movies, as well as a whole bunch of other media content from XBOX Lives’ Marketplace. The upgraded hard disk drive isn’t a must have considering the default 20GB hard drive in the Premium edition console can suite most gamers, but the added capacity is good to have for anyone that uses the 360 as a full-fledged entertainment device. Of course, that much space comes with a price tag.

Overall the Xbox 360 is much more than just a gamming machine. There are many different features that can take your entertainment experience to a whole new level. Take some time to play with some of the things talked about here, and enjoy using your XBOX 360 that much more!