Xbox 360...playing your own music...AND sound effects?

<comiconline DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1169516623.635976.103800@11g2000cwr.googlegroups.com...
> So, i've been thinking about getting an Xbox (yes, the original), or a
> 360. I haven't owned a game system since SNES. A friend told me that
> on Xbox and Xbox 360, you can play your own music during gameplay, and
> STILL get the sound effects of the game. Is that true? Is it true for
> all games?
>
> Basically, i want to know if i can play a racing game, listen to Elvis,
> and STILL hear the tires screeching, the wind blowing, the engine
> roaring, and all those good sounds.
>
> And of course, does that feature work on ANY game? On BOTH systems?
> Do i need to upload the songs, or how does that work? I'm assuming PS2
> doesn't do all that.
>
> Thanks guys.

Yes, you can play any music during any game and still hear all the sound
effects. It works pretty much just like Media Player on your computer. You
can choose whatever music you want, shuffle it, repeat it, even adjust the
volume and it does not affect the game at all. You can rip CD's to the hard
drive, stream them from your network, play them from your MP3 player, or
play them from a USB thumb drive.

If you haven't had a console since the SNES, you're in for a huge treat with
the 360. It's amazing. Heck you can even download and play High Definition
movies with it. You can use it as the hub of your media server, the arcade
is also amazing. It's just a sweet console.

And no, of course you can't do any of this with a PS2.
 >> Stay informed about: Xbox 360...playing your own music...AND sound effects? 

"Neck & Red" <neckred DeleteThis @nospam.com> wrote in message
news:T_fth.14252$w91.2944@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> <comiconline DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1169516623.635976.103800@11g2000cwr.googlegroups.com...
>> So, i've been thinking about getting an Xbox (yes, the original), or a
>> 360. I haven't owned a game system since SNES. A friend told me that
>> on Xbox and Xbox 360, you can play your own music during gameplay, and
>> STILL get the sound effects of the game. Is that true? Is it true for
>> all games?
>>
>> Basically, i want to know if i can play a racing game, listen to Elvis,
>> and STILL hear the tires screeching, the wind blowing, the engine
>> roaring, and all those good sounds.
>>
>> And of course, does that feature work on ANY game? On BOTH systems?
>> Do i need to upload the songs, or how does that work? I'm assuming PS2
>> doesn't do all that.
>>
>> Thanks guys.
>
> Yes, you can play any music during any game and still hear all the sound
> effects. It works pretty much just like Media Player on your computer. You
> can choose whatever music you want, shuffle it, repeat it, even adjust the
> volume and it does not affect the game at all. You can rip CD's to the
> hard drive, stream them from your network, play them from your MP3 player,
> or play them from a USB thumb drive.
>
> If you haven't had a console since the SNES, you're in for a huge treat
> with the 360. It's amazing. Heck you can even download and play High
> Definition movies with it. You can use it as the hub of your media server,
> the arcade is also amazing. It's just a sweet console.
>
> And no, of course you can't do any of this with a PS2.


Just to clarify, everything I said was about the 360, not the old Xbox. But
don't bother with the old Xbox, go for the 360.
 >> Stay informed about: Xbox 360...playing your own music...AND sound effects? 

It's easy:

1. Rip CDs into your 360's hard drive
2. Hit that big Xbox 360 button
3. You'll see if you scroll down a music player with normal controls (FF,
Rewind, etc).
4. Hit play then exit by hitting the 360 button or the B button
5. Boom - music plays while you game

Some games have built in ways to run custom soundtracks tho (ie. Saints Row)

<comiconline.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1169516623.635976.103800@11g2000cwr.googlegroups.com...
> So, i've been thinking about getting an Xbox (yes, the original), or a
> 360. I haven't owned a game system since SNES. A friend told me that
> on Xbox and Xbox 360, you can play your own music during gameplay, and
> STILL get the sound effects of the game. Is that true? Is it true for
> all games?
>
> Basically, i want to know if i can play a racing game, listen to Elvis,
> and STILL hear the tires screeching, the wind blowing, the engine
> roaring, and all those good sounds.
>
> And of course, does that feature work on ANY game? On BOTH systems?
> Do i need to upload the songs, or how does that work? I'm assuming PS2
> doesn't do all that.
>
> Thanks guys.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Xbox 360...playing your own music...AND sound effects? 

Wow...this is really awesome. Thanks for all the great responses. I
appreciate your help.

This might make my decision for what system to get. I'm interested
in playing a lot of racing games, and maybe some 3rd person
shooters/flight sims (nothing too violent or too complicated though).
If i can really play ANY music i want, and still be able to hear all
the in-game sound effects, that's a big plus for me. I usually hate
most modern music, and one thing that always detracted from games for
me was the music. It seems like now, i could play, and still listen to
my Elvis, Beatles, or jazz music.... Too awesome. (Although if i play
a Star Wars game, i think i'll want to hear the in-game Star Wars
music).

My one hesitation is i don't own a Windows-based PC. I own a Mac...and
an iPod. I've been a Mac guy for years because i've always had
problems with Windows-based computers, and now, try to avoid them.
That was my hesitation with the Xbox (original or 360)...i was afraid
to get something made by Microsoft. But it sounds like it's a pretty
solid system, and i don't NEED to interface with a PC to get the
results i want. Does it run on Windows? Maybe that's a dumb question.
I guess it doesn't need an operating system, right? I am so clueless
on these new systems.

So, any recommendations on good driving games (not ones on a speed
course, but with cool urban, suburban, or rural settings?

Damn, i have to see how i can afford a 360 now... An Xbox 1 was
affordable to me... I wonder if 360's price will come down any time
soon. Yeah, i thought not.

On Jan 23, 10:16 am, "Jonah Falcon" <jonahny... RemoveThis @mindspring.com> wrote:
> It's easy:
>
> 1. Rip CDs into your 360's hard drive
> 2. Hit that big Xbox 360 button
> 3. You'll see if you scroll down a music player with normal controls (FF,
> Rewind, etc).
> 4. Hit play then exit by hitting the 360 button or the B button
> 5. Boom - music plays while you game
>
> Some games have built in ways to run custom soundtracks tho (ie. Saints Row)
>
> <comiconl... RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in messagenews:1169516623.635976.103800@11g2000cwr.googlegroups.com...
>
> > So, i've been thinking about getting an Xbox (yes, the original), or a
> > 360. I haven't owned a game system since SNES. A friend told me that
> > on Xbox and Xbox 360, you can play your own music during gameplay, and
> > STILL get the sound effects of the game. Is that true? Is it true for
> > all games?
>
> > Basically, i want to know if i can play a racing game, listen to Elvis,
> > and STILL hear the tires screeching, the wind blowing, the engine
> > roaring, and all those good sounds.
>
> > And of course, does that feature work on ANY game? On BOTH systems?
> > Do i need to upload the songs, or how does that work? I'm assuming PS2
> > doesn't do all that.
>
> > Thanks guys.
 >> Stay informed about: Xbox 360...playing your own music...AND sound effects? 

On Jan 24, 7:25 am, comiconl....RemoveThis@gmail.com wrote:

> My one hesitation is i don't own a Windows-based PC. I own a Mac...and
> an iPod.

A friend of mine is happily streaming music from his Mac to the 360...
Have a look at http://www.nullriver.com/index/products/connect360

Also, you can plug an iPod in (using a USB cable) and it'll happily
read music from that (although I've only tried it with MP3s, nothing
bought from the iTunes store).

> So, any recommendations on good driving games (not ones on a speed
> course, but with cool urban, suburban, or rural settings?

There are a few games like that on the 360. Project Gotham Racing 3 is
excellent, it's been around for a while (so cheap and often included in
a bundle with the console) but still popular online and great fun. Test
Drive Unlimited is also pretty good, you definitely need to be on Live
though. And I was surprised to enjoy Need For Speed: Most Wanted, which
is another fairly old and cheap game, but sounds like something you
might enjoy. Also, there are a few people around here who would
recommend Ridge Racer 6, not the most realistic game in the world but
good fun.

> Damn, i have to see how i can afford a 360 now... An Xbox 1 was
> affordable to me... I wonder if 360's price will come down any time
> soon. Yeah, i thought not.

I don't think there are going to be any big drops in price but the
bundles available seem to be getting better and better. It's definitely
worth the extra over the original XBox...

Cheers

Nick
 >> Stay informed about: Xbox 360...playing your own music...AND sound effects? 

"NJH" <NJHarrison.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1169635214.175429.81630@k78g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> On Jan 24, 7:25 am, comiconl....DeleteThis@gmail.com wrote:
Test
> Drive Unlimited is also pretty good, you definitely need to be on Live
> though.


Mmmmm...Test Drive Unlimited. I love queing up some Pink Floyd, Porcupine
Tree, or Faith No More and just cruising the beach
 >> Stay informed about: Xbox 360...playing your own music...AND sound effects? 

"Neck & Red" <neckred RemoveThis @nospam.com> wrote in message
news:uMIth.13977$pQ3.634@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> "NJH" <NJHarrison RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1169635214.175429.81630@k78g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>> On Jan 24, 7:25 am, comiconl... RemoveThis @gmail.com wrote:
> Test
>> Drive Unlimited is also pretty good, you definitely need to be on Live
>> though.
>
>
> Mmmmm...Test Drive Unlimited. I love queing up some Pink Floyd, Porcupine
> Tree, or Faith No More and just cruising the beach

How populated IS Test Drive Unlimited, by the way?
 >> Stay informed about: Xbox 360...playing your own music...AND sound effects? 

"Jonah Falcon" <jonahnynla.TakeThisOut@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:8hKth.14800$w91.12551@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> "Neck & Red" <neckred.TakeThisOut@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:uMIth.13977$pQ3.634@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>
>> "NJH" <NJHarrison.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1169635214.175429.81630@k78g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>> On Jan 24, 7:25 am, comiconl....TakeThisOut@gmail.com wrote:
>> Test
>>> Drive Unlimited is also pretty good, you definitely need to be on Live
>>> though.
>>
>>
>> Mmmmm...Test Drive Unlimited. I love queing up some Pink Floyd, Porcupine
>> Tree, or Faith No More and just cruising the beach
>
> How populated IS Test Drive Unlimited, by the way?

Just enough, I think. Other players never get in the way but it's always
easy to find a race...formal or not. Sometimes you'll see a group just
hanging out doing drag races down the main strip. You can use the GPS and
drill down to wherever anybody is. The only other drivers that are in the
way are the 'locals'...the AI cars driving around town.
 >> Stay informed about: Xbox 360...playing your own music...AND sound effects? 

I thought I would piggyback this thread to ask if someone can confirm
that the 360 will only let you upload tracks from audio CDs (.cda
files) onto its hard drive? I know this was the case with the original
XBOX, but I was hoping the 360 would let you upload MP3s onto its hard
drive. Its cool that it will let you play MP3s in game from *external*
devices, but I hate worrying about extra cords, wearing down batteries,
etc.

Thanks.
 >> Stay informed about: Xbox 360...playing your own music...AND sound effects? 

On Jan 25, 1:28 am, gamefa... DeleteThis @aol.com wrote:
> I thought I would piggyback this thread to ask if someone can confirm
> that the 360 will only let you upload tracks from audio CDs (.cda
> files) onto its hard drive? I know this was the case with the original
> XBOX, but I was hoping the 360 would let you upload MP3s onto its hard
> drive. Its cool that it will let you play MP3s in game from *external*
> devices, but I hate worrying about extra cords, wearing down batteries,
> etc.

Correct, the only way to store music on the 360's hard drive is to give
it a CD and have it rip it. It will not read a data disk with MP3's on
it. You could also stream from a Win32 PC or a Mac using free software.
Or, if you don't want to deal with cables, get a USB thumbstick type of
device and leave it plugged in.

--falz
 >> Stay informed about: Xbox 360...playing your own music...AND sound effects? 

Doesn't the 360 have some functionality with the iPod? I forgot.

"falz" <darkfalz.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1169747835.324177.126200@a75g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
> On Jan 25, 1:28 am, gamefa....TakeThisOut@aol.com wrote:
>> I thought I would piggyback this thread to ask if someone can confirm
>> that the 360 will only let you upload tracks from audio CDs (.cda
>> files) onto its hard drive? I know this was the case with the original
>> XBOX, but I was hoping the 360 would let you upload MP3s onto its hard
>> drive. Its cool that it will let you play MP3s in game from *external*
>> devices, but I hate worrying about extra cords, wearing down batteries,
>> etc.
>
> Correct, the only way to store music on the 360's hard drive is to give
> it a CD and have it rip it. It will not read a data disk with MP3's on
> it. You could also stream from a Win32 PC or a Mac using free software.
> Or, if you don't want to deal with cables, get a USB thumbstick type of
> device and leave it plugged in.
>
> --falz
>
 >> Stay informed about: Xbox 360...playing your own music...AND sound effects? 

On Jan 25, 1:28 pm, "Jonah Falcon" <jonahny... RemoveThis @mindspring.com> wrote:
> Doesn't the 360 have some functionality with the iPod? I forgot.

It does indeed, but one has to download the "Optional iPod Support",
which is something like 500kb. I got an iPod a few weeks ago and it
works great. I'm assuming it works exactly the same way a "removable
media device" does.

On a related topic, I plugged in a random USB memory card reader and
put my Digicam media in (Sony Memory stick!) And I could see all of the
pictures from it.

--falz
 >> Stay informed about: Xbox 360...playing your own music...AND sound effects?