Possible ps2 to XBox switch ahead (?'s)

[dbeth]

Well boys....I'm REALLY thinking of ditching my old stuff (ps2 + accessories and 16 games - mainly sports - and a Dreamcast + accessories and 6 games) and picking up an XBox, but I have a few questions first:

1) Is it a smart idea to get an XBox now with the 360 right around the corner? The only reason I'm thinking now is because I don't plan to get a 360 at launch and it's a little cheaper up-front right now.

2) How does the Hi-Def AV pack for XBox work? Do you still have to supply the cables or is it like the ps2 where the cables are attached to the plug?

3) Is XBox Live a one-time charge or a monthly charge?

4) I would be repurchasing a LOT of games I currently own (NFL 2k5, NBA 2k5, CH 2k5, SW Battlefront, DDR, Forza to replace GT4). Does this make any sense?

5) As for ripping CDs to the HD to use in games; does it convert them to mp3/wma or do you need to convert them first? Do games use the compressed versions or the actuall full-size CD files?

6) Do they make an Action Replay Max (the little USB flash drive thinger) for XBox like ps2? If not, does the XBox AR work with a Mac?

I'm still a little iffy if I want to get XBox live or get files off the 'net using AR.

As you can see, I have a lot of questions to answer before going into this. There's a place in town here that buys games/systems/etc and pays more than EB or Gamestop (he says he HATES how they do things and wants to do it the "right" way...seems really cool - but that's a whole store in and of itself) and would be who I'd go through.

Thanks for the help.

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Re: Possible ps2 to XBox switch ahead (?'s)

Well boys....I'm REALLY thinking of ditching my old stuff (ps2 + accessories and 16 games - mainly sports - and a Dreamcast + accessories and 6 games) and picking up an XBox, but I have a few questions first:

1) Is it a smart idea to get an XBox now with the 360 right around the corner? The only reason I'm thinking now is because I don't plan to get a 360 at launch and it's a little cheaper up-front right now.

Personally I'd just go with the 360, as it'll play most if not all XBox games, and you'd have access to the 360 content, as well as the new controller. If you'd rather get an Xbox though it is worth it.

3) Is XBox Live a one-time charge or a monthly charge?

Xbox Live can be paid either monthly or yearly. Most people do it yearly.

4) I would be repurchasing a LOT of games I currently own (NFL 2k5, NBA 2k5, CH 2k5, SW Battlefront, DDR, Forza to replace GT4). Does this make any sense?

It does to me. I sold my PS2 back when the Xbox came out, and I rebought NHL 2002 and NHL Hitz.

5) As for ripping CDs to the HD to use in games; does it convert them to mp3/wma or do you need to convert them first? Do games use the compressed versions or the actuall full-size CD files?

You just pop in a CD, then copy what songs you want. If you're using burnt CD's some Xbox drives read CD-R's, while others read CD-RW's only.

[Spear]

Re: Possible ps2 to XBox switch ahead (?'s)

Welcome to the Darkside....

[insert that picture of Darth Vader with the xbox logo on his chest here]

[cooldude]

Re: Possible ps2 to XBox switch ahead (?'s)

*shrugs I've got both. And I'll be getting both Next Gen systems too(Well and I've got the gamecube and I migth get Nintendo's next gen but it's just for the sake of having all three)

[Jimplication]

Re: Possible ps2 to XBox switch ahead (?'s)

I recommend waiting for 360.

I also recommend keeping PS2, as I bought an Xbox a year ago and have since sold it, and gone back to PS2..

That's personal preference though. I wouldn't invest large amounts of money into the current consoles with the new ones just around the corner.

The 360 will likely cost $300, and the PS3 $400 when it's released.

[dbeth]

Re: Possible ps2 to XBox switch ahead (?'s)

That's the thing....I don't think I'll be investing ANY $$$ into this generation of consoles. I really think the money I'd get from trading this all in to this place will be equal to or greater than what it'd cost to get the Box.

I'm really interested in the HDTV hookup question. Would I have to provide the cables then or are they supplied with the hookup "kit" like the ps2 component cables are?

I'm heavily leaning towards the 360 as the next-gen system of choice because it just looks like Sony's screwing this launch up. This way, I'd have a head start and get used to the system.

It'd be tough for me to buy a Microsoft product though...as I'm a Mac guy. []

Keep the suggestions/assistance coming. I'm gonna run down to the guy tomorrow and get a quote hopefully on everything I'd trade in.

[imdaicon]

Re: Possible ps2 to XBox switch ahead (?'s)

[QUOTE=dbeth]Well boys....I'm REALLY thinking of ditching my old stuff (ps2 + accessories and 16 games - mainly sports - and a Dreamcast + accessories and 6 games) and picking up an XBox, but I have a few questions first:

1) Is it a smart idea to get an XBox now with the 360 right around the corner? The only reason I'm thinking now is because I don't plan to get a 360 at launch and it's a little cheaper up-front right now.

3) Is XBox Live a one-time charge or a monthly charge?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Far be it from me to suggest not getting an XBOX. I have one and it is easily my favorite system of this generation. I dumped my PS2 for the Green Monster and have been very happy with it. But I just think your timing is very bad. Hold on to your Ps2 until after the 360 launches. EB will be choking on XBox system trade ins and I'm sure EBay will be flooded too.

As far as XBox live goes the starter kit with the headset, communicator and Crimson Skies retails for $70. This includes a year of Xbox Live. You can renew your XBox live for a year @$50.

[Kodiak33]

Re: Possible ps2 to XBox switch ahead (?'s)

1) Is it a smart idea to get an XBox now with the 360 right around the corner? The only reason I'm thinking now is because I don't plan to get a 360 at launch and it's a little cheaper up-front right now.

If you're not going to get a 360 at launch I would get an Xbox, there are plenty of good games for it that are pretty cheap right now.

2) How does the Hi-Def AV pack for XBox work? Do you still have to supply the cables or is it like the ps2 where the cables are attached to the plug?

The pack comes with cables too, they plug in to your TV and then they plug into a box that connects to your Xbox.

3) Is XBox Live a one-time charge or a monthly charge?

They have both options. You can get the year package for 60? bucks, and then they have a per month option which is either 5 or 6 bucks.

4) I would be repurchasing a LOT of games I currently own (NFL 2k5, NBA 2k5, CH 2k5, SW Battlefront, DDR, Forza to replace GT4). Does this make any sense?

If you get them cheap yeah.

5) As for ripping CDs to the HD to use in games; does it convert them to mp3/wma or do you need to convert them first? Do games use the compressed versions or the actuall full-size CD files?

It converts the music files to .wma, so it is compressed even moreso than mp3.

6) Do they make an Action Replay Max (the little USB flash drive thinger) for XBox like ps2? If not, does the XBox AR work with a Mac?

Not sure about this, but I'm pretty sure they make one for Xbox. I don't know if it works on a Mac but I bet it does.

[Brankles]

Re: Possible ps2 to XBox switch ahead (?'s)

I made the switch last year... and haven't regretted it once.

I suggest if you want to try out the Box, then you won't regret the switch either.



Holla

[dbeth]

Re: Possible ps2 to XBox switch ahead (?'s)

Thanks for the help guys. I'm gonna run down to this place this afternoon and try to get a quote on my trade-in. That's what's going to be the deciding factor; if I have to pony up extra money to get what I want, it ain't gonna happen.

A couple comments:

-very good to hear about the A/V pack...I was a little worried

-I've sworn I wasn't going to do XBox Live because of the subscription...but that may change.

-I will NEED to get some form of Action Replay to get rosters/settings/patches etc.

I'll let you guys know what I possibly get for a quote.

[dbeth]

Re: Possible ps2 to XBox switch ahead (?'s)

No quote today....they had a backlog of stuff to go through. I'm gonna give them my stuff tomorrow and get a quote by Thursday hopefully. I'm hoping for $200+

[Skyboxer]

Re: Possible ps2 to XBox switch ahead (?'s)

Welcome to the Darkside....

[insert that picture of Darth Vader with the xbox logo on his chest here]

To the Dark Side:

[devilsjaw]

Re: Possible ps2 to XBox switch ahead (?'s)

Thanks for the help guys. I'm gonna run down to this place this afternoon and try to get a quote on my trade-in. That's what's going to be the deciding factor; if I have to pony up extra money to get what I want, it ain't gonna happen.

A couple comments:

-very good to hear about the A/V pack...I was a little worried

-I've sworn I wasn't going to do XBox Live because of the subscription...but that may change.

-I will NEED to get some form of Action Replay to get rosters/settings/patches etc.

I'll let you guys know what I possibly get for a quote.

The subscription cost for Live isn't that bad when you break it down. It's basically 4 bucks a month. That's almost cheaper than a gallon of gas!

As far as action replay, I have a Max Drive for XBox, and it works great, real easy to use. I'd suggest it, but I'm not sure if they make one for Macs. Checkout codejunkies.com

[dbeth]

Re: Possible ps2 to XBox switch ahead (?'s)

My Max Drive for my ps2 works fine with my Mac. I just get the files off the net that I need, dump them to my drive, and then uncrush them to the memory card.

Are most of the rosters that people do on here in Max Drive format for XBox as well? (It's looking to me that Action Replay may work as well on my Mac)

[dbeth]

Re: Possible ps2 to XBox switch ahead (?'s)

Last question (my "inventory" is in the shop right now getting quoted: I'll know Thursday what it's worth to them):

What is the latest & best drive to have in the system: Phillips, Samsung, etc.? Someone around here had a link to the pictures of each and how to tell. I just want to make sure I get a drive that won't suck.

Thanks again!