There's still a lot
of life left in that old, black Xbox.
With the release of the Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3 and
the Xbox 360, we often find ourselves wondering what to
do with our old video game systems. Sure, we could
simply sell
them for pennies on the
dollar compared to what we paid. But along
with selling the old game systems, we're also giving up
our library of games in most cases. Not
because they won't work in our backwards compatible next generation consoles,
but because it's the only way we can
get a few extra dollars for the
console.
While
most last generation game consoles don't really NEED to be
on our entertainment shelves, there is an exception when it
comes to the Xbox console. You see, the Xbox can
do a
whole lot more than just
play our Xbox games. Granted this is not
right out of the box so to speak, but with
a little bit of work on your part,
you could turn that Xbox into a full blown media and
entertainment center, rivaling even $1000.00 all in one
systems that we could build using a
PC.
The little
bit of work
that I am referring to
is the addition of an Xbox Mod Chip
into our Xbox console. There are many reasons to install
and Xbox mod chip into our Xbox system. One of
the most common reasons is to play import games from
other countries
- games that more often
than not don't even make it to our
store shelves. Then of course there's the backup game play
ability. Making a backup of your original Xbox
game, and using your Backup copy when playing your games, so
that your original remains in tip top condition.
This is quite possibly the most common
reason.
There is
however an even better reason to put a modchip into your Xbox
console. By installing an Xbox Mod Chip like the DuoX 3 chip
into your Xbox, you'll have the ability to
not only play import and
backup games, but to turn the Xbox into
the best media player / media center you could ever
possibly buy - and it's all free. The Xbox modchip
isn't free, but once installed, all of the additional software
is free.
A little known piece of
software for the Xbox is the Xbox Media
Center. This software suite allows you to watch DVD movies,
DivX movies, listen to MP3 music, and even
stream digital media right from the internet. Heck, you could even
watch all of the latest YouTube.com videos right
on your Xbox, with the built in
browser.
The Xbox
Media Center (XBMC) turns that old black Xbox into quite
possible the best entertainment system
on your entertainment unit. A
region free DVD player. A full blown MP3
player that plays all type of MP3 files as well
as other Audio files. You can easily download and burn
Windows Media Player files and load them right from DVD
Disc. The
latest DivX movies are compatible,
as well as streaming radio from places like
Shoutcast, etc... And if you're into retro arcade games, or
old console system games, then the built in
emulators on the XBMC will keep you busy for hours and
hours playing your favorite old classic games as
easily as you would play an Xbox
game.
Don't let
the prospect of buying and installing a mod chip scare you.
And Xbox Mod
Chip will run you about
$30.00 and installation time is less than 45
minutes from start to finish, especially if you're purchasing an
easy to install modchip like the DuoX 3 or the
Aladdin Xbox mod chip. You don't have to be a
pro at
soldering, or electronics to be
able to do the installation. If you're not
confident however, there are plenty of electronics stores, more than
likely right in your neighbourhood that will gladly
install the chip for you for $25.00 so that you can
really start to enjoy all of the benefits
of the XBMC and your new media
player.
So before
you go and sell your Xbox for $50.00 or $60.00,
I would strongly urge you to take a look at
the Xbox Media Center and consider using your Xbox as
your home
entertainment system as well as
playing your old Xbox games on the console.
Whether you're using it to watch divX movies and listen
to your favorite MP3's or playing classic console
games with the built in game emulators, you're not going to
regret spending a few dollars on a mod
chip and a little time to install
it.
Steven Fields
About the Author
For more information on the XMBC you can visit their
homepage at http://www.xboxmediacenter.com To find an Xbox Mod Chip that
is right for your console, like the DuoX 3 as well as various
other mod chips for Xbox go to http://www.ps2cover.com/xbox-mod-chips.shtml
