List of Xbox 360 accessories

The Xbox 360 game console, developed by Microsoft, features a number of components and accessories.

Controllers

Xbox 360 Wireless Controller.

Up to four controllers are supported by the Xbox 360, including wired and wireless gamepads. The wired gamepads may be connected to any of the three (two on the front, one in the rear) USB ports located on the console, or to a USB hub. A USB keyboard is also supported, but only for inputting text and navigating the dashboard.

Gamepad

The black and white buttons have been replaced with the right and left bumpers and an Xbox Guide button has been added to the center. Wired gamepads feature a nine foot (2.74 m) long cord with a break-away feature. They can be used with any USB and Windows equipped computer. Wireless gamepads have a range of about 30 feet (~9 m) and use either two AA batteries or a NiMH rechargeable battery pack. When a gamepad is powered on, a quadrant of the LED "Ring of Light" around the power button is lit up indicating connection and ordering -- first player corresponds to the upper-left quadrant, and the rest progress clockwise. The "Ring of Light" also adorns the Xbox Guide button; it will flash in case of a low battery warning on the wireless gamepad.

As a first for console controllers, the wired version can be used as a PC gamepad out of the box without the use of any converters. Regardless of the green Xbox 360 packaging or the red PC packaging, it is the same controller either way- the only difference being that the PC package comes with a driver disc included, while the standard package requires users to download the PC drivers. The downside is that the Xbox Guide button is currently inoperable, but future driver updates are expected to support it. At E3 06, Microsoft announced a wireless adapter, which would allow wireless gamepads to be used on PCs.

Steering wheel

The "Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel" was introduced by Microsoft at the 2006 E3. Due this fall, the force feedback steering wheel controller will include the standard gamepad buttons and floor-mounted accelerator and brake pedals. Although the wheel is capable of running off the rechargable battery pack, use of the force feedback and active resistance features will require an external AC adaptor.

Battery packs and chargers

• Rechargeable battery pack: This nickel metal hydride battery pack provides up to 30 hours of continuous gaming for the wireless controller. It is recommended in place of disposable AA batteries (which differ slightly in voltage). It also ships as part of the Play & Charge Kit.
• Play and Charge kit: allows the controller to be recharged while playing a game by plugging the wireless controller into one of the USB ports. Also includes the rechargeable battery pack. It should also be noted that the Play and Charge kit allows you to use a wireless controller with the battery pack removed (please note: the manual states this will damage the pad). However, it does not allow the wireless pad to be used as a wired controller on a PC.
• Quick Charge Kit: Charges your two rechargable battery packs in less time than the Play and Charge Kit. Comes with one new battery pack.

Faceplates

The default white faceplate can be replaced with a range of custom designs, each sold separately. The prices of these custom designs are around $20 with more to be released by third party manufacturers. Microsoft has also distributed three promotional faceplates, one for those present at the E3 2005 unveiling, one for those at the Zero Hour launch event and one for VIP X05 attendees. While the face plate exists for aesthetic reasons, it still serves several other functional roles like airflow direction, dust and particle deterrence, and protection for the DVD-tray and memory slots.

AV connection

Adapters and cables are available for TOSLINK, RCA (audio and video), S-video, Component video, VGA, D-Terminal, and SCART connections, depending on regional standard.

A picture has emerged on the internet that supposedly shows an Xbox 360 motherboard with a HDMI connection. However Microsoft has not released any confirmation on if they are actually implementing a HDMI port into the Xbox 360.[2]

HD DVD drive

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The external HD DVD drive

Bill Gates announced during his keynote speech at CES 2006 that an external HD DVD drive would be released for the 360 during 2006. At E3 2006, Microsoft officially presented the external HD DVD drive. The new drive is set to be released later in 2006. The HD DVD drive will launch on November 17th 2006 in Japan for ¥19,800(US$170).. The drive will be able to play the next generation of digital media storage for HD movies, while all the Xbox 360 games are still based on DVD format. Microsoft has no plans to include an internal HD DVD player in future Xbox 360 designs. The E3 HD DVD shown does not have an HDMI port, and it connects to the Xbox 360 via USB. There is an integrated USB hub with two ports on the rear of the HD DVD drive along with a spot for the Xbox 360 Wireless adaptor to clip on.

Peter Moore has stated that if HD DVD loses the format war, Microsoft may also release an external Blu-ray drive. This was later denied by Microsoft. According to Japan's chief of Xbox operations Yoshihiro Maruyama, Microsoft will not release Xbox 360 games in the new disc formats. The Xbox 360 lacks a HDMI port, and will not be able to play HD DVDs at full resolution if the ICT flag is set, although rumours of an updated Xbox 360 motherboard featuring a HDMI port have surfaced.

Memory

• Detachable hard drive: An optional detachable SATA 20 GB hard drive is used for the storage of games, music, downloaded trailers, levels, demos, player preferences, and community-created content from Xbox Live Marketplace; it may also be used to transfer such content between Xbox 360 units. It is required to play original Xbox games. Only 13 GB of this hard drive are available to the user; the rest is reserved for the system and games. According to J Allard, the chief of Microsoft's Xbox division, Microsoft may sell larger capacity detachable hard drives for the Xbox 360 in the future, and territories outside of North America may have a differently sized hard drive in the retail unit.
• Memory Unit: a portable 64 MB device which allows the transfer of saved games, in-game achievements and unique gamer profiles to other Xbox 360 consoles. Microsoft also announced a 256 MB version on E3, 2006, which will be available in Q4 2006, price yet unknown.

Networking

Wireless Networking Adapter: The Wi-Fi (802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g) adapter is sold separately for an MSRP of $99.99. There are also many third-party adapters which are connected through the ethernet port, and recognized by the Xbox 360 as a wired connection. Using an official or third-party wireless bridge the console will automatically detect and link up with other Xbox 360 consoles that are within range and form a mesh network. Please note that although the adapter's manual states that it supports WPA2, it does NOT support it at this time. It is unknown whether or not Microsoft has plans to enable this feature through a future firmware or software update through Xbox live. When setting up a connection to an unlisted access point, there is an option titled 'WPA2' that is currently greyed out on the 'Edit Wireless Security Settings' screen.

Headset

• Headset: allows gamers to talk to each other when plugged into the controller's expansion port and connected to Xbox Live. Some upcoming Xbox 360 titles may benefit from voice command too. It has an in-line volume control and a mute switch. It is worth noting that you do not need an official headset for your controller, any standard 2.5 mm socket handsfree set from a mobile phone will work as a headset.
• Wireless headset: The upcoming wireless headset uses the console's built-in 2.4 GHz wireless receiver to communicate with the Xbox 360. This allows players to use the headset without an active controller from up to an estimated range of 30 ft. It runs on a rechargeable battery and has a charger included. The headset is expected to hit store shelves for the 2006 holiday season. Price has not been announced but expected to be in the 40-60 USD range.

Universal Media Remote

Assists in the playing of DVD movies and music (although the console can play such media without the remote), and offers controls for a TV or Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC. The universal media remote is a larger version of the media remote that was initially shipped with the premium version of the console (which is no longer available). Both remotes allow basic control of games, along with being able to navigate the dashboard. The remote controls interface with the Xbox 360 via infrared.

Live Vision Camera

Main article: Xbox Live Vision Camera

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Xbox Live Vision Camera

The Xbox Live Vision Camera was announced at E3 2006 and will be available in North America on September 19, 2006, and Europe and Asia (except Japan, as the release date has not been confirmed yet) on October 2, 2006.[3] [4] At present there are 2 Live Arcade games which have camera functionality included, UNO and Texas Hold-Em Poker. The ability to create an in-game representation of yourself can also be done with this camera. The new dashboard released on June 13, 2006 added an option in the system tab to support its functions.