... But while the Nintendo Wii and the Sony Playstation 3 can go online straight from the box without any additional hardware, Microsoft, in their infinite wisdom, decided not to include wireless connectivity as standard in the Xbox 360.
This leaves you with a couple of options should you ... Read review
Discover greater precision, comfort, and control. The Wireless Xbox 360 Controller for ... more
Windows delivers a consistent and universal gaming experience across both of Microsoft's gaming systems. Experience the ultimate gaming experience on Windows XP
Postage & Packaging: see site for shipping costs Availability: 3-7 days
Designed for versatility and ease, the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter enhances your ... more
Xbox 360 experience in the digital home, seamlessly synchronizing with the Xbox 360 system. You can easily transfer videos and music to your Xbox 360 system from ...
JR9-00002 Discover greater precision, comfort, and control. The Wireless Xbox 360 ... more
Controller for Windows delivers a consistent and universal gaming experience across both of Microsoft?s gaming systems. Experience the ultimate gaming experience on Windows XP and Xbox 360
Postage & Packaging:£0.00 Availability:1-3 Working Days Depending on Service...
Discover greater precision, comfort, and control. The Wireless Xbox 360 Controller for ... more
Windows delivers a consistent and universal gaming experience across both of Microsoft's gaming systems. Experience the ultimate gaming experience on Windows XP
Postage & Packaging:see site for shipping costs Availability:3-7 days
Reviews of Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter Network adapter »
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WIRELESS GAMING - AT A PRICE
Advantages: Wireless connectivity to Xbox live, Simply to setup Disadvantages: Ridiculously expensive, Doesn't come in black to match my Xbox 360 Elite
...to wireless gaming - the Microsoft Xbox 360 wireless networking adapter. This little piece of wizardry wrapped up in white plastic form makes connecting your console to the internet a relatively pain free and tidy solution.
==Setup==
Setting up the wireless adapter is simplicity itself; it clips onto the back of your Xbox 360 or Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive and plugs into one of the available USB ports. Then you need to pop ... ...there are, it wouldn't be Microsoft without a small sting in the tail. The wireless adapters pricing can best be described as steep; you will do well to find one for much less than fifty pounds - quite a price when you consider the competition consoles have wireless connectivity built in. There are also no third party alternatives available, basically if you want to connect wirelessly with your Xbox 360 it's this adapter or nothing. You also need ... more
If, like me, you have an Xbox 360, you will no doubt be aware of the dynamic and enjoyable facility available to you online, namely Xbox live. Xbox live is a place where you can download demos and game add-ons, chat to your friends, and stream movies and videos direct to your Xbox 360 in glorious high definition. But while the Nintendo Wii and the Sony Playstation 3 can go online straight from the box without any additional hardware, Microsoft, in their infinite wisdom, decided not to include wireless connectivity as standard in the Xbox 360.
This leaves you with a couple of options should you wish to get your Xbox 360 online; an Ethernet cable from your router is probably the cheapest way, but in these wireless days I was really looking at reducing the cables stretching around my home, not add to them. There is another method providing you have a laptop with wireless connectivity, but this means having the laptop on and joined to the Xbox 360 with a cable - again not overly practical. On then to what seems like the easiest, tidiest solution to wireless gaming - the Microsoft Xbox 360 wireless networking adapter. This little piece of wizardry wrapped up in white plastic form makes connecting your console to the internet a relatively pain free and tidy solution.
Setup
Setting up the wireless adapter is simplicity itself; it clips onto the back of your Xbox 360 or Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive and plugs into one of the available USB ports. Then you need to pop to the System Settings section on your Xbox 360 dashboard. There you will see a network Settings tab which will take you to a page where you can configure the adapter to work with your network. This setup process takes about two minutes to complete during which time you will be asked for your routers WEP number (the number that keeps your wireless network secure). And that is pretty much all there is too it; there are other options on this page including a 'Test network' button, this will tell you the strength of the signal the adapter is receiving and if there are any other problems or issues. A little green light on the adapter itself should signify that all is well and you are able to connect wirelessly.
So I'm all setup, what can I do with my wireless adapter?
Well, the answer to that is, a lot! I mentioned at the start of the review that you can play games online, and that you can download game content to extend the shelf life of those expensive games. You can also download full length films and music videos as well as themes and pictures to brighten up your consoles look. But the biggest appeal of connecting the Xbox to my network is the ability to link up with my PC via the Windows Media Centre; and thus being able to watch, view or listen to the pictures, videos and songs stored on my PC. This function really transforms the Xbox 360 from a dedicated gaming machine into a true multimedia centre for film watching, picture viewing and tune hearing. It must of course be noted though that this can all also be done if you connect your Xbox 360 to your Network via an Ethernet cable, so these are not processes unique to the wireless adapter.
Any downsides?
Of course there are, it wouldn't be Microsoft without a small sting in the tail. The wireless adapters pricing can best be described as steep; you will do well to find one for much less than fifty pounds - quite a price when you consider the competition consoles have wireless connectivity built in. There are also no third party alternatives available, basically if you want to connect wirelessly with your Xbox 360 it's this adapter or nothing. You also need a Gold membership to Xbox live to do many of the things I have outlined above, this will set you back another thirty or so pounds. And as if the price of the adapter and the gold account weren't enough, you also have to pay for the majority of films, game add-ons and themes with Microsoft points. All in all connecting and using Xbox live to its full potential add up to a rather expensive past time. That said, these are issues with the Xbox 360 online experience as a whole and perhaps it's unfair to lay all of the blame at the wireless adapters' door. Just that those who buy this adapter thinking it will be the last of their expense are in for a rather nasty surprise.
Conclusion
All things considered I recommend this adapter, and award it four stars out of five. Its simplicity of setup and use mean you don't need a computing degree to use it, and its size means it is an unobtrusive addition to the back of your Xbox 360 console. But the price really is too high. And it's not even a "Rip off Britain" issue - the wireless adapter retails for $82.96 on the American Amazon site, making it even more expensive than it is here in the UK by today's conversion rates (£53.99 as appose to £45.97 on Amazons UK site). So come on Microsoft, either release the licensing of this little dongle to third party developers or give us all a treat in this recession ravaged era, and drop the price a bit so we can all enjoy wireless gaming without the accompanying pain in the wallet.
tractor-boy 28.11.2008 (28.11.2008)
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Review of Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter Network adapter
Advantages: No need for wires. Reliable Disadvantages: Over inflated cost.
...it too, so why have Microsoft decided to omit it from the Xbox? In my opinion, the answer is simple, it is hard work to bridge a connection from your laptop and the majority of Xbox users will not have their console in close proximity to their router. Therefore, the only other alternative is to spend £60 and buy the Microsoft Wireless network adapter. Microsoft have been cute here, there are plenty of wireless USB wifi internet dongles on the market, ... ...a one way street by Microsoft but my daughter was getting fed up of me borrowing her laptop to bridge the connection each time I wanted to play online so I had no choice but to take the plunge. ===Installation ===
Installation of the adapter could not be simpler. With the Xbox turned off, plug the adapter into a spare USB socket and its job done, it really is that easy. The adapter clips nicely onto the back of the Xbox to prevent it from getting ...
craggybuk 02.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter Network adapter
Advantages: Does a great job Disadvantages: Filling Mr Gates pockets again
...WiFi dongle, but thanks to Microsoft and Mr Gates unless you are extremely knowledgeable about WiFi and the Xbox you will require a Microsoft specific WiFi dongle such as is described in this products listing. This dongle is going to cost you in the region of £55 so Bill has just screwed you out of £35 smackeroonies.
That aside this Microsoft official product is simplicity in motion when it does come to connecting your Xbox to the net. The small ... ...one end of it, and an antenna at the other. Raise the antenna and plug in the USB connecter to the rear left of your Xbox. The unit is going to allow you to do things like play streaming video from websites. More importantly for gamers you will now be able to join the many gaming communities and participate in live tournaments, thus testing you skill against real opponents rather than AI ones.
A simple set up process to get the device talking to ...
donf18 22.02.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter Network adapter
Advantages: no trailing/extra wires, easy to install, Disadvantages: cost
...Streams photos and music from Microsoft Windows XP ~~ Plays recorded TV, movies and videos from your Microsoft Windows XP Media Center based PC ~~ Easy setup and installation ~~ Collaborates with Xbox 360 authentic wireless accessories for worry-free integration ~~ 802.11a allows stepped-up data
Product Details
~~ Product Dimensions: 5 x 2 x 1 cm ; 400 g ~~ From the main white unit, there is a 4cm aerial, and an 8cm cable running from it to the ... ...off to the main computer. Microsoft could have priced the adapter lower, especially when you consider what other extras you would buy, including the live subscription as well. I have also found the Xbox 360 as a child friendly machine as the controller is wireless too, so we can play games without him trying to pull wires out.
Our Xbox 360 is located in the lounge downstairs and the router is upstairs in the second bedroom/office, which is located ...
nicolaks1 29.08.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter Network adapter
Advantages: Easy to install, Works well, reliable Disadvantages: Expensive
If you enjoy playing online on your xbox 360 and your router is not easily accessible with wires then you should seriously consder getting yourself a wireless adapter. The Adapter cost around £50-£60 which I think is ridiculously over priced for what is simply a wireless adapter which generally cost aroud £10, but seeing as it is the only option for wireless gaming on the Xbox 360 then if you really want wireless it is your only option.
The adapter ... ...into place at the back of the Xbox 360 and plug the usb plug into the port, and adjust the aerial to face upwards for maximum range. Once you have the adapter in place and plugged in, when you turn on your xbox you will be greeted with a message asking you if you want to configure your wireless device to a network. Clicking 'yes' will bring you to a new page showing all wireless networks in your area. My adapter had no trouble in finding my router ...
kristofski93 17.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter Network adapter
Microsoft and their proprietary products are poor performance,and too expensive.This adapter detects the same network my pc adapter detects but only 1 bar of signal.My pc adapter has 5 bars on the network.The xbox adapter must not have an omni antenna and the gain is probably 1dbi.I tried to opened this crap and put a higher gain antenna but the connector is a sub micro connector specially made for microsoft to screw us.I still could have rigged ... ...to pry this thing apart,now there goes 70 bucks,never again.
Fortunately i discovered linksys sells a universal game adapter (part number WGA54G),the adpater is also pc compatible,why isnt the xbox adapter pc compatible?Anyway,the linksys has an omni antenna and yes its removable to get a better omni.The signal is 5 to 15 times stronger than the xbox adapter depending on your antenna gain.The price is also cheaper used but the same as xbox adapter ...
JohnRedcorn 28.11.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter Network adapter
