Your Shape: Fitness Evolved is the exact title of the game released alongside the revolutionary Kinect motion sensor. The premise is simple: the game “invites you to get off your couch and get into shape”.

What Does Xbox Kinect Fitness Involve?

Your Shape will involve a number of ways to get you fit. The basic premise is that your personal trainer will guide you through ways to target different areas of the body. You can either perform the exercises alone, in the form of exercise classes, or play mini-games to get the whole family involved. You can get fit at the same time as having fun!

One of the major benefits of the system is that you”ll get feedback not just on your progress, but on the exact movements you”re making with your body. The game intelligently follows your progress and fitness levels, creating unique workouts to match.

The huge variety of workouts (there are literally hundreds) will also help to keep you motivated and on track with your fitness goals. You can watch as you progress by tracking the number of calories you burn, and the individual scores you earn for completing the workouts correctly.

Xbox Kinect Fitness Compared to the Nintendo Wii

Nintendo Wii offered the first real opportunity to get fit by using a video game. There were a number of fitness options available, the most advanced of which made use of the Wii Balance board to measure weight, balance and certain movements. The Wii Remote was able to measure movements, though not completely accurately.

The difference between the Nintendo Wii and Xbox Kinect is that the latter is able to detect movements made by your whole body. The camera literally watches you as you run and perform the different exercises, and you won”t need extra equipment, apart from the Kinect itself, to see these benefits.

The truth is that games consoles are appealing to many more people than just hardcore gamers, especially with the release of Xbox Kinect Fitness games. Even if you”re not interested in traditional video games, these fitness games can give you the ability to learn how to work out properly, in a motivating setting, without having to leave the house or pay for individual classes.

The Original Post is Located Here: Xbox Kinect Fitness: How Kinect is Changing the Way We Exercise

Blu-Ray Player

One of the major selling points of the Playstation 3, especially over rival systems such as the Xbox 360, is that it includes a Blu-ray disc player. Blu-ray is quickly becoming the norm in home entertainment, and it means that you can enjoy feature films in beautiful high definition (not to mention that you can also take advantage of high definition gaming).

Watch Movies In Complete Comfort

The Playstation 3 allows you to watch movies in complete comfort, just as if you were using a Blu-ray DVD player. The New Playstation 3 Slim model means that there will be less noise than ever before, so you won’t be disturbed even during the quietest movie moments. On top of this, you won’t have to use a wired controller like with older Playstation systems. You can control your DVDs using a wireless remote.

How to Watch Movies On the Playstation 3

Apart from using the Blu-ray disc/ DVD player, there are a number of ways to watch your movies on the Playstation 3 console. You can also watch movies that you store on the hard drive of your Playstation 3, as long as they’re in the right file format.

A number of different file types work with the Playstation 3, including MPEG, AVI, Motion JPEG, AVCHD, DivX, MVC and VC-1.

Playstation Store Movies

If you want access to more movies that you don’t currently own, then take advantage of the Playstation Store. This is the library of movies available to the PS3 and PSP. The cheapest option is to rent a movie, though you can also buy them outright if you want to be able to watch them whenever you want. You have 14 days to start watching a rental movie, and 48 hours to complete it once you’ve started the video.

As you can see, the Playstation 3 really does have huge scope when it comes to watching movies. When compared to systems like the Xbox 360, many Blu-ray fans opt for the PS3 simply because it contains this popular feature. Whether it seals the deal is up to you, just make sure you like the games that the PS3 has on offer too!

The Original Post is Located Here: Why The Playstation 3 Is the Best Console for Watching Movies

So How Does Move Work?

The new Sony Move wireless controller helps to create a new gaming experience, by incorporating a handheld controller alongside the Playstation Eye USB camera. This is more advanced than previous controllers, such as the Nintendo Wii, due to the fact that it detects player position and uses more advanced motion sensors to detect all kinds of movement.

As well as your own physical actions being replicated on the screen, you’ll also be able to feel certain movements through vibrations in the controller. At the end of the controller is a sphere, which will change color depending on the activity that’s happening in the game.

If you want even more control in certain games, then you can get two of the Move motion controllers so that each hand can make its own movement. This will be useful in fighting games, for example, or for archery tournaments.

The Navigation Controller

The Navigation controller is a optional secondary controller for the system. It adds directional buttons, two shoulder buttons and a directional stick that will be essential for certain types of games. For example, those games that include a character that you need to control will require this kind of controller. It’s also useful for navigating menus and making games even more realistic.

How to Use the Sony Move

As you can see, when you buy the Sony Move, there are a number of components you’ll need to get hold of. Although the Navigation controller is optional, you are going to have to get the motion controller itself alongside the Playstation Eye USB camera. For the best value, you can buy the Playstation Move bundle which includes all three items for $100 (as well as a bonus Sports game: Sports Champions).

You might also choose to get more than one controller so that you can play with your friends. Motion controlled games are always fun to play with others, and the Move system allows you to connect up to four motion controllers, or up to two motion controllers and two navigation controllers, at once.

Once you get hold of your Sony Move system, simply connect it up with the camera above the television and you’ll quickly be able to take advantage of all that it has to offer!

The Original Post is Located Here: Sony Move: What Is It and How Do You Use It?

According to Microsoft themselves, “the new Xbox 360 gives you the ultimate gaming and entertainment experience” – coming ready for the new Kinect motion sensor that will revolutionize gaming.

The new Xbox 360 (otherwise known as Xbox 360 Slim 250GB), boasts a number of upgrades:

1) Kinect Compatible: As mentioned above, the new 360 console works with Kinect right out of the box, with a built in port. However, Kinect will work with older Xbox 360 consoles through the use of an adaptor.

2) New Design: Nobody can fail to notice how sleek the new Xbox looks in comparison to the older model. It’s slimmer (as its name suggests) and has a glossy black finish as opposed to the matte finish of older models. The new design also makes it lighter and thinner than the older design. In short, it’ll fit in easier around your television, and look nicer on display too!

3) Power Block: Previous Xbox users will know just how big the old power brick was. This one is a little smaller but, more importantly, it requires less power to use.

4) Quieter Model: One of the biggest complaints of the older Xbox 360 was that it was extremely noisy while playing games or watching movies. The new Xbox is “whisper quiet”, and the difference is noticeable – it won’t ruin those quiet moments in movies anymore!

5) Built In Wi-Fi: The older Xbox models required a separate adaptor to connect to wireless networks. The new Xbox 360 now has this functionality built in, meaning it’s a lot easier and more convenient to connect to Xbox live.

6) Huge 250GB Hard Drive: The new hard drive size is massive, rivaling even many computers! You’ll be able to store thousands of files including games, movies, music and anything else you need to. It’ll take a long time to fill up!

If you’re a casual user who already has an Xbox that’s working perfectly, you may not choose to upgrade. However, if you’ve had your Xbox for a while and it’s starting to show it’s age, then it’ll definitely be worth upgrading to the new Xbox 360 Slim. The upgrades are noticeable, and it won’t cost much different to what the original Xbox cost when you bought it.

The Original Post is Located Here: The New Xbox 360 Vs The Old Xbox 360: What Changed?

New Design

The first thing that you’ll notice when looking to buy Playstation 3 is that the “Slim” version has a completely new design. As the name suggests, the newest model is slimmer and generally smaller, coming in at 6.5 centimeters wide, and 29 centimeters height and width. The console is a lot lighter, now weighing just 7 pounds. The finish is now matte black rather than the old glossy style.

Energy Efficiency

Alongside a design overhaul, the PS3 Slim is also designed to be more energy efficient, now making use of a 250-watt power supply as opposed to the older Playstation 3′s 280-watt supply.

Hard Drive

With the release of the PS3 Slim, the price went down and a number of features were increased, including the size of the hard drive. The old Playstation included an 80GB drive, and the PS3 Slim was released with 120GB. There are also packages that include hard drive sizes of up to 320GB which is huge by console standards. The hard drive is removable, which is a bonus.

Backward Compatibility

Like other Playstation 3 models before it, the PS3 Slim still does not come with backward compatibility for older Playstation 2 games. This may influence your decision to buy Playstation 3 Slim, if you have many PS2 games that you still like to play.

Operating Systems

Previous models of Playstation allowed users to install third-party operating systems on them, and this feature has now been removed. However, it’s not something that most users would have had a use for.

Aside from these changes, the best features of the Playstation 3 still remain, such as the Blu-ray disc player and high quality graphics on top games. Whether you buy Playstation 3 Slim will depend upon whether you already own a Playstation. If you’ve had an old PS3 for a while, then it’s a worthy upgrade. If you’ve never owned a Playstation before, then now is a fantastic time to buy one – take advantage of the lowest prices and save even more by opting for bundles that include games and the new Playstation Move motion controller.

The Original Post is Located Here: Should You Buy Playstation 3 Slim? The Slim Vs. The Old Playstation 3

What is the Red Ring of Death?

The Red Ring of Death is a nickname for a technical issue with the original Xbox 360 console (also known as “Red Lights of Death” or “Red Ring of Doom”) that is highlighted by three red flashing lights around the Xbox power button, as opposed to the normal green lights that show the console is working properly.

The lights display in this way to show that the console requires service to fix the problem. Before the lights occur, some of the warnings signs were freezing during games, and seeing odd patterns on the screen. Unfortunately the problem has caused many to have to send their consoles back to Microsoft, unable to play until it was fixed.

What About the Xbox 360 Slim?

Technically, there is no Red Ring of Death on the new slim console. This is because Microsoft has changed the way in which errors are now reported. Instead of red lights, there is now a red flash on the open button to show when there’s an error.

The Xbox 360 Slim has still been known to fail, just like the old Xbox 360 did. However, the failure rate has been reduced although Microsoft are not generally open about the exact percentage of their machines that do fail.

Reasons why the failure rate is now a lot lower is due to the fact that overheating is not so much of an issue as it once was (with better fan systems), and that the new error system shuts down the console during critical times, preventing damage from occurring.

Should This Influence Your Decision As to Which Console to Buy?

Many people compare the Red Ring of Death to the Yellow Light of Death that has been experienced by users of the PS3 and the PS3 Slim. The failure rates of the Playstation were known to be lower, but with the newest Xbox release, they are now more even in that respect.

The truth is that, like anything electronic, the Xbox 360 Slim can fail – just like any other games console. You will be protected under warranty, and you can also take good care of your Xbox to make sure it’s well ventilated, helping to reduce the chance of the issue occurring.

The Original Post is Located Here: Does the Xbox 360 Slim Solve the Red Ring of Death?

Xbox Console and Kinect Bundle: The most popular Xbox 360 Slim bundle is undoubtedly the console and Kinect package (released November 4, 2010). This comes in a number of different prices depending on whether you choose a 250GB or 4GB hard drive size.

The main benefit of choosing this bundle is that you’ll only be paying $100 extra to get the Kinect motion control sensor. If you bought the Kinect package alone, you’d have to pay $150. The prices of the consoles alone vs. buying them as part of a bundle are:

• Xbox 250GB $299.99
• Xbox 250GB and Kinect bundle $399.99

• Xbox 4GB $199.99
• Xbox 4GB and Kinect bundle $299.99

So what’s included in the bundle? For a start, you’ll get the latest edition of the top-selling games console. The Slim version now includes a glossy finish and is much smaller than the original Xbox. You’ll also get the Kinect Sensor that plugs directly into the port of the Xbox 360 Slim, the Kinect Adventures Game (rated “E” for everyone), the Xbox Black Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 Headset, and the Xbox Composite A/V cable.

Xbox 360 Slim Bundle With Halo Reach: Next you can choose the Xbox 360 Halo Reach bundle which comes with an exclusively designed version of the new slimmer Xbox console, alongside a copy of the game and two controllers that match the design of the console.

The Halo Reach console design features original artwork that was inspired by the game, and is sold as part of a limited edition for true fans of the title. The game itself was designed exclusively for the Xbox console, and Halo: Reach is the prequel to the bestselling original Halo game.

The included console includes the biggest hard drive size available (250GB) and comes with a one month gold membership to Xbox LIVE.

Kinect Bundle: Lastly, you can purchase the Kinect sensor without also needing to buy the Xbox 360 console. The Kinect bundle simply includes the sensor bar alongside the family game “Kinect Adventures”. This will cost $150, which is more expensive than buying the Xbox 360 Slim bundle with Kinect included, but useful for those who already own the console.

As you can see, there are a number of Xbox 360 Slim bundle options designed to suit all needs and tastes in games. Whatever you choose will depend on whether you already own an Xbox. One thing’s for sure – the Kinect is sure to sell out fast!

The Original Post is Located Here: Xbox 360 Slim Bundle Options To Save You Money

Microsoft Xbox Kinect

The Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect is designed as a single sensor bar, priced at $149, to be plugged into either older 360 models using an adapter, or the special port that can be found on the new Xbox 360 Slim. Without the need for a controller, the Kinect instead focuses bodily movements of one or two players, and the menu system is controlled by grabbing and dragging certain items.

Playstation Move

The Move comes packaged a little differently to the Kinect. The main motion controller is priced at $50, and there will be a second navigation controller for $30. To work properly, the Move also requires a PS3 Eye camera which costs $40 alone. All of these devices can be bought in a bundle for $100. The camera will read the way you move, to translate this into on-screen action.

Games: Both motion sensors will have a number of games being released to take full advantage of what they have to offer. However, from what we can see of Kinect so far, the games are aimed at family play, whereas the Playstation games are designed for older gamers. It all depends on what you like!

Setup: Because it consists of fewer parts, the Kinect is easier to get up and running than the Move. To get started with Move, you’ll need to set up all of those separate components, and sync the controller with the console, before you can be playing properly.

Menu: Both menus may take some getting used to depending on your experience, though the Kinect tends to look more high-tech and makes it easier to find what you want. The Move menu is a little less intuitive.

Design: The Kinect looks sleeker than the Move, thanks to the fact that it’s a single unit. The main controller for the Move is a ping-pong ball on the end of the controller, which some people may not like as much. With the Kinect, you don’t even need to hold a controller.

Price: The Move wins the price war hands down, coming in affordable bundles that greatly undercut the price of the Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect.

When it comes to choosing your console of choice for motion-controlled gaming, the Nintendo Wii, Sony Move and Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect are the main choices – but the latter two provide the newest and most original experience. It all depends on how much you’ve got to spend, which games you want to play, and whether you prefer the ease of the single sensor bar design vs. the multiple component setup of the Move.

The Original Post is Located Here: Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect Vs the PS3 With Move

The Controllers

The WiiMote can pick up movements along two-axis and when it is rotated. It also includes a D-pad controller, vibrations, sounds and buttons for those games that don’t make use of motion. The Nunchuk adds a joystick to the equation.

Sony Move could be seen as similar to the WiiMote in some respects. It includes a ball on the end that lights up during various stages of the game, and includes the four Playstation buttons, a trigger button, Move button and vibrations. It’s more sensitive than the WiiMote as it includes two three-axis motion sensors, both to measure speed and measurements of direction. There is also an additional navigational controller. Along with the camera, the Move system is able to detect a much greater range of movement than the Wii.

Video Camera

Firstly, in the debate of Playstation Move or Wii, it’s important to take a look at the elements which make up the motion controlled aspect of the console. For the Wii, this simply means the motion controllers alongside WiiMotion Plus if you choose to buy the add-on.

However, the Playstation Move (like the Xbox rival product, Kinect) comes with a camera. The benefit of including a video camera in the system is that it helps to track movements even more accurately. It also means that you can capture video and still pictures if you should want or need to.

Voice Control

This is another option that the Playstation Move includes that the Wii is lacking. You can purchase a microphone if you need it for Wii games, but it isn’t built into the system. With the Move, the Playstation Eye camera includes a microphone that’s capable of ignoring background noises and focusing on your speech only.

Price

The major benefit of the Nintendo Wii is the fact that the Wii console includes the motion controller, Nunchuk and Wii Sports game. If you want to get hold of the Playstation Move then you’re going to need to pay extra for the camera, the controller, and the optional navigation controller. It’s all available in a single package at $100 – not cheap considering the cost of the console on top of that.

In the battle of Playstation Move or Wii you’ll need to carefully consider what you’re looking for. If you’re not too bothered about having the latest technology, and just want to go with the cheapest option, then  a Wii is for you. However, if you’ve already got the PS3, or you want the very best in motion controlled technology, then the Playstation Move will be well worth the upfront investment.

The Original Post is Located Here: Playstation Move or Wii: Which Is Best For Motion Gaming?

Kinect Adventures

This is the game that comes packaged with the Kinect, whether you buy the Kinect on its own or as part of an Xbox 360 Slim console bundle. This is rated E, and is designed for the whole family to enjoy together. It consists of twenty different adventures, from obstacle courses to rafting.

Kinectimals

The second of the Kinect games designed for families is Kinectimals, letting you choose a partner to explore with, from one of five animals. You”ll play with your companion, teach it commands, and take part in contests.

Dance Central

This is set to be one of the hottest Kinect games, perfect for children, adults and groups of friends at parties. Dance Central includes full-body dance moves that don”t require any controller to act out. Each track has different choreography depending on whether you”re a beginner or an expert, and tracks range from pop to hip hop.

Kinect Sports

This is Xbox”s answer to Wii Sports, and the sports include volleyball, soccer, bowling, boxing, track & field and table tennis. The main difference is that Kinect Sports offers full body play. You can choose to play alone or as part of a team, and it”s suitable for all levels of fitness.

Kinect Joy Ride

This is the karting game from Kinect, that doesn”t require a controller. There are five different game modes in which you race through different worlds, and navigate your way through the courses using the movements of your body.

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved

The motion control capabilities of Kinect mean that there”s huge scope for fitness, and Your Shape: Fitness Evolved takes full advantage of the fact that the sensor can detect your whole body. Track your burned calories, interact with your personal trainer and perform personalized workouts that keep you motivated.

Zumba Fitness

Zumba is the new fitness and dance craze, and it”s now even more fun thanks to this Kinect game. Your Zumba instructor will guide you through the 30 routines that help you to lose weight while having fun.

Sonic Free Riders

The classic Sonic is now featuring on Kinect, but in a different way than ever before. Choose a character who you will help to race against the competition. The racing takes advantage of full body motion to make your way through the various courses.

Kinect games aren”t ordinary video games: they”ll have you moving your body, jumping, running and more! If you want to get a little exercise, then this is the way to do it! You”ll soon find yourself immersed in what Kinect has to offer, with many more titles on the way.

The Original Post is Located Here: Kinect Games: Titles Compatible With the New Xbox 360 Motion Controller