Is Xbox 360 Deaf Friendly Machine?
19 09 2007Grant talked about Xbox 360 console game machine but is it deaf friendly machine? He would love to know if anybody have it, too.
Apparently, most of the features are obviously deaf-friendly except few things. Read on.
1. Playing Xbox Live (online via Internet against other players) is probably one of the most disadvantages out there. Most hearing players use headset to communicate each other even it is not required. Text messenger is optional but making the message thru controller is pain in the butt. (You can use your Hotmail or MSN account.)
2. They are selling messenger (mini keyboard) add-on to wireless controller (Optional - $30 dollars) but he thinks its waste because hearing players probably won’t bother doing it anyway. Also, they have Live Vision Camera (Optional - $30 dollars) – he’s not sure if it will benefit but each player must have gold membership to have webcam capability. ($99 a year; they have monthly, quarterly plan as well)
3. Few games like F.E.A.R. game doesn’t support subtitle. Many racing games doesn’t support subtitle but it wasn’t too bad since all we do is playing the race game. You can look up http://www.deafgamers.com for more list which games support subtitle. Bonus: You can download demo game to check out before you purchase the game.
4. DVD movies (Not downloadable movies) can be watch with subtitle. Obviously, closed captioning will not work at all. Optional: HD DVD Player do support subtitle as well.
5. You can retrieve virtually any pictures, videos, and music thru another networked computer with Windows-based Zune program or Media Center Edition. (Neat stuff – you can watch vlog thru Xbox 360 (hard drive or memory card) machine but not thru Internet like DeafRead.com; Perhaps someday)
6. According to Windows Vista Blog, they said Media Center Edition will expand in near future including Internet TV shows with advertising-supported. This is where he asked about captioning – they replied saying it will happen in future.
7. Downloadable movies, video clips, etc. (Video Marketplace) doesn’t support subtitle or caption at all. This is one of the biggest disadvantages.
8. General features on Xbox 360 dashboard is not a problem.
For more information about Xbox 360, click here.
To view more vlogs, click here.
Grant W Laird Jr
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com











[...] post by Grant W Laird Jr and software by Elliott [...]
I never want to play with the internet gamers. I prefer to play by myself as I can adjust my play. I’m 40-year-video-freak. I still play video games. PS2 have the internet to play with other gamers. But no thanks, anyway.
I bought my son a xbox 360 with live online but I don’t get to play with that cause Im not interest in that but my son loves it very much….
DeafDixie
Hey!
Oh you are sooo lucky! I envy you!! He he.. I really want to get Xbox 360 but only time will tell.
I agree that online gaming (Xbox Live) do not suite for us deafies which is why I never bother to subscribe live.
I notice most hearies prefer to talk rather than to type but I know so that’s why I want to know if there are more deaf fans out there that I can play against on xbox live. But the question is how many deafies have xbox 360?
For one, me! But I will for sure buy it when money permits.
I bet Xbox 360 is so amazing!!!
-SG
My 12-year-old son, Billy has begged for it, we don’t have enough money but hope to get it for all my family’s Christmas ( four kids can play X BOX at Christmas, it’ll be fun!) Thank you for sharing! I look forward to getting one.
lisa marie…
u dont have to pay full cash to get 360 box.. all u do is go to EB store and askin for EB gift card and u just pay it once a weeks or a months to saving up to whatever u wish.. i do same thing since i start use EB gift card so far i have wii and nds and elite 360 and some games since i save up in EB gift card… but warning… just watch urself on who work in EB they can rip u off.. as long u keep recpiet to proof that u did saving by the date and price…
This is why I am a PC gamer not a console gamer - on PC gaming more people are willing to type than talk. I play a variety of games for PCS and play multiplayer online games. XBOX Is a nice game - but PC gaming for me is the way to go!
I see. Keep me posted also. I’ll be buying it when I become rich. I have several video games.
Hey Grant … I have a 2006 Xbox360 sitting in the shelf waiting for the warranty to become in effect. Why? I just dunno, but that it won’t read CD/DVD pretty good. The laser part seems to be fouled up. So in October, I will call the warranty department and have it fixed.
But to state that I have enjoyed the Xbox and Xbox360 over the years playing Halo, Halo 2 … now I am gonna try to complete Halo 2 before venture into Halo 3 which I learned they have “wow” system etc… so we will see about it.
Yes I played with other games, especially racing cars: “Need for Speed” etc… my step son and I play with it pretty much. But been sitting, like I said for a lonnnnnng time. cuz we’re waiting for the warranty to comeinto effect (long story to share).
Maybe we can play a live game … see. see …
I used to have xBox 360 and finally realized that PS3 is much better than xBox 360.. So i am happy with PS3. Because it have more options and included CC and Subtile automatically while XBOX dont.. sucks
Grant,
Great vlog about XBOX 360. I just brought XBOX360 (Halo 3 Edition) and I haven’t hook up yet. I used to own XBOX with modded which I can stored more than hundred games in hard drive. What’s more is that it can copy any dvd include subtitles thru http://FTP. I have great experience with modded XBOX for a year and half til I sold it to my friend before I move to California. I’m addict to Halo Series, which explained why I brought Halo Edition.
From what I read on article somewhere that they release messenger kit and webcam to chat with other gamers on XBOX LIVE. I know many gamers doesn’t bother to buy that cuz they use headsets. I might try to buy messenger kit and give it a try and see if it help me communicate with other gamers online. When I own XBOX (not 360) I dont use XBOX LIVE cuz I use other free online (that’s the secret) and it helped me communicate with other fellow gamers on chatroom while play multiplayer at same time.
About Subtitle, I know they work hard and try their best. I hope they will release movie with subtitle or CC thru download to console. It will save our time than go and rent at Blockbuster or Hollywood Video.
hey im deaf.. i have xbox 360.. i had it almost a year.. its awesome.. glad that i brought it haha.. my gamertag is synergy28sdk
i have 3 deaf friends that who have xbox 360.. hard to find deaf players.. luckly i found 3!!.. yeah i hope they will put subtiles really soon.. uuh i mean now!!!.. haha i feel jealous that my brother can watch and hear…but thats will add subtiles in the future..hope will see u in live!!
[...] cosmo wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt [...]
theres thousand deaf gamers out there in Xbox Live, check out forums.deafgamersonline.com
Hello hello! I am the leader of a group of deaf gamers, known as XDG (Xtreme Deaf Gamers), I play with deaf gamers EVERYDAY and usually communicate via AOL Instant messenger. I have led all-deaf teams aganist hearing teams and won. Winning aganist a hearing clan is quite a thrill. DeafGamersOnline.com which is coming SOOOON will feature many things such as a discussion forum, Chatroom, news, announcements, and best of all, LADDERS. Halo 3 is probably going to be the first game featured on the DGO ladders, with COD4 probably following suit.
My Gamertag is XDG Deaf Smith.
Hey Grant, could you please unsubscribe me from the list… thanks man.
Continue your vlogging business..
Hi Grant, it’s December 13th, I don’t know if you will get an alert for receiving this comment on your old XBox Vlog.
I just won XBox Live from a raffle earlier this week from work….haven’t really dig enough to see how everything works yet….I plan on going through everything tomorrow and maybe through out the weekend too.
I figure if you are already experienced on how XBox runs after 3 months, do you want me to ask you some questions via email or even VP calls? that way it may be easier for me than using the VRS operator calling the Xbox service desk. (I may not need to)
I have not really been big in video games but will give it a shot….I just picked up Madden 08 from the store today….will probably go for NASCAR 08 next.
I will come back to check whether you answered or not. Thanks. BTW I’m Lane from Indiana.