The Xbox 360, in case you haven't heard, is a Microsoft product, so many of its features are designed to work with Windows right out of the box, but if you're a Mac user, you don't need to be left out in the digital cold. The 360 is a great gaming platform and can offer lots of great content for your family. This tutorial will help Mac users get the most out of their 360's with some helpful tips and tricks, no coding necessary.

Save some money on your wireless network

My first disappointment with my 360 was the lack of built-in wireless. Yes, I got my Wii first, so I was spoiled. Since our TV is nowhere near our router, and even if it were, we have no available ethernet ports, a wired connection was out of the question. Microsoft's Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter retails for $100, and even at Amazon's current price of $87 (~$70 used), it's a bit pricey (although since it draws its power from the USB port, it's pretty nice). A little research brought up a couple different options with some minor advantages.

Xbox Wireless Adapter

If you had an Xbox before upgrading to the 360, note that the wireless adapter from the original works with the 360, so you don't need a new one. If you're new to the Xbox corner of the console wars, you can still pick up an original Xbox wireless adapter. It's a bit bigger, but it's only $50 (~$42 used). If you opt for this choice, skip the installation CD, though. You don't need it, and it could cause problems. It should work right out of the box for you.

Airport Express

Since we use Apple's Airport routers in our house, I happened to have an Apple Airport Express sitting here, so I plugged it in, connected it to the 360 with an ethernet cable, and it worked instantly. Just use Airport Utility, and choose the options as shown below. The 360 should be set for wired mode, since you're wiring it to the Airport Express router.

This option will likely cost you a bit more ($100/~$75), but it has the advantage of strengthening the signal in your house if the 360 is a bit distant from your main base station.

Use your Media (or..."AppleTV? Why?")

iPod

If you have a Mac-centric house (and even if you don't), there's a decent chance you have an iPod. If so, you can use the iPod's USB cord (the one you use to charge and sync) by plugging it directly into the 360's USB port. Go to the System tab of the Dashboard, select "Music," choose your iPod, and check out the selections--your iPod playlists will show up there and can play while you're playing your favorite games. Sadly, though, you can't access your photos and video this way, so you'll need another option, computer streaming.

iTunes & iPhoto

Currently, Mac users have 2 choices for streaming from your Mac: Connect360 and Rivet.

Rivet ($18.95)

Once you install Rivet on your Mac (It's a small (1 MB) download that runs as a background application, only shown in your menubar.), it scans your iTunes, iPhoto and any folder you request. Once you go to the Media "Blade" (menu) on your 360, you'll need to "Change Video Source" (X), and choose your Mac. You'll need to do this with Music, Video, and Photos separately. (Some report that they all change at once, so YMMV.) After that, you can find all your playlists just as you would in iTunes, and albums from iPhoto, although not the default albums, as well as folder nesting on your hard drive. Rivet also includes support for Aperture if you're a hardcore photographer, and for audio and video, the only thing it can't handle, it seems, is copy-protected (DRM) files, so don't buy video from the iTunes store and expect to watch it on your 360. If you have WMA or WMV files (which iTunes can't handle), you can just put them all in a folder and add to the watch list.

Connect360 ($20)

Connect360 works much like Rivet but has a few differences. Instead of a background application, it installs as a PrefPane in your System Preferences. It still, however, has a menu item for easy access, although since you can access it through the System Preferences, the menu item isn't necessary and would be better as an option. Connect360 also allows you to adjust how often the devices sync and update the libraries. But Connect360's best additional feature is the ability to play shoutcast streaming audio, which allows for radio station play, although I was unable to get this feature to work. Connect360 can also display separate albums from iPhoto.

Both applications can also be set to update play counts and dates in your iTunes library, so if you're watching video podcasts, it will mark them as played and, if set to do so in iTunes, automatically delete them. Both work well, but their demos are fairly limited. Try both out, and decide which works best for you. If you have a lot of media in other folders besides iTunes and iPhoto, you'll want to look at how each displays those folders on the 360, as each is slightly different. Connect360 can only handle 1 folder with subfolders and lists all of them together, while Rivet can select multiple folders, as well as integrating iTunes' video podcasts and video playlists properly. We also found that, every time Connect360 resyncs iTunes to the 360, it resets our wireless digital photo frame. For our family, Rivet's capabilities to handle video folders and playlists outweighs the radio capabilities and iPhoto albums, so we'll be using Rivet.

Use Xbox 360 Peripherals with your Mac

Besides putting Mac stuff on your 360, you can also use Xbox 360 peripherals with your Mac.

Wired Controller

If you have a wired 360 controller from the original core system or a 3rd party one, you can just plug it into your USB port and use the USB driver for Xbox 360 and play away.

Wireless Controller

If you have the wireless controllers, and I bet you do, it's just a bit more complicated (and expensive). You'll need to purchase the Wireless Gaming Receiver ($17/15) and download Pref360 (Donationware) and ControllerMate ($15) to set your button configurations.

Xbox Live Vision Camera

The Xbox Live Vision Camera ($40) works out of the box with iChat, and since Apple stopped making the iSight camera (which now sells for $150+), this makes for a nice, affordable, multipurpose webcam.

More Software

GamerCard Dashboard Widget: See your profile information--great way to keep up with your kids' status.

Xbox Gamercard Widget: Pretty much the same thing--take your pick.

iPhone/iTouch Software

Xbox 360 Compatible Games List Web App or Xbox Checker Web App: Before you buy that used Xbox game, check the list

iCheat Web App: Get the latest cheat codes, tips, and tricks when you get stuck

1337pwn Xbox Live Friends Application: Check what all your friends are playing to join in with them

Phanfare: Upload your photos from your iPhone to your Xbox 360