Game Console Connection
Any avid video gamer who is aware of the history of video game consoles, will note that there have been substantial changes in video games ever since they were launched back in the late 50's. For people who weren't around to play games in 1958 much more recent examples exist in the 90's from the stables of PC video game creators and video console manufacturers like SEGA, Sony, Nintendo, Atari and even in more recent times software giant Microsoft with its Xbox series. In the past we had 2D video games with lack of substantial detail and rather limited sound quality. 3D video games with great detail, surround sound quality and a lot of other perks are the rage now. There is no doubt about it, video games have come a very long way indeed.

In more recent times, video game manufacturers have introduced the concept of networked play, multimedia capacity and the complete home entertainment system. While we still compete with siblings and friends in face-to-face contests at home, we now have the capability of online gaming where we go toe to toe with the best of the best via online networks. Even simple home play has evolved with the introduction of home networks. You can have a console in your bedroom and play against someone in the living room downstairs by simply hooking your video game console to your home network connection.

For people using consoles like the Xbox, you can easily connect using your console via your home network  to the Internet and access the Xbox Live online multi player gaming and digital media delivery service. Here you can interact with other gamers, earn points, chat via voice and video, buy and download video games as well as game trailers and other forms of multimedia. Users of the PlayStation PS3 console can enjoy similar features by connecting  to the PlayStation Network  via their home networks.  Nintendo Wii users  also get to enjoy making purchases and  downloads from the Virtual Console service. Networked play is also possible via home networks and the Wi-Fi connectivity service.

Other than just game play, these consoles have multimedia capabilities which may be taken advantage of when using a home network.  Music, videos , pictures and other forms of multimedia which exist on your computer can easily be shared over a home network and viewed, watched or listened to on your console. The Media Center Extender for Xbox allows you to do this seamlessly in conjunction with any Windows PC. Different variations of this kind of software exist for other consoles as well.