xbox 360 usb wireless adapter

Frequently Asked Questions about Xbox 360 USB Wireless Receivers

The Xbox 360 wireless receiver attaches to a USB port and allows you to connect with different devices over a wireless signal. Choosing the right receiver can be difficult, but eBay makes the buying process easy.

There are two main types of receivers, but they have completely different functions. Here is what you need to know about them:

• Wireless gaming receiver - The Xbox 360 console uses a proprietary 2.4 GHz protocol to connect wireless controllers. If you want to connect your Xbox 360 controller to a Windows computer, however, then you will need to own this separate receiver that can receive the signal and translate it into something understandable by the PC. A single receiver can connect up to four wireless controllers and four headsets at a single time. It has a maximum range of 30 feet or 10 meters, in addition to the USB cable, which is 6 feet or 2 meters long.
• Wireless network adapter - The network adapter allows you to connect the Xbox 360 console to the internet through your local wireless network. Although you can also connect to the Internet through a wired Ethernet cable, this adapter is the only way to connect wirelessly for certain models of the Xbox 360.

There are multiple versions of the wireless network adapter. If you want to connect with your local Wi-Fi network, then you need to choose an adapter thats right for you.

• Supported protocols:The Wi-Fi protocol determines important aspects of the wireless signal such as the frequency and the bandwidth. The official Microsoft wireless adapter supports 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g and also works with dual-band routers. A second official adapter supports 802.11n as well and has two separate antennas. Check your router to make sure it is compatible.
• Encryption:Most adapters should support WEP, WPA, and WPA2 encryption, so you can choose which devices are connected to your wireless network. The encryption will require you to input a password on your system.

Only certain models of the Xbox 360 require the network adapter to access Wi-Fi. Microsoft first added an integrated Wi-Fi adapter to the Xbox 360 console with the introduction of the slim console in 2010. If you own a previous version of the console, including the core, the premium, the elite, the arcade, and the super elite, then you will need to purchase the separate adapter to access your local wireless network.