XB-Comm Xbox Bluetooth controller and headset

by Ryan Block { Sep 5th 2004 at 12:46PM }

We're not entirely sure what the advantage to having a Bluetooth wireless Xbox controller is over having any other wireless Xbox controller (okay, so maybe it's the Bluetooth Xbox adapter) but hey, if you want to throw down a Benjamin for the XB-Comm Bluetooth controller and headset, that's your prerogative. But admit it, it is a little misleading that the headset has the Bluetooth logo on it when you have to wire it to the controller.

[Via Blueserker]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Eion @ Dec 18th 2005 9:11PM

Bluetooth stuff is far more omnidirectional than RF - I can't use normal wireless xbox controllers because I play it with the xbox behind me and they don't work well (I'm using a front projector, so the xbox pretty much has to be where it is), whereas these probably would. Same deal for cordless keyboards and mice - my computer sits behind me (right next to the xbox), and I've tried using RF keyboards/mice with no joy unless I was facing the computer. Got a bluetooth keyboard and mouse and they work perfectly.
With that said, I don't know if I'd pay $100 per controller.

Loraan @ Dec 18th 2005 9:11PM

I think there are some misconceptions in the previous poster's comment. While directional antenna exist, RF keyboards, etc... typically use omnidirectional antenna. The most likely reason that you have to "face" your Xbox, etc.. is that your body is acting to attenuate the signal. If you left the keyboard or controller facing away from the Xbox and then stood in front of it so that you weren't inbetween the Xbox and the controller, it would probably work just as well as if it were facing the controller. Just a conjecture.

There's no reason to assume that a BlueTooth transmitter would be any more or less directional than any other RF transmitter. It would all depend on the type of antenna the device had.

Loraan @ Dec 18th 2005 9:11PM

Eion @ Dec 18th 2005 9:11PM

Normal (Logitech, cos that's all I've used - keyboard, mouse, and xbox controller) RF devices don't seem to work properly unless they're pointed in approximately a certain direction (with the 'front' of the device pointed towards the control box). I should note that the keyboard and mouse are older devices - an original cordless optical mouse and the standard cordless keyboard, rather than the newer FastRF type. And I'm pretty sure my body wasn't the culprit, because it wasn't between the transmitter.
I've also noticed that with Logitech RF keyboards and mice (I've only used Logitechs), if the device is away from the vertical plane of the control box by more than a small amount, the range of the device drops off *very* rapidly. Bluetooth as implemented in keyboards and mice doesn't seem to suffer from this.

Basically the point I was trying to make was that I can use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse (Logitech Dinovo) where I am unable to use my normal RF keyboard and mouse - the mouse being the worst-affected. Obviously I've not dismantled all my stuff to play with the antennae though.

Runciter @ Dec 18th 2005 9:11PM

The main purpose is to use it on Live. The current wireless controllers for the Xbox have the accessory ports on the wireless base station that is plugged into the xbox. To use the headset on Live you (currently) need to plug into the xbox so that defeats the purpose of wireless gaming on Live. With this solution the headset plugs into the controller and you can finally play wirelessly on Live! (yay!) tho I wonder how expensive it will be...

Scott Johnson @ Dec 18th 2005 9:11PM

Bluetooth and RF are both radio technologies. Whether either is omni- or unidirectional depends only on the antennae involved.

Shanley @ Dec 18th 2005 9:11PM

The point is not to be cordless from the controller, it is to remove all cords connecting the controller or the headset to the xbox itself, which you cannot do now. With the current Logitech cordless controller to use Live you have to connect the headset to the system. That makes no sense at all!

Shanley @ Dec 18th 2005 9:11PM

It would make no sense to have a wireless headset because the battery life would be far too short. Sure it is OK for intermittent phone calls but guys are on xbox live for 12 hours straight, or more.

washington @ Dec 18th 2005 9:11PM

"It would make no sense to have a wireless headset because the battery life would be far too short."

Actually, the new unit gets about 100 hours per charge.

"tho I wonder how expensive it will be..."

It will retail for around $90.

The selling point for the unit is not it's technology. This is the only controller that allows any wired headset to connect to the controller and allow wireless play. There is a Logitech unit that has a true wireless headset along with the wireless controller. However, the sound quality of the wireless headset is nowhere NEAR the original XBOX headset. This controller would allow you to use the original (and still the best sounding) XBOX headset and still have wireless online play.

Evan Mendelsohn @ Dec 18th 2005 9:11PM

I have two quick questions. How far away can you be from your xbox and still use the Bluetooth enabled controller?

Also, do you lose and sound quality with the headset or does it still retain good sound quality?

If you could let me know, that would be great. I'm looking into purchasing this set.

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Anon @ Dec 18th 2005 9:11PM

The main point with this controller is that if you look at the existing market for wireless controllers. You have to wire the headset to the xbox console to play xbox live although your controller is wireless (RF). What these folks have done is leverage bluetooth for the controller and connected the headset to the controller.

Ludy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:11PM

Ok so I have a question, isn't alot of bluetooth stuff crossover like you can use a bluetooth keyboard with a laptop that has internal bluetooth? SO would that mean I could use this bluetooth controlller with that same computer or would that just not be allowed because it would be too cool.