Xbox One vs PlayStation 4

[embleton]

The Xbox One has dual band 2.4Ghz/5Ghz 802.11n wifi, PlayStation 4 only has 2.4Ghz wifi support. Xbox One has 3 * USB 3.0 ports for external hard drives, wired controllers and external MS/Logitech wireless keyboards. The PlayStation 4 hard drive is only upgradable by replacing it internally and it only has 2 * USB 3.0 ports. Both have Gbps Ethernet port, an HDMI 1.4 output port for the monitor and Blu-ray player for games, films and audio CDs. Both have a TOSlink optical audio port. Xbox One has a dedicated port for Kinect 2 sensor, a special device for voice, gesture and infrared blasting at external receiver boxes.

Xbox One has an HDMI input port for satellite and cable receiver boxes (eg: those from Sky/Virgin Media), the PS4 doesn't. The Xbox has a Kinect 2.0 sensor with the camera, infrared motion detection array, microphone array and infrared blaster for controlling external set-top boxes, TVs and audio receivers; the PlayStation 4 has none of the remote control functionalities but does have a camera and microphone that can be attached. The Xbox One has a port for the infrared blaster, just in case the Kinect 2 sensor will not blast infrared rays at receiver boxes, PlayStation 4 doesn't. PlayStation 4 has faster graphics processor and RAM the CPUs on the Xbox is faster, they both have the same amount of CPU cores.

Software OS wise the Xbox is based on Windows 8.1 soon to upgrade to Windows 10 and has Skype integration for video conferencing and Twitter social media integration, PlayStation is a closed social gaming environment, and so is the OS. Xbox One Live for online multiplayer gaming is more reliable than PlayStation 4 gaming network. Xbox One has Twitch gaming social media integration, PlayStation 4 is a closed social sharing environment currently on its own network. Xbox has OneGuide for TV, Sky satellite and Virgin Media cable receiver programme guide, PlayStation 4 doesn't have this functionality. Xbox One OS has gesture, voice commands and wireless controller abilities for games, programme OneGuide control and On-demand streaming applications, in fact, most if not all applications are able to function with all three methods of control. PlayStation 4 games and applications are only controllable by the wireless controller. Xbox OS is multitasking, PlayStation 4 doesn't have this functionality.

Gaming consoles are not a list of CPU, GPU and memory speed specifications that one uses for choosing the best gaming console or basing the choice on overall beauty of the box itself, but the overall usefulness of the gaming console in the real world. This article is not written to choose the best console based on hardware specification, or the general fact that most reviews believe the PS4 is far superior hardware speed wise, in reality, a percentile difference in speed doesn't make a great deal of difference, because the developers design their games to run with great efficiency on both machines to ensure a good experience user wise. The PlayStation 4 games do usually run at full 1080p 60fps in the majority whereas the Xbox One games run at a lesser HD resolution of 720p or 900p 60fps for its graphics processor is slower.

But there is one fact that will ruin your multiuser online game experience hardware wise and that is if you are on wifi, and that's dropped connections with the PlayStation 4. Because it does not support 5Ghz wifi its stuck in the past with 802.11n 2.4Ghz and that suffers from wifi congestion and neighbourhood interference, a real disappointment. 802.11n is unlikely to exceed 26-28Mbps and suffers higher latency issues than 5Ghz wifi.

In the UK several on demand services are available for watching films and entertainment programmes: Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, NowTV, Demand 5, All 4, BBC iPlayer, VEVO, Plex Client and YouTube to name the main ones on both consoles, and all of these can be controlled for switching channel/programme by voice commands, gestures or the wireless controller on Xbox One. The Xbox One is really a media centre, games console and social environment all rolled into one, and it's nicely done.

Gaming wise the PlayStation 4 has more console games currently than the Xbox One, but in November 2015 this will change, as the Xbox One will be backward compatible with the Xbox 360 and it's likely the Xbox will have double the number of games the PlayStation 4 does, the PlayStation 4 can run PlayStation 3 games through the PlayStation Cloud network but this cost a monthly fee whereas it'll be free on Xbox One for Xbox 360 backward compatibility.

Gaming wise on the Xbox One we have EA Games FIFA 16, PoolNation FX, Smite, Valiant Hearts, Tomb Raider, World of Tanks, Mortal Komat X, EA Games Rory Mcilroy PGA Tour, The Walking Dead and Metal Gear Solid V the Phantom Pain. We have a Kinect 2 sensor and are available on Skype.

My gaming tag is Wingingmae if anyone wishes to add me as a friend (follow) to their Xbox One Live friend list, and with that in mind, you know what console I recommend!

[embleton]

With the social network environment on the Xbox One with the party chat server it's an enjoyable chatting environment whilst playing games where any real topic can be discussed, but adults only! In the majority one usually just connects directly to another's party chat server without regard for privacy, as in reality those running a chat server are willing to accept such connections. The chat server should in the majority be started first on the Xbox One to avoid issues, switched into game chat mode and cycled back when not watching TV, etc.. and when individuals are connected to the chat server, one should always look for a chat server if other parties are not talking on the in app microphone whilst playing games that support in app communication. And look out for party invites, as those individuals are social animals willing to interact, I made that mistake when first getting the console and boy I wish I'd acted accordingly and joined the chat, and my apology to that individual for getting it wrong but I learn quick and have not done so again.

If you're a social animal like myself and the majority of the human race, when individuals add you as a friend (followers) then you should add them back accordingly, as those that don't will assume you're not interested in interacting with them in the social and gaming environment you're playing. Please be patient with those that have just acquired a gaming console, as those with few friends or followers don't understand the facts of socially integration on the Xbox One social network or truly how to use it correctly socially. I personally usually add those I've interacted with in games, unless they have done a do not finish (DNF) without explaination on their first game through chatting or by message if their connection dropped, then I don't bother adding them as a friend in the former case. The individual is then given a few days to follow me if they don't do so I remove them from my friend list and assume they're not interested in interacting socially. Those that don't interact with other parties by chat can forget it with myself, I don't play games in an overly serious way as some do, it is after all just a game.

Be advised I occasionally allow my party chat server to be used as a relay, those that do so maybe booted off or muted if I wish to use it myself, but I will inform you accordingly before muting or booting you off, because I wish to talk to those playing the same games or same interests as myself when their interests are only in the game/topics being played currently by myself and them, in such cases it may go invite only or actions taken accordingly; nothing personal should be taken by this action, it's just life...

In the majority I can be found playing the Rory golf game, I don't mind playing players of all levels as long as they talk and I welcome hints whilst playing Rory golf always. For those that have interacted in the social network environment on the Xbox One and are friends that follow, I thank you greatly for such interesting discussions and being such great individuals in cyberspace, a special thanks to Tim, Chad, Steve, and Travis; for teaching me the ropes

[embleton]

EA games FIFA 16 ultimate team were you purchase packs for players is a complete ripoff for the expense of FIFA points for packs that are unlikely to reward you for all the money you spend to obtain a team of your choice for playing in ultimate team mode.

My advise stay away from this section of EA games FIFA 16, unless you got piles of money to spend in cash terms.

[embleton]

An upgrade to the Xbox One X was on the cards and that console is in my living room now. The Xbox One X is the best UHD HDR gaming console and beats the PS4 Pro and its hardware by a mile. The PS4 Pro does not support UHD HDR natively whereas the Xbox One X does and such titles as FIFA 19, GoW, PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS and much more titles are glorious in full gaming UHD HDR graphics. Any article that state the PS4 Pro supports better graphics than the Xbox One X needs to take their head out the sand and that's aimed at DigitalSpy (http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/best-tec ... box-one-x/) Even my wife has commented that the Xbox One X has lovely graphics and she does not even play games on the console than Xbox One S!

Why buy an Xbox One X the games are cross-compatible with a PC and in several cases, you get both editions! The graphics 100% better than consoles, which is my wife's comments that have issues because of some noddy HD UHD mode that the PS4 Pro console uses and don't have the power for graphics generation in UHD HDR.

The games are usually more expensive than the console in most cases overall when one has numerous titles and therefore its a cheap upgrade for better resolution graphics with higher colour dynamic range and frame rates (UHD HDR) gaming for future proofing when buying a gaming console. The Xbox One X has six-fold games that support 4K UHD games than PS4 Pro, period