Originally Posted By: Dart
Okay, so when I finally get a keyboard, HOTAS, rudder pedals, and TrackIR to plug into my console, won't it just be a PC that uses as TV for a monitor?

One with proprietary hardware inside that I can't upgrade?


Yep, and it's that reason that I still use a PC for gaming.
But I can see consoles getting more and more involved in the Sim world. Console games sell more and make more money for the game developers. We in the PC based combat flight sim world really are a tiny niche market in the billions of dollars global games world.
A good example of how things are changing is a few years ago your dedicated race sim fan would have his wheel and pedals plugged into his PC playing NasCar or GTL online with comms.
Now he can do exactly that with the XBox...online with comms and part of a global league of players all considerably cheaper than it would be for a similar PC based setup.

Don't get me wrong, I don't approve of consoles for my gaming pleasure, but I think the main reason I'm so resistant is because I'm also a hardware junkie, who loves the smell of new kit and the constant playing with settings to get the best from it all. Not everyone is like that.

If we look at your statement "so when I finally get a keyboard, HOTAS, rudder pedals, and TrackIR to plug into my console, won't it just be a PC that uses as TV for a monitor?"
Lets take the keyboard out of that.
You put the console under your TV. Plug in your HOTAS, pedals and TIR. Headphones and mic on yer head, pop in a disc..choose multiplayer and off you go.

Check out these links
http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=12128
http://gameracer.co.uk/detail.aspx?ID=56
that XBox HOTAS is just a ported Saitek X45. Add TIR and Pedal Support all plugged into your 32" HDTV. It's a neat package and hard not to see the potential for future simming be it Car or Flight