Click OK. Working with the

Chapter 25 ✦ Understanding Multimedia Generally, a CD or DVD burner comes with its own software, such as Roxio’s Easy CD Creator. You can also use Easy DVD Creator. These are very serviceable for both data and music. Other software choices include the following: ✦ Nero 6.0 Ultra Edition package includes Nero Burning ROM 6 for CDDVD writing, Nero BackItUp for full backup control of your data, Wave Editor, Nero Soundtrax for multi- track audio editing and mixing, and much more. Nero is shareware made by Ahead Software. Nero Burning ROM 6 is an application that can write video and audio to CD-R and CD-RW discs. You can record images, music, and various other data. This software also includes Cover Editor, a tool for designing and printing CD covers. ✦ BurnQuick is another shareware program that enables you to burn data and audio files on CD. Other programs include JetAudio and MusicMatch Jukebox. Working with Multiplayer Games Gaming is one of the biggest pastimes for both teenagers and adults. Computers, the Internet, and home networking have made multiplayer games available to the general public, and the manufacturers of these games have made the games more realistic, exciting, and fun. Because of networking, you can play games that let you slay a dragon, solve a puzzle, save the world, and even create your own unique world in which others interact with you. If you’re playing games on your home network, you can play one-on-one or in groups; you can even play in teams. For the best gaming experience, you need high-speed connections between your computers, at least 100 Mbps if you’re using Ethernet. Wireless works well for many games as well; however, you want to be sure to check the game’s requirements. To run multiplayer games, each computer needs to have a copy of the game installed. Check the game’s documentation for information about configuring and playing the game. If you want to play over the Internet for multiplayer online games, you’ll need a broadband connec- tion, such as a DSL or cable modem. Console gaming Many video game systems can connect directly to your home network. If you want, you can connect multiple gaming systems, your PC, TVs, and such; up to 64 players can play a game simultaneously. Consoles for gaming include Xbox, PlayStation2, and GameCube. For more information about console gaming, see Chapter 20. People with home networks often host gaming parties on their local area networks so that the only competitors in the game are those you invite to your home. LAN gaming parties are great fun and perfect if you don’t have a broadband connection to the Internet. Xbox Microsoft’s Xbox is a powerful gaming console. You can connect the Xbox console to a TV and to the network, allowing multiple players to play games with people in other parts of the house. Tip Part VII ✦ Adding to Your Home Network Microsoft worked with many game manufacturers, including SEGA, LucasArts, and Capcom, to create games for the Xbox. Microsoft’s Xbox uses a 733 MHz Intel Pentium III processor with custom 3D graphics processing by nVidia. There are 64 audio channels, 256 stereo voices, and the ability to encode Dolby digital audio in real time. The Xbox costs around 200. You can only play games made for the Xbox. Games for Xbox include Soul Calibur II, NFL Fever 2004, Voodoo Vince, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Halo, and RalliSport Challenge. To set up an Xbox to your home network for multiple players, you need a System Link explained in the next paragraph, an Ethernet hub, and one network cable for every console you connect. The game you choose must support System Link play. Many games support split-screen multiplayers by plugging two or more controllers into one Xbox. However, if you want to play with multiple Xbox consoles, you can do that as well. You need one TV per Xbox. Check the game box to see how many players are supported. If a game has the System Link icon, it means you can connect it to other Xboxes to multiply the numbers of players who can play. You can use a System Link cable to connect the consoles to your TV; then connect the consoles from the Ethernet port on the back with the System Link cable. To connect more than two Xbox consoles, use Ethernet cables and an Ethernet hub prefer- ably 100 Mbps. Connect the consoles to the TVs and then connect the console to the hub through the Ethernet port using an Ethernet cable. Plug in the hub and follow the game instructions for multiplayer gaming. PlayStation 2 PS2 PlayStation is another console you can use to play online multiplayer games. Some popular PlayStation 2 games include SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Midnight Club, and Amplitude. With PlayStation, you must have a broadband connection to the Internet; a dial-up connec- tion will not work. To connect PlayStation 2 to the Internet, you need the PlayStation console, a memory card, and an Ethernet adapter made specifically for PlayStation. The Ethernet adapter fits directly on the back of the console. You then use an Ethernet cable to connect the PlayStation to the DSL or cable modem. For more information about online gaming, see Chapter 20. Online gaming You can expand your local area network gaming to the Internet and play games with thousands of people around the world. Often, games you play at home on your local network can also be taken to the Internet to play with multiple people. You can thus join an online game or even host a game on your computer and invite others to play with you. Some online games have communities in which you can set up challenges and compete for prizes. One of the newest online game types is called the Massively Multiplayer Online Game MMOG. Some of the most popular MMOGs bring together over 300,000 players. MMOGs are subscription-based games; generally you pay a monthly fee. Your characters con- tinue to live on, whether you’re playing or not. The most popular MMOGs are fantasy role- playing with such games as Asheron’s Call. In MMOGs, you and your friends can band Cross- Reference