If the heart of the Xbox 360 is its video game console , then its soul is Xbox LIVE. Since its launch, Xbox LIVE has always been the centre of the universe of connected entertainment for all.

With Xbox LIVE, the online gaming and entertainment service for your Xbox 360, you get to enjoy rich, interactive game play and multimedia with millions of fellow gamers and stay connected with friends and family.

You can find Xbox LIVE on the web site of Xbox.com Australia.

The big difference for Xbox LIVE is its community, right in the thick of the social entertainment scene. With hooks to Twitter, Facebook, Xbox Movies on Demand, Last.fm and Zune video, Xbox LIVE has got to be the most richly featured social network connected to the TV.

With Xbox LIVE, games, movies, and social networking all come together in one handy package, customised for the TV and connecting you with millions of people around the globe.

* Facebook: Post or update your Facebook status to share what game, movie or entertainment you are enjoying. It lets you connect with friends, see their Facebook stream, as well as status updates and photos right on your TV screen. Compare your friends lists to know which of your friends are on LIVE.

* Movies on Demand: Movie night now has a new spin, with full fidelity and instant on HD. Share the experience through voice chat with up to seven friends and Avatar integration right on your TV screen.

* Twitter: Discover, post and respond to Tweets right on your Xbox 360 video game console. Plus, follow friends or conversations, view profiles, or search to see who’s tweeting about your favourite game.

Silver membership This free service allows Xbox 360 users equipped with broadband Internet to interact with the Xbox LIVE community.

* Gamer profile is a function that highlights your online reputation and game achievements for all to see.

* Avatar represents your online identity with functionality to share your customised avatar.

* Friends list allows you to add Xbox LIVE users to your list and use the headset to chat or send text messages.

* Marketplace is a venue for downloading free content such as music video clips, demos, trailers, dashboard themes and more.

* Redeem Microsoft Points for game content, movies and TV shows, independent videos and arcade games.

* Special offers, like Gold Weekends, that enable you to experience multi-player gaming.

Gold Membership Xbox LIVE Gold, on the other hand, is a paid premium membership that lets you play games with friends online, and includes all the features of Silver, plus additional features:

* multi-player games: Gather up your friends and play against each other or go co-op through expansive adventures.

* Marketplace opens up exclusive access to select videos, downloads, trailers and more content.

* TrueSkill matches your skill level on the ranked video games that you play.

* Parties allow a group of friends to join in, chat and play together.

* Gamer feedback is the system used for selecting, or avoiding, players when you are online.

You can subscribe through the dashboard on your Xbox 360 console, or join up on Xbox.com Australia.

What could be more engaging than brainstorming on teamwork strategy or just catching up with an old friend, chatting for free online while playing a game or watching a movie or listening to music? All that is possible with Xbox LIVE.