To listen to music files encoded in Apple's AAC audio format, your Xbox 360 console will need the AAC codec (a processing file), which is available as a free download from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

The codec you download will be unique to your console—it will not accompany you, for instance, if you move your gamer profile to an Xbox 360 Memory Unit to play at a friend's house.

Access to Xbox LIVE requires both a high-speed Internet connection and an Xbox LIVE Membership. All Xbox 360 owners are entitled to a free Xbox LIVE Silver membership.

For more information see www.xbox.com/live.

To listen to unprotected AAC files from your iPod music player

1. Go to the Game Marketplace and open All Games.
2. Scroll down the alphabetical list and select O.
3. Select Optional Media Update, then Optional iPod Support.
4. Select Confirm Download. The download is free.
5. Once your download is complete, select Continue and return to the Xbox Dashboard (press B a few times).

Now you're all set to listen to your unprotected AAC audio files—either by themselves or in playlists with MP3 and WMA audio files—found on any combination of your iPod, another connected portable audio player, your Xbox 360 Hard Drive, or a connected USB flash-memory device. For information about how to play music on your console, see Listen to Music.

Your iPod's MP3 files will play on other Xbox 360 consoles just like they do on yours. You can listen to your unprotected AAC files at a friend's house, too, as long as your host has performed the above procedure. To work, the AAC codec downloaded to your friend's console must be associated with your friend's profile.