Only HDMI 1.2, so no TrueHD, uncompressed or DD+. it also forces you to use 1080p on HMDI, no 1080i or 720p..

Oh dear...

http://www.theinquirer.n...ault.aspx?article=38648

It's also still 90nm process, so it will be as unrelaible as the current 360, there is still no wifi, and Microsoft are even suggesting a Blu-Ray drive...

Not very Elite, sounds like a poor mans PS3..

Hi i just want to know if i buy this one does it come with the cable to switch my saved games over to the new one. All my stuff is saved on my 20 gig one will i be abale to switch it over as soon as i get the elite? Like i want to keep my uder name and all my gamerscore points. Will i bebale to do that? does it come with taat cable to do that?

There is a very good reason for the 120GB drive being $179.

While you could pick up a similiar drive for around $100, that's not all that's needed. You need to mounting tray for the 360. Then you need the drive to be locked for security.

Remember - the Marketplace includes movies and TV shows. This type of content requires security and that is what makes this drive different. Something Sony probably won't be able to do in the same way because any drive can be used and someone could more easily hack it.

That's true, but for the standalone drive people could just use the mounting tray that is already in their Xbox couldn't they? As for the lock I'm not sure why that would cost extra, it's just software. I think Microsoft could have done much better on the price.

Its software and it obviously takes some time to add and test. It could probably be slight better, but they also need to make some money on it.

Hang on, you now say the lock-down is a feature. Last week DRM was evil..

Of course DRM is evil when Sony do it, but it's a feature when Microsoft do it.. I forget how people twist the facts to suit their argument...

I never said DRM was evil. I think in some cases its necessary. When its used inappropriately, its just as bad as pirating.

In this case, its necessary as movie studios want limited access to the movies - 14days or 24 hours from first viewing. For that to work, they need DRM on the drives.

I may be wrong but doesn't the system use a notebook hard drive? If that is the case I challange you to find a larger drive for less than $100.00.

GO SONY!

lol

Was that a joke?

If this is how much it is without HD DVD build into the console, I won't how much it will cost with the HD DVD... Probably over $500 is my guess.

Perhaps in a year, when a HD-DVD is worth about $20, because everything worth watching is released on Blu-Ray, then yes, you will get a HD-DVD Addon for $20.

If you want to get close to the spec of the PS3, you need to spend $679 (compared to PS3, which is $599), even then, you have a inferior GPU and CPU. Granted you have a 120GB HDD, compared to 60GB in the PS3, but the PS3 can use any off-the-shelf 2.5 SATA HDD, so you can upgrade at will.

Inferior GPU and CPU?

I don't think so. Both consoles are pretty equal in terms of power. And what its going to come down to is how easy it is for developers to access that power.

Virtually every developer out there admits the PS3 GPU and CPU are superior to the 360, the problem being it will take longer to harness the power, due to the complexities of Cell programming.

That said, the quality of the PS3 launch titles like Motorstorm, Resistance, Gran Turismo HD, means these games are merely scratching the surface of what the PS3 is capable of...

Wrong! Everybody that knows anything about the consoles will tell you the 360 has the better GPU and the PS3 has the better CPU making them equal. Also the 360 has more RAM than the PS3.

Microsoft has no plans of actually integrating an HD-DVD player. For all they're saying right now, it will always be an add-on.

"While Microsoft has said it plans to eventually build HD DVD into its consoles, the company is apparently waiting for production costs to come down before it does so."

Did I misread this or doesn't this article say that it's being integrated.

Betanews was wrong there. I have read MULTIPLE news articles from MS stating they will NEVER build in the HD-DVD drive. They have shot this rumor down countless times.

That's what I thought. I was just reporting what I saw because I thought BetaNews had an article that said reported Microsoft said exactly that.

It happens. *yawns*

*and Dave runs away*

He's such a pathetic freak. (Dave)

?? They both have 512MB. What a total load of NOOBS here...

PS3 has a better CPU and GPU. Check the specs for yourself..

The hard drive is way too expensive, I don't know what they were thinking there. Other than that it sounds ok. I was expecting a die shrink though but perhaps the chips just weren't ready yet.

Indeed a 120GB upgrade for the PS3 is £$84.99

http://www.newegg.com/Pr...px?Item=N82E16822136072

[Deleted]

Personally I'm disappointed.
I think they've missed a trick here, IMHO they ought to have launched with all the new goodies on board inc the new 65nm chip.

Still, at least it proves those tales of a totally brand new and replacing version were just wishful 'thinking' FUD crap
(from the 'side' in CE that seems to do little else but spout that kind of garbage).

I'm pleased to hear that the black (the proper a/v colour IMO) isn't going to be a short-run thing but I'm definitely not buying until it comes with a full set of the new goodies.

so basicly M$ is saying that a current XBOX360 Premium is worth $300 or less and that for $180 more you get this Elite version that has a HDMI port and 120GB drive, which the drive itself sells for $180.

So the addition of the HDMI port costs nothing and the bigger drive is what M$ is giving you so you can download their high priced digital content..

no thanks.. I'll stick to my 1st gen XBOX360 with modified DVD firmware, and if I want to watch HD movies and other digital media content, I'll use Bit Torrent to get it for free and watch it on my highend PC with (2) Nvidia 8800GTX cards in SLI mode, running on a OEM modified copy of Vista...

Haha! You used a dollar sign in place of the S in MS. That is so witty! Nice one!

I agree. That dollar sign is super cool and fresh.

wow! what a pirate we are ;=)

I wonder if it works with Sony. Let's try, $ony. Wow look at that! I'm hip and cool now.

I'm Proud of You

That is epic! I would have never thought of that. Son..$ony shall surely be shamed now! Nice one Banquo!

haha.... ur a tool.

$imply amazing!

LOL! $imply amazing! M$! $ony! it fits perfectly!

geez... if HDMI is such a big deal to some of you why dont you just go and get a dvi cable and buy a dvi to hdmi adapter

http://www.bestbuy.com/s...20&id=1110262781843

http://www.bestbuy.com/s...20&id=1110262781781

You guys kill me...

HDMI is not required. You do not have to use the unit with an HD DVD drive.

If you do, you will need HDMI per the AACS standards. But this info was available in June 2005. Oh.

As far as an individual hard drive being available for less than the upgrade. Really? And you are surprised? And if you buy one from your local vendor they will upgrade your XBox for the price of the hard drive? Then by all means DO it! Why do I have the feeling that many of the geniuses in the marketplace can't?

It amazes me that early adopters whine that new features are introduced as the market develops, and others react to "suggested retail prices" to whine that they can buy and install a hard drive cheaper themselves (Duh! Really?)

And I love the rant where he says "HDMI is useless per se...followed by "Why the hell wasn't it included in the first place..."? Let's see, maybe because it is not required to simply use the XBox for its basic functions!

And if they had, idiots like you and the others would have been whining that they did not need the functionality but were being charged for it!

Personally, any of the new generation toys cost too much for what they deliver (except perhaps the Wii), and I am not buying any of them. But I love to listen to you geniuses whine that they did/didn't and that it is too early/late - all in the same thread.

I am not a MS fan, and even I have to laugh at you idiots whining as MS adds greater functionality to the unit as the market has developed. And guess what, since so many are shocked, I would anticipate future changes to the unit as well! ;-O

Yup, and the XBox is unwanted...The irony is that the Wii is flying off the shelves and the PS3 sits on shelves. Rant on Sony fanboys.

Hang on, didn't Microsoft say HDMI was not required? Now it seems it is, and it's the major selling point..

This is nothing more than a desperate attempt to play catch up with the PS3.. Microsoft are running scared it seems...

In summary, Microsoft want you to buy the new version, with all the features they ditched in the original rush to market, for $479, and you don't even get a 65nm processor, so it's just as likely to fail as the current 360 pile of unreliable junk...

There is already a glut of unwanted 360's on ebay now the PS3 is out, this will make the pile of landfill 360's even bigger...

Yea MS is running scared. All those PS3's collecting dust on store shelves is very very frightening. I saw a stack of 8 PS3's taking up an entire row at best buy...those boxes are so big it's no wonder everybody runs away when they see one.

HDMI is still not required.

And do you really think the Elite is targeted to existing owners? Far from it - I think its black for a reason - to attract those that are thinking PS3 and like the look of the PS3.

I think its a fine addition, although I won't be buying one. I probably won't even buy the 120GB hard drive since I still haven't run out of space on my 20GB.

"Hang on, didn't Microsoft say HDMI was not required?"

HDMI is not required.

"with all the features they ditched in the original rush to market"

HDMI's popularity during PS3's production is not the same as it was during the original 360's production. That does not make it ditched.

"likely to fail as the current 360 pile of unreliable junk"

Yeah, it is a huge failure.

ever heard od display boxes? Many of these boxes are actually display boxes, yep the stupid 360 fanboys don't see it..

PS3 is selling well.. 2.5 Million and counting...

2.3 million and that is selling well? Wrong. Also are we in denial? There are PS3s sitting in the store right now. Yes some are display boxes, but not all of them are. For example the completely full cabinet at my local Wal-Mart, which has been full since the beginning of January.

"There is already a glut of unwanted 360's on ebay now the PS3 is out, this will make the pile of landfill 360's even bigger..."

Desperate fanboys love strawmen arguments don't they? What about all the PS3s on ebay, they don't count I guess.

I suppose you have the keys to this cabinet to verify they are the SAME boxes each time, otherwise it just looks like your a fanboy and assuming they are the same units. My local BestBuy has at least 1, sometimes 2 shipments of PS3's a week.

Oh, and it's now 2.8 PS3's sold..

http://www.vgcharts.org/

(those are SOLD numbers, not SHIPPED btw).

I think you'll find that display boxes tend to be put out only if stock is sitting in the warehouse waiting to be sold. There's no point in putting boxes out if there are no consoles around.

So those 11 boxes that are sitting by the door in the store that I work in are empty yes, because the consoles are horribly overpriced. However, the consoles to fill them are in the warehouse.

"This is nothing more than a desperate attempt to play catch up with the PS3.. Microsoft are running scared it seems..."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
You're kidding, right? Microsoft isn't desperate and they're certainly not running from anyone, least of all Sony. I don't know where you get off saying such stupid things, because Microsoft is clearly the leader in current generation console sales. You Sony fanboys really crack me up though. Always saying things like "nobody's buying the 360", then who bought the 10+ million that's been sold so far? I know, you're going to reply with something like "but a year from now Sony will have sold 20 million PS3s!" hahahahahaha

"PS3 is selling well.. 2.5 Million and counting...

Yeah, keep counting. I recall Sony promising to ship 6 million units by the end of March. I guess 2.5 million equals 6 million using Sony math. Anyway, the 360 has sold over 10 million and counting... *rimshot*

Great link, it shows just how far behind the PS3 really is compared to other consoles. I won't even compare the PS3 sales to the 360, because you'll say something stupid like "but the 360 has been out for over a year!". So let's compare it to the Wii instead, which actually launched AFTER the PS3. That's 6.25 million Wii sold vs 2.8 million PS3. Sad.

Thanks for the link showing that the PS3 is clearly a distant third in sales.

I have heard of them...but I never heard of display boxes weighing 20 pounds....I guess best buy is putting bricks in those PS3 "display boxes" to make them "more real"?

ROFL!!!! OMG that was too funny. Dave calling somebody a fanboy.

Lol for starters that website is HIGHLY inaccurate. For one it is reporting the 360s over a mill lower than they really are. Also it is reporting the PS3s higher than they really are. Find a credible source and then I might start taking you seriously. Also even if they were at 2.8 million that is still not anything to get excited about. Considering the fact that all of Sony's exclusives are becoming either multi-platform and some 360 exclusives it is not looking good for your beloved PS3. It all comes down to who has the best games and that right now and looking to be a while down the road is the 360.

Whered Dave go?!?!?! Hello Dave!!!! *whistles*

I have all three new generation systems and the PS3 is the only one collecting dust. Sorry $ony!

wait, how many consoles had MS sold at this point in the 360's cycle??....bet its not too many more than 2.5 million....and ask anyone outside the US which console is selling WAY better...

I can't imagine what it's like to live in Dave's world. The biggest idiot I know who doesnt even own a PS3 or a BD player.

Dave, we need to talk. You need to get laid.

"and ask anyone outside the US which console is selling WAY better..."

Obviously it's the Wii. I bet the Wii is *still* selling better than the PS3, even though the PS3 just launched. Also, it doesn't matter how many consoles the 360 sold at this point in the cycle, back when it was released. The point is that Sony missed out and gave Microsoft a full year head start. A year in the console world is an eternity. Sony is going to be playing catch up for a long time to come.

fair point, as i left my comment open for that, yes the Wii has caught both giants off guard and is selling VERY well....but I think it DOES matter how many consoles were sold early on...because it is a good measuring point for how well the PS3 is selling....

I agree, USD$179 is far too much for a 120GB drive, they must have a fair mark-up on it!

HDMI is useless per se, at least until a HD drive is included. Some may say that you can have games in higher resolution on a true HD screen (most plasma's and LCD aren't true HD, they are HD ready and downsample the picture), but if thats true then it begs the question, "Why the hell wasn't it included in the first place, seeing that there are no processing changes?"!

I think $179 is high, but its not outrageous. Its a far better value than $100 for 20GB.

And I think there is a group out there that will prefer this box and make use of the HDMI port. AFter all, if you are buying a 360 soon, its only $80 more than the current premium and offers a lot more than $80 in value.

Only benefit I see to HDMI though is for those that really need it (i.e. those who have a TV that only supports the higher resolutions on HDMI).

$479.99? I wonder what the price will be when it arrives on UK shores?

£500 wouldn't surprise me.

Ripped off, as usual.

Still better than a PS3 though.

*waits for bashing*

no bashing here...

anyone who has a head on their shoulders knows that the xbox360 owns the PS3 because of xboxlive and the much better games for the 360.

So I am supposed to sell my XBoxPremium and buy an "elite" just to get HDMI? (a bigger HD is as easy as swapping the old 20gb out and putting the 120 in)
Component Input is fine for now.

The HD would be nice, but I'd much prefer a reasonably priced drive. I suppose I'd be dreaming if I was to ask why an external USB2 drive couldn't be hooked up... but of course you can get a 500MB external for less than what their 120gb goes for.

I'll wait on this one.

You can hook up a 500MB usb drive. You just can't use it for game saves or downloaded content - you could use it for pictures and music though.

I don't understand why people keep asking that quesiton.

All 360 owners are supposed to keep what they have. The Elite is for new buyers for the most part.

Can an external 3rd party drive be used for non-marketplace movies and is there some kind of player available on the 360 supporting divx and other codecs?

(this honestly is just a humble question...)

It doesn't support divx files and I don't believe you can view videos from it. You can only use it for photos and music as far as I am aware.

Actually you can watch (HD)WMV video's on any storage connected to the USB or from a burn't CD-R or DVD-R. You can watch Divx or any media your computer can play if you use your Xbox as a Media Center Extender (it mirror's your PC's Media Center over your network onto the 360).