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Xbox 360 Elite Officially Announced
Posted by
Zonk
on Wed Mar 28, 2007 01:32 AM
from the criminy-about-time-guys dept.
from the criminy-about-time-guys dept.
It should come as no shock that Microsoft has finally announced an upgraded version of the Xbox 360: the 'Elite'. The worst-kept secret in the videogames industry is now official, offering a 120 GB HDD, an HDMI port, and a smooth black finish for $479. The new sku drops next month, and to fill up that new hard drive Microsoft has lined up seven new partners for their Xbox Live video distribution service. Outfits like Paramount and Warner Bros. are nice to hear about, but I'm equally excited about the likes of National Geographic and ADV Films. 1up has the market cornered on commentary at the moment, with reactions from the staff there, a comparison of the new 360's value vs. the PS3, and a few words from Sony's Dave Karraker. If you're looking for even more coverage, there are several links available below.
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New Version of Xbox 360 Looking More Likely 106 comments
Engadget is just one of a number of sites running 'confirmations' of a new iteration of the Xbox 360 hardware. The new black-coloured console is said to include an HDMI port and a larger hard disk drive (120 gigs). While the code-name Zephyr has been bandied about online for quite some time now, Engadget is saying it will be released under the name 'Elite'. Initially to be sold as a third SKU (alongside the Core and Premium packs), when the initial black run sells out the hardware in the Elite will take the place of the Premium sku. An HD-DVD drive will not be incorporated into the unit. All this should be taken with a grain of salt, as the entire thing stems from 'sources' and a supposed article in the upcoming issue of Game Informer magazine; Microsoft has not yet confirmed anything.
Offsite: Next Generation Coverage
Offsite: Kotaku Coverage
Offsite: GamesRadar Coverage
Offsite: Joystiq Coverage
Offsite: GameSpot Coverage
Offsite: GameDaily Coverage
Offsite: 1up Coverage
Offsite: Gamasutra Coverage
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Worthless. (Score:5, Interesting)
So what you're really getting out of this product is a larger hard drive. Whether a bigger hard drive is worth an extra $80 to you is for you to decide. I fail, however, to understand how nothing more than a larger hard drive and a black paint job makes it elite.
I'm going to guess there will be a flood of idiots rushing out to buy it - even to replace their existing boxes - because they think HDMI is some nifty high-definition thingamajig and then they'll rush home and plug it in and convince themselves that they really do see a difference.
If you really want to make it elite, make it quieter, cooler and less prone to dying.
Re:Worthless. (Score:5, Insightful)
I also wondered how *only* a black finish makes a MacBook $150 more expensive and "elite" but.. common sense isn't popular these days.
If enough companies do this, one morning I could wake up and really believe that black color is extremely expensive and worth the extra cost, who knows.
Parent
HDMI is most beneficial for AUDIO (Score:5, Interesting)
And, as much as I hate DRM, ultimately the decision to flag HD DVDs to downconvert over component is up to the movie studios... And... should they go that route in the future (I don't see it happening, especially now that HD DVD is compromised...), M$ will be ready with HDCP compliant HDMI.
Parent
Re:HDMI is most beneficial for AUDIO (Score:5, Interesting)
Somehow I have a feeling I've heard this before, about MP3 vs CD or maybe even SACD and DVD-A. Extremely few people can tell the difference between CD and MP3 >256kbps, and even regular AC-3 DVDs have that + 192kbps to encode the rear channels and bass track. DTS goes much higher than that again, typically 768kbps+. Of course the new formats bring 7.1 to the table, but how many movies have 7.1 sound, are played in a 7.1 player to a 7.1 reciever with correctly placed 7.1 speakers? I doubt 95% of the people would be able to tell the difference, 4.9% wouldn't be "BLOWN AWAY" and the last 0.1% is you.
The only thing I'm still missing is the option to go past 24p. If you've ever seen sports or anything else fast-moving high action in 720p60 progressive, you'll wonder how you ever survived with 24p/30i. They can quote whatever artistic reasons they want but 60p would improve a lot of movies IMO.
Parent
Re:HDMI is most beneficial for AUDIO (Score:5, Interesting)
Now, 60p I'm not disagreeing with, framerate definitely makes a difference. But things shot on film look like there were.. well.. shot on film *because* of the 24fps frame rate.. and because of the film grain... And just like you (well, I can anyways...) distinguish when something was shot with a 1 ccd mini-dv cam, or a 3ccd mini-dv cam, or an HDV camera, or a DVC Pro camera... you can just TELL when something is shot on film. And to a lot of people, that's part of what makes a movie.. what it is.
Then again, there are some people that enjoyed the oh so cinematic experience of watching the blair witch project on the big screen...
Now, with all of the digital effects in movies today, and movies going directly to theater digitally to be played on DLP projectors the argument becomes a bit less cohesive... but there's definitely something about 24 frames per second that makes a movie a movie.. and not an NFL football game.
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the audio wiring within an HDMI cable electrically identical to an S/PDIF coaxial link?
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The extra $80 also gives you an Xbox Live headset, something the standard bundle doesn't. I agree that they've failed to justify the price though - the core unit should have been killed, the premium moved down to that price bracket, and this should have slotted in as a r
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HDCP IS DRM, and it IS evil. But let's face it, it's the Barney Fife of the DRM world.
The only thing that kind of pisses me off about HDMI is that I can't record my own gameplay sessions from HDMI. Then again, I have nothing that could store raw 1080p either so...
Can record from HDMI (Score:3, Interesting)
Check out the Blackmagic Design BHDINT Intensity board ($249).
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Seems a rather peculiar thing to say. Do you think the same thing when comparing VGA to DVI-D too? Even the best analogue signals is vulnerable to ghosting or slight interference.
As for the HD, it's feature the 360 should have had since the beginning. Too bad that MS are still using a proprietary casing and circuitry to force people to buy their drive rather than allow them to buy and fit any that they like.
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
I have seen the difference between HDMI and Component on my 42in Panasonic PX60 Plasma, it's a considerable improvement. Perhaps you don't need it on a 28in el-cheapo TV, but on a decent display HDMI is essential. 30 year old component ananlog interconnect technology is simply not cut out for it, and the D-A and A-D stages required for analog component does nothing but introduce unnecessary processing.
Still back on topi
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But I think the comparison isn't fair.
First, the price for paying online is for one single year on XBox360 side, while it's free (except communication costs...) on Sony's side.
Also you can buy cheaper parts to get the same functionnality for Sony, while to lower the price of the XBox360, you need to choose to lose some functionality.
Also, adding
Re:Worthless. (Score:5, Insightful)
HDMI does not require the use of HDCP. Being compatible with it does not mean turning on Copyright protection features.
HDMI can carry much higher bandwidth audio than optical or coax digital audio cables can right now, like TrueHD and uncompressed 7.1 PCM.
HDMI can share live display capability information (like that nice monitor detection you have on your VGA-based PC).
HDMI allows for better colour depth (higher bit per pixel values) and deeper blacks and brigther whites, combined with displays capable of these. This means displays can keep getting better and looking nicer and having richer colour because the capacity is already 'in the wire' so to speak.
Next troll?
Parent
Re:Worthless.m - CORRECTION (?) (Score:3, Informative)
From Gizmondo [gizmodo.com]:
Microsoft told us there would be no new hardware inside the Elite except for that 120GB hard drive, alluding to the often-rumored cooler-running processors manufactured with the 65nm process
I wanted to get one, and was going to give my existing 360 to someone I know who has kids but can't afford a console, and having it run more quietly was a big part of th
Interesting... (Score:5, Interesting)
That said, you haven't lived till you've played a real NES on 62" screen tv or a >100" projected screen
Soooo... I can't type at night (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
At my college, last generation the ps2 and xbox were pretty much in a dead heat for the top spot. Now though, the Wii is clearly winning over the ps3 and 360. The will may not be, by and large, the system you play by yourself, but it's the best system if you have people over. Also, the retro gaming is a huge hit here (may have somet
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IOW, what you're saying is that your college anecdotes are useless for predicting the winner of the console wars?
Hardly elite (Score:5, Interesting)
I'm one of those dorks that buys everything videogame-related, but I'm not motivated to upgrade at all. An HDMI port, quieter operation, and shiny black skin isn't enough to attract me, and I'm an enthusiast for their products. If they'd integrated the HD-DVD drive and the wireless adapter that would be one thing, but this is much too little, far too late.
I mean, the PS3 comes with Blu-ray and wireless built-in on the high-end model. Meanwhile, the 360 costs $100 extra for 802.11 (an adapter that has shit range, by the way, on a shelf next to my wii and ps3 the 360 can't pick up a signal), and $200 extra for a hi-def video drive.
So: Elite 360 + Wireless + HD-DVD = $780.
PS3, with built-in wireless and built-in Blu-ray: $600. Way to destroy your price advantage, Microsoft!
Obviously I'm not the target audience for this product, but I can't for the life of me figure out who is.
You're indeed not their target (Score:2)
The target audience obviously isn't anyone who already has an XBox 360, for that matter. It's out to target people -- or at least blunt their arguments -- who've been whining, basically, "the XBox sucks because it doesn't have a HDMI port" or "the XBox sucks because it's too loud for my living room" or "yeah, but the PS3 is _black_". Now MS can tell them, basically, "So buy an Elite then."
It's, if you will, like the pink PSP. It's not there so ever
Hard Target (Score:2)
If so, that is a huge problem for Microsoft - because they already have all the people that are the "core gamers", that buy systems early. How are they going to convince the more casual remainder to go to a system that is even labeled as "elite"?
I would think mostly gamers with HDMI TVs (Score:2)
However the vast majority of people still don't have HDTVs (and some that do have tubes or older models that don't sport HDMI) and thus it isn't something they care about.
I don't think it is really marketed as an upgrade for those that have 360s, I think it is more to try and draw in more of th
Re: (Score:2)
Also, the HDMI would make the cable runs to a wall-mounted HDTV that much less ugly.
Not that I have a wall-mounted HDTV yet
All in good time
Re:Hardly elite CONTROLLER (Score:5, Interesting)
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
PS3 + 120gb + a load of useless shit I don't need = $700.
Xbox + 120gb = $479.
re: PS3 content (Score:4, Interesting)
I did, however, buy a PS3 - because the hardware is different. A Blue-Ray drive is something I didn't own yet on any of my hardware, for one thing. And the PowerPC cell architecture is sufficiently different from any PC or Mac I own to make me feel like I'm not just buying the same old thing again, repackaged in a different shell.
I agree that PS3 content is sorely lacking right now - but it sounds like Sony is taking a pretty long-term view for the PS3 consoles. The last line of their quote in the original article commented on the "value" of buying a PS3 that you'd keep "for the next 10 years". Sure, some of that is just marketing-speak, but it also indicates they envision the PS3 as hardware that will be around for a while.
I wouldn't say the ports of XBox games for PS3 are "pathetic" though. NHL Hockey '07 was highly rated in every online review I saw. I bought it and I'm impressed with it too. Same with Tiger Woods golf. You're certainly not seeing evidence that it's a "poor" port. Runs every bit as well as the 360 version.
Parent
Re: PS3 content (Score:4, Interesting)
Is it because playing some games on a console is more fun? If so, then what is the difference between a PS3 and an XBox 360 again?
Of course the PS3 will be around in ten years, it'll just be two hardware cycles behind the PS5.
Parent
Re: PS3 content (Score:4, Informative)
The Xbox also uses PPC cores. Direct X API's make it easy to port but the hardware is not the same as a PC. Although 360 games tend to be PC style games, I can understand what you mean. The details however is that both the Ps3 and 360 and Wii use PPC cores. Likely due to their power efficiancy, thermal efficiancy, and size.
PS. I own a PS3 and I like it very much. Now if only FFXIII and MGS4 would come out tommorow.
Parent
Slot loading drive (Score:2, Interesting)
Cost of adding a Cell processor to Xbox ? (Score:2)
Question then : How much to add a Cell processor (or equivalent 6-8 core architecture) to an Xbox360, and also to provide a GNU compatible toolchain to buil
Why on earth would you want to? (Score:2)
Just buy a PS3 instead. Sony are happy to heavily subsidise the hardware for you, and won't even complain if you don't buy any games or movies for it.
Or, better still, port your signal processing code to a GPU [gpgpu.org] instead. They're much cheaper and far more powerful than a Cell, and with far more local memory bandwidth too. GPUs aren't ideal for every algorithm, but they do work well for many forms of signal processing.
Re: (Score:2)
On a broader point I think a lot of people get very defensive when th
Where's the Wi-fi? Where's the HD-DVD? (Score:5, Interesting)
IT CAN'T EVEN CURE CANCER
Seriously though, if I'd just bought an Xbox 360, I'd be *very* pissed off right now.
So... (Score:2)
First you say it's not worth buying, then you say people are going to be pissed off that they didn't buy one. Which is it?
Personally, I have no problem with extra choices (though some people do). I just want a bigger HDD [xbox-scene.com] - and I'd rather not pay [xbox-hq.com] US$180 for it, thanks MS, m'kay?
But every 360 addon is white.... (Score:4, Insightful)
L33T or 1337 edition. (Score:3, Funny)
goddammit!!! (Score:2)
I am so disappointed..
(How he could do it well without Ian Bell is anyones guess however)
I think Sony found a price point (Score:4, Insightful)
This sucks. (Score:4, Interesting)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
$80 more for an extra 100GB and HDMI?
The Elite also replaces the wired headset ($20 seperately) with a wireless headset ($60). A 120GB 2.5" notebook hard drive (which the Xbox 360 uses) costs $80 at Newegg, while 20GB costs $30. HDMI output requires at least one more non-cheap chip and additional licensing costs (probably cheap). All that seems reasonably close to $80 in added costs to manufacture the Xbox 360 Elite.
However, I am somewhat surprised MS isn't pricing the Elite at $400 (current price for Premium bundle) and reducing the price
Who asked for $500 PS3? (Score:2)
Who asked for $500 PS3?
By all means it seems MS has heard you!
Hm. I just got Appled by MS. (Score:2)
Oh well. The HDMI I can probably live without even though I have a TV that supports it. The bigger hard drive would certainly be nice though. I think the reason for the HDMI has less to do with "hey, this is cool, high-res and digital" and more to do with "hey, you're using HDCP now!".
Does anyone believe them about it *not*.. (Score:2)
Sounds familiar... (Score:4, Insightful)
Going to bite them in the ass eventually (Score:3, Insightful)
However, this probably won't affect sales of the Xbox 360 one way or the other. Current owners aren't likely to run out and buy a second Xbox 360 because of it, but they won't be getting rid of their old one either. The real problem, however, will be in a few years when it's time to release the next generation of consoles, and customers start saying "I'm really looking forward to the next Xbox, but I think I'll wait a year or so after launch for the 'elite' version to come out."
Someone else gets XBMC first (Score:2)
Now that it's got HDMI all we need is XBMC on it
The really funny thing is that well before we see XBMC running on this, it will be up and running on the AppleTV!
The AppleTV has a smaller drive, but you can replace the drive on an AppleTV and it's much smaller and quieter (probably even than the Elite).
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