Xbox 360 Premium - Finally in stock!? (Just got mine)

[Haoshiro]

So I was in the local wal-mart earlier this morning (6:30 AM) which for weeks has been "out of stock until further notice" of Xbox 360 Premium/Core systems and decided to check once again... and they were indeed in stock.

I picked up the Premium system, another wireless controller, and Burnout Revenge (which I previously rented on Xbox 1 and thought it was great, plus my wife loved it.)

The clerk said they had just got in 4 Premiums and 4 Cores the night before. After selling me one she said they now only had 1 Premium left plus the 4 Core systems... so even in my little town they seem to be selling fast - and still getting very little stock!

Anyway, thought some of you would want to know that places (at least here in the USA) should have some in stock now. Sometime today I might have time to actually try mine...

[Stevez0r]

So I was in the local wal-mart earlier this morning (6:30 AM) which for weeks has been "out of stock until further notice" of Xbox 360 Premium/Core systems and decided to check once again... and they were indeed in stock.

I picked up the Premium system, another wireless controller, and Burnout Revenge (which I previously rented on Xbox 1 and thought it was great, plus my wife loved it.)

The clerk said they had just got in 4 Premiums and 4 Cores the night before. After selling me one she said they now only had 1 Premium left plus the 4 Core systems... so even in my little town they seem to be selling fast - and still getting very little stock!

Anyway, thought some of you would want to know that places (at least here in the USA) should have some in stock now. Sometime today I might have time to actually try mine...I pre-order mines for GameStop (4/1). Yeah I heard that they never did fulfill the pre-orders for the launch date. Maybe I'll see you on Live, Halo 2?

[Patmian212]

Haoshiro check your PM inbox.

[Haoshiro]

I pre-order mines for GameStop (4/1). Yeah I heard that they never did fulfill the pre-orders for the launch date. Maybe I'll see you on Live, Halo 2?

Yeah, I talked to GameStop last week and they told me they were holding their units until 4/1 for a second "launch". Which means they were getting them sooner but refusing to sell until 4.1. My guess is they wanted to avoid complaints from not being able to fulfill all preorders until then...

[clayj]

EBGames has four different bundles listed on their site now, and all of them look to be available later this week.

I'm guessing the time when Xbox 360s will be found available in stores is about to begin.

[zelmo]

This is bad news, and I mean really bad news. I've been able to ignore the call of the 360 mainly because they haven't been easily available.
I mean, if I can just walk into a Wal-Mart or Best Buy and pick one off the shelf...goodbye to $600 or so.;)

[GFLPraxis]

Yeah, I talked to GameStop last week and they told me they were holding their units until 4/1 for a second "launch". Which means they were getting them sooner but refusing to sell until 4.1. My guess is they wanted to avoid complaints from not being able to fulfill all preorders until then...

When you go in on 4.1, they're going to shout, "April Fools!" :p

[Haoshiro]

When you go in on 4.1, they're going to shout, "April Fools!" :p

Haha, that would be awesome and cruel at the same time. Of course, I won't be going in on 4/1.... I already have mine thanks to wal-mart this morning! ;)

So far I like it, Burnout Revenge remains great, Halo 2 runs perfect. I'm not used to the controls yet and the thumbsticks feel quite a bit stiffer then the original controllers... maybe they just need "broke in."

[ChrisBrightwell]

This is bad news, and I mean really bad news. I've been able to ignore the call of the 360 mainly because they haven't been easily available. I've been able to ignore its call due to lack of games worth playing.

$399 to play Joust and Geometry Wars? Hah.

[Haoshiro]

I've been able to ignore its call due to lack of games worth playing.

$399 to play Joust and Geometry Wars? Hah.

Dude! Those games rock! ... or so I've heard.

Seriously though, I mostly bought it for the following reasons:
1) There will be games worth playing; namely for me Halo 3 (I am a fan, and I will want to play it... so why avoid the inevitable?)
2) My Xbox is dying and I had sold my controllers (all but 1, for my USB adaptor) because I thought it was dead... turns out it just needed cleaning.
3) If I thought one day I'd be wanting a 360 then it made no sense for me to buy another Xbox1 and 3 more controllers and then later get a 360 and have to buy *another* 3 controllers.
4) Wired controllers work on the Mac; a small bonus.
5) I didn't have a hd component dvd player; 360 could solve that for me.

In the end I figured I'd have to invest about $250 in the Xbox (another system, 3 controllers, would want to get another component cable, etc)... which would have ended up a waste if I was going to (even a year later) want a 360. Plus, all my old Xbox games are supported on the 360...

So that was my logic, heh. My current Xbox (and Dreamcast, for that matter) will soon be available on eBay. :)

[AlBDamned]

There's quite a few places near me now (in SW London) that have them in stock. I also saw a premium pack, with COD 2 and Burnout and an extra accessory (could have been another controller but can't remember), all for £350, which sounds pretty good.

Also, I saw Perfect Dark Zero being played in a store recently, on a 50" Hi Def plasma screen - awesome set up.

[illegalprelude]

welcome to the world of being bored with ur 360 >.<
Im superbly board with mine. I just want Halo 3 :D

[ChrisBrightwell]

1) There will be games worth playing; namely for me Halo 3 (I am a fan, and I will want to play it... so why avoid the inevitable?)Halo has bored me from the beginning. I'm just bored with the whole FPS genre, I suppose.

4) Wired controllers work on the Mac; a small bonus.Interesting. Does it work with old console emulators and such?

5) I didn't have a hd component dvd player; 360 could solve that for me.Just for the record, the DVD player on the 360 isn't an HD player.

[Haoshiro]

I actually have a lot more GameCube games I still want to finish/play so getting the 360 wasn't all that exciting to be honest.

I was glad to get one, simply because they were finally in stock... and I look forward to Halo 3, etc.... so it was like "well, I'll be getting one sooner or later, might as well now." :)

[Bubbasteve]

I'm guessing the time when Xbox 360s will be found available in stores is about to begin.

It's about time...it's only been what? Almost 4 months since it's US release?

[stonyc]

1) There will be games worth playing; namely for me Halo 3 (I am a fan, and I will want to play it... so why avoid the inevitable?)IIRC the most recent issue of Game Informer had an article on Halo 3 that basically stated there's been almost zero development on Halo. Instead, they almost made it sound like Bungie was unsure if Halo 3 would be developed at all... putting more of their focuse on a new game instead (think it was called Forerunner, but I could be mistaken). Of course they could have just got the story all wrong and should be taken with a major grain of salt... but how scary would no Halo 3 be? Personally I don't think Bungie couldn't not make 3 and that instead they're just trying extremely hard to keep everything under wraps... anyways, when I get home from work I'll try to copy the article.

[illegalprelude]

there has been plenty here, Los Angeles Best Buys.
The thing im lookin forward to is Godfather on it. I would get it for the xbox or my PS2 but I would rather wait for the 360 version :cool:

[kaltsasa]

I live in a smaller town(10,000), with several walmarts within a 50 mile radius. I was able to pick up a Premium at the farthest one 3 weeks ago. However all have consistently had Core systems avalable for at least a month and a half, the core's are not selling at least around here. Even since christmas you could walk into a store around here and get a core. I certainly waited til I could get a Prem. I seriously hope they drop the core, it is just not worth the money.

[Haoshiro]

IIRC the most recent issue of Game Informer had an article on Halo 3 that basically stated there's been almost zero development on Halo. Instead, they almost made it sound like Bungie was unsure if Halo 3 would be developed at all... putting more of their focuse on a new game instead (think it was called Forerunner, but I could be mistaken). Of course they could have just got the story all wrong and should be taken with a major grain of salt... but how scary would no Halo 3 be? Personally I don't think Bungie couldn't not make 3 and that instead they're just trying extremely hard to keep everything under wraps... anyways, when I get home from work I'll try to copy the article.

I've heard about that but with a different slant. That they were working on a Halo game but would it was not Halo 3, it was "Forerunner" - a prequel to the first Halo.

Now how cool would that be? To me that hints that the Marathon trilogy will return; reborn as "Halo: Forerunner"!

Now that is an idea I like!

[ReanimationLP]

My friend at the Gamestop in the mall where I work, said he had half a dozen machines in the back, 4 Premiums, and 2 Cores. He's supposed to wait until 4/1 to sell them, but since hes the manager and he doesnt really give a f***, hes been selling them to whoever wants them.

[Abulia]

welcome to the world of being bored with ur 360 >.<
Im superbly board with mine. I just want Halo 3 :DWow, this hasn't been my experience. Of course, I own like 5 games and have a Gamefly rental; my 360 gets quite the workout!

In fact, so much so that I haven't turned on my old Xbox since November; I just sold it this past weekend. *sniff* It was hard saying goodbye to an old friend like that. We'd been through so much! (v1.0 launch day box still in perfect working condition, BTW)

Elder Scrolls tomorrow, baby! :D

[Haoshiro]

Yeah, my Xbox is a launch day Xbox as well. Bought it with DoA3 and Halo :D

[illegalprelude]

Wow, this hasn't been my experience. Of course, I own like 5 games and have a Gamefly rental; my 360 gets quite the workout!

In fact, so much so that I haven't turned on my old Xbox since November; I just sold it this past weekend. *sniff* It was hard saying goodbye to an old friend like that. We'd been through so much! (v1.0 launch day box still in perfect working condition, BTW)

Elder Scrolls tomorrow, baby! :D

See, I love Call of Duty 2, thats been fun. I got Perfect Dark and I think its possibly the worst game ive ever played.

All the other games, arent anything too new so im just waiting for something fun. All the driving games, i already own more or less and im still not done with Grand Turismo 4 yet. Plus for online game, i mostly play Socom 3.

[stonyc]

I've heard about that but with a different slant. That they were working on a Halo game but would it was not Halo 3, it was "Forerunner" - a prequel to the first Halo.

Now how cool would that be? To me that hints that the Marathon trilogy will return; reborn as "Halo: Forerunner"!

Now that is an idea I like!Could be, could be. The online version of the article isn't up yet, and transcribing it from the magazine is a little daunting. But they do mention the scenario you're talking about as being a possibility.

[wonga1127]

Everyone listen. Please.

Xbox 360's will be experiencing a "second launch" as Microsoft quadruples retail supplies. The chip shortage that weakened the first launch has been overcome. End of story.

Halo 3 has not been annoucned, confirmed, or anything. If Bungie does not say it, its not true. Bungie said the whole Forerunner thing was an April Fool's Joke, but this may not be true.

Halo 3, if released, will not be a prequel. The Halo movie, which has been confirmed by Bungie, will be. If Forerunner is real, it will most likely be a sequal to Halo 2 or a side story.

[Haoshiro]

<snip>
Halo 3, if released, will not be a prequel.
<snip>
If Forerunner is real, it will most likely be a sequal to Halo 2 or a side story.

Now it sounds to me like someone is busting on people for speculating, and then turns right around and makes several speculations.... lol

[Abulia]

LOL! :D

P0wned!

[Abulia]

Unlike others, I prefer to cite my sources (http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/21/technology/xbox_shipments.reut/index.htm).On Tuesday Microsoft said it plans to boost shipments of its Xbox 360 video game console by "two to three times" this week to address shortages that have crimped sales across the industry.

[coffey7]

This stinks! In the big bad state of N.Y. I can't find any 360's. We have the highest prices for insurance, taxes,gas, Worker comp insurance etc. I called a local super walmart and today they said they have had only 2 360's in stock since new years eve. Every store I tried said the same thing. They only had a few since launch. We have the highest land takes in the damn country. My friends mom lives on a small lake and pays $56,000 a year in taxes. Please send us some damn xbox's, people can buy them if you make them. What the hell! They forgot about N.Y.

[achie25]

My friends mom lives on a small lake and pays $56,000 a year in taxes. Please send us some damn xbox's, people can buy them if you make them. What the hell! They forgot about N.Y.


Sounds like she needs a better accountant.

I haven't checked since last week but here in West Michigan there isn't any. It is real hit-or-miss. Which might actually be a good thing since it has saved me $$$$$ to date. I still am on the fence whether or not to get one. I might just wait until next year to get the PS3 when it finally is going to be out and hopefully readily available.

It is tough to wait and the 360 is a alluring.

[wwooden]

After I made it through the christmas season without buying one (it wasn't hard, none were around), I told myself I could wait until Halo 3. But then I went with my gf to visit her family in Connecticut in early january and the Target there had 6 premiums. I bought one and CoD2. It's funny, I wasn't even going in there looking for one, I just needed some socks as I had forgot to pack some for the trip. I just happen to go through the electronics department and was shocked.

[coffey7]

I'm glad Microsoft Is sending all of these 360's to every 3rd world place in the world but forgeting the home base first. Let me guess North Korea will get some before I get one in N.Y. The strange people in japan didn't even buy any. they don't like Halo but they like a game that has you as a mosquito flying around sucking blood from people.
The production will be ramped up 2-3%. So thats an extra 2 or 3 per store. per week. Wow. Its still going to take a month to get one.

[ChrisBrightwell]

Xbox 360's will be experiencing a "second launch" as Microsoft quadruples retail supplies.Some some places will get 8 or 12 of them this time. Spectacular.

:D

[g30ffr3y]

to everyone who was able to fight off the urge to splurge
on the 360 due to unavailablility... i was one of you...

but then... ebgames got a shipment...

my fellow co-worker was over at our eb trying to pick up
the delayed brain age for DS and found out that they had
1 premium... by the time he got back to work it was gone,
but a few phone calls later and i had one on reserve at
a fairly nearby ebgames...

i picked it up after work along with GRAW... but then i had
to stop buy circuit city and pick up a flat panel 32" HD tv
to play it on...

2500 bucks later i have a killer setup... that i didnt plan on...

looking forward to gears of war and the new tomb raider... along
with the next splinter cell... ive been playing chaos theroy on
my gamecube and it freaking rocks socks!!!

*btw maybe someone can answer this... my tv is 1366 or something by 768...
i can set my 360 to 720p or 1080i... they dont seem to look much different
expecially compared to the 480p which obviously looks horrible... running
my setup at 1080i with only 768 lines of resolution... is that ok???
or should i be in 720p... thanks...*

[Haoshiro]

<snip>
*btw maybe someone can answer this... my tv is 1366 or something by 768...
i can set my 360 to 720p or 1080i... they dont seem to look much different
expecially compared to the 480p which obviously looks horrible... running
my setup at 1080i with only 768 lines of resolution... is that ok???
or should i be in 720p... thanks...*

I can answer your question! :)

720p = 1280x720
1080i = 1920x540 (1080i is interlaced, meaning ever other line is skipped to fill the screen resolution to 1080, but you only actually have 540 vertical lines).

This means that if the TV supports 1080i it is essentiall scaling the image down to fit on your screen, leaving you at your max res of 1366x768.

Running in a 720p mode that actually fits the constraints of your max resolution should look every bit as good, and probably run smoother on your system; games may also perform slightly better since they would not be pushing as many pixels through the 360 (although the difference isn't huge).

[MacRumorUser]

*btw maybe someone can answer this... my tv is 1366 or something by 768...
i can set my 360 to 720p or 1080i... they dont seem to look much different
expecially compared to the 480p which obviously looks horrible... running
my setup at 1080i with only 768 lines of resolution... is that ok???
or should i be in 720p... thanks...*

What's happening is the HDTV is scaling down the 1080i picture and not showing it at native resolution. Most HDTV's do this unfortunetly.

On my HDTV I can see no difference between 720p or 1080i either because of this, however when I hook up my DLP (HDMI) projector which supports upto 1080p nativly, I do see a clear difference between 720p & 1080i and in that scenario I always play at 1080i - on my TV I keep it at 720p

[g30ffr3y]

alrighty then guys... ill probably give 720p another shot...

thanks.
geoff.

[ChrisBrightwell]

1080i = 1920x540 (1080i is interlaced, meaning ever other line is skipped to fill the screen resolution to 1080, but you only actually have 540 vertical lines)You might want to double-check your source on that.

1080p and 1080i are both 1920x1080. It's just that one is interlaced (like normal TV signals) and the other is progressive.

[clayj]

You might want to double-check your source on that.

1080p and 1080i are both 1920x1080. It's just that one is interlaced (like normal TV signals) and the other is progressive.Right, but that difference between interlaced and progressive basically works out to:

1080i = 1920 x 540
1080p = 1920 x 1080

The 1080i signal takes TWO frames to draw a complete 1920 x 1080 image (this is the interlacing), where the 1080p signal draws a complete image in a single frame. Progressive requires twice the data throughput in the same amount of time.

[ChrisBrightwell]

Right, but that difference between interlaced and progressive [...]I'm well aware of (and understand) the difference, but calling 1080i 1920x540 is downright misleading. 1080i is more accurately defined as a 1920x1080 interlaced image.

[Haoshiro]

I'm well aware of (and understand) the difference, but calling 1080i 1920x540 is downright misleading. 1080i is more accurately defined as a 1920x1080 interlaced image.

Each frame is still only getting 1920x540 worth of data. Sure the vertical scanlines are spaced to fill a 1080 view area but each frame does not actually contain 1080 displayed lines. It's a bunch of trickery anyway, making your mind think there is more data being displayed then there really is.

So the question here is, when you have a TV that is scaling your 1080i image versus an unscaled 720p signal, what do you get? You get 1080i being pretty much useless, per frame you've got 1920x540 interleaved signal getting scaled to 1366x768; interlacing gets pretty much ruined (and I believe some displays will actually double each line in the 1080i signal to get an actual 1920x1080 frame to scale)... in the end you are not truly getting a 1920x1080 scaled signal being displayed... the final result is closer to a 1920x540 image scaled/stretched to 1366x768... deep image comparison and analysis would be the only way to really examine that, though.

Which was pretty much the point. ;) The whole thing is misleading by nature, imho.