Xbox 360 Elite (black console, HDMI, 120g HD) $479 [Archive]

zero2dash

Mar 20, 2007, 02:47 PM

Looks like it's true.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/20/xbox-360-elite-new-black-limited-edition-xbox-with-hdmi-and-120gb-drive/

We've confirmed with trusted sources that the black Xbox 360 is indeed coming (the image above is of the original 360 dev kit, FYI), and will be dubbed the Xbox 360 Elite. Here's what you need to know about it:

* The Elite will be limited quantities only; that may be as much or as little as a couple hundred thousand.
* The case, controller, and Live headset will all be black. It will have all new packaging.
* Elite will cost $479, and will be a 3rd SKU; it will be sold alongside Premium and Core packs.
* Eventually Elite hardware (in white plastics) will take the role of the Xbox Premium. That is to say, after the Elite is launched and sold out, future Xbox Premiums will have 120GB / HDMI.
* We do not yet know exactly when 120GB / HDMI will become the standard for Premium, but it is loosely estimated to be late summer or fall.
* Elite models run cooler than normal 360s, but they are not yet confirmed to have 65nm chips.
* Prices may remain the same with the 120GB / HDMI hardware upgrade in the Premium Xbox, but we may still see a price cut on the line when 65nm chips start shipping.
* The HD DVD drive will not be internal or bundled -- Microsoft never did or nor does not currently have plans to put an HD DVD drive in the 360.
* There are no current plans to integrate WiFi into the Elite or future Premiums (although that can always change).

F all the early adopters, eh Microsoft? :mad:
I think everyone who's had 360 failures should get one of these at no charge in exchange, but I'm sure that won't happen.

$20 more gets you a Ps3 with BluRay. If I was eyeing this, the Ps3 would be more attractive to me since they're not considering putting in HD-DVD to sweeten the deal.

MacRumorUser

Mar 20, 2007, 02:59 PM

I'll remain skeptical until I see one but....

black skin, HDMI and a 120gb HDD.... meh.

HDMI ? I dont need it on my 360's and it wont offer any visual improvement over VGA. Other's may find it handy, me.... meh.

120gb HD ? What on earth are people storing ? With very little movie / video content for Europe and the ease of streaming music or ipods plugging into your 360 - I really dont need that much unused storage in my 360.

Maybe it's for IPTV ? But I doubt I'll be seeing that in Ireland this year and especially given our relativly slow BB speeds.

Integrated Wifi should really have been there - but just as Sony drop the 20gb machine - so they have 1 SKU - Microsoft preps for 3 ? madness.

Dagless

Mar 20, 2007, 03:01 PM

Thank piss for that. End end of the SDF ranting about how the 360 can't do "real" 1080p over component blah blah. Lovely sized HDD (ideally I'd rather be offered a 3.5" HDD option - much cheaper). Can't say I'm keen on the all-black look though, glad to hear it's going to be phased out into the white model.

e²Studios

Mar 20, 2007, 03:01 PM

Looks like it's true.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/20/xbox-360-elite-new-black-limited-edition-xbox-with-hdmi-and-120gb-drive/

F all the early adopters, eh Microsoft? :mad:
I think everyone who's had 360 failures should get one of these at no charge in exchange, but I'm sure that won't happen.

$20 more gets you a Ps3 with BluRay. If I was eyeing this, the Ps3 would be more attractive to me since they're not considering putting in HD-DVD to sweeten the deal.

So what are they charging more for? a HDMI port? I think they are avoiding putting a HD DVD drive in the unit based on the abysmal outlook for HD DVD's future. No wifi, both the competition boxes have wifi built in...

120GB proprietary HD, why not just make it user replacebable like Sony did....

MS is gonna piss off a lot of their current base with this.

Ed

MacRumorUser

Mar 20, 2007, 03:02 PM

ideally I'd rather be offered a 3.5" HDD option

Ideally they'd just allow any USB2 HDD to be plugged in and allow you to save downloadable content to it - should you need to.

e²Studios

Mar 20, 2007, 03:03 PM

Ideally they'd just allow any USB2 HDD to be plugged in and allow you to save downloadable content to it - should you need to.

you can do that with your PS3 ;)

MacRumorUser

Mar 20, 2007, 03:05 PM

you can do that with your PS3 ;)

I know ;) :D But with 60gb HDD - I doubt I'll ever have to.

zero2dash

Mar 20, 2007, 03:05 PM

MS is gonna piss off a lot of their current base with this.

Oh absolutely. It's not even official, but close enough to official that I'm already pissed off. :p

The main thing that pisses me off is the hard drive.
I have two unused HDMI inputs in my tv, I could use the HDMI but using component is fine by me.

It's the HD.
Reportedly they say the 120g HD will be available separately for "under $200". That's f'n ridiculous. They price gouge on hardware, I expect that. But there should be some sort of trade in or upgrade to 20g holders other than taking it in the rear for "under $200".

I have like 4gigs free on my HD consisting of:

-20 Live games (3/4 are demos of games I plan on buying eventually).
-7 or 8 game demos
-Some videos (a few UFC fights from XBLM)
-South Park HD freebie
-Modest Mouse freebie
-Gears and Halo 3 commercials

Again I'm mainly pissed off about the hard drive. That's just BS.

Well, that and the cooler running aspect. I was going to extend my warranty and get the extra one, but now I don't have any reason to if they're going to ship me the same console with the same heat issues if it goes bad again. WTF Microsoft...I love my 360 but this is ridiculous. It was bad enough when they split the market between HD owners and non-HD owners (pretty much catering only to the HD owners), but now us small HD owners will eventually have problems unless way ante up...just because we supported them early on (some of you from day 1). :mad:

If I didn't own a 360 and was eyeballing this one, I would seriously consider the 20g Ps3 at $20 more. And I'm not saying that simply because I've already got a 360 and this announcement pisses me off; I say it because a Ps3 for $20 more to include the BluRay is worth the extra $20 over this 360.

sikkinixx

Mar 20, 2007, 03:08 PM

Why did they raise the price? Why not just cut the premium out?

Well its an MS thing, they need 37 1/2 types of Windows Vista so having more xbox skus's can only mean good things :rolleyes:

wwooden

Mar 20, 2007, 03:09 PM

I'll agree with MacRumorsUser, doesn't really do much for me. I am very happy with the 360 set up I have now, no need for HDMI or a larger hard drive. I'm really surprised they didn't included WIFI, should be standard like having a ethernet port, it's the way most of us connect now.

I wouldn't want a black 360, all my controllers and the HD-DVD player are white, wouldn't look good at all.

I'd rather see Microsoft put more time and money into making the 360 better with software updates and adding more features to the marketplace and get games that use the vision camera, that was a waste of $40 so far for me.

zap2

Mar 20, 2007, 03:14 PM

Wow....sort of useless. 120Gbs ad HDMI...not for me. Maybe some people will pick it up, but its hardly the upgrade I was looking for. Atleast the 400 dollar model will get these features, but how many people need HDMI, 120Gbs and a black console? My guess is they are on the cutting edge of technolgy, so much they need HDMI, they will already have an Xbox 360 and can afford to wait for the price to be 400, unless black is that cool.

MacRumorUser

Mar 20, 2007, 03:17 PM

If I didn't own a 360 and was eyeballing this one, I would seriously consider the 20g Ps3 at $20 more. And I'm not saying that simply because I've already got a 360 and this announcement pisses me off; I say it because a Ps3 for $20 more to include the BluRay is worth the extra $20 over this 360.

Well there wont be any more 20gb PS3's once stores have got rid of stock so it will be $120 difference - but then your getting wifi too.

unless black is that cool.

Well apple seem to think so charging more for the black macbook, but yeah I agree with you... meh... :)

JackAxe

Mar 20, 2007, 03:17 PM

My friend contracts... err. Anway, he told me 2 weeks ago a black one was coming, but wouldn't give me any other details. Like it mattered though, since most of these things were already leaked/rumored.

I suppose this means that some of the people that buy the black 360 will post with some kind of superiority complex, just because they waited and bought the latest revision of a console. Not that we don't already see that sort of thing with the current consoles and tech in general.

<]=)

sikkinixx

Mar 20, 2007, 03:19 PM

Well there wont be any more 20gb PS3's once stores have got rid of stock so it will be $120 difference - but then your getting wifi too.

And Blu-Ray for Casino Royale (did I mention that movie kicks some ass in HD?)

MacRumorUser

Mar 20, 2007, 03:25 PM

And Blu-Ray for Casino Royale (did I mention that movie kicks some ass in HD?)

You may have mentioned it one or two times my good man :D :D :D

I've ordered a copy from the states, I dont think the euro BR version will be region free (a few discs are).

2nyRiggz

Mar 20, 2007, 03:25 PM

This is dumb(from a consumer point of view) and business as uausal...you really think they give a rats arse you just spend all that money on your spanking new system..hell no.

I won't be getting it, I'm happy with what I got....what they really need to do is add support for regular HDD...bastards.

Bless

AJ Muni

Mar 20, 2007, 03:26 PM

That black controller looks nice

SamIchi

Mar 20, 2007, 03:43 PM

I don't need HDMI, or 120 GB's, and I think the black looks fugly. It would've been nice to have a cooler and quiter system though.

viccles

Mar 20, 2007, 03:45 PM

Doesn't really worry me other than I could really use the drive space!

Jovian9

Mar 20, 2007, 03:54 PM

I see no problem with this, other than the price. One can get HDMI (if they need it, I don't) and a larger hard drive. If it runs cooler than that makes it even better.

Does this make my 360 any less fun? NO!
Does my 360 function just as well as it did before this rumor? YES!

Nothing is future-proof. I think it's great that they are going to keep improving on the 360. Nowadays consoles don't last as long as they used to. So if lots of 360 owners keep playing these, 3 or 4 years from now they may wear out their original purchase and have to buy a new one....in which case it would be nice to have one that's a bit better than the original. I'm not saying it's right that consoles break down, but it happens (lots of my friends went through 2 or 3 PS2's and one of my friends has had 2 original Xbox's).....though none of my friends nor myself has had to buy a 2nd GameCube :)

They need to put the price at the current premium though.....$399 USD. And after this limited edition goes away these improvements need to become the standard for the premium and the current premium needs to become the core system. There is no reason to pay that price at this point other than to have the black version (as it is close in price to a PS3 with no wireless and no hd/br playback). They also need to make the 120GB HD at a reasonable price ($99 or less) so those of us with 360's already can upgrade, and provide some way for us to transfer our content from the 20GB HD to the new one (since they aren't allowing USB HD's yet).

greatdevourer

Mar 20, 2007, 03:57 PM

For those of you saying "Why don't they bin the Premium?", reread his post

Eventually Elite hardware (in white plastics) will take the role of the Xbox Premium. That is to say, after the Elite is launched and sold out, future Xbox Premiums will have 120GB / HDMI.
We do not yet know exactly when 120GB / HDMI will become the standard for Premium, but it is loosely estimated to be late summer or fall. They are replacing the Premium, but, from what I can see, only after they've run out of current Premium hardware

sikkinixx

Mar 20, 2007, 04:03 PM

For those of you saying "Why don't they bin the Premium?", reread his post

They are replacing the Premium, but, from what I can see, only after they've run out of current Premium hardware

but will it remain $479? or are they pulling an Apple and making you pay $79 for a black colour?

sb58

Mar 20, 2007, 04:33 PM

i doubt anyone who already has a 360 would be willing to buy that... not enough of an upgrade imo.

GFLPraxis

Mar 20, 2007, 04:33 PM

No WiFi?

I'd take the XBox 360 Premium, + WiFi over an XBox 360 with a bigger hard drive, thanks.

I don't see why XBox 360 owners would be ticked, unless they *needed* HDMI (why does it matter that much? Component is still the same quality). It's just a hard drive upgrade. I'd still buy a Premium if I was buying one today.

darkwing

Mar 20, 2007, 04:36 PM

Good for them updating, and boo-hoo for all the babies who complain they are screwing the early adopters. Where were these people when the DS Lite came out? If you early adopt you enjoy the system before others... if this makes someone who didn't buy a 360 get one, then that's great for everyone. In the mean time you had one and they didn't. You're paying a price for having it longer. Investments equal time. Imagine if I had bought my gamestop stock at 34 instead of 24? I paid to have it sooner, and I took a risk, too. Should I be upset at those who bought it lower than me because they got more reward? Please. :rolleyes:

My only problem is that they want to make it "limited quantities." This will boost 360 sales, which is what the console wars seem to be based on. I think they should keep it around. Why not? I am considering a 360 because of Trusty Bell, and I want to be sure I can get an elite when that time comes!

ijimk

Mar 20, 2007, 04:39 PM

I am surprised there has not been a hack released to allow the use of a external USB 2.0 HD for storage in the 360. Or has there? :confused:

darkwing

Mar 20, 2007, 04:40 PM

psychofreak

Mar 20, 2007, 04:40 PM

I am surprised there has not been a hack released to allow the use of a external USB 2.0 HD for storage in the 360. Or has there? :confused:

There has, but software allows it (right now) to use a maximum of 20GB anyway, so its just not worth it...

ijimk

Mar 20, 2007, 04:45 PM

There has, but software allows it (right now) to use a maximum of 20GB anyway, so its just not worth it...

So maybe when this upgraded version is released it may be bumped to 120 gig? :confused:

At least thats how i would think in theory it might work :D

erickkoch

Mar 20, 2007, 05:09 PM

I don't have any problem with the MS upgrade, we'ren't people complaining that MS didn't have a larger hard drive in the first place? There were complaints that it didn't have an HDMI connection like the PS3 as well.

Maybe they should have added these in the first place but at least they are addressing what some considered the Xbox360 shortcomings.

Haoshiro

Mar 20, 2007, 05:29 PM

Meh, this should have had WiFi!!

Other then that, I could care less. It'll be good for anti-SDF... but why would any Premium owner be upset about this?

They swap out accessories, and paint it a different color... besides that all thats really new is HDMI... I wouldn't pay $80 for that.

If this is true, the good news is that a new HDD accessory for existing owners should be coming soon.

psychofreak

Mar 20, 2007, 05:34 PM

So maybe when this upgraded version is released it may be bumped to 120 gig? :confused:

At least thats how i would think in theory it might work :D
Yes...BUT with the same update, it could stop this hack/mod...

Dagless

Mar 20, 2007, 05:44 PM

I think at that price sticking in WiFi would be nice. As it has already been said, the DS has WiFi. Infact every video games machine (handheld and console) launched after Nov 21 2004 has WiFi...

FadeToBlack

Mar 20, 2007, 05:53 PM

The Black looks badass.

I do think the Elite and Premium should both have built-in wifi, though.

wmmk

Mar 20, 2007, 06:14 PM

I don't know if it's a sign, but if MS is unwilling to put a HD-DVD in their box, do they know something we don't?
ooh. good point!

anyways, I know apple charged extra for the black MB, but that was different. the mac brand was known for being shiny white. a matte black apple laptop was something to be sought after. only a few months ago was there a black xbox. yawn.

zap2

Mar 20, 2007, 07:01 PM

I think at that price sticking in WiFi would be nice. As it has already been said, the DS has WiFi. Infact every video games machine (handheld and console) launched after Nov 21 2004 has WiFi...

GameBoy Micro
20Gb PS3

But your point is taken...the high end Xbox 360 should have built in Wi-Fi

Haoshiro

Mar 20, 2007, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by a commenter at engadget
I don't know if it's a sign, but if MS is unwilling to put a HD-DVD in their box, do they know something we don't?

Yeah, they know that if they were to do that both users and developers would be asking why they can't use it for games... and the reason for that would of course that it would be bad. If it ever happened, all current 360 owners wouldn't be able to play the game.

ooh. good point!

anyways, I know apple charged extra for the black MB, but that was different. the mac brand was known for being shiny white. a matte black apple laptop was something to be sought after. only a few months ago was there a black xbox. yawn.

This move, if it happens, would seem to be little more then shutting the mouths of the elitists in the PS3 camp, and to make the difference look much more minimal to consumers between 360/PS3.

Plus, they would still have the lowest price offerings... might make the Premium look like an even better deal.

applekid

Mar 20, 2007, 07:59 PM

Dagless

Mar 20, 2007, 08:16 PM

I think Microsoft is using hard drive capacity against the PS3. 120 GB vs. 60 GB. What are you going to choose? Ignoring BluRay (and it's likely consumers will ignore BluRay), this may appear to be the better buy at quick glance especially with an online media store behind it.

I hope this would mean a price drop on the Premium box, but I'm guessing not :(

If the Elite went at a 399 price point and the Premium takes the 299 price point, it would be a glorious day :) But, it's not going to happen anytime soon. "Late-summer or fall" at best doesn't help me.

At this stage a larger HDD size would be nothing more than icing on the cake for MS. I find it hard to imagine the PS3 catching up any time soon. When numbers are neck and neck and theres pressure on 3rd party devs - then we'll see how low these big guys can go.

gkarris

Mar 20, 2007, 08:42 PM

Looks like a collector's item as only a few will be made.

I was blessed enough to get an XBox Halo Edition when it came out.

But, something like this will be tons harder to get, as most will be bought by eBay sellers...

pcypert

Mar 20, 2007, 08:44 PM

If true...nothing I need. I'm going to be using apple TV for my movies and what not now...so no need for a bigger hard drive. I have 19 games all with save files and some with downloadable content and still have 13.5 gigs from my original...no need for more just to have it.

Paul

applekid

Mar 20, 2007, 09:35 PM

I was blessed enough to get an XBox Halo Edition when it came out.

I'm banking on a Halo edition X-Box 360 to force everybody into buying a console. If I wasn't planning on getting my 360 for the summer, I'd probably wait until the fall for Halo 3 and see what happens.

GFLPraxis

Mar 20, 2007, 11:13 PM

Component is more prone to interference and it doesn't have the HDCP token.

The only people who care about HDCP are HD-DVD viewers that are afraid it might SOMEDAY be activated.

It doesn't matter for games or any HD-DVD movies on the market now.

savar

Mar 21, 2007, 12:12 AM

So what are they charging more for? a HDMI port? I think they are avoiding putting a HD DVD drive in the unit based on the abysmal outlook for HD DVD's future. No wifi, both the competition boxes have wifi built in...

120GB proprietary HD, why not just make it user replacebable like Sony did....

MS is gonna piss off a lot of their current base with this.

Ed

I wish they'd put the HD DVD drive into the system as well...the official reason why they won't is that they don't want developers to rely on having the extra space. It would segment the games into regular and HDDVD only.

I don't think HDDVD is obviously going to die. It seems to like it competes well with BluRay, has more units on the market, and at least HDDVD jewel cases fit into my existing DVD racks. BluRay is, inexplicably, shipping their discs in jewel cases that are shorter, wider, and thinner. WTF?

Suture

Mar 21, 2007, 08:20 AM

I just want an HDMI cable for my 360. After hearing Nine Inch Nails "Beside You in Time" HD-DVD in TrueHD audio... wow. The difference in sound was amazing.

Sky Blue

Mar 21, 2007, 08:31 AM

And Blu-Ray for Casino Royale (did I mention that movie kicks some ass in HD?)

Did they fix the pacing and ending in HD or is it still flawed?

Dagless

Mar 21, 2007, 08:40 AM

Did they fix the pacing and ending in HD or is it still flawed?

I'm wondering if this magical new format fixed any of these films too. (http://play.com/DVD/Blu-ray/NAVMAIN/5-/RegionHome.html)

MacRumorUser

Mar 21, 2007, 08:40 AM

Did they fix the pacing and ending in HD or is it still flawed?

ooo that's fighting talk with sikkinixx there. :D

combatcolin

Mar 21, 2007, 08:51 AM

No Wi-Fi
No HD -DVD drive for films.

Not that great really is it?

Disappointing for me, still no reason to buy a 360 till September.

e²Studios

Mar 21, 2007, 09:20 AM

I wish they'd put the HD DVD drive into the system as well...the official reason why they won't is that they don't want developers to rely on having the extra space. It would segment the games into regular and HDDVD only.

I don't think HDDVD is obviously going to die. It seems to like it competes well with BluRay, has more units on the market, and at least HDDVD jewel cases fit into my existing DVD racks. BluRay is, inexplicably, shipping their discs in jewel cases that are shorter, wider, and thinner. WTF?

Blu-Ray is outselling HD DVD 3:1 right now, there are more blu-ray movies than HD DVD, 20 of the 25 top movies are on blue ray while 1 is on HD DVD. 1 Studio has given exclusive support to HD DVD, 5 are on Blu-Rays side.. HD DVD will start to phase out by years end, by Christmas next year i doubt any retailer will sell them, short of the discount outlets that sell the things that won't sell in mainstream retail. look around, ive posted a ton of articles from Neilson, and other reputable sources and analysts that basically say the same thing.

This is why no imo HD DVD is integrated, MS is smart enough not to include a dying technology and then piss their customer base off again with the same machine...

Ed

Jasonbot

Mar 21, 2007, 09:30 AM

SO are we going to see an Xbox BD player add on soon?

MacRumorUser

Mar 21, 2007, 09:31 AM

SO are we going to see an Xbox BD player add on soon?

Highly unlikely. If they ever support BD movies it will be with a combo drive.

darkwing

Mar 21, 2007, 09:46 AM

Well, I think the problem here stems from the fact that with formats only one survives... however with consoles, they all survive (usually) but only one will be #1 of course.

GM still outsold toyota last year, Ed, but Toyota is catching up fast. Toyota is now #2 because they passed Ford recently. GM and Toyota build cards together (the NUMI plant in Fremont, CA) so either company doing well is good for the other.

combatcolin

Mar 21, 2007, 10:21 AM

Blu-Ray is outselling HD DVD 3:1 right now, there are more blu-ray movies than HD DVD, 20 of the 25 top movies are on blue ray while 1 is on HD DVD. 1 Studio has given exclusive support to HD DVD, 5 are on Blu-Rays side.. HD DVD will start to phase out by years end, by Christmas next year i doubt any retailer will sell them, short of the discount outlets that sell the things that won't sell in mainstream retail. look around, ive posted a ton of articles from Neilson, and other reputable sources and analysts that basically say the same thing.

This is why no imo HD DVD is integrated, MS is smart enough not to include a dying technology and then piss their customer base off again with the same machine...

Ed

Still far too early to count either format out.

Very smart move by Sony to put Blu-Ray in the PS3, looks expensive at 1st glance but quite cheap for a games console + next gen DVD player.

Microsoft should offer a range of 360 consoles, with the core at the bottom and a HD-DVD equpped machine at the top.

srobert

Mar 21, 2007, 10:30 AM

MacRumorUser

Mar 21, 2007, 10:46 AM

Back on topic. Cooler 360 and not the original DVD drive = more silent 360? I find my original to be a little bit too noisy as I often play it with low sound volume. I'll be waiting for more official info.

But seeing as though the currently manufactured machines are using the quieter drive anyway - all were talking about with this rev is a bigger HDD and hdmi.

I still think it will be hilarious if that Engadget article which already admited was a picture of the black dev kit is wrong and all this bickering is over nothing :D

go on microsoft.. make me laugh :p :)

pcypert

Mar 21, 2007, 10:58 AM

I still think it could be a hoax or April Fool's Joke...and still don't care either way. Had a great coop session today with a friend on GeOW...played through 3 acts...too bad it was on my old boring white 360 :D

The 360 that's out now plays really good games NOW. Get it and play...don't talk about playing or whine about playing or think about playing. There's great games out now...and the 360 out now will play Halo 3 still when it arrives (if it arrives this year).

Having played games at 1080i and 720p I'll still choose 720p even if the system supports 1080p...the games to me play better in 720p...and my 32 inch CRT HDTV shows no difference between 1080 and 720 p tested with my Sony FX1 HD camcorder.

Even IF they come out with the larger hard drive I'd still save money and buy a apple TV. I'd rather use iTunes with my current Season Passes and all anyways.

Guys, get one now if you have the funds...the games are great and it's a lot of fun to play and not fret about when/if updates are coming :D

Paul

zero2dash

Mar 21, 2007, 11:29 AM

Came to the thread looking for info on that rumored new 360…

…found a bunch of people fighting over format and consoles preferences.

It's getting more teadious everyday to filter the bickering out to get to the on-topic info.

Back on topic. Cooler 360 and not the original DVD drive = more silent 360? I find my original to be a little bit too noisy as I often play it with low sound volume. I'll be waiting for more official info.

Agreed. :o

Yeah, the current white 360s manufactured in or after Dec'06 have the new BenQ drive which is supposedly a quieter DVD drive.

With [these] new 360s reportedly being cooler (but no evidence whether they switched to 65nm processors or not), I'm sure as a whole - yes, these will certainly be more quiet than what's out now.

GFLPraxis

Mar 21, 2007, 12:08 PM

Blu-Ray is outselling HD DVD 3:1 right now

HD-DVD outsold Blu-ray for so long that it still has more titles sold overall.

We'll see what happens.

Coded-Dude

Mar 21, 2007, 12:42 PM

HD-DVD outsold Blu-ray for so long that it still has more titles sold overall.

We'll see what happens.numbers....source....anything?

Haoshiro

Mar 21, 2007, 12:44 PM

numbers....source....anything?

10:1
1, 2, and 3
389%
42

A few numbers for you, sir. ;)

Coded-Dude

Mar 21, 2007, 12:48 PM

:eek:

:D

cycocelica

Mar 21, 2007, 06:26 PM

The only thing that makes me want one is that it is black and it looks damn sexy!

Everything else is just meh.

tjcampbell

Mar 22, 2007, 06:03 AM

Wow, that looks badass!!

giganten

Mar 22, 2007, 12:56 PM

I did find a thread on teamxbox's forum "Black Xbox 360 confirmed (http://forum.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?t=514975)".

Black Xbox 360 confirmed
Microsoft announces that “Elite” onyx-tinged console with HDMI and 120GB hard drive is coming to the US.

Microsoft has officially confirmed that a long-rumoured black Xbox 360 will be hitting the streets soon.

The model, called the Elite pack, will be the highest spec of the three 360 packages on offer, with a 120GB hard drive and an HDMI output (plus an included cable). The Premium pack has 20GB of storage space and no HDMI, while the cheaper Core system no hard drive and no HDMI. The Elite pack will not include an internal HD DVD drive.

The extra hard drive space will come in particularly useful for US Xbox 360 owners, as they have access to Microsoft’s Live Video store and can download Hi-Def movies and TV shows – a movie takes up around 4.5GB of space.

Reports suggest that once the intial run of black Elites sell out, the system will continue to be sold, but in more familiar Xbox 360 white casing, while the Premium pack will be phased out altogether.

A price of $479 (around £250) seems likely for the Elite, but there’s no confirmation of a launch date and price for Europe. If we had to guess, we’d say the price will be £300 – £20 more than the Premium pack costs now.

http://www.t3.co.uk/news/247/games/xbox/black_xbox_360_confirmed

I dont know anything about that site but it can be true.

MacRumorUser

Mar 22, 2007, 01:00 PM

It will probably only launch in the states at first, especially with IPTV laucnhing in summer, as there is nothing like the video content on Euro servers and IPTV is late 2007/2008 pencil date - I wouldnt be surprised if they hold back the elite pack for europe till the xmas holidays.

combatcolin

Mar 22, 2007, 03:14 PM

£300 is a fair price.

But after adding the cost of an HD-DVD player and Wi-Fi adaptor the PS3 seems good value after all.

Old Mac Geezer

Mar 22, 2007, 03:29 PM

ooh. good point!

anyways, I know apple charged extra for the black MB, but that was different. the mac brand was known for being shiny white. a matte black apple laptop was something to be sought after. only a few months ago was there a black xbox. yawn.

The "good point" is that it would add a minimum of another $100-$200 to the price of the 360 to put the HD-DVD player inside. It was a good move IMO to keep the HD-DVD player separate. You play all your movies in the HD-DVD player (it also plays older DVD's) so that if it ever wears out, you can still keep playing on your games console. It sucks to have to send your console in for repairs, warranty or no, and playing your movies from an external device prolongs console life. Microsoft also hedges it's bet in the HD movie wars. If HD-DVD does turn out to be the ultimate loser, they can release an external Blu Ray player for 360 owners to use. If Blu Ray loses, all those PS3 owners are stuck with a movie player with no movies. Both formats are going to be a dead end, though. Digital distribution is getting to the point where it is practical and affordable enough to be used by most people, so pre-recorded content will die out in all formats in favor of people just downloading content and burning it to disc themselves.

Coded-Dude

Mar 22, 2007, 03:33 PM

Digital distribution is getting to the point where it is practical and affordable enough to be used by most people, so pre-recorded content will die out in all formats in favor of people just downloading content and burning it to disc themselves.

Not anytime in the next 5 years.
There are barely a handful of countries in the world with the capacity to deploy such a solution.
Expect optical solutions to be around for at least another decade.

Unless you want to tell people in Rural ares to **** off and move to the city if they want to enjoy movies and video games.
(this goes for technically inept countries as well)

combatcolin

Mar 22, 2007, 04:10 PM

giganten

Mar 26, 2007, 09:19 AM

Some news about the Xbox 360 Elite.

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/13090/Xbox-360-Elite-to-be-Announced-on-Wednesday/

giganten

Mar 26, 2007, 11:08 AM

Microsoft is not so good to keep secrets. ;)

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/13092/Microsoft-Accidentally-Confirms-Xbox-360-Elite/

In the XNA Game Studio Express forums at MSDN, an XNA Framework Developer has accidentally confirmed the existance of the unannounced Elite Edition of the Xbox 360.

In a forum post that asks "Will the HDMI output on the revised 360 require any code changes ", Microsoft software enginner Shawn Hargreaves responded that "no changes required" for existing XNA code. This pretty much confirms the new Xbox 360 model that is rumored to come with a built-in HDMI port.

Markleshark

Mar 26, 2007, 11:37 AM

It will be disappointingly if Microsoft don't put a HD DVD drive in there.

With the exception of Halo 3 most of the games i want to play are also coming out on the PS3.

Still 6 months away from me spending any of my £££, so i'll just sit on the fence.

Why? I wouldn't like to see M$ put a Hd-DVD drive in at all.

The fact is, the PS3 is tooooo expensive because of Blu-Ray that is included. It's forced upon those who don't have a HDTV, which makes it expensive and pointless.

That wasn't a 'console war' post, just an example. Thing is, if you buy a 360 and don't have a HDTV it's not a bad price. If you then buy a HDTV in the long run you can add HD-DVD if you want, your not forced to have something you don't need.

zero2dash

Mar 26, 2007, 11:58 AM

Why? I wouldn't like to see M$ put a Hd-DVD drive in at all.

The fact is, the PS3 is tooooo expensive because of Blu-Ray that is included. It's forced upon those who don't have a HDTV, which makes it expensive and pointless.

Not that I'm turning pro-Ps3 here (not that I'm anti-Ps3, I'm just not a fan) or anything :p but considering that the Elite is $479 over the Premium for a +100gig HD boost, 1 HDMI port, + a black color -

the Ps3 isn't really "too expensive" anymore when you consider the cost of the Elite 360.

Of course we're assuming that once the regular Premium models get the beefier HD and HDMI, the price stays at $399 for those (nothing's been said either way, but that's what I expect). Still...$479 for the Elite doesn't do much to say "hey, buy a 360, it's a better bargain over a Ps3" because IMO at that price point in this stage in the game...all things considered, the 20gig Ps3 is a better deal because for $20 extra you get a HD movie player (in BluRay).

If I didn't have a 360 already, but I did have $500 burning a hole in my pocket...dare I say I'd buy the Ps3 for that price. :confused: God what have I become...:D :p

Markleshark

Mar 26, 2007, 12:01 PM

While I see your point, am I correct in saying we don't actually know any final details about this 'Elite' system?

Also, I'm going off Europe here, and the PS3 is £425 orrrrr $837 at the current rate.

zero2dash

Mar 26, 2007, 12:07 PM

While I see your point, am I correct in saying we don't actually know any final details about this 'Elite' system?

Yes, absolutely.
I hope they end up saying it has a 65nm cpu because that means help is on the way for people burned by overheating consoles (no pun intended).

If they do what they say (or, rather 'is rumored') and the Elite specs end up in the future 360s (both Core and Premium), and the price on those systems stays the same, it'd be great for everyone. I still wish there was a trade-up program but that's a pipe dream, I know. :)

I wouldn't consider getting an Elite at that price. I think they could've really came out strong and had the price the same as Premiums or even lower (if it were possible, which - if they go to 65nm cpus and therefore lower some cost...a price drop isn't out of the question) - they could've really put a hurt on Sony. But then again, like you said - we don't actually know anything on an "official" level yet. ;)

Dagless

Mar 26, 2007, 12:16 PM

While I see your point, am I correct in saying we don't actually know any final details about this 'Elite' system?

I'm hoping the official announcement has them sticking WiFi in the system. I'm actually hoping my bro buys an Elite system and I'll have his old one for free. Then I'd buy a WiFi adapter after saving about £210!

e²Studios

Mar 26, 2007, 12:41 PM

zero2dash

Mar 26, 2007, 12:47 PM

This whole thing seems like MS is doing a big "me too" action. The PS3 comes out with HDMI and a larger HD, so MS says "oh me too i have that too" and comes out with this elite box.

This happens a lot in the marketplace it seems.

Ed

I think they did it because they thought they had to remain "competitive", when IMO at least, they already were competitive. I don't see why the consoles have to both have the same stuff in order to be competitive (like they must believe). 360 didn't come with HDMI, a larger HD, or a HD movie player, but it was $100-$200 cheaper depending on model. Ps3 comes with more, but is more expensive. Either you want the added bonuses at a higher cost, or you spend less and get (slightly) less.

I think this was a bad idea, at least at this price point. Surely adding HDMI and a larger HD didn't cost them $80 additional dollars over the white Premium, so they're clearly price gouging per GB and for painting the case black. IMO that's outrageous, but as I've said before - console manufacturers always charge an arm and a leg for peripherals, so overcharging for a beefed up hard drive and an extra a/v port is something I expect. I just think it was the wrong thing to do. If they wanted to add this stuff to remain competitive, they should've left the price alone and said "hey, lookie here...now we've got the same stuff as them (almost) and we're still cheaper" and fence sitters really would've had to question their decision. As it is (rumored) now, you save $20 over a 20gig Ps3, and again...I hate to say it, but if I was in the predicament of picking one or the other - I'd take the Ps3 for $20 more and get the HD movie bonus.

giganten

Mar 26, 2007, 04:10 PM

I think we can say "Jump in Xbox 360 Elite".

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/13097/Xbox-360-Elite-Manufacturing-Photos/

combatcolin

Mar 26, 2007, 04:25 PM

I'm hoping the official announcement has them sticking WiFi in the system. I'm actually hoping my bro buys an Elite system and I'll have his old one for free. Then I'd buy a WiFi adapter after saving about £210!

Would be good, the wi-fi adaptor is quite expensive and you get it for free with the PS3 and Wii.

Dagless

Mar 26, 2007, 04:32 PM

I think we can say "Jump in Xbox 360 Elite".

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/13097/Xbox-360-Elite-Manufacturing-Photos/

That machine is strangely beautiful. I hope it's as quiet as what they say, and I really hope they keep up the black model. Both white and black models on the market would just be great all round. Hell I'll be getting a black Wii after all.

zap2

Mar 26, 2007, 07:09 PM

And one more step towards the Elite...cool, but I still like white for my consoles.

applekid

Mar 26, 2007, 07:20 PM

Can I just have a pricedrop, please... :(

Or get rid of the Core, replace it with the Premium, and let that get replaced by the Elite.

zap2

Mar 26, 2007, 07:22 PM

Can I just have a pricedrop, please... :(

Ya...I'd much rather have that. Or make with model at 399 and the current Premium go for 299. That would be nice.

supremedesigner

Mar 26, 2007, 07:25 PM

I don't need HDMI, or 120 GB's, and I think the black looks fugly. It would've been nice to have a cooler and quiter system though.

or redesign the console look :p

Old Mac Geezer

Mar 27, 2007, 07:20 AM

I don't think this bird is going to fly. $479 is only $20 less than the base PS3 which comes with the Blu Ray. For a difference of $20, I'd rather have the PS3 than the 120gb 360. The 360 has been on the market too long for something like this. Some current owners might buy one if their existing unit dies, but otherwise I think most of them would rather put the money towards a PS3. They will also be selling the 120gb drive separately, but for "under $200" it's not worth it. The only reason I can see them doing this is for the HDMI port, which is the only way for HDCP to work, which tells me that the Hi-Def content providers are ready to start implementing more difficult to break copy protection on their discs and current 360 owners with the HD-DVD drive won't be able to view the movies in HD resolution unless they upgrade to the new machine.

gkarris

Mar 27, 2007, 10:58 AM