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Wednesday March 28, 2007
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Sometimes it just doesn't pay to be an early adopter. Sure, you get the fancy new toys before everyone else, and you can show off. Just as often you get left with essentially outdated hardware, and have to face your friends with their newer and better versions of the same thing. Case in point: Microsoft's Xbox 360 Elite, which is the updated and supped up console that features a beefy 120GB hard drive and more importantly HDMI output! Set to hit stores on April 29th for $480, which is just a slight price increase from the current version with HDD, the Xbox 360 Elite will feature a black case, and will come with an HDMI cable and one new black Xbox Wireless controller. Gamers who already have a current Xbox 360 can upgrade to the larger drive for about $180, but at this point it doesn't seem like there is anyway to add the HDMI output. If you were an early adopter to the 360 you can at least take solace in the fact that this Elite version still doesn't have the HD-DVD drive built in, so you'll still have something to show off!
Post by Peter Suciu
Posted By:
Gearlog
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March 28, 2007 1:21 PM
Ooh. Now this might be the XBox 360 I've been waiting for. I wonder what kind of supply they're planning for stores, or whether we'll see skyhigh eBay prices for this launch, or what.
Some folks have already decried the new XBox 360 as the new PS-Two, but combined with the beefy hard drive, HDMI, and all of the same features that made the XBox 360 compelling, it might be a worthwhile upgrade.
...or, it might mean older XBox 360s will be available for a STEAL!
March 29, 2007 6:30 AM
I feel that MicroSoft's is trying to copy the PS3 cool looks & Elite Color.
And why on earth are they trying to release it without really equiping it with a HD-DVD Player ??
http://www.dennismaliekal.blogspot.com/
March 29, 2007 5:02 PM
Actually, I like the fact that the HD-DVD drive is not built in. Most people out there don't have HDTV's yet (though I'm sure the majority of next gen game system owners do) and have no use for HD-DVD or Blu-Ray devices. Not to mention the fact that the drive itself is not needed to play games, and you can avoid choosing sides in the format war and wait until it's finished to buy a new movie player.
Microsoft is backing HD-DVD right now, but they've recently said that if Blu-Ray wins, they will most likely make an external Blu-Ray drive available for the 360. So you will be able to get an add on player at a low cost for your 360, no matter what format eventually wins and you don't have to buy it now while selection of movies is limited or risk spending money on a format that won't be around in a couple of years.
March 30, 2007 8:13 AM
Well i used to work for a company that made HDTV's, and the growth rate at which it is penetrating the market is vey high, so it really is a requirement in the Xbox Elite. Why do you think they came out with the HDMI output ???? HDTV's pal, that's why :-)
The format war, well the only people who can deicide on who should win , are movie studios & gaming companies. As of now Warner supports a dual disc that has HD-DVD on one side & Blu-ray on the other. So it looks like Both the formats are gonna surive.
Check my blog for more on this http://www.dennismaliekal.blogspot.com/
April 5, 2007 12:10 PM
Hey Dennis I guess you did not learn anything in the company you worked for: HDTV is the TV. HDMI is an interface in your TV that gives you the capability to see HD input. It does not matter if the input is ( in the case of DVD Players) HD-DVD or Blu-Ray since both output the video at HD quality up to 1080p which is the highest standard for HD.
So if Blu-Ray wins all Microsoft has to do is Put out a Blu-Ray external drive instead of getting stuck with an internal HD-DVD drive, that would put their console out of the run....Hint,Hint! Sony PS3.
Imagine spending 600.00 for a console and come to find out 1 year latter that the format your drive supports is no longer being made and there is no way for you to replace the drive unless you send it to the manufacturer.
See My point, In this Microsoft has achieved the upper hand, no matter the HD disk format outcome they can always get an external model out for less than the whole console price...but hey these are my 2 cents
Hey I have pretty much every console that has come out to date in the US and from 2 each of PS2 and X-box. and I am going to buy the Elite when it comes out to stay in character, but make sure people to add the 2 year extended warranty from X-box if you get this or any other console from them.
April 5, 2007 3:01 PM
I agree, I'm just not sure why they wouldn't go ahead and include the HD-DVD player in an "elite" package. Other than the color and larger HD though, I'm not sure what the big deal is. The existing has 3 core processors, I can upgrade my HD, and I've got HDTV out already? Although I would have much preferred a black unit initially, am I missing something here?
January 22, 2008 11:23 AM
Probably the don't include the hd-dvd player to reduce cost. perhaps the elite version will cost a lot more with the big hard drive AND hd-dvd... but well.. that's my opinion.
March 19, 2008 12:05 PM
more for Xbox at http://loadingvault.com