CONFIRMED! 'Limited Edition' ELITE Xbox360 bundle: Black console, HDMI, 120GB HDD

[Oobgarm]

[EDIT 2]

Newer story with more details, with interesting new tidbits:

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

[EDIT 1]

According to Kotaku, it's confirmed via Game Informer that this oft-rumored revision is coming. As a 10+ year reader of GI, I can attest to the fact that they don't put in fake news stories like EGM does. Exciting.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/top/game-mag-says-black-xbox-360-is-coming-245472.php


-------------original post saved for posterity

Original Story (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/05/the-second-xbox-360-with-hdmi-introducing-zephyr)

o_O

I just hope MS makes some sort of effort to lessen the blow to those of us who have the machine already and would appreciate those upgrades. I really don't want to be forced into buying a whole new machine in order to have the ability to output 1080p. Which, granted, I can't use currently, but the idea of a more future-proofed machine would be nice.

The only significant upgrade like this that I remember is the prog-scan enabled PS2 that came out late in the system's life. But by that time, most people who wanted it either had older machines that were crapping out on them, or hadn't adopted yet. Not to mention the price tag was half that of a 360.

[slip81]

yeah that looks spiffy. though since I don't have a 1080p tv and won't for many years to come, I won't be upgrading (I did after all just buy the thing last August and the add-on in November).

Hopefully the HDD will be sold seperately.

[agbulls]

I'm still trying to determine if running an HDMI cable will be worth it at all for ANYTHING. I have a 50" Sony KDF-E50A10. It does not do 1080p--just 720p and 1080i.

The price of the HDMI cable is frightening as it is. My cable box can use one, and it looks like my 360 might at some point. Anyone seen any notable differences on 720p or 1080i?

[jajaja]

I'm still trying to determine if running an HDMI cable will be worth it at all for ANYTHING. I have a 50" Sony KDF-E50A10. It does not do 1080p--just 720p and 1080i.

The price of the HDMI cable is frightening as it is. My cable box can use one, and it looks like my 360 might at some point. Anyone seen any notable differences on 720p or 1080i?

You can get HDMI cables as cheap as $10 :)

[Oobgarm]

I'm still trying to determine if running an HDMI cable will be worth it at all for ANYTHING. I have a 50" Sony KDF-E50A10. It does not do 1080p--just 720p and 1080i.

The price of the HDMI cable is frightening as it is. My cable box can use one, and it looks like my 360 might at some point. Anyone seen any notable differences on 720p or 1080i?

Discerning eyes can notice a difference, mostly in the realm of sharper text and edges. 1080p is still newer tech and only the newest sets support it. Like I said, I can't use it right now, but when I get a better HDTV in the future, it'd be nice to have without shelling out more for another system, considering the cost of the TV as well.

And HDMI cable prices are almost all markup. For example, that $130 Monster HDMI cable has been marked up over 300% from cost. Other brands are marked up higher/lower depending on where you shop and what you buy. I don't know if you can get them that cheaply anywhere legitimately, but if you could find someone with a hookup...(like someone who works at one of those big box stores with the yellow tag logo)

[agbulls]

You can get HDMI cables as cheap as $10 :)

$10?!?!

C'mon now...let the secret out. :)

[Darth Sensei]

They have HDMI cables cheap all the time on www.slickdeals.net through places like monprice. Sometimes as low as like $6 shipped.

[Captain Wrong]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024004&p_id=2412&seq=1&format=2&style=

[Half Japanese]

$10?!?!

C'mon now...let the secret out. :)

Not quite $10, but www.monoprice.com has them for about $15/3ft. cable, and not exponentially higher for longer lengths.

edit: Forgot my opinions on the upgrade. This seems like an effort not to look outclassed by the ps3, despite the substantial difference in price an the fact that outside of the larger HD space, most other things remain the same for the time being. The new hard drive is really what should be the most exciting for most people I would think, given the amount of content Xbox Live has available and the insufficiency of a 20GB hard drive on ANYTHING these days. The HDMI port is nice and all, but my TV doesn't do 1080P, nor do I know anyone personally whose TV does. Just bring on that HD separately at an affordable price and I'm game.

[jajaja]

$10?!?!

C'mon now...let the secret out. :)

Here is one for $8.99 + shipping (aint much, maybe $2-3).

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-zp-49-en-70-1pym.html

Fairly good lenght on it too, 6.6 feet :)

[MegaDrive20XX]

Wait a minute. So are the original Xbox 360 owners SOL I guess or is it confirmed yet that we must be forced to purchase an entirely new 360?

[Gamereviewgod]

You won't need a new 360. Your old one will work just fine. The only thing you wouldn't get would be the HDMI port. I'm sure the hard drives will be available seperately. No where does it say the first model is obsolete.

[MegaDrive20XX]

You won't need a new 360. Your old one will work just fine. The only thing you wouldn't get would be the HDMI port. I'm sure the hard drives will be available seperately. No where does it say the first model is obsolete.

Well between this and the HD-DVD drive. It has me a bit concerned of what MS is trying to do to us. For example, what if MS decides to design games that can only be read by the HD-DVD or a file shows up that's too large for the 20GB. Plus, since some games on 360 have a habit of making your experience less enjoyable because you don't have the proper support. I.E. Dead Rising. Sure many say will say, "Just read the back of the box" yet they do not establsh "This is mandatory". I'm sorry, but I think everyone had to learn the hard way about Dead Rising.

So basically what I'm getting at, is if a game shows up saying "Supports HDMI" and we later find out that it's the ONLY way to play the game without having to endure problems, then I have a right to be upset.

[Gamereviewgod]

There would be no reason to support HDMI only. There's no benefit when the same resolution can be output by a component cable like it is now. They've also announced no games on HD-DVD. It would be marketing suicide. The only one I could see possibly becoming true would be larger file sizes on downloads.

[MegaDrive20XX]

True, but only time will tell. Of course, this is Microsoft, so every step they make, takes another chunk of money out of us.

[agbulls]

I support Microsoft doing this. After all, everyone wants a bigger HD and a HDMI port. So, here ya go. If you don't want it, don't buy it! This is just their way of ensuring there are no major features that Sony can tout that they don't have. I think they've ensured that.

[Mr. Smashy]

I like the idea of Microsoft finally offering a digital video connection but I suspect that this is just making up for omitting any kind of HDCP/AACS features in their original design. Neither of those features have any repercussions for Xbox 360 games. It's really only an issue for HD DVD movies.

HDMI really should have been there in the first place.

[s1lence]

There would be no reason to support HDMI only. There's no benefit when the same resolution can be output by a component cable like it is now. They've also announced no games on HD-DVD. It would be marketing suicide. The only one I could see possibly becoming true would be larger file sizes on downloads.

Well with all the HD video content that is avalible for download so the support/need for a bigger HDD is there now. But I agree there would be stupid to support HDMI only, at least in the current marketplace.

[Richter]

another vote here for monoprice

[diskoboy]

I still wish they would support DVI, as well. I bought my HDTV before HDMI became a standard. So I only have DVI.

Maybe a HDMI to DVI cable?

I just want the bigger Hard Drive, more than anything.

[Austin]

Well between this and the HD-DVD drive. It has me a bit concerned of what MS is trying to do to us. For example, what if MS decides to design games that can only be read by the HD-DVD or a file shows up that's too large for the 20GB. Plus, since some games on 360 have a habit of making your experience less enjoyable because you don't have the proper support. I.E. Dead Rising. Sure many say will say, "Just read the back of the box" yet they do not establsh "This is mandatory". I'm sorry, but I think everyone had to learn the hard way about Dead Rising.

What's the issue with Dead Rising? I haven't picked up a 360 yet, and haven't been following it that closely.

Also, how quickly have people been filling up their 360 hard drives? I barely even dented the hard drive on my original xbox, and I used it a lot.

[Half Japanese]

What's the issue with Dead Rising? I haven't picked up a 360 yet, and haven't been following it that closely.

Also, how quickly have people been filling up their 360 hard drives? I barely even dented the hard drive on my original xbox, and I used it a lot.

I'm not 100% sure of the problem they're discussing, but I do know that it caused some problems for people on composite/s-video connections since the text was so tiny (and not sharp as it would have been were they playing it in progressive scan).

As for the HD concerns, I'm not in any way about to fill mine either, but with all the video titles, the ability to rip CDs to the HD and the inevitable lifting of the 50mb per arcade title cap lots of people WILL need it in the future. The original Xbox only really had one of these issues (soundtracks) to deal with for the most part which is why most folks (unmodded) Xbox will scarcely use the space allowed them.

[agbulls]

I'm not 100% sure of the problem they're discussing, but I do know that it caused some problems for people on composite/s-video connections since the text was so tiny (and not sharp as it would have been were they playing it in progressive scan).

As for the HD concerns, I'm not in any way about to fill mine either, but with all the video titles, the ability to rip CDs to the HD and the inevitable lifting of the 50mb per arcade title cap lots of people WILL need it in the future. The original Xbox only really had one of these issues (soundtracks) to deal with for the most part which is why most folks (unmodded) Xbox will scarcely use the space allowed them.

Good point Half Japanese about actual reasons to need a HD that large. I think we are just slowly seeing a move towards total net distribution of all titles. Even though this would limit our ability to resell titles, it would be at a great advantage. Also, this surely doesn't mean the total elimination of brick and mortar sales. How big do you guys think a HD needs to be to make this a viable reality? I thinking at least 1 TB. As fiber moves into the home (see www.verizonfios.com) d/l times are going to minimize significantly. The sooner it puts Gamestop outta biz, the better ;)!

Edit: Well, speak of the devil. Look what Hitachi announced today...the very first 1 TB HD! Me wanty:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/05/hitachi-breaks-1tb-hard-drive-barrier-with-7k1000/

[Griking]

Is it really a surprise to anyone that MS is making a revision to a gaming console? All consoles have revisions. I thought that all gamers knew to wait atleast until version 2.0 before buying a console. Christ, how many Gameboys have there been? We're already on at least the 2nd DS revision and I thought that a third was announced. Sony repleased slim line versions of both the PSx and PS2.

Existing 360s will still continue to work just fine, it's not as if they're making an entirely new console where the games won't be compatible.

[neuropolitique]

I still wish they would support DVI, as well. I bought my HDTV before HDMI became a standard. So I only have DVI.

Maybe a HDMI to DVI cable?

I just want the bigger Hard Drive, more than anything.

HDMI to DVI cables do exist. There is no conversion needed between the two, as the are basically the same thing, so it's simply a straight cable with a different connector at each end.

[MegaDrive20XX]

What's the issue with Dead Rising? I haven't picked up a 360 yet, and haven't been following it that closely.

Also, how quickly have people been filling up their 360 hard drives? I barely even dented the hard drive on my original xbox, and I used it a lot.

The game does not support Standard TV signal. Which makes the text barely legible. Capcom would not even try to fix this problem.

As for HD space, if a person uses the full advantages, such as downloading games, videos, movies, TV shows or even saving. That's when you're in trouble. Yet I know everyone will say "Well I dont do that". Sure that's good for you, but for the average gamer/user of the 360, will pretty much have a problem with that after the 20GB is gone.

[heybtbm]

If the 120 GB hard drive does come out and I buy it, how in the hell am I suppose to get my saves from the 20 GB to the 120 GB hard drive?

I'm guessing a memory card would work. $40 more for MS...genius!

[njiska]

The game does not support Standard TV signal. Which makes the text barely legible. Capcom would not even try to fix this problem.

Well it does support a SDTV signal. It's not like it won't show on it. But the you're right the text is so small that it's barely legible. Capcom claims they're unable to update it because that would require creating new images for all the text in the game and it would be enormous.

Personally i think that's bull.

[Joker T]

If the 120 GB hard drive does come out and I buy it, how in the hell am I suppose to get my saves from the 20 GB to the 120 GB hard drive?

I'm guessing a memory card would work. $40 more for MS...genius!

I would think that MS would include a cable or something with the new hard drive for transferring saves.

[Slate]

If the 120 GB hard drive does come out and I buy it, how in the hell am I suppose to get my saves from the 20 GB to the 120 GB hard drive?

I'm guessing a memory card would work. $40 more for MS...genius!

Isn't there a accessory that can transfer whatever is on your Xbox 360 HDD onto your PC HDD? I'm not sure, But I think I saw something like that in EB for $30.

[MegaDrive20XX]

Well it does support a SDTV signal. It's not like it won't show on it. But the you're right the text is so small that it's barely legible. Capcom claims they're unable to update it because that would require creating new images for all the text in the game and it would be enormous.

Personally i think that's bull.

Exactly.

[GM80]

If this is legit, I could imagine MS perhaps charging a premium for this new system, rather than simply replacing the existing Core and Premium.

My guess would be that the Core and Premium would get a drop in MSRP to $249 and $349, with this new "Xbox 360 Ultra" would be offered alongside them at either $399 (current Premium price) or even $449 (inching towards PS3 territory, but only due to more similar hardware).

[Anthony1]

This is just their way of ensuring there are no major features that Sony can tout that they don't have. I think they've ensured that.



Actually, they would need a built in HD-DVD drive, as well as built in Wi-Fi support to be on an equal level with Sony. Microsoft adding HDMI eventually to the 360 was an absolute no brainer, due to the simple fact that they need to deal with HDCP/ICT/AACS sooner or later. That's what this is all about. They are selling a HD-DVD add-on drive, and if they don't have a way to deal with the ICT flag eventually, then they have a serious problem on their hands. So this is what the HDMI is primarily about. The secondary part of it, is the fact that very few people with 1080p tv's have the ability to display the 1080p signal via VGA, and even less have the ability to display the 1080p signal via component. (and the 1 TV out of a million that actually does support 1080p via component won't benefit from movies in 1080p because that's only allowed via a HDCP enabled HDMI port) So for the very small number of games that eventually come down the pipe and support "true" 1080p, they needed a better solution than VGA. I honestly don't think we will see anything more advanced than a Fusion Frenzy 2 using "true" 1080p output. Maybe some Xbox Live type games will have it, but I just don't see games like Gears of War 2 or anything like that running in 1080p via the 360.

For me personally, I'm not so sure how I feel about this new 360. If it has a HD-DVD drive built in, as well as Wi-Fi support built in, then I would definitely want it, and be willing to pay $499.99 for it. But if all it is, is just a HDMI port, then I'm not so sure I'm going to sell my 360 used for a $75 loss and run out and buy the HDMI version posthaste. Only thing I have that has a HDMI input on it, is my Mitsubishi 720p DLP Projector. I'm using my PS3 via HDMI on that, and the difference over component is extremely minimal. Only the hardest of the hardcore videophiles will notice any difference whatsoever.

Now, if I had a 1080p HDTV, it would be a different story. I own the HD-DVD add-on, so I would run out and get the HDMI 360 at the drop of a hat. But I don't own a 1080p HDTV, so it's really not a life or death thing for me. Put in a HD-DVD drive as well as Wi-Fi, and then I'm sold. I hate having to tether both the HD-DVD drive and the Wi-Fi adapter around with my 360. Ok, sure, the Wi-Fi adapter just snaps onto the back, but then I have to connect my HD-DVD usb cable to the front of the 360 so that I'm not forced to move my tethered HD-DVD drive with me every time I move my Xbox from room to room. Sure, I can snap the Wi-Fi adapter onto the back of the HD-DVD unit, but then if I move my 360 to one of my other rooms in my house, I have to move the HD-DVD drive as well. That's not something I normally do. I leave the HD-DVD unit in the room with my projector, and sometimes I want to game with my 360 in another room. Having built in Wi-Fi and built in HD-DVD would put it on equal ground with my PS3, from a standpoint of having everything nicely integrated and not having all kinds of various attatchments clipped onto the back or dangling from a USB cord.

[njiska]

You know they say a picture is worth a thousand words (or approx. 1/10th of an Anthony1 post), but video, oh ho ho, that's speaks volumes. So take a look at a running HDMI Dev Box.

http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EEylpyZkVpwzemjZKk.php

[agbulls]

:p So, CES is here. Microsoft has officially announced IPTV but has not even come close to announcing an updated hard drive or a new version of the 360.

Is it possible this video was just leaked and is not intended for the public, ever? That does happen. I'm just playing devil's advocate here...
:devilish:

With that being said, there is no way they can release IPTV without updating the hard drive. So...here are my questions:

1. How are they going to let the numerous current 360 owners transfer their current hard drive data to a bigger drive? Memory cards just don't cut it for a large portion of these file sizes.

2. How much is this going to cost?

3. Will the harddrive only be available in a new version of a "platinum" 360 w/ hdmi? Or will it also be sold seperately?

4. How much is IPTV going to cost? I would love to dump Comcast.

There ya go, food for thought.

[agbulls]

Updated directly from IGN:

Christ Satchell... "At the moment, everything you might have seen is just looking at our experimentation back in Redmond, not really a product that we're thinking about announcing," he told Gamespot.

Satchell also touched on the subject on the larger capacity hard drive - which has progressively increased in size in various rumours and now stands at 120GB. "As we produce these services, if we see an increase in pressure that's something that will be interesting to look at, but there isn't any announcement today about any new configuration that may or may not be happening," he added.

It looks like this isn't going to happen anytime soon. Either that, or Microsoft has some b.s. PR people.

[Oobgarm]

And Ford said they weren't making a 4-door Mustang-based vehicle, after word got out that they were. They vehemently denied it, until they showed their new 4-door Mustang-based vehicle at the Detroit Auto show.

Denial is the most common form of damage control.

After thinking a bit about this, I think the new revision with the slimmer chips will have this new HDMI port, but the same size drive. The larger drive will have to be purchased separately.

[Oobgarm]

Some new stuff is swirling around this so-called 'Xbox 360 2.0'.

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/19/rumor-new-xbox-360-sku-coming-may-1/

I know that retailers are quick to put SKUs up in their systems to grab those reserves on upcoming titles, but rarely have I ever seen them put them up for systems unless they have something concrete. Ever since the 360 launch fiasco, retailers have been a bit more cautious about the pre-order deal with systems. Agree or not, this revision is a big deal, and I honestly don't think they are going to offer a reserve on a product that's not going to come out.

I spoke with the local MS rep a few days ago about this very subject. He's a pretty big gamer himself. He told me he'd seen those photos and whatnot, and that we shouldn't be surprised if we do see a new revision soon that's not white. He's not given out bogus info as long as I've known him to rep this area(about 3-4 years).

Plus, look at these points:

1. XBLA games have broken the 50MB barrier.
2. TV shows are usually around 2GB each.
3. There's an HD-DVD drive available.
4. More 1080p games are showing up.
5. The competition has HDMI output.

There is no way that MS can look at those facts and be content with what they have at market.

[ianoid]

I'm all for multiple trim levels. Although I would like to see a $500 HD/HDMI 120 gig version and a $300 regular DVD 20 gig version. I think the low trim level with a hard disc would be a mass market move.

MS early on said that the games would always come out on DVD, that HD-DVD games was not an option. Between the facts that most games fit on a DVD, and that compression was improving, they said that they would ALWAYS use DVDs for the 360 games. Of course any plan could change, and the paranoid can say 'it's Microsoft, who knows what they'll do.' I just don't buy them being that scatterbrained. Having incompatible games, resolutions and formats would NOT benefit their standing in the video game industry.

I still would much rather play my 360 than my PS3. Reality as it stands is that I'm more likely to play my PS2 or Xbox 0 than either.

[swlovinist]

As much as I am a fan of the 360, should the company really being going after the high end crowd? I guess I am from the old crowd that still believes that $299 is the magical number to sell consoles at. This new console is supposedly going to retail at $475+ coming out around May. At this time, I understand that this is purely speculation, but does anyone else think that their money would be better spent making a CHEAPER 360 rather than a more expensive one? If anything has bee said about this current system war, people are speaking with their wallets and choosing affordable gaming over "future possibilities". To me, the 360 is in good shape, but can benefit significantly from a console price drop to put the pressure on the Wii. At this point in time, I would have to say that the 360 is my choice for the "all around machine".

[kaedesdisciple]

While I see where MS could be going with this, I firmly believe that they would not completely leave their customers out in the cold on this one. They have already told us that the games will not move to anything other than DVDs, and I highly doubt that developers would start making games on hd-dvds if there were such a small numbers of existing consoles on which the games would play. The games still fit perfectly well in ~ 8 GB and with improving compression algorithms, they can use that space more and more effectively. Plus, they can use more than one disc, we have the technology. I don't understand why people don't use more than one disc anymore. It worked fine in the PSX days, hell it even worked fine for the Cube and RE4. It's not like back in the day when we had to switch sides of disks between each level. We're talking about a switch once or twice in a 20+ hour game, who cares? Have we really gotten that lazy?

Honestly, the only thing I'd want out of the revision would be that bigger HDD. I don't give a crap about the HDMI, 1080i is fine for me, I can live quite easily with a white system and I can live without an HD-DVD player. I'm still running the thing on a little 14" JVC tv that outputs a great component signal and probably will be for the next year and a half until I move out.

For my purposes right now, my 360 does the job just fine and I don't regret the purchase one bit. All depends on your taste.

[Oobgarm]

CONFIRMED!!!!1

http://kotaku.com/gaming/top/game-mag-says-black-xbox-360-is-coming-245472.php

[MegaDrive20XX]

I read this and it is the April issue isn't it? I don't know, there's a huge joke section and such in that GI...but I don't know what to believe anymore :(

[agbulls]

CONFIRMED!!!!1

http://kotaku.com/gaming/top/game-mag-says-black-xbox-360-is-coming-245472.php

Read the article. It is an obvious April Fools joke. In fact, when you look at the picture you can tell it is photoshoped---and poorly at that. If it was true this would have been Game Informer's cover article, no doubt.

Edit: I just read the entire Kotaku article. Ignore everything I just said ;)

[NickmasterX]

120 Gig HD, nice. Looks kinda ugly though. I'll probably just wait for the price to drop on the white one and get that.

[64Bits]

This might be the final straw in me getting a 360, after much back and forth tug of war with me getting one or not. And, a black one? Mmmm, I can't wait.

[Drexel923]

If it is true then I at least hope the price stays the same. If they lower the price of it and then lower the price of the current premium I am going to be very unhappy with 2 units in my store. :(

[PallarAndersVisa]

who the fuck needs 120 gigs of space??!!!! I think I could download every xbox arcade game out right now and not fill my hard drive up. Thats including a handful of albums of music ripped on there

[Gamereviewgod]

who the fuck needs 120 gigs of space??!!!! I think I could download every xbox arcade game out right now and not fill my hard drive up. Thats including a handful of albums of music ripped on there

HD movies, trailers TV shows, demos etc. I'm constantly deleting stuff to make more room.

[heybtbm]

who the fuck needs 120 gigs of space??!!!!

Me.

Like I've mentioned previously in this thread...I wonder how we'll be able to transfer saves (and other saved items) to the new 120 gig HD. How will Microsoft handle the "paid for" XBLA content of users who upgrade to a new HD?

[jajaja]

Hm.. no one complained about the $479 pricetag yet? Wierd.. when PS3 came out for $499 it was amazingly much complaining and screaming due to the high price. This model doesnt even have a HD player nor build-in Wifi (?) and the price is only like $20 different. C'mon people, start the complaining! hehe :P

Seriously tho, this is good news. As mentioned, now you can get HD movies for download throught Xbox Live so more space is definitly needed :)

[64Bits]

Hm.. no one complained about the $479 pricetag yet? Wierd.. when PS3 came out for $499 it was amazingly much complaining and screaming due to the high price. This model doesnt even have a HD player nor build-in Wifi (?) and the price is only like $20 different. C'mon people, start the complaining! hehe :P

Seriously tho, this is good news. As mentioned, now you can get HD movies for download throught Xbox Live so more space is definitly needed :)

As far as I'm concerned, ps3's are $600, not $500. Not only because the higher end model is the one you're going to want, but in my area, you can't find the 20 gig models.

[hezeuschrist]

Hm.. no one complained about the $479 pricetag yet? Wierd.. when PS3 came out for $499 it was amazingly much complaining and screaming due to the high price. This model doesnt even have a HD player nor build-in Wifi (?) and the price is only like $20 different. C'mon people, start the complaining! hehe :P

Seriously tho, this is good news. As mentioned, now you can get HD movies for download throught Xbox Live so more space is definitly needed :)

So you're comparing a 20gb HD against a 120gb HD, composite (not even component) cables against an HDMI cable, and neither contains Wifi. So aside from blu-ray (which I know is expensive) you get less for the extra $20.

EDIT: as for the reality of this, I'm pissed if it is true (and it's too big an annoucement to leave to anyone but MS themselves). I've been a hardcore supporter of the 360 and I'll be quite upset when the press release comes along and there's no "Fear not early adopters!" paragraph. Shit, I even bought a core at launch because it was all I could find and ended up being out another $50 on top of the HDD for the component cables and headset. And I have the HD-DVD drive.

I better get this thing damn near for free and I need it, as my component inputs are really starting to look like total shit and my HDMI port is empty.

[jajaja]

As far as I'm concerned, ps3's are $600, not $500. Not only because the higher end model is the one you're going to want, but in my area, you can't find the 20 gig models.

Still, people are also complaining about the $499 as well as the $599 price. Its not just because of the price, its because its Sony, which is for some reasons very popular to hate right now :P

[Kid Ice]

Me.

Like I've mentioned previously in this thread...I wonder how we'll be able to transfer saves (and other saved items) to the new 120 gig HD. How will Microsoft handle the "paid for" XBLA content of users who upgrade to a new HD?

When I went from my memory card to the 20gb HD I just redownloaded everything...granted it was 56mb worth of stuff, but even w/ the 20 GB (really 12 GB) filled to capacity you could probably re-download everything in a day or two. The only thing I'd worry about is game saves.

[diskoboy]

No one has yet to mention - will these new 360's have the new 65nm chips and hopefully, smaller power supply?

[jajaja]

So you're comparing a 20gb HD against a 120gb HD, composite (not even component) cables against an HDMI cable, and neither contains Wifi. So aside from blu-ray (which I know is expensive) you get less for the extra $20.

Hehe, i knew this was comming ;) But here i can use the excuses like "i dont need 120gb" contra the "i dont need a BR player" hehe, but i wont. What i said was abit ironic, i hope people realized that.

If you count number if items you get less indeed, but i'd rather look at the value instead. 100GB more space + a HDMI cable, same value as a BR player? You tell me. I have no idea which HDMI cable they include, but you can get HDMI cables for under $10. Alittle more tricky about the HDD price. Its a special HDD so dont know what to compare it too. About WiFi, i see now that only the 60GB model has it so i learned something new today also :)

Anyway, my point still stand, people who complains about the PS3 pricetag should have problem complaining about this 360 pricetag too hehe ;)

[Vinnysdad]

Will the 120gb hard drive be sold seperately? Thats all I care about.

[jajaja]

Will the 120gb hard drive be sold seperately? Thats all I care about.

Should be. Read that the price will be about $200.

[Half Japanese]

Part of me is sort of pissed that I already have a 360 and I know there won't be a program in place to ease the pain caused by the existence of a better model so soon after its debut, but I'll live. The reality of the situation is that I don't need all these crappy HD movie trailers to keep until the end of time and there certainly aren't enough great games on XBLA that are of ungodly file sizes to clog up a 20 gig hard drive. It would be nice to have that extra component slot freed up on my receiver, but it's not worth taking the loss on trading my current setup and paying the difference. Either way, the great, absolutely must-have games (for me) aren't coming until this summer at the earliest, and no 120GB hard drive or HDMI is going to change that.

[chicnstu]

I read this and it is the April issue isn't it? I don't know, there's a huge joke section and such in that GI...but I don't know what to believe anymore :(

I've been getting Game Informer for 4 years. I don't remember them ever making big april fools jokes like EGM. Hopefully they haven't started doing it.

[GM80]

Wow, you mean that if I want HDMI and a larger hard drive I can buy a black system that doesn't match any of the 4 wireless controllers, wireless racing wheel, wireless networking adapter, arcade joystick, HD DVD drive and countless other white accessories on which I've already spent hundreds of dollars? SWELL!

If they can't offer the new hard drive a la carte at a reasonable price, and they can't offer any sort of HDMI adapter cable to early adopters, there'd dang better well be a white version of this pronto or this OCD color-coordinating freak is gonna' be ticked.

:D

[swlovinist]

I just got my GI in the mail, and this supports my fears of MS going after the PS3 with a pimped out 360. Frankly, I think it is a mistake but only time will tell what price it offically comes out at and what it actually has to offer at release. 120 gig for $200 seperately? Please, that is just stupid pricing, kind of like the $100 Wi Fi add on. I still stick with my original post and say that MS could crush all the competition by offering a $299 system with a 20 gig hard drive. While I think the console looks slick, all accesories wont go with the system. MS needs to focus more on value instead of constantly bleeding its fan base.

[Vinnysdad]

200 freaking dollars for the bigger hard drive! So 400 that I already spent plus another 200 for the bigger hard drive. That comes to a very familiar total yet very little complaining from others.

[ShenmueFan]

Yeah, for that price it better come w/ a HD-DVD drive built-in...that's crazy...for $20 more you could get a PS3 20GB...which will eventually get some good games for it...


Wonder how much the $160GB drive will be separately? $149???

360 stuff better stop dropping in price soon...geez...

[Oobgarm]

Edited the main post (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1111732) with a new story on Engadget.

Looks like it's going to be a third SKU at retail, and be a limited release.

Not to mention the fact that the new hardware will manifest itself in the current 'Premium' white 360 once the Elite systems are gone.

So would that mean they're keeping 3 SKUs permanently, or would they cease the 'Core' and have the current 'Premium' take its place?

[jajaja]

So would that mean they're keeping 3 SKUs permanently, or would they cease the 'Core' and have the current 'Premium' take its place?

Thats a good question. I dont think it will happend at once hence that MS just released a 512MB memory card. Dont know if they targeted this for the people who already have bought the Core model or if they will still keep the Core model the way it is and promote the 512MB memcard to those who are going to buy it.

[kaedesdisciple]

Methinks I'm gonna go to the Winchester, have a pint and wait for this whole thing to blow over. I'm perfectly happy with my setup as it is.

[Alucard79]

Who cares about 120gb and hdmi... the fact that it is black and looks cool is enough reason for me to buy one!!

[Darth Sensei]

My only concern is if the new Black 360 is actually reliable unlike the piece of shit original model I'm saddled with. :grrr:

[Griking]

If you can purchase a 120gb hard drive separately then MS has to have some plan to allow the consumer to install it and allow it to play nice with Live. I wouldn't be surprised then if we instructions on how to install generic hard drives purchased from NewEgg.

[diskoboy]

Looks like I may have 2, 360's soon. :)

The black 'Eliete Edition' is going to be Limited, according to engadget.

[AMG]

The console looks great in black.

[Push Upstairs]

So this system will be an improved version of the hardware that everyone bought like a year ago...when did Nintendo start making the 360. LOL


I like the "classic xbox" color scheme it has going, but why is the drive door silver?

[Oobgarm]

I like the "classic xbox" color scheme it has going, but why is the drive door silver?

I guess it would make sense to color it black, in keeping with the trim level. The core has a white drive door. I think, though, that since this particular machine will eventually overtake the premium system, they left the drive the same.