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/x...d-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-ma...ing-245472.php


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

Original Story

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/pr...ormat=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-...n-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.