360 Elite Confirmed!

[Dion]

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/mar07/03-27Xbox360ElitePR.mspx

still cheaper then ps3. good stuff.

[Redneck]

It would be way cooler if the link went somewhere.

[Dion]

It would be way cooler if the link went somewhere.

works fine for me.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/default.mspx

click the link there then.

edit: More

http://kotaku.com/gaming/xbox-360-elite/feature-microsoft-gets-elite-247496.php
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/28/xbox-live-video-offerings-expanded-to-fill-those-120gb-hard-driv/

[XciT]

makes me wanna sell my 360 and get one of those

[sani]

Is the IPTV still coming out end of this year?

[consolecrusader]

Although this must be nice for those without a 360, people who do own one I would seriously be pissed being I didn't actually get the "premium" console. Hopefully GS has some trade in thing to help already 360 customers with it.


I mean 120GB HDD for $180? No built in wifi? no built in HD-DVD? (MS conceding the format war it seems) I mean yeah comes with hdmi cable and headset but is this elite xbox really all that to go hog crazy over? This is more of a cosmetic change than an upgrade and personally a slap in the faces of the consumers aka 10 million who already have a 360.

[Janus]

so $180 more for HDMI and 120gb more space?

Hmm, maybe if I save up this summer...and skip out on a quad-core C2D machine... (laugh)

[Solo]

You mean $80 more... unless the original premium bundle dropped in price to $300 and I missed that part.

[Sufjan]

Maybe he has a core, or was intending to buy one :P

As far as the 120gb hard-drive I don't see the need, I have the premium and it's serving me just fine! I personally don't need to have all kinds of downloaded video or music on my 360 hard-drive, that's what my PC is for. And the HDMI output isn't much of a big deal to me either, I just hook mine up to our projector and it looks great to me, if we ever do get around to purchasing a nice HDTV the component cables would be good, the difference in quality just isn't worth the extra money.

I'm kind of dumbfounded at how many people would be willing to sell their old 360's or to dish out an extra $80 for this.

[consolecrusader]

Come on Solo tell me your not the least bit upset at MS for this. Their were the ones that ridiculed the PS3 on launch for having all these components that are too advanced for the gaming industry now their promoting it.

[Solo]

They were and they're wow that was hard to read... anyhow

I'm not really upset because I don't /need/ that stuff. I'd like mine in black but whatever.

[Magus]

This is just to get the rest of the people who truly believed the PS3's power was something that separated itself from the other systems. I don't think they are going to market this to the people who already own 360s, because they realize that it isn't that big of a deal.

[sani]

The 120 gig might be handy seeing as by this holiday season, the 360 is going to doing the same thing as TiVo.

[Risingson]

The 120 gig might be handy seeing as by this holiday season, the 360 is going to doing the same thing as TiVo.

what do you mean? explain

[sani]

Here's some screenies of it:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/08/xbox-360-iptv-interface-gallery/

Here's an official thingie:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/events/ces2007/microsoftintegratesiptvsoftwareplatform.htm

Las Vegas—At the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. today announced a new solution that will bring together two of its leading entertainment products, the Xbox 360™ gaming console and the Microsoft® TV IPTV Edition software platform, to create a unique digital entertainment offering. IPTV on Xbox 360™ is expected to be available to consumers by holiday season 2007 and will be offered by providers that are deploying TV services over broadband networks based on the IPTV Edition software platform. The solution was unveiled during Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates' CES keynote address January 7.

"We are delivering on our promise to drive innovation
and enable new connected entertainment experiences
for consumers in a way that only Microsoft can."
—Robbie Bach, Microsoft

The integration of a video gaming console with Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services is intended to deliver a first-of-its-kind entertainment experience. IPTV on Xbox 360 is expected to give consumers all the advantages of an advanced TV service along with the benefits of next-generation gaming, as well as unique new capabilities that the integrated solution brings.

Xbox Live®, the largest online social network in the living room, will be seamlessly integrated into the experience, providing consumers with a wide range of community-based features, such as voice chat, sending and receiving text and voice messages, and accessing Xbox LiveMarketplace, all while watching TV.

For example, while a TV viewer is enjoying his favorite football game, he can receive a message from a friend inviting him to a join voice chat while watching the game, or to play a game of their own with EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 07 on Xbox Live.

Integrating Industry Solutions
"Both Xbox 360 and Microsoft TV IPTV Edition by themselves deliver unique and exciting entertainment experiences today, but IPTV on Xbox 360 is truly a solution that is greater than the sum of its parts and will enable even more exciting experiences to delight consumers, service providers, content providers and game developers alike," said Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division. "By integrating these industry-leading solutions, we are delivering on our promise to drive innovation and enable new connected entertainment experiences for consumers in a way that only Microsoft can."

With the addition of IPTV Edition functionality, Xbox 360 builds on its position as the centerpiece for high-definition digital entertainment in the living room, offering the best in next-generation games, TV and movies along with the ability to share experiences online with the industry-leading online game network, Xbox Live. Xbox 360 continues to extend its lead with more than 10.4 million consoles sold in 37 countries since launch.

The Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software platform enables a best-in-class digital TV service that offers advanced features such as instant channel zapping, a rich and responsive user interface, video on demand with branded video-on-demand storefronts, digital video recording and high-definition television.

Some of the world's largest telecommunications service providers have chosen IPTV Edition as their IPTV software solution, with scale commercial deployments currently under way with AT&T in the United States, BT Group PLC in the United Kingdom, Deutsche Telekom in Germany, T-Online in France, and Swisscom in Switzerland.

Microsoft TV Platform
The Microsoft TV platform is a family of software solutions that help TV service providers create and deliver new digital TV services that delight consumers. Designed to help cable providers and telecommunications companies derive more value from their digital video and network infrastructure investments, the Microsoft TV family supports a full range of services including interactive program guides, digital video recording, high-definition TV, on-demand programming and Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) services. The Microsoft TV platform works across a full range of set-top boxes and TV devices. More information about Microsoft TV can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/tv.

[Dion]

The Elite is going to be available for only a limited time in Black.

Once the supply is gone it will just become the basic premium set with the HDMI. So this system is just for the Hardcore people. or someone in the market for a new 360. So eventually it will become 399$ Plus you get IPTV.

IPTV + HDMI + 120gig + Black for 80$ more? thats a good deal. Plus you get all the cables. I would never use WiFi for gaming. So im glad they left it out.

And as far as Microsoft wanting to win the format war. They were never trying to win any war. Sony is the only retards who try to force shit on you so it becomes the new standard. And they have pretty much failed every time. You would think those idiots would get it through there heads. And Microsoft has stated they will release a Blue-Ray addon if HD-DVD doesn't win.

[C-Aim]

Cheaper and with half of the most important features! I can't believe they didn't put wi-fi in it. I was really considering the elite* system, but an extra $80 for an unnecessarily large HDD and HDMI seems ridiculous to me for some reason. Guess I'm back to considering the Pro version


HDMI - Hooray
Larger HDD - Hooray
No HD-DVD - Disappointment
No Wi-Fi - Unacceptable!


Also as for the person above, that is no longer true. That was the rumor from engadget, but the confirmed MS release states that the Elite will be a 3rd individual configuration that will sell along with the Pro and Core, and it will not be limited edition.

EDIT: Also, now that this price is confirmed the price of a XB360 with comparable features (HD-DVD, HDMI,) costs more than the ps3. Wtf is up with that?

[Mario]

Yeah guys thanks for releasing this after making me spend like 700$ at launch. I hope this bombs :)

[consolecrusader]

From an article I just read

So, a much bigger Xbox 360 hard drive is a good thing, right? Well ... not when it comes with some fairly crippling conditions. Wired has the skinny on some of the small print on Microsoft's new little "Elite" storage device:

* You cannot put the data from two or more 20 GB hard disks onto one 120 GB hard disk. If you attempt to move multiple drives, only the last one you move will be stored.
* You can only move data from the 20GB Hard Disk to the 120 GB Hard Disk. Transferring data in the other direction, or any other combination, is not possible.
* Any data stored on the 120 GB hard disk will be automatically deleted.
* Any data stored on the 20 GB hard disk will be automatically deleted after it is moved over.
* Once you move the data over, it cannot be placed back on the original hard disk.

[Dion]

From an article I just read

So, a much bigger Xbox 360 hard drive is a good thing, right? Well ... not when it comes with some fairly crippling conditions. Wired has the skinny on some of the small print on Microsoft's new little "Elite" storage device:

* You cannot put the data from two or more 20 GB hard disks onto one 120 GB hard disk. If you attempt to move multiple drives, only the last one you move will be stored.
* You can only move data from the 20GB Hard Disk to the 120 GB Hard Disk. Transferring data in the other direction, or any other combination, is not possible.
* Any data stored on the 120 GB hard disk will be automatically deleted.
* Any data stored on the 20 GB hard disk will be automatically deleted after it is moved over.
* Once you move the data over, it cannot be placed back on the original hard disk.

Cause they dont want people stealing Xbox Live Arcade games.

[C-Aim]

I give it 2 weeks before somebody gets a workaround going :rolleyes:

[SlaX]

Cause they dont want people stealing Xbox Live Arcade games.

This wouldn't be a problem to the owner anyway, because once you purchase it on your gamertag, you can download it on the same gamertag without purchase.

All media (music, videos, pics, etc) can be moved back and forth to your computer via network as it is with the 20GB anyway, I don't see why the 120 would be any different. With the exception of game saves, I don't see where there would be a problem losing data.

Right now, I don't have much use for the bigger hard drive, but I'm sure I will eventually. But I'd love to have the black console or at least the wireless controller. Considering, I've only had my 360 since December, I'll have to settle with getting just the controller. (Unless my 360 dies. I have Product Replacement Plan, which could go toward the purchase of the Elite. :) )

I admit I am disappointed that the console isn't Hi-Fi, though. I still have to run my long ethernet cable into the living room until I can afford (or talk wife into letting me buy) the wireless network adapter. But I only do that once a week or so when XBox Live Arcade games release, since I don't have a gold account to game on.

[Dion]

This wouldn't be a problem to the owner anyway, because once you purchase it on your gamertag, you can download it on the same gamertag without purchase.

All media (music, videos, pics, etc) can be moved back and forth to your computer via network as it is with the 20GB anyway, I don't see why the 120 would be any different. With the exception of game saves, I don't see where there would be a problem losing data.

Right now, I don't have much use for the bigger hard drive, but I'm sure I will eventually. But I'd love to have the black console or at least the wireless controller. Considering, I've only had my 360 since December, I'll have to settle with getting just the controller. (Unless my 360 dies. I have Product Replacement Plan, which could go toward the purchase of the Elite. :) )

I admit I am disappointed that the console isn't Hi-Fi, though. I still have to run my long ethernet cable into the living room until I can afford (or talk wife into letting me buy) the wireless network adapter. But I only do that once a week or so when XBox Live Arcade games release, since I don't have a gold account to game on.

you can get a wireless bridge solution for 20$ for the 360. I wouldn't use wireless for gaming anyways. But thats just me.

[Magus]

yea, i WAS happy about WiFi for the Wii, but I realized that I'm not going to rely on that connection to play a game like Smash Bros Brawl..

[C-Aim]

I wouldn't use wireless for gaming anyways. But thats just me.

It is not necessarily for gaming. For example, I play my consoles in either my living room or my bedroom. I can run a hard line easily to the living room but to run it to my bedroom would require an extremely large amount of wire and a lot of work (old house and all). Having wi-fi makes it so I can at least use XBL Arcade to get some games and demos without having to wait until I can hook it up in the living room. Paying extra money for the length of cat5 cable I would need or buying a wireless bridge is just adding to the price; and the lower selling price is what makes the 360 appealing at all.

[consolecrusader]

All in all this is a decent move for those who do not yet own a 360. Myself I like to have the whole package. Online store to download from, movie player for BR, gaming console etc...

I be honest downloading torrent movies has made my PS3 experience 20 times better. Cause now I can download lets say 300 in great DVDrip or avi/xvid format. Use a PS3 video converter to upscale the file to 720p .mp4 and watch it on my PS3.

I guess in the end it depends on what type of gamer you are. If you want just games and online loving, you would buy a 360. If you want the 360 with a little more to it, you can buy the PS3.

I know I have 3 friends right now who are pissed off because even if they trade in their 360 Prem they still have to give lik2 $250 more...

[crosby]

goku where can i can find you to ask you more ps3 questions

edit: nvm just read your profile

[Magus]

I guess in the end it depends on what type of gamer you are. If you want just games and online loving, you would buy a 360. If you want the 360 with a little more to it, you can buy the PS3.

I'm sorry, I just can't let this slide. A little more? You mean less games and less available online content?

The things you are doing with your PS3 we've all done with our computers for years... why buy another computer when you really want a gaming console?

[Fivestar]

I agree. I'm one of the people who uses my gaming consoles specifically to game. Of course, I don't speak for everyone else. I never even used them to watch DVDs since the beginning. Always used a dedicated DVD player for that.

It's like an gaming online store where you can download trailers and game footage and stuff. I wouldn't really ever use that since that's what the PC and internet is for.

[Smeg]

I'm sorry, I just can't let this slide. A little more? You mean less games and less available online content?

The things you are doing with your PS3 we've all done with our computers for years... why buy another computer when you really want a gaming console?

QFT. I had to reread what he said there.

My comp will ALWAYS take the brunt of the things you mentioned there Goku and I think most people here will say the same.

[Dion]

I'm sorry, I just can't let this slide. A little more? You mean less games and less available online content?

The things you are doing with your PS3 we've all done with our computers for years... why buy another computer when you really want a gaming console?

agreed. I have a separate dvd player. i use my 360 for one thing. Gaming. And well lets face it. The 360 is dominating the ps3 in games.

[Sufjan]

If I did want to watch illegal rips of movies on my xbox I could just stream it via windows media center or a third party program that supports divx. PS3 has no advantage.

[jabroni]

only thing i dont like about the 360 is that half the achievement points are achieved while playing online. :\ i like to do all things in games to get the most out of them and that part sucks. i dont play 360 online enough to warrant getting a gold membership either. plus id only play coop stuff since i hate death match. although the way virtua tennis 3 is doing their online stuff may change my mind!

as for the elite version, the only plus i see is that its in black which looks neat, but white is neat enough.

[consolecrusader]

I'm sorry, I just can't let this slide. A little more? You mean less games and less available online content?

Its been in the market for 4 months and 3 weeks of course it is going to have less games and less online content. What did you expect they have 200 games by now or something? Get real.

[Dion]

Its been in the market for 4 months and 3 weeks of course it is going to have less games and less online content. What did you expect they have 200 games by now or something? Get real.

I dont even think you read what you posted.

I guess in the end it depends on what type of gamer you are. If you want just games and online loving, you would buy a 360. If you want the 360 with a little more to it, you can buy the PS3.

Your implying the ps3 has more games and better online.

at least thats what I was getting from it..

[consolecrusader]

*sigh*

Nevermind

[JMC]

Sucks to be Sony...

Wait it already did.

[SUPITSREV]

ill admit that trying to go wireless for PC gaming really sucked for me, but in terms of the wireless experience for the 360, I could not be happier. i have never had a problem that I could contribute to my wireless setup in all the time that I have had my 360. its pretty much been wireless since close to the launch date

btw to the guy who was complaining about not having the wireless adapater...you can buy regular wireless adapters and use those because i was using one for about a month before i bought the ms official one. just call 360 tech and find out which ones work

[Redneck]

I heard that this may make the 360 obsolete? If that's the case, it's total bullshit.

[SlaX]

ill admit that trying to go wireless for PC gaming really sucked for me, but in terms of the wireless experience for the 360, I could not be happier. i have never had a problem that I could contribute to my wireless setup in all the time that I have had my 360. its pretty much been wireless since close to the launch date

btw to the guy who was complaining about not having the wireless adapater...you can buy regular wireless adapters and use those because i was using one for about a month before i bought the ms official one. just call 360 tech and find out which ones work

I've thought about just using a non-MS wireless adapter, since I found a list of compatible ones on XBox's website. But I've heard mixed reviews on whether they work better, so I'm thinking about the 360 specific one. I wouldn't mind, either way. A non-MS adapter would be cheaper, but just wouldn't clip to the back of the unit.

Either way, I may just wait. I don't get on Live enough for it yet. But as my daughter gets older, I can't have a long wire running into the living room from my office either.

[Janus]

I heard that this may make the 360 obsolete? If that's the case, it's total bullshit.
I just watched an interview and they said nothing of that sort. They will still ship the core, premium, and now elite.