Black Elite HDMI Xbox360 releasing in April

[Dogenzaka]

XBOX360 ELITE

March 27, 2007 - In what appears to be Microsoft's standard cart-before-the-horse style of information delivery, the leading console manufacturer of this generation confirmed nearly all of the rumors preceding today's announcement of the new black, HDMI-enabled Xbox 360 Elite.

Dubbed the Xbox 360 Elite (not the "Zephyr" as had been rumored), the new black, $479.99 Xbox 360 comes bundled with a 120GB hard drive, has an HDMI port, and will ship to the US and Canada Sunday, April 29, 2007, Microsoft told IGN today in an interview over the phone.

The new "Elite" console contains the same parts, processors and chips as the Core and Pro units, and has the same dimensions, only it's got an HDMI port on its back-side (in addition to the standard RGB port) and comes with a 120GB hard disc drive (HDD), cables and headset, all in black.

"And for a unit that's got twice the hard drive storage space as the PS3, comes with an HDMI cable, an Ethernet cable and a headset, it's still $120 cheaper than the $599.99 high-end PlayStation 3," said Albert Penello, Microsoft's director of global platform marketing.

A standalone $179.99 HDD also ships April 29. This package includes one 120GB HDD, software, and a specialized cable to port data from a user's current hard drive to the new one. To complement the new black console, Microsoft will also ship a wireless black controller (MSRP $49.99), a black Play and Charge Kit ($19.99), and a standalone rechargeable battery pack ($11.99) on April 29, also in black.

"The Elite is not a limited edition. It's permanent. And we will not replace any sku," Penello explained when referring to the flurry of rumors preceeding the official announcement. "We now have three SKUs and we predict the primary seller will continue to be the Pro system."

Penello also addressed concerns the new bigger hard drive might lead game developers to require it as a standard. "We won't force experiences that require the new HDD. Games will still be optimized around the 20GB experience. Nobody will be forced to buy a new drive."

Microsoft has no plans to offer rebates, discounts, or free trade-ins for loyal early adopters. When asked how he thought gamers would respond to the new higher-priced addition, Penello said, "I think and hope that people are going to understand. There is as price for being an early adopter and your points and feelings are valid (Penello said when referring to gamers IGN suggested would be angry about the new system). But whenever you innovate and change, you have to face this situation. Your same old system is still perfectly valid. Think about it this way, it's a new bundle that comes with a bigger hard drive."

When IGN asked why the launch system didn't come with a larger hard drive and an HDMI port, Penello explained: "We could never have done this before, to bring HMDI and 120 GB to the system when we launched in 2005. The reason we didn't do it before was because the HDMI standard wasn't complete. It takes time to develop these things. We started the console earlier than Sony did and when the HDMI standard wasn't done. At the time we were developing, this stuff was in transition."

IGN suggested to Penello that gamers might become skeptical about buying an Xbox 360 because of the introduction to this new system. Many gamers are already skeptical the existing systems aren't reliable, as they have witnessed countless stories of broken 360s only one and a half years since the launch in November 2005. Why should they buy a new system now, if for some new reason, Microsoft decides to create a new system a year and a half from now?

"Should we just ignore new technology? Or listen to the input we hear from gamers and address it? If some new technology comes out, I'm going to have to look at that. We're trying something new."

IGN.com

SWEET.
Too bad I just bought my 360 =(

[digital gopher]

It's a good idea. And it comes with the HDMI cable. I've said all I need to say in the 360 thread.

Product Page : Xbox.com | Xbox 360 - Introducing Xbox 360 Elite

Video Interview : EXCLUSIVE VIDEO! First look at the Xbox 360 Elite | Tina Wood | Channel 10

Major Nelson's interview "about the Elite" : Xbox Live's Major Nelson : The one about the Xbox 360 Elite

Unofficial Pictures by our good friend, Major Nelson :

Flickr: Photos from Major Nelson

[Dogenzaka]

So this bundle comes with
-One black HDMI enabled Xbox360
-One black wireless controller
-One 120gb HDD
-One Xbox LIVE (black) headset
-One ethernet cable
-Chrome disc tray
-RGB Component cables
-HDMI AV Cables
-Power cables
-One set of batteries.

Now that is MEGA hawt.

All $120 cheaper than the PS3, that has all of this or less. Except for Wi-Fi (damn I wish they had added that to the Elite)

Sony, if you don't do something quick
You're screwed.

[digital gopher]

Originally Posted by Dogenzaka

So this bundle comes with
-One black HDMI enabled Xbox360
-One black wireless controller
-One 120gb HDD
-One Xbox LIVE (black) headset
-One ethernet cable
-Chrome disc tray
-RGB Component cables
-Power cables
-One set of batteries.

Now that is MEGA hawt.

All $120 cheaper than the PS3, that has all of this or less. Except for Wi-Fi (damn I wish they had added that to the Elite)

Sony, if you don't do something quick
You're screwed.

-HDD Transfer Cable
-HDD Transfer Software
-Audio Only Cable (For use with HDMI)
-Composite Cables

[Dogenzaka]

Yeah. That too.
Sony's le screwed.
But I'm not sure if you will get an HDD transfer cable with the software, as that's for transferring memory from your old Hard Drive, and you won't have an old Hard Drive if you're buying a 360 Elite. You're probably a first time buyer at that point =P

I want this..but in white. =(

[sephy 9 2 5]

Originally Posted by Dogenzaka

All $120 cheaper than the PS3, that has all of this or less.

Why are you comparing it to the 60GB? The 20GB is a more appropiate comparison.

Browse around the internet a bit. Why are you happy about this announcement? MS just screwed me and many others over if we want to get a new HDD. Even though my PS3 can get 500GB hardrive for $100....Playstation Network is not as good as XBOX Live. I wanted that HDD. Man ****.


Xbox.com | General Discussion - Re: Price Comparison in the Wake of the "ELITE"
New Black HDMI-Enabled 360 Has Just Been Confirmed - Planet Xbox 360 Community Forums

[Mastermind]

Originally Posted by Dogenzaka

So this bundle comes with
-One black HDMI enabled Xbox360
-One black wireless controller
-One 120gb HDD
-One Xbox LIVE (black) headset
-One ethernet cable
-Chrome disc tray
-RGB Component cables
-HDMI AV Cables
-Power cables
-One set of batteries.

Now that is MEGA hawt.

All $120 cheaper than the PS3, that has all of this or less. Except for Wi-Fi (damn I wish they had added that to the Elite)

Sony, if you don't do something quick
You're screwed.

How are they screwed exactly?

[Dogenzaka]

How are they screwed exactly?

Because,
1.) They're losing exclusives
2.) Elite Xbox360 offers twice the hard drive space, HDMI, A massive game library, All the features of the 360 Pro, + the 360 now has TWO colors to choose from, and it's still $120 cheaper than the high-end PS3.

Duh.

Browse around the internet a bit. Why are you happy about this announcement? MS just screwed me and many others over if we want to get a new HDD.

"A standalone $179.99 HDD also ships April 29"

Besides, just like now, there will probably be cheaper third-party HDD solutions.

[Cid Highwind]

i just had to get my xbox360 last summer...

[Dogenzaka]

Same here ._.
Even though my Xbox360 Pro was FREE.
YAY.
lol. I got the best deal of all.

[Puck]

Umm.....who cares? Just buy the cheap one.

[Enigmacy]

Originally Posted by Dogenzaka

Same here ._.
Even though my Xbox360 Pro was FREE.
YAY.
lol. I got the best deal of all.

If you don't mind me asking...how did you get yours free. 0_0?xD


I don't really care....It's still the same system; just loaded with extra crap. Games still play the same, the system just looks better...(But, personally, the white 360 looks more stylish. =D)

[sephy 9 2 5]

Originally Posted by Dogenzaka

Because,
1.) They're losing exclusives
2.) Elite Xbox360 offers twice the hard drive space, HDMI, A massive game library, All the features of the 360 Pro, + the 360 now has TWO colors to choose from, and it's still $120 cheaper than the high-end PS3.

Dogen cut it down to "losing exclusives" and a "massive game library". Add inclusion of HDMI cables.

• The PS3 can obtain a 500GB HDD. **For a lot less than $179.99**
• Microsoft said you didn't need HDMI.
• Colors huh....I guess you got me there. Yep two colors to choose from. Did you forget the add-on is not in black? =\
• The Elite 360 doesn't compare to the 60GB PS3.
• Its more appropiate to compare it to the 20GB PS3.

Originally Posted by Dogenzaka

"A standalone $179.99 HDD also ships April 29"

Besides, just like now, there will probably be cheaper third-party HDD solutions.

You can not use just any third party HDD on a 360. That's a PS3 feature. You must buy a $179 HDD from MS.

[Dogenzaka]

If you don't mind me asking...how did you get yours free. 0_0?xD

Bought it off eBay.
Turned out that it wasn't as described.
Sued the guy, got a refund.
Free Xbox360.

Umm.....who cares? Just buy the cheap one.

The cheap one sucks and is not worth the money. Ever.

[digital gopher]

Originally Posted by sephy 9 2 5

Why are you comparing it to the 60GB? The 20GB is a more appropiate comparison.

Browse around the internet a bit. Why are you happy about this announcement? MS just screwed me and many others over if we want to get a new HDD. Even though my PS3 can get 500GB hardrive for $100....Playstation Network is not as good as XBOX Live. I wanted that HDD. Man ****.


Xbox.com | General Discussion - Re: Price Comparison in the Wake of the "ELITE"
New Black HDMI-Enabled 360 Has Just Been Confirmed - Planet Xbox 360 Community Forums

Why are we comparing it to the 60GB Model? Because the 20GB Model pales in comparison. We're comparing the highest end XBOX 360 with the highest end Playstation 3. Is that not a fair comparison? Also, Microsoft hasn't "screwed" anybody. They're aren't going to be making games specifically for the Elite model. The Elite model does not have a built in HD DVD Drive. The Elite version doesn't have anything special, other than a black finish, and a black HDD. Everything else about it is sold separately. If you really want the black accessories, go out and buy them. Everything you see now in white, will be coming out later in black.

So tell me, how has Microsoft done anything terribly bad? This Elite SKU is meant for hardcore AV enthusiasts. Why? Because Component cables look just as good as HDMI. 20GB Is more than enough for game data. Why release a 120GB HDD then? Because the XBOX LIVE Video Marketplace is doing extremely well, and people are downloading HD Movies. Those aren't small.

So, unless you're buying those HD Movies, and HD TV Shows, and have a TV that supports HDMI then you shouldn't worry at all.

Besides, just like now, there will probably be cheaper third-party HDD solutions.

No. You won't see any third party HDD's. Ever.