HD AV cable not included in the Xbox 360 Core system?
by Dan Choi 
{ Aug 17th 2005 at 6:00PM }
There was a time last month when people believed the Xbox 360 would not come with AV cables of any kind right out of the box. Thankfully, those days have passed, what with the announcement of two separate system packages for the 360 and their AV-inclusive accessory lists. Personally, I can deal with missing out on a wireless controller and maybe a hard drive if I can save $100. According to Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan Securities, however, I'm not only not "hardcore," but also a "complete idiot" for saying so (see GameSpot's story for the details). Everyone has a right to his own opinion, but what about those AV cables? My main beef with Microsoft right now is that they skimped on the cheaper $299 "Core" system by bundling high-def AV cables with the $399 model alone and leaving Core owners with only standard AV. HD era, my foot!
This contrasts with the component/composite hybrid cable originally reported for inclusion with each 360 released, but now limited to the pricier model instead. Granted, only one package was officially announced at the time, but that doesn't make the switch any more palatable. All I know is that if I can't get component standard (and for free), then I would've loved to have gotten VGA. Considering that you can get "near HD"-quality visuals from a computer monitor (480p and 1080i are quite doable), a standard VGA connection certainly would've saved money for those of us who can't buy a decent HD TV or the premium package. (Fellow Vdigi users, you know what I mean.) At least they're offering VGA as an aftermarket option this time around, but it'll cost ya: a VGA cable will go for an MSRP of $39.99, the same price as a component one. Since future Xbox accessory adaptors may need to reverse engineer a security mechanism to work with the system (as MS probably will not allow a licensed third-party manufacturer to make them legally), it's highly doubtful there will be a reasonable way (that is, a cheap way) to reuse my current Xbox component cable with the 360.
Microsoft, why must you split the market so? I'm guessing it has something to do with accessory mark-ups and profit margins, but I expected better from my man J.
Update: The page referenced from Xbox.com below has changed since this entry was first posted. Does this now mean the Core system will come with HD AV cables as well? I'll try to dig up some earlier screenshots or cached versions of the site (to prove that I can still click on links and read them). I've now got a follow-up to this story posted here.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jason @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
I think this plan sucks. I want the wireless out the box. I was told it would be out the box wireless... Not for an extra 100 bucks. How does live work without a hard drive.
ill trooper @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
OH no! it iz teh suxxor! PS3 Ruelz!
JUST KIDDING... It is odd that Microsoft would get so excited about 'millions of people playing games in HD this Christmas' (Remember that quote? Followed by something about ducks?) but then omit the cable to let you do it out of the box?
If this is what it takes to make it affordable, cool... But hopefully the Microsoft fanboys will understand when Sony says 'not second monitor support' or whatever it takes to keep the PS3 affordable. More affordable.
ace2cloud @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
I'm not really sure why you would consider buying the core system when the premium package is a much better value, but if you can't decide which to get, listen: YOU CAN'T SAVE YOUR GAME WITHOUT A $40 MEMORY CARD! Why not just pay the extra 60 bucks to get the 20 gb HDD? DOn't waste your time on the core system.
Spartacus @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
I think M$ is wanting more people to buy the deluxe package and this is just for the people who WON'T shell out $400 on a console (but will later spend more than that in add-ons). I'm getting the deluxe package- it's a no brainer:
Base model= $299
+ Component cables= $40
+ Wireless controller (extra $20ish)
+ Media remote (worth $20)
+ Headset= $20
+ HDD= $100
+ Faceplate
+ Metalic paintjob
GRAND TOTAL= Savings of at least $100, maybe more. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THE BASE MODEL.
Dan Choi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
Purportedly, you get $200 worth of accessories for the $100 more you pay for the premium package, but I just hate the idea that MS virtually abandoned the $300-$360 price range to some kind of "PR play" (as that same Wedbush Morgan analyst called it). I may have to wait for the price drop that'll most likely occur when the PS3 comes out. I know what the value proposition is, and I don't like this one bit.
Pex @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
I think you may be giving too much credit to the average video game consumer. Personally, I use S-Video or component for everything I hook to my TV because I care about image quality, but 85% of the people I've seen with Xboxes are using the base cables, and very few people I know use anything other than base composite video for their DVD players, and coax for their cable boxes. Most people just don't know enough, and don't care enough about the differences to make the extra effort worth it.
Shawn Oster @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
1) I agree with Pex, very few of the 12 - 16 year-olds that I know with an x-box right now care about the connections. Usually those that do care will also care about everything in the standard (non-core package). Those are also usually the people that will be getting the core system, teenagers without their own strong cash flow.
2) I believe this is marketing to offset the fact that the standard system is $399. Now they can say to those price detractors that they have an inexpensive system for $299.
3) This isn't "splitting" the market at all. Those that think it is must be used to non-upgradable systems like AV recivers where you have the consumer, prosumer and professional markets that different SKU's split across. Don't have the dosh, get the core system and buy just the pieces you want when you really need them, otherwise get rewarded for dropping all that coin with the full monty of accessories. Works very similiar to how my car insurance works, pay up front and get a discount as your reward, pay by the month and you end up paying almost $80 more.
Tony @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
http://www.cafepress.com/180on360
Nick @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
OUCH! I have to say, buying the bundle is a no brainer, but yikes! Could we have a bundle with a memory card instead of a HDD for maybe 50 - 75 dollars less! From an economic standpoint i understand that M$ would be loosing far too many $$$ for that to be economically feasible, but for God's sake, I'm 16 and make $6.50/hr! How am I supposed to afford $400 + $60 for a game!?!?! All I can say is thank God my other system will be the (purportedly) less expensive Revolution!
-Nick
Digi Smalls @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
is that the cable? no HDMI? no DVI?
Pex @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
On the subject of DVI and HDMI, does anybody have or know of a receiver that will switch them? I use my receiver to switch all of my inputs, and it's only got component, no DVI or HDMI.
Julian @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
So on the issue of obtaining 5.1 surround sound out of Xbox360.
What conectors do I use, Where are they?
Digital/Optical?
how about some info.....
Griffon @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
"Since future Xbox accessory adaptors may need to reverse engineer a security mechanism to work with the system (as MS probably will not allow a licensed third-party manufacturer to make them legally), its highly doubtful there will be a reasonable way (that is, a cheap way) to reuse my current Xbox component cable with the 360."
Its a cable, for goodness sake...a piece of wire wrapped in some plastic, how hard can that be to figure out?
Dan Choi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
Good question. The security mechanism in question may only be applicable to controller peripherals, and I've only heard of custom, third-party replacement AV cables for the original Xbox, as opposed to actual AV adaptors. Whether it's worth making and selling such an adaptor (or buying one, depending on the price) is another question altogether.
soco @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
this is a trend that has existed since at least 1988 with the release of the turbografx/pc-engine that seems to be abused by consumer electronics companies. there you had to buy the turbo booster to get stereo sound and composite video and you had to buy the turbotap to play more than one person.
Sony only made this worse, with the PS2. there for a 'full' console, you needed to buy the remote and IR connector (though thankfully you could play dvds without it), then you needed at least 1 horribly overpriced memory card. then the multiplayer adapter for any action above 2 players. plus the controllers are 40$ a piece as well, and you have to buy the more advanced cables there.
Nintendo has recently started playing the game as well, but i think we have them to thank for not pulling these silly games nearly as much as Sony, Microsoft, and older companies. this is one super valid point that Nintendo has, going into the next generation.
Glenn @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
It's easy, the core system is for those still playing on their 27" analog TV. The other bundle is for everybody else. The Sega Saturn was $400 when it came out and that was bundled with nothing (and I loved it anyways).
Nicholas Tung @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
I don't want the extra headset or remote - it's junk. I want to connect my USB 60gb hard drive and get a VGA HD cable which isn't in the larger package anyway. I don't know how good the USB features are though - I know you can connect to mp3 devices. I suppose with the 40gb ipods that many people have, support for these would kill the hard drive sales, though. Anyone who knows about this it would be helpful if you could get back to me (gatoatigrado@sbcglobal.net).
Thundercizzle @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
I feel your pain. I think they're trying to make it painful for us gamers to get anything other than the more expensive bundle. The core system is just there so that they can say that they have an optional cheaper system. My guess is that they will even have more of the expensive bundles available than the core systems..
Dan Choi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
Well, Thundercizzle (#18), if the Director of Xbox Marketing for Microsoft feels that more consumers will go for the "Premium Package," and he also believes that more premium sets will be sold than the "Core Editions," then it stands to reason that there will be more expensive bundles than cheap ones available at launch (if not later on as well). I feel your pain.
http://editorials.teamxbox.com/xbox/1258/Xbox-360-Pricing-Announced-Which-SKU-Are-You/p3/
Shagi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
480p is not an HD resolution. 480p is considered ETV (Enhanced TV). The minimum HD resolution is 720p.
Dan Choi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
Shagi (#20), you're right about 480p, which is why I was careful to say that "you can get 'near HD'-quality visuals from a computer monitor (480p and 1080i are quite doable)...." 1080i, on the other hand, is another story, but I didn't want to give the wrong impression. ETV is the correct term for 480p, though. Thanks for your concern.
CrackinBacks @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
Well I guess I'm fortunate enough to have an HDTV where I can take advantage the component cables. I guess.....I'm disappointed that MS isn't making a true HD vid cable like an DVI or HDMI cable. That's what most HDTVs use to really take advantage of their HD capabilities. I hope alot of people don't want to shovel out 400 bucks where I live, as I have to stand in line to try and get one, and it would be nice to not have to fight a huge crowd.
mcgyvor @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
let me make this simple ,i got me a xbox 360 core system and damn im a idiot to get this,i was desprit,the system is soo powerful but you can't witness the full power for the system without getting the premium version,its just a dead box for $299. and can't do shit but play games on a week tv,unless you got a good hdtv to witness the real grafix,and you can't play your old xbox games on it without the hard drive that comes with the premium version,and the dead box don't come with no type of memory to save your games or music or nothing,damn you cant do shit with it but let it sit and look good for your company when they come over thats it nothing else,and this makes it hard because now you gotta go get there $60 bucks game and there not pumping enough power in the game cd's to witness the true power of the dead box thats running three 3.2 ghz ,damn thats power shit this is supose to be off the hook,well it is the best system but it would of been better if microsoft wud of think before doing this core shit,for money but when people play the core system they won't want to buy a premium period.so if you want the xbox 360 you should go for the premium pack for $399.cuz it has soo much more in it that you need ,a hdva cable for high def and hard drive and software that lets you play old your old games from your old xbox untill you get enough money to buy their $60 dollar games and they say its live ready as soon as you take it out of the box but you need the premium to go live and to get eveything you want in the xbox 360 so just wait for the premium ,becuz im an playstation fan and let me tell you that the xbox is gonna be better because of the software and media but they should just drop the $299 core shit and just cell the premium cuz its making xbox 360 look very bad,well its out now and the micro soft will be sorry for doing that but oh well,but anyway the system is soo damn good when you got everything for it ,im already addicted to it but i had to pay an extra $250 to get what i need to enjoy the system