The second Xbox 360 (with HDMI): introducing "Zephyr"
by Christopher Grant 
{ Jan 5th 2007 at 9:51AM }
Wow. This really takes us back to when we thought the Xbox 360's AV port was capable of digital out and it was only a matter of time before Microsoft released a proper HDMI adapter. Then came rumblings of a revised motherboard with an HDMI port located underneath the AV port (hmm ... curiously like the image above). Then back came the rumors about that HDMI cable.
Now, thanks to the above image nabbed by our buddies at Engadget, what's purported to be the second Xbox 360 (codenamed "Zephyr") can be seen rocking a dedicated HDMI port, for pain free 1080p. Also rumored to be included in the Xbox 360 v2 is a 120GB HDD, making those high-def downloads a little more palatable. No word on whether they're going to drop the comically priced $100 WiFi adapter and build that in as well, but the WiFi mounting brackets on the back aren't very reassuring. Although Engadget's insider says we can expect it "soon" we're left wondering about those smaller 65nm processors that were recently delayed. Are we gonna have to wait for Xbox 360 v3 for a cooler, quieter 360?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
yeah @ Jan 5th 2007 9:57AM
First comment! Yeah, Estonia rocks!
Flit @ Jan 5th 2007 9:57AM
This is exactly why I haven't bought a 360 yet. The day this hits is the day i buy a 360! Xbox 361 ftw!
Aeris130 @ Jan 5th 2007 9:58AM
Make it look less like a computer, and it's Wii60 ftw for me.
PremierSlayer88 @ Jan 5th 2007 10:06AM
Thats so cool, i would trade my xbox in for the newer one
Scott @ Jan 5th 2007 10:11AM
All I'm really interested in is the larger HDD and smaller processor.
Unfortunately for MS, this leak will just make people who want a 360 wait instead of picking up 360s now.
Hunta2097 @ Jan 5th 2007 10:04AM
I've been waiting for this!
Lets hope all the media playback functions from the HD-DVD drive are sorted out to work properly over HDMI. Can we even hope (please Microsoft?) that there will be a version with built-in HD-DVD?
Lets hope they've managed to mute it a little too (even without the die-shrink).
]-[
The Kid @ Jan 5th 2007 10:09AM
I came to toot my horn! TOOT, TOOT MFERS! Xbox 360 was outclassed and looked dated as soon as the PS3 was released!
Now why would MS be doing this? It couldn't be that they are trying to compete with Sony? All the fanboys and wack journalists said it was a landslide against the PS3. That just goes to show you it was all bias, jealousy and envy against Sony. MS obviously cringed and said "Hey we gotta do something"!!!!
Now look; a redesign with HDMI and a cooler processor. A day after Someone reports a 6GHZ cell processor and new reports floating around that the PS3 is slowly and steadily selling out and the numbers increasing over the anticipated NPD reports.
Adding the HDMI port without including HD-DVD drive is str8 up stupidity!
Delive @ Jan 5th 2007 10:19AM
More evidence that Console makers are rushing out systems before they should be released. All 3 consoles should have been released this summer. 2007. Get it right the first time.
elnico @ Jan 5th 2007 10:15AM
so what happens to those who bought an 360 already?
JJ @ Jan 5th 2007 10:07AM
I dont know... this move kinda strikes me as if they're actually worried about the PS3 being more of a media center than the 360, what with having to do a full mobo redesign and what not.
I would think that the 360 should still be good over its competition for at least another year due to the sheer amount of games for the system without having to try and battle the PS3s included options (built in wireless, Highdef movie player, HDMI output..etc)
OtakuCODE @ Jan 5th 2007 10:15AM
How is a 65nm processor going to make the DVD drive quiet? That's the only thing that makes any significant noise in the 360.
Coil @ Jan 5th 2007 10:12AM
What a way to screw over your fanbase. Will the original Xbox 360 be dropped like a hot potato?
A lot of people haven't forgotten what Microsoft did to the original Xbox.
BlindsideDork @ Jan 5th 2007 10:17AM
Now M$ people and XBots can't make ANY comments on the DS - DSLite issue!
Now let's see about fixing up some games M$!
Scott @ Jan 5th 2007 10:14AM
#7 - The smaller/cooler processor was announced before the PS3 was even released. It is part of the natural progression of the 360 and was coming regardless.
The only new news is the HDMI. The HDD has been anticipated for the last few months.
What does a 6GHZ cell processor have to do with anything? It won't come in the PS3...ever.
MS has repeatedly stated that the HD DVD drive will not be included in the 360. It isn't meant for gaming and doesn't have a fast enough transfer rate (just like PS3s Blu-Ray drive) to keep load times down.
Phranctoast @ Jan 5th 2007 10:15AM
I thought MS should have included hd dvd in the beginning. Now that they havent, making a version that has in in it now just seems forced and will not be a good idea. I really dont believe in the success of hd dvd at all either. MS would be better off making a blu ray add on now so they could end this format war, and then just try and push their vc1 compression scheme for the format the best they could.
Jarvis Slacks @ Jan 5th 2007 10:27AM
Man, I've been begging for HDMI cables since I bought my new HiDef tv and it has two, TWO places for it! They better release a adaptor or something. Microsoft has been taking care of me for awhile and I hope they don't foul up now.
Scott @ Jan 5th 2007 10:23AM
#9...why would the original 360 be dropped?
Offer the 360 Premium at $300 with the new version at ~$400.
Offer the Core at $200 or drop it altogether since it is so ridiculed.
The Premium and Cores will get the new CPUs as well.
Watership @ Jan 5th 2007 10:17AM
Are you all children from Pluto? Its not screwing over the fanbase. It is called HARDWARE REVISION. It's done in every electronics industry, and other industries as well. It's already a year or more after the origianl Xbox 360 release and already they've moved to a different DVD drive. Why isn't everyone freaking out? The PS2 went through at least 12 hardware revisions over its 6 year timeline, are people losing their minds?
These 360s still play games. They still play dvds. They still do everything their advertised to do. So now MS has ADDED features, and your all freaking out? If you were holding out for a HDMI connector and you have a 1080p TV (which I think few of you have) then fine. But at anything under 50 inches, you won't notice a different from Component to HDMI, and you were holding out for nothing.
D4RKSiDE @ Jan 5th 2007 10:18AM
@#7: Don't be a Sony dick, I saw your same exact post on the Engadget boards, if you want to rant go to some fanboy message boards, btw where the hell did you come up with "A day after Someone reports a 6GHZ cell processor and new reports floating around that the PS3 is slowly and steadily selling out and the numbers increasing over the anticipated NPD reports."
Thought @ Jan 5th 2007 10:31AM
And I thought sony was the bad guys, everybody is always trying to back a company and act like their the best then they turn around and backstab you after you just bought your new console, and bring out an updated one probably for the same price you paid.
AG @ Jan 5th 2007 10:18AM
Way to go Microsoft. Screw your fans over again...
This is why you buy a "future proof" system in the PS3 as the XBox 360 didn't come with all the bells and whistles because they rushed it out the door.
Oobgarm @ Jan 5th 2007 10:19AM
Wonder how much more this one will cost over the original?
Kinda stinks how current adopters such as myself would get hosed if they add in that nice 120GB HDD. I'm also curious if they can/will release some sort of HDMI adapter for older machines, and how they'll handle optical audio output on this new revision.
rockintom99 @ Jan 5th 2007 11:29AM
...Damn it. And I plan to buy a 360 within a few days too. Ah well, I'm not running an hd set, so I don't really give a damn about the hdmi port.
sheppy @ Jan 5th 2007 10:25AM
Simple question, elcino.
The answer, of course, is pooring liquid into your system and using that store warranty to upgrade on the free ride.
FrankTheCrank @ Jan 5th 2007 10:40AM
CRAP...
Looks like it will be a PS3Wii360 for me...
Got the PS3...the Wii is next...then when the new 360 ships...
Too many good games spread accross three different consoles. Sucks!
Scott @ Jan 5th 2007 10:29AM
#12 - HD DVD wasn't ready when MS was ready to launch. They would have ended up launching the 360 this year at the same time with the PS3 and the Wii.
Optimus Prime @ Jan 5th 2007 10:28AM
Whats more interesting is whether they changed the video card (or not).
If the original one supports digital video out, then they could, at the very least, provide DVI out with a new cable; which then could be used with HDMI TVs via an adapter (minus HDCP).
Since they are not doing this, it means that the original video card doest not support digital output, and so, early adopters will never have any form of digital video output.
Its also unclear whether HDCP will be supported. Since it adds licensing costs to a non-gaming function (its strictly for HD-DVD playback, which itself is optional).. which we all know that MS is totally against, right?
mcloki @ Jan 5th 2007 10:32AM
Just like the Zune Fiasco. It's Microsoft changing horses in mid stream. If they do put a HDDVD in this box. Highly likely. Game developers are going to put games on HDDVD. "Sorry owners of old 360 you'll have to buy the HDDVD unit if you want Gears 2 it to big to fit on regular DVD." Oh and 6 months later they'll be telling you about the Blu Ray upgrade when HDDVD loses. How long can Microsoft users keep on taking the abuse.
vidGuy @ Jan 5th 2007 10:30AM
And so it begins. The days of console upgrades are upon us. Granted, there have been console redesigns before (Slimline PS2 being the most notable), and these upgrades are far from mandatory and won't create a segregation of games, but it is a slippery slope. How long before you have to check a console game's box for a Minimum Requirements spec list?
Microsoft is onboard with upgrades and has already shown an interest in reducing console lifespan. Sony claims to want to do the same, and rumors are that the PS4 will be out sometime in or before 2010 - leaving the PS3 a true lifespan of just over three years. Even Nintendo has hinted at continued upgrades, blurring the line between generations with consistent tweaks to their system.
Sony's method may actually work in the long-run: release a system with the highest tech, allow it to gain some speed within the market, drop it's price to make it mass-market friendly, then release a new top-of-the-line. This way, they could be catering to THREE markets at once: early-adopters with the PS4, mass-market with the PS3, and late-adopters/cheap-gamers with the PS2 (like how PS1's still were sold well into the PS2's life).
I'm scared, folks. I'm into console gaming because I don't have to buy a new video card or RAM chip every time I buy a new game. If it gets bad enough that I have to check a spec list before poping in a console game, I'm out of gaming for a while. I can't afford more than a few hundred in investment into the hardware. Plus, what kind of pressure does that put on developers to create multi-platform games?
So, who's taking bets on when XBOX360v2, PS3.1, and Wii^2 come out? I'd venture to say 2008 for all of them, if they come to life, anyway.
The Kid @ Jan 5th 2007 10:37AM
D4RKSiDE:
Are you kicking a tire or something? You saw the bad news appear on Engadget too huh? And you're upset about "The Kid" who said long ago that MS looked last gen compared to the PS3 and that they were in need of a redesign and added HD-DVD functionality.
Wow, this must crush all those that just bought their systems a couple of weeks ago and those who began to believe the smoke and mirrors MS was using to dodge what was apparent from the beginning. The Sony PS3 was and is the Better Videogame console.
The Sony PS3 represents the best of the Past, Present and Future of Gaming.
PS3PEAT!!!!!!!!!!!1
BlindsideDork @ Jan 5th 2007 10:37AM
#19
ALL consoles in the US are released in Novermber around Thanksgiving time. It might not be all but the BIG ones (ie: Nintendo, Sony, etc...). So you wouldn't see it coming out in November.
I said this in some other post (don't know if it was this site, probably not, so don't flame me), 360 was released prematurely. There was the reason that XBox didn't have any big name titles to carry it another year so they kind of released it early. There were some titles but not huge ones that would carry it more, so it kind of killed the XBox sooner than expected. Also I believe the 360 was released early in hopes to get the same edge PS2 got.
As for GameCube(I am sure some would say GameCube was dead early or what not), They had the same problem but they had a FEW titles they could push for an extra year. That and they need more time to iron out the controller. And the PS2 could survive the time.
But yes, released prematurely. I mainly worried about the games. My HDTV is under 50inches, so I am not concerned with HDMI, just the system failing and games.
logikil @ Jan 5th 2007 10:34AM
Ultimately this will not hurt early adopters. This is a mobo redesign to add a dedicated HDMI port. The existing board and AV output can handle dedicated digital output. For those people who have purchased an Xbox 360 v1 will likely just have to add an adapter or MS made HDMI cable, no big deal.
Anyway to the guy above talking about the 360 looking inferior blah blah blah, get real man. The 360 looks in no way inferior. If there is anything that "could" be considered inferior, its the way they have handled the HDD issue. I am still of the opinion that MS either needs to open up the USB ports or sell an empty HDD cage that we can put our own drives in. I hope they listen. Beyond that the 360 holds up to the PS3 just fine so at least be honest before you speak.
Flit @ Jan 5th 2007 11:05AM
The Kid:
Again, Did you make the page alliwantforchristmasisapsp.com? Statements like "Adding the HDMI port without including HD-DVD drive is str8 up stupidity!" makes me worry about America's future.
"Someone reports a 6GHZ cell processor ..." You cannot replace the speed of a processor in a game console without a new iteration, IE PS4. Games would be INCOMPATABLE. Otherwise, you have a PC. Even if you did put a 6 ghz processor in, you could only design games to use the current 3.2 ghz processor, or else the games wouldn't be playable on the "slower" machines, R-tard.
The very first view of the x360 (the Colony video) talked about how this machine was made to be upgradeable and adaptable to what the market wants. So just because they update, doesn't mean that it is only Sony driving this. Yes, i'm sure that a $399 x360 that can play HD movies, has 1080p, and a 120 gig hard drive, and can play all but 3 games that the ps3 can play is a scary idea to you, but you'll get used to it.
If these rumours are true, sony has NO competitive edge over the 360, other than GT5 and MGS4, which MGS will probably be ported to the 360 eventually, just like the other versions of MGS.
copa @ Jan 5th 2007 10:36AM
"But at anything under 50 inches, you won't notice a different from Component to HDMI, and you were holding out for nothing."
Not completely true. You will be able to upscale your DVD's over HDMI, which is a noticeable difference. Right now, your only option is a buggy VGA interface for DVD upscaling.
Scott @ Jan 5th 2007 10:34AM
Oh, and at this point....we can just file this under "RUMOR". This wouldn't be the first time that a 360 with HDMI output has been brought up and was squashed later.
The Kid @ Jan 5th 2007 10:42AM
Message from Sony to MS!
"The Next Generation of gaming started when we said so"
"On 11/17/06 We not only Finished the fight; But we won the war"
"You must now conform to the standard that WE set!"
Matt @ Jan 5th 2007 10:45AM
#19
With the pace of technological progression being as it is, there are always going to be some things that will have to be left out. Even if they had waited until summer 2007, 6 months later there would have been new video cards, larger hard drives, faster disk drives, faster processors, etc... That's just the way the industry works. At some point you have to just go with what you have and release it to the public.
The revised hardware doesn't hurt the public in any way. For those who bought a 360 in the last year (myself included), it is still going to play every 360 game released from now until whatever time they discontinue the console in the distant future. HDMI and the 65nm processor only offer marginal improvements. The only big thing here is the expanded hard drive, which will almost certainly be available for purchase separately.
BlindsideDork @ Jan 5th 2007 10:44AM
#29
I am sure by the time I get the email to post this on this site (darn stupid delay posting!!!) someone will have said it but this has ben CONFIRMED, not a rumor. The only rumors are what it will INCLUDE, will it include 120gb? Will it include hd-dvd drive (most likely not)? Other stuff?
Scott @ Jan 5th 2007 10:47AM
#32 - Using that logic, the PS2 and PS3 were released prematurely as well since both had lackluster launch line-ups.
Jake @ Jan 5th 2007 12:02PM
People here are acting like you somehow can't use the console you bought anymore. I guess it is mostly fanboyism, but Jeez. The new one has an HDMI port and a larger hard-drive. It doesn't say anywhere that it includes the HD-DVD drive. If it does, expect a $600 price point on the unit. I am sure they will sell that larger drive separate if someone wants more space as well. I, for one, am glad that the 360 passed on built in HD-DVD because I don't need it and really enjoyed my whole extra year of HD next gen gaming. How soon PS3 fanboys forget that we've been playing their games for 12 months.
longhair @ Jan 5th 2007 10:49AM
While I would not like buying another Xbox, I will buy this because I really want HDMI connections..
magilacudy @ Jan 5th 2007 10:46AM
I bought a 360 for my brother as a Christmas gift so we can play on XBL. I noticed a couple things about his console - the frame was more durable as well as made of a different (read: not cheap looking) plastic as my launch 360, not to mention the drive was a good deal quieter.
Is this something to complain about? No, it just shows that MS is working to improve the quality of their hardware. Nintendo and Sony have done revisions last gen - adding and taking away ethernet ports/ component outs respectively as well as firmware revisions to curb piracy among other things. This isn't a new practice, and the comparison to upgrading computers is specious at best.
Oh yeah, it wouldn't surprise me if Microsoft released an adapter for the original port to output to HDMI/DVI.
JodyAnthony @ Jan 5th 2007 10:47AM
I hope this is true, then I can pick up a used model 1 360 on the cheap.
i hate being poor.
Tesley @ Jan 5th 2007 10:57AM
I can't believe that. Let's make a simple comparison...
PS3(599 version):
60 gig hard drive: Check
Wi-Fi: Check
HDMI: Check
Blu-Ray Player: Check
And ppl are telling me that the PS3 is expensive: Bull. If you wanna have all that on a 360 for now, it's either u spend some more money on your current 360 or u buy "ZEPHYR".
LunarDuality @ Jan 5th 2007 12:14PM
Enough with the gloom and doom. If MS released a 360v2 that segmented the userbase in any major way (i.e. making HD-DVD mandatory for games, etc.) they would be making one of the worst business mistakes you can make in the video game console biz. They aren't that stupid.
Offering addtional features in a new box as a hardware revision I can see (a la the slimline PS2...although that actual eliminates features and just reduced size primarily) but anything else would be business suicide. They aren't really feeling the heat from either Nintendo *or* Sony just yet because their installed base isn't even close. So I doubt that they would be making any decisions based solely on the competition.
These things seem more like an internal desire to give fans what they want (i.e. cooler processor, more storage, HDMI).
Matt @ Jan 5th 2007 11:02AM
#25
I'm not worried about your described scenario. Sega showed in the early 90's that there is a limit to how often you can release a new console (somewhere between 4 and 6 years). Any shorter than that and you can't build a large enough install base to attract developers.
The exception is with hardware revisions (ala the GBA). In which case all models of hardware have to have the same gameplaying capabilities but improve on the user experience in some other way via added/improved features.
While Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo all likely have plans for hardware improvements every couple of years, I seriously doubt that anyone will be forced to upgrade in order to play new games for at least 4-5 more years.
Duscrom @ Jan 5th 2007 2:35PM
I won't believe this till it becomes offical.
Aaron @ Jan 5th 2007 11:49AM
I like # 20 ideas about making the other systems cheaper as they release this one. That would give people even more options. Those who have large 1080p tvs can get the 360P for $400( $450 if they include an hd dvd drive) For people who have smaller HD TVS 40" and less can get the premium for $350 and for people that still have just a regular SD TV can get the Core ofr 250 with a 20 GIG HD.
Just my thoughts.
JD3 @ Jan 5th 2007 12:15PM
All you cry babies complaining about how MS screwed you over because they are releasing a new version (Possibly) just Shut UP! MS owes you nothing more than the system you bought. If you are on this site then you are aware of the rumors of a newer version with a larger HDD and HDMI just like me, but you ran out and were an early adaptor. That's what happens. Do you cry if you buy a car and then next year they revamp the body or upgrade the electronics in the dash, No so why should the video game industry be any better. How about a computer? they upgrade constantly from year to year but Dell, HP, or Gateway don't owe you an apology. Just shut up, if you were so worried about HDMI in the first place why did you buy the 360 now? If you want it that bad trade in your system and upgrade. Otherwise, enjoy your v1 system and wait for the 720.
Occidius @ Jan 5th 2007 10:53AM
Sorry The Kid, I hate to rain on your PS3 parade...
The HDMI is not a "new" addition. If you ever looked at the motherboard of the 360, you'd see that the headers for the HDMI have always been there, the connectors were just never added (no idea why not). It could be something as simple as waiting to make sure that connection method gained in popularity. When the 360s came out, HD TVs were not exactly gracing every household. It wasn't until this year that HD has begun to enjoy widespread popularity.