Xbox 360 v. 2 revealed, codename "Zephyr" [update 1]

by Richard Mitchell on Jan 5th 2007 11:30AM

Update: We now have video of the 360 v.2 in action! Check it out here. (Also, readers have pointed out that the 360 uses more expensive 2.5" hard drives, so you can't get 250 gigs for $100. It's more like 80 gigs. Oh, and for the record, the redesign doesn't bother me at all. I just want a reasonably priced HDD.)

Boy, that picture looks familiar. Our fine brothers at Engadget received quite a tip today, the first images -- and overall revelation -- of the second version of our beloved Xbox 360. The new box, codenamed "Zephyr," features a dedicated HDMI port -- meaning the long rumored HDMI cable for the current 360 probably doesn't exist -- and possibly a 120GB hard drive as well. The 120GB may or may not come bundled with the unit, but more space is certainly welcome. One thing is for damned sure, the hard drive price has to come down, considering we payed $100 for 20GB already. Engadget's tipster claims that the new and improved 360 will be available "soon." We have to wonder just how soon that will be, considering the smaller, cooler processor for the 360 was recently delayed. Engadget suspects that the unit will cost roughly the same as the current 360. If Microsoft can manage to get the smaller, cheaper CPU crammed into the 360 v. 2, then the same pricing structure would certainly be viable.

Of course, as 360 owning fanboys, our biggest question is how Microsoft can release this without pissing off early adopters (if you consider the entire first year of availability as "early"). The easy answer is that they can't, especially if a 120GB hard drive is included with the premium pack for the same price as the current pack. Not many people even have an HDMI capable TV, so we won't feel snubbed by its inclusion, but hard drive space is something any 360 owner can identify with. Come on MS, savvy shoppers can buy 100GB 2.5" HDDs for $100. It's time to stick a reasonable price on yours.

Keep in mind this isn't confirmed, but most of us have suspected it. How do you feel about it? Should MS decide to include the 120 GB HDD in the new HDMI enabled premium pack, is there any way MS can keep an angry mob of 20GB HDD owners from storming Redmond?

[Thanks, Mat Parker]

Source

Tags: 360 mark ii, 360 v 2, 360 version 2, 360MarkIi, 360mk11, 360V2, 360Version2, zephyr

Reader Comments (50)

Well, I have two 360s... one's connected to an HDMI-and-VGA-capable TV (the other TV only does component), but on that TV, the HDMI is used by the cable box and the 360's connected to VGA. Right now there's no compelling reason to NEED HDMI for the 360.

As far as bigger HDs go, I'd love to see a 120 GB or 250 GB HD for the 360 for $100. I'd buy two of those in a heartbeat.

Still think it's bullshit, despite everyone being up in arms over this. We've seen pics like this as "proof" before and nothing became of it. I'm sure they're working on the "cooler" version of the console, but adding HDMI and a huge hard drive seems a little extreme.

If it IS true, MS needs to pony up an HDMI adapter (as long as they were not lying about it being capable of HDMI in the first place) for a REASONABLE PRICE - meaning 10-20 bucks. If they try to dump another overpriced "wireless adapter" style product on us, fuck 'em.

Waah waah wahh! I'm sick and tired of these early adopters bitching and moaning! Something new will always be down the road. Now you're upset that MS sold you a 360 last year at launch for $400 (even though it cost them $700 to make). Get a life and stop complaining, all the early adopters got hooked up by MS! I don't want to hear anymore of this "my 360 doesn't have HDMI/120GB HD" bullshit. Get a life and if you want that then buy a new one!

I couldn't be more pissed by this any I bought my system on day 1. Think of all the people who got a system over Christmas only to find out a few months later they could pay what will probably be the same price for better. I don't care so much about HDMI although I do have an HD TV and would really like it but the bigger HDD is a really slap in the face. MS should replace all 20GB HDDs from premium packs with a 120GB to keep everyone happy.

How bout leave the bundle with the 20gig and release it along with a price drop in the console overall.

Then offer a big hard drive as an addon, at a resonable price... 120gb drive for 100 bucks i think is a good price honestly .. ok maybe 80 bucks. Then cut the 20gb drive price, or get rid of it from the market all together.

Oooor provide some sort of promotion to new hard drive buyers who already have xbox, maybe bundle it with a game or some MS points deal or something.

I for one dont neccesarily care if the V2 has a larger HDD, I care more about the inclusion of a HDMI option. For all those people who purchased the HD-DVD addon, we're having quite a hard time getting lossless audio and a True Digital Path to our TV's. The VGA Adapter is Decent, but we still have the problem with washed out colors that microsoft is supposidly working on, along with passing PCM Lossless Audio to our Recievers. If V2 gets a HDMI Option and V1 doesn't they're going to end up alienating a LOT of Fans of HD-DVD, and People will not sell their V1's to purchase V2's, they'll use the money to go towards a PS3 and tell MS to suck it.

If it's true, I'll buy it. My brother who has an older HDTV with Component only will get my old premium. I'll be happy, he'll be happy.

While I trust Engadget, I am holding out that this is just some modders attempt to stir up some shit. I read a comment at engadget that said... make the premium bundle the core bundle, make the new design the premium bundle. Adjust the price accordingly. This would kill the hard drive lacking model and provide gamers with a new 2 SKU option.

I don't have an HDMI capable TV and have yet to fill up my hard drive with more 13 GB of content. I'm not really interested in an upgraded console just yet... but can understand why some 360 owners might be upset.

I don't really care about the change. I'm happy with the 360 that I have. It plays the games I want and that's all that matters.

Coming from a 20gb owner, as long as the same games run more-or-less the same on all versions of the hardware, there is no sane reason to not refine the 360. Keeping all future versions of the 360 big, loud, and gimped by a small hard drive just so a few early adopters don't get jealous and suffer buyer's remorse is crazy.

I say 'more-or-less' only because a larger hard drive would enable developers to cut down on load times for often played games. I would assume, however, that us 20gb owners would be able to upgrade the hard drive if we really wanted to.

Nice, I am sure they will have other improvements as well. Despite I am not sure if I would ever use HDMI (though I could probably buy a HDMI to DVI cable for my monitor), why deny a extra feature? Also, I wouldn't be surprised if the 120GB HDD would be packaged with it, and they could include the current 20GB HDD with the Core systems. That way, everyone can download movies and demos, despite what version they get, and the Xbox Live space limit could be lifted since the only reason its there is because of Core users with memory units. It would also be better for competing against the PS3, where both packages have a hard drive.

Also, I am sure for current 360 owners who want HDMI, they could do an exchange program were you could send in your Xbox 360 to MS and they could replace it with a HDMI capable system. Nintendo did this when they took out the progressive scan digital out ports on the GameCube, you could ship your GameCube to them and they would give you a progressive scan capable GameCube.

Also, if the new 120GB HDD ends up being $100 like the current 20GB HDD, they should also set up an exchange program for people with current hard drives as well. Possibly even do a data-copy to the new hard drives for you so you don't lose any saves, music, movies/TV shows, etc. that's on it. I doubt MS would do this though but I am not sure, they need to think of all the millions of customers who have current 360s with no HDMI and smaller HDDs.

Glad I bought my 360 at Costco...

but those with warrenties still on their systems should send their system in and hope it comes back a little better then when u sent it in.

eph·yr Pronunciation (zfr)
n.
1. The west wind.
A gentle breeze.
2. Any of various soft light fabrics, yarns, or garments.
3. Something that is airy, insubstantial, or passing.

This is the main reason I call BS on this one. Clever, though!

I dont believe the HDMI port. The 360 already puts out 1080p with a VGA cable, and if your TV has HDMI then more likely it has VGA as well.

Its only logical for Microsoft to put out a larger HDD. I have more than 20 gigs of music on my Ipod. Plus 20 gigs on a console that can download movies and demos, 20 gigs just doesnt cut it. And honestly Id still want more than 120gigs.

If they did put out a v.2 I wouldnt buy it till my current 360 went out on me, which I forsee happening in about a year.
Ive gone through 3 ps2's. The initial ps2 had the overheating issues, second didnt last much longer, and the slim has outlasted them both.

I don't care, revisions are fine with me. What I would like to see however is the ability to write to a usb attached hard drive that isn't Microsoft approved.

And Microsoft should NOT replace anything unless it breaks. Nothing is free, and if they don't charge for replacement they will disperse the costs into other products and services, making them more expensive for everyone.

The 360 is significantly more expensive to produce than the GameCube. Replacing millions of them at no cost would be crazy and is unneccesary.

This is BS. I bought an Xbox on launch day in 2001 and now I hear Microsoft has a SECOND and IMPROVED console called the 360. Now I also hear it has a revision? Microsoft should take my Xbox and give me the free upgrade,they are screwing over me as an early adopter.......

People who think they are getting screwed...need an education.

Now this is one of the reasons I bought mine from BestBuy and got the 2 year replacement plan. When the revision comes out I can just take mine back to the store and tell them its not reading right or overheating or something and get a new one in its place. If its a little more than the current package, that's at least $399.99 towards that new model.

If you look carefully the case is very clean very polished around the connector so this look almost production. Also, there seems to be an extra indentation around the ethernet port.
People shouldn't be surprised for updates. How many did the PS2 get, 5-6? PS1 over a dozen. The XBOX got at least half a dozen too. This model will only get the HDMI and newer CPUs, they definitely won't include the HD-DVD until there's a firm winner on the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray war. I'll bet the 120GB HD will be separate at the same price as the current one as to not tick off current 360 owners.

Re: 10: I don't think that most TVs with HDMI also have VGA. Mine Doesn't. Also, HDMI is the only way to pass some of the uncompressed audio formats for HD-DVD,

It doesn't really matter.

They already said the 65nm chips won't be ready till next year anyway, by which time it'll be about time for a V2 with [insert market chosen leader of the HD format war] & the rest.

I'm only just able to afford a 720p telly which accepts VGA & component anyway so it's no skin off my nose

This would be wonderful if Microsoft can pull this off. This truly makes it comprable to the PS3. This means that Sony would be truly in trouble IMO. I would also love it if they could make the HD-DVD part of the Xbox 360 rather than an add-on. However, if not doing this keeps the price down, I would probably be more in favor of that.

As for those who are complaining, here is what I have to say. GET OVER IT!! You don't complain when you buy a computer one day and the next day a new one comes out that is better (buy a computer that had a P3 with 120 GB HD and the next day the computer comes out with P4 with 160 GB HD.) The same principle is true here. The Xbox 360 you have now will continue to play games regardless of HD size or lack of HDMI. For all we know, version 3 could have a much better processor. The point for me is this, technology is constantly changing. In order for Microsoft to stay competitive and become the BEST GAMING SYSTEM, they must continue to do things like this. SO DEAL WITH IT!!

MS needs to do something about upgrading the hdd. The PS3 lets you just pop in any compatible laptop hdd. For $100 on the 360, you get 20 GB. For $100 on the PS3, you get 5 times that space.

Maybe they can come out with a hdd enclosure that lets you pop any old hdd into it. That would be cool. They could charge $10-20 for the enclosure. It would look just like the current hdd and snap into its spot.

Personally, I don't care about HDMI. I don't have a receiver that can decode the lossless HD audio. I do have 1 HDMI input on my TV, but my PS3 is plugged into it.

If this v2 is A LOT quieter, I would also consider it. My 360 sounds like a jet engine compared to my PS3. I also wouldn't mind a super premium version with built in HD DVD. They could still offer one or two lower versions with just DVD drives.

Im a early adopter and this is what I think...

The core withe the 20gig for $299 and the premium with the 120gig for $399. The 120gig alone would be $99 and come with a adapter to transfer you data from your old HD.

250gig is out the question since the biggest laptop HD is only 200gig and it retails for $300. A laptop SATA HD is whats inside that little case.

Congratulations Harold and Krazy Koala, you've pissed me off enough to comment. Anyways, you guys don't know what you're talking about. People are pissed and are going to be pissed if this turns out to be true, because they expected the Xbox 360 to stay the same for at least 4 years and not to have to get another system for 4 years. They didn't expect to have to upgrade after less than 2 years with the system. The Xbox didn't get an upgrade at all through its lifespan. So, why shouldn't early adopters, if you even can call people who just got a 360 this Christmas that, be pissed about this? They should be. I'm just hoping this isn't true or they have some kind of a service where you can exchange your version 1 Xbox 360 for a version 2 Xbox 360.

I don't know about you, but I'm all ready to storm the beaches of MSHQ if this happens. HDMI would be amazing if I could get rid of the clutter of cables behind my TV that the current Xbox ones produce.

BTW, obviously the drive will be available for purchase separately, but expect to pay at least $150.

How come this news has made everyone's brains fall out?

Microsoft specifically said when the console was released that no game is to be released that cannot be played on the core console. That will always be the case.

The hard drive & HDMI will be for the HD-movie downloads & the blue DVD drive.

It may be that games will be made that can choose to take advantage of the drive, but it won't make a difference to V1 360 owners.

& the drive will be addable to all xboxes anyway.

I'm just a little upset. It would be nice if they upgraded everyones or had an exchange program, but that wouldnt eveen matter. If they did offer either of the 2 programs there would be a problem with XBL downloads. When you pay for a XBL theme, pic pack or any game, it registers the product to your XBL gamertag and system. So even if they did swap systems or transfered your HD contents to the newer drive you wouldnt be able to use any of the items you purchased over XBL unless you're connected to XBL 24/7. They would have to rework there XBL policy in order for it to work. I think that would piss people off just as much if there downloads that they paid for wouldnt work for there new system. It's happened to me already when I took my HD to a friends house and downloaded some XBL content and it wouldnt work when I got home and tried to use it offline

I would buy a revision 2 in a heartbeat and sell my current revision 1 on the cheap to a friend so that we could finally play the same games. I'm the only one I know with a 360 (such is life living as a poor grad student) and having someone else buy games that I can borrow would be cool.

I would also like to see the HDMI port so that I can view my HD-DVDs at full resolution.

The V2 consoles release is expected, they need to conform or the PS3 will win in the long run, it is the supperior machine (hardware wise). But How does MS think that there is no demand for a HDMI Interface? They already said they're not releasing a cable unless the demand is there, and if you go over to joystiq, theres over 100 comments with people bitching about the fact that they're going to be left in the dust with their V1 console and no way to get the Digital Love to their TV/Recievers. Yet at the same time the V2 includes a HDMI Interface. So OBVIOUSLY there is demand, since every 1080P TV thats out has HDMI Input(s)... This whole thing is stupid and MS is really going to screw up if they dont release a HDMI Cable for the V1. HD-DVD and Blu-Ray is a luxury, sure. For some of us who have chosen HD or Blu or Both, We obviously can affored a Nice TV, theres no point in adopting High Def Movies if you didnt, so let us connect the dots and release a HDMI cable.

I kind of wish Joystiq actually was clear about this being essentially a "rumor" as this site is. It's basically being reported as pure absolute fact, though. 90% of the 100+ comments there reflect that too.

I think it's a bit ridiculous, but assuming it IS true, as long as there is some sort of HDMI adapter for every one else, I don't honestly care that much.

Are all you complaining people dumb I got my second 360 over xmas and im in no way mad that down the line they are offering an upgraded system. Any device known to man at some time updates or it becomes obsoulete. People getting all mad and we dont even know when it releases and people getting pissed because the one they just brought is inferior. Just be glad you not a ps3 buyer because ps3.5 will have an upscalling chip and the one now does not, big deal the new one has hdmi and 120gb hard drive when you go buy a car and its a 06 are you mad at the dealer because the 07 are better no they was both the same price and they might have came out a week apart but what do you do you deal with it and get what you need when you need it. All you crying Pu**y's need to just be glad you have a 360 and im sure when you was playing gears you wasnt b!tching

w00t...cant wait for this. :D i'll pick up a new on prolly if/when it comes out.

People are pissed (including myself) are pissed because of the addition of the HDMI. The addition of that port is pure BS unless MS plans to offer an exchange. The HD is to be expected and is easily remedied, but the HDMI sucks. It is really simply not fair. Consoles are to have the same basic ability from launch. It's always been that way. Denying people who already own an Xbox 360 the ability to output digital video is simply a slap in the face.

I can't believe GM improved the 2007 version of my truck. Do you know how much I paid for it? I am taking it back to the dealer and they better give me the new one...

I smell class action...

This is a right piss off. My HDTV only supports 1080p over HDMI, so im stuck with either 720p or 1080i until I can finally get HDMI on my 360. And if I have to buy a new 360 to do it, ill sell the bloody thing on ebay and go buy a PS3

I just got my console and don't consider myself an early adopter after having waited a year after the 360 launch to buy. If the console I recently bought has defects that Microsoft feels it needs to fix, perhaps they should have put some disclaimer on the box - warning me before I bought a sub-standard bit of kit.

This news has left me a bit pissed off

I care much more about the inclusion of HDMI. Last I heard the Xbox 360 can output any type of signal from the port it already has, so I will be pissed if I don't get HDMI unless I buy another 360. Maybe this is why they haven't heeded the cries from every videophile for an HDMI cable, it can't actually output HDMI?

This is awesome because I just got a 56 inch samsung dlp tv and it has hdmi!!!

OMG!!1! Why did M$ sell us an inferior product? I should have 200 terabyte hard drive including and an 80 core, 6ghz processor! I got so screwed my my xbox360 v1! I'm going to soo M$ for $20 god-zillion for being greedy corporate bastards! Down with the system! I'm emo! Rawwwr! I'm going to go cut myself and save my tears for Darfur!

I don't see the problem... unless it plays games that can't be played on the other 360s then complaining about it only makes you a biznitch

Well, I would be happy if this is true... so if there will be also a much more siltent dvd-drive I will finally get this machine...

Heres a video of it in action

http://www.xboxic.com/news/2194

I don't know guys, This may be legit.

One might think that one advantage of the 20GB hard drive being removable is that this also makes it replaceable.

Apparently this isn't obvious to all readers.

A bigger HD and HDMI is big thumbs up in my book, but having to buy another 360? Hmm. You know I might, but do I like it or want to? Not really.

Me being early adopter (purchsed on day 1), the fact that Microsoft is making a V2 really doesn't bother me. I think it's fair, us early adopters got to play the next generation system first, while those without a 360 has to wait until V2 comes out. Even though I have HDMI on my TV, I will stick with component, but I do crave that 120 GB harddrive I will buy that separately.

The HDMI is real. The hardware is under development at a well known design / manufacturing company located in Taiwan. I know an engineer who is involved in the development.

I was told they already made a preproduction run with the 65nm CPUs, HDMI and with HD-DVD built-in. But the HD-DVD part is probably just to certify that the new hardware / BIOS changes allows it to work correctly integrated into the XBOX 360 v2. It does not mean that it will replace the current DVD drives anytime soon - I think MS just wants to be ready to make that integration if the market situation favors such a change.

But HDMI is for sure on the new v2 version of the XBOX 360. There was discussion on Ars Technica recently about the new HANA (1080p capable digital scaling chip) going into the new unit.

I just bought a new Samsung LCD HDTV that has 2 HDMI ports and a VGA port. Currently I have the system hooked up by VGA. I have not upgraded my cable service to HD because most of the channels i watch are not currently broadcast in HD. Until HD becomes standardized, and there is a winner in the hddvd/bluray battle im not making any more changes/upgrades. larger HD is not that big of a deal for me.

A larger HD can be added to the XBOX 2.0 using USB 2.0 and the drive formated in FAT 32 (not NTFS) and connected to one of the USB ports.

I think Microsoft should have a recall on the 20GB HDD's. If they do introduce the larger disk's with the newer 360's, then they should let all current owners upgrade to the larger disk for free, as a token of appreciation for Microsoft customers. If not, then to hell with 'em. I really want a Wii any damn way.

Xbox 360 v. 2 revealed, codename "Zephyr" [update 1]

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