More Xbox 360 Elite media trickles in

lol...i had all that read, listened to and wacthed by 2am EST. :P

Buying the hard drive by itself is RIDICULOUS. Premium is $400 + $180 (120 gig HD upgrade) = $580. I might as well buy a PS3 at that fucking point with its blue ray and wifi included!
For any premium 360 owner. It's completely worthless to upgrade. Terrible value! When you buy the whole package it is 480! Just 80 more for the bigger HD. How do they justify charging us $180 when they should be charging $80 for the 120 gig HD and $40 for the 20 gig HD. Premimum plus the HD should not be $100 more than the elite price.

I don't think it's a slap in my face.

I just believe that the 120 gig hard drive is priced pretty high.

I highly doubt I'd ever drop ~$200 on it. Maybe if we start getting HD movies in Canada I'd consider it, but still very pricey!

I don't think it's so bad. But I'm not a fan of the whole black idea. I won't be buying it since I've already got a box, but maybe sometime down the road I'll purchase a larger hard drive.

I don't think so either, It's just another option. I understand why the HDMI wasn't on the first consoles. I think though that microsoft didn't think through, when they decided "Hey, let's do IPTV!" I think They could have had a back up plan for that, but besides that I see no slap in the face. It's just envy because it looks nice. Do I really need it, probally not. It's just people, that want to have the top notch one are bitching about it, because now they have the console that is the middle instead of the best one. News flash: You really don't need it, Microsoft is not forsing it on you to buy it. You have opinions. I, felt slided at first, then I realize, my console is able to play the games for the console, so why upgrade? So I can have a bigger HDD? I'll just wait a couple years, when the price comes down, and then buy the thing, because right now, I really don't need it. I have a premium package, why upgrade?

I am worried that this new package will come of as nothing more than a response to the PS3. “Oh yeah well we can be big, black, expensive and HDMI compatible too!!!” But when you factor in that the wireless network adapter is still $80 on top and next-gen movie playback an additional $200, this just seems a backwards approach on Microsoft’s part verses standing by their original product.

It does little than make the PS3 seem like good value for money.

All I want to know is if I can get one of those black controllers separately. I'm perfectly fine with my current Premium system, I don't get television shows and delete movies as soon as they expire. I just need a fourth controller and that shiny black one looks superfine.

How is this any different than when Sony came out with the new PS2? Or when a new Ipod comes out a year after the last one and improves upon it considerably?

I am the Legendary Michael Zoran,

The person who is often called the biggest supporter of Microsoft in the universe because I point out the facts the way they are, and the facts almost always make it clear that the Xbox 360 is the best.

But, I have to say that the $179 price point for the 120GB hard drive is REDICULOUS--it is TERRIBLY overpriced!!!

The price of the 120GB Hard Drive should be $99, or maybe $129 and the 20GB one should be lowered to $49 or $69.

The Hard Drive pricing is the BIGGEST disappointment BY FAR!!!

If that is the case, then Microsoft should delay this product until the .65nm technology is available, because using the .90nm technology and releasing it for $479 is too expensive.

And I think the $129 price for Halo 3 with the helmet is too much, as well. I was told $99, but now the price is raised...that sucks!

Maybe down the road Id get it.
But right now I dont need it other than a bigger HDD would be nice, then I wouldnt have to think twice or clean up my current HDD before downloading something off marketplace.

So more than likely Ill buy the new HDD the first day I see it on the shelf. I like HDMI, but my tv only has one HDMI. And its being taken by my home theater, so yea. There needs to be a HDMI splitter or something like it. Plus Im already using VGA from my 360 to my TV, so resolution is not a problem for me.

What's that thing between the component cables and HDMI cable?

By the way, this thing includes component and HDMI cables! The way overpriced PS3 included only composite cables!

I want an Elite and I’ll give my old Premium to my brother (in another state) so we can play LIVE! But what is the deal with MS accessories prices?? $179 for 120GB, $99 for Wireless?? NO ONE pays these prices for storage and wireless.

MS acts like having THREE different systems is an advantage, I would say it’s not. Get the core, no wait, if you buy wireless controller, hard drive, and remote separately $$ just get the Premium! No wait, if you buy the 120GB, and HDMI cable separately, just get the Elite! No wait, for 20 more you can get a 20GB PS3 with Blu-Ray! No wait, for a hundred dollars more you can get a PS3 with wireless , 60GB HD, and media card reader which separately would cost you… oh just shoot me now.

And whatever happened to the 65nm chipset that would produce smaller hardware that runs cooler and quieter? Oh right, that will be in the “Premium Super Elite” package with preloaded Halo3, Wireless, and HD drive. Oh well, back to playing Excite Truck on my Wii! :)

I really don't see how this is a slap in the face to anyone. Sony always redesigns their hardware after awhile, look at the slim PS2, they added the network adapter but completely dropped support for the HDD. All MS did was add another version for people to chose from. I personally think the prices are too high so I won't be buying one, but it's nothing to whine about if you've already bought a 360.

Just because you bought one doesn't mean it should stay as you got it forever.

"How do they justify charging us $180 when they should be charging $80 for the 120 gig HD and $40 for the 20 gig HD."

120GB notebook sized hard drives in custom external cases are not $80.

You want them to take a loss on each 120GB hard drive sold? Are you nuts?

$180 for a $120 gig drive? You've got to be F'ing kidding me. Bend over and grab your ankles, kids!

I wish they'd built in the HD-DVD player. I would've snapped up the new version then.

And while I *REALLY* wish my Premium 360 had an HDMI connector, I don't wish it enough to upgrade the whole system for it.

And why black? Blech. I really like the way the white 360 looks. Black is so unoriginal.

There is one reason the HD is priced $170. It is because that is the difference between the Core System and the Elite system. If they priced the HD at $100, then people would buy a core system and the hard drive, and no-one would buy the Premium system.

@14

HDMI should be in the core soon enough.

PEOPLE! PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT IN THE INTERVIEW ALBERT MENTIONS THAT MICROSOFT IS WORKING ON A SOLUTION FOR CURRENT XBOX 360 PREMIUM OWNERS LOOKING TO UPGRADE!

What could the solution be?

I have mixed emotions about this.

1. Black, ehh, not impressed. How about a series of limited edition colors?? No big deal there.

2. I like the upscaling DVD player. I am not and will not go and buy HD-DVD or Blu Ray until there is a clear winner.

3. The HDMI thing is cool too. My next TV will be 1080P without a doubt(already have HD0, so I will upgrade down the line possibly.

4. 120 gig HD. Good idea, but for now I'll us my stand alone 250 gig HD that cost me $50.

5. The transfer cable is a good move, but I foresee seing a ton of them on Ebay for $5. Use it and toss it.

6. $479 price point is very fair, not for us early adopters, but for the folks that were on the fence about buying a 360. Upscale DVD, HDMI,120gb HD, all wireless and black.....very tempting

I feel that this is just another nail in the PS3's coffin. Kudos to MS for doing this, because there is a lot of good that will come from this. People will buy this, people will sell/trade there 360's to buy it, so MS wins, big time here. More 360's means more players on Live, which is great for all of us too.

All in all, I think it's a good move.....should be interesting to see all the nut cases trying to score an Elite.....LOL

As it stands, OEM 120gb 2.5inch SATA hard drives are 90 bucks OEM. So, yes double the costs is a bit much, but charging only 100 is too little.

It should have been priced at around 149.99 and I don't see that being to much.

However, I do look at it as an "upgrade" just like a computer. I already have a 20gb HD in my 360, I don't use up the space (yet). It is working 100% for my needs (At the moment). This could change down the road. But not at the moment.

What I like about the 360 so far is that it gives you the freedom of a PC. Being able to choose what is right for you, and the options of upgrades (Minus the HDMI of course).

Overall, I think it's a good step, but yes, I agree, a bit over priced.

@11 (EdgeOne) Your argument is completely baseless. Yeah, go ahead and buy a PS3. I'll miss you on Xbox Live. Enjoy your virtual apartment on Home and I'll enjoy the awesome games that Xbox 360 continues to deliver.

Pathetic. As if the hard drive price isn't offensive enough, the "elite" doesn't even use the new chips? So, what, we can look forward to abnormally high failure rates with this one as well?

If ANY current 360 owner dumps their current console for this edition, you'd better be loaded...otherwise you are a fool. At least wait until the consoles run cooler/quieter before switching over.

The really funny thing is, I remember a year or so ago people were in a real tizzy about Sony wanting to include HDMI on the High model, but not the Low one. They kept going on about how it would create "second class" users who couldn't view premium content, and how much damage it would do to their future protected-media market. They caved and put HDMI on both models (right?). Now, MS has gotten themselves into the same situation, only retroactively. I say this as a 360 Premium owner who doesn't have a PS3.

At this point, I don't see ever even considering an "Elite", no matter what their "solution" is. I don't need the HD space -- why would I buy movies or TV shows or whatever that I can only watch on my 360? I don't need the HDMI -- my TV only has one port, which is currently occupied by my PC, and component works just fine, thank you. I think the better move would be to replace the current Core with the current Premium (but with HDMI) at the same price, and replace the Premium with the Elite, at about the same price or maybe a few bucks extra (80 is not "a few"). IMHO, releasing the Elite now is just highlighting what the PS3 has and the (entire existing installed base of the) 360 doesn't.

#10, the thing between the component and HDMI cable looks to be an Audio Out cable which plugs into the AV Connector for use in conjunction with the HDMI cable (the HDMI cable may not carry Audio, or it's for outputting audio directly to a stereo, looks like it has Optical + RCA Stero connectors)

Well, just found out that all of the accessories in black will be available around launch for the same price as their white counterparts. Sweet.

I'm completely blown away by the audacity that Microsoft has in terms of their previous customers. I bought an Xbox 360 the day it came out, and totally love the system. I feel that they have just dug their own grave in terms of competing with Sony. Their previous high ground, that their system had better value is now totally false. What should have been done is to introduce the Elite system at the current price of the premium system, similar to Apple and their Ipods and price that HDD at something close to $100. The price tag on the HDD is the biggest kick to the nads in this whole process, who is dumb enough to think that these things cost anywhere near $200 to make? It's like buying stuff out of the Skymall catalog on airplanes. They just aren't thinking logically. When Sony beats their brains in now, don't be surprised.

I actually welcome all of this hate on the Elite...you all better not change your mind and start convincing yourselves you need this Black Beauty, 'cause I want to walk in the store at a decent time and pick it up right off the shelf.

Keep dissin it! But always bet on Black.

First of all, I'm still eating my words for saying this was totally fake back when we first heard it. I already have an xbox360 which I'm pretty happy with. I don't like the black color scheme b/c I feel it really goes against the original design and wasn't implemented very well, they just slapped it on.
Esthetics aside, bigger drives are always nice, but for what? Until we can rip any video media format to our drives, besides just WMV we won't be getting the full shabang from our 120 gig.
This is a great deal for those who haven't purchased an xbox360 yet, a much better price all around than a PS3 despite some people's comments. But for the rest of us who already have it, just wait till the 120 comes down in price.

Id rather upgrade my current HDD than get a black xbox. HD movies downloaded from xbox live are formated only in 720p anyway. I wish they would have thought about pushing a Bluray drive for the 360 instead....

Why would you buy a premium and a 120GB when you save money buying a core and a 120GB?

Well, think of it from a marketing perspective. It's clearly aimed at hardcore gamers and techies who need the latest coolest gear. Ok fine. It's being positioned as a "limited edition" which is terrific IMO. I liken it to the iPod U2 - it was black with a red dial and way overpriced.

The smart thing for MS is rolling all of these features into the white Premium towards the end of the year and early next. Imagine if they'd just said, "here's the new Premium" - huuuuge backlash and no new incentive for folks on the fence.

New hardware versions are inevitable - again IPOD! Apart from the atrociously priced HDD, this is a solid move for MS.

...HDD - I wish they'd issue a press release as to WHY the damn thing is so expensive. You can get an exertnal 160GB WD drive for $80 bucks. $170 is insanity, even for a proprietary piece.

DjDATZ:
PEOPLE! PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT IN THE INTERVIEW ALBERT MENTIONS THAT MICROSOFT IS WORKING ON A SOLUTION FOR CURRENT XBOX 360 PREMIUM OWNERS LOOKING TO UPGRADE!

Unfortunately, you have completely misinterpreted what Albert has said. He is talking about the fact that Marketplace content is tied to the physical console you purchased it on. I have run into this problem with my replacement Xbox 360 - all content purchased by my main profile is available to my main profile now ONLY if I am on Live, and is not available to ANY secondary profiles WHATSOEVER.

The "solution" he is talking about is having this content recognize the new Xbox console as its new home, so that Marketplace content is available to all local profiles on that console without being connected to Live.

There is NOT going to be a "solution" for people wanting to trade their Premium console up for an Elite. You're just fucked.

its the new xbox 720!!!

I think Microsoft may be shooting themselves in the foot releasing the Elite edition so early in the Xbox 360 lifecycle. Gaming consoles are far from Ipods...meaning gamers are not going to upgrade to the latest and greatest each year. I think it was hypocritical of Microsoft to be a primary backer of HD formats (VC-1 for example) and yet exclude HDMI (which was the chosen interface for High Definition at the time the Xbox 360 was developed) from their next generation console. I also think the Elite edition adds skepticism about Microsoft and the Xbox brand since new added features force the consumer to purchase a new sku instead of adding onto an existing platform/sku. I think it leaves current Xbox 360 owners wondering what else have they or will they miss out on in the future. I think that many Xbox 360 owners and potential buyers will now more closely evaluate and analyse the value between the PS3 and Xbox 360...and let's face it, the 20GB PS3 is looking better now that the Xbox 360 Elite has been announced. As a matter of fact, if I were Sony I would market the 20GB PS3 much more and consider a $20 price drop.

NO 65NM chip?!?! What the hell?! A quieter, cooler system was the whole point of me purchasing this!

Oh, and the grey on the black controller looks really ugly btw. Shoulda made it all black methinks.

$180 for the 120 gig HD isn't a terrible price, though $150 would've been more reasonable.

OEM 2.5" SATA 120 gig drives are about $100.

We've been talking about the new Xbox 360 over at Highbrid Nation. Not sure I'm won over by the new features but the black color is very sexy. ;)

This is tailor-made for my situation, I have a 360 premium at my fathers house, and a new HDTV (Sony 1080p) and don't have an upconverting DVD player and want to play with my brother when he's there. But seriously what happened to the smaller processor that was supposed to come with the Elite? UberXbox360 HDDVD and 65nm chip toaster and hand relief machine

Xbox Elite makes me want PS3 more when for only a few bucks more you can get an HD player and Wifi.

By the way, sure the 120GB is probably not worth less than $80 retail but pretty close!!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136059

Having said all that, if I had a PS3 I probably would long for the Xbox Live and the great game selection.

Everyone,
Please stop complaining. Your current 360 will do everything the new one does. Why are people even comparing the Elite 360 to a 20 gig PS3? It makes absolutely no sense. Your current 360 will still play every game the elite does. MS is just offering up more for people who can afford to blow money on it. I dont think anyone at MS expects a current 360 owner to shell out that much more to upgrade to a black xbox. Why would they? HDMI will be supported by your current 360, just give it a little time! After reading everyone complaining about this new xbox i've come to one conclusion. Everyone complaining must be those annoying little kids on Live and they're just upset because they just got their 360 for Christmas and now Daddy won't buy them another one. Anyone who payed for their 360 knew what they were getting into. They knew that eventually a new HDD would show up and if they wanted it they would have to shell out the extra dough. You would all complain even more if MS didn't come out with this new 360. I like the idea of more hard drive space, and i like occasionally downloading an HD movie. But first and foremost,i like playing games. And my current 360 will do it just as well as the new one will. And it will still do it better then the PS3, for a lot less money. And that is why they are called VIDEO GAMES. Not Tv Games, Not HDMI games, not Matte Black games. Come on people. How many of you really got a 1080p TV anyway?

Anyone notice it's missing the power BRICK?

Wow, ignorance is bliss... Keep fooling yourself fanboys that MS is doing you a favor! hah!

The Premium 360 you own now is GONE, discontinued once the Elite edition run's out. It won't "sit along side" the other models. What does this do to the trade-in/resale value? It goes in the toilet! The only thing limited about this console is the color. Do you think anyone is going to pay more than $100 for a console that could 3 red light at any moment? So the PREMIUM you just bought is now a discontinued CORE with an HDD..

How will this effect game development on the 360? Will devs have to scale back on all games in order to solve the various framerate issues with running at 1080p? This has yet to be seen, but MS has fragmented their install base. So you people saying ITS A GAME MACHINE and GAMES WITH RUN JUST THE SAME.. You don't know that! But I'm sure whatever the outcome you will thank MS for it.

How long do you think it will be before MS says.. Oh you got the 3 red lights, well we don't make that model anymore so if you want it fixed you need to purchase a new system.

Try and call MS now and get your XBOX1 fixed..

Basically MS is saying if you continue to fill our pockets with your money then you can come along for the ride. It's just like their software model with Windows, but it appears this is at a much faster pace. Never has a console been updated with new features within 1 and 1/2 years of it's launch. Leave that stuff for PC gamers to deal with. This version isn't even going to include the cooler and more efficient 65nm chipset. So you run the risk of 3 red lights on these new ones as well. But don't worry MS will sell you the Ultra Elite Edition in another year with the 65nm chipset and built-in Wifi. And I'm sure the fanboys will once again thank them..

It seems to me the PS3 is more "future proof" and to those saying WELL GO GET A PS3 THEN. I already have and now I'm looking to unload this trojan horse of a 360 to someone!!

"120GB notebook sized hard drives in custom external cases are not $80."

I think the guy you replied to is probably referring to the OEM cost, which is very close to his desired prices. 20GB goes for $30 and 120GB goes for $75. And the enclosure is not expensive to manufacture. Based on the cost of materials, Microsoft is putting on one hell of a markup.

i would buy this and buy a ps3 i still think that the ps3 would beat the xbox 360 elit anyday.

Jamie is exactly right. I'm a little disappointed in Microsoft. It starting to seem like they are getting a little intimidated by $ony. Besides, I believe that MS pretty much sabotaged the initial European launch. Also, I don't see the point in coming out with ANOTHER version of the 360. It looks like a 360 trying to look like a PS3. Hah, just you watch $ony come out with a white PS3. Just you watch.

Did anyone else notice that it said "black" on it. Does this mean that there is going to be an Elite white ?!?!?!?

I think the main reason Microsoft is doing this is that the tech companies they're partnered with are telling them that HDMI will become the standard on HDTVs within a few years. They have already said that the Elite is for a niche market. They just want to avoid sitting on the sidelines when everyone switches over to HDMI HDTVs. Also, consider their movie service their answer to blu-ray - not HD-DVD. The fact is discs are becoming a thing of the past, and only those without the bandwidth to support the demands of these types of downloads will have to choose sides. Microsoft has recently been avoiding over-hyping HD-DVD for this reason. Their games are compating with PS3, though they should work a little harder to reach Nintendo's audience. Their media is actually competing with Apple TV. That's the true reason for the HDMI on the Elite. They didn't care about HDMI for games, but they're risking a lot on the Elite because of Apple TV. HD-DVD is just an extra feature, and it's the cheapest HD-DVD player on the market. They could also offer a Blu-ray player in the future. Wi-fi is a tricky subject. No one's really been able to do an all-in-one a, b, and g router. Also add to those three, N, and things become even more complicated. You, contrary to popular belief, don't need to use the XBOX 360 adapter. I have used other adapters on my 360, but I'm currently using the old adapter from the original xbox. Built in wi-fi would be nice, but there's no guarantee that the wi-fi that comes built in optimal for yor home network. The only gripe I have is the hard-drive. I believe it is over-priced. It is technically a lap-top hard-drive (and those are expensive), but I have seen cheaper lap-top hard-drives with more space. Microsoft realease an update that allows other hard-drives to be used on the XBOX 360. I would also like to see a Zune and XBOX 360 update that allows your Zune to act as a 60 gig memory card. If they did that, they could also take inspiration from SEGA Dreamcast's VMUs and unlock Zune mini-games with games that support the feature. Just an idea, but I miss my VMU. Sorry for the long post. Flame if you want. I never read after I post.

Gabriel- I hope you read this and reconsider (since this isnt a flame)... are you referring to ethernet bridges, or did you use a USB wifi adapter that was not MS's and it worked?

An ethernet bridge will work "fine", as would a 2nd router set up in bridge mode.

I think if MS merged their zune marketplace with the XBLV marketplace so a video can be bought in 1, and seamlessly xferred to the other, that would destroy the apple tv. It's already 85% there... there's just no XBLM to Zune functionality.

@razer
"The Premium 360 you own now is GONE, discontinued once the Elite edition run's out. It won't "sit along side" the other models."

There is no indication right now to support either of these premises. This is neither a limited edition model, nor is it clear that HDMI (either in this format or via some kludge) will make its way to all xboxes.

"How will this effect game development on the 360? Will devs have to scale back on all games in order to solve the various framerate issues with running at 1080p? This has yet to be seen, but MS has fragmented their install base."

It's not fragmented. The only difference between the 2 machines is the presence of HDMI or not.

"So you people saying ITS A GAME MACHINE and GAMES WITH RUN JUST THE SAME.. You don't know that! But I'm sure whatever the outcome you will thank MS for it. "

Do games run differently between composite and component? Do games run differently between 720p and 480i or 480p? Or 1080i, or 1080p _today_?

This is the textbook definition of FUD.