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Microsoft's VP of Interactive Entertainment Business in Europe, Chris Lewis, tells GI.biz that the removal of the HDMI cable from the Elite packaging was to enable more "flexibility to consumers who can then decide which type of cable they want for their specific gaming and TV screen set-up." Pardon us, but that's like saying Sub-Zero ripping out your spine gives your body more "flexibility." Of course, the drawback is that you're dead.

Adding insult to injury, the new Elite bundle isn't just shipping sans HDMI cable, it has no HD cables at all; meaning that consumers now have even more flexibility to purchase better cables. While any old HDMI cable will do (they're cheap too!), the Xbox 360 component cable is proprietary and priced at $40 (as is the VGA cable). Want optical audio with your HDMI? That adapter's proprietary, too -- and $50. In fairness, PS3s don't ship with HD cables either (they do have an optical audio port, though), and that's always been a joke -- a joke that Microsoft is now in on.

Normally when Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter whips out his crystal ball and starts getting the vapors, he doesn't have time to turn on his minirecorder and take down the futurespeak channeled through his body. Luckily for us (and you!), he not only recorded it this time, but also wrote it down in the form of the 2009 Interactive Industry Report! We delved through the beast of a document this afternoon and found an interesting segment regarding the Nintendo Wii relying on "slower adoption rates of current generation technology" (read as: high-def displays) to help boost sales.

Pachter writes on page nine of the report, "The global recession served to benefit Nintendo at its competitors' expense," referencing Microsoft and Sony as having slower console sales this generation due to HDTV functionality built into the systems. He argues that consumers who might purchase the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 are more likely to buy the Wii not only because of the lower price point, but because of the subsequent HDTV purchase price. "Expect most consumers to defer purchasing a PS3 or an Xbox 360 until they have purchased an HD monitor," Pachter explains. Though we're not convinced that the same folks who would be purchasing an Xbox 360 or a PS3 would be running out to buy a Nintendo Wii in every case, we digress. What say you, Joystiq Biomass?

HDTV processing lag isn't really the sexiest gaming thing to talk about, but fans of Rock Band and Guitar Hero may have felt and dealt with its cold, uncaring cruelty. Hypercombofinish has a really great, basic piece on the issue and provides some tips on how to avoid the lag. Engineers can keep on walking past the piece, but for those of us who've wondered why we have to calibrate for music titles on new televisions, it's an interesting little read.

Some basic tips the article suggests to combat lag: Make sure games are playing at the native resolution, turn on the "game mode" if the TV has one and turn off any additional video processing options on the TV if possible. Of course, if you want to avoid all this drama, you can always use an SDTV -- we hear those are coming back like vinyl records.

Qtv unveiled plans to push its "all-in-one" streaming media player to home consoles at the National Association of Broadcasters trade show (NAB 2009), held yesterday in Las Vegas. While other streaming services exist in the current console market, Qtv will begin testing the service in the U.S. using the PlayStation 2 as its base platform, with plans to move to newer consoles at a later time.

Included in the Qtv package is access to YouTube and other streaming video services, as well as Internet radio. The Qtv media player will also allow users to grab and share content -- such as pictures, music and videos of various formats (DivX, h.264, XviD and more) -- from other compatible devices. With the service set to launch later this year, Qtv plans to turn PS2 users into HDTV set-top owners for "less than $50." An interesting proposition ... if we could remember which of our younger relatives we gave our system to.

[Via Engadget]

If you're in the market for a new Xbox 360 Pro and a new HDTV -- and if you don't have to have 1080p compatibility -- Best Buy is currently running a pretty sweet promotion. Right now the store is offering both a 720p Samsung 42" plasma HDTV and an Xbox 360 for $899.98. If you'd prefer an LCD screen, is offering the same deal for an Xbox 360 and a Samsung 720p 37" LCD HDTV, which also runs $899. The plasma and LCD TVs typically run for $1,300 and $1,200, respectively, so the offer translates to a free Xbox 360 Pro either way (with an extra $100 off the plasma TV to boot). The Xbox 360 is part of the new holiday bundle, so you'll score free copies of LEGO Indiana Jones and Kung Fu Panda too.

Granted, you'll have to give up your 1080p dreams, but it's still a mighty impressive deal.

[Via Punch Jump]

For those of us with HD displays, the revelation that the Netflix component of Xbox 360's New Xbox Experience would stream HD video via the intertubes was just spiffy. Then came various reports that said feature would only be available in situations where the 360 was connected to an HDCP-compliant display via HDMI. Even then, the scuttlebutt was that older 360s might not be up to snuff. Not true, as our pals at Engadget have found.

They've tested a 360 connected via component cables and confirmed that it displays the Netflix HD content just fine, as you can see in the above photo. It should be noted that those with older HD sets, which only have DVI inputs, may encounter problems using HDMI-to-DVI converters, since the 360 can't make the necessary HDCP "handshake" in that configuration. As Engadget points out, it's still possible to use the 360's optional VGA output in this case. For most HD display owners, though, insert a big sigh of relief here.

The upcoming refresh of Xbox 360's user interface is mighty bold ... but what if you have a real soft spot for the oh-so-passé assortment of blades? Ambiguous news! Xbox Live general manager Marc Whitten passes along word – via Major Nelson's blog – that the new Xbox "guide" will retain the blades-based interface, although it's still a little confusing as to exactly how.

In his update, Whitten says: "For everyone who loves the blades interface, it's not going away," and that "every feature and option [the blades offer] is available right from the guide." Confused? You're not alone. It sounds to us like a sort of "classic view" will be offered ... but, at the same time, like the guide will simply offer the same features. We took a vote and came up 50/50 on it. We'll be sure to press Microsoft for more details as E3 plays out.

[Update: Microsoft has demo'd the revised blade functionality to the media. Pressing the Xbox Guide button now brings up a more compact version of the blade-based "dashboard," rather than the traditional single pop-out Guide blade.]

Playing the game based on Terminator and Titanic director James Cameron's next big thing, Avatar, in full 3D sure sounded like a neat idea. After all, the movie itself is being shot to take advantage of the growing number of digital 3D cinemas popping up across the globe. Leave it to Ubisoft prez Yves Guillemot to get us all un-jazzed by revealing to GamesIndustry.biz that the game will only be playable in 3D on certain HDTVs.

According to Guillemot, the technology used to 3D-ify Ubi's Avatar game has been designed only for "a specific TV" and glasses that work with it. He goes on to say that the display is already available in the US. Could these TVs and these glasses be what he's referring to?

So ... no new TV, no Avatar 3D. Bummer. Though Guillemot has confirmed that the game will be playable in one less "D" on that nice, big old style HDTV you just spent your economic stimulus check on.

A new study by Frank N. Magid Associates shows that 18% of HDTV purchasers in the last year bought one because of their Xbox 360 or PS3. GameDaily reports the study found that 5.5 million households purchased an HDTV for the first time in the last year and that 25% of households now have at least one HDTV set in the home.

Sony could come out a big winner if this trend continues, with the high-def movie format war locked up and the only console with HD movie playback built-in. Then again, we can only imagine the continuing Nintendo profit madness if there ever ended up being a Wii: Blu-ray edition.

We've heard many a tale about people flinging their Wiimotes into expensive HDTVs. Despite Nintendo's precautions, some folks still manage to let their controllers fly. Because of this, Panasonic has decided to release idiot-proof Wii-proof plasmas, with panels that protect the screen by resisting up to four joules of energy.

We can't imagine there being a huge market of people wanting this model, with the exception of the truly paranoid. Even so, Crave writes that it won't take too much effort for Panasonic to beef-up certain plasma screens, since they're generally more durable than LCD panels.

Sure, a stronger screen might be useful for other reasons (not all of us have kids, and for all we know, they like to throw stuff at TVs for fun). If you're considering this purchase for Wii purposes, though, might we suggest you simply use protection?

[Via Destructoid]

Every (other) Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.

It is the year 2008 and we've all got jet packs to carry us from our front door to the flying car in our driveway. Our friends can leave us telepathic thoughtmails when we're summering in seclusion on the dark side of the moon. Skynet fought back and the treacherous Decepticons have conquered the Autobots' home planet of Cybertron. Everyone is basking in the realer-than-reality goodness of their HD television sets. Wait a minute ... scratch that last bit. Not everyone's got an HDTV or even a DTV, so that broadcast switchover to digital transmission that the FCC mandated for the years leading up to 2007 wound up getting postponed until 2009.

Nintendo engineers are patting themselves on the back (no doubt with fat stacks of cash) for predicting the relatively slow transition to HD, which allowed them to keep production costs down on the little white wonder. It's a point of contention to some, but seniors, girlfriends, your parents, and most Wii fanboys aren't giving it a lot of thought. Many people aren't even aware that it's not an HD console, so this edition of Revolutionary is intended to clear up any misunderstandings about the Wii's resolution ... -ary.

If you haven't made the transition into the exciting world of high definition television, then it's time to get your act together. It's the aughts, people -- they're practically handing the things out with deluxe car washes at the Stop N' Go. However, If you're holding out for a nice deal before making your first step into the realm of HD, we humbly direct your attention to Sony's website, where they are currently offering a free PS3 with the purchase of a selection of SXRD and BRAVIA HDTV models.

Not so fast, buckaroo. Unsurprisingly, there are some stipulations to the deal. To get the offer, you must first apply and be approved for a Sony Visa, then use said Visa to buy one of the TV's on Sony Rewards. Deals like these are always less attractive when plastic gets involved, but we're of the mind that if you're going to drop a few Benjamins on a new TV, then a free PS3 is a welcome bargain. This deal ends on New Years Eve, though, so the time to apply is ... yesterday.

(Via Engadget)

Gamers with HDTVs are often aspect ratio nerds. And a few Halo 3 co-op HDTV players have begun complaining about wasted space in the left and right margins of 16:9 (A.K.A. 1.77:1) screens. The issue is about dividing screen space in single-console games with less than four players. As-is, Halo 3 leaves black margins on the sides of the screen.

Every Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities.

It may be time for Nintendo to concede that we've entered the HD-era. Anyone looking to buy a new television will have an increasingly difficult time finding a "classic" SD tube amongst the pristine plasmas, elegant LCoS, lavish LCDs, dazzling DLPs, and (soon-to-come) sexy SEDs. And the technologies behind today's televisions are benefiting greatly from economies of scale, making it easier for consumers to consider going big on their next TV purchase.

For too long, big screen gaming had been confined to dollar-munching arcade machines and reruns of Silver Spoons, but more and more people are finding out what it feels like to have a truly super Mario kicking gargantuan goombas across the Mushroom Kingdom. If you haven't yet been bitten by the big bug, today I'll make you feel the itch.

In case you seek additional help, we've linked additional reading for your research.
IGN.com HDTV Q&A
PS3 Forums HDTV Suggestions
AVS Forum PS3, HDMI and HDTV compatibility

As always, we're curious to learn more about our community and welcome feedback. Which HDTV are you using (or do you plan to use) for all your PS3 pleasures?