Microsoft Unleashes Xbox 360 Elite with HDMI
Intimations and rumors can now be put to rest: Microsoft just officially announced the impending release of its Xbox 360 refresh. The new version of the company's popular game console, dubbed the Xbox 360 Elite, makes some much-needed improvements on the current version of Xbox.
The new model, due to hit stores on April 29 at a price of $480, boosts hard drive capacity from 20GB to 120GB; and adds an HDMI interface, the optimal interconnect for high-definition video playback. The Xbox 360 Elite will support playback at up to 1080p resolution; the existing Xbox 360 can only handle 1080i resolution over component video (1080p video is possible, but that's strictly over a VGA connection). The addition of the HDMI cable also means Xbox 360 users can get multichannel sound; however, Microsoft's specs released tonight don't give any indication of what audio codecs, and at how many channels, the unit will support.
Bizarrely, the new model doesn't integrate a next-gen optical drive for playing packaged high-definition Hollywood movies; Microsoft will instead continue to offer its kludgy HD DVD Player add-on. We reviewed the add-on in our High-Def Video Superguide, and found it a cumbersome approach as compared to the more elegant, integrated Blu-ray Disc player found in Xbox's archrival, the Sony PlayStation 3. Of course, presumably, one can imagine this decision keeps Microsoft nimble: Should the ongoing format war tip in Blu-ray's favor, Microsoft could conceivably offer a Blu-ray player to complement the Xbox.
The new Xbox 360 Elite has some cosmetic changes, too. The finish is now black, for the console itself and accessories like the wireless controller and the Xbox Live headset. No word in the announcement as to whether Microsoft intends to offer its HD DVD Player in black to match the new Elite components.
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So Sony was right after all?
Isn't this like the 3rd Xbox 360 remake? Plus if they think their 120gb hard drive is gonna impress me, well it's not! Why Not? Because it's still proprietary.
i just bought a 360 premium...Like 2 days ago... What about that???
its obvious microsoft merely realized that they would lose in the long run if they didnt have a larger hard drive and full hd. so they pulled their infinite resources that they have to try and bully sony around.