360 Elite-Is It Worth It?

[Arial Assasian]

So lets review here............
We have the Xbox 360 Elite..coming out on april 29th......It will include the console of course....the controller of course....the headset....the 120 gig hdd...hdmi compatibility......with hdmi cable.....and its black..all of this for $479.

Then we have the PS3..........Bluetooth....psp compatible.....60 gig or 50 gig hdd......controller with sixaxis(which i think is pointless) and blueray...for $600

But wait.........acording to tech guys around the us of a.......hd dvd is coming out of style..and blueray will dominate...so above all that....$479 for the elite..and if u want the soon to be outdated hd dvd player....thats $200 making a grabd total of $679....$79 more then the 60 gig ps3...wen in fact ps3 comes already equiped with blue ray in itself already....so i guess the question at stake here is.....would you be willing to spend 79 dollas more to buy the elite wit hd dvd.....or wud u rather buy a ps3 with the updated and more to date blueray? The opinion is up to you..........

[HellsAss]

I'm not even gonna....dignify you.......with a response......because you talk......like this......


Ever hear of single periods and commas? At least you had that 1 question mark.

.................................................. .......blah......................................

How is bluray more up to date? They both came out around the same time, and they're both NEW technologies, just different ways to store data on disc. Its waaay to early to tell whats gonna win, your acting like bluray has got it one hands down.

Ask it this way, what if Bluray loses? Then you spent money on a PS3 that plays discs that aren't even supported anymore.

[Sir SpankalotUK]

poor english aside, prove to me hd-dvd is "going" out of style or how the ps3's blu-ray is more up to date.

If you already own a 360 and a HD tv, the toss up is £130 for the add on drive or £425 for a ps3.

Besides I heard rumours (yes I haven't seen a post report on the www) that the blu-ray playback is not up to the quality of the standalone players.

[Thryon]

I recently had to make that choice. I already have 2 Xbox 360s, but was I going to get the Elite, or a PS3. I purchased the Elite. Here is why.

#1) I use my Xbox 360 to play games. There are no games I am interested in for the PS3, and none announced.
#2) I have seen both Blu-Ray and HD DVD, and I am much more impressed by HD DVD. They may not win, but for now, that is my format of choice, till I am forced to go Blu-Ray.
#3) I desperatly wanted to larger hard drive space. I have every single Artist of the Month, or music video to date, and that is eating up a lot of my hard drive space. Getting a PS3 would not solve this problem.

For the record, I am keeping two units only. I am giving my oldest one to a friend (who is being extra friendly now).

[UKJAY]

well I tried my absolute hardest not to -

but forgive me lord for I have sinned!! I just bought a PS3

[nofear360]

For the record, I am keeping two units only. I am giving my oldest one to a friend (who is being extra friendly now).
Did you say "giving"? You've got to be the most generous guy in the world :)

well I tried my absolute hardest not to -

but forgive me lord for I have sinned!! I just bought a PS3
NNNOOOO!!! You didn't!!!??? lol

As long as you're satified with it and feel like you didn't waste 425GBP on the "most powerful" console, then you shouldn't feel bad ;)

[UKJAY]

Did you say "giving"? You've got to be the most generous guy in the world :)


NNNOOOO!!! You didn't!!!??? lol

As long as you're satified with it and feel like you didn't waste 425GBP on the "most powerful" console, then you shouldn't feel bad ;)

I ordered it online, so it'll be with me on Wednesday probably. It was £495 for the 60Gig PS3, HDMI cable, Resistance Fall of Man, Moto something or other...lol

[Thryon]

My local EBGames has a promotion. If you trade in any 10 games (PS2, PS3, Xbox , Xbox 360, DS, or Wii) you can get a PS3 for $399 Canadian (about £175). Given you can get 10 games fairly cheaply. The clerk told it was any game that they would give at least $1 for.

Still I opted for the Elite 360.

[UKJAY]

My local EBGames has a promotion. If you trade in any 10 games (PS2, PS3, Xbox , Xbox 360, DS, or Wii) you can get a PS3 for $399 Canadian (about £175). Given you can get 10 games fairly cheaply. The clerk told it was any game that they would give at least $1 for.

Still I opted for the Elite 360.

Yeah nothing like that over in the UK

Im a HUGE fan of my xbox360 and will prob get the Elite when it's out cos I can see the HDMI being used for IPTV services, and im sure I read that even white 360's in future manufacturing will be made with HDMI?

[max2663]

:'( well I tried my absolute hardest not to -

but forgive me lord for I have sinned!! I just bought a PS3

i too as much as i have ranted about it want a ps3 not too play games on no my 360 will take care of that but just to look at. i saw it in my local dixons or whatever its called and the look just caught me.:'(

[Curry]

Besides I heard rumours (yes I haven't seen a post report on the www) that the blu-ray playback is not up to the quality of the standalone players.

Well not to burst your bubble, but there are post reports on the www that the 360 HD-DVD expansion isn't quite up to par, and is refusing to play certain discs.

[YoinkIRL]

Meh. I don't think I'll be getting an Elite. Wtf do I need HDMI for? Bigger harddrive, don't really see the reason. I have like 10 demos, an epsiode of south park on it. I stream my music from my computer flawlessly... 2000 songs all streamed ;D

Speaking of PS3, I can say my friend has one and I am entirely underwhelmed. I was thinking bout getting one, but meh... after seeing it up close and playing it for a couple hours... I think I actually want it less.

About the blu-ray thing, who cares to be honest. If in 1 year, Blu-Ray is the obvious victor, Microsoft will release a Blu-Ray add on. No biggie.

[max2663]

oh not so sure about blu-ray winning. but i might have to buy a bigger hdd8)

[UKJAY]

:'(

i too as much as i have ranted about it want a ps3 not too play games on no my 360 will take care of that but just to look at. i saw it in my local dixons or whatever its called and the look just caught me.:'(

Yeah Ive said many times, even on here how pointless it would be getting a PS3 seeing as I have all the release games near enough. But I was thinking about buying a standalone HD-DVD player with HDMI 1.3 and well I thought just go the whole hog and buy a PS3 if not just for the Blu-Ray movies alone. Games wise, the 360 & PS3 dont look like they differ if any so I wouldn't call it boring, but seeing it in action on display made even me buy it and I've spent months and months trying my hardest not too....but Sony won and I sinned....

It'll never replace my 360 tho...

[nofear360]

It'll never replace my 360 tho...
Good for you hehe ;) :P

[Rossko_UK]

Well not to burst your bubble, but there are post reports on the www that the 360 HD-DVD expansion isn't quite up to par, and is refusing to play certain discs.

That's interesting, because just today I was reading about the problems with the add-on.

I have one, and apparently some people have been experirencing rather soft sounds from the player when the noise should be quite loud. Easily solved by turning up the surround sound just that bit extra, no biggie.

As for the discs, apparently Children of Men is the disc that is having problems. However an MS guy said that it wasn't across the board, so some people could play it, others can't, as such it is harder to fix. Strange but there we go.

It's still awesome, and definitely worth it if you have a passion for HD stuff. Unfortunately I can't compare it to a standalone, but for £130, you really can't complain.

[kidkit]

I don't think the Elite can be a justified purchase until IP TV is available in your region. The hard drive (PVR space) is more important than the 1 - 5% improvement in Picture Quality.

I'd rather get a PS3 than lose a hundred dollars selling my current 360 and 'upgrading'.

[UKJAY]

I don't think the Elite can be a justified purchase until IP TV is available in your region. The hard drive (PVR space) is more important than the 1 - 5% improvement in Picture Quality.

I'd rather get a PS3 than lose a hundred dollars selling my current 360 and 'upgrading'.

SNAP !! thats just what I did too...

and you're right with the IPTV stuff...Im not bothering with any elite console until we get movie rentals and IPTV over here. Because one thing with MS is that as a consumer you're left in the dark...

Im pretty sure one day there'll be HD-DVD games at some point... future wise the PS3 uses blu-ray and can fit more content into a game disc if the developers wish than they can compared to the 360's DVD-ROM

[Arial Assasian]

well no matter what happens in the end...i know that i am getting the elite....i posted this to see what other peoples opinions were. i most definetley want that 120 hdd and that hdmi. blus its black.....everybody loves black

[_Chris_]

Yeah but black is SOO last gen:P

*hint hint Sony;)*

[FoolInjection]

For me really... I don't have an HD TV... so to get the Elite version would be a pointless waste.

I think if I had an HD TV which had HDMI Port compatability then I would be seriously thinking about it.

Really for me the only thing I need for my 360 is a bigger hard drive. The 120 GB hard drive would be more than ample for me.

The no HD thing is what makes me also think the PS3 is a waste... I mean I have no use for a blue ray player. The majority of PS3 games that are out are avaliable on the 360 anyway. PS3 Home looks good but Microsoft will probably come up with something like that in the end anyway. I don't have a PSP so compatability with that is pointless in my world...

There just isn't any reason for me to get a PS3 or an Elite 360.

[UKJAY]

For me really... I don't have an HD TV... so to get the Elite version would be a pointless waste.

I think if I had an HD TV which had HDMI Port compatability then I would be seriously thinking about it.

Really for me the only thing I need for my 360 is a bigger hard drive. The 120 GB hard drive would be more than ample for me.

The no HD thing is what makes me also think the PS3 is a waste... I mean I have no use for a blue ray player. The majority of PS3 games that are out are avaliable on the 360 anyway. PS3 Home looks good but Microsoft will probably come up with something like that in the end anyway. I don't have a PSP so compatability with that is pointless in my world...

There just isn't any reason for me to get a PS3 or an Elite 360.

lol...

Its the same reason I dont buy tampons 8)7

[FoolInjection]

lol...

Its the same reason I dont buy tampons 8)7

LoL... you can see my point through right... I mean why pay all that extra for shit you don't have a use for.

[max2663]

Yeah Ive said many times, even on here how pointless it would be getting a PS3 seeing as I have all the release games near enough. But I was thinking about buying a standalone HD-DVD player with HDMI 1.3 and well I thought just go the whole hog and buy a PS3 if not just for the Blu-Ray movies alone. Games wise, the 360 & PS3 dont look like they differ if any so I wouldn't call it boring, but seeing it in action on display made even me buy it and I've spent months and months trying my hardest not too....but Sony won and I sinned....

It'll never replace my 360 tho...


my first problem. no job.

december 25th countdown commencing8)


oh and jason ol' fellla (sorry) if you dont get the elite your "i have every console ever made muwuhaha" will go down the potty (sorry to burst your bubble)

[UKJAY]

LoL... you can see my point through right... I mean why pay all that extra for shit you don't have a use for.

Yeah that is true, I think a lot of people will just get the bigger HDD. The HD picture through VGA or Component is excellent anyway. I just want to know if the IPTV service requires HDMI because then that would be my only reason for getting one.

my first problem. no job.

december 25th countdown commencing8)


oh and jason ol' fellla (sorry) if you dont get the elite your "i have every console ever made muwuhaha" will go down the potty (sorry to burst your bubble)

Its still an xbox360... I didn't buy every 2nd edition console of Master System, MegaDrive, Gameboy Advance, Nintendo DS, PS1, PS2. Ive only ever had 1 of each release day console.

[Pedle Zelnip]

I was looking at Bestbuy.ca and it states that the DVD player in the elite is an upscaling one. See:

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10087206&logon=&langid=EN

"The DVD drive also features DVD up-scaling technology which allows you to view your standard definition DVDs in a high definition format."

Is this correct, does the elite upscale standard DVDs to 720p, or is this Bestbuy screwing up/exaggerating specs again?

[UKJAY]

I was looking at Bestbuy.ca and it states that the DVD player in the elite is an upscaling one. See:

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10087206&logon=&langid=EN

"The DVD drive also features DVD up-scaling technology which allows you to view your standard definition DVDs in a high definition format."

Is this correct, does the elite upscale standard DVDs to 720p, or is this Bestbuy screwing up/exaggerating specs again?

Thr DVD drive in the current xbox360 is upscaling through the use of HD VGA cable and it looks awesome. It dont upscale through component which gives DVD's that standard def TV fuzzy look - but I should imagine the upscaling is being applied to the HDMI cable also.....so yeah they're being honest, but current 360's have it with the HD VGA cable..

The upscaling was done via a dashupdate as mentioned here months ago:
http://play.tm/wire/click/1186136

[Pedle Zelnip]

Thr DVD drive in the current xbox360 is upscaling through the use of HD VGA cable and it looks awesome.

Interesting. Why is it that it does this through the VGA cable, but not the component?

[UKJAY]

Interesting. Why is it that it does this through the VGA cable, but not the component?

Heres the link again which confirms it:

http://play.tm/wire/click/1186136

but im not sure why it is with VGA only though.

--edit--just checked

I just read that xbox360 doesnt upscale through component because there is legal issues upscaling over an analogue signal. The VGA is analogue but it has loop holes because it is considered a PC cable...

Plus the DVD upscaling for the xbox360 is 720p with VGA

--

I have a midnight black matte finish on my HDTV...it will match perfectly...

[Pedle Zelnip]

I just read that xbox360 doesnt upscale through component because there is legal issues upscaling over an analogue signal.

What a stupid #$@$@ restriction, given that there are upconverting standalone DVD players which output via component.

[Curry]

What a stupid #$@$@ restriction, given that there are upconverting standalone DVD players which output via component.Most DRM restrictions are plain stupid until movie studios and music publishers realize they should embrace present-day technology instead of fighting the inevitable. All they're doing now is stimulating illegal downloads because noone's ever put a resolution restriction on w4r3zed Xvids.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Exactly.

[jacobmars]

BLU-RAY BLOWS!!!

[Pedle Zelnip]

Thank you for that amazing bit of insight.

[UKJAY]

BLU-RAY BLOWS!!!

Not sure if thats a good comment or bad comment above, Blu - Ray is amazing, much more choice of movies too compared to HD-DVD

[TRIGGER M4N]

I saw Casino Royale in Blu-Ray the other day. I really don't get the fuss over HD movies tbh. I just ain't doing it for me.

[UKJAY]

I saw Casino Royale in Blu-Ray the other day. I really don't get the fuss over HD movies tbh. I just ain't doing it for me.

I lived a sheltered life.

[UKJAY]

I read about the rumour (http://uk.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=25990622&sid=6181428&tag=latestnews;title;0) that Microsoft are working on a new xbox with built in HD-DVD drive, built in wifi & possible tv tuners with yet an even bigger HDD again...???

[Fanappy]

it was called a new model Xbox rather than an Xbox 360 not that it is major thing but interesting they called it that meh I already have the add on's so not a major bother for me although it makes sense to do that really, if u really want to rival PS3

[UKJAY]

Yeah read it again today. I too think it's a next gen xbox - makes sense that they should be in the planning process for another one... nice 500GB HDD, built in wireless, games would need to be HD-DVD too... years away yet, but I think the average life span of a console is what 5 - 6 years before a newer one....I think....so only 4 years to go !!!

[GAZA1111111]

anyone know anything more about a handheld xbox?

[UKJAY]

anyone know anything more about a handheld xbox?

No - plus I wouldn't buy one either ...

[Chris]

May 2008, there will be an announcement about the Handheld. In the fall of 2008, we'll hear about Xbox 3.

November 2009 Xbox 3 (whatever it's called) will launch.

[UKJAY]

Hopefully launches 2010

[Chris]

Xbox 1 = 2001, Xbox 360 = 2005, Xbox 3 = 2009

[nofear360]

Xbox 1 = 2001, Xbox 360 = 2005, Xbox 3 = 2009
I'd say more like 2010. In the previous generation, they lost the system war the moment they started, and they knew that from the get-go. The Xbox sold only 25 million units, whereas the PS2 raked in over 100 M units! If that's not a clear enough sign to move on from a business standpoint, then I don't know what is. Like Microsoft said in some interview, last gen pretty much served as an introduction of their console to the market. This gen, they're in it to win it.

[UKJAY]

Xbox original came out in 2002 over in the UK - im pretty sure of it... with Xbox360 only 3yrs later... Im hoping the 360 last's a bit longer that 3 - 4 yrs. What the 360 has taught me with MS is not to buy anything on release day !! When the next xbox is out, I will try and hold off a bit...at 30 or 31, I should be able to contain myself !!

[Chris]

Two years have passed, and where are the numbers? 12? 13 million? I know most of the consoles are sold once it gets under $200, but this gen isn't looking too amazing as it stands now.

They might want to fix the mistakes as soon as possible. (Wifi, Hd-dvd, internal hdd, reliabilty issues. among other problems.)

[nofear360]

Two years have passed, and where are the numbers? 12? 13 million? I know most of the consoles are sold once it gets under $200, but this gen isn't looking too amazing as it stands now.

They might want to fix the mistakes as soon as possible. (Wifi, Hd-dvd, internal hdd, reliabilty issues. among other problems.)
I agree, it's not living up to expectations. But the 360 is still doing better than the PS3. Wii is just ... Wii :P

[UKJAY]

I've done a bit of playing around today with 2 TV's the elite, HDMI cable, HD Component, HD VGA cable...

Played briefly a few different games using each cable and the HD VGA cable is the best overall for all the games I tried.

HDMI makes the dashboard look better, brighter, colourful.
HDMI is very clear, some games look good, some games look crackly, but quite bright. The annoying thing with HDMI is the screen goes black each time a game goes in or you switch to dash board to show you it's screen output quickly.
HD Component is very clear, some games look good, some games look crackly.
HD VGA is crisp, clear & perfect - not as bright as HDMI, but better overall so Im sticking to the VGA.

The chrome front (I do have a real dislike for chrome as some may be aware) It's not so bad on the black console because it seems to look black chrome as it reflects the colour of the console and does not standout as much as it does on a white console.

Obviously 120GB HDD is better too & I have a transfer cable coming tomorrow to switch my 20GB stuff over...

It is quieter, especially the DVD drive. I wouldn't know what make it is - but I wouldn't say it was the same tray as the Samsung or Toshiba in the older white consoles.

[Fanappy]

Thanks quite a comprehensive review I wonder if the elite have had 1.3 HDMI if it would have rivalled the HD VGA???

[Rabid]

About how long does it take to get the transfer cable? I've been looking through the forums for a while but can't seem to find an answer.

[Rossko_UK]

If you live in the EU I'll send you mine for £10.

It takes about three weeks apparently, so I just bought one off eBay.

[Rabid]

Damn... I'm Canadian. I dont understand how it could take that long. Microsoft should have made some sort of arrangement with retailers so they have them on hand specifically for people who are upgrading. Or they could transfer your shit for you. Oh well... c'est la vie. Thanks anyways for the fast reply.

[Rossko_UK]

Damn... I'm Canadian. I dont understand how it could take that long. Microsoft should have made some sort of arrangement with retailers so they have them on hand specifically for people who are upgrading. Or they could transfer your shit for you. Oh well... c'est la vie. Thanks anyways for the fast reply.

Yeah it's really stupid you have to wait that long. It might be shorter than that for you in Canada, bear in mind I'm talking from a UK/EU viewpoint. Give them a ring and see what they say.