XBox 360 Elite

[Melbosa]

So I'm sure a lot of you have been reading the rumours of this one out there.  Well now M$ has confirmed it:

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/13111/Microsoft-Unveils-Xbox-360-Elite/

Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite
By: C?sar A. Berardini - "Cesar"
Mar. 27th, 2007 9:01 pm
As previously reported, Microsoft officially announced on Wednesday (or Tuesday, depending on where you are) the Xbox 360 Elite edition; which incorporates a bigger hard drive as well as HDMI functionality. Below is the press release with the announcement as well as the first official pictures:


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Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite

Premium black console includes 120GB hard drive and line of new accessories

REDMOND, Wash. ? March 27, 2007 ? Microsoft Corp. today announced the upcoming availability of Xbox 360? Elite, a new model of the video game and entertainment system that will include a 120GB  hard drive, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port, a high-definition cable, and a premium black finish for the console, wireless controller and Xbox LIVE? headset. Xbox 360 Elite has enough space for a library of Xbox LIVE Arcade games and thousands of songs, as well as downloadable high-definition TV shows and movies available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. The new 120GB hard drive also will be sold as a stand-alone accessory to give current Xbox 360 owners greater choice and flexibility in their games and entertainment experience. Additional Xbox 360 Elite accessories, such as the black Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit and the Xbox 360 rechargeable battery, will be available separately. The Xbox 360 Elite and its accessories are expected to begin arriving in U.S. stores on April 29.

?Today?s games and entertainment enthusiast has an insatiable appetite for digital high-definition content,? said Peter Moore, corporate vice president for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. ?Xbox 360 Elite?s larger hard drive and premium accessories will allow our community to enjoy all that the next generation of entertainment has to offer.?

Distinguished by its black finish and signature metallic detailing, Xbox 360 Elite will have an estimated retail price1 of $479.99 (U.S.) and will come packed with components and accessories for the ultimate high-definition entertainment experience:


* Xbox 360 Elite console: The console is equipped with a premium black finish and three powerful core processors capable of producing the best in HD entertainment (up to 1080p), 16:9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound, HDMI output and DVD playback with upscaling capabilities right out of the box.


* Xbox 360 120GB hard drive: The 120GB detachable hard drive allows gamers to save their games and store television shows, movies, music, pictures, trailers, levels, demos and other content available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.3 The hard drive is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $179.99 (U.S.).


* Xbox 360 Wireless Controller (black): This award-winning, high-performance wireless controller, now in black, features the Xbox? Guide Button for quick, in-game access to friends and music. It has a range of up to 30 feet and a battery life of 30 hours on two AA batteries. It is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.).


* Xbox 360 headset (black): Now available in black, the headset lets gamers strategize or trade taunts while playing games and send voice messages to friends on Xbox LIVE.


* Xbox 360 HDMI cable: New to Xbox 360, HDMI allows consumers to get HD video (up to 1080p) and multichannel surround sound, all from one cable.


* Xbox LIVE Silver Membership: With this, gamers can chat with friends online, collect achievements and gamerscores, send and receive voice and text messages, and access Xbox LIVE Marketplace content such as game demos, HD movies and TV, as well as the best in downloadable games from Xbox LIVE Arcade.

* One-month subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold: An Xbox LIVE Gold Membership provides a complete online entertainment experience. Those who subscribe to this premium service can engage in competitive online multiplayer matches, tailor their matchmaking via feedback and accomplishments, chat with more than one person at a time, and take advantage of unique privileges in the Xbox LIVE Marketplace and Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Now I'm interested in this version for the HDMI and 120GB HD, so wondering if anyone is looking for a 360 to call their own, cause I think I know one going up for sale soon (although I might wait until this replaces the Premium and comes down to that price).

[Melbosa]

Sony's response:

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/13112/Sony-Responds-to-Xbox-360-Elite-Announcement/

Sony Responds to Xbox 360 Elite Announcement
By: C?sar A. Berardini - "Cesar"
Mar. 27th, 2007 9:02 pm

Ahead of the official announcement, Sony has responded to Microsoft's Xbox 360 Elite. Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing for Sony Computer Entertainment America, said:

"We think every PlayStation 3 owner should have an ?elite? experience, which is why we include an internal hard drive and HDMI output in every PS3 we sell, along with the 50 GB of storage capacity on a high definition Blu-ray disc. Sony has been the strongest advocate of high definition as the future of next-generation gaming. This requires high-definition components, including HDMI output, and large storage devices to deliver and store all that rich and vivid HD content. Microsoft?s announcement today not only legitimizes Sony?s PS3 strategy, it moves us closer to adopting universal standards in the area of high definition gaming that will benefit game developers and ultimately the end user."

[Mr. Analog]

We think every PlayStation 3 owner should have an ?elite? experience,

They also get to pay more!...pure comedy gold.

[Melbosa]

Much more for same experience. What the articles don't tell you, and which makes Sony's response is a bit long winded, is that the 360 does do 1080p out already, I use my VGA port on my TV.  This just means for guys like me, whom want a VGA port for my HTPC, the 360 can move to an HDMI port .