Xbox 360 Elite officially announced

PRESS RELEASE:
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:2

· 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.

The following accessories for the Xbox 360 Elite console will only be sold separately:

· Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit. Complete with a charging cable and a black rechargeable battery pack, the Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit allows gamers to recharge their Xbox 360 Wireless Controller without interrupting their gameplay. it is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $19.99 (U.S.).

· Xbox 360 rechargeable battery (black). The rechargeable battery pack provides more than 25 hours of gameplay per charge. It is sold separately for an estimated retail price of $11.99 (U.S.).

Other bullet points from Microsoft:

· For the first time ever, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be releasing its direct to video movies exclusively in high definition on Xbox LIVE simultaneous with their availability on DVD, starting with "Sublime" and later offering "Babylon 5: The Lost Tales."

· A&E Network. "Dog the Bounty Hunter," "King of Cars," "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," "Driving Force" and "Criss Angel Mindfreak"

· ADV Films. Top offerings from the #1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation ("anime") outside of Japan

· National Geographic. The television series "Is It Real?" and "Taboo" as well as programs such as "21 Days to Baghdad" and "Air Force One"

· New Line Cinema. "Snakes on a Plane," "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning" and "Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny," plus top titles including "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" and "Magnolia"

· TotalVid. A broad action-sports offering including extreme skiing and snowboarding, skateboarding, motocross, surfing and mountain biking

Current partners include:

· CBS Broadcasting Inc., Lionsgate Entertainment, MTV Networks Co., New Line Cinema, Paramount Pictures Corp., Turner Broadcasting System Inc., Ultimate Fighting Championship and Warner Bros have all made content available on Xbox LIVE. Through those partnerships, content is available from [adult swim], CBS, Comedy Central, CW, Lionsgate, MTV, MTV 2, NASCAR.com, New Line Cinema, Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Paramount TV and Film, SPIKE, TBS, UFC, VH1 and Warner Bros TV and Movies. In fact, more than 1,500 hours of content is available today for download.

Data points:

· To date there have been more than 135 million downloads from Xbox LIVE Marketplace and 70 percent of our connected customers are downloading content

· TV and movie downloads have been a blockbuster success, driving a 400 percent increase in Marketplace since launch

· Users are spending more than 40 percent of their time using their Xbox 360 for music, movies and TV

· Within four months of launching, Xbox LIVE has become the number one online distributor of television and feature film content in the living room where it's most easy for consumers to access.

· Is currently the ONLY online distributor of major feature films and television programming in high definition (HD) resolution.


About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox LIVE online gaming network and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 has a catalog of more than 160 high-definition games and is available in 37 countries. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image..._elite_300.jpg

wow looks nice, a bit pricey though.

omg I wish they released this when Xbox Premium and Core were released because that is fucking sexy.

The HDMI and 120 GB HD are nice but I could care less about paying more for the 360.

As time goes on consumers are supposed to get more for less with new models of the same console.

This 360 is now a worse value than a PS3.

I can't see why anyone would buy this; for a few bucks more I could get a PS3 with WiFi built in, a NextGen dvd player, wireless controller and free online gaming..not to mention the upgradable HDD.

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Originally Posted by ocanica

I can't see why anyone would buy this; for a few bucks more I could get a PS3 with WiFi built in, a NextGen dvd player, wireless controller and free online gaming..not to mention the upgradable HDD.

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It's the games that matter, and right now, the 360 has them (better games at least).

cant wait to get that piece of crap in my house! :P

I was joking about the crap thing LOL

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Originally Posted by ocanica

I can't see why anyone would buy this; for a few bucks more I could get a PS3 with WiFi built in, a NextGen dvd player, wireless controller and free online gaming..not to mention the upgradable HDD.

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Hardware wise yes but the PS3 is quite shit on games right now.

Can an external drive be used with the 360? I see it has a SATA port.

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Originally Posted by Busyman™

Can an external drive be used with the 360? I see it has a SATA port.

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Yes, I heard it can. I know flash drives work too because I play music off of my flash drive occasionally on my 360.

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Originally Posted by Gam3Guy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Busyman™

Can an external drive be used with the 360? I see it has a SATA port.

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Yes, I heard it can. I know flash drives work too because I play music off of my flash drive occasionally on my 360.

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Well no. I heard about the music and pictures but I wanna do game saves and XBL downloads on it.

Nearly half a grand is way too much for a console, hasn't anyone learned anything from Sony?

i dont understand it
is the hd-dvd drive included in the elite pack ?
if it does damn its pretty good deal !

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Originally Posted by bmwM5

i dont understand it
is the hd-dvd drive included in the elite pack ?
if it does damn its pretty good deal !

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no

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Busyman™

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gam3Guy

Yes, I heard it can. I know flash drives work too because I play music off of my flash drive occasionally on my 360.

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Well no. I heard about the music and pictures but I wanna do game saves and XBL downloads on it.

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Oh, I meant media files, I knew that saves and XBL downloads wouldn't work only because they have to be on your original drive, I think.

The Elite looks sick...but I already got a 20gb Premium. I wonder if I could eventually buy the 120gb Harddrive and transfer my stuff over (including downloaded games) and if it'll work? I'll definitely be getting some Black xbox360 controllers soon though. HDMI doesn't seem necessary this gen....

the only fact why i never bought a x360 is that the xbox havent a hdmi out.
The elite looks better, has a bigger Hdd and a hdmi out.
so i really think about to buy one

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Originally Posted by narth3x

the only fact why i never bought a x360 is that the xbox havent a hdmi out.
The elite looks better, has a bigger Hdd and a hdmi out.
so i really think about to buy one

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HDMI looks better than component but it is a minimal picture difference.

I remember changing my cable TV from component to HDMI and was very satisfied.