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[Alpha_eX]

How much longer should I wait to get a 360, they keep updating the hardware.

 

[Fatalah]

Who else is excited about the "quieter disc drives". I wonder who's the manufacturer.

Msft basically fixed the three main complaints--- no HDMI, it's hot, and it's loud.

Oh and they cut the price. What a deal!


My launch 360 feels old!

How much longer should I wait to get a 360, they keep updating the hardware.

This update was about a year and a half in the making. I think this could be it for another 2 years.

 

[artredis1980]

While many were surprised by the fact that MS was planning to drop the Core from it's SKU line-up, it finally helped XF make sense of something we stumbled upon late last week. Recent rumors regarding games being "dumbed down" abound, coupled with word from our contacts last week that the the Core was being discontinued had lead us to believe MS was about to make a big change to the way 360 games are made.

As many people will remember, the original XBOX was capable of some very large games that contained great AI and graphics for the time. To put it simply, this was possible because the data on the DVD was able to be compressed quite heavily, because it was then streamed off the disc and uncompressed in the HDD that every original XBOX had. This allowed for shorter (and less frequent) load times and also allow for much more data to be placed on the DVD.

XF has learned that MS has plans for the 360 to do the very same thing. Games requiring the HDD will initially have a "HDD required" logo clearly viewable on the front of the case [seen above], as well being listed as requiring the HDD on the back info panel of the case.

No word yet on the first game that will start this trend of requiring the HDD. But we have some ideas. XF will elaborate on this story as soon as we have more. While it would be fun to "speculate" at possible games that will require the HDD, we'll stick to what we already know.

http://www.xboxfamily.com/news stories/HDD_Required.htm

 

[MCD]

Who else is excited about the "quieter hard drives". I wonder who's the manufacturer.

Msft basically fixed the three main complaints--- no HDMI, it's hot, and it's loud.

Oh and they cut the price. What a deal!


My launch 360 feels old!

You will either get the Philips-Benq drive (the best one) or the kinda new LG-Hitachi drive (slightly better than before).

i doubt we will still get the Toshiba-Samsung drives because they are easily hacked and the drives don't eject after some time.

 

[No_Style]

Who else is excited about the "quieter hard drives". I wonder who's the manufacturer.

Msft basically fixed the three main complaints--- no HDMI, it's hot, and it's loud.

Oh and they cut the price. What a deal!


My launch 360 feels old!



This update was about a year and a half in the making. I think this could be it for another 2 years.

Aye. Although, I do not know if they fixed the the hot and loud parts yet. Quieter and cooler may be more appropriate. We keep hearing 65 nm CPUs, but what about the GPU? Is that shrinking?

 

[quest]

Who else is excited about the "quieter hard drives". I wonder who's the manufacturer.

Msft basically fixed the three main complaints--- no HDMI, it's hot, and it's loud.

Oh and they cut the price. What a deal!


My launch 360 feels old!



This update was about a year and a half in the making. I think this could be it for another 2 years.

I would say this is it till mid 2009 when they get to 45nm and the GPU halves are intergrated. I would not be surprised to see a slim 360 then. The GPU will be 65nm some time this year. Last I heard it got back from the lab in may. If all went well it should be already rolling or just starting production.

 

[artredis1980]

The Falcon has both the GPU and CPU at 65nm

the GPU starting to be manufactured 65nm in June while the CPU started in July

this is old news

 

[soul creator]

http://www.xboxfamily.com/news stories/HDD_Required.htm

this article is so old, it has jesus' pager number

 

[Randy Lanzarote]

this article is so old, it has jesus' pager number

1-800-CRPNTR 4 U

 

[No_Style]

http://www.xboxfamily.com/news stories/HDD_Required.htm

There is one game on the market which requires HDD already. Penny-Arcade reminded me of this fact. FFXI also does not require Live! Gold to play online... freaky. Not to mention it is also a cross platform title.

 

[∀ Narayan]

Photoshop...:lol

Think about it. Why would anyone go to such great lengths, simply just to photoshop a feasible HDMI inclusion on the Xbox 360?

Absurd.

 

[Woo-Fu]

Manface!!!!

Posting pictures of Garnett in drag isn't very nice.

 

[Zozz]

Well under the 3 year warranty my 360 should crap out within that time and I would get the upgrade.

 

[Dartastic]

I hope that when my fourth console red rings (please don't let me have that 2nd heatsink installed) I get back one of these sexy 65nm machines with HDMI. That'd rock socks.

 

[MCD]

Think about it. Why would anyone go to such great lengths, simply just to photoshop a feasible HDMI inclusion on the Xbox 360?

Absurd.

Why photoshop? change the elite case with the premium and take a picture for the lulz.

 

[Paranoid_Robot]

They wouldn't have to change anything after this for a few years

About time! Finally I can rebuy my arcade titles without worrying about DRM, it's not stupidly loud, and HDMI

 

[solid2snake]

maybe this premium has only 90nm CPU?

 

[Fatalah]

I would love to see what a slimmed XBOX360 looks like. If they borrowed from the Wii and the PS3...and the PS2 Slimline...oh that would be sick.

 

[MCD]

I would love to see what a slimmed XBOX360 looks like. If they borrowed from the Wii and the PS3...and the PS2 Slimline...oh that would be sick.

Wait for 45nm.

 

[Randy Lanzarote]

If it is a photoshop he did a good job of imprinting HDMI into the white casing. Also it looks like a HDMI cable next to the box.

http://www.shacknews.com/screenshots.x?gallery=8063&id=103385

Course its no guarantee of 65nm, just HDMI on new premiums. Could be zephyr boards with 90nm still on.

 

[∀ Narayan]

Why photoshop? change the elite case with the premium and take a picture for the lulz.

I'm pretty sure that previous premiums did not have any sort of accommodating entry for an HDMI port on their casing. This fact would be nullified if the Elite console had a white covering on its backside. But it doesn't, therefore - even that argument is absurd.

 

[solid2snake]

guys, just believe

 

[60_gig_PS3]

this sounds too good to be true!

 

[Grimm Fandango]

Thank god, I'm finally going to get one. I'll pick one up before I go back to college. The price drop, new chip, and HDMI all made me crack.

 

[Randy Lanzarote]

UPDATE

Update: Microsoft has confirmed the addition of HDMI ports to all newly manufactured Xbox 360 premium consoles. "Yes, we are offering an HDMI port for Xbox 360 simply as another choice in Xbox 360 owners’ games and entertainment experience," a Microsoft rep told Shacknews in an e-mailed statement. "Retailers are gradually introducing HDMI-enabled Xbox 360s into the channel to meet demand."

Regarding the possibility of an HDMI output on the $279.99 SKU, the Microsoft rep said, "We have not announced any plans to add HDMI to the Xbox 360 Core System." Microsoft would not reveal whether any other additions had been made to newly available Xbox 360 models, such as the inclusion of a 65nm process. "We are constantly updating the console’s more than 1700 internal components and therefore will not comment on details of specific components or manufacturing processes," he said.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/48351

 

[Zozz]

I'm pretty sure that previous premiums did not have any sort of accommodating entry for an HDMI port on their casing. This fact would be nullified if the Elite console had a white covering on its backside. But it doesn't, therefore - even that argument is absurd.

maybe he wanted to get some epic lulz and painted his elite

UPDATE

Update: Microsoft has confirmed the addition of HDMI ports to all newly manufactured Xbox 360 premium consoles. "Yes, we are offering an HDMI port for Xbox 360 simply as another choice in Xbox 360 owners’ games and entertainment experience," a Microsoft rep told Shacknews in an e-mailed statement. "Retailers are gradually introducing HDMI-enabled Xbox 360s into the channel to meet demand."

Regarding the possibility of an HDMI output on the $279.99 SKU, the Microsoft rep said, "We have not announced any plans to add HDMI to the Xbox 360 Core System." Microsoft would not reveal whether any other additions had been made to newly available Xbox 360 models, such as the inclusion of a 65nm process. "We are constantly updating the console’s more than 1700 internal components and therefore will not comment on details of specific components or manufacturing processes," he said.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/48351

okay... that destroys my idea

 

[GhaleonEB]

UPDATE

Update: Microsoft has confirmed the addition of HDMI ports to all newly manufactured Xbox 360 premium consoles. "Yes, we are offering an HDMI port for Xbox 360 simply as another choice in Xbox 360 owners’ games and entertainment experience," a Microsoft rep told Shacknews in an e-mailed statement. "Retailers are gradually introducing HDMI-enabled Xbox 360s into the channel to meet demand."

Regarding the possibility of an HDMI output on the $279.99 SKU, the Microsoft rep said, "We have not announced any plans to add HDMI to the Xbox 360 Core System." Microsoft would not reveal whether any other additions had been made to newly available Xbox 360 models, such as the inclusion of a 65nm process. "We are constantly updating the console’s more than 1700 internal components and therefore will not comment on details of specific components or manufacturing processes," he said.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/48351

Kerboom. Oh what a difference a couple of days makes. :lol

 

[MCD]

I'm pretty sure that previous premiums did not have any sort of accommodating entry for an HDMI port on their casing. This fact would be nullified if the Elite console had a white covering on its backside. But it doesn't, therefore - even that argument is absurd.

Now you beat me.

good job, i truly believe now.

to be honest, i always loved the white 360 color, black/elite color sucks in comparison.

if the table tennis premium bundle comes with HDMI+2nd heatsink, I'm all sold.

 

[artredis1980]

This is not REALLY related but I dont have new thread powers so I guess one of you can post this if you want:

John Schappert to Head Microsoft Interactive Entertainment LIVE, Software and Services Businesses

Longtime Electronic Arts veteran to join Microsoft in a newly created position.

REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. today announced that John Schappert, most recently executive vice president at Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), will be joining the Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business (IEB) in a newly created position as corporate vice president of LIVE, software and services.



Schappert's latest role in central development services at EA included oversight of central technology, operations, EA online and the office of the chief creative officer. Previously, Schappert held several senior-level positions at EA including chief operating officer of worldwide studios, group general manager, and general manager of EA Canada and EA Tiburon. He will be joining Microsoft as a corporate vice president running the LIVE, software and services group. Schappert will report to Don Mattrick, the newly named senior vice president of IEB, which includes the Xbox 360(TM) and Games for Windows(R) businesses.

"I am thrilled to have John join the deep bench of proven talent already on Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business," Mattrick said. "John's expertise will help us focus on expanding and enriching our market leadership with LIVE in areas like online services while broadening our audience. John will also build on the great work already happening in the developer community working with Chris Satchell and the XNA organization."

Schappert will oversee Xbox LIVE(R), a business that continues to thrive with more than 7 million members across 25 countries. The online entertainment network offers instant messaging, voice, video and text chat, Xbox LIVE Arcade and hundreds of multiplayer games, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, and TV shows and movies in the United States. Schappert will also oversee Games for Windows - LIVE, XNA(TM) and Microsoft(R) Casual Games, which offers more than 400 games via MSN(R) Games, Windows LIVE(TM) Messenger, Windows games and Xbox LIVE Arcade.

"With these changes, we are dedicated to providing our customers, our partners and our employees with value, quality and high-performing teams," Mattrick said.

Schappert founded Florida-based Tiburon Entertainment in 1994, which was acquired by EA four years later. In his gaming career, Schappert has overseen the creation of hundreds of games for EA, including the best-selling "Madden NFL" football franchise on which he worked originally as a programmer.

 

[Proelite]

Halo 3 to be HDD only would awesome!
It would kill the core, which is a good thing.

 

[solid2snake]

UPDATE

Update: Microsoft has confirmed the addition of HDMI ports to all newly manufactured Xbox 360 premium consoles. "Yes, we are offering an HDMI port for Xbox 360 simply as another choice in Xbox 360 owners’ games and entertainment experience," a Microsoft rep told Shacknews in an e-mailed statement. "Retailers are gradually introducing HDMI-enabled Xbox 360s into the channel to meet demand."

Regarding the possibility of an HDMI output on the $279.99 SKU, the Microsoft rep said, "We have not announced any plans to add HDMI to the Xbox 360 Core System." Microsoft would not reveal whether any other additions had been made to newly available Xbox 360 models, such as the inclusion of a 65nm process. "We are constantly updating the console’s more than 1700 internal components and therefore will not comment on details of specific components or manufacturing processes," he said.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/48351

so, these Premiums are still 90nm?

 

[MCD]

LOL CORE!

JUST FUCKING DROP IT MICROSOFT!

 

[disappeared]

Good. Only a little while longer, then I won't have any more worries about the 360.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

so, these Premiums are still 90nm?

I'm going to say no.

 

[Proelite]

I'm going to say no.

Yeah, it is financially unsound to be introducing more than one configuration in a few month.

 

[Dimmuxx]

UPDATEUpdate: Microsoft has confirmed the addition of HDMI ports to all newly manufactured Xbox 360 premium consoles.

That's awesome!

 

[MCD]

So wait, since MS ain't gonna update the Core with HDMI.

does that confirm the Table Tennis bundle is equipped with HDMI?

i mean, it does look different from the package, lol.

 

[Randy Lanzarote]

so, these Premiums are still 90nm?

Who knows, until someone brave enough cracks open the 360 to take a gander.

But I'm gonna go with no. They need to clear channels out first. They are probably zephyr boards, but for all we know they could be cealring channels by putting 65nm GPU/90nm CPU together. Production started on 65nm GPUs back in June so perhaps they have them ready now for use. It could certainly help troubleshoot and test the waters so to speak by getting 65nm GPUs out there ASAP (seeing as they are the main cause of RROD)

 

[solid2snake]

Yeah, it is financially unsound to be introducing more than one configuration in a few month.

but maybe the Falcons needs more time in testing and are introduced in nov/dec?

 

[Mmmkay]

Someone needs to dedicate their HDMI'd Premium to science. Inquiring minds demand answers.

 

[BeEatNU]

Kinda sucks, a buddy of mine @ work just had his replaced. He got a new box with manufacturer date of July 24,2007 but it didnt have HDMI

 

[TheWolf]

hope mine breaks so i can get one with hdmi. :-/

 

[icecream]

It's possible the core would remain HDMI-less to fit the 'core' image of HDD-less, wired and composite abound. But it all depends on how much more cost effective the Falcon boards are compared to the new 90-nm ones... otherwise I could see all 'old' 360s becoming cores and all the new premium/elite ones sporting the Falcon boards once the channels clear up.

 

[tgenius]

Kinda sucks, a buddy of mine @ work just had his replaced. He got a new box with manufacturer date of July 24,2007 but it didnt have HDMI

I think HDMI might be there,but hidden behind the plastic... I'm in the same boat.

 

[BeEatNU]

I think HDMI might be there,but hidden behind the plastic... I'm in the same boat.

that would be pretty hilarious

 

[Randy Lanzarote]

I think HDMI might be there,but hidden behind the plastic... I'm in the same boat.

So basically, you want someone to go at the little white plastic cover, on their brand new console, with some scissors....

Any takers?

 

[Psychotext]

Sweet, I like being right. (It happens so rarely!)

 

[GhaleonEB]

It's possible the core would remain HDMI-less to fit the 'core' image of HDD-less, wired and composite abound. But it all depends on how much more cost effective the Falcon boards are compared to the new 90-nm ones... otherwise I could see all 'old' 360s becoming cores and all the new premium/elite ones sporting the Falcon boards once the channels clear up.

I'm speculating here, but I think the only reason they didn't confirm the Core would get HDMI is no one has found one yet. Microsoft came back with "no comment" when shown the pictures of the Premium with HDMI, then released that short statement a few hours later. They don't want to say, "yeah, the Core is getting HDMI shortly" and stop selling the ones that don't.

 

[tgenius]

So basically, you want someone to go at the little white plastic cover, on their brand new console, with some scissors....

Any takers?

It's not going to be me, that's for sure, but it only makes sense...

 

[Randy Lanzarote]

I'm speculating here, but I think the only reason they didn't confirm the Core would get HDMI is no one has found one yet. Microsoft came back with "no comment" when shown the pictures of the Premium with HDMI, then released that short statement a few hours later. They don't want to say, "yeah, the Core is getting HDMI shortly" and stop selling the ones that don't.

I'd hazard a guess that the reason we are seeing stores "discontinuing" the Core console is that they are preparing to receive new stock in that has a new SKU code. Its not the Core they are getting rid of, its the SKU. I notice in the Press Release there is no outright denial of the Core getting HDMI, just "we have not made any announcements regarding this". Usually that means that an announcement IS coming.

I'm not sure if the States are like Britain, but the Cores do seem to sell out here on a more regular basis than Premiums. Last Xmas I could not find a Core in my home city, Premiums were everywhere though.