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Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite

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 price 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.

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.).
Published Tue, Mar 27 2007 22:55 by chrisl
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Comments

# re: Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite

Link for a 5 min video file about the "Elite"

http://on10.net/Blogs/tina/exclusive-video-first-look-at-the-xbox-elite/

Seems mainly sales blurb, but worth a look at I think.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007 6:49 AM by maceie

# re: Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite

Have to say, that as an early adopter I am pretty annoyed by this whole thing! Now I have to drop another 100+ to get a "reasonably" size hard drive when I already paid way to much for the lousy 12 gig one I have now. I honestly think that these are the specs that the xbox 360 should have had from the beginning.

Oh, and did I mention that with all of this space and new features, it still won't play divx or any other useful formats!

Thank goodness for Transcode 360. It's the only reason my 360 EVER gets used as a media center.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007 7:26 AM by Robert Lominski

# re: Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite

is it quiet?

Wednesday, March 28, 2007 8:15 AM by hubertk

# re: Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite

Lousy !

No HD-DVD drive incorporated !

Yeah Microsoft, really behind HD-DVD aren't you NOT !!!

Why not insist for Xbox Certification, games must be delivered on standard DVD media (for now) and if Bluray became defacto, then new models would just have a bluray drive.

That way everyone can still play their games regradless whether it was HD-DVD or Bluray drive.

And don't get em started on the HDMI issue ! 99% of xbox people thought it would be a lead to plugin to the xbox 360, not because of some ill sighted decision to not put a connector that costs a few dollars into the design !

Other than that, the bigger hard drive is a welcome addition, but come on, is there really much difference between 120gb o 250gb drive these days ? (at manufacturing bulk prices!)

Wednesday, March 28, 2007 2:00 PM by UK User

# re: Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite

This makes me mad. I would of waited for this xbox if I knew they were going to come out with HDMI. I remember reading interviews from Microsoft saying there is not a need for HDMI connectors in the market yet, so that is why they were not going to include it. They claimed that the biggest problem they had with xbox was the connections. So here we are a now and all of a sudden HDMI is in the market. Still no HD-DVD drive included either…I’m glad Microsoft is so far ahead of the game.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007 5:27 PM by bob

# re: Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite

I fail to see the value in this device. It is riddled with DRM and VERY expensive. I mean, you have to purchase a wireless controller then to add insult to injury, you probably will buy a charger for the darn thing. HD drive is separate, the external drive is deadly expensive- and 120GB?!?!? WHY BOTHER? I just can't see it.

Considering this thing is going to be (presumably) in your living room and is a portal to MS for selling stuff to you over the internet, it ought to be cheap not expensive.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007 7:19 PM by The Laughing DJ

# re: Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite

Chris, maybe you can answer this question for me. I have a standard XBox360, connected to my living room HDTV with the same type of component cables that are used on my HD STB. Can I connect it to my CableCard equipped Vista Media Center PC and use it to watch HDTV programming at their full resolution? Or would I need to purchase and HDMI-capable XBox360 Elite now?

Wednesday, March 28, 2007 9:32 PM by Alex

# re: Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite

I honestly don't understand the animosity you guys are expressing.  I've seen the same frustrations expressed a thousand times on other forums, and it still doesn't make the least bit of sense to me.  Another thing I've seen a thousand times is people explaining why they are excited about - or at least don't have a problem with - the new box.  There's no point in me regurgitating those arguments here 'cause you've all read them too, but count me on the side that sees the Elite as a good thing.

Thursday, March 29, 2007 11:22 AM by Darryl

# re: Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite

Similar question to the one posted by Alex on March 28, 2007 9:32 PM:

if all I need is an extender to a Vista Media Center with Cable Cards, will the XBOX 360 Elite do anything else beyond HDMI interface and 120 GB hard drive? Will a regular XBOX 360 have the same functionality other than these 2 items?

Saturday, March 31, 2007 3:14 PM by Valy Lev

# re: Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite

Hey guys, questions answered at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/archive/2007/03/31/735876.aspx

Saturday, March 31, 2007 3:48 PM by chrisl