*OFFICIAL* Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite

[supafly]

Well simbot those pics must have been genuine. :P

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/p...60ElitePR.mspx

Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 Elite
Premium black console includes 120GB hard drive and line of new accessories.
Related Links
Press Releases:
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Xbox LIVE Movie and TV Roster Grows as Multiple New Partners Bring Premium Content to the Online Games and Entertainment Network - March 27, 2007
Microsoft Resources:
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Xbox 360 Web site
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Consumer Newsroom

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
The new Xbox 360 Elite console is expected to begin arriving in U.S. stores on April 29.
The new Xbox 360 Elite console is expected to begin arriving in U.S. stores on April 29.
Click for high-res version.
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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.
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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.).
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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.).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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.).
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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.).



1 Prices stated are estimated retail prices; actual retail prices may vary.

2 Total retail value: more than $600 (U.S.)

3 TV and movie downloads available only in the U.S.

Microsoft, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft® Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.

[supafly]

heres some official pics

http://www.flickr.com/photos/majorne...7600031749742/

[mythguy]

Well, it's official... I need one of those!!! I'm just a bit hesitant now to buy a HD-DVD add-on because it will be white, and apart from the fact I'm not a collingwood fan (AFL reference for non victorians) it will look like balls next to a nice new black xbox 360.
Oh well, I shall try to be patient and wait to see what MS will do accessory wise before getting the HD-DVD add-on in white.

cheers

mythguy

[supafly]

i can confirm now that there will not be a black HD-DVD add on. Unfortunately there has not been any chip upgrade, same chip as current 360. So everything is the same except hdmi and 120gb hdd, atleast you get a transfer cable when you buy the HDD on its own (which i will eventually do once more HD content is available), and you also get a HDMI cable with it unlike the PS3.

[scritch]

I don't need HDMI for a few years yet, but a 120GB HDD would be great - wonder when it's due in Aus?

Regards,
Shane.

[supafly]

My tv has hdmi, but im not fussed, im happy with 1080i via component. I would say i will upgrade to a 120gb hard drive, but not until the Media selection is alot better, im talking tv shows, movies, etc. But because we are so damn far behind the US with tv shows i dont see it happening for a while, also do you see any australian stations wanting to sign up with this???

[Astrotoy7]

hopefully this will make standard 360s cheaper...I need one just to play mass effect !

will put my gaming pc angainst a console any day, but being a final fantasy fan predisposes me to getting a ps3 when they get cheaper......and it will double as my blu-ray player

astro

[JNRidgway15]

Check out this video about the 360 elite it clarifies all the questions about new 120GB HDD and HDMI and Marketplace

[supafly]

now we just need an Australian release, and when they are going to pull their finger out about our marketplace.

[PhaseLock]

I was hoping for a HD-DVD drive to be included. Especially for the asking price of these units - $479 USD ~ $799 AUD? - yeah they still are making a lose but they are marketing the "entertainment potential" compared the PS3 with HD-DVD (that wont come in black), MCX and HD Gaming.

Allota money for just HDMI and an extra 100GB, and if there is no chip upgrade in these xbox's (I am assuming there must be for the Digital video ouput) where is the HDMI Adapter for Xbox Plain?

I like the value in the $179 USD 120GB drive upgrade too - NOT.

While HD-DVD will now be supported in 1080p, games will still be 1080i. Not a big issue just need to play them in 720p

For me it is better to get a HDCP LCD TV and connect the VGA adapter that does support 1080p, pick up the same coloured HD-DVD, assuming HD-DVD movies are ever lauched here.

Finally I wonder if the 'elite' also sounds like a 747 taking off too when playing games?

All in all there is only one word to describe the 'elite' - disappointment.

Just my $0.02 (and the fact that I am having a bad day at work probably is not helping)