Xbox Gets An Elite Upgrade; New Studio Partners On Movie Downloads
Microsoft has give the Xbox360 an upgrade, called Xbox360 Elite, with a 120-GB hard drive and a souped up HD video connection, in a bid to broaden the appeal of its popular console beyond video games. The earlier version has 20GB storage. The new Xbox 360 Elite will sell for $479.99. Consumers who already own the $399.99 20-gigabyte model will be able to buy a snap-on 120-gigabyte hard drive for $179.99, reports AP.
Also, importantly for the content industry, it has added an HDMI connection, which sends HD content from the console to the TV without losing picture or sound quality, while also helping prevent piracy, the story says.
On the content side, it has announced new partners: New Line is the latest studio to join Microsoft’s Xbox Live video download service, while existing partner Paramount is going HD, reports Variety. Paramount has been in the service since Nov, but going HD for the first time. Warner Bros. has offered pics in HD since the service launched, while Lionsgate joined in January with HD.
A&E is also joining this week with digital downloads of its TV shows, including “Dog the Bounty Hunter.” Shows from CBS, MTV Networks, WB and Paramount TV are already on Xbox Live, with many available in HD. Action sports company TotalVid and Japanese anime distrib ADV Films have also signed onto the service.
Gizmodo: People are spending about 40% of their time using the Xbox 360 for a lot of these entertainment-type experiences like music, movies and TV.
First let me make clear I own all next gen systems, all systems have exclusives which I enjoy a lot. So when I hear about the xbox360 elite, I think they are shooting themselves in the foot a bit. The two major upgrades are the 120GB HDD and HDMI. When you think about it, it’s only 1 major upgrade, the HDMI port. They will be selling the HDD separate for other xbox360 users. So for $20 cheaper you can get a PS3, which has WiFi and Blu Ray. This should be a complete no brainer for the general public looking for an all-in-one entertainment system. I think xbox360 should have just did an upgrade on their current versios of 360 by adding an HDMI port and that’s it. Making the price similiar if not equal to the premium version currently out. By making it only $20 cheaper than the basic PS3, they are actually helping Sony by saying “Yeah, next-gen systems will cost a lot”. If I only had one system to choose from at this point, I’d have to side with PS3 on this one. Of course it depends on the gamer, but strictly speaking in general here.
Anyway, I just hope all consoles do well, I don’t care who is in the lead or not, as long as good games keep coming out, that is what’s important.
Wrong, for $20 you can get a ps3 without wifi (which isn't good in the more expensive version anyways). Blu Ray isn't good unless you have a 1080p tv. Ps3 also has maybe two good games and cheap online play if you enjoy that. You also have to pay extra for component cables for the ps3. You can also enjoy $70 games and $30 movies. What a deal! The elite also looks much cooler than the white and has a huge 120 gb hard drive. I think it is ridiculous to pay an upgrade for $180 when it is only costing $80 more for the elite with hdmi cables and a cool look. The hard drive is also black on the elite and would look ugly on a white one unless that is they make a silver one for upgraders.
I love the 360 and elite but simply wont pay $180 for just the hard drive. The 360 is obviously the best system out unless you feel the need for 1080p blu-ray and you have a really nice expensive 1080p tv like the pioneer elite provision for around $8000.
Obviously no one has ever priced the cost of an XBOX 360 alongside the PS3. Here is the difference the XBOX 360 costs 399.99, the PS3 is 599.99. Now with the PS3 you get 1 controller no cables (HD), but you get a 60GB Hard drive, BlueRay, HDMI, WIFI, and media card readers. The XBOX you get 1 controller, no WIFI (100.00), no HDMI, no media card ports, 20GB hard drive (120GB 179.99), no HD-DVD drive (130.00), if you want this its external . Have you added up the costs? XBOX 360 costs more to get the same options as PS3. Think about it.
i think it is about time microsoft came out with a black xbox again