New 360AV MONSTER on the way?

[LexLuthor]

The current XBox 360 WILL NOT be getting a new "built-in" HD-DVD player, however the new XBox "360" AV will.

This is a new unit, to exist alongside of the current XBox 360 line. New features:

Plays All XBox 360 titles
250 gb HD
HD PVR functionality
Live Anywhere support - Server Support
Wireless Hub "Built-In"
Built-In HD-DVD player
HDMI Output
Connection to other Live Anywhere "Xbox" Branded devices - even over internet.

Out for this Christmas to compete with Sony PS3 - pricing undetermined but within $100 of the PS3 is assumed. (Hopefully below)

AVS forum

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=697475

Press release Belkin

http://hiddenwires.co.uk/resourcesne...060614-05.html


This Switch easily solves the problem of insufficient HDMI inputs caused by the quick and widespread adoption of HDMI in the marketplace. High-definition components that commonly feature the HDMI connector include TVs, up-converting DVD players, cable/satellite boxes, entertainment computers, the newly released Blu-ray(R) and HD-DVD players, and upcoming game consoles, PlayStation(R) 3 and Xbox(R) 360 (HDMI connection to come). People who own multiple digital-video devices can avoid a bottleneck at the HDTV's single HDMI port with this Switch.

Originally posted by Nelg on B3d

If it's originally posted by someone else, then use quote tags...
[quote](insert article here)[/quote] ~ Lp Chris XII

This thing would KILL the PS3, if they can list it under $600

[Kanon]

lawl............alot of people are gonna be angry

[The_One]

This thing would KILL the PS3, if they can list it under $600 I just love how people love to claim that when the PS3 isn't even out yet :lol:.

[meuhey]

lolllll ajajaja ill buy one and screw the 360 users ^^^^^^

[Mael Duin]

Plays All XBox 360 titles
Hahaha WTF, this sounds like that 360 Premium can't play all games. This whole thing just sounds so absurd. Sorry but if there is 250Gb HDD, I really doubt that this "monstah" is going to be under $600. Oh yeah, and this would be third SKU too.

[Tribunal]

lol, if MS does this they will look unbelievably fucking bad. And will leave a couple million people incredibly pissed.

[Lp Chris XII]

This reminds me of when Siren was saying that the PS3 would come in three SKUs (inside-info from MS); one without a HDD, one with a HDD, and a PSX-style SKU.


Out for this Christmas to compete with Sony PS3 - pricing undetermined but within $100 of the PS3 is assumed. (Hopefully below)

That's ridiculous. a 250GB 2.5" HDD, HD-DVD drive, and PVR functionality, all for $200 more than the current 360? Still, I don't see how you think they'd be able to offer all that for less than the PS3 with the 60GB HDD.


This thing would KILL the PS3, if they can list it under $600

Yeah, and the PS3 would KILL the 360 if it were listed at $300.

Both your claim and mine are ridiculous. It's stupid to think that MS could offer that much more than Sony at a lower price.

[LexLuthor]

This guy an the Av forum, is well respected though and apperently he's been right about other "News" so I guess we will have to wait and see.

A couple way's I heard this might be done is to increase the size of the machine to be better fit with AV equipment, and that way they could go with an internal 3.5" hard disk which have better specs and cost, also Toshibia is helping defray some of the cost of the drive as MS doesn't have a vested interest like Sony has in Blu-Ray.

[Dasimpse]

IS THIS TRUE THEN???

the buggers i want more info and nowwww

if its 600 dollars, i dont care about it im happy with mine.

if this is true i expect the core to be gone by christmas1

[Johnny]

250 gig 2.5in HD ? + HD DVD player ? under 600?

LOL

[GangstaB]

if its true i dont mind i got a 1yr warrnty on my xbox 360 so i can jus break my old 360 and get a new one 8)

[mr-smith]

Doubt this is true but I always wondered why they used 2.5" HDs in the first place 20gb (or 60gb even) was ok in the 90s but I'm sitting on 500gb of HD space on my pc which I use manly as a media centre and I still have 50 or so dvds full of stuff.

[G_H_G]

250 gig 2.5in HD ? + HD DVD player ? under 600?

LOL

Exactly. Add HDMI and Wi-Fi to that list as well and it sounds even more funny when you consider this person claims it will be about $500.

If you believe this then you really are a sucker.

[justintheman99]

If this is true there will be a lot of pissed current 360 owners! Myself being one of them who never got this option when I purchased my 360. :pissed:

[Aleman]

Games still wouldn't come out on HD-DVD... why would any of the current 360 owners be pissed?

[justintheman99]

Games still wouldn't come out on HD-DVD... why would any of the current 360 owners be pissed?To not have this option when we purchased our systems.

[Aleman]

Games still wouldn't come out on HD-DVD... why would any of the current 360 owners be pissed?To not have this option when we purchased our systems.

But it doesn't affect your current system at all. It still works as advertised.

I could get pissed off at Apple for releasing a whole new line of laptops six months after I bought a Powerbook. Or I could get pissed off at Verizon for coming out with new cell phones a month after I bought mine. Or I could get pissed off at Samsung for coming out with a new version of my TV a week after I took mine home.

That's just how technology works.

[Aquanox]

Microsoft Has No Plans for Internal HD DVD Drive

Saw a few stories online about an Xbox 360 with a built-in HD DVD drive:not true. We have no plans to release an Xbox 360 with an internal HD DVD. What we showcased at E3 was an external HD DVD drive, and we're sticking with that.

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/11285/Microsoft-Has-No-Plans-for-Internal-HD-DVD-Drive/

Wasn't this already debunked before?

[Hippo]

if its true i dont mind i got a 1yr warrnty on my xbox 360 so i can jus break my old 360 and get a new one 8)
Just to make a point on warranties, if yours breaks...they will give you a refurbished one...not money to buy a new Xbox 360.

I don't think this is true, since it would upset a lot of current XBox 360 owners. Now, two years from now at around the same time the PS2 Slim was released, then I can see this being released...but at the same time an external HD-DVD and larger HD is available to current 360 owners.

[GangstaB]

if its true i dont mind i got a 1yr warrnty on my xbox 360 so i can jus break my old 360 and get a new one 8)
Just to make a point on warranties, if yours breaks...they will give you a refurbished one...not money to buy a new Xbox 360.

I don't think this is true, since it would upset a lot of current XBox 360 owners. Now, two years from now at around the same time the PS2 Slim was released, then I can see this being released...but at the same time an external HD-DVD and larger HD is available to current 360 owners.

my warranty is with the shop not m$ so i can break my console and get a new 360 :lol:

[arfi-gorgona-O]

That will kill MS for sure not the PS3 :lol: Please Ms make it happen!!!

EDIT:Damn i just saw that one:A 250 gig 2.5in HD ? + HD DVD player ? under 600? Now its even funnier than before. :roll:

[Stewie Skywalker]

I doubt this is happening and if so I doubt its going to be priced at under 600. These are some major updates for a system. If so people will just be pissed at Microsoft and this also ruins ppl perception of Microsoft. This really shows desperation having to release a newer system with all these "PS3 Like" features right near christmas season. As far as the Add-On HD-DVD drive i'm guessing that will be close to 100-200 bucks which would make it the same price as PS3 so what if they have it built in plus wi-fi and 250GB PSHTTTTTT Microsoft shouldn't even. Live still roxz, they are trying to do something cool with Live anywhere and they have Vista. Microsoft had their chance and they just didn't deliver on it so HALO 3 is their next big shot to take down the beast which is Playstation 3.

~Stewie~

~Stewie~

[mr-smith]

Well like I said I doubt this would ever happen but if it did there's nothing stopping them making the case a bit bigger and sticking a 3.5" drive in there and you can get 250gb 3.5" drives for less than 60gb 2.5" drives.

[bugbomb]

You guys have this all wrong. It is not an Xbox 360 upgrade. Don't think of it that way. It is simply a DVR machine conbined with a 360. If they released it, it would fall under the high-end A/V components' category. It would be big, and not really resemble the current Premium system (they could attempt to make it look similar) but it is not just a 360.

Plus, they said within $100 of the PS3, so I would expect it to cost about $700.

If Microsoft released a super-media device like this, it would not affect the regular 360 in any way. NOBODY should be upset about it because it's practically a different product altogether. If you think this will upset current 360 owners, then you really should be pissed at Sony for releasing a slim PS2. How dare them upgrade their product! :lol:

[Aleman]

It's the same as Sony releasing the PSX.

You PS2 owners didn't get upset about that, did ya?

[Tribunal]

Wasn't the PSX just a playstation 1... :?

[JustinPinter]

HA!....bad move for MS....look at the other 10million people who already bought the 360 and now are getting ripped off.

Also, how could MS say that SOny ripped them off by copying them. Look who is copying now!

Hopefully HD-DVD bombs and MS [spoiler:7c893c6e10]sucks![/spoiler:7c893c6e10]

[Aleman]

Wasn't the PSX just a playstation 1... :?

Nope. This is the PSX:
http://www.ps3land.com/psx.php

And NoUse... I really fail to see how current 360 owners have been "ripped off." They bought their 360's for $300-400 and now MS is releasing a model for $600+... it's not like their current 360's are instantly obsolete.

[JustinPinter]

I am so mad with MS. Not only are they going back on their words against Sony and their desicion to go with HDMI and everything but they are charging people for a whole new package that you can only get by going and buying a new system.

So MS has 3 packages then? I think this is the start of a downward spiral for MS. Kinda like a decision that sends a game company out of the business.

[dbakerstl]

I still dont see it happening - the 360 is a DVD based Gaming Machine - unless the HDdvd drive can read DVDs at the same speed as the DVD drive in the 360 I dont see this happening - I dont think MS would trust a HDdvd drive to be the main drive on their system - And MS also said they do not have plans for an internal HDdvd drive... They can make more money on the external one - also They are allready loosing money on the 360 - why would they create a new version that they will just lose a larger margin of cash to?

I dont see this happening for some time.

[chopchopyep]

It's the same as Sony releasing the PSX.

You PS2 owners didn't get upset about that, did ya?

It didnt cost anywhere near a xbox, and wasn't made to come up against an other consoles features! :mrgreen: :lol:

Basically i don't care about it, and i don't think microsoft would be that dumb to say "stream stream stream" all the time, and how great the exra drive is, because you can remove it and so on, and then release the exact opposite, then why release the extra drives?The people that want HDDVD too, would just buy the big "mooonstaahh" 360.It's too much in my opinion...microsoft should stay in their strategy.



So MS has 3 packages then?

It's 4. :shock:

They are gonna rerelease the xbox 1 for 199$ with a new technology controller, it will be cheap, really small and easy to use, targeted to the "casual audience". :lol:

[Aleman]

I am so mad with MS. Not only are they going back on their words against Sony and their desicion to go with HDMI and everything but they are charging people for a whole new package that you can only get by going and buying a new system.

So MS has 3 packages then? I think this is the start of a downward spiral for MS. Kinda like a decision that sends a game company out of the business.

Sony has said that the PS3 will be upgradeable and another configuration may be available in the future.

Are you mad at them too?

[chopchopyep]

Sony has said that the PS3 will be upgradeable and another configuration may be available in the future.

Are you mad at them too?



We'Re always talking about could/may/would be if here.

nobody said the "Ps3 will be ..." just like nobody confirmed a "moooonstaaahhh" 360.

[JustinPinter]

upgradeable, but you wont have to go buy a whole new system to get HDMI and new features....lol, unless you get the $500 version

[Aleman]

upgradeable, but you wont have to go buy a whole new system to get HDMI and new features....lol, unless you get the $500 version

Who would honestly buy a whole new system so they could get HDMI output?

And so are you mad at Sony for releasing the $500 PS3 without HDMI?

[justintheman99]

What I am mad about is that the first wave of people to buy the 360 did not have this "maybe" system as an option.

[JustinPinter]

upgradeable, but you wont have to go buy a whole new system to get HDMI and new features....lol, unless you get the $500 version

Who would honestly buy a whole new system so they could get HDMI output?

And so are you mad at Sony for releasing the $500 PS3 without HDMI?

Yes. They should have just stuck with 1 system for $550 and supplied all the additional features.

[Aquanox]

I misread.

So they're talking about a whole new different SKU at a new price.

Why should the old consumers be mad about it?
It's just a combo of the regular console with extended features. It would've been mad to launch the 360 at $600 to start with.

[justintheman99]

I misread.

So they're talking about a whole new different SKU at a new price.

Why should the old consumers be mad about it?
It's just a combo of the regular console with extended features. It would've been mad to launch the 360 at $600 to start with.What I am trying to get at here is that if this was available at launch I would of went for this version instead of my premium. I would much rather prefer a 250 GB HD than a 20GB one. I just feel it is kind of a kick in the face to purchase a Premium and then a much higher end bundle comes along.

[WhatRuOn]

Yes. They should have just stuck with 1 system for $550 and supplied all the additional features.
Game Consoles shouldn't cost more then $300, $400 is pushing it.

[Mael Duin]

Now this third SKU doesn't seem to be that awful anymore. But I won't believe that it will be less than $600. Really, 250Gb HDD and HD-DVD? Nope, I don't believe it. There isn't 100Gb HDDs yet and now people are talking about 250Gb? Largest one is 20Gb for crying out loud!

[A7MAD]

I had a good long think about this and came up with this...

This could all be possible come late 2007, also no one said the HDD will be 2.5" and a 3.5" SATA 2 is very affordable already. Only issue would be the actual HD-DVD drive, the rest can be achieved for the price, but not right now imho.

If this is released, it wouldn't upset me one bit! Reason being is that my XBOX 360 Premium with the 20Gb HDD and DVD drive will play all the same games the XBOX 360AV will play, however it won't have the new features. Still it will play games and be a media extender, it will work no different than it did when I purchased it.

One poster in the AVS forum made a vary valid point where he/she said something to the extent of; Should one get upset if a new HD TV is made available for a cheaper price than what you paid that offers better picture quality?

Sony fanboys talk about welcoming change, yet will bag any other company doing so??

Get used to upgrades and paying $ for what changes are implemented, so long as all the same games can be played with this unit and HD-DVD is only for High Definition movie playback, sit back and relax or if you're going to bust a blood vessel, buy the new SKU.

[JustinPinter]

I agree, but the PS3 is an exception. All the tech you are getting its worth it. Although in about a year they should drop boh package a $100.

[Aquanox]

I agree, but the PS3 is an exception. All the tech you are getting its worth it. Although in about a year they should drop boh package a $100.

And all the tech in the 360 AV isn't worth it?

It's like a PS3 with HD-DVD instead of BluRay and 250GB instead of 60Gb and PVR (Digital Video Recording) Which I understand the PS3 doesn't have.

I find it a much better deal if the prices are the same.

In addition, the 360, whathever the SKU is has much more chances to drop its prices sooner than the Ps3.

[JustinPinter]

I agree that buying the XBOX AV is way better than the PS3...but thats not fair to those who already bought what they thought was the premium package Xbox 360.

[A7MAD]

I actually want this to be true, so I can sell my XBOX360 and purchase this come 2008 or something, with the ability to; Play All XBox 360 titles, 250Gb HDD, HDD PVR Functionality, Live Anywhere Support - Server Support, Wireless Hub "Built-In", Internal HD-DVD player, HDMI Output & Connection to other Live Anywhere "Xbox" Branded devices - Even over internet.

I'd pay $600USD ($1,000AUD?) for this, I'll be doing it for the PS3 with HDMI, Card Readers, 60Gb HDD, Wifi, Bluetooth & Blu-Ray.

[JustinPinter]

Well the PS3 is said to ahve a 120GB hard drive and bigger to launch soon after the Nov.17 launch of the PS3.

[Mael Duin]

I agree, but the PS3 is an exception. All the tech you are getting its worth it. Although in about a year they should drop boh package a $100.

And all the tech in the 360 AV isn't worth it?

It's like a PS3 with HD-DVD instead of BluRay and 250GB instead of 60Gb.

I find it a much better deal if the prices are the same.

In addition, the 360, whathever the SKU is has much more chances to drop its prices sooner than the Ps3.
This kind of deal > PS3 "Premium", I agree with that...IF this is $500-600 as that man says. I do not believe it however. 360 only has 20Gb HDD and suddenly 250Gb comes? Plus 20Gb costs $100 so what 250Gb would cost? It isn't that cheap. Another plus, there is HD-DVD too. $600? Then Microsoft isn't trying to get profit from 360 anymore.

[chopchopyep]

I dont have a problem against it, they can put a built in dishwasher while their at it.

I just like how they where preaching that nobody needs to have so much in one box all the time, and now its great to have all that in one box.

My opinion:
If they release it anywhere near the PS3 launch its a sign of fear.Nothing else.It's like a "oh we can make a PS3 too", with HD Drive and all that, but it will make the "normal" xbox 360 look like a toy(or like a budget, cheapo version) against the AV 360 and the PS3, while microsoft really worked towards making the 360 look "even" when compared to the PS3 since the day of the consoles release.

Thats the whole thing, that the big 360 will be compared to the Ps3 from that point, making the 360 look outdated, cheap, but outdated.

[A7MAD]

http://www.dailygame.net/news/archives/005797.php

ATI Decoder Chosen for Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player


ATI and Microsoft are teaming up again for the Xbox 360, this time with an announcement that ATI's decoder has been selected for the Xbox 360's HD-DVD player. The specific decoder, H.264, is built on ATI's Avivo technology.

chopchopyep,

They won't be releasing this this year, watch and see...

[justintheman99]

I agree that buying the XBOX AV is way better than the PS3...but thats not fair to those who already bought what they thought was the premium package Xbox 360.

I see you are on the same page as me. :wink:

I do realize that this is a common thing in this world. Its like buying a new car and 1-2 years down the road the same model comes out with huge improvements. Newer/better products replacing old products is the way this world works. It just makes me mad thats all......

This has become a very popular thread!

[A7MAD]

Mael Duin,

I noticed you were doubting the authenticity of this because of the current pricing of the 2.5" 20Gb HDD M$ currently provides with the Premium XBOX 360's.

What is possible is that the AV360 may offer the HDD in the 3.5" flavour instead of the 2.5" thus in doing so 250Gb 3.5" SATA HDD won't cost M$ all that much more than currently for the 20Gb 2.5"

I assume you did not read the 3 pages of posts found @ the AVS forums?

[Ricokillercon]

I think this would make me very angry...

people are ignoring the fact that 5mill or so people have already bought a 360...and din't have an option to buy this version when they did? What if some of those people where willing to pay of this new SKU...there screwed...they already bought the system...and if the 250GB HDD is 3.5"...then old 360 owners can even upgrade that high...which means the only way to upgrade that high would be to buy a new system...


That is just mess up...

[Aquanox]

I agree that buying the XBOX AV is way better than the PS3...but thats not fair to those who already bought what they thought was the premium package Xbox 360.

I see you are on the same page as me. :wink:

I do realize that this is a common thing in this world. Its like buying a new car and 1-2 years down the road the same model comes out with huge improvements. Newer/better products replacing old products is the way this world works. It just makes me mad thats all......

This has become a very popular thread!

Exactly what I was going to say. In technology, you buy something some day and one year after you find better deals for the same price. At least this time you'll still need to pay more for it, so that feeling of having something better for the same price doesn't apply here.

[Knuckles126]

I doubt this will happen..actually, I KNOW it won't happen because MS isn't stupid enough to release a new 360 with all those enhancements...it will drive the price through the roof, and also piss off every current 360 owner.

[Aquanox]

If it's priced the same as a PS3 Premium it would make all sense.

Launch 360 owners can still sell their consoles and buy the new one if they are HD Movie freaks, otherwise, they don't really need to.

[DOGG]

If they do this, that's just good ol' Microsoft screwing everyone over again.

[A7MAD]

Regardless what some here think, it'd be a wise move if M$ take this step in the 4th quarter of 2007, it'd offer M$' latest gaming capabilities, High Definition Movie playback (HD-DVD via HDMI), PVR functionality (for its decent 250Gb HDD), Live Anywhere Support (server side & with other xbox related devices) aswell as a wireless HUB.

I'm a current 360 owner and am not mad after considering what this offers, we all want upgrades one way or the other, Sony want to move into the "computer realm" M$ claim to want to do the same, we all know in the "computer realm" periodical upgrades are inevitable and like Aquanox stated, the price will be higher than that which we paid for our current 360's so that feeling of having something better for the same price won't apply.

[SpaceMonkeyDave]

so whats this then?
the xbox 360v2?

[A7MAD]

so whats this then?
the xbox 360v2?

XBOX 360AV.
The XBOX360 Version 2 is the second generation XBOX360's that came with the Toshiba Samsung drives...

[Aquanox]

so whats this then?
the xbox 360v2?

Not really, the core machine would be the same, but with extra adds. Almost all of them targeted to movie freaks.

Edit:

Wow! :shock: I've just noticed the PVR in the list!

So it will also be able to record digital Video?! Now that's insane.

The PS3 won't have this, will it?

[JustinPinter]

If it's priced the same as a PS3 Premium it would make all sense.

Launch 360 owners can still sell their consoles and buy the new one if they are HD Movie freaks, otherwise, they don't really need to.

MS should have adeal where you can trade in your old 360 and pay like $150 to get the AV version.

[justintheman99]

If it's priced the same as a PS3 Premium it would make all sense.

Launch 360 owners can still sell their consoles and buy the new one if they are HD Movie freaks, otherwise, they don't really need to.

MS should have adeal where you can trade in your old 360 and pay like $150 to get the AV version.Now that would be sweet. They send you an empty box you send them your machine and they send you the new one and a bill of like $150-$200 bucks.

[Aquanox]

If this is true, Microsoft will ground the only "reasonable" advantage Sony claimed to have over the 360: High Definition Movie playback, by adding even more features like much more storage and digital video recording at (hopefully) the same price.

I wonder the effect this would have on Sony's countermarketing.

[DOGG]

But didn't you debunk this on page one? :wink:

[Aquanox]

But didn't you debunk this on page one? :wink:

And then I read properly:


I misread.

So they're talking about a whole new different SKU at a new price.

Why should the old consumers be mad about it?
It's just a combo of the regular console with extended features. It would've been mad to launch the 360 at $600 to start with.

Not saying this is reliable though, but it's fun to think about the possibilities. To my understanding this could potentially bury all the hardware advantages of the PS3 over the 360.

[DOGG]

Ah, didn't read that. Thanks for pointing that out.

[A7MAD]

The threat starter on the AVS forums has been a member there since 1999, he's known to start threads that began as rumors which later actually came to pass, he's respected in the AVS forums, so I'll leave it up to you to judge...

[JustinPinter]

To my understanding this could potentially bury all the hardware advantages of the PS3 over the 360.

Like? Blu-Ray is still superior to HD-DVD and although they will offer a 250GB hard drive Sony has already announced that they will provide new and bigger HDD for the future.

Unless MS came out with a new Xbox 360 with new actual hardware, the Cell and RSX combined still is superior in the same aspects as before.

[A7MAD]

NoUseMercenary,

Aquanox to what I understood did not deny the power of the PS3 but stated that the features this XBOX360AV could offer would bury (allow people to forget or not focus upon) all the hardware advantages of the PS3 over the 360.

A 250Gb HDD in the 3.5" flavour would mean at a later date a 750Gb HDD could be added in the 3.5" flavour considering the technology is available today! PVR is next gen and if made available would pull High Def fans towards the console/media unit also considering it plays games.

Aquanox took nothing away from the PS3 but stated that if the XBOX 360AV is to be released will definitely give the PS3 a hell of a fight.

Plus HD-DVD is doing far better than you may think, just because many here are Pro Blu-Ray doesn't mean it has proven itself to be the better format just yet.

[Aquanox]

That Cell+RSX is argument has gotten old a long time ago.

Have you checked out the Work in Progress of BIA3, COD3, Sonic and others?
They're virtually the same on both platforms.

In addition you have games like GeOW, Mass Effect and Bioshock that doesn't have anything to envy to the PS3 offers.

Blu-Ray can storage more than HD-DVD but it's easily covered by the tremendous superiority of the 250GB Hard Drive.

Now you talk about bigger offers from Sony in the future but at how much ?? Remember the PS3 "Premium" is already $600 so you'd be getting way off the wallet by investing on a new HD for the PS3.

To end with , I don't remember the PS3 having PVR, do you? It can't record Digital Video, so the 360 AV, if it exists, would act as a some kind of TiVO as well + Live anywhere.

This would be a way better offer my friend.

[chopchopyep]

So this means, why even buy a 360 until this version is out?

It's obvious the PS3 has many advantages over the 360, that microsoft is trying to chase, by releasing a whole new hardware.

Thanks aquanox, for saving me 400$! :lol:

This is crazy, like somebody said, if microsoft is really selling the 360 at a 150$ loss, how big will the loss be for a thing like that?300$, then, really microsoft is going for huge financial loss, just like they did with the xbox.

[A7MAD]

Interesting times ahead to say the least, I can't wait but to me and many others all over the world, this will give M$ users and fanboys features that they wanted and kept asking M$ to give them, so they did!

If this release is for real, fans and M$ users will appreciate their response by adding these features to the XBOX360.

Come late 2007 this thing will cost no where near as much as people are making it sound out to cost.

[Aquanox]

So this means, why even buy a 360 until this version is out?

It's obvious the PS3 has many advantages over the 360, that microsoft is trying to chase, by releasing a whole new hardware.

Thanks aquanox, for saving me 400$! :lol:

This is crazy, like somebody said, if microsoft is really selling the 360 at a 150$ loss, how big will the loss be for a thing like that?300$, then, really microsoft is going for huge financial loss, just like they did with the xbox.

It's only worth if you really consider HD Movie playback necessary. Most people will find it worthless and buy the premium pack to have everything they need to play the games at a reasonable price.

If you really care about HD Movies, you would need to wait until the end of the year anyways, only that this time people willing to buy a PS3 only for that, will have more choices to think about. ;)


This is crazy, like somebody said, if microsoft is really selling the 360 at a 150$ loss, how big will the loss be for a thing like that?300$, then, really microsoft is going for huge financial loss, just like they did with the xbox.

Err, this is Microsoft what we're talking about here. :lol:

[A7MAD]

Well Aquanox it's offering a little more than just HD movie playback :D

[Aquanox]

Indeed, you have said so.

[Azu]

This thing would KILL the PS3, if they can list it under $600

:lol:

Wishful thinking. If you have to pay like 100$ for Xbox 360's 20GB HDD, what do you think they will make you pay for a 250GB one? And a built-in HD-DVD would raise the price with like at least 100-200$.

[JustinPinter]

I never said HD-DVD sucked....just that it is a smaller when compared to what Blu-Ray does...I dont know what the sales stats are yet since Blu-ray has only been out since mid July.

Hardware advatages...that also would go under processor and everything...but I know what you are saying.

[SpaceMonkeyDave]

hmm...
this smells fishy from a mile away at the moment..
if it does come to pass im expecting them to be add ons and not an actual new 360

[Aquanox]

Let it be clear from my part that this is false until an official announcement is made. I'm just playing with the odds.

[JustinPinter]

Well I hope its true....I think this would hurt MS more in terms of consistancy and people trusting in them...ya know?? Although I do like the fact of having HD-DVD and bigger hard drive...too bad they just didn't launch with it in it.

I wonder if its true then games could perhaps move onto the HD-DVD...

edit*: Yes I know MS said that games would go on HD-DVD but that would be cool.... :)

[Azu]

Err, this is Microsoft what we're talking about here.
Microsoft can't just do whatever they like, there's the stockholders to think of. They didn't like the fact that all Microsoft did was lose money with Xbox (the only time Xbox made profit was the time when Halo 2 was released, a short while after that they were back losing money), and they really don't like that Microsoft is losing even more money with every Xbox 360 sold than they did with every Xbox sold (it was about 10-20$ more).

[Aquanox]

Microsoft raised their earnings in the last fiscal period even when they had to go through a console launch.

This new SKU wouldn't be remotely as much of a cost for Microsoft as the console's launch was since it's not targeted for the majority of the market and also given the fact that the 360 will start being profitable around Christmas.

Said this, it's not that they're just throwing the money through the window, this would be a long term investment with very profitable results.

[UndecideD]

Wow this would piss off most(if not all) current xbox 360 owners
wow.
Also how do they expect to have a 250 hdd,hd-dvd player and still be $100 under the ps3...Rrrightttttt
I'll belive it when I see it.

[JustinPinter]

Its all rumors no truth...although i do know that MS has planned a HD-DVD add-on for an additional $150 I think...so to add the other things I dont know how they would have it $100 under the PS3.

If its true, once again bad news for MS.

[Deletegmc]

If this is true and is $600 or under then Sony will have a very hard time sellng the PS3 although this new Xbox 360 is still restricted to only having DVD 9 for games and that could be a huge plus for the PS3 in the future

[bugbomb]

NoUseMercenary, I completely disagree. I think it's a great thing for MS. They would have the only next-gen console that offers a choice between having HD-quality DVD playback or not. Some people just don't care about that at this point, so they are not forced to shell out $500+ to get a next-gen console. Sounds like a good idea to me.

Oh, and if you want a good explanation of how MS could easily afford to offer this unit at $600 or less, go read the thread on AVSforum.

[JustinPinter]

If they dont care about next gen dvd why dont they just get a Nintendo Wii then...lol

[Trinity]

Like I said many times...the current xbox 360 is a half made system....

They should have released that system instead of the premium. :D

[Dasimpse]

How do you know they dont mean its going to be 700 dollars not 500?

and to be honest this is just MS showing MORE choice to the consumer.

i like it and hope it comes around.

Im not interested in HD DVD or Blu rar, and i have a HD TV.

Im glad MS have done this9if true) becuase then i have paid 280 pounds for a "GAME" console which is what i wanted from the beginning.

f HD DVD takes off i can then get the HD DVD version, or if blu ray wins, i can use my PS3 as the player.

all you people seeing this as bad news to 360 owners are just being silly.

Go back and read everything that ALEMAN posted, it all makes perfect sense.

i didnt hear one person kick off when the PSx was released, people just wanna hate on MS, and frankly if this thng launches at 650 dollars etc, it still looks better than the PS3 specs to me, more stuff etc.

[siren]

This thing would KILL the PS3, if they can list it under $600

:lol:

Wishful thinking. If you have to pay like 100$ for Xbox 360's 20GB HDD, what do you think they will make you pay for a 250GB one? And a built-in HD-DVD would raise the price with like at least 100-200$.

You pay about $40 for the 360 HDD

You pay $12 for its protective casing, $25 for nVidia royalties for backward compat, $10 profit for retailer, $10 profit for MS, $3 for packing and shipping.

Thus, if a larger HDD did ship, its cost most likely would only increase realitive to the cost of the HDD being included.

[reality]

Will Microsoft make this happen ? i mean how could they keep a relatively low price for a console like this ? Someone mention a rebate from the 360 "core" and "premium" but that will be a major pain in the **s for Microsoft plus imagine all the hussle to have enough of this 360 AV for everyone . I don't see anything like this happening unless Toshiba and probably Direct tv or some other major satellite company drop a ton of money in it . The other day i was speculating about the HDMI for HD-DVD but man this sounds almost like a whole new system . Nothing is impossible but i don't see this happening or i will believe it when i see it .

[LegendaryArcturus]

Siren-chan: How much would it cost to build a 60GB HDD and 250GB HDD? Assuming you were talking about 20GB HDD for Xbox 360, it sound like it cost around $75 without nVidia royalties. I am interested in how much more costly would 60GB HDD would be in comparison to 20GB HDD because if it isn't much difference there, the 60GB HDD could be used instead of 20GB HDD.

[Ricokillercon]

All i got to say is..if they release this...there saying to the world...our first 360 was a half-baked attemp...and sony was on the money with theirs...


also its not like there adding anything important really...like a new cpu and gpu....so not much of an imporvement eh?

[A7MAD]

Ricokillercon,

Well with the addition of a PVR function & 250Gb (possibly 3.5" SATA) HDD, I'd have to say no one would say the first 360 was a half baked attempt as (if true) the 360AV would be aimed towards the Audio/Visual types and not the average M$ gamer who really has no need for concern considering this will play the very same games the very same way. Plus PVR alone is a great improvement, something Sony never implemented even though I hear the voice of many Sony fans here who wish the PS3 did have the PVR, had it actually been implemented into the PS3 I'd hear many use this as an important improvement.

HD-DVD is also great addition considering it's internal with the HDMI port plus the wireless HUB, I don't see Sony fans of the 60Gb with HDMI and Blu-Ray claiming the PS3 is short of remarkable and it's true the PS3 is awesome but so would this if it's to be released.

[Ricokillercon]

U forget that xenos is not HCDC compliant like sonys HDMI version...so in 5 years that version will be uselles for hd-movies....


And u also forget that HDMI version ps4 harddrive is also upgradeable with any 2.5" removable drive...

The Movie enthusias will see that the ps3 HDMI version would be more used to them 5 years down the lined...than having to buy a new player then...

[reconaz]

Wow, Sony fans exploding over this is HILARIOUS. Hypocrites to the max!

Its adding another SKU, but its more like a HTPC. You can still pay $300 and play 360 games if you want to, but if you want a HT experience, then get this. Its just like the PSX, so whats the problem?

There is no way theyll price this thing under 600. Im guessing $7-800. I might trade my 360 in and put some cash down to get this thing. Provided it happens, ofcourse. Nothing is confirmed at the moment.

[A7MAD]

Wow, Sony fans exploding over this is HILARIOUS. Hypocrites to the max!

Could not have said it better! :)

[Ricokillercon]

I Have a 360...jsut pissed that i didnt have the choice to buy this when i bought my 360....consoles are not suppose to be this way....

[Mael Duin]

Now, ignore my first post because I have changed my mind from it. This shouldn't make people angry or anything, because 360 wasn't NEVER said to be console for both movies and games and I doubt there are people who bought 360 because he can do those two on one console. Now those who thought like this and were going to get PS3 can change their mind. Plus it doesn't effect on games, at least for me and for the many.

[Ricokillercon]

Now, ignore my first post because I have changed my mind from it. This shouldn't make people angry or anything, because 360 wasn't NEVER said to be console for both movies and games and I doubt there are people who bought 360 because he can do those two on one console. Now those who thought like this and were going to get PS3 can change their mind. Plus it doesn't effect on games, at least for me and for the many.

It all really depends on the price...if its 100 more than the 600 ps3...then i dont think it will do well at all....

[Mael Duin]

Now, ignore my first post because I have changed my mind from it. This shouldn't make people angry or anything, because 360 wasn't NEVER said to be console for both movies and games and I doubt there are people who bought 360 because he can do those two on one console. Now those who thought like this and were going to get PS3 can change their mind. Plus it doesn't effect on games, at least for me and for the many.

It all really depends on the price...if its 100 more than the 600 ps3...then i dont think it will do well at all....
Of course it depends. I don't believe that we will see it 600 or lower. 250Gb and HD-DVD aren't that cheap after all.

[Dasimpse]

How do we know that this Machine wont come HDCP compliant??

its not like they cant make it compliant, iuf they make this beast!

[A7MAD]

If they go to all this to make the XBOX 360AV it will be HDCP compliant without a doubt, the HDMI port would be proof enough of that...

[Ricokillercon]

No...ati card dont support that....cant support that....infact they got sued over that....

[NationStater]

No...ati card dont support that....cant support that....infact they got sued over that....

Care to provide a link?

Im pretty sure that ATi's next line of cards supports HDCP, and all it is, is software. Why couldnt they?

Do you even know what HDCP is?

[A7MAD]

I'd be interested in a link aswell, let's face it, if M$ are to introduce the XB360AV it will be HDCP compliant.

Take a look here Ricokillercon;

http://techreport.com/ja.zz?comments=10310


Earlier this week, DigiTimes reported that NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GT and GTX graphics cards with High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection support were due out within the next month and a half. DigiTimes now reports the red team will also have some HDCP-enabled graphics cards ready for the summer, and it may even beat NVIDIA to the punch.

http://digitimes.com/mobos/a20060707PR204.html


According to ATI, the graphics chip maker can also support HDCP natively without the need for an extra chip, based on the requirements of its board partners.

Seems to me ATI are not facing any legal issues and can do this with no isues...

[G_H_G]

You know what, this is all quite funny. Assuming they make this thing $700 (most likely since $500 would be making way too much of a loss per console) then it would go up against the $600 PS3 but with a higher price point. So suddenly, it no longer becomes $600 vs $400, but $600 vs $700 judging by how people have gone about their pricing comparisons on here.

[YamNivek]

I can see this being $600. The reason is that if they increase the size so that it is teh same size as most AV equipment, so that it stacks better, then a 5" drive can be used. These drives are loads cheaper, so 250Gb can be put in for an extra $70, PVR will cost next to nothing, my TV card was £40 ($60-70?) which includes the ability to record to the HDD. The HDDVD drive will be the most expensive part say $200, thats an extra $340, at retail prices. $250 at manufacturing prices. MS to take a small hit on each console like they do with the 360 already and this could easily be $600.

[PS3 rocks]

I still dont see it happening - the 360 is a DVD based Gaming Machine - unless the HDdvd drive can read DVDs at the same speed as the DVD drive in the 360 I dont see this happening

I don't think the HD-DVD player is for games. It's like the PS3 with blu-ray in a sense it plays Blu-ray movies (and games) but can still also play DVD games and movies. I doubts it's true MS isn't that stupid, if it's $700 (if he means the other side of PS3's price i know this is crap) i don't expect it to sell, and thats the best thing MS got going for them for ammo, the PS3 is expensive if they release that they have nothing.

[Jabjabs]

All I have to say is, take a look at the button underneath the Guide button on the media remote...

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000B6MLSM.01-A1NDBS7YGOPBD6.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

At least they have planned ahead for the recording function. 8)

(Looking for a clearer picture)

[justintheman99]

That is so true! :shock: I remember seeing that button on the remote and asking myself "Why is that there?"

This is the fastes growing thread I have seen in a very long time!

[ranthum]

OMG, MS might be releasing a better system down the road. Teh customers are SCREWED.

Honestly, products evolve and get better over time. As long as this new sku(if it comes to pass) doesn't interfere with my ability to play games through my premium 360, I won't care and neither will most of the fanbase. Say this thing comes out at the end of 07, that would be 2 full years after release, plenty of time to make a launch 360 purchase worthwhile. Like others have said, companies release better products over time. I wouldn't want to still be driving a model A because Ford thought releasing a new car was screwing over their present owners. If you've got $600 or more to buy this thing, the little bit you paid to use a premium 360 for the first 2 years probably isn't much.

When you buy a product, you have to evaluate whether it is worth it to you at the time or not. If it is, buy it and don't regret it. The nature of tech is to get better and cheaper over time. Everything tech related that you buy will be replaced by a superior product in the future, usually at the same or a cheaper price. But unless you never want to actually enjoy said product, you have to buy it knowing this.

[Jabjabs]

For me personally even if this machine does come out it wouldn't of changed my purchase at all. Even if it was available on system launch the same would hold true, that said there are people that would absolutely love this machine.

[bluvi69]

maybe only sony actually makes their console system downgraded
example >>ps2

original PS2, have USB + Firewire + expansion for HD and LAN connectivity
slim PS2, only have USB + LAN, no expansion or HD at all

it is so funny if we think about it

[G_H_G]

maybe only sony actually makes their console system downgraded
example >>ps2

original PS2, have USB + Firewire + expansion for HD and LAN connectivity
slim PS2, only have USB + LAN, no expansion or HD at all

it is so funny if we think about it

So do tell me, how many people got a HDD for their PS2? Who the heck ever used Firewire on their PS2? Hell, majority of PS2 owners don't even know what that is.

There is nothing wrong with getting rid of useless unused features to cut costs.

[justintheman99]

This is a common thing as Nintendo with their handhelds (cant believe I never thought of this before) and how they always bring out new models. I bought my GBA and not long after the GBA:SP came out, then the GBMicro. When I bought my DS I had no idea a DSLight would later come out. So I guess in the end this isn't the first time something like this would be done, and I am sure definately not the last.

[bluvi69]

no i just think, maybe PS3 just like ps2 also, it seems sony always overpromised.


i am glad, if microsoft releasing this as third or maybe fourth SKU.

[JustinPinter]

maybe only sony actually makes their console system downgraded
example >>ps2

original PS2, have USB + Firewire + expansion for HD and LAN connectivity
slim PS2, only have USB + LAN, no expansion or HD at all

it is so funny if we think about it

So do tell me, how many people got a HDD for their PS2? Who the heck ever used Firewire on their PS2? Hell, majority of PS2 owners don't even know what that is.

There is nothing wrong with getting rid of useless unused features to cut costs.

I kinda agree with that...many users didn't even use the firewire...although with the PS3 firewire would be nice to transer info faster..

[Aleman]

I kinda agree with that...many users didn't even use the firewire...although with the PS3 firewire would be nice to transer info faster..

PS3 has gigabit ethernet. That's 2.5x faster than PS2's Firewire port.

[Aquanox]

What would be the point of this if it costs more than a PS3 Premium?

If Microsoft is cooking something it will be released to compete with the PS3 pricetag.

[justintheman99]

What would be the point of this if it costs more than a PS3 Premium?

If Microsoft is cooking something it will be released to compete with the PS3 pricetag.What if it backfires and people look at it as saying "Microsoft feels the PS3 is superior so they need to release a new machine." It could go both ways I think.

[A7MAD]

If Microsoft is cooking something it will be released to compete with the PS3 pricetag.

This is why I heavily doubt that M$ will release this in 2006, right now M$ will use the "we are $200 cheaper than our competitor" marketing strategy and if this, this monster is to materialize then and only then will M$ release the 360AV to compete once HDMI and HDTV's have made their ways into more peoples homes...

I've said it once and I'll say it again, expect this late 2007.

[justintheman99]

If Microsoft is cooking something it will be released to compete with the PS3 pricetag.

This is why I heavily doubt that M$ will release this in 2006, right now M$ will use the "we are $200 cheaper than our competitor" marketing strategy and if this, this monster is to materialize then and only then will M$ release the 360AV to compete once HDMI and HDTV's have made their ways into more peoples homes...

I've said it once and I'll say it again, expect this late 2007.I agree with what you are saying. It makes for a better time frame for a release. If they wait they will have a system cheaper than the PS3 and it won't look like they are intimidated, so they release something to counter the PS3 launch.

[Aquanox]

What would be the point of this if it costs more than a PS3 Premium?

If Microsoft is cooking something it will be released to compete with the PS3 pricetag.What if it backfires and people look at it as saying "Microsoft feels the PS3 is superior so they need to release a new machine." It could go both ways I think.

The thing is that it's not a new machine. It's just the same thing but with extended Media Features.

It's not a hidden science the fact that the PS3 is superior in terms of movie playback, that's the source of its extremely high price. So, in that direction, MS would be targeting people willing to spend that much money just for Extended AV features, with the advantge of PVR and 250GB of storage.

[JustinPinter]

others are buying the PS3 though too just for its games and technology in terms of running graphics and physics....I just watched the Heavenly Sword enviroment video and I have yet to see something like that on the Xbox 360.

http://www.gameklip.com/v/694/

[justintheman99]

What would be the point of this if it costs more than a PS3 Premium?

If Microsoft is cooking something it will be released to compete with the PS3 pricetag.What if it backfires and people look at it as saying "Microsoft feels the PS3 is superior so they need to release a new machine." It could go both ways I think.

The thing is that it's not a new machine. It's just the same thing but with extended Media Features.

It's not a hidden science the fact that the PS3 is superior in terms of movie playback, that's the source of its extremely high price. So, in that direction, MS would be targeting people willing to spend that much money just for Extended AV features, with the advantge of PVR and 250GB of storage.I am aware of that. I just think that if they were to release this (if they even do it) at the time of the PS3 it would look bad. I think it would be more wise to wait until after the PS3 launch. Also something that was mentioned before was that if Microsoft could have it that current 360 owners could trade in there machine as well as $150 for this new bundle. That would be the best idea! :wink:

[Aquanox]

The ones buying the console for gamming have enough interesting titles on the Xbox 360.

I could also tell you that I'm having a hard time finding a game on the PS3 that compares to Mass Effect or Gears of War.

It's all matter of tastes.

[dbakerstl]

Hey guys just an FYI a PVR with 250gb HD for recording HD video isnt CRAP!

Unless it has atleast 1TB its not worth it - you can fit what - like 20 hours of HQ HD video? That isnt much of a PVR :)

and I definatly wouldnt call it a MONSTER

EDIT


DirecTV Hughes HR10-250 with 200 Hours of Recording Capacity in HD and 1300 Hours of Recording Capacity in SD

$1699 + FREE SHIPPING!

The DirecTV HR10-250 (formerly Hughes HD-DVR250) is the first TiVo to record in HD. With four total inputs (two DirecTV inputs and 2 OTA antenna inputs) the HR10-250 can record two HD channels at once, from DirecTV or local broadcasts. The units have composite, S-Video, component, and an HDMI output, with an HDMI to DVI adapter, to give you the best possible picture quality. These units ship with an updated version of the popular "peanut" remote adding a few new features specific to the HR10-250.

...
Recording / Playback Features
Disc capacity: Dual 750 GB Maxtor QuickView hard drives
Recording formats: HD: 200 hours
SD: 1300 hours
Integrated DirecTV receiver: Yes
Still/freeze frame: Yes
Parental controls: Yes
Recording capability: Yes
One-touch recording: Yes
Slow motion: Yes
VCR capability: Can record out to VCR
Audio Input / Output Features
Audio outputs: 2 stereo analog (left/right), 1 Optical Digital, integrated in HDMI
Audio inputs: via Satellite and Antenna inputs
Video Input / Output Features
Video outputs: HDMI, component, S-Video
Video inputs: via Satellite and Antenna inputs
Other Ports
1 RJ-11 (phone), 1 stereo serial, 2USB 2.0 (not currently active), 1 IR, 1 power

Included Cables
1 composite video cable
1 component video cable
1 25 foot RJ 11 cord
1 RJ 11 splitter
1 S-Video cable
1 HDMI cable
1 HDMI to DVI adapter
1 AC power cable

[JustinPinter]

others are buying the PS3 though too just for its games and technology in terms of running graphics and physics....I just watched the Heavenly Sword enviroment video and I have yet to see something like that on the Xbox 360.

http://www.gameklip.com/v/694/

*also, from seeing some of the middleware used in these upcoming games, I think Sony has got some of the best.

[A7MAD]

danursuline,

If it had 1Tb of space people such as yourself would complain about its price for starters... Things such as "Oh M$ wants to steal from our pockets even more" or "M$ are so lame they think people will buy a 360 with a TB of HDD space".

Fact is you can never win when your the manufacturer, we see that now with people who get off bagging Sony for anything and everything they do!

[dbakerstl]

OK but having 250GB for DEMOs games, game saves, and HD recording!! - What a joke
Unless it supports external HDs its not worth it - get a TIVO and a 360 you would be way happier...

[Aquanox]

others are buying the PS3 though too just for its games and technology in terms of running graphics and physics....I just watched the Heavenly Sword enviroment video and I have yet to see something like that on the Xbox 360.

http://www.gameklip.com/v/694/

*also, from seeing some of the middleware used in these upcoming games, I think Sony has got some of the best.

Why did you post this twice?

[A7MAD]

Nothing stated on whether or not this would support an external HDD(s), right now we don't even know if this is real...

If it's real, then it's certainly not a joke, it's just M$' way of keeping the price competitive with the PS3 60Gb.

You can always get this... :)
You posted this image http://fwdepot.com/thestore/images/eRAID1.jpg

[dbakerstl]

yeah I know :) if it supports external devices... I love those little raid boxes 8)

[JustinPinter]

others are buying the PS3 though too just for its games and technology in terms of running graphics and physics....I just watched the Heavenly Sword enviroment video and I have yet to see something like that on the Xbox 360.

http://www.gameklip.com/v/694/

*also, from seeing some of the middleware used in these upcoming games, I think Sony has got some of the best.

Why did you post this twice?

cause I wanted a responce to it...lol

[bluvi69]

others are buying the PS3 though too just for its games and technology in terms of running graphics and physics....I just watched the Heavenly Sword enviroment video and I have yet to see something like that on the Xbox 360.

http://www.gameklip.com/v/694/

*also, from seeing some of the middleware used in these upcoming games, I think Sony has got some of the best.

Why did you post this twice?

usually this is because at this time most ps3 games are not incridible enough, so he must put in this topics, to proof ps3 are nextgen enough

i must admit that ps3 motorstorm is not getting better after e3 2005, but it seems almost like ps2 games in HD actually it is downgraded.

[JustinPinter]

have you watched the Heavly Sword video I posted....now tell me, does that look like a PS2 just in HD or is that next gen???

[bluvi69]

please read , i said motorstorm, not heavenly sword,
heavenly sowrd is nice, but Mass effect , GwOW or even dead rising is even better
or better i have played Lost Planet demo and it is certainly better

did you play Heavenly Sword ?

anyway i think PS3 is seriously in trouble if MS really releasing this 3rd or maybe fourth SKU.

[Aleman]

Too bad these consoles aren't using upgradeable 3.5 inch drives. Check this out:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101447&prodlist=pricegrabber

[justintheman99]

Now that seems like a good deal. :wink:

[Ricokillercon]

One question how fast would the HD-DVD drive be? Remember it has to read disc as fast as a 12x DVD player....

[Aleman]

One question how fast would the HD-DVD drive be? Remember it has to read disc as fast as a 12x DVD player....

No it doesn't. It is only going to be used for movies.

[Aquanox]

Indeed, but it will also play the games so it's "DVD" speed should be as fast as the regular 360s DVD.

[siren]

BTW, I have confirmed that this is NOT happening. There is no 360 AV coming this holiday. There is no HDMI or HD-DVD being added to the 360 this holiday.

Thank you, come again.

[JustinPinter]

thank you Siren for clarifying that....close thread

[NUMA NUMA]

lol, if MS does this they will look unbelievably *expletive deleted* bad. And will leave a couple million people incredibly pissed.

te he, please do it MS, please :lol: :lol: :lol:

[A7MAD]

I have been telling every single one of you this won't be happening this year but towards the end of 2007 because this year M$ will use the "we are cheaper than our competitor by $200USD"

If this comes to pass, do not expect anything until 2007 after sales sky rocket for the PS3, which will be when M$ counteract.

[skarekrow]

this is a point i've been arguing seen I saw the specs on the ps3. MS definetly need this as do MS supporters. I don't foresee it happening but lets entertain ourselves. If MS put this package out, I doubt games would continue to stay on DVD9's, because as much as alot of you would like to think that we wont see that space being used, I can almost bet that we will, not because they need it, but because they want it. Which as I said would lead to alot of ps3 exclusives, unless of course this product rears its head, then that is no longer a problem. So in the end, the consumer would then have to upgrade.
I have no problems with the 360, some of its games have beautiful graffix, regardless of what anyone says, its not limited to FPS. It actually has alot of potential, but lets call it what it is, its an upgraded pre-modded original xbox. The only thing that the 360 really has to offer after the ps3 launches is a lower price point and lets face it, it doesn't even have that on lock thanx to the wii. Which in this case, you get what you pay for. Therefore an upgrade would be needed in order to compete, because honestly... I don't think the 360 would survive with out it.
My reasoning:
This gen, we are going to see alot of exclusives, on all systems and that is something that xbox has lacked, now im not saying that they didnt have any good exclusives, but they didnt have alot and I hate to say it, but it looks like the 360 doesn't have much of a line up either. GeOW looks amazing, but alot of the games that are only going to be on the 360 will also be on the pc. If you look at society today, just about everyone has a pc so the 360 wouldn't be needed to play games that weren't on the ps3. Ps3 however wont due to the difficulty to port between the two.
If 360 were to upgrade, I think it would decrease the amount of exclusives between the two platforms due to over sized games due to the devs who favor the ps3's space advantage of the cramped standard dvds, which would mean that the xbox could continue to survive. I myself would then call it what it is, the xbox 2 as opposed to the xbox 1.5.

The reasons I don't think MS will go this route:
1. Price. This isn't MS's technology that were looking at here. You have to keep in mind that HD-Dvd belongs to someone else just as HDMI does. This means that its not going to be as cheap to produce as the ps3 will be for sony. MS had previously thought about putting the HD-Dvd into the system before they had even began production, and what would keep them from doing that? Price of course. If they include this piece of technology(not to mention everything else theyll be including), they'll be losing tons of money and probably never make it back.

2. Shafting the early adapters. MS of all people realizes that a fan base has a large part of keeping them alive. If they shaft the early adapters, that creates bad hype for them and inevitably makes them look bad. Someone buys a launch 360 a year or two later, they put this out, That person becomes bitter towards the company for "screwing" them and then slanders the companys name to anyone he/she knows, which then leads to that person doing the same thing to everyone they know. Word of mouth is a very powerful thing especially when it comes purchasing something expensive.

3. Admitting defeat. Self explanatory, after talking so much crap about the ps3, and then turning around and putting out the xbox equivalent of the ps3, that just makes them and the fan boys look ignorant.

I personally hope this happens, I would definetly purchase this model. I don't want it to happen because ms would have to admit defeat or because fan boys would have to eat their words, but because I think we would see alot less exclusives and it would keep Ms in the race. I hate MS with a passion, but the xbox has my alligence just because of what it has done for the gaming industry.