i hate these constant updates from MSi just bought 360 noknowing it has everything to lerarn that a new oneis coming with more features

This is fuel for the Fony's, Congrats Boys! This would piss me off but im sure MS will send out the cardboard coffin if you want to upgrade for a modest price (I Hope)

I'm a big xbox fan but I can't help feeling slightly f*cked by this. I mean if you hadn't bought one yet it's cool, but if you wan't these features and you already have a 360 you have to buy a new one. For instance, I don't have a 1080p tv (mines 720p,1080i) but I would still want to use a hdmi cable instead of component. Is this the thanks I get for picking up a 360 in the first month of release? This move makes all of our 360's obsolete in one blow. And I bet if you only want the 120 gb hard drive it's gonna cost ya a lot more than it will when it comes with the new 360 series.
We're getting f*cked here and the sony fanboys are gonna have a field day with this one. But hey, they know what it feels like.

I don't wanna have to buy a whole new system. Hopefully the let us upgrade like Syko said

...this will retail for $500 (maybe $600), and they'll offer an add-on HDD for $100-$150. The HDMI will only be for people with true 1080p HDTVs anyway.

As a Day-1 adopter, I wouldn't be upset by this, as long as it's considerably more expensive than my $400 Premium ; we all knew MS had plans from the beginning for a more multimedia-centric version of the 360, and it was just a matter of time.

I have to say that the suppose to be superior xbox 360 aint so superior after all. LOL....(a true gamer already knew this) This is why ps3 is the best system in the business.
M$ knows what the ps3 can do and will do in the near future, so thats why they are finally letting there loyal fanbase know that the X360 is not better than the ps3 and never will be. I guess the ps3 fans are not the ones that are blinded..LOL....(This is too funny). Hey, you can always trade in for the ps3!!! A TRUE NEXT-GEN CONSOLE. LOL......(M$ is Hilarious!!!)

to be able to buy a separately sold 120GB HDD, which I'll do cause I don't have a 1080p HDTV. So, I have NO need for an HDMI output on my 360.

I just hope they don't get ridiculous with the consumer cost of the 120GB HDD.

All in all, I'm PUMPED!

personally i couldnt give a toss about hdmi as i dont own a hd tv as theres plenty life left in my 32" widescreen sd tv plus the graphix look just as good on a sd tv so no biggie for me

http://www.gadgetnutz.com/m...

I guess Blu-Ray aint so hot now is it, the PS3 isn't the best machine. It is selling horribly and they are contimplating dropping blu-ray for a new model PS3.

...do us all a favor, and drink some Drano. :o

Hey you Bastard don't steal my thunder!! I posted that story! Can't even trust your allies these days. Jeez!

Anyways DJ come in and help brother we aren't as skilled in the ways of damage control. Thx

I play through component and VGA im cool. M$ can change the console when ever they want. As long as all games released work on the launch 360 that I have. Take a chill pill. This is the CE business. Hell $3,000 TV's get out dated all the time. As long as I have options I'm cool. My launch 360 will play Halo3 right? Same with the PS3 you can get the $500 version if you want to.

We've known for over a year something like this was coming (if you fall for MS's denial of rumors, you're a fool), so there's no reason to be upset by this. It was OBVIOUS that something would need to be done, to better accommodate those who were serious about HD movies and the HD movie Marketplace. When the launch 360 was designed, MS only had IDEAS/PLANS for the HD-DVD add-on, and the download service....but nothing concrete. As long as the "price is right", I have no problem with this either.

The way those connectors are on there doesn't look like good craftsmanship at all. The bigger hdd will probably come but I have HIGH doubts MS will make drastic changes to hardware to incorporate HDMI.

Doesn't make sense because HDMI is a hardware 'tool' used to implement DRM security. MS already incorporates DRM technology w/o HDMI via software. That's why movie studios allow MS to sell movies & tv shows for rent/purchase on the Marketplace. And that's why the HD-DVD add-on doesn't require HDMI.

I could be wrong but I highly doubt it.

A fake?

It wouldn't be to hard to photoshop it. Low level lighting makes it easier to get away with a lot more. Take an pic of a port, move up the original output, place in your new pic, a lot of carefull cloning and viola.

Ove seen some really good fakes with photoshop and a lot of patience, theres no reason why this wouldn't be the same. Oh, and im a graphic designer who uses photoshop every day, I know how it works before anyone asks.

They would catch so much back lash from this,they would have to exchange all the 360 they already sold

I have been on the phone to Microsoft who have looked into this and have confirmed that they are NOT bringing out a version 2.
They say judging from the picture it has been MODIFIED i.e. Modded.

you guys know you are talking about a rumor right?
ya'll act as if this is true.

HDMI?.... meh, I don't need it yet.
65nm CPU? groovy, but not worth replacing my launch unit (which still functions flawlessly btw).
120GB hdd? Nice but I kick my media to my networked PC.
cheers!

...I'm assuming this isn't a BS rumor :)

Anyhow I was hoping this was true cause I would probally buy one, seeing that I do have a job and love video games so won't be a big of a deal.(It's good thing I brought my xbox 360 from COSCO.)

For all the guys that are complaining about MS and console Updates(wether they are true or not?), Do you guys expect your car manufacturer to hand over thier newer model to thier customers when it comes out every year?(even with the littlest changes) Ummmm No!!!! So do you expect MS to update everyone's xbox 360 When a new Model comes out?

I'm sure everybody that got an xbox 360 knows what they were getting. I know MS has had lots of suprises but certainly haven't tricked anybody to buying it's product.

Hey this is a great console and it keeps getting better. Ofcourse this has to be a rumor. Ps3 fanboys can stop sweating and rejoice.

A slam in the face for the current xbox 360 owners,I love Microsoft,hahahaha.HDMI means no more movies throught analog for the hddvd drive owners,thank you Microsoft."M$ knows what the ps3 can do and will do in the near future, so thats why they are finally letting there loyal fanbase know that the X360 is not better than the ps3 and never will be."

doesn't mean anything to me at this time. When movies start using the security features that don't allow HD playback without it, then I'll worry. I am sure the 120GB hard drive will be available separately, and likely they will also release one between the 20gb and 120gb at some point.

Gears,
That was a great article you linked to. Sony considering a PS3 without Blu Ray and a Toshiba HD-DVD player for under $200 would really shake things up.

And if MS does stop making the current model 360 and moves the new model into the same price range as the old one, I won't care. I'll just buy the new one for myself and give the old one to my brother and get a 360 into another house that might otherwise buy a PS3.

You Sony fanboys are ignorant.
This is what microsoft is going to do; how do I know because it's logical step to make.
First, they will do a price drop for the premium and possibly no longer distribute the core.
There will be an HDMI adapter for those that have a 360 without the built in HDMI port at a competitive price (Similar to what an HDMI cable cost).
The HD is removable so you can buy it separately if you want it (It's not XBox 360 v2 dependent.
This version will probably be a bit more expensive than the premium.
Wireless adapter price will be reduced.
20GB HHD price will be reduced.
Comments like:
"I'm a big xbox fan but I can't help feeling slightly f*cked by this"

"If that’s real then I want M$ to offer a free swap to anyone who bought a 360 in the first year to the new spec model, adding features just aint right and M$ should recognize that the cost of replacing consoles will be much lower than the cost of the negative publicity"

Simply reflect lack of understanding of the market dynamics. What do you expect microsoft to do? Sit and wait until other competitors run their @$$ up? They are adapting to the market. Now that the cost of manufacturing a 360 and they are making a profit they are reacting to what people are asking for.
Lots of people were crying because the 360 didn't have an integrated HDMI cable and integrated wifi and a bigger hard drive and what did microsoft did? They listen; now that they did(if this rumor is true) now you are moaning?
Here is the sad part about some of you kids; you buy a computer today and 2-3 months later it's worth 25% less; 1 year later you can't even find some of it hardware. Now you expect a console to stay never get an upgrade.

You know what's sad about you winning ignorant:

Sony has 2 SKU; the lower sku can never be upgraded to have the same functionality of the more expensive SKU. Now Sony wants to add more functionality what do they do? Another SKU that the other can never be upgraded to:
http://gigagamez.com/2006/1...

How much? $1,600 or more. Now this SKU will do things that the others will not do. On the other hand this new 360 SKU will simply integrate some of the features that we already have in the form of separate peripherals(with the exception of the HDMI cable which it will come; trust me) since the manufacturing cost of the 360 and its peripherals allows it. Now, current xbox 360 owners will still be able to upgrade their older xbox 360 to have wifi, hdmi by buying the peripherals.

You people should stop complaining of what you don't know, because if this is true the following it's also logical:

1) Microsoft will drop the price of the 20GB HHD to probably half in order for the 120GB drive to be marketable.

2) They will drop the price of the premium and core.

3) They will drop the price of the wifi adapter or possibly include it with the premium.

Have patience my children, unlike Sony Microsoft it's not as confident that they can rape their fan base and abuse their loyalty and they will not come up with a product to piss people of since they can't afford that.

Also, I don’t understand why you feel raped if a console gets upgraded but it is ok for every other product to do so. It takes only months for all products(pc, cars, appliances, etc) to get price drop or parts revisions as manufacturing cost drops and companies find better ways to manufacture existing parts. But when you hear that a console (which is also a hardware) you start crying like a little bi***. If you don’t understand how things work just crawl under a rock and die cause this is inevitable; not only for consoles but for any product specially hardware.

Component cables output 1080p just fine, and will continue to until the industry implements ICT flags, which probably won't happen (if at all) for several years.

What's the fuss? The new hard drive is nice, but with 2 movies, 6 TV shows, tons of saved games, a dozen CDs, and two demos on my system with room to spare... I really don't see where the problem is.

Much ado about nothing.

That's double what the Lamestation has right? I am a noob to tech stuff, but that's what it is isn't it? I would like to be able to send my old 360 in for an upgrade if it becomes available. What are the chances that Microsoft will let you? Thanks

It's not like MS isn't working on a HDMI cable for Xenon 360's, chill out, swaping HDD's is golden.

It's just made up BS by somebody close to Sony to turn the attention from the very poor PS3 sale's, I MEAN PISS POOR!.

Guys guys guys

This is PLAIN BULLSH!T

They only need to release a special HDMI cable for the 360, because the output is digital also.

They won't include a HDMI port if the original port can output it also. No use, they need to make different mainbords, etc etc etc

And if there will be a larger HDD it won't be included in the package OR they will have 2 different packages, one 20 GB with a lower price and a 120 GB model with the normal price we have now.

I'll take a 65nm core, 120GB hdd, HD-DVD internal, wifi, wireless headset, motion sensitive controller (only a matter of time), charge and play, advanced media remote, vision camera, AND the HDMI cable.

Thanks Mr Gate$ hehe

what else is there to say really? Assuming this is true, it's just an HDMI port. My guess is this will just replace the first model, for the same price, only it will have a sticker saying "now with HDMI!" or something. Let me be realistic here, I always knew the hard drive would be upgraded, and I always knew I would be stuck with the 20gb. And i'm not exactly going to be plugging an HDMI cable into my 19" lcd monitor any time soon. I wont lose any sleep over this, and maybe later on i'll just buy the hard drive separately.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good riot as much as the next guy, but an HDMI upgrade model is nothing to get my pitchfork over.

Why would anyoune take a picture of that in the dark lighting?you are obviously triying hide something wouldent you have a freakin light on?I love the HdDVD add on,my friend dropped his xbox30 and it broke,so he sold me his HDdrive for 100 bucks,you cant do that if you broke your crapstation 3.

Why would anyoune take a picture of that in the dark lighting?you are obviously triying hide something wouldent you have a freakin light on?I love the HdDVD add on,my friend dropped his xbox30 and it broke,so he sold me his HDdrive for 100 bucks,you cant do that if you broke your crapstation 3.

Why would anyoune take a picture of that in the dark lighting?you are obviously triying hide something wouldent you have a freakin light on?I love the HdDVD add on,my friend dropped his xbox30 and it broke,so he sold me his HDdrive for 100 bucks,you cant do that if you broke your playstation 3.

I believe this site should not let articles that are rumors get posted. All it does is make people have arguments on what COULD be. Sometimes it turns out false, and all that argument, and spent energy is just wasted for no reason.
But if its true, that would suck for the early adopters of the 360. The premium 360 is a good piece of hardware, i would be lying if I said it wasnt. Although, in my oppinion, i think the PS3 is better. But thats besides the point. I hate when all these articles that are rumors get posted. Its dumb. Loses the integrity of this site.

It says "rumors", the problem is people taking rumors too seriously. The worst thing about this site are people posting their pesonal opinions as news articles. That really hurts the integrity of the site.

Is this true enough for you??
http://www.tgdaily.com/2006...

Just pick up a real next-gen system....PS3!!
**Side note....I want a x360 fan to explain to me how the x360 is so called "next-gen" when they are adding features that the ps3 already has? Besides, M$ is not adding wifi neither... I guess sony was right, next-gen didn't start until sony released their console with true 1080p HDTV resolution for gaming. M$ sucks! they need to just leave the gaming world for game consoles before they screw it up.

Remember M$ said that 1080p is not needed nor HDMI? But look at them now.....LOL
M$ will soon bow down to Sony and give them massive Blow Jobs!..LOL

This debate over the better console is a perfect example of controlled bias fans, just because it's Microsoft.

Im a big Microsoft fan, but I feel punished for buying their consoles. I bought an xbox1, and despite it mainly having 1st person shooters, played it loads. Then MS said they are bringing out the 360 and ordered all developers to stop making the xbox1. So i bought a 360. But now MS are significantly changing the machine to require upgrade.

Say what you want about Sony, but you know that if you buy one of their consoles, they will support it for a very long time. Even with the PS3 out you can still have great games released on the PS2.

MS have barged into the console business only to turn everyone on to PCs. But who it hurts most is their loyal supporters.

Bad form Microsoft. Bad form.

Wow I hope this is true MS can price drop the core blow $300; put the Prem-pack at the current core price and the Zephyr at $400 that would wipe out the PS3 for good then Apple can join the gaming industry and the honest Golden age of gaming will return lol.

it's always been known that MS will be coming out with a bigger HDD and HDMI. Current 360 owners will not be screwed as they will be able to upgrade (HDMI is just a cable and cables do have adapters & the 360 HDD's are detachable). That's the beauty of the 360. Now, if MS want to offer a different SKU with different options for a different price, so be it. Is that all that different than a console being bundled with certain games, controllers, remotes, etc? No, not at all.

Assuming this possibly photoshopped picture is true, it's still no big deal. The 360 was designed to be upgradable, therefore no one gets screwed. Personally, don't you want the ability to upgrade cables, HDD's, etc? I know I do, and if I don't want it, I don't have to buy it.

If you don't want or need HDMI, don't get it. If you don't want or need WiFi, don't get it. If you don't want or need a bigger HDD, don't get. You can still play the same games with the same graphics, same resolution, same online, without them. Talk about making a big deal out of nothing, man. I'm simply stunned that people are against having the OPTION of upgrading a console, especially since none of these upgrades are needed. They are simply options.

People are acting as if new games won't work on 1st generation 360s. People are also acting as if this has never been don't before. What about the DS Lite? What about the PS2 slim.

I agree that it is probably photoshopped. They should be offering a bigger size of the file too. I consider myself advanced at photoshop and cropping a picture onto another is one of the easiest things to do. The lighting on the HDMI port is off. How is it that we can see the inside of the HDMI port, but not the ethernet port? When it comes to cropping in photoshop, lighting is the most important element.

You're acting like an idiot, this is why i kind of think this picture exist, seems the picture was leaked at a convenient time( not before xmas when folks bought PS3 hype, it's kind of fishy the pics leaked after the world is focused on the sad PS3 sales.

at least microsoft got the money to do these thinks if they true.more i can say for sony which i recon they will go bankrupt over this blue ray.sony already losing there exclusives because they can,t aford them there shares are going down sound to me if microsoft are just testing the water to see what the reaction would be.

this is the fakest news in this site.

we have a MS fanboy attacking another MS fanboy because he feels shafted by MS, that just proves there a true level of ignorance from he MS fanboys, say something bad about Ms and genuially mean it because it's true to you and your the scum of the planet lol lol lol hillarious, as for this article it's pointless and doesn't affect anyone in anyway, what does it mean an upgraded model is out so what, it's not as if Ms implanted a chip to make them shut down when a new model is released now is it. However to all you Xbox fanatics who laugh at Sony bad news haha to yous.

I think MS is content with the machine they have now, and I just dont see them releasing a v2 of the 360. If anything, MS is working on their next consule, and not a v2 of the 360. There is a small chance though, but that's about 1/100. Secondly, I'm pretty sure MS would be the ones to release this kind of information, and not some news post. And I'm sure the picture would be of better quality, I mean just look at the lighting. Once again, maybe, but this is very unlikely.

These aren't "features" - they're hardware upgrades. It's normal during the life cycle of a console.

This is the price you pay for being an early adopter. You have two choices:

1) Buy the Xbox360 shortly after it's launch date and enjoy the experience.

2) Wait a couple years until Microsoft upgrades hardware or lowers the price of the 360.

And guess what? The people who buy 360v2 will be complaining several years later when Microsoft introduces a new compact 360 for half the price.

I dont understand? first people complain about whats missing or what the 360 dosent have, now when MS delivers people whine! are ya all a bunch of kids or what! now I can see why Sony diehards will dump on this but people that own a 360...WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU GUYS/GALS we all knew something like this was coming when the new 65nm chip systems come out so they added a couple of small but huge features big deal its not like their changing the cpu or dvd drive format or something! this WILL be a good thing and a few less things MS haters will have to slander about such a great ORIGINAL SYSTEM!i hope this is true I always wanted a second 360 Ill wait till this one comes out and snag it!

http://media.gear.ign.com/a... witch ones real?, if any. The 360 has an universal digital port on the back side why would MS release a 3rd sku when all the have to do is make a HDMI connector one end being the HDMI male end; with the standard male end 360 end?, Hard drives are just like big ass memory card/sticks no biggy.

I don't think that MS will do this as its plain stupid. I also think someone used photoshop or fireworks to do this picture.

I'm still sceptical about this. Now a bigger HDD is going to be coming, that I believe. However I could still last another year or two before games start coming with a couple extra gbs worth to download on the HDD on top of the full DVD-9.

Anyways, HDMI doesn't matter to me because I'm using the VGA on my PC monitor and the resolution is insane. Especially with upscaling DVD's, it's the best I've ever seen. I'm not gonna worry about HD drives for atleast another 2 years. And by that time they'll be cheaper and a clear winner will be determined.

So if anybody here doesn't have a HDTV I strongly recommend you use ANY pc monitor whether it's a LCD or crappy CRT it'll work in HD. Also I'm using 1080p on my crt, which is kind of cool considering all it cost was 40 bucks for the vga.

you know this just occured to me, what if this "new 360" came with a HD-DVD/Blu-ray player internally. Wouldn't that be interesting. On top of a HDMI and bigger HDD that would satisfy tech. junkies for sure.

If not I still don't think an internal HD-DVD player is ever going to happen. Because what if it fails?? Anyways if they do have another sku I would only give thought to buying the bigger HDD down the road. HDMI doesn't interest me.

This needed to patch up their currently broken 1080p delivery.

I don't see why this can't be totally possible, their not changing the system specs in any way.

Kudos to them!

Whether it's through photoshop or physical modification (which is what I think it is). While I would love for Microsoft to do this and finally take a few hints from Sony, there's politics involved. If they suddenly offer HDMI, it will make the PS3 and 360 look more equal in functionality. But it risks getting a LOT of backlash from both consumers and the press considering they've already sold 10 million consoles, and those 10 million people who spent upwards of $400~600 on their 360s are going to feel shafted, betrayed, you name it.

It makes much more sense for Microsoft to stay the course and stick with one hardware design. It's cheaper, and has no risk of consumer backlash. For over 18 months, they've claimed that HDMI is completely unnecessary, and so to backtrack on those statements would be significantly worse then what happened with their 1080p update. They claimed it was unnecessary, nearly impossible, and that developers would suffer from such a high resolution. Then came the update and everyone said "Wait, what the f*ck? Didn't they just say?..."

Realistically, they should've had 1080p and HDMI from the beginning instead of producing a year and a half of falsified statements. Hell, they even put in a physical upscaler into their console, but didn't bother with the other half of the equation. Had they had all three components on day one, they would actually have an advantage over Sony.

Now they risk creating a brand image of having the patch job of the decade. "Don't purchase anything from Microsoft until it's been out for two years. They always add the good features after you buy it."

----------------------------- ------
If you're wondering why they can't just hook up HDMI cables to the 360's 'digital output', it's because that output is actually analog. That's why it only outputs AV, Component, and VGA, all of which are analog signals. Either way, you need at least a DVI port to use HDMI (DVI <-> HDMI adaptor), and even then it's still 3 versions behind the HDMI in PS3.

Sucks huh.

I'm not gonna lie, if this is true, I'm f*ckin pissed! I want a 120 HDD and an HDMI port.

If this is true (which I am still not convinced on) I do not see why the early adopters are so pissed off. As an early adopter of ANY new technology, you are basically the BETA tester and should expect changes along the way.

I am one of the early adopters and feel "Fuked" in NO WAY !!! I have been having wack loads of fun and having a great time with my 360 since November 2005. Sorry folks, but you need to put a price on that enjoyment.

The only folks that I could see being a bit pissed are those that maybe bought the system within the last few months, but still ... even then ... I am still not convinced this is real. Only time will tell.

Here is my take on the entire thing regardless of when you bought your 360.

FIRST .... my 360 "HAS NEVER" overheated, so a cooler running chip (while nice ) is not needed. This does not justify buying a new XBOX 360 V2.

SECOND .... I have had stuff running from a HD source (my Bell Dish) using nice component cable and a nice HDMI cable .... did a TON OF BACK AND FORTH to try and see the "HUGE" difference in quality and I have to say with a very honest heart, the picture quality difference is MINIMAL "AT BEST". Such a small margin in fact I returned my HDMI cable and got back my money since the TINY upgrade in quality I seen did not justify the cost of the cable. HDMI is more to push the copyright protection of content more than anything else. HDMI is a way "THE MAN" can control what we "BACKUP" for our own use. So once again .. IMHO opinion ... A NONE ISSUE !! This does not justify buying a new XBOX 360 V2.

THIRD .... As for the larger HD is concerned, well in this case you have my interest. But hey, in this case I will just buy the larger 120 drive. You KNOW they will release it to sell on its own as well. This does not justify buying a new XBOX 360 V2 ... just the bigger HD !!

---------

There is my 2 cents like it or dump it !!

Cheers

I dint see many people complaining about the slim Ps2. I had the older launch system an had to BUY a NETWORK ADAPTER for 40 bucks!! then the released the slim with built in Ethernet I didn't cry!! what so different about this!!

then people complain about MS an a lot of add-ons!! well what about SONY an there add ons with the PS2.you had to buy memory cards(xbox1 HDD)you had to buy a multi tap(xbox1 gamecube had 4 ports)at first you had to buy network adapter(xbox1 had built in Ethernet)you had to buy keyboard for online because not all games supported voice(xbox1 had voice over all games) so just lay of MS because of what there doing!!!

You know what that looks like? It looks like the dev kits that were sent to game developers. I have a feeling that the picture is just a dev kit.

My serious doubts, on top of this shady rumor

1. Zephyr is the codename for Microsoft's Error Reporting client in Windows Server 2003.
2. And didn't MS dispell the HDMI motherboard rumor already. Do you remember the photo of the 360 motherboard with a HDMI port stacked just like in this picture.

Bottomline it still could be true but I'm not getting excited or depressed for any reason.

There is no optical audio port. If i wanted to use this with my 5.1 set up using the HDMI i would have to hook the HDMI from my console to my TV and then hook up the component cable to the back of the console so that i can run the optical cable from the component cable to the surround sound. Microsoft would not miss a huge flaw like that. Luckily for me i have no plans to use HDMI since it's only advantage is more copyright protection and i refuse to pay more to limit my rights. That's why i don't even own anything with HDMI and don't plan on using anything with it if i do get HDMI.

Regardless if the pic is real or not... we all know M$ will come out with a smaller console, bigger hard drive, HD-DVD built in (MAYBE), better graphics, faster processing speed, quieter, cooler, motion sensitive, WiFi (MAYBE), and of course, HDMI. I bought a 360 less than a month after it launched knowing NOTHING about this. I camped out for 17 hours. M$ better send me a free 360 v2 or w/e its called. M$ has to make another console to compete with sony graphic wise and inovation wise. I have a ps3 and a 360 and i like my 360 MUCH better. get this - MICROSOFT SHOULD HAVE REALESED THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE OR WAITED!!!

really think Microsoft would risk alienating those who have already purchased a 360, I don't think so.

I'm a 360 owner, got mine on launch day. If MS comes out with a 360 that has a larger hard drive, built in wi-fi, a digital out, and a lower price, guess what? I'm still not pissed.

In the end I'm playing the same games as everyone else, only I've had the opportunity to play those games for longer.

My tv does 1080i and uses components. I'd be playing the same way regardless of a new setup.

cuz if this is trues it means screw you to all the stupid fanboys that have foolishly purchased the UNFINISHED piece of crap..

It's ok for Nintendo to release the Gameboy like 20 times in different colors and sizes.

It's ok for Nintendo to release the DS fat and shorly after DS lite.

It's ok for nintendo to release the wii when all it is a overclocked gamecube with a new remote.

It's ok for apple to come up with a new version of the ipod within months apart.

It's ok for Sony to make a console with a built in wifi and another one that's not even whey they do not have a separate wifi adapter for the sku that does not have wifi.

It's NOT, I repeat It's NOT OK, for microsoft integrate a wifi into a new SKU and HDMI.

Seriously, some of you need to stop being so bias against microsoft; just because it's microsoft. take Haha for example, "purchased the UNFINISHED piece of crap" all 360 SKU can be upgraded to support the same features. The same cannot be said about most of the product I mentioned, lower PS3 SKU cannot be upgraded to have wifi, black & white gameboy could not be upgraded to have color, or the color to have backlight. I tell you I didn't know humans can hate a company so much; the way some of you hate microsoft.

Please quit the fangirl BS. people are hating on sony like it has ruined their lives or something. In the media, internet and forums wherever you go people are hating on sony so just stop the lies

The DS Phat and DS Lite have the exact same hardware capabilities.

The Slimline PS2 didn't add a single feature. It was just smaller.

The Wii is a brand new console with a new CPU, GPU, ram size, and controller. It is not the Gamecube X or whatever you think it is.

Don't bring Apple into this; they don't build consoles.

" It's ok for Sony to make a console with a built in wifi and another one that's not" -

Actually, you can just plug in any $30 Wi-fi adaptor into the PS3 and use that instead. Sony doesn't offer peripherals because they gave their consumers the freedom to buy accesories from the manufacturer of their choice. Want a bigger Hard Drive? Go to CompUSA or NewEgg.com and get like 160GB if you want.

Everything that the 60GB PS3 can do, the 20GB PS3 can do as well. Want SD card support? Buy an SD card adaptor and plug that into a USB port. It's got 4 of them, so use it. =P

Sony got a LOT of crap for only putting HDMI into the 60GB version at E3, and only because it was the one feature that couldn't be upgraded. For a while, Phil Harrison pulled some damage control and tried to say "Well, the 20GB can do 1080p through component", but journalists brought up the issue that most HDTVs don't support 1080p through component. They support it through HDMI.

Sony listened, put HDMI in both units, and the gaming world forgave them. Come on dude, we're not "hating on Microsoft". We're critisizing wrongful actions, that's all.
----------------------------- ---
To GNOTHE: "I dint see many people complaining about the slim Ps2. I had the older launch system an had to BUY a NETWORK ADAPTER for 40 bucks!! then the released the slim with built in Ethernet I didn't cry!! what so different about this!!"

I'll explain. Both versions of the Playstation 2 had internet capabilities. If you had the original, you could buy an internet adaptor.

With the 360, you cannot buy HDMI support. If this photo is true, you'd have to purchase a completely new console and literally throw away a $400 investment. And considering that they charge $100 for a 20GB Samsung hard drive, I can't imagine what they'd charge for 6 times that original capacity. =/

I don't understand what all the fuss is about, what does this mean you'll only be able to play games in what 720p, big deal, ahh, but ohh wait, you Xbox 360 fans are all nerds you get orgasims over the worst of games so of course this will be a major chip in your front teeth lol hahahahahaha, that's for all the times yous have laughed at Sony bad fortune!

To say that Microsoft is wrong by releasing another Xbox 360 is like saying Apple is wrong releasing new Ipods. Ipods today have many more features than Ipods 5 years ago. I bought an Ipod 3 years ago and should I be pissed off that right after I bought my Ipod, Apple released the Ipod video? I understand why some people might be a little upset, but in all honesty, this kinda stuff happens all the time.

Well, well, well, what a bunch of stupid mutha fukers, i told you people not to trust this back stabbing company known as Ms, well didin't i, you need to learn some respect all of yous Ms thugs!

"To say that Microsoft is wrong by releasing another Xbox 360 is like saying Apple is wrong [for] releasing new Ipods."

Except that you do not purchase software for iPods at $50~60 a pop, and the fact that the MP3 player market has a completely different life cycle that rotates every year. They're also significantly cheaper than consoles; we're talking hundreds of dollars cheaper.

Using the MP3 player market or Handheld market as 'proof' that it's ok to upgrade consoles once a year is to ignore the very basis of console life cycles, and to wipe away the trust that consumers give to these console makers.

It's one thing to replace an $80 iPod.
It's another to replace a $400 console.

BTW, I just noticed Bladestar's wild comment: "Have patience my children, unlike Sony Microsoft is not as confident that they can rape their fan base and abuse their loyalty..."

My children? What're you, some kinda omnipotent entity? Should we bow down to you in fealty? That's some crazy rhetoric dude, saying that a top hardware manufacturer raped their customers. Got issues?

for MS. If this is true there will be A LOT of angry 360 fans, such as myself, who will probably never buy another MS game console after getting f*cked up like this. Lets just hope this is a rumor...

I don't think it would make much sense for M$ to do this when the 360 as it stands right now is doing very well without HDMI....actually I don't see why all the 360 owners are even buying into the whole "HDMI myth" because 360 is already capable of 1080p content through component and VGA and it what we have right now looks just as good or better compared to PS3....in fact the biggest reason for HDMI is to HELP the MOVIE COMPANIES which want to implement their COPY RIGHT PROTECTION through HDCP (High Definition Copy Protection) which is a type of encryption(ICT)....but the fact is this implementation is OPTIONAL and has not been used as of yet, hmmm Why not? becuase it would basicly piss off every early adopter HDTV owner and those who purchased them even up to a year ago since they will be cut off from 1080i or 1080p content by this copy right encryption, thats why many creditable reports say it will be around 2010 when its implemented, or in other words when the market is alot more saturated with HDTV owners who own the newer models of HDTV's that are HDCP/HDMI compliant. uhm, so you guys can let DJ convince you that you need HDMI all you want but it doesn't make it true......and by 2010 that might be saying something totally different and of course the next next gen xbox will be right around the corner 2011?

WOW, PS3 without Blu-ray and now a second version of 360? lol you got to love rumors....but hey anythings possible, right?

No use losing sleep over an HDMI port. Most of us are totally satified with the gaming experience we are having now. HDMI isn't going to be that big of a difference if you can tell at all. Just upgrade your couch, that will make a bigger difference. :-) *sarcasm* All I need is the bigger hard drive, that's it.

There is no way that the this model (if it even exist) will be cheaper then the model they have now. It's just to big of a difference between the two. You get an HDMI (which MS says was not even needed) a way bigger HDD and a change to the acutal core of the machine. MS just now started making a profit per console sold and they should not cancel that out by making a new machine. All that is needed is a Bigger HDD and that is all.

this is not needed, but I'm starting to think that this might just possibly be true, in this case I think if it is true, I think M$ is going too far to try to please EVERYBODY just so Sony can't say "we have this and M$ doesn't", and actually its a BIG risk vs the small benefit that HDMI will have. The 360 is as popular as ever right now, why mess with a good thing?....is this an effort to go for the "kill" in this "nexgen war",(match every "percieved" advantage Sony has) if so its a big step to "cut the throat of the competition"....but it also has a huge risk factor of alienating many current owners. This is very interesting, we'll see what happens....hmmm, you know what I'm starting to think that this was leaked just to see what "fan reaction" would be also, so they can "guage" if this is a good idea or not....without officially admitting that they are interested in doing this....IMO its not, but hey I could be wrong, either way I encourage other 360 owners to express their opinion LOUDLY, so if this is the case that this is basicly put out to get "feedback" then the MAJORITY OPINION will win out (whatever that is)...don't underestimate the power we have as the "fanbase"/GAMERS -especially with M$.

Alienating 10 million customers...GO M$!!!!

agreed with in every way, if they truely want to go for the throat they should try to sign up every exclusive game that the PS3 might get. Then People like me will have no choice but to buy an Xbox.

ill just get a one year warranty extension, wait till i lose this 360 to the red lights again and i'll finally have a working console! no offense, but having my games red light on me after only a couple hours really sucks and having to compensate by using an external fan is a downer, but still cheaper then a P$3. also i bet the 120gig 360 will prolly run for $499 since microsoft is already making a profit. could it be the final nail?

price wise it wouldn't make since. It's cheaper then the PS3 the average consumer only cares about price. if they release a $500 360 it becomes a console that is open to direct competion with the PS3. Sony has brand loyality and is losing not because people are no longer loyal but because they can't yet justify spending $500 or $600 on a game machine. If the 360 were to release a $500 system the average consumer would rather Spend $500 on a PS3 then a 360 regradless of features. We are already seeing that now The PS3 has more features out of the box then the 360 at a slighty higher price, but that price seems to be a big pill for some to swallow.
The 360 has the lead right now, they should concentrate on how to expand on that instead of add features to a new machine based in their current console.

" It's one thing to replace an $80 iPod.
It's another to replace a $400 console. "
Well if that were the case I would agree totally. But the time period I am refering to my Ipod cost me $300. And how am I not right in justifying it like this? Things in the video game industry are changing, maybe we are entering an era in which there will be multiple versions of each console. It's not like Microsoft would be releasing a new system that completely leaves the Xbox 360 in the dust. They would be releasing the same basic product, but with a larger hard drive, HDMI support, ect. Just because they are releasing this doesn't mean everybody has to drop there 360 and go buy a new one. It's another choice, some people may be resentful for it, but it's still another choice.

Do you have a 1080p TV capable of receiving a 1080p signal?? First of all, most people don't have and won't have a 1080p TV during this console life cycle. Second, most 1080p TV's out today do not accept a 1080p native signal. They accept a lower resolution signal and upscale it. So MS coming out with a new SKU with HDMI support alienates very few people, if any, because most people don't have a TV that supports true HD.

This is in fact real boys and girls! Just saw the video and it`s real! Will be released in the coming months ps3 eat some crow!

If this is real and it is released soon, I bet it's a beefed up package with a larger HDD probably for around 500 dollar/euro. That would kill the PS3 instantly then

I mean the normal 360 package is good for anybody. Still don't need to have HDMI and even 120 GB HDD. BUT

Imagine the choice for those fanboys (Sony ones especially) saying PS3 has more features. Then the new 360 comes along

HDMI also, 120 GB HDD plus the best games for 499 Euro or a PS3 with HDMI and 60 GB HDD for 599 Euro

final blow to Sony.

As I say: I don't need it, most people won't. But it would be fun to see if it happens

Because EVERYONE who bought a Premium Xbox 360 wanted the best gaming experience possible! They were led to believe this was the most powerful console MS would release for the next 4-5 years until the next round of consoles came along. SO THEY GLADLY PAID $400 for it! What happens now....MS releases a stronger more powerful $500 Xbox 360...your choices now are...

1.Buy this new Xbox 360 for $500 and dump your original one...so $900 in all...now the PS3 looks like a pretty good deal, huh.

2.Ignore the third (SKU) and never buy it...knowing deep down you have the retarded version even though you bought it faithfully on Day 1.

3.Get Mad at MS for alienating 10 million trusted MS fans..who will now feel slightly pissed off and perhaps look at an alternative (PS3).

Again these are all my opinions but I also happen to have bought my Xbox 360 on Day 1, thinking it was the most powerful console MS would release for AT LEAST 4 more years and now I am pissed off!

When I bought my PS1, it lasted me 10 years.

When I bought my PS2 it lasted 7 years, and still going.

When I bought my Xbox it lasted me 4 years, then it stopped receiving developer support ):

And then I bought a PS3 which I so far am very pleased with..and I also bought an Xbox 360 which I love even more :)

But now a better Xbox 360 is comming out 1 year after I bought mine! Sorry MS but if you release a new xbox 360 so soon...you will lose a lot of fans...regardless of what anyone says.

Why don't you ebay your current so you buy this one guys?

Bullsh!t True Gamer

It isn't really better if you don't need HDMI. Which 99% of us won't need. If you own a 60 inch TV with 1080p and HDMI port you could need it, otherwise...

You won't loose a fan over a HDMI port. The smaller CPU die is with every console, to cut costs. It won't make the game different. And the bigger HDD well yeah it'll probably be a more expensive package.

I highly doubt if you really would be a 360 owner and fan. I am one, I have no HDMI port and I don't care really. On VGA it even has better quality then the PS3 on HDMI

So is it all about the name of the port or the best output?

Every console get some sort of update during life time. Sony says they'll even upgrade the total console. WTF does that mean? Faster CPU? More Ram? You'll get PC problems on that one, the older versions won't run the newest games?

Now that is a problem for the fanbase. This isn't. For real. And those that say they are, are crying kids over nothing

What are you MS PR team?

Im honest..I have never had a problem with MS until now, everything was going fine until now!

Yes I have a 52'' Sony Xbrite HDTV which has HDMI and of course the 120Gig Drive would come in handy. To bad MS didn't warn me about this or else I would've waited :(

By the way..there will be MS Fans who will feel bad about this regardless of what you think, I'm one of them.

7 million Premium Xbox 360's were sold, 7 million Hardcore MS fans who wanted the best SKU for the Xbox 360, now they will obviously feel f*cked up.

it is the still the most powerful system they'll release in 4-5 years. there not changing the systen SPECS. there not putting in more RAM, or a faster processor, there adding HDMI,just like when sony added an ethernet port to the PS2 slim nothing differnt!!

What about the NEW 3rd sku that sony is trying to build of the PS3!! its gonna have more RAM/MEMORY, bigger HDD an if im not mistaken more SPE's (could be wrong)so isnt that worse than what MS would be doing!! because here sony is CHANGING the systems SPECS!!

I bet next thing MS throws in it is the HD-DVD. That about wraps it up then.

GNOTHE: "there adding HDMI,just like when sony added an ethernet port to the PS2 slim nothing differnt!!"

Oh, it's completely different. Microsoft said 1080p was too taxing on the hardware, bad for developers, and completely unneccesary. When pressed on the question of lack of HDMI support when Sony had HDMI 1.3 in their PS3, Microsoft again said "Completely unnecessary."

Flash forward a year later, and whadya know. They're backtracking on their original statements. The obvious difference between this and the slimline PS2 go as follows:

Slimline PS2 was released over 4 years after the original PS2.

We're only a year into the 360's life cycle, and already Microsoft is changing the system architecture.

The Original PS2 had 56K and Ethernet connections. The Slimline PS2 had both connections as well.

Original 360 is impossible to add HDMI support to. In order to use it, you need to buy the brand new 360, complete with a previously unavailable HDMI port and upscaling chip called HANA.

Case closed.

DJ....Why do you blatantly lie? ATI and MS have said previously that the 360 outputs a digital signal internally...

You say its impossible for the 360 to add HDMI. Thats a big word for you to be using. And everyone will remember your lies when its announced and on store shelves.

You have so much hate for MS its rediculous. HDMI is a convenience but far from a neccessity...Most consumers don't have hdmi on their tv's. And HDMI vs Componant or VGA on paper makes hdmi superior...but when you compare with your own eyes...You can't see the difference. MS knew that. And they knew not only is it not a standard...its not needed. But when they feel the market is ready...and their is enough demand for it. It will be released. If MS makes a 360 with hdmi, HD dvd, and 120 gig hard drive built into it....It will no doubt cost at least 500 dollars and it will be most likely at the time the 399 360 drops in price to 299. I haven't been wrong yet. Its simple common sense.

MS is trying fix their console to better compete with the PS3, problem is if they release a version that has HDMI, it will end any doubt that MS is about supporting gamers and only about making money. They know in the long run the 360 will lose out to the PS3, so they are trying to avoid that from happening by releasing v2. The problem is when they do that they alienate the one crowd that always supported MS, the hard core gamer and the earlier adopter, who now has a piece of equipment that isnt worth much any more.

If you dont think that the PS3 will win the long term battle, just look at what Sony is doing now and the past, compare that to what MS is doing now and the past. PS2 came out in 2000 as a the first affordable DVD player that also played PS1 games and had at the time of release state of the art processing for fast 3d graphics. Of course people barked at the cost and developers didnt like the difficulty of getting high performance out of the machine. Now the PS2 is in its 7th year and it still sells very well, better than the 360, because Sony still supports it, the DVD drive that was soo expensive then keeps it relavent today with enough space for current generation games. Also look that the games that developers can get out of the PS2, FFXII, God of War, Shadow of the Colassus, all with excellent graphics that are still current. MS came out with the XBox in 2001, with nothing but a celeron processor, a ATI video card, and a hard drive, a very competent system, however MS did not support the system like sony has supported PS2. MS gave up on the system in early 2006, even though there is an install base of 20 million out there. Why?? Because if they kill that system it forces developers to make games for their new system, which means Xbox fans are forced to buy a new system if they want new AAA games. Thats more money for MS, and basically screws anybody with an XBox, and $300 paperweight. My original PS2 still runs strong, that $300 I spent years ago is still paying off with great games like Bully and FXII. It was a good gaming investment. LIke the PS3, it will stay relevant for many years, at least 5 or 6 years. It has the capacity of Bluray, the still untapped speed of the cell, and full support of HDMI 1.3, 1080p with TrueHD audio and other lossless audio support. This stuff may not mean much to people today, but I guarantee that it make is relavent 2 or 3 years from now when receivers will be able to process those signals and all TV's will have HDMI, and games are shipping that at least 20 gigs in size. Thats why Sony will the war, even though people seem to focus on small battles, like the scaling chip, which is practically irrelevant with all HDTV built in the last couple of years support both 720p and 1080i signals.

I dont know who the hell said that it would piss the already 10+million 360 owners off, but it doesnt affect me one bit. I actually find that XBox 360 works best with VGA over HDMI for my tv, cause my tv isnt 1080p. So for me, its no biggy and i dont really care.

Also, how would this piss off 360 owners when it only affects TopGamer and maybe like 20 other ppl. HDMI is only good for 1080p tvs. I should know. My ps3 is hooked up thru HDMI, and its better at 720p than 1080i, and i could have gotten that5 out of component cables rather than a 50 dollar HDMI cable. And if you wanna talk affecting owners, PS3 is starting to piss me off now.

Losing more exclusive titles. and the PS3 cant play DVDs or even my old PS2/PS1 games with HDMI, so I have to leave my composite cables plugged in so i can watch dvds and play PS1/PS2 games. You call that awesome and not downgrading and losing. Like, Now my PS3 is only good for playing games at 720p and Blu-Ray movies at 1080i through a 50 dollar cable i had to buy to get HD out of it?, thats a great thing isnt it. I hope they do fix this problem, cause as of right now, i only use my PS3 for Resistance and other games and Talladega Nights on Blu-Ray, other than that, it just sits there staring at me, and i play my 360 on XBox Live, mostly Gears and COD3. But yea, you Sony fanboys say that 360 is gonna lose fans for this idea (which i dont tihnk is all that bad or stupid, just not neccessary), when PS3 has already lost fans cause of its price, and continues to lose on every system they sell, and continues to lose, when ppl bring back their PS3's cause they have no need for them or they couldnt turn a profit on eBay. But id say PS3 fans lost out big time on this over 360 fans. also notice how many stores have stock piles of PS3s there and no one buying them. What does that tell you fanboys. HUH. People are buying 360's not PS3's, cause PS3 is too expensive, and too crappy right now to drop 600 bucks on. Plus, everyone who wanted one, already has one, and the Cmas season is over, that means no one would pay over a grand for them on eBay anymore. So get your facts straight. I really dont see how this will affect 360 fans, when the PS3 has only been out for 2 months, and has already lost millions of fans. Explain that one.

Now they just need to add a BluRay drive. And make it possible to add on any SATA disk - as with the PS3. That would make sense for a change.

But for XBots - 20GB should be enough hey?

Going for HD-DVD internally will work them over - as HD-DVD has already started losing to BluRay. So it would make sensefor them to add a BluRay drive. Come on MS... we know you want to. They will just need to find some sort of positive spin to it....

Well seriously - I think what MS will do is to add a HD-DVD drive in as standard. The cost of the disks - DV, BluRay or HD-DVD is really really not as much as some morons try to claim they are. It comes down to cents per disk really when they are mass produced - and the content on them cost so much more that the cost of the disk is negligible.

MS - strategically - should add the HD-DVD drive in, add support for any HD as Sony did, and then hope that the momentum of the XB360 future sales can in some way counter BluRay. Otherwise they will have a big problem. If they want to take the fight to Sony, they will make the HD-DVD standard - and I think that is what they will do. That is the only thing that will give HD-DVD a fighting chance.

It will not be "impossible" to add HDMI to the XB360. Maybe impossible to the existing XB360 due to certain speed issues on the output, but that will not be an issue with the redesigned XB360.

And yes - they will redesign it like Sony redesigned the slimline PS2. Since the CPU is going to move to 65nm they will have to redesign the board layout, consolidate some chipsets etc. And simply add support for HDMI. And most probably add HD-DVD. Hopefully they will do hat Sony did - and add support for any hd out there.

That will make the XB360 v2 much more appealing and competitive with the PS3.

Maybe they were smart to release early to get some market lead - and with v2 add the things in they wanted to begin with. It should not affect gamers much - as the games will still be on DVD's - mostly. And for the really big games - they can release on HD-DVD with multiple DVD's. The cost is really not as much as that some morons who try to claim that HD-DVD is so much more "cheaper" - the disks come down to cents for mass manufacturing. So they can actually release games on HD-DVD - and still release DVD's for "legacy" XB360's.

With the target market of about 80-100million if they wish to match the PS2 - then 10Million is only 10% of the market. And given that some will be replacement units (since the first ones seem to be really really crappy and prone to break) it will not be that big an issue.

your logic is a little flawed,for one MS has a bigger chance of adding HDMI to the system rather than the HD-DVD drive.an you say if they want to take the fight to sony!! they done already took the fight to sony!! its sony that has to take the fight to MS right now!! its MS that has the better games now an coming,its MS that has the better service(xbox live) an it MS that has the better price, so MS has already taken the fight to sony, its sony that needs to respond!! than as far as HD an BLUE RAY goes, MS really dont care which format wins because there trying to push digital distribution anyway!! an I think the main reason MS didnt back Blue Ray from the start is because it would be helping to push SONYS format!!think about it, SONY says blue ray is the best an MS supports it, sony offers it in there system an MS dont, why would I buy MS's system when it dont even offer the best disc format!!

Indeed!

Who needs BluRay or any other format, when you can get HD movies right here, right now on XBL?

Really not needed actually. But if you want you can buy the add-on. For the rest of us: the streaming/downloading age is here, discs are last gen

Taking the fight to Sony for a couple of reasons. Fanboy and biased commentators aside the simple reality is:

PS3 will sell millions because of the Playstation brand loyalty.

Millions more will be sold because of the BluRay format. Because of the high consumer awareness associated with the BluRay brand, if MS includes BluRay it will be sort of admitting defeat.

The PS3 has good titles available, not many, but the next wave looks extremely good, and will drive sales. What MS would not want to see, is that the PS3 sales are driven even more because BluRay becomes dominant. That will mean that the PS3 will have a double sale opportunity - for those looking for a console, and for those looking for a BluRay player. Going with BluRay will strengthen Sony, so MS will go HD-DVD. Nothing to do with which one is superior or better value, it is simply because the enemy of my enemy is my friend. HD-DVD is the enemy of Blu-Ray, and is the only other viable alternative - so MS will support that.

Despite the wave upon wave of detractors, viral marketers, "analysts", "bloggers" and other detractors, the PS3 and indeed - the BluRay is gaining a lot of traction.

Now MS had to rush the XB360 to get ahead in the game - but clearly if they could they would include the HD-DVD drive - just that it was unfortunately not available at the time. Also - if it was - then the nexgen format war would have been over by now - because MS would then enjoy the advantage of being a nexgen video player as well as being a console. And the HD-DVD would have had an installed base of 10 million plus, which would have drawn all the support to that format.

Now, BluRay is gaining traction and outselling HD-DVD titles - marginally, but the switchover happened - and now it will widen rapidly as more and better titles gets released on BluRay, and with the PS3 installed base growing rapidly - it will be dominant by a wide margin.

MS will take on Sony on that front as it does with all competitors. That is why it will start undermining support for all other video formats but its own, undermining all network protocols when it can except for the ones that they feel that they can de-commodotize and control.

So - they will have to move fast if they want BluRay to not become dominant - and quickly. So expect them to pull all stops to add HD-DVD as standard to the XB360. They can always release a game on HD-DVD and on multiple DVD's for "legacy" XB360's. But if they hold off on their move to HD-DVD - then HD-DVD will be lost - permanently - as well as their opportunity to undermine Sony's control of the next gen format.

If they don't make the move, then the HD-DVD add-on will not really take of, and then will eventually have to see it replaced with a BluRay drive - which will not sell very good as a add-on. They will rather see sales lost to Sony.

The obvious problem MS might face is if the HD-DVD format fails. Then the XB360 will be stuck with the HD-DVD format until the end of its life - and will also for the next gen - because for backwards compatibility they will have to have at least a hybrid HD-DVD drive.

With PS3 out, MS can not spread FUD to drive sales anymore - as consumers can see the two units for themselves. And with the BluRay standard on PS3 - it will sway a lot of consumers. MS will have to choose between BluRay or HD-DVD - and soon. Don't be too sure that they made up their mind already. They might just decide to go BR anyway - but that will be very very unlikely. Given MS's history - they would most probably have preferred to own the format, rather than to license it from either Toshiba or Sony.

For now - I think they will try to launch the new revision with HD-DVD included just before March - to stop HD-DVD loosing more traction in the EU market, because when PS3 launches there, it will be over very quickly. And that will be global defeat for HD-DVD.

What i do find funny is when haha calls bladestar a fangirl and before that he being a major fangirl. It you don't like MS or like to bash them please go to either the PS3 section, PC section, Wii section etc etc. That includes DJ and haha.

i think i read 4 days ago in empire that hd dvd is out selling blu-ray 10-1.

thought you might want to know !

HD Video content streaming? Har har har...

Just think of streaming a 25GB file. It will be faster to just drive down to the shop, watch the movie, return it and stop the download that is at 20%.

Oh... and then there is the small thing of the XB360 disk being only 20GB - which is not all available...

107: Nope - latest news is that BluRay is outselling HD-DVD titles now - changeover month was December. The numbers you have is for the first month BluRay was released.

Im impressed by your future analysis. You already know more then insiders do.
Forgot something?
I had a PC and all three "lastgen" systems for gaming. The last months i wanted to start with nextgen. I read a lot (was not biased) and made my decision. And guess what? I bought a 360.
Cause the price, the available and coming games,the graphic power, all seems ok (except the ring of death issue).
Maybe some other guys think like me.
And there is already a third HD format about to start.It shall be cheaper and with more memory capacity then HD-DVD and blueray. So what?
In my opinion Sony should have used a standard DVD-drive, made the whole thing 100 bucks cheaper AND integrated an up to tade GPU with enough memory and directX10 abilities. Then it would be my first choice nowadays.

For December:
HD-DVD: 45%
BluRay 55%

http://www.dvdempire.com/

BluRay overtook HD-DVD. This is the end for HD-DVD. Get over it.

The media - especially the US Media (most probably due to MS influence) has been announcing BluRay's demise, failure with the PS3, downplaying any positive news about BR, trying to influence the public with really really stupid analysis and comments to go with HD-DVD.

Just turns out the viral marketing, ambush tactics, hyped up negative press reports just did not have its desired effect. Every month - against the "predictions" by the anti-Sony / MS / HD-DVD camp BluRay kept on winning ground, and with the release of the PS3 - the game is up.

That is why my analysis of the situation is that only one thing can save HD-DVD. Not the add-on thingie for the XB360. Only a XB360 with standard HD-DVD can balance the fight. Anything else will cause the demise of HD-DVD. It is actually as simple as that. And for MS the choice is a bit bewildering if I may say so. If the do go with HD-DVD, and PS3 gains and overtakes the XB360 (possible to likely) then they are really in the thick of the fight that they don't want to be in. Because for the next gen (after XB360 and PS3) - they will be stuck with at least a HD-DVD backward compatible drive - because they will make the HD-DVD drive available for games - regardless of what they say now. They are just downplaying BluRay - so don't be fooled by their statements now. If the XB360 with HD-DVD starts loosing ground badly, and HD-DVD fails completely - they will be stuck with it - and it may become a XBox only drive if everyone else abandons it. This is just business model threats that I am highlighting.

So - to take the fight to Sony to stop any possible sales loss due to not having a standard HD format disk, they will have to choose between BR and HD-DVD. They already sided with HD-DVD, so to switch will hand a huge, no a massive PR advantage to Sony. So likely they will stick with HD-DVD, but then they will have to go all-out to promote the format. Not the half baked lame attempts up to this time. I mean, they will really really have to promote the format like their is no tomorrow.

Fact is, they are taking sides with the inferior format, and no amount of spinning will change the fact - but HD-DVD is adequate - and that is a fact too. As much as I like the BR format more, HD-DVD is adequate. BluRay is faster, with bigger storage capacity, but HD-DVD will do. The problem is that BluRay has the massive support, excluding MS at the moment.

So for now, BluRay has taken the lead. It has the bigger studio support, more hardware manufacturer support - in short - it is over. Only one company can save it - and only one strategy will do: XB360 with standard HD-DVD to counter Sony's move to get a player in he market with every console that will be sold.

MS cant include an HD-DVD player standard. Why would they do that? To have larger storage? NO! If they do it will reneder obsolete the first 10 million 360's sold because they can;t play new larger games on the HD-DVD format. And dont give me that crap that they can release multi-DVD games. Imagine playing the next grand-theft auto that requires you to switch DVDs everytime you enter an certain area! It would be rediculous and nobody would tolerate it.
The other reason to add it? To watch HD-DVD moives and save the format? NO!! MS has always said that the 360 was game machine first and foremost and now its a movie player that gamers are forced to buy?? Something they have railed against for over a year??? It wouldn't make sense to include a built in HD-DVD drive, if they do they shut out the people who have supported them the most, the early adopters who risked much by buying a brand new system.
The only other thing MS could do is add the drive standard just to play movies, but without using HD-DVDs for games, in order not alienate the early adopters. That would force a 360 buyer to play $100-200 more for a HD-DVD movie player with no other benifit, which is a horrible idea. Especially when the Xbots having been screaming about having a choice about upgrading to the a next-gen disc.
MS WILL NEVER ADD A HD-DVD drive standard, if they do, nobody should have buy a new MS console ever again!!! IMHO

get over it ??!

get over what. i dont care which wins as i think both will die of within a year i just gave info i had read as it was relevant.
i wonder if the blu-ray surge will continue.
i did hear that blu-ray rentals may not happen though which seems odd !

still with better and better compression hd streaming is a real option .
i think i heared 360 is built to run compressed data without performance loss.

what ever you say!! if you think you got all the facts in order on what YOU THINK MS should do than good for you!! another reason why your logic is still flawed!! is because of price!! blue ray still cost hundreds more than hd-dvd, an still out of all of the less than a million Ps3's sold how many people you think will be buying blue ray movies(dont forget you need a hd tv)but every hd-dvd that was bought will be for movies!! an still MS dont need to support HD-DVD because they dont own the format like sony owns blue ray!!because if hd-dvd does fail it wont cost MS a dime!! but if blue ray fail then ony is in trouble!!

available for the 360. With the new HD downloads on Live, now is an obvious time to release it. So what if the premium starts delivering with it installed? If it didn't, new owners would have to upgrade soon any way, if they want to take advantage of the video downloads. An HDMI port added? So what? If you want to use it, and have a TV that can use it, then use it. That doesn't mean it's necessary, or will even be necessary any time in the 360's projected life span; and if you've been getting along with out it up to now, then what the hell is the problem anyway? Given the digital output of the 360's video card, if people insist on HDMI on current consoles, I'm sure MS or a third party manufacturer will release an HDMI cable at some point. All of this represents nothing more than the same sort of incremental improvements that have been offered in previous consoles. However, HD-DVD has no reason to be added to the system.

Microsoft has no vested interest in HD-DVD beyond being one of several computer and movie companies that back the format. Contrary to the apparent belief of some of the people on this board, MS does not "own" the format. Other than their interest in not seeing Blu-Ray succeed, mearly for spite, mind you, MS could not possibly care less which format triumphs. That's why there won't be an internal drive and why there are contingency plans for a Blu-Ray add on.

Why would Microsoft release a brand new model 360 after only 1 year? That makes no sense. And even if was true, the article says upgrades to a "cooler" proccessor, not faster nor better. My gut tells me that this is a total fake that will see the light of day as the next gen 360 to succeed the current xbox, not a little upgrade. Remember, the 360 was in developement the whole time the original xbox was being built, tested, and launched and even to its early grave. MS knew that the last gen was ending and was killing the xbox off to catchup. The 360 is in the perfect place, the transition to HDTV and whatnot. The ps3 assumes youve hit that place already and embrace all new technology. Once people have actually started getting into the whole digital age thing with HDTV and sound and all that cool gizmo-ology, then the next 60 will launch.

Although, the future scares me. Example, games are not actually yours. They are just licenses for you to use. I know this has been going on for a long time, but never before has it really felt like you dont own your game. Unfortuneatly, retards of the universe decided to use the noble cause of burning backups to save your original copy to burn backups to sell and give out. Prices raise, copy protection improves, and life is miserable. No more backups. I HATE HACKERS!!!!!! They make life miserable and exist everywhere. There are even hackers who hack free sites just to make members lives miserable.

Sorry, lost track of what I was talking about...

What the hell are you talking about? It's just a CPU-shrink , already planed in long terms. They go from 90 Nm to 65 Nm semiconductors, means lower power consumption and more CPU's per wafer, makes it cheaper for M$ and hopfully less noise and rings of death for us. The new CPU works 100% like the old one.