The Countdown Begins: Xbox 360 Launch Details!

[Jeremy Charette]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.xbox.com/en-US/news/2005/0817-xbox360launchdetails.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.xbox.com/en-US/news/2005/0817-xbox360launchdetails.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Leipzig, Germany— Ending weeks of speculation about which upcoming videogame platform will give gamers the most bang for their buck, today at the German Games Convention Microsoft® revealed that consumers can get their hands on Xbox 360™—the most powerful and feature-packed next-generation video game and entertainment system—for as little as $299.99 U.S. starting this holiday season. For gamers who want to experience the ultimate digital entertainment thrill ride, Microsoft also announced a model with hundreds of dollars worth of accessories for $399.99 U.S., giving consumers the definitive entertainment experience at an unbelievable value right out of the box."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/PBVliepziggrn.jpg" /> <br /><br />Finally, the speculation is coming to an end. The two options are pretty clear cut, with one being Live-enabled and HDTV ready, and the other being offline and standard-def TV ready. I'm pleased to see Microsoft giving consumers an option, and not forcing those without a broadband internet connection or HDTV to pay for those options. Of course, I'll be getting the "premium" package, as all of the included accessories are "must have" as far as I'm concerned. :D<br /><br />What do you guys think? Too much money? Too little? Just right? Let me know!

[Felix Torres]

Of course, I'll be getting the "premium" package, as all of the included accessories are "must have" as far as I'm concerned. :D

What do you guys think? Too much money? Too little? Just right? Let me know!

I want to wait and see what the pricing is for the optional 40Gb hd.
I actually prefer the wired controller to start with and am indifferent to the headset...

The premium package is actually a pretty good deal compared to the original xbox launch packages (as opposed to compared to current xbox pricing) but I really would rather have a single 40Gb hd on the box for onboard media files. Or, if performance is good enough, off a bigger external usb drive instead...
The core box has appeal to me cause ,except for oblivion, I don't see many games I'll be playing this year, so if I buy early it'll be as media device more than as a game console...

[Jeremy Charette]

Yeah, I'm also curious to see what it can do with an external USB drive, and would rather have a 40 or 80 GB internal drive. I'm not as concerned with media files, as I'll be accessing those over a network, but I am concerned with how much space game demos will take up, as I'll likely be buying/downloading whatever demos I can get my hands on. I definetly have a "try before you buy" mentality.

[AKBishop]

Xbox 360 VGA HD AV Cable: Gamers can experience high-definition gaming on flat-panel TV or VGA monitors. This cable provides optimal audio and video signal transfer (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S.*).

The VGA HD AV Cable sounds cool. I wonder if they'll come out with a DVI/HDMI cable or not.

[Felix Torres]

The VGA HD AV Cable sounds cool. I wonder if they'll come out with a DVI/HDMI cable or not.

Or not.
Both VGA and Component video are analog protocols so its easy (read:cheap) to make converters and cables.
DVI/HDMI output would require extra circuitry and converters so its doable but unlikely.

[Jeremy Charette]

Hmm. The 360 is supposedly coming out with HD-DVD drives as soon as is commercially feasible. I wonder they'll include the ability to do DVI/HDMI in the HD-DVD equipped units? From what I've read, they'll have to, as HD-DVD players will only be equipped with HDCP compatible HDMI video outputs.

This whole HD DVD/Blu-Ray/DRM battle is turning out to be really bad for the consumer. :?

[AKBishop]

Hmm. The 360 is supposedly coming out with HD-DVD drives as soon as is commercially feasible.

Actually, I've never seen any actual confirmation on that. Just speculation. There have been some "maybes" and "it'd be neat" that we hear in speeches from Bill Gates and others.

I'm glad they're not going with anything other than DVD for now. That's what's out there for consumers, it's a whole lot cheaper, and I don't want an Xbox that ends up with HD-DVD and then Blu-Ray wins the battle.

[[email protected]]

There's a really nasty debate going about these SKU's on the fansites ever since the reveal. Fans feel betrayed by Allard &amp; Co for saying that a harddrive and wireless conroller would be "standard". Microsoft has decided to name the decked-out deluxe edition "Xbox 360", as if it were the "standard" edition and the stripped down lowest common denominator edition "Xbox 360 Core System", as if it were the "budget" edition.

Fans don't agree.