Lots of questions and comments about the new Xbox 360
Elite, so here is a run down with some answers.
Question: is it quiet?
It’s said to be the exact same hardware as the Core and Premium
systems. If you consider them to be
quiet, then yes the Elite is also quite.
If you consider the Core and Premium systems to be loud, then yes the
Elite is also loud.
Question/Comment: Why not
insist for Xbox Certification, games must be delivered on standard DVD media
(for now) and if Bluray became defacto, then new models would just have a
bluray drive.
This isn’t anything you need to worry about. If Blu-ray were to win the overall High
Definition format war, that means nothing in terms of game consoles. Microsoft could still (if they wanted to),
ship an Xbox with HD DVD to get the increased storage of blue laser HD DVD. I wouldn't imagine they will do this at all though.
Comment: I fail to see
the value in this device. It is riddled with DRM and VERY expensive.
It’s not “riddled with DRM” any more than the $300 Core
system. The “DRM” in question would be
to protect the hardware/software from being hacked. And of course, this only gets in your way if
you happen to be trying to hack it.
It’s less expensive than a PS3, but yes it is expensive.
Question: I have a
standard XBox360, connected to my living room HDTV with the same type of
component cables that are used on my HD STB. Can I connect it to my CableCard
equipped Vista Media Center PC and use it to watch HDTV programming at their
full resolution? Or would I need to purchase and HDMI-capable XBox360 Elite now?
Yes, you will be able to connect your new PC with CableCARD
to your current Xbox 360. Here’s how it
works.
VGA = 540p always; CIT set or not
Component = 1080i (full resolution) if CIT is not set; 540p
if CIT set
HDMI-HDCP = 1080i (full resolution) always
I do not know what cable companies have CIT set on. Might be just things like HBO, might be
nothing.
Question: If all I need
is an extender to a Vista Media Center with Cable Cards, will the XBOX 360
Elite do anything else beyond HDMI interface and 120 GB hard drive?
The Elite should guarantee full resolution output using HDMI
on all CableCARD content and on HD DVD content.
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Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at
http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/