New XBox 360 with HDMI capabilities

[AlanS17]

Well it's a good thing I never opened up the XBox 360 I bought a few weeks ago. I think I'll be taking it back to the store now. It makes sense the Microsoft would release a 360 with HDMI support with the advent of HD-DVD movies. Plus they have download-able hi-def movies now so a bigger HD is only a matter of time as well.

Some people think it's a hoax, but it all looks pretty convincing to me. Even gamespot.com thinks it's the real deal.

http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EEylpyZkVpwzemjZKk.php

I don't want to own an inferior version of a next-gen console so I'll likely be taking mine back to the store. I expect an HDMI version with a larger hard drive will cost more, though. I'll just have to be satisfied with my Wii until prices come down.

[Howard_Casto]

Yeah it's not a rumor, it has been pretty much confirmed since the original launch that hdmi was coming (although people thought it would be in the form of an adaptor).

The only thing that worries me is this:

Hdmi ports are a rarity on devices.  Sure your hdtv has one, but that'll be taken up by your cable/sat box.  Those probably don't have a hdmi-in port on them either.  Same goes for dvd players ect... most just have composite. 

I guess what I'm saying is you can use hdmi, which will really only improve your sound quality, or you can use component, get virtually the same picture quality and not have to have a switch box. 

Somebody needs to come out with some smart hdmi "hubs". 



An truely crazy rumor is that the "wii 2" could be out as early as next christmas for the same price as a wii, only with hd support. 

[AlanS17]

Well I already returned the thing. I've got enough digital connections in the back of my HDTV to support a couple of devices, and I'd rather use those up before I move onto HD component inputs (which I've already filled up anyways).

[somunny]

Officially denied.  Stories here and here.

That "experiment" sure has a nice fit and finish on the HDMI port.  Hmmm...

[SirPoonga]

Howard, that's a close assumption.  A lot of products have hdmi now but not many sable boxes.  If your tv only has one hdmi port than it will most likely be taken up by either a dvd player or a receiver.  The receiver will then have hdmi switching.  A friend of mine has had that setup for a couple years, it is pretty cool.

I would love an hdmi xbox because I think there are several people in a simular situation as me.  I have one hdmi input on my tv.  My tv has one optical audio out.  I have one optical audio input on my receiver.  My receiver is old, only svideo switching.  So if I wanted optical audio for my 360 and hdtv I would either need an optical switcher or a 360 with hdmi.

If the hdmi port on the 360 will output 1080p then it will be a must for people who own 1080p tvs.  While the 360 can do 1080p over vga most tvs that do 1080p can only do it over hdmi.

If you can avoid digital to analog to digital conversion you should.  So if hdmi is available it should give you a better picture quality.  It also depends on the DAC (Digital to Analog Convertor).  A known issue with computers is nVidia has a horrible RAMDAC and ATI's is awesome.  While text looks crisp on an lcd using a nVidia card, it will look fuzzy on a crt.

somunny, are you implying Microsoft is doing damage control by calling it an experiment?  Are you thinking because the case and form look production quality that it is most likely real?  Maybe, but car manufactures make production quality prototypes.

[somunny]

somunny, are you implying Microsoft is doing damage control by calling it an experiment?  Are you thinking because the case and form look production quality that it is most likely real?  Maybe, but car manufactures make production quality prototypes.

Well, what do I know really?    I'm not privy to the practices of big corp R&D but the experiment angle would make much more sense if the unit had a hole Dremel'd in the back of it with an HDMI port stuck in there. 

At any rate, I think it will be something we'll see but probably not in the near future.

[Howard_Casto]

Well remember though, microsoft officially doesn't comment on any rumors of future products. 

It was rather suprising for him to even admit that the prototype exists.  And the fact that it does exist, at least in my book, means it is only a matter of time. 

[19rjs99]

I actually spoke to a EB Games employee yesterday and he said that the release for the HDMI version will be April. They are also releasing a cable for the previous version. Not sure how accurate the info is but it was interesting.

[pointdablame]

I actually spoke to a EB Games employee yesterday and he said that the release for the HDMI version will be April. They are also releasing a cable for the previous version. Not sure how accurate the info is but it was interesting.

based on my experience with "intelligence" at EB Games, this guarantees that the HDMI Xbox DOESN'T exist.

 

[stephenp1983]

Microsoft has already commented that its not an offical product they are working on they were just testing it.  BUt I guess that doesn't really mean much.

[markrvp]

I already have one.  It is very nice.  I'm running it at 1280Q.