My very own personal Xbox 360 thread

[FuzzyLogic]

Right well, the crux of the matter is, I've wanted a 360 for some time but, the caveat is, I'm waiting for the 65nm process chip mojo to appear and/or the HD-DVD to be integrated.

Okay now that may seem a little silly or odd to want but it's given me an excuse to not buy one thus far. Having recently bought a HDTV I'm more tempted this new year to get one. With Microsoft having said they're going to release a new model Xbox with the 65nm chip (heat issues being my concern there) but not officially announcing integrated HD-DVD (they've always denied this and it may very well be true but imho it's a logical step for them to take and so I believe they'll do it, with a HDMI port), no source for that mind, and the aforementioned likelihood that they may release a HD-DVD version of the 360 despite all their denials (I don't actually trust MS in their promises since they've done this before and I can't remember for the life of me what it was)

Given that vague-ish background, my question is, shall I simply buy the 65nm Xbox 360, or wait for the possibility that a HD (i.e. HD-DVD) version is released before purchasing said console.

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You'll have probably noticed that i haven't mentioned games in the slightest during this post, that's because I already know what games interest me for the console and this is purely a technological question that I'm a little lumbered on.

 

[inactionman]

I think I'm going to do similar. MS would be silly not to do it, despite their protestations that they won't. What's the point of including HD-DVD without any digital encrypted video output, as once the image constraints get turned on (2008 if it goes to plan) you might as well throw it away!

Was tempted with some of the recent offers, but none of the games really grab me yet, bar chrome hounds (I want another decent Mechwarrior title, but fat chance of that, there seems to be no market for decent sims like MW or X-Wing these days, I guess that's the nearest I'll get). So basically I'm waiting for Mass Effect and xbox guitar hero (guitar hero + wireless guitar controller + downloadable songs = teh win!!!1one).

I've also heard that a 100Gb Hard Disk will be released earlyish next year, which should be handy seeing as ~7Gb of the current 20Gb drive is nicked by the OS. Particularly considering how 13Gb seems pathetically small these days, what with all the patches, the backwards compatibility, and seeing as you can get 8Gb USB key fobs!

 

[Aada]

Unless you're a demo whore you'll find you won't use that last 12-14 gigs quickly. Still got 13 gigs on mine.

But yeah i would wait until the upgraded version comes out if you don't mind playing last gen games

 

[cHodAX]

If you can wait then you should wait, 65nm has been delayed till the 2nd quarter of the year, which means roughly 6 weeks later than expected because of 65nm process issues at Charter. Frankly, less heat/power/cost are all worth waiting for and that is before any hardware revisions Microsoft might do. It wouldn't suprise me to see them offer a new SKU with HD-DVD built in and HDMI, I can't see them changing the core or premium as it stands though. Personally I hope they kill the core and offer 20gb hard drives at cost to core owners, then make hard drive a requirement for all future games. It is a half assed way of getting a hard drive in every machine but it still remains the one flaw in the 360 and all for the sake of a poxy £30 cost price to add a 20gb hard drive.

 

[cHodAX]

I think I'm going to do similar. MS would be silly not to do it, despite their protestations that they won't. What's the point of including HD-DVD without any digital encrypted video output, as once the image constraints get turned on (2008 if it goes to plan) you might as well throw it away!

Was tempted with some of the recent offers, but none of the games really grab me yet, bar chrome hounds (I want another decent Mechwarrior title, but fat chance of that, there seems to be no market for decent sims like MW or X-Wing these days, I guess that's the nearest I'll get). So basically I'm waiting for Mass Effect and xbox guitar hero (guitar hero + wireless guitar controller + downloadable songs = teh win!!!1one).

I've also heard that a 100Gb Hard Disk will be released earlyish next year, which should be handy seeing as ~7Gb of the current 20Gb drive is nicked by the OS. Particularly considering how 13Gb seems pathetically small these days, what with all the patches, the backwards compatibility, and seeing as you can get 8Gb USB key fobs!

Image constraints are not looking like being enabled till 2009 or later now, by then you will have stand alone HD-DVD players for under £100 bud, frankly the lack of HDMI is being vastly overplayed.

 

[cHodAX]

I've also heard that a 100Gb Hard Disk will be released earlyish next year, which should be handy seeing as ~7Gb of the current 20Gb drive is nicked by the OS. Particularly considering how 13Gb seems pathetically small these days, what with all the patches, the backwards compatibility, and seeing as you can get 8Gb USB key fobs!

You would be suprised how little space those patches take, I own 32 games right now and combined space for patches is running at just over 200mb. 20gb is small I must admit, it is fine for gaming and demos but the video marketplace is really killing it right now, I filled my hard drive with 2 HD films and then was stuck for 14 days till they expired. They need to get the 100gb hard drives out asap to be honest just to help out the loyal video marketplace punters.

 

[Doomy]

I think I'm going to do similar. MS would be silly not to do it, despite their protestations that they won't. What's the point of including HD-DVD without any digital encrypted video output, as once the image constraints get turned on (2008 if it goes to plan) you might as well throw it away!

Was tempted with some of the recent offers, but none of the games really grab me yet, bar chrome hounds (I want another decent Mechwarrior title, but fat chance of that, there seems to be no market for decent sims like MW or X-Wing these days, I guess that's the nearest I'll get). So basically I'm waiting for Mass Effect and xbox guitar hero (guitar hero + wireless guitar controller + downloadable songs = teh win!!!1one).

I've also heard that a 100Gb Hard Disk will be released earlyish next year, which should be handy seeing as ~7Gb of the current 20Gb drive is nicked by the OS. Particularly considering how 13Gb seems pathetically small these days, what with all the patches, the backwards compatibility, and seeing as you can get 8Gb USB key fobs!

Get one now, I love ChromeHounds but the people that play it now, although better now used to be dire. I still want a squad with you fuckers.

 

[Starman]

I say stop waiting Fuzzy and go buy it!

 

[JBP|]

I agree with Starman(And it's not because i'm his bum chum either).

 

[inactionman]

Rumors are getting a bit widespread of a new xbox as a PS3 euro release spoiler. It will be black with HDMI, and a 120Gb HD, apparently. If so I'll probably finally get one!

 

[cHodAX]

Rumors are getting a bit widespread of a new xbox as a PS3 euro release spoiler. It will be black with HDMI, and a 120Gb HD, apparently. If so I'll probably finally get one!

That is the IPTV system bud, it is for subscription services and the bigger hard drive is for PVR purposes. MS are not replacing the current system, they may offer a new high end home entertainment system at some point but again it is looking like that will be aimed at the IPTV PVR market and may never reach retail.