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More…Microsoft's Xbox 360 Elite is here, and this version of the sleek, matte-black game console offers more than just cosmetic improvements. The unit's bolstered specs--such as a 120GB hard disk drive and an HDMI 1.2 connector, perfect for today's high-def TVs--mean more room to store digital content and a better way to view high-definition content.
Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite System
PCWorld Rating, April 27, 2007
7 User Reviews Add your own »
$229.99 - $449.99
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Pros
Large (120GB) hard drive
HDMI 1.2 connector
Cons
Lacks integrated high-def disc player
Bottom Line
Xbox 360 Elite, the premier Xbox 360 console package that includes a massive 120GB hard drive, a HDMI port and like all Xbox 360 consoles and a premium black finish.
Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite
Xbox 360 Elite System Review, by Melissa J. Perenson, PC World April 27, 2007
Though I don't think that upgrading to this update of the older Xbox 360 will makes sense for every gamer, the HDMI capability alone makes the Elite a more appealing option if you're considering buying your first Xbox. The new console went on sale on Sunday, April 29, for $480, though some sites are charging a premium.
My first impressions of this new iteration of Microsoft's two-year-old game console are generally positive--particularly with regard to the dramatically improved integration of the optional Xbox 360 HD DVD Player and the improved image quality offered by HDMI (the differences are there, though they aren't as striking as you might expect). For photos of the Xbox 360 Elite and its components, see our slide show.
A Mostly Breezy Setup
Initial setup of the Xbox 360 Elite is a snap: You just select the language and then either establish your Xbox Live account or relink to an existing one.
At this point, you can select the High Definition Settings option for choosing optimal audio and video settings for high definition. The console's screen prominently displays this option, and I applaud this design decision, since many users will use the Xbox 360 Elite in conjunction with a high-definition TV. But when I actually chose this option, it moved me directly into the display settings of the Console Settings panel; audio was just one of many console settings I could adjust below that. I had expected to go to a menu that unified the process of adjusting audio and video for high-def.
The menu showed my current, default setting for the display--1080i wide-screen--so I drilled two levels farther down to select the HDTV setting; there, I chose 1080p, to match the resolution of the Pioneer Elite Pro FHD-1 50-inch plasma display I was using. The menu also has an option for selecting screen format; but on the unit I tested, that option was grayed out.
I then returned to the audio settings, to select the digital output. The default setting here was for Dolby Digital 5.1; alternatively, you can choose digital stereo, or Dolby Digital with WMA Pro. The on-screen display warns you that digital audio output is available only through an Xbox 360 Component HD, Advanced SCART, S-Video, or VGA HD AV cable.
Strangely, the menu doesn't mention the HDMI AV cable, which comes bundled with the Xbox 360 Elite. Nor does the unit's setup discuss what kind of audio you can expect to receive over HDMI. (I'm awaiting confirmation from Microsoft of what audio the Elite can support over HDMI. I would be disappointed if it's limited to the specs stated within the menu options--especially considering that many HD DVD movie titles have shipped with multichannel Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital Plus audio tracks.)
Specs Boost
On paper, the new Xbox 360 has several advantages over its predecessor. Hard-drive capacity leaps from 20GB to 120GB--a huge benefit if you plan to use the Xbox to download lots of movie and music files via Xbox Live. And the unit now has an HDMI 1.2 interface; HDMI provides the optimal interconnection for high-definition video playback, and it delivers better image quality (at up to 1080p resolution) than can component video (limited to 1080i output on the Xbox 360) or VGA (at 1080p).
The system ships with a matching black wireless controller, which Microsoft rates as having a 30-foot range, and a plethora of included cables: the aforementioned HDMI AV cable; a Component HD AV cable with component, S-Video, and composite audio inputs; an audio adapter for composite audio and optical audio inputs; a headset; and an ethernet cable.
To transfer content from your current Xbox to the Xbox 360 Elite, you'll need a Hard Drive Transfer Cable. Also missing from the box's bundled contents is a remote control. You'll have to buy one separately ($20); or rely on the one included with the $200 Xbox HD DVD Player add-on.
High-Def Movie Playback
Having recently looked at the Microsoft Xbox 360 for PC World's High-Def Video Superguide, I was interested to see how Microsoft handled playing HD DVD movies on the Elite. In my informal hands-on testing of the console with Microsoft's HD DVD Player add-on drive, I saw some distinct improvements over its predecessor in integration and image quality.
The Xbox 360 Elite and the HD DVD drive enjoy vastly tighter integration--which, in turn, results in a seamless experience for the user. You don't even have to install a driver disc for the HD DVD drive: Just plug it in, and the Elite recognizes the drive. And once it's connected, if you maneuver down to the open tray graphic on screen, you can open the tray for the Xbox 360 or for the HD DVD drive.
In my informal tests, HD DVD image quality of the movies I tested over an HDMI connection at 1080p resolution was slightly better than what the Xbox 360 delivered over component video at 1080i resolution; its images were significantly sharper than those produced by the Xbox 360 over component video at 720p resolution.
For example, the costumes in The Phantom of the Opera looked a little crisper and had slightly more depth and detail; and a brick wall in Mission Impossible: 3's chapter 7--which was a problem spot for the Xbox 360--rendered smoothly. Some colors seemed a bit off, though, with redder skin tones than I would have expected.
HDMI and 1080p resolution may have less effect on how games appear than on how movies appear. This is because many games were created at 720p resolution; by contrast, all HD DVD movies are encoded at 1080p.
Though my limited testing of the Xbox 360 Elite doesn't convince me that it can match the image quality of a dedicated HD DVD player, I look forward to doing a side-by-side comparison (as well as to checking out how the Xbox 360 Elite handles upconverting standard-def DVDs).
More important, I don't see anyone buying the Xbox 360 Elite solely for its high-def video playback. Its $480 price tag--not counting the extra $200 or so you'll pay for an HD DVD Player add-on drive--positions the Xbox 360 Elite squarely for gamers.
For movie playback, you can buy a 1080p Toshiba HD-A20 dedicated HD DVD player for just $499; and that player will operate far more quietly and efficiently than the noisy combination of the Xbox 360 Elite and HD DVD Player will in combination. High-def playback over HDMI may be a nice bonus for movie playback, but only if you intend to buy the Xbox 360 Elite for multiple purposes anyway.
If you haven't jumped on the Xbox bandwagon yet, the Xbox 360 Elite merits your consideration. (Our sister publication, GamePro, has another perspective; see "Eight Reasons Why the Xbox 360 Elite Isn't Elite.") The inclusion of the 120GB hard drive, HDMI, and full 1080p support may make this console pricey, but it's also a far more attractive option than its predecessor.
Melissa J. Perenson
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User Reviews
Average User Reviews for Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite System
2 Reviews Add your own »
- Latest User Reviews 2 reviews
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Reviewed by: kawika5000
Duration of ownership: 5 Months
Strengths: The things that didn't break on the original are still not breaking.
Weaknesses: The thing still suffers from the same issues as the original
Overall: If you have money to waste then its a good buy. Cause its a waste of money!
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Reviewed by: ayabrea
Duration of ownership: 5 Days
Strengths: Xbox interface is very userfriendly Impressive hard disk for a console Good chances that all the wires you need are included in the bundle
Weaknesses: Does not feature a black finish like everybody say but more a dark gray or «graphite» color. The heat at the back of the console allow the user to bake an egg while playing. Useful for hardcore gamers. Still not featuring a built in 802.11g adapter in 2007. You have to pay 129.99 CAN$ to have it while even a Nintendo DS features it. Finally, it's very noisy so you will not want to spend more money to buy an external white hd-dvd reader to watch hd movies with it.
Overall: First time buyers should more look at the Premium bundle even if they plan to use it as a hd media center. For those who already own a legacy 360, just buy the hard disk if you only need more room (209 CAN$) Finally, if you plan something trully adapted for hd movies and more, look at the PS3 with Blue Ray included, Hdmi 1.3 included, wireless connectivity included and much more.
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User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by: abernat
Strengths: HDMILots of game titlesIncredible graphicsXBOX LiveXBOX Marketplace120 GB hard drive
Weaknesses: DVD Drive still loud
Overall: I debated whether to buy XBOX360 or PS3. Both consoles are solid, but a larger game library and Xbox marketplace gave the edge to XBOX. I'm very happy with it.
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Reviewed by: evophile
Strengths: Bigger HD, black
Weaknesses: Pricier compared to the other models
Overall: There's not much left to be said about the Xbox360, a system thats cemented itself as a platform with many a good games to playWhat is important is to decide which model is most important for you. The Elite comes with a bigger HD at 120GB so you can store a lot of media on it. It also has the nice black finish. Now that all 360s have an HDMI port, that bullet point does not stand out as much.In the end, the 360 is a great system and if you need the HD space and/or like a system in black, go for this now.
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Reviewed by: psincubus
Strengths: 120 GB hard drive, hdmi included.
Weaknesses: not actually black, more gray.
Overall: The Xbox 360 elite is a great system. It fixes many problems the first one had, with a new motherboard (zephyr) and additional heat sinks (to combat the 3ROD). It also includes a huge hard drive (120 GB) and an hdmi cable in the box. With the 360, you get access to many original Xbox games through backwards compatibility. Also, the Xbox Live marketplace is a great way to get demos and trailers for upcoming games. Overall, great system.
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Reviewed by: mojave
Strengths: Sleek look, 120 GB hard drive is great for lots of demos and videos, HDMI output
Weaknesses: Expensive
Overall: I was looking into buying an Xbox 360 at the beginning of this year and I heard the rumors of the new black system with HDMI coming out soon, so I waited. It turns out that was the Elite and came with a 120 GB hard drive to boot (100 GB more than the standard Xbox 360). The downside was that, at the time, this system cost $80 more. However, for both the HDMI and the 100GB of extra space I thought it was worth it. I was also hoping that this new model may have fixed the reliability issues of the 360. It turns out I bought it too soon on that account as only the most recent models (produced in June or July of 2007 and later) of both the regular and Elite models have the more reliable system design. Right now the price difference between the regular and Elite 360 is a little higher ($100), and HDMI output is included on both models. The difference basically comes down to the color and the 100 GB of extra hard drive space. You do get an HDMI cable with the Elite and not the regular though and that is worth at least $10 by itself. Personally, I love having the 120 GB hard drive. I already have mine half full with demos and videos. Certainly you can get by with the 20 GB HD, but it is nice not to have to worry about space all the time. Overall, I would say if you have the money, go for the Elite as the extra space is nice. You also get the HDMI cable. At this point, Microsoft has made some minor changes to the 360 design that is supposed to increase reliability (but the success of that remains to be seen) so you really can't go wrong with either model. Just be sure to get one with a hard drive (so skip the "Arcade Bundle" which lacks a hard drive).
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Reviewed by: infini2001
Strengths: 120gb hard drive. Not three rings of death yet
Weaknesses: well...
Overall: I lost my launch Xbox360 with three red rings, so I bought this elite. it works fine and it has an extra heatsink so it seems to be ok now, but who know? Anyway I have played many game for about three months without three rings, hope works well. FYI, I bought an extended warranty for two more years from Microsoft. Believe me, you need it!
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