HDMI-equipped Xbox 360 on the way

Coming soon: The HDMI-equipped Xbox 360.

(Credit: Engadget)

It looks as if the Xbox 360 will be getting an HDMI-powered overhaul before it even hits its second birthday. AOL's Engadget sports what looks to be an authentic, leaked, back-panel shot of the next generation of the Xbox 360, which includes an HDMI jack directly below the proprietary A/V port found on existing 360s. According to the story, the new unit--codename "Zephyr"--will also offer a 65nm CPU (said to be less prone to overheating) and a much more spacious 120GB hard drive (perfect for downloading the growing list of HD movies and TV shows available on Xbox Live). Pricing isn't specified, but Engadget says the revamped Xbox will be available "soon."

Why does HDMI matter? A recent firmware upgrade added 1080p output to the Xbox 360, but actually getting that resolution is a challenge considering few HDTVs accept 1080p input from component and VGA inputs, which are the only two options on the current 360. Microsoft was always vague as to when and how it would add HDMI capability to its console, and the need for a dedicated HDMI port seems to confirm suspicions that the A/V port on the current 360 just can't support digital video output (thus the absence of a DVI or an HDMI adapter to date). The HDMI-equipped Xbox 360 removes those compatibility problems, adding plug-and-play 1080p support to a larger (and growing) list of TVs, and it obviates another distinction from the HDMI-equipped PlayStation 3.

In fact, all three of these upgrades--the HDMI output, the 65nm CPU, and the larger hard drive--have been rumored for months. I'm hoping Microsoft will take the opportunity to correct some of the 360's other annoyances, particularly the loud fan and optical disc drive noise and the gargantuan external power supply. And while I'm in wish-list mode--why not just make the HD DVD drive internal, so we don't need that kludgy add-on?

Prospective Xbox 360 buyers should definitely hold off until we find out exactly when the new model will hit stores and how much it will cost. Existing 360 owners can take solace in the fact that the hard-drive upgrade will certainly be available separately and that 1080p resolution isn't necessarily the dramatic improvement over 1080i that the TV manufacturers claim it to be.

[tec1271]

Take Solace in What?

Are you kidding me....take solace in what? That I just paid $400 for an out of date box 2 weeks ago. Microsoft better have an upgrade plan and it better be cost effective.

Samsung did the same thing with their 1st and 2nd Generation DLP's when they moved from the HLM's to the HLN's "discrete inputs". They did the right thing and offered a great upgrade due to consumer uproar.

[Ryo Hazuki]

If Microsoft would listen to costumers like you...

...Xbox 360 like it is today would be their last console ever, so their costumers wouldn't cry their systems were going to be outdated with the release of a new console.
Welcome to the real world, pal.
Anyway, why are you complaining? This is not even confirmed yet and you've got a nice piece of equipment already.
And Halo 3 certainly won't need these improvements to be played in HD.

[jrtallen]

OH great...

Wow thanks for fixing everything: overheating, super-loud DVD drive, adding an HDMI port.

I guess next time MSoft releases a console they should tell everyone to wait 2 years before buying.

I feel like I've been screwed.

[DanKrave]

New XBox release

You've had your XBox for over a year and haven't had any fun with it?

Do you get mad at PC makers when they come out with new models a year after you've purchased youes?

[Ryo Hazuki]

Oh, OK then...

So let me see if I understand you well: you are actually not pleased with Microsoft fixing things in Xbox 360.
I guess next time Microsoft should simply do nothing and leave the console as it is just so people like you don't come crying they feel screwed.
Do you feel screwed whenever you buy *any* piece of electronics and some time later a new improved version of that device is released?

[sroussey]

Drive speeds

Well, this is what I'm waiting for before I buy one. Mine will go into a small cabinet, so heat is an issue, and I have everything on HDMI now, so that's a requirement.

As for the HD-DVD drive -- its inclusion would be ideal, but what MS has on Sony is DVD reading speed. The blueray and HD-dvd drives to date are much slower at read speeds (important in gaming) than normal DVD drives. I believe that is true even with DVD disks.

[philoking]

Microsoft's Albert Penello says no HDMI

This is a hot topic for me right now, I posted a blog about this exact same topic with commentary from Microsoft's Albert Penello about why we (he thinks) don't need HDMI.

http://www.philoking.com/2007/01/05/microsofts-xbox-360-guru-albert-penello-misses-the-point-on-hdmi/

[Ryo Hazuki]

That's the good thing about Microsoft and Xbox

You have the option; you have the last word; you decide.

[enriquemarin1992]

black xbox 360

its true its coming soon - i called electronic boutique and gamestop stores and they tell that it will be available in hdmi but they dont know the exact date - they told it could be by the end of april or may 2007. If you are planning to buy xbox 360 WAIT!!!!!!

[[DS]*zunubi100*]

One more thing...

I hope Microsoft would come up with more colours for the Xbox 360.