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Hardware Test: Xbox 360 Elite Review
Xbox 360 Review by Richard Leadbetter
Page 6 of 7.
Page 5Page 7: "The Verdict" 
HD-DVD Performance
With the Microsoft add-on HD-DVD player now available for purchase at a mere GBP 99 from certain outlets, the Xbox 360 add-on is surely the cheapest way to get "into" high definition movies without the worry of sinking untold hundreds of Pounds Sterling into a format that may not last the course.
When combined with the classic 360, the drive certainly does a great job - 1080i via component provides an excellent picture, and 1080p over VGA is marginally better still (some shots can be found in our original HD-DVD player test.
The introduction of HDMI adds another 1080p-capable output, and one that works with far more displays than VGA. HDMI also allows for 1080i digital output - something the 'classic' 360 has yet to offer and a signal that in theory offers the optimum quality level that's compatible with all displays featuring the "HD Ready" badge.
As soon as the HD-DVD spins up, HDCP digital copy protection is enabled on the HDMI port, so only the more recent widescreen LCD monitors, and of course HD-ready HDTVs, will work with it.
HDMI Quality Tests
First up is the movie we received bundled with our HD-DVD drive, King Kong. Many months after its release, it's still held aloft by HD-DVD fans as 'reference quality' - a turn of phrase that's meant to suggest that the movie is virtually identical to the quality of the original master.
As you'd expect, the picture is virtually flawless - to the point where the huge resolution combined with the pin-sharp clarity shows up just how artificial much of the CG is in the movie. Check out the screenshot gallery here and spare a quick thought for the aggravation we had in defeating the HDCP copy protection to get these genuine 360 grabs. Also note that as with gaming, the quality is barely a touch better than the VGA output.
Next up is the more controversial Batman Begins. It's an altogether softer movie than Kong, and while it still looks great, it's definitely not the picture quality showcase of Peter Jackson's good-looking but ultimately tedious effort. Check out our Batman Begins 360 HDMI screenshot gallery for more.
While a digital 1080i/p output is a clear advantage, the bottom line is that whether you're comparing HDMI to component or to VGA, once again it's the quality of your display that is far more significant than the 360's output.
What is perhaps of more interest to HD-DVD fans is that the Elite doesn't solve any of the 360's existing HD-DVD audio shortcomings. There is no provision for transmitting undecoded surround sound through the HDMI cable, and all audio is still internally translated into a format the console can output via Toslink SPDIF. Despite this internal conversion having been recently upgraded to support Dolby Digital, DTS and WMA Pro output, it's still some way short of the full-fat uncompressed audio experience. You have to wonder why Microsoft couldn't have added improved audio support to the HDMI output, or just added six or eight phonos on the rear of the unit for direct connection to an amp. I can only conclude that despite its premium price-point, Microsoft doesn't take HD-DVD that seriously.
Therefore, despite its pretensions as a high-end HD device, I can't help but feel that HD-DVD owners are going to feel a little short-changed by opting for an Elite. It's essentially addressing an issue that wasn't a problem in the first place (picture quality) and completely ignoring the key area where the HD-DVD experience disappointed.
I guess I just expected more - Sony is doing everything in its power to make the PS3 the best Blu-ray player money can buy. It's clear that Microsoft doesn't have that same level of commitment to HD-DVD.
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3william56
20/06/07 @ 05:47
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Really - how much of an issue is this copy protection system on the PS3 not working with some monitors? "Plagueing" who? Hadn't even heard of it until now (compared with the 720p and upscaling issues fixed in 1.8, and even those were limited to a small number of old American TVs despite the furore). Mountain>Molehill.
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Rev. Stuart Campbell
20/06/07 @ 05:56
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The idea that those three RR6 screenshots illustrate "a huge quality boost" made me quietly chuckle to myself. I love AV nerds.
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ProtoformX
20/06/07 @ 06:31
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I couldn't tell any difference between the comparison shots so I'll probably stick with my standard 360. Any news in whether Microsoft have resolved the overheating issues with this model?
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You have to look at the comparison galleries and click the "view original" button to really see any difference.
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?art... http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?art... http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?art... http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?art... and so on. But, yes, the difference are hard to spot from screenshots alone.
Edited 4 times,
most recently on 20/06/07 @ 10:41
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Err. Just me or is the reviewer coming across totally fanboi-ish?
I read the "Verdict" page as... Its got the same issues as the 360 technically, its got (probably) the same reliablity/hardware issues, it does the exact same thing with minimal difference in image quality. The plusses basically being that the 360 is a great console (which it already was before the elite). The elite is more expensive, doesn't really add anything to the 360, can't be recommended if you already HAVE a 360, but yet the reviewer is all gushy over it. Seems to me like "Money grab, MS!"... and I'll pass on this version. Charging the same amount as a PS3 without a HD-DVD drive? Go tug the other one, its got bells on. |
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SeesThroughAll
20/06/07 @ 07:28
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@ Vandrius:
If you want to see how truly fanboyish articles read, go to GameSpot, those guys are ACTIVELY doing marketing for Microsoft, and trying to sell a 360 in every freaking review. I actually applaud Eurogamer for pointing out everything the Elite does right, how much of an improvement it is over the original 360, and for only making the relevant comparisons needed with the PS3, especially for doing so without any stupid fanboyish remarks. |
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captainrentboy
20/06/07 @ 07:30
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I'm one of the rare lucky bastards who has a 360 that's still going strong from launch, and although I can see a slight difference in quality between component and hdmi, it's not enough to make me want to get this new version.
And as I work in the shithole that is Game my warranty on the 360 is pretty much a lifetime one anyway. But I do love Black.....Ummmm... No I'll control myelf. |
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login_name
20/06/07 @ 07:35
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I've always thought this was an odd 'upgrade' to the original 360. It came too soon and wasn't upgraded anywhere near enough. The main flaws with the machine have not been addressed, surely the reason to release an upgrade in the first place, and the additions aren't even up to spec with current technology. Coupled with the higher price, I just don't see the point. Seems like a cheap tactic to boost sales via fanboys that just have to have the latest and greatest.
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Psychotext
20/06/07 @ 07:40
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I wonder if this will get released in Europe at the same time as a price drop. We know one is coming and it would be pretty odd to start selling the elite version then cut the price about a month later.
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"You have to look at the comparison galleries and click the "view original" button to really see any difference."
Yeah, looked at those. I still can't see much. The HDMI one looks a bit darker, but that's about it. Maybe seeing things in motion will make a difference. The links you provided don't work, btw. There's a < /br > at the end of them. Removing that makes them work. |
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What a wasted opportunity. I was really keen on 'upgrading' but by blagging a component lead, turning up the resolution in the System settings and buying a bigger HD (when it comes out), it's pretty much job done.
Wake me up when it's got a HD-DVD drive inside (or perhaps a Blu-Ray one, since it looks like HD-DVD is increasingly a second-place contender in the hi-def disc stakes). http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/17/block... |
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At the very least I'd have expected Microsoft to put an HD-DVD drive into this model...
Microsoft has absolutely no interest in HD-DVD other than undermining the rise of Blu-ray. Their long term plan is for everyone to download their digital entertainment from them, so the longer the format war continues, the more confused the consumer gets, the better for Microsoft in the end. Unfortunately for them it's looking increasingly like Blu-ray will win. This "upgrade" doesn't address any of the issues that made me decide to ditch my 360 in favour of a PS3. Yes, Gears of War is a fantastic game, but accompanied by the racket from the appalling drive (which is accessed almost constantly) it becomes a total pain in the arse to play. |
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This does seem a bit daft, i'm guessing this is going to be at least Ģ50 more then the current model! So once you ad the HD-DVD add-on thats Ģ450!!!! Which is more then a PS3.
The biggest anoience for me with the 360 is the power brick, makes taking it round relatives at christmas and such a pain, the PS3 is alot easyer from the respect. Yet the 360 does have beter graphics and (currently) games. So I'm guess under the TV will remain crowded with both for some time yet. Unless the 360 dies again, in which case I'm not sure if I could be bothered with replacing it. |
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Not a huge amount of difference in the comparisson shots - however look closely at the text on the car in the RR6 shots for clarity. Seems obvious from these that there is some improvement at least. Take the shots up to 40" hi-def screen size and it may be a lot more tangible too. Not sure anyone would really notice when its all in motion though.
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Pricing will be key (obviously).
1. with the normal Xbox at Ģ280 + HD at Ģ99 giving Ģ379 inc 2. and the PS3 at Ģ399 just about everywhere 3. then this can only be Ģ299 so that with HD drive its Ģ399 So are MS really going to sell this for only Ģ20 more than current model??? I suspect MS will get it wrong. They really need to drop Core to Ģ149, Prem to Ģ229 and this to Ģ299. We shall see. |
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Report your failed 360, and get advise on how to get legal replacements in Eurogamer's 360 failure group: http://www.eurogamer.net/forum_threads.p...
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grandmaster
20/06/07 @ 08:27
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The point with the comparison shots is that the capture hardware can pick up on all the detail from the analogue source and the result is a shot that looks to all intents and purposes as good as the HDMI digital output. Microsoft promise broadcast quality analogue output and they have delivered.
But the point is that consumer monitors by and large AREN'T of broadcast quality. There's a strong chance that your display won't be as good as translating the analogue data back into digital so in this case having an HDMI output will result in a dramatic leap in picture quality. This is most definitely the case with my monitor as I mentioned in the text, but it is far less of an issue with a good quality HDTV. The point about PS3 and HDCP is simple. You can't use PS3 with a vast array of DVI monitors, you can with the Elite. There is no 'agenda' here, it's just a plain and simple fact that the Elite offers up the same digital quality on a wider range of hardware. |
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Verwandlung
20/06/07 @ 08:46
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Should I visit an optician, because I dont see any difference in the comparison screenshots?
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Excellent article, EG, very detailed and informative. The Elite is a poorly thought out update of the original 360 if you ask me, a knee-jerk reaction to the PS3. Had the machine had a quieter drive (and an HD-DVD one at that), built-in Wi-Fi, improved internals with a more efficient cooling solution as well as all the other stuff then it might well have been worthy of consideration and earned its Elite title. As it is, I will be able to buy the 120 GB HDD separately (which comes with a transfer cable and software) so that only leaves the HDMI port as a reason to upgrade and it's not enough. I personally think the black colour scheme looks horrid and, of course, upgrading to the Elite would mean you'd have to rebuy all the accessories in black too otherwise you'd end up with a system that looks like a "zebra"... extra white controller, white Wi-Fi adaptor, white battery packs, white Plug and Charge cable, white HD-DVD add-on and so on!!! LOL
Like EG said, the Elite is the machine the original Premium model should have been from the start... |
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People on forums are so funny :)
So, some of you here wanted the HD-DVD drive included in the Elite. Let's imagine that: E3 2007: MS announces new Elite for Europe with HD-DVD included Sept 07: New Elite bundled with Halo 3 for current premium price Sept 07: You all whinners buy your HD-DVD Elite June 08: Blu-Ray wins the Next Gen DVD war. Supports for HD-DVD slowly disappears June 08: You all whinners curse at MS for including the HD-DVD drive in the Elite (thing that you asked for), make a Revolution, flame forums, flame cars, flame bins, whatever... E3 2008: You buy a PS3 |
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A couple of comments about the HD DVD audio. Apparantly HDMI 1.2 does allow for uncompressed LPCM, but the problem is the internal bus architecture in the 360 isn't equipped for it, and changing this would have been a much bigger job than the other revisions. Secondly, Microsoft see the HD DVD add-on as very much an entry level solution, which is reflected in the price, and for those that require that high-end audiophile experience, they are well enough catered for with hardware players. This is from comments on the Avsforum by Amir who runs the VC1 team within Microsoft.
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nickthegun
20/06/07 @ 09:33
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The Xbox 360 Elite dashboard is virtually identical to the Caucasian retail unit's
I will paypal you 10 BRITISH POUNDS if you replace the word 'Elite' with 'Negroid' in that sentence. |
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@Peew971 - Fair point.
However, Microsoft's refusal to include the HD-DVD add-on inside the 360 shows a lack of confidence in the format I think and is the reason I'm buying BD movies and not HD-DVD ones. The PS3 offers a neat all-in-one solution without the need for TWO hideous power "bricks" and a clumsy external box so as far as I'm concerned the Format Wars is already over as I have no interest in HD-DVD anymore. If the Xbox 360 had had HD-DVD from the start, and used it for games too, then things could have been very, very different and HD-DVD could have been the leading format by now and not BD. Plus the delay in adding the drive to the 360 might have resulted in more reliable hardware since Microsoft would have had more time to test it thoroughly. So, the machine might have cost Ģ400 but that's not a really a problem, is it? ;) |
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Psychotext
20/06/07 @ 09:39
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@Darren: Had the 360 used HD-DVD from the start it would have been released at least 6 months later if not more (HD-DVD wasn't released until April 2006). As for MS's confidence in the format... as others have said - MS don't care if it wins or loses; they just released the addon because they saw an opportunity to hurt Sony.
Oh and yeah, the price would have been a problem. Look at how the PS3 is selling even with the massive Playstation fanbase / heritage.
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 20/06/07 @ 10:40
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Well I was joking about the price... or was I? ;)
If the Xbox 360 had been as reliable as the PS3 apparently is and sold at Ģ100 more with HD-DVD and Wi-Fi built-in, would we really be complaining now? What about those people that bought launch machines and had to pay Ģ85 to have it repaired outside the warranty? On reflection I'd have gladly waited an extra six months and paid more for a better built Xbox 360 with extra features as I've a feeling I'll have to pay to have my SECOND 360 repaired at some point over the next few years or even have to buy a brand-new machine. :P |
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@ Darren: I see your point but remember HD-DVD is not a MS product, they don't have to push it if they don't want to. Even better, if BR wins the format war, they can just release a BR add-on for the 360, nice and easy.
Personally, I don't own a HDTV and won't for a while so I'm glad I don't have to pay for a next gen disc drive. As for its use in game, Oblivion convinced me there's still life in DVD. |
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hokuto_no_rob
20/06/07 @ 09:57
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I hate my 360. It's been replaced twice and is still useless. The noise is *ridiculous*, the drive spins so fast it regularly wears itself it and results in a 'unreadable error'. Utter crap.
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SeesThroughAll
20/06/07 @ 10:09
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I only find my PS3 somewhat noisy at instances such as when running certain PS2 games. When running either PS3 games or movies (Blu-Ray or DVD), however, it's quite silent (discrete humming sound).
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mcwildcard
20/06/07 @ 10:12
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"Why not one use one supplier with a quiet drive?"
Multiple sourcing has many tangible uses, the three most prominent being; to avoid shortages if there is a manufacturing problem, to ensure that standards of production remain high (as if one supplier's standards slip they are under threat of losing business to the other supplier), and also as a bargaining tool when negotiating contracts for supply. Competition = Lower costs for Microsoft. |
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kangarootoo
20/06/07 @ 10:12
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I think I speak for every sane mind in here when I deliver a swift SMACK to the side of the head for each poster saying this article seemed fanboyish.
Its an article about a console, so its going to be focussed on the console. And if the author likes the console, that is going to come across. The only people who see fanboyish in such things are simply fanboys themselves, and consequently quite mad and worthy of being completely ignored (and possibly pelted with fruit). I have spoken :) |
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My PS3 is silent except when it loads some PS2 games but they go quiet once loaded and I've never heard anything from it when playing PS3 games or watching BD movies. The discs even come out the machine cool after hours and hours of being in the machine - I've had a game in for 10 hours and it was still cool when removed! That's with the machine stood vertically where there's lots of really hot air being pumped out near the disc slot. With my repaired 360, which is horizontal, the game discs come out almost hot to touch after only an hour so I dread to think what the heat is doing to the machine internally... :?
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Corben Dallas
20/06/07 @ 10:33
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OOooooooohhhhhh its all black.
:| nice addition of the HDMI port but NOT including a HD DVD !!!!! complete cop out MS. MS isnt getting involved in the HD DVD war. guess Blu ray wins. |
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"Secondly, Microsoft see the HD DVD add-on as very much an entry level solution, which is reflected in the price, and for those that require that high-end audiophile experience, they are well enough catered for with hardware players. This is from comments on the Avsforum by Amir who runs the VC1 team within Microsoft."
Which makes it useless as only av fanatics see any benefit in HD playback. |
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