Xbox 360 Elite to use old fashioned HDMI specs
By George Gardner
The new Xbox 360 Elite will only offer HDMI 1.2 instead of the most recent version, HDMI 1.3 (which is used by Sony’s PS3), according to a Microsoft HD DVD insider, Amir Majidimehr, at avsforum.com. So what particularly does this mean for Microsoft’s Elite console?
HDMI 1.3 is far more superior to its predecessor, V1.2. Sony’s Playstation 3 was the first to adopt the latest HDMI specification, and for one good reason - more bandwidth.
The Xbox 360 Elite will only offer 165MHz of single-link bandwidth, as opposed to the 1.3 specification of 340 MHz; while 165MHz is sufficient for supporting full 1080p resolution, it doesn’t leave much bandwidth left for high quality audio.
Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Elite will not support the output of Dolby Digital Plus, as the HDMI 1.2 interface simply can’t provide a sufficient transmission rate. In addition, Support will not be available for Dolby TrueHD, which can handle up to 14 discrete sound channels simultaneously; instead, Xbox 360 Elite owners will be left with, 2 channels for PCM output, Dolby Digital, and DTS.
Color quality on the Xbox 360 Elite will be half of what would be possible with HDMI 1.3, which can display the full range of colors visible to the human eye.
Xbox 360 and Elite owners will be receiving an update in the spring which will fix all the lip sync issues that have been reported, a step that would not have been necessary with the automatic audio syncing capabilities of HDMI 1.3.
HDMI support was supposed to be the largest feature of the new Elite; however, having given us an HDMI specification that was developed nearly 2 years ago, a larger hard drive, no support for an Xbox Media Remote, and a matte black finish hardly justifies a $480 price tag.
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April 3rd, 2007
But considering that some older TVs aren’t compatible with HDMI 1.3 among those that do have HDMI this could be a good thing. There have been a number of issues with the PS3 and it’s 1.3 HDMI cable on older TVs, 1.2 might make the 360 more compatible with older TVs.
Also note that you can use the HDMI cable for video only and use the standard audio outputs on your 360 to plug directly into your surround sound or stereo system. Personally, I don’t want the sound coming out of my TV speakers. That is unless, you have your TV connected to your audio system as well and wouldn’t need to do that.
Now if only they’d get around to tossing in the HD-DVD drive and WiFi…
April 3rd, 2007
This article exaggerated the disparity greatly. True the XBox will be limited to 165MHz, but the PS3 is limited to 225MHz. There is no HDMI chipset in existence supporting 340MHz.
High quality audio is not limited by the video bandwidth either. Standard HD formats (720p and 1080i, supported by XBox) are adequate, although HDMI 1.2 doesn’t permit these formats.
Also, Lip Sync issues are not necessarily handled just because HDMI 1.3 is supported. There is firmware that is required and support for this is not mandatory in HDMI 1.3.
Overall, Sony can be applauded for forging ahead to HDMI 1.3 (albeit not the full HDMI 1.3 spec), but most XBox users will find there are plenty of benefits to HDMI 1.2 already.
Note that there are no HDMI 1.3 displays yet either.
April 3rd, 2007
wow, so according to what Megalobyte said we should expect the 360 VIP, that will have the HDMI 1.3, wifi, and the HD-DVD built in the xbox… cool..guess we can expect that in another 6-12 months.
April 7th, 2007
I might see HDMI as something more than just another TV connection point if I bought a receiver with HDMI.
But I’m perfectly happy with my existing set-up and I’m not spending a fortune on the rest of the stuff needed to make HDMI work at it’s (current) best.
The whole 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.3a business is just highly annoying (and I’m sure I’ve seen 2.0 mentioned as coming).
The idea that I’d see HDMI as a big deal right now - especially on anybodies’ mere games console - is just, IMHO, total spec-obsessive nuts.
April 8th, 2007
XBOX 360 is not a next generation console, but is on the way to become one. Sometimes in the future with XBOX 360 EXTRA UNIVERSE …….VIP……. ELITE PREMIUM edition. :-0
Poor XBOX fans! Cruel situation, on one side more powerful PS3 and on the other more inovative Wii. :-O
April 19th, 2007
Poor PS3 - It does not matter if their techs are higher - if no-one wants them! and thats what is happening. Excellent games and high quality graphics are what is keeeping Xbox 360 way way above PS3. The Wii is no danger to the XBox 360 - its bleeding the PS2 and Ps3 market far more than the 360 market.
April 22nd, 2007
Poor Mike-You haven’t been keeping up with current events and statistics-shame on you. The Playstation 3 is doing far better than the Xbox 360 was doing at this time a year ago. You cannot compare two systems that were release a year apart until the newer system has had time to attain a legitimate library of games, and this is not achieve for typically 12-18 months, which is *GASP* where the 360 is at present.
And come next year when every high profile release on the PS3 trumps anything on the 360 (And it WILL, due to: Far more processing power, 50 gig Blu-Ray capicity, and standard hard drive usage…and since you seem to know the 360 so well you’re aware that even the new Elite DOESN’T have high capacity discs, NOR can it’s developers require the use of a hard drive.
The Xbox 360 is getting close to hitting it’s limits. Halo 3 will be the very best it can do. But the Playstation 3 hasn’t even taken off yet. And when it does, it’s going trump virtually any game out for the 360. When this happens, developers will change sides, overall exclusive 360 material will drop significantly, and sales of the PS3 will crush the 360. The 360 is a good machine,and it’s had a good run. In the next 18 months, the PS3 is going to end it. And in case you’d like to argue, here are the facts:
Playstation 3 has:
*Nearly six times the storage capacity on Blu Ray Disc
*Standard hard drive, now at 60 GB now that 20GB model was dropped (360 developers still cannot design a game that HAS to use the hard drive because of the core systems)
*The cell processor, which is like comparing a Mustang (360) to a Ferrari (PS3)- Both sporty, but one lacks the elegance and sheer power of the other, no matter how many pieces you attach(for example HDDVD drives and hundred dollar wifi adapters)
*Removable laptop drive: Anyone can buy a larger one very cheaply, unlike the 360, which is custom made and can therefore be exploited in price. Which it IS, if you compare the new Elite hard drive cost to what they’re charging.
And just to clarify, I own an Xbox 360 and PS3. I like them both, but I’m intelligent enough to know that the PS3 is the better machine, and will have much longer legs than it’s competition.
*Thanks*
October 30th, 2007
Paul you make very valid points (facts), but the thing you are all still failing to realize is that:
1. The gaming industry is going to online! They are following PC, cuz in essence they are cheap PC’s for gaming, and slowly integrating in computer pieces, music, movies, pictures, slideshows etc. 360 trumps and will always trump PS3 and the Wii online. That is like comparing a Probe to a Bugatti!
2. The whole reason Xbox did away with a real hard drive like what the PS3 has is because the regular xbox had it and it was easily modded, therefore game sales dropped, money dropped etc. Yeah you can still mod, the 360 but you can much easier mod a PS3. Don’t try and tell me that people won’t mod it cuz of blu ray, that’s crap, its only time until its cracked, which now it has been! The thing is with a 360 why would you mod it for cheap games and not be able to play it online? With the PS3 and next to no real online support there is nothing but the crack to blu ray that hesitated some.
3. Video Games no longer target the young young kids like they use to when Nintendo ruled their minds. All those kids are growing up, able to see bloody movies and nudity, so they want that in games. Also parents and families have lost morals and allow young young kids to play such games, while PS3 still targets half of its audience to young kids trying to kill of Nintendo, Xbox is playing to now, and making more and more Mature games and games for what is wanted.
SUPPLY AND DEMAND! PS3 won’t kill off XBOX, and Wii’s revolutionized exercising!
October 30th, 2007
Paul you make very valid points (facts), but the thing you are all still failing to realize is that:
1. The gaming industry is going to online! They are following PC, cuz in essence they are cheap PC’s for gaming, and slowly integrating in computer pieces, music, movies, pictures, slideshows etc. 360 trumps and will always trump PS3 and the Wii online. That is like comparing a Probe to a Bugatti!
2. The whole reason Xbox did away with a real hard drive like what the PS3 has is because the regular xbox had it and it was easily modded, therefore game sales dropped, money dropped etc. Yeah you can still mod, the 360 but you can much easier mod a PS3. Don’t try and tell me that people won’t mod it cuz of blu ray, that’s crap, its only time until its cracked, which now it has been! Besides who cares about a 50 gig capacity on a disc when its NOT ALL USED! They use little of half of that cuz it slows down their gameplay. Graphics are far better on the 360 and gameplay is slower cuz of it, the ability is there with blu ray, but PS3 doesn’t use it. I don’t mind changing discs when watching a movie to see the behind the scenes footage, and I don’t watch the extras anyway. All the game fits on one disc still for both platforms, so no triumph there. The only triumph would be if you could save game data to that extra 30 gig you have on a blu ray game disc, BUT OH YA…. YOU CANT! The thing is with a 360 why would you mod it for cheap games and not be able to play it online? With the PS3 and next to no real online support there is nothing but the crack to blu ray that hesitated some.
3. Video Games no longer target the young young kids like they use to when Nintendo ruled their minds. All those kids are growing up, able to see bloody movies and nudity, so they want that in games. Also parents and families have lost morals and allow young young kids to play such games, while PS3 still targets half of its audience to young kids trying to kill of Nintendo, Xbox is playing to now, and making more and more Mature games and games for what is wanted.
SUPPLY AND DEMAND! PS3 won’t kill off XBOX, and Wii’s revolutionized exercising!