Xbox 360 Ultimate On The Way?
Built in HD-DVD, 320GB hard disk and other goodness rumoured
Yet another bout of rumoury has emerged regarding the future of the Xbox 360's hardware coughs up a whole new stock keeping unit (SKU) for Autumn 2008 under the label 'Ultimate'.
The Ultimate will allegedly feature a built-in HD-DVD drive and a whopping 320GB hard disk. It's also suggested by Stuff.tv - where the rumour originates - that the SKU will feature, "1080p HDMI output, built-in Wi-Fi, hi-def audio output, cooler 65nm hardware architecture and a near-silent fan".
All sounds pretty nifty. Unfortunately, Stuff.tv cites no source whatsoever for the news, not even an 'unnamed industry insider'. Best grab a good handful of salt to take with this one for the time being.
That said, there's something in the air with regards to a built-in HD-DVD drive for the 360. Yesterday, SPOnG told you about reports from The Seattle Times - normally a reliable source for Microsoft rumour - that a built-in HD-DVD drive may be announced for the 360 during Bill Gates' CES keynote.
As a side note, SPOnG is certain that - if this turns out to be any more than rumour - Microsoft would definitely have realised that the word 'ultimate' derives from the Latin 'ultimatus' meaning "to be final, come to an end". So, this is the last ever Xbox 360?
Nope, this is the video games industry where 'final' fantasies and 'last' ninjas litter the shelves - for example, we didn't believe that 2005's Ultimate Spider-Man for GBA would be the last we'd see of the adenoidal arachnoid.
Source: Stuff.tv
The Ultimate will allegedly feature a built-in HD-DVD drive and a whopping 320GB hard disk. It's also suggested by Stuff.tv - where the rumour originates - that the SKU will feature, "1080p HDMI output, built-in Wi-Fi, hi-def audio output, cooler 65nm hardware architecture and a near-silent fan".
All sounds pretty nifty. Unfortunately, Stuff.tv cites no source whatsoever for the news, not even an 'unnamed industry insider'. Best grab a good handful of salt to take with this one for the time being.
That said, there's something in the air with regards to a built-in HD-DVD drive for the 360. Yesterday, SPOnG told you about reports from The Seattle Times - normally a reliable source for Microsoft rumour - that a built-in HD-DVD drive may be announced for the 360 during Bill Gates' CES keynote.
As a side note, SPOnG is certain that - if this turns out to be any more than rumour - Microsoft would definitely have realised that the word 'ultimate' derives from the Latin 'ultimatus' meaning "to be final, come to an end". So, this is the last ever Xbox 360?
Nope, this is the video games industry where 'final' fantasies and 'last' ninjas litter the shelves - for example, we didn't believe that 2005's Ultimate Spider-Man for GBA would be the last we'd see of the adenoidal arachnoid.
Source: Stuff.tv
Companies:
Microsoft
Read More Like This
Comments
SuperSaiyan4 3 Jan 2008 10:52
1/12
Looks like stuff dont know their 'stuff'
ALL Xbox 360's have always been able to do 1080p, all Xbox 360's with HDMI do 1080p.
All the new 360's coming out now are are the Falcon editions which have a 65nm GPU - look for the 175watt on the side of the box near the barcode.
A high def audio output?? Err no dont think so, HDMI carries the signal for high definition audio and video.
The Xbox 360 is actually the same noise level as a PS3 on idle - the PS3 fans kick in around 10mins later especially when you start doing something like surfing the net or playing a game or a movie.
It would make sense to stick in a HD-DVD player in the 360 rather than buying it seperatly but then you are forcing the technology on everyone especially when Microsoft said its all about choice in buying it seperatly therefore keeping the price down of the 360.
But then if this is a new SKU with built in HD-DVD drive then most likely there will still be no games on HD-DVD's.
ALL Xbox 360's have always been able to do 1080p, all Xbox 360's with HDMI do 1080p.
All the new 360's coming out now are are the Falcon editions which have a 65nm GPU - look for the 175watt on the side of the box near the barcode.
A high def audio output?? Err no dont think so, HDMI carries the signal for high definition audio and video.
The Xbox 360 is actually the same noise level as a PS3 on idle - the PS3 fans kick in around 10mins later especially when you start doing something like surfing the net or playing a game or a movie.
It would make sense to stick in a HD-DVD player in the 360 rather than buying it seperatly but then you are forcing the technology on everyone especially when Microsoft said its all about choice in buying it seperatly therefore keeping the price down of the 360.
But then if this is a new SKU with built in HD-DVD drive then most likely there will still be no games on HD-DVD's.
king skins 3 Jan 2008 13:00
2/12
SuperSaiyan4 wrote:
ALL Xbox 360's have always been able to do 1080p, all Xbox 360's with HDMI do 1080p.
I think you'll find that they added a software patch to allow up scaling to 1080p
SuperSaiyan4 wrote:
A high def audio output?? Err no dont think so, HDMI carries the signal for high definition audio and video.
What the f**k is high-def audio anyway...?
more comments below our sponsor's message
SuperSaiyan4 3 Jan 2008 13:17
3/12
The 360 HAS always been able to do 1080p but you are right in the part that yes it was only able to once the software update came out which ENABLED the system to do so.
High Definition audio such as Dolby True HD and DTS HD. Although the surround systems done seem to yet exist HD-DVD and Blu-ray both support HD audio on some or all movies.
High Definition audio such as Dolby True HD and DTS HD. Although the surround systems done seem to yet exist HD-DVD and Blu-ray both support HD audio on some or all movies.
tyrion 3 Jan 2008 14:32
4/12
SuperSaiyan4 wrote:
The Xbox 360 is actually the same noise level as a PS3 on idle - the PS3 fans kick in around 10mins later especially when you start doing something like surfing the net or playing a game or a movie.
In my experience, with both systems vertical, the PS3 is almost silent, certainly much less noise than my projector, the older 360s are usually louder than the projector. I've not had a chance to try a newer 360.
The 360 seems to start loud, drop slightly and stay there whereas the PS3 starts loud, then drops to almost nothing and does not ramp up again unless it's horizontal and you are doing a lot with it. Certainly I can come back after a weekend away with my PS3 running Folding@Home all the time and the fan noise has not increased.
This may all be because I have the room to have the consoles vertical on top of an equipment stand and not horizontal inside an entertainment centre. Airflow helps a lot and vertical helps even more. Unfortunately the 360 has the hard drive on top and doesn't get as much benefit from being vertical as the PS3 does.
config 3 Jan 2008 14:56
5/12
SuperSaiyan4 wrote:
The Xbox 360 is actually the same noise level as a PS3 on idle - the PS3 fans kick in around 10mins later especially when you start doing something like surfing the net or playing a game or a movie.
Both the original 360 and the Elite we have in here at SPOnG are noisy - in an odd buzzy motor-like way rather than the usual white noise produces by a fan. This is unlike the whisper quiet PS3. Only under heavy load does the PS3 raise its voice to a hushed murmur.
That said, my brother in law got a new PS3 at Christmas and told me it was noisy to distraction after 5 minutes. I told him how quiet mine was, so he got a replacement which he reports is much better.
I guess if there's a bunch of noisy fans going out in PS3 and people don't realise it's a fault there's going to be plenty of talk about the machines making a racket.
SuperSaiyan4 3 Jan 2008 15:38
6/12
I know some with noisy PS3's and some with quiet ones, but all the people I know say after a few mins the fans kick in and its not whisper quiet.
The 360 does make some noise but my PC is super noisy in comparison lol.
I took back my old Elite from August and got the new Falcon it sounds about the same but the DVD drive sounds a bit different when reading a disc or closing the tray with no disc in it.
Overall the noise doesnt bother me that much when I am playing in 5.1 and engrossed on the gameplay and nice visuals :-)
The 360 does make some noise but my PC is super noisy in comparison lol.
I took back my old Elite from August and got the new Falcon it sounds about the same but the DVD drive sounds a bit different when reading a disc or closing the tray with no disc in it.
Overall the noise doesnt bother me that much when I am playing in 5.1 and engrossed on the gameplay and nice visuals :-)
DoctorDee 3 Jan 2008 20:42
7/12
SuperSaiyan4 wrote:
The Xbox 360 is actually the same noise level as a PS3 on idle - the PS3 fans kick in around 10mins later especially when you start doing something like surfing the net or playing a game or a movie.
That's just not my experience. I had a 360 Elite at home for a few months, and it was simply too loud for my liking. My PS3 is almost silent.
The 360 is great. But it is noisy. I've spent a LOT of money trying to eliminate noise from my lounge - and the Elite is too noisy for me to have in the room. The 360 Deluxe was quieter - but still not as quiet as the PS3 is.
YMMV, but I've heard a lot of 360s and a lot of PS3s, and the PS3s have always been quieter.
My PS3 is quieter than my iMac (3rd Gen G5) and as a result, I have started using it in preference over the iMac for audio and video streaming.
Although the surround systems done seem to yet exist HD-DVD and Blu-ray both support HD audio on some or all movies.
The surround systems DO exist. My Onkyo TX-SR605 handles DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and Dolby TrueHD just fine.
SuperSaiyan4 4 Jan 2008 09:12
8/12
Well on idle the 360 isnt exactly loud but yeah once you put a disc in then its noisy but its not noisy enough for me to get irrate, thats why youh have a surround system and everyone felt the same way then it would not have sold over 14million consoles...
When I said 'they dont seem to exist' is that HD surround systems are not widely available i.e. all major companies like Sony, Samsung, Toshiba etc dont seem to be selling these HD surround systems.
Also just had a look at the model number you gave and thats just the reciever, do you still need different kind of speakers as well or will any decent speakers do?
I have the Sony HTSF-1100 surround system, could I just swap the reciever?
When I said 'they dont seem to exist' is that HD surround systems are not widely available i.e. all major companies like Sony, Samsung, Toshiba etc dont seem to be selling these HD surround systems.
Also just had a look at the model number you gave and thats just the reciever, do you still need different kind of speakers as well or will any decent speakers do?
I have the Sony HTSF-1100 surround system, could I just swap the reciever?
alexh2o 4 Jan 2008 13:57
9/12
SuperSaiyan4 wrote:
All the new 360's coming out now are are the Falcon editions which have a 65nm GPU - look for the 175watt on the side of the box near the barcode.
Actually ALL 360s have a 90nm GPU. Zephyr and previous models also had a 90nm CPU. Falcon introduced 65nm CPUs only. You will have to wait till Jasper later this year for 65nm GPUs. So were the 360 Ultimate a Jasper then there is some weight to what they are saying.
Just for fun, let your 360 run for 10 mins then feel the exhaust air coming out of the back. If you have a Falcon, the air coming out of the hard drive side of the vent is being exhausted from the 90nm GPU and is noticably hotter than the air next to it being vented from the 65nm CPU. Older 360 vent a uniform heat level because they are all 90nm.
*******************************
As for this rumour... they basically listed everything that could possibly be included in a 360 Ultimate so if it does exist then they are in part correct.
If I had to guess what this SKU would be then I would say...
Jasper based internals, all 65nm with less heat and very slightly quieter in idle only. 250GB hard drive. Internal HD DVD drive. Otherwise identical to existing 360s, no WiFi etc.
haui 4 Jan 2008 23:19
10/12
3 Simple words...
Whats the difference?
All XBOX 360s do the same thing, They are basically a rip off console, i have broken 3 (Which arn't my fault 3 red lights) And i had to spend a further 60 pounds for that wireless adapter and then 32 pounds for XBOX live i mean what a rip off, With nintendo you can either connect your Wii/DS through your wireless Box or whatever for free, and the online is free, or you can bu the USB Connector for 20 - 30 Pounds,
Whats the difference?
All XBOX 360s do the same thing, They are basically a rip off console, i have broken 3 (Which arn't my fault 3 red lights) And i had to spend a further 60 pounds for that wireless adapter and then 32 pounds for XBOX live i mean what a rip off, With nintendo you can either connect your Wii/DS through your wireless Box or whatever for free, and the online is free, or you can bu the USB Connector for 20 - 30 Pounds,
Absinthe-Review.net 5 Jan 2008 19:41
11/12
Try booting up your Dreamcast (as much as I adore it) for a few minutes and you'll appreciate the relative quiet of either console.
tom 16 Jun 2008 11:08
12/12
put blue ray in to the xbox ultimate