360: Regular, Premium, or Elite?

Raggaholic

Ok, I've decided to buy a 360 since a) GTA4 won't be coming out for the Wii, b) Gears/ME/Bioshock and 3) the Wii Rock Band/Guitar Hero won't be getting downloadable content. I was at the store yesterday and was about to buy one, but I have no idea which one I should get. That's where I need your help.

With my setup, I don't need to go WiFi. It's easy to connect my TV (26" HDTV) area to my network items. Also, if I can use a regular external drive with the 360, I won't need an internal one (I have a 80GB I can use for just that). The battle seemed all but won for the cheapest one, but the connection to the TV itself is the issue. I have an HDMI port available and that would be nice to use. I'm thinking only the Elite version has HDMI output, right? I also have component and composite available, but I'd like to get a nice picture. I think my TV only does 1080i or 720p max, so I don't know which connection would be for the best.

Um, help?

Willeth

You seem to have a few misconceptions.

The 360 will only take the proprietary hard drive. The Premium and Elite models have one (20GB and 120GB respectively). It can be detached and each can be bought separately.

No model of the 360 has built-in WiFi.

All models of the 360 come with a cable that does both composite and component. You can get 1080i and 720p from a component connection.

All current versions of the 360 have HDMI output. Older Pros and Cores do not, and neither does the Halo 3 edition. If you are going to buy new though, this isn't an issue. If you decide to go HDMI, check out http://www.monoprice.com and get the cheapest one of the right length - it will work exactly the same as an expensive one.


I recommend the Premium, also called the Pro, unless you can find a combination of Arcade/Core and standalone hard drive that is cheaper than just getting a Pro. 20GB is more than enough for storage on the 360 and the 120GB is unnecessary IMO.

Also, be aware that the Rock Band guitar will not work with Guitar Hero, but the Guitar Hero guitars do work with Rock Band.

DarkPrimus

I have to disagree with the 120 gigs being unnecessary. It depends on how much you're downloading, but my Rock Band stuff and my Halo 3 maps take up about 4 or 5 gigs by themselves. This isn't a lot on my 120 gig drive, but it certainly is a lot for a 20 gig.

Willeth

DarkPrimus wrote: »

I have to disagree with the 120 gigs being unnecessary. It depends on how much you're downloading, but my Rock Band stuff and my Halo 3 maps take up about 4 or 5 gigs by themselves. This isn't a lot on my 120 gig drive, but it certainly is a lot for a 20 gig.

That leaves you with more than 7GB of space, given that the actual working capacity of the HDD is around 13GB. Which is a lot of space.

Wezoin

I'd say that the 20gb being enough depends on what you're going to use it for. If you're going to fill it with demos, music, and movies, then it may not be. I buy alot of rock band songs, and alot of DLC for other games, and even had about 10 demos on it still leaving around 7gb of space on it. And although they say they sell the 120gb separately, I have yet to actually see one in a store (probably alot easier to find online though.)

What I would suggest is go with the Pro/premium if you dont plan on using it to rent movies/hold your entire media collection (it can stream it over your network from your computer anyway, at least for music, Windows MCE or Vista is required to stream movies.) If you really want to have all your media sitting on your 360, go elite.

Raggaholic

Willeth wrote: »

The 360 will only take the proprietary hard drive. The Premium and Elite models have one (20GB and 120GB respectively). It can be detached and each can be bought separately.

This was one of the first things I checked online while I was in the store. There are quite a few websites that say you CAN use your own hard drives (example). Some of them say you can't use Marketplace data on them. What's that?

All models of the 360 come with a cable that does both composite and component. You can get 1080i and 720p from a component connection.

All current versions of the 360 have HDMI output. Older Pros and Cores do not, and neither does the Halo 3 edition. If you are going to buy new though, this isn't an issue. If you decide to go HDMI, check out http://www.monoprice.com and get the cheapest one of the right length - it will work exactly the same as an expensive one.

I have a few spare HDMI cables that I bought off monoprice, so that's why I was looking to go that route. Looks like that'll work since all of them have the HDMI output.

Also, be aware that the Rock Band guitar will not work with Guitar Hero, but the Guitar Hero guitars do work with Rock Band.

That's good info right there. Thanks for the heads up.

PirateJon

Wezoin wrote: »

I'd say that the 20gb being enough depends on what you're going to use it for. If you're going to fill it with demos, music, and movies, then it may not be. I buy alot of rock band songs, and alot of DLC for other games, and even had about 10 demos on it still leaving around 7gb of space on it. And although they say they sell the 120gb separately, I have yet to actually see one in a store (probably alot easier to find online though.)

What I would suggest is go with the Pro/premium if you dont plan on using it to rent movies/hold your entire media collection (it can stream it over your network from your computer anyway, at least for music, Windows MCE or Vista is required to stream movies.) If you really want to have all your media sitting on your 360, go elite.

You absolutely can stream movies from a normal XP box. You just need WMP 11.

OP - do what willith says. The exception would be if you tend to download tons of stuff and forget about it then the bigger HDD will make your life easier. I have the elite, I download tons of stuff (full rockband albums, map packs, oblivion add-ons) I hardly delete stuff (slacker), and I've still got ~90GB free.

Raggaholic

Wezoin wrote: »

What I would suggest is go with the Pro/premium if you dont plan on using it to rent movies/hold your entire media collection (it can stream it over your network from your computer anyway, at least for music, Windows MCE or Vista is required to stream movies.) If you really want to have all your media sitting on your 360, go elite.

Not necessary. I have a media computer hooked to my TV (reason wired networking to the 360 wouldn't be a problem.

Willeth

Demos aren't worth keeping, and movies delete themselves. Seriously, 20GB.

Also, those sites are misleading. While it might work offline, as soon as you go online MS will detect that it's not official and block your console from the service.

Marketplace data is anything bought online. DLC, trailers, Arcade games, etc.

Raggaholic

Willeth wrote: »

Also, those sites are misleading. While it might work offline, as soon as you go online MS will detect that it's not official and block your console from the service.

Marketplace data is anything bought online. DLC, trailers, Arcade games, etc.

Well, that settles that.

I'm seeing a lot of 20GB drives on Ebay for around $40. I know the normal perils of Ebay, but is there anything I should be worried about with these drives (bad batches, killed by red ring, etc)?

Willeth

The hard drives are generally robust. The red ring affects the console itself, not the hard drive.

Atlus Parker

Most B&M stores have the Pro bundle marked down to $299.99 so unless the arcade bundle gets dropped (which it might) it's only $20 more to get the pro bundle which includes the HDD and headset. Heck, if you wait until the week of the 13th Target will be offering a $25 gift card with the Pro bundle on top of the $299.99 price.

wakeboarderblunt

Rumors are that they are clearing out 20GB premiums for $299 in the middle of July, also rumored to be adding a 60GB HD to the lineup. Might be worth it to wait a week or two.

firewaterword

I like the Elite, if only for the black exterior style.

The 120GB is useful too, but that's primarily because I'm way to lazy to delete/manage things.

George Fornby Grill

Wait a couple weeks. E3 is just around the corner, and Microsoft is going to drop the price (at least, there's an extremely good chance they will, there's been a lot of scans of new 360 ads).

Organichu

It's almost guaranteed that the Premium is dropping to $299 next week. There have been two scans showing the price (one from Kmart, one from Radioshack).




edit: beat'd.

VThornheart

(Crap, if I had waited long enough I could've gotten the 360 at a much better price)

The real question is "do you like to keep stuff around" (like demos or downloaded content for games you never play anymore), or are you good at cleaning the house.

If you're good at housekeeping, or if you're not planning on getting much downloaded content in the first place, the 20GB should be good in my opinion.

honkymcgoo

I went with the Elite because I had a wicked bad ass gift card and I figured why not, and Im very happy with it. It actually comes with and HDMI cable, so you dont need to buy one. Also I download a lot of stuff from the marketplace, so the 120gb hard drive comes in handy for me. Like was said before, it all depends on what you use it for. Also I find mine seems to run cooler than my friends pro model, not sure if it has anything to do with the manufacture process or if its just anecdotal but there you have it. And who doesnt like the black exterior?

Raggaholic

Organichu wrote: »

It's almost guaranteed that the Premium is dropping to $299 next week. There have been two scans showing the price (one from Kmart, one from Radioshack).

That's good to know. I was going to head out today or tomorrow and get one. They're still at $349.99 here.

Organichu

Raggaholic wrote: »

Organichu wrote: »

It's almost guaranteed that the Premium is dropping to $299 next week. There have been two scans showing the price (one from Kmart, one from Radioshack).

That's good to know. I was going to head out today or tomorrow and get one. They're still at $349.99 here.

Yes they're still $349.99 everywhere (AFAIK). The price drop is rumored to be before or at E3 (July 15-17).

taliosfalcon

Willeth wrote: »

All current versions of the 360 have HDMI output. Older Pros and Cores do not, and neither does the Halo 3 edition. If you are going to buy new though, this isn't an issue. If you decide to go HDMI, check out http://www.monoprice.com and get the cheapest one of the right length - it will work exactly the same as an expensive one.

Yes it does.

JohnnyCache

The 120 vs 20 debate on here seems to be ignoring something: MS is using the HD more and more. I mean, you can buy entire xbox games online. If you want to play those, or if you think you're going to be using it for much media, or if you're worried about the future, get the big HD.

You can hook a portable to the 360 to do something like watch an avi file or display pictures on your HD tv but saving and such to it, while I don't think its impossible, the 360 fights pretty hard.

To stream to a 360, you do NOT need MCE or vista. You need media player 11 and XP. With that you should be able to share things in your media player libraries and your my documents folder.

MCE and vista do it a bit more smoothly, though.

Gdiguy

While they're using it more and more, I'd still agree that barring movies or purchasing many oXbox games, you'll have a decently hard time filling the HD in any reasonable amount of time (and especially with the pricedrop coming (and rumored 60gb model to replace it), the upgrade from 20 gb -> 120 gb is not worth $120-$150)

Either way I'd wait a couple weeks until the price drop to buy one, but if you're truly worried about space I'd definitely wait until E3 and see if the 60 gb model does materialize

Local H Jay

All models of the 360 come with a cable that does both composite and component. You can get 1080i and 720p from a component connection.

This is unfortunately not true, as I have an arcade and found it only has composite output.


As for the HDD debate, there are two things to consider:Are you A) lazy or going to buy alot from the Arcade?
For A) I am very lazy. And movies do not delete themselves when expired. They will stay until you hand delete it. So if you are like me with the 120, I have auto-downloads on, which instantly downloads new demos put up for Arcade games. I like having them all, and many movies sit expired in my list, and what's nice is if you re-purchase them there is no wait.
As for , having multiple Arcade games takes up space quickly. I myself have about 25 arcade titles, and knowing I won't have to delete them to make room for new things is great.
Also, having a 120 I just download every free gamerpic and video there is.

DVG

PirateJon wrote: »

Wezoin wrote: »

I'd say that the 20gb being enough depends on what you're going to use it for. If you're going to fill it with demos, music, and movies, then it may not be. I buy alot of rock band songs, and alot of DLC for other games, and even had about 10 demos on it still leaving around 7gb of space on it. And although they say they sell the 120gb separately, I have yet to actually see one in a store (probably alot easier to find online though.)

What I would suggest is go with the Pro/premium if you dont plan on using it to rent movies/hold your entire media collection (it can stream it over your network from your computer anyway, at least for music, Windows MCE or Vista is required to stream movies.) If you really want to have all your media sitting on your 360, go elite.

You absolutely can stream movies from a normal XP box. You just need WMP 11.

OP - do what willith says. The exception would be if you tend to download tons of stuff and forget about it then the bigger HDD will make your life easier. I have the elite, I download tons of stuff (full rockband albums, map packs, oblivion add-ons) I hardly delete stuff (slacker), and I've still got ~90GB free.

Something like Tversity will work as well.

Regicid3

I don't see it mentioned but there's a strong rumor going around the Internets that the Premium will be getting a price cut, so maybe wait it out a few weeks and grab that?