Uh, so its all perfectly normal then. Good.
You mean, as in, the Inq is MS bashing at the expense of any potential chance of accuracy in on of their 'news' stories?
Their tabloid style would put even the Sun to shame. But without any nudity.
Black XB360 120 Gig HDD + HDMI = $479
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You mean, as in, the Inq is MS bashing at the expense of any potential chance of accuracy in on of their 'news' stories?
Their tabloid style would put even the Sun to shame. But without any nudity.
Now this interview sounds funny about HDMI.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?type=wmv&id=13888
http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?type=wmv&id=13888
Thats a pointlessly old interview.
That's the point! What do you think changed their mind?
No, this is a good example of how opinion is allowed to change, and it should be saved for those that may forget that it´s allowed.
Some quotes that could be used in Signatures?
"It´s a myth that you need HDMI"
"Technology is an amazing thing, -snip- who can predict what will happen in the futute" , answer to "will we see multi disc games?"
"Blu-Ray is old technology already, it´s mpeg2 it´s 10 years old already, it´s whats MP3 is made off"
Like DVD? *snicker*
Wow, some booth staff said some things a while ago at the release of the HD DVD drive that doesn't actually contradict anything now. I fail to see how the Elite version (which is, presently the only version with HDMI) now an admission that HDMI is needed. Its a fairly pointless old interview with regards to the thread.
Lets not derail the thread any further, eh?
Derail? A microsoft guy tells us that HDMI isn´t needed, and he isn´t the only one that has done so, Microsoft releases a XBOX 360 with HDMI and you think we should just let it slide? Did Microsoft just do it to add a bulletpoint, to counter the PS3 or because there really is a need?
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He has more say than a random forum poster
Some quotes that could be used in Signatures?
"It´s a myth that you need HDMI"
"Technology is an amazing thing, -snip- who can predict what will happen in the futute" , answer to "will we see multi disc games?"
"Blu-Ray is old technology already, it´s mpeg2 it´s 10 years old already, it´s whats MP3 is made off"
Like DVD? *snicker*
Yeah, I bet they won't end up in TheChefOs sig for some reason he always put the blind eye to Microsofts arrogant quotes.
I think Microsoft would have included an HD-DVD drive if the momentum for blu-ray wasn´t so strong. They don't want to end up on the wrong side of the fence if blu-ray really takes off. The "strap-on" unit can be replaced with a blu-ray version later on, an internal drive would be harder and would look really bad.
I don't get it. Where did they change their mind?
He was asked why they didn't include HDMI and his response was that it was a myth that HDMI was necessary to enjoy HD content (true) and noted that the Xbox 360's update allows 1080p over VGA for gaming and videos and 1080p over component for games and that the current solution offered doesn't require consumers to purchase an expensive HDMI cable. MS, in their SKU and perephrial craziness, are positioning the Elite/HDMI as a premium option for those who desire such features without trickling down the cost to the base units which makes sense due to the reality of the market (RF & Composit & SVideo SDTV > Component & VGA HDTV > HDMI HDTV). This is the same reason the Core unit doesn't ship with Component cables as the SKU pricing and features is intended to roughly dovetail with the consumer market they are marketing the SKU to. Right or wrong, this has been their approach and the Elite+HDMI is directly inline with such and the interview demonstrates no change of mind in the least.
How you go from that to MS changing their mind, when they never stated they would never support HDMI (quite the contrary MS had stated in the past that when their was a demand for such they would look into delivering it), is quite confusing.
Again, releasing a unit with an HDMI is an upsell option to the end users that want it. The statement from the MS rep was that HDMI was not needed for the HD DVD drive. These two don't contradict one another.
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Some users want something that is not necessary, so Microsoft sells it to them. Is that the correct interpretation then?
Pretty much. People have bought into HDMI and now that it's decently stable and available on a lot of newer sets, might as well give people another option. The benefits out of a single cable, for the 360, are none.
Oh come on. This is some of the most generous spin of an already highly spun interview. The guy was asked a simple question, and instead of answering it, instead answered his own question, a talking point which probably appeared on his marketing materials, as if the reporter had asked "Don't you need HDMI to enjoy HD video?"
It's like asking why a car was designed without removable rear seats, to which the sales rep says, "well, actually, it's a myth that cars need removable rear seats in order to enjoy the full driving experience"
Then he goes on to imply that PS3 users *MUST* incur the cost of an HDMI cable because the PS3 has HDMI out, when in fact, PS3 owners have the option of forgoing HDMI and using component outputs if they want. He implies that somehow, builtin HDMI = less choice = forced buy of expensive HDMI cable, when in fact, it's merely an option for the user.
And then of course, the hilarious claims about MPEG-2 == MP3 == BluRay, when BR of course sports MPEG2, H.264 AVC and VC-1 just like HD-DVD.
MS obviously wants to avoid a direct answer as to why they avoided HDMI in the design of the original XB360 SKU, a console supposedly built for the HD Era, and I think the obvious reason is that in MS's zeal to beat Sony to market, they rushed it out rather than make them requirements and wait for specs to stabilize. I bet that had HD-DVD and HDMI1.3 already been finalized 1 year before the XB360 came out, the XB360 would have been designed with HD-DVD and HDMI as requirements. Sony had BR and HDMI as requirements, hence, their roadmaps had to be delayed minimally waiting for these to stabilize. MS wasn't willing to wait. Not including atleast a way to route signals to an external A/V multiport for a future HDMI/HDCP dongle was a big oversight on MS's part, and the Elite's existence is a testament to that fact.
Personally, I think MS went overboard on a la carte, to the detriment of users. A multiplicity of SKUs will ultimately confuse mainstream users, when mommie goes to buy Johny his XB360 birthday present, and an HD-less SKU is just stupid, and a pain for developers to deal with another optional platform component.
On the other hand, it's probably good that the XB360 didn't ship with HD-DVD since the death of HD-DVD would mean useless functionality, it would have also prolonged the format wars by putting 10 million HD-DVD players out there. Of that, we can thank MS for helping to sink HD-DVD.
QFT
damage control?
MS sells 100,000+ more units in NA than Sony last month and then releases a new optional SKU and you guys act like it needs damage control?
oh this thread is rich
Very bizarre response. You might want to follow the conversation in future.
Talking about spin...
DemoCoder said:
Supposedly? His answer to the HDMI question is directed specifically at this sort of FUD. You must have a different definition of HD because the basic premise is the ability to display an HD image on an HD display. The 360 game console displays HD game content on HD displays. Most HDTVs use component cables and the last time I checked the 360 supported HDTV resolutions over component cables. There is no supposedly about it. The device works on HD displays and has a number of outputs that support 720p, 1080i, and even 1080p. This is a forst/trees issue: If you are providing HD resolutions that almost all displays accept does the lack of a certain (un-released at the time) plug invalidate the "HD-ness" of the device? Does omitting unreleased HD optical movie support for a gaming platform invalidate its use as an HD Era Console? No.
By the time HDTVs become the significant majority of device users, let alone HDMI, the 2010+ consoles will be out. Seeing Sony lay significant amount of blame on the standards folks is a pretty convincing point of why you go with what is available and proven when creating a newer/growing market instead of waiting on some new unreleased "standard" with 0% market penetration in an already small niche. But contrary to your insinuation lacking this feature doesn't negate the features and use of the product, in this case the use of the 360 as an HD device in the HD Era. HDMI isn't some HD Era defining feature for a home console. Ditto HD DVD/BluRay.
Delaying a HD console that worked on all the HD displays in 2005 for standards that were (are)perpetual delay doesn't make sense, especially when you consider this "HD Era" is continually evolving. You mention standards, but standards are evolving and are not at an end. Higher resolutions at higher framerates as well as HDRL techniques are visible on the horizon. I guess all HD devices that lack support for these new and updated standards are only "supposedly" built for the HD Era.
10M HD DVD players in the wild by the end of 2006 would have significantly changed the landscape for the HD optical market and based on how PS3's are selling. The death of HD DVD might not even be spoken of. Realistically it would be the death of the 360 in view: delayed console based on uncertain standards, bloated price tag, nasty format war, and little benefit to early generation games. Considering the fizzle HD DVD and BluRay have made in the market and the cost and delays it is difficult to argue why MS would even want to engage a format not core to the functionality of their game platform and, unlike Sony, have little riding on the outcome. This is clearly a place where Sony and MS part ways.
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