At the heart of the Elite, is the same 3.2GHz IBM-designed PowerPC-based processor and 500MHz AMD/ATI graphics chip that are found in all the other Xbox 360s. So no upgrade there, and no built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, as per the PS3 and Wii, either.
MS' Xbox 360 Elite: big bundle
Setting up the Elite is straightforward and, as you'd expect, exactly the same as its predecessor. The machine takes you through both profile and resolution set-up step by step, and it's pretty much impossible to go wrong. The only difference is the option to set the console up for high definition. This is located within System, then Console Settings, then Display. We set ours up to work with an Evesham ALQEMI32SX 32in LCD widescreen HD TV via component-video, which didn't present any problems.
The default audio setting is Dolby Digital 5.1, but you can choose digital stereo or Dolby Digital with WMA Pro. The on-screen instructions, however, indicate that "you must use an Xbox 360 Component HD, Advanced Scart, s-video or VGA HD AV cable to get digital output".
For some reason the audio menu makes no mention of the HDMI AV cable - a sign it was thrown into the mix at the last minute, perhaps - and we weren't too sure what kind of audio to expect when using HDMI as a result.
COMMENTS
A couple of things.
Firstly, "R" is not playing Motorstorm at 1080p, no matter what they think. Because the game runs at 720p just like Resistance does, and the PS3 (unlike the 360) cannot upscale games, so you need your TV to support 720p as well as 1080i, or you'll be playing at standard-def.
Secondly, the GPU in the PS3 is widely accepted to be slower than the 360's one, due to the number of pipelines. No biggie, the PS3's CPU is a bit better to compensate. But still wrong.
Finally, Devil's Refugee doesn't need to wait until 2008 for the 45nm die shrink to turn up - they've just started rolling off the manufacturing lines and onto the boats. However, it's not yet easy to spot them. If you're dead set on one, check the manufacturing date on your prospective machine in a month or two - there's a little flap on the box to see it. Mind you, they also have HDMI ports onboard the 'Premium' ones, so that's another mark against paying the extra for the Elite just yet.
Lots of fanboys in here.
I have a 360. I love Gears or War, Forza, PGR3's alright. But let's cut the bullshit. The PS3 is far more powerful than the 360. The problem is, that with the head start that microsoft got by rushing essentially undertested consoles out the door, in addition to the stupid easy API for the 360, has encouraged developers do develop for it first and the PS3 second. There have been very few games developed from the ground up for the PS3, resistance is one, and it is a stunner. Most of the PS3 games, unfortunately, are PC or 360 ports, based on DX, with sloppy code slapped on to make them run on the PS3. Those games are not optimized for the cell processor and thus run rather sluggishly. All things being equal, and looking at this from a power standpoint alone, the PS3 mops the floor with the 360.
Comparison (part two)
Mark Rendle: "I'll tell you what, though: the Amiga was /way/ better than the Atari ST."
I agree. But are you unfairly comparing the later 2mb Amiga 1200 with the earlier 512kb ST?
Just think, if Commodore had got their act together in the early '90s, they could've really cleaned up on the home computing / gaming front, and we wouldn't be having to put up with all these Sony/Microsoft corporate fanboys ;)
I shudder to think how much I spent on my A1200 though - in one year adding a CD-ROM, 66mhz 68060 accelerator, 2gb hard drive, 16mb RAM. I then sold it all less than a year later and bought a 233mhz Pentium II PC for over £1000... a move which I instantly regretted. Sigh.
I've had all sorts of computer and gaming stuff since then, PC's, Macs, handhelds, consoles.... the most recent being an Xbox 360 which I sold less than a month later as I couldn't stand the racket it made when you put a game disk in - I was hoping the Elite would eliminate the noise issues but no dice it seems. I spent the proceeds on upgrading my PC and now have a 8800GTS which eats every game for breakfast.
There was something quite pleasant about sitting on my sofa with a wireless controller whilst playing Oblivion though. Perhaps I'll wait for the 360 Elite Mk II or III?
Yes I know!!
I said interpolated and polated instead of interlaced and progressive but you get the gist!?
I Know I 'm a broken record But......
PS3 Vs. XBOX 360 Elite or other, is wrong......
Now comparing the PS3 to the XBOX 360 and HD DVD player as a collective would be fair PS3 £400 --- XBOX £430
Which means PS3 wins on price, as soon enough dvds will go the way of the VHS.
1080 interpolated is not 1080 polated, its is of course better.
For those of you who are unaware why, look it up!
The PS3 does not have a rumble function but in all fairness that was just a pointless gimmick that lacks the proper physical impact of an actual explosion on screen! unless of course when a mine detonates 3 foot from you all that happens is your hands shake a bit?????????
What it does have is a tilt facility though not yet utilised fully, that will offer a definate variation on game play which the 360 does not have.
The ability to stream video from your PS3 HDD to your PSP and remotely controll your PS3 from anywhere over the internet perhaps to start it downloading a demo for when you arrive home?? Comon'.
Sony have the pedigree wouldn't count them out just yet!
