Official Xbox 360 Thread.

[Dyne]

TeamXbox Interview with Todd Holmdahl

>> TeamXbox posted a very interesting interview with Todd Holmdahl, Corporate Vice President of the Xbox Product Group.
Here's some stuff the interview covers:
* The different connections the Xbox 360 will offer: composite, component, s-video and VGA. But no digital connection.
* Xbox 360 will play high definition video in VC1 (WMVHD) format, they are still evaluating upscaling standard definition DVDs.
* Xbox 360 does not support 1080p at this time. It’s an incremental improvement at an astronomical expense. Microsoft deliver the capability when and if customers want it.
* Xbox 360 has hardware accelerated audio decompression for Windows Media audio content, rest is done on multi-core CPU hardware (dedicated audio chip).
* Wireless Network Adapter is connected via USB - so Xbox360 could in theory have a dual network setup (no plans for this atm).
* Launch headset is wired, but Xbox360 can handle 4 wireless headsets (truly wireless or wireless via the gamepad).
* The Xbox 360 OS (kernel) will be an extension of the Xbox 1.0 OS.
* Xbox360 games and Xbox live will NOT require the HDD or Memory Unit.
* Hardware supports 4X MSAA anti-aliasing without performance loss. Developers can perform supersampling for even better anti-aliasing.

They also talk about:
* The Xbox360 CPU/GPU/Architecture compared to the one of the PlayStation3
* The new dual-core AMD and Intel CPUs
* How MS made multi-core programming easier for developers
* PlayStation 3 ability to deliver two 1080p video signals
* PlayStation 3 vs. Windows Media Center PC & Xbox360-as-media-center-amplifier.
... and much more

Go read the whole interview on TeamXbox.com.

[mollipen]

* The different connections the Xbox 360 will offer: composite, component, s-video and VGA. But no digital connection.

I'm probably just confused as I don't yet own an HDTV, but can an HD signal be run through the component connection? I was thinking that you needed a DVI/HDMI/whatever it is connection to run HD content. I know it could be run through the VGA port, but I've seen a lot of HDTVs that don't have a straight VGA port.

Edit: Nevermind, the first question of the interview answers my question.

[Brand X]

There is no doubt that our hardware will push gaming forward, but when it comes to fundamentally changing the type of entertainment experience, I think Xbox Live and system software features like the Xbox Guide give us a clear edge. Powerful hardware coupled with software and services make Xbox 360 the only console that can deliver a complete gaming and entertainment experience.

IBTN. Sony NEEDS an Xbox Live type service to do as well as they want this generation.

[StriderKyo]

It makes sense. 360 degrees is a circle, so you just end up where you started from.

It's funny because it's true.

I'd be more excited about the coming gen if more of the games didn't look like slightly glossier versions of current stuff, though that might just be a first-gen side effect of projects being shifted midway. There seems to be a bunch of stuff that looks current gen (Perfect Dark) and then some stuff that actually looks like it belongs on a new system - Gears of War, for instance.

That said, if 360 manages to ship with Oblivion, I'm there on launch day.

[Diff-chan]

There seems to be a bunch of stuff that looks current gen (Perfect Dark)

Well a few E3 articles mentioned the game looked awesome and clearly next-gen but we havent seen a single picture or movie, even 5 weeks after E3, to prove this. I guess theyre gonna be springing a Halo-like surprise in November, or at least I hope they are.

[Yoshi]

IBTN. Sony NEEDS an Xbox Live type service to do as well as they want this generation.

You guys just don't get it. As cool as you think XBL is, its subscriber numbers are a rounding error in the total console sales. Obviously, time will make more people online and interested, but even the next generation will not be decided by any online plan or lack thereof.

* The different connections the Xbox 360 will offer: composite, component, s-video and VGA. But no digital connection.

So much for cutting edge technology. I guess the PS3 will get to sit alone on my best connection.

* Xbox360 games and Xbox live will NOT require the HDD or Memory Unit.

And so much for that HDD advantage. If it's not required, the only use will be worthless shit like custom soundtracks.

[Hardknock]

You guys just don't get it. As cool as you think XBL is, its subscriber numbers are a rounding error in the total console sales. Obviously, time will make more people online and interested, but even the next generation will not be decided by any online plan or lack thereof.

It's all about Image. MS has made a name for themselves with XBL, almost everyone knows what it is. As broadband penetration increases, Xbox 360 will be able to build off that foundation with the best online service available. If you don't think that's important, I don't know what to tell you.

So much for cutting edge technology. I guess the PS3 will get to sit alone on my best connection.

Cutting technology my ass. There is no visual difference between Component and HDMI. HDMI just allows just enough more room for a audio signal on the same cable, plus allow for copy protection. That's it. Xbox 360 sticking with Component is just fine, as most TVs have more than one component anyway, so I prefer that.

And so much for that HDD advantage. If it's not required, the only use will be worthless shit like custom soundtracks.

Just because a system doesn't require it, doesn't mean a game won't take advantage of it. Harddrives can lessen load times, allow for downloadable content, allow for user created content, allow for demos, seamless worlds, downloaded trailers, MMO games. If your console doesn't have an HDD standard for next-gen, that will be a huge setback on the amount of things developers will support.

[Rumpy]

And I wouldn't call custom soundtracks worthless.

[Dipstick]

I am pretty sure every X360 requires HDD support to some degree, considering that every game must now support custom soundtracks.

I think it is just the fact that one's X360 will function just fine with its detatchable HDD missing. Seems weird, but whatever.

-Dippy

[∀ Narayan]

I am pretty sure every X360 requires HDD support to some degree, considering that every game must now support custom soundtracks.

I think it is just the fact that one's X360 will function just fine with its detatchable HDD missing. Seems weird, but whatever.

-Dippy

I'm sure there will be a pop-up notification for games that require the HD. Kind of like the N64 and the expansion pack. It's ludicrous to think that the HD won't be used for caching data.