You guys are missing out on some incredible DOA4 matches. Tons of fun whether it is socializing while others fight or actually playing the match.

Agreed, all of us who play together are having an absolute blast.

Not true. (Actually it was Bill Gates stating that about the xbox, I believe)

Edited to add:
Actually it wasn't Gates, but Seamus Blackley, head of Microsoft's Xbox division that said it.

"One of the basic premises of the Xbox is to put the power in the hands of the artist," Blackley said, which is why Xbox developers "are achieving a level of visual detail you really get in 'Toy Story.'"

How that got "rumored" into the PS2 thing, I don't know, but it's spread all over the internet.

http://news.com.com/2100-1040-250632.html?legacy=cnet

And you would be correct, sorry I was not trying to threadcrap.

I was simply pointing out that this is not a forward looking machine. No next generation dvd capability, no hdmi output for true hd resolution. I have all the hd via component that I want now from my current XBox.

If they produce a peripheral that will read the next gen dvd's how will the connect it to the xbox 360, via component? That wont do it, hence my comment about hdmi.

I would have like to have had one when they were released but now that I have had time to evaluate the machine on its merits, I will pass.

Very few Xbox games are HD. Most are only 480p. EVERY Xbox 360 game is HD--720p or 1080i native. There is a world of difference between 480p and 720p/1080i.

As for HDMI, there is a rumor that Microsoft may offer an HDMI connector later. From a design standpoint, this is possible because the video output connector on the 360 itself is proprietary (similar to that on the Xbox) such that an HDMI dongle could be attached. I do not know if the hardware in the 360 would allow for that, but I would be surprised if it does not. The fact that MS has confirmed a HD-DVD peripheral indicates to me that indeed may be possible because per DVD consortium rules 720p/1080i cannot be output over component (which is why the 360 doesn't support upscaling current DVDs). Thus, the HD-DVD addon would be useless without HDMI. Alternatively, I suppose the peripheral itself could have its own HDMI connector, but this seems unlikely.

actually if you're on the 1st xbox all dvd movies on it are sent back to 480i. on the 360 everything is upconverted to 480p. i'm betting the connection of the HD drive to the 360 will be on the usb port as it has enough bandwidth to support HD video. now since the 360 is really a computer in a console so to speak output of true HD could happen with some really nifty software code and a new cable. one thing people forget is the 360 is a computer by microsoft, the dashboard is just software. the hardware is in there for full HD output with an HD DVD reading drive. then again what do i care i don't have any HD DVDs yet and i'm still trying to get the rest of the outfits for my doa4 people.

I suspect you are right about the USB connection, but it will have to use for HD-DVD output per DVD consortium rules. I, like, you hope a new cable attachment will be enough but I think the internal hardware will have to be able to handle it. I'm betting it can.

Sony actually DID say the PS2 would produce Toy Story-like graphics. I remember reading about it before I bought a PS2 and before I even knew about the Xbox. See http://money.cnn.com/1999/03/01/life/playstation/ as proof. The full quote from the Nihon newspaper they refer to is as follows:
""The new microprocessor will allow users to handle nearly 50
times more 3-D image data compared with Sega Enterprises Ltd.'s (7964)
Dreamcast game console. It will also let users produce game characters
comparable in image quality to Walt Disney's Toy Story."
http://terror.snm-hgkz.ch/mirrors/ww.../n990228b.html

So, both Sony and MS made Toy Story comparisons then. However, recall that the Xbox came out much later than the PS2, is more powerful, and generally speaking has better graphics. The Xbox comes a lot closer to the "level of visual detail" seen in Toy Story than the PS2 does. It intially had markedly better graphics than the PS2. The PS2 OTOH did not initially impress me compared to the Dreamcast (I own both).

FYI for anyone still looking....

Spotted Premiums & Cores at 2 Kmarts today - 2 premiums / 1 core at one and a single premium at the other.

The difference being the Microsoft (in the form of Bill Gates and Shamus Blackley) claimed Toy Story graphics on the Xbox, while it was a reporter in Japan who claimed Toy Story graphics on the PS2. You will notice that your source article is not actually quoting any at all.

Wow, you guys just refuse to believe Sony said that, huh? The Nihon article does quote from Sony "company officials." While it isn't 100% clear what is a direct quote from them and what is a reported paraphrasing, you can be sure those officials were the source of the information contained in the article, including the Toy Story comparison.

Thanks for trying to get the thread back on topic, too bad it didn't work...

Last week Bestbuy got their shipment on Thursday rather than Wednesday, this week they got it today. I finally broke down and got one today, updating my titles now. COD2 is fun!

I'm playing on my computer monitor. Now if I could remember where I put my switch box.

Did Microsoft announce something about shortages going on through September? One of my employees was telling me about this yesterday, and he's usually pretty up on the latest news.

last I heard was they are either nearing or have completed bringing a new plant online to boost production that much more to meet projections by June.

Bit off topic.

The manufacturing date of the unit I got yesterday at BB was December 24 2005.
Should I get a BB warranty?

Do the three year warranty through MS you should have gotten a card with the unit in the box, if I remember correctly it's $60.

Yeah, I have the warranty through MS (the one that came with it). It says I'm good through 2010...not sure how that happened. I thought it was only a 2 year extended warranty.

Mine has the same date. I got mine about 3 weeks ago. I think I will get the warranty at BB. I think it's $40 for 2 years.

I'd call and bitch about that if I were you;)

Oh yes...I'm pissed ;)

Hopefully my 360 is back to normal after I pick it up from the UPS center today.

Is the Product Finder at Bestbuy.com from a few pages ago working for anyone else? The last few days it either works but really slowly or doesn't load anything at all.

Still keeping an eye out on the local stores.

They have premiums at BB in NH.

Looks like Best Buy is finally starting to get the 360's weekly in Massachusetts. I was finally able to get a Premium system at the Best Buy in Dedham, MA this afternoon. They still had both Premium and Core systems in stock. I have seen the Core system in stock at several MA locations over the last 3 weeks, but the Premiums have been scarce.

Do they ever have them out on the shelves at BB? I never want to go over and ask at customer service - hate being one of "those" guys :)

The Best Buy that I bought mine at had them setting behind Customer Service. The other Best Buy that I used to regularly check said they don't put them out and you have to ask.

I would still check with Circuit City. I had called one of those before and they had one on Saturday which seems rare since most get their stock in the middle of the week and then they're gone. I think you have to get them to check the computer to see if it's in stock. They also keep them in the back.

works okay for me.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....&itemId=847033





Yes, you have to ask Customer Service for them. They are not sitting out like other items.

My local Costco had bundles yesterday (20+ around noon)

This was in Hanover, MD by Arundel Mills Mall.

Thanks for the Best Buy store finder link! I bookmarked it and just kept checking until some popped up in my area. Grabbed one at the Best Buy in Towson, MD (X-mas gift cards FTW!)

keeping the link alive and easy to find

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...9&itemId=847033

rotfl It doesn't work rotfl

Literally a dozen core systems at my local BB (Burbank). Guy also said they were discontinuing the premiums, but no idea how valid that was. Said they got their premiums yesterday, cores today.

it's the other way around; they are discontinuing Core systems.

Wait, what? They're discontinuing the core systems? Is that verified?

There has been absolutely no mention of this anywhere. I don't think a blue robot at Best Buy is a great source. But you never know...

Discontinuing the Core system isn't going to help sell accessories. I could see them taking something out of the Premium package and selling those at a $350 or so price point.

You bungled the link in your copy and paste. The forum shortens it for display, so you have to do a right-click copy shortcut to get the full thing (rather than just highlighting and copying). For those who need it, it is http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....&itemId=847033

So which day has Best Buy been getting systems in? Have they been pretty regular each week? I want to start trying my luck again next week.

I heard the supply problems will be solved by March or April, so pretty soon. Gamestop also said that they're expecting a much larger influx starting in a few weeks.

Doh!.... Thanks :)