I have a spare Elite system, but I use the Arcade unit I got as a replacement when my Elite took a dump. And since then I've upgraded my TV to a very nice 50"plasma, and I've kept the Arcade unit (with a new 120gb hdd) hooked up because it has hdmi and the Elite unit does not.

I thought all Elite systems had HDMI? In fact, wasn't that where it was first introduced?

HDMI wasn't introduced until a few months after the Elite launch.

Ah, ok. For some reason I remember that as a big selling point of the Elite when it first launched.

What I remember is that the Elite always had the HDMI port and then a few months later, they quietly added it to the "Pro" system. That's when I got mine, at least.

Yeah, the first group of Elite adopters got shafted.

I just got my HDMI unit late last year ($200 w/ $100 GC Arcade unit).

On April 15, 2010, we will discontinue the Xbox LIVE service for original Xbox games playable on Xbox v1 and Xbox 360. In our continuing efforts to evolve the service, we need to make changes to the LIVE service that are not compatible with original Xbox v1 games.

What does this change mean for you?
• It does not affect your ability to play original Xbox v1 games offline, but does remove LIVE connectivity and support for online multiplayer, leader boards, and other online features of these games.
• We realize that you are an avid Halo 2 fan. Unfortunately, with this change, you will not be able to play Halo 2 on Xbox LIVE going forward.
• Although it is difficult to say goodbye to Halo 2, the Halo franchise continues as the benchmark for multiplayer gaming in this generation with Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, and soon Halo: Reach. On the Xbox 360, you will continue to have access to the LIVE service where you can enjoy hundreds of other LIVE-enabled games.

When will this change take effect?
• April 15, 2010.

What is Xbox LIVE doing for me?
• To thank you for being a loyal Xbox LIVE customer, we are giving you a free, three-month LIVE Gold membership and 400 Microsoft Points for you to use as you choose on Xbox LIVE.
• In addition, because you've been so loyal to Halo, we are inviting you to participate in the exclusive Halo: Reach Beta.

How do I get these offers?
• You will receive a token for 400 MS points. Check your Xbox LIVE account messages on the console. These points can be used for 365 days after you activate your token.
• We are extending your Gold membership by three months automatically. The extension will be directly reflected in your LIVE account.
• Finally, as the beta gets closer, you will receive an e-mail containing the code granting you access to the exclusive Halo: Reach Beta.

Thank you for being a loyal Xbox LIVE member. Please visit xbox.com/support if you have any questions or for more information.

The Xbox LIVE Team

Port 331, I'd like to introduce you to Post 308
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/10030445-post308.html

I saw that post but missed the part about the free stuff.

It was bolded too.

Gotta keep a spare 360 around just in case. Maybe this was all just a brilliant strategy by M$ to get everyone to buy two 360s.

so who exactly gets this 3-month Gold offer, points and when? i just signed up for Gold and don't see any changes...

People that have stuck with playing Halo 2 online in the past few months (year?) are the ones getting the email/offer.

Step 1 : Have a Gold account to play games online. If you don't have that, the change isn't going to affect you at all

You likely won't.

i do have one now.

Shit, it's the weekend and I'm seriously wishing I had a Back up 360.

Wow!

http://360voice.gamerdna.com/tag/Lunchbox700

I don't get it.

I think he's talking about the gaming streak.

I think he's referring to the 437 days played streak. Lunchbox700 is the Cal Ripkin Jr of couch potatoes.

Ahh... for a streak that long, he sure doesn't have much gamerscore.

Watching Netflix probably counts.

Is streaming videos and movies through your Xbox 360 on 437 consecutive days in some way more socially acceptable than playing video games every day for that long?

True, as long as the system is on it counts. I could see that streak by using it for music streaming as well.

No, I think the comment was that using it for Netflix on some of those days is probably more likely than actually playing that many days consecutively (at least for many of the folks here, who have other responsibilities, etc since I think the demographic of this site is a bit older than the average VG discussion forum).

Actually playing that many days consecutively is probably on the wish list of many people here