HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

[Pai Pai Master]

Re: HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

Well unfortunately mine was in as open an area as could be. It certainly wasn't a matter of overheating. It was a defect due to shoddy production, as I was having problems the entire week that I had it. As for the 65nm processor, the 360 sounds like a jet engine so I'm hoping that it would run quieter with the need for less fans inside the console.

And yes, Icemage is right. If you're only looking for 20-25'' monitor for your use, then 1080p isn't worth the price. In fact I don't think any HD sets that are worth it even support 1080p at that size range.

[Feba]

Re: HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

You could also make one of those cooling boxes for your 360 >_> insulate the sound AND keep it below room temp.

[Jei]

Re: HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

So the elite 360 will fix the heat and sound problem? when is it coming out and what price?

[InuTrunks]

Re: HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

Well, that's the new rumor, the elite is out and its 479. Provides HDMI out, HDMI Cable, Black Case, Black Controller, and has a 120GB HDD.

Imo, it's worth it, because the Pro system (White console, White Contorller, Compenet out, 20GB Hdd) is 399.


Rumor has it that the 360elite is getting a system upgrade here soon.

[Icemage]

Re: HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

I'm not much of an Xbox 360 fan (don't own one mostly because I dislike Microsoft in general), but the 360 Elite isn't a very good deal unless you absolutely must have a black case or do a LOT of downloading, talking specifically about Jei's situation.

At 720p, you don't need the HDMI connector. Most games run at 720p anyway natively, and you can get 720p resolution just fine over VGA or component cables without having to resort to HDMI.

The noise/heat problem is not fixed by the Elite, supposedly. The original rumor was that Microsoft was going to use the newer 65nm processors, which use less power and produce less heat (which would mean less requirements for good cooling, and hence less fan noise too), but that rumor did not pan out, and the Elite currently uses the 90nm chip.

Link for tear-down proving the Elite does not have the 65nm processor


Icemage

[Pai Pai Master]

Re: HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

Yeah, when it became apparent that the Elite did not use the 65nm processor, I decided to wait it out a bit longer.

Granted, Sony is preparing to switch to 65nm themselves soon, and Microsoft had planned to do it last year. Time will tell I suppose, but hopefully by the end of the summer they'll start shipping 360s with the smaller processor.

[jwalton]

Re: HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

Honestly, most of the noise from the 360 is from the DVD-ROM drive when it's spinning. It reads data extremely fast, reading faster than any other console in fact, but it makes it seem like you have your own squadron of F-15s taking off the deck of an aircraft carrier in your living room. Great system, but it makes Sega's Dreamcast quiet by comparison.

But yeah... if you've held out this long from buying a 360, it doesn't hurt to wait a little longer. There's a lot of crazy nice games in line, but then, the hardware revision should be right around the corner. I'd wager it'll hit in the fall.

[Icemage]

Re: HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

I think the drive noise problem was especially bad in some of the early 360s, but even the newer ones really aren't that quiet. The drive on the Wii (which is also a DVD drive) is much quieter, as is the Blu-ray drive on the PS3.

On the plus side, the Xbox 360 does indeed have the best data transfer rate because of its fast drives.


Icemage

[Feba]

Re: HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

For some reason, the drives on my PS2 and my Wii sound almost identical when they're running.

[InuTrunks]

Re: HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

Feba random question, are you [GM]Dave's friend?

[Jei]

Re: HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

What are some interesting games on 360/PS3 at the moment or about to come out? Just thinking if I'm going to buy 1 of them, might as well pick one with the game I like... I don't really like FPS by the way but guess I should get used to that genre too >.>

What I'm kinda interested...
PS3 - Gundam Musou, MGS series, hmm not much else....
360 - That RPG game made by Mist...
I heard tekken 6 will also come out on 360, anyone know about it?

[jwalton]

Re: HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

Gundam Musou is being released on 360 as well this summer, under the title "Dynasty Warriors: Gundam". This is similar to how Virtua Fighter 5 is seeing a 360 release this summer, how Devil May Cry 4 became a multiplatform game, and how Ace Combat 6 is seeing an Xbox 360 release with no mention of PS3 at all. Don't know about Tekken 6, but seeing how Namco's not too pleased with PS3 game sales, I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen. PS3 and 360 are barely moving in Japan due to Wii and DS sales there, 360 is outselling PS3 in Europe and the USA by a fair margin and already has 3 times the userbase worldwide. With a lot of major releases incoming for 360 lined up for the holiday season and Sony not having Final Fantasy XIII or Metal Gear Solid 4 ready to counter Halo 3, Mass Effect and Bioshock, the gap is going to widen even more. You know developers are watching the numbers.

As far as must-haves for 360, Eternal Sonata is a huge deal if you like JRPGs. I'm way more interested in it than Blue Dragon or Lost Odyssey. I played the demo, and while it doesn't push the 360's limits at all, it is an artistically beautiful game. Most colorful next-gen game by far. The Last Remnant is coming to 360 and PS3 from Square Enix which looks interesting. Then there's that whole FFXI successor next-gen MMO from Square Enix that's in-line for the next-gen platforms.

With most companies having embraced multiplatform gaming, the only real advantage PS3 has over the 360 anymore is Blu-Ray movie playback (though if you ask me, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are both a waste of money). If you're in it strictly for gaming, the 360 is the better platform. It's $200 cheaper, has a far superior selection of games right now, and looks to have just as many high profile titles as the PS3 for the future.

[Jei]

Re: HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

D: Now that makes 360 looks like a superior choice. There's a better 360 model coming out soon?

[InuTrunks]

Re: HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

Not better then the elite, no.

[Feba]

Re: HD TV recommendation? xbox 360 learning curve?

Feba random question, are you [GM]Dave's friend?

Yes, although I haven't seen anything out of him lately. Since the april fools thing actually. I should email him.