xbox 360 question

[FuryofFive]

I most likely will not download content online

but i will use it to play online with.
i read somewhere that the games are starting to be downloaded to the hDD to make load times faster. is there some truth to that?

i was considering the 20gb until i remembered the games be loading to the HDD.

then the 60gb. and so on.

also i noticed the older 20gb ones dont have hdmi ports.are those required to use with an HDTV or for Sony tvs?

 

[dlock13]

Originally posted by: FuryofFive
I most likely will not download content online

but i will use it to play online with.
i read somewhere that the games are starting to be downloaded to the hDD to make load times faster. is there some truth to that?

i was considering the 20gb until i remembered the games be loading to the HDD.

then the 60gb. and so on.

also i noticed the older 20gb ones dont have hdmi ports.are those required to use with an HDTV or for Sony tvs?

In the Fall update, they are allowing you to install the games to your HDD, rendering faster loading times and it doesn't use the disc drive at all except to check it once before loading the game to make sure it is in the drive.

There were some 20 GB models that had the HDMI port. I think those were the falcon boards that started to ship. There are other members on here that know each revision so I'll let them tell you about that.

Also, you don't need the HDMI to use on an HDTV. If you buy either the Premium or the Elite, you'll get a component/composite cable which allows you to either use it on an HDTV or a regular SDTV. You can also buy it separately if you buy the Arcade version.

Hope I answered your questions well enough!

 

[mugs]

1. 20 GB is discontinued, but possibly still available some places (likely for a distance, but probably won't be around for long).
2. I'd get the 60 GB. The Elite has a big price premium for not much more than you get with the 60 GB.
3. Actually I'd get the Arcade + a 60 GB hard drive separately, you get an extra 2 months of Xbox Live and whatever games the Arcade comes with for the same total price. (3 months vs 1 month). (edit: Actually I think this would only work if you plan to use HDMI, because the Arcade doesn't come with component cables).
4. Yes games will be installable in the near future to improve load times. Honestly, I think the load times are generally pretty short on the 360.
5. You can do HD over component, so you don't NEED HDMI. Your TV may not support 1080p over component, but likely supports 1080i and 720p. Do NOT buy an old non-HDMI 20 GB. It will very likely die, and you'd have to buy it used to get a non-HDMI (or buy it from a store with year-old 360s).
6. If you want to use HDMI with optical audio, you either need Microsoft's $50 HDMI A/V kit (comes with free anal lube) OR you can follow easy instructions that you could find on Youtube to modify the standard A/V cable to fit next to the HDMI cable. Problem is, the plastic case makes it too big and it blocks the HDMI port. Personally, I just use component + optical because I'm too lazy to modify my cable.

 

[DaveSimmons]

You don't -need- to play from the HD, but some of the cheap DVD drives MS buys from the low bidders:
- scratch discs leaving them unplayable
- can be really loud
- break and cost $99 to replace after the first year. This seems to be the #2 failure after RRoD

So playing from the HD is a good idea regardless of any performance improvement.

 

[FuryofFive]

id probaly want the wireless controller,id also want the Hi-def ports because im in the near future getting an HDTV...do the arcade's have the hi-def ports?? but they dont come with wireless controllers right?

 

[Blayze]

The Arcade comes with a composite cable instead of a component like the 60GB (you can buy one later if you need it). All 360s, including the Arcade, have a HDMI port now.

The Arcade includes a wireless controller.

 

[FuryofFive]

Originally posted by: Blayze
The Arcade comes with a composite cable instead of a component like the 60GB (you can buy one later if you need it). All 360s, including the Arcade, have a HDMI port now.

The Arcade includes a wireless controller.

coo coo. not sure which route ill go. on amazon there cheaper then normal in the new/used section

 

[FuryofFive]

Originally posted by: mugs
2. I'd get the 60 GB. The Elite has a big price premium for not much more than you get with the 60 GB.
4. Yes games will be installable in the near future to improve load times. Honestly, I think the load times are generally pretty short on the 360.

when u say the game will be installed will it be the full game, or a portion?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: FuryofFive

Originally posted by: mugs
2. I'd get the 60 GB. The Elite has a big price premium for not much more than you get with the 60 GB.
4. Yes games will be installable in the near future to improve load times. Honestly, I think the load times are generally pretty short on the 360.

when u say the game will be installed will it be the full game, or a portion?

Full game; essentially a disc image I'm guessing. No DVD access except to verify that the game is in the drive (so you can't pirate).

 

[FuryofFive]

so i guess a 60gb would suffice...

 

[Oyeve]

I only have 500 megs left on my 20gb HD, and its all DLC, no demos. I also transferred my RB1 songs. I need a larger xboxHDD real soon. Too much $$$ tho. For the price of a 120gb HD I could almost buy a used premium 360.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Oyeve
I only have 500 megs left on my 20gb HD, and its all DLC, no demos. I also transferred my RB1 songs. I need a larger xboxHDD real soon. Too much $$$ tho. For the price of a 120gb HD I could almost buy a used premium 360.

eBay has the best prices I've seen for 120GB HDDs. Usually in the neighborhood of $100 (plus or minus). Still expensive but not as bad as retail.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Oyeve
I only have 500 megs left on my 20gb HD, and its all DLC, no demos. I also transferred my RB1 songs. I need a larger xboxHDD real soon. Too much $$$ tho. For the price of a 120gb HD I could almost buy a used premium 360.

eBay has the best prices I've seen for 120GB HDDs. Usually in the neighborhood of $100 (plus or minus). Still expensive but not as bad as retail.

Hmm, gonna check it out. BTW, do I still have to buy a transfer kit or does retail come with that?

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Oyeve

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Oyeve
I only have 500 megs left on my 20gb HD, and its all DLC, no demos. I also transferred my RB1 songs. I need a larger xboxHDD real soon. Too much $$$ tho. For the price of a 120gb HD I could almost buy a used premium 360.

eBay has the best prices I've seen for 120GB HDDs. Usually in the neighborhood of $100 (plus or minus). Still expensive but not as bad as retail.

Hmm, gonna check it out. BTW, do I still have to buy a transfer kit or does retail come with that?

You can request one for free from MS. There's an order form on Xbox.com. I'll see if I can find it.

edit: Here - scroll down to the bottom for a PDF order form.

I'm not sure how long this would take. If you needed one quick, probably look to eBay or Craigslist.

 

[FuryofFive]

i thnk 60gb is cool for me. no real need to download demos an whatnot.. usually after im done with a pc demo..it gets deleted. i was checking amazon's used/new