Xbox 360 Premium Box and Accessories

The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft, and was developed in cooperation with IBM, ATI, and SiS. The integrated Xbox Live service allows players to compete online and download content such as arcade games, game demos, trailers, TV shows, and movies. The Xbox 360 is the successor to the Xbox, and competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles. The Xbox 360 was officially unveiled on MTV on May 12, 2005, with detailed launch and game information divulged later that month at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). The console sold out completely at release in all regions except in Japan,1)2)3) and, as of September 30, 2008, 22 million units have been sold worldwide according to Microsoft.4) The Xbox 360 is available in three configurations: the “Arcade” console, the “Pro or Premium” console, and the “Elite” console, each with its own selection of accessories.

Known during development as Xenon, Xbox 2, Xbox FS,5) Xbox Next, or NextBox, the Xbox 360 was conceived in early 2003.6) In February 2003, planning for the Xenon software platform began, and was headed by Microsoft's Vice President J Allard.7) That month, Microsoft held an event for 400 developers in Bellevue, Washington, to recruit support for the system.8) Also that month, Peter Moore, former president of Sega of America, joined Microsoft. On August 12, 2003, ATI signed on to produce the graphic processing unit for the new console, a deal which was publicly announced two days later.9) The following month, IBM agreed to develop the triple-core CPU for the console.10) Before the launch of the Xbox 360, several alpha development kits were spotted using Apple's Power Mac G5 hardware. This was due to the system's PowerPC 970 processor running the same PowerPC architecture that the Xbox 360 would eventually run under IBM's Xenon processor.

• Main article: Xbox 360 launch

The Xbox 360 was released on November 22, 2005, in the United States and Canada; December 2, 2005, in Europe and December 10, 2005, in Japan. It was later launched in Mexico, Colombia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, India, Brazil, Poland, Czech Republic]], and Russia. Microsoft has additionally announced official launches in: Hungary, Slovakia,11) and the Philippines. In its first year on the market, the system launched in 36 countries, more countries than any console has launched in a single year.12)

The Xbox 360 is available in three standard variants; the “Xbox 360 Arcade”, the “Xbox 360 Pro”, and the “Xbox 360 Elite”.13) A discontinued SKU, the “Xbox 360 Core”, was replaced by the “Xbox 360 Arcade” in October 2007.14) The 60 GB version of the Xbox 360 Premium was released on August 1, 2008. At launch, the Xbox 360 was available in two configurations: the “Xbox 360 Premium” package, priced at US$399 or GB£280 , and the “Xbox 360 Core”, priced at US$299 and GB£199. The original shipment of the Premium version included a cut-down version of the Media Remote as a promotion. The Elite package was launched later at US$479.

• The Xbox 360 Core (discontinued)15) was an entry level Xbox 360. The “Core” is no longer produced, having been replaced by the Xbox 360 Arcade.16) It was not originally available in Japan, but was later released on November 2, 2006.17) The Core system came bundled with composite video cables, capable of only SDTV resolutions, but newer models with lot number 0728 or greater have an HDMI 1.2 output. The Core may output HD signals up to 1080p when connected to separately sold HDMI, Component, or VGA cables. It may also utilize a separately sold 20 or 120 GB hard drive. Unlike all other SKUs, it shipped with a wired version of the Xbox 360 controller, instead of the wireless version found in other SKUs.
• The Xbox 360 Arcade18) is the replacement for the “Xbox 360 Core”.19) It was publicly revealed (though it was available in stores far earlier)20) by Microsoft's president of Entertainment Devices division Robbie Bach to the Financial Times on October 18, 2007,21) and officially announced on October 22, 2007.22) It includes a wireless controller, composite AV cable, HDMI 1.2 output, an internal 256 MB memory chip 23), and 5 Xbox Live Arcade titles:24) Boom Boom Rocket, Feeding Frenzy, Luxor 2, Pac-Man Championship Edition, and Uno on a single disk, which also includes a “Welcome Video” and several game trailers/demos.25) Holiday 2008 consoles are bundled with Sega Superstars Tennis].26)
• The Xbox 360 Pro includes all the features of the Xbox 360 Core and includes a hybrid composite and component cable with optional optical out instead of a composite cable. The Xbox 360 also includes a detachable 20 GB Hard Disk Drive (now comes with a 60 GB HDD) to store downloaded content, provide compatibility with original Xbox games, and store game data. The included hard drive comes with game demos, video clips and a free Live Arcade game, Hexic HD. In July 2007, this version of the Xbox 360 began appearing with the Zephyr motherboard (the motherboard used in the Elite) which features HDMI 1.2 output and an improved GPU heatsink. Although the Pro package does include an HDMI 1.2 output, it does not come with HDMI 1.2 cables.27)28) Starting at the end of September 2007, the newest systems were shipped with the new “Falcon” motherboard. This motherboard includes the new 65-nm CPUs, making them quieter and cooler than the older systems.29) On August 1, 2008, the 20 GB Premium Xbox 360 was discontinued and was replaced by a 60 GB HDD model at the same price. Holiday 2008 consoles are bundled with Lego Indiana Jones and Kung Fu Panda.30)
• The Xbox 360 Elite is the fourth and most expensive variation of the console. It includes a 120 GB hard drive and a matte black finish. The Elite retail package also includes an HDMI 1.2 cable and a controller and headset that match the system's black finish.31) The initial release price was US$479.99,32) C$549.99,33) £299.99, and AU$729.95. The Elite was released in Europe on August 24, 2007, and Australia on August 30, 2007. Early Elite models shipped using the Zephyr motherboard, though newer models now use the Falcon 65nm chipset instead. These Elites (and other Xbox 360 models using the Falcon) can be identified from earlier versions by a re-designed power connector and a power supply that runs at 175w. The motherboard layout is also different. Holiday 2008 consoles are bundled with Lego Indiana Jones and Kung Fu Panda.34)

Information in the table below is based on the latest specifications. Older packaging may not include all items listed.

On a few occasions, Microsoft has produced special editions of the console, usually to coincide with the release of a major product. These special editions are typically custom-colored Xbox 360 models, and are produced in limited numbers.

• At the E3 2007 press conference, Microsoft announced the Halo 3 Special Edition console, released September 16, 2007. It sports a Halo 3 theme on the console, wired headset, wireless controller, and play and charge kit. Other than the unique “Spartan green and gold” color scheme, exclusive dashboard theme and downloads, and a HDMI port,35) its features were identical to those of the Premium system at that time.36) It is priced at US$399.99 and £279.99 (the original price of the Xbox 360 Premium).37)
• To promote The Simpsons Movie, Microsoft created a specially designed, yellow Xbox 360 console.38) The configuration was based on the Xbox 360 Premium package of the time, the only difference being the color scheme of the Xbox 360 console and wireless controller. The consoles were to be given out to winners of drawings taking place between July 18, 2007 and July 27, 2007, in which a name was randomly drawn each day in the “10 Days and 10 Chances to Win” sweepstakes.39) Ten consoles were produced in total.40)

As with the original Xbox, Microsoft has continued bundling two video game titles in console retail packaging during the Holiday season. In Holiday 2007, Pro and Elite packages were bundled with Forza 2 and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance41). Holiday 2008 Pro and Elite packages are bundled with Lego Indiana Jones and Kung Fu Panda, while Arcade consoles are bundled with Sega Superstars Tennis.42)

The Xbox 360 is also compatible with the Zune, which was posted on the Xbox Official Website. The Xbox 360 can play media files from the Zune only from an Xbox 360 update available on Xbox Live or from the Xbox 360 Official Website.43) It is also compatible with Apple's iPod, excluding the iPod Touch and iPhone, by being able to play MP3 files natively and unprotected AAC files through the installation of the Optional Media Update available for free on Xbox Live.44) Protected AAC files are not supported. The Xbox 360 will use the iPod's database for media information and works with both Windows (FAT32) and Mac (HFS+) formatted iPods. Pictures stored on the iPod can also be viewed but videos (protected or unprotected) and podcasts are not supported.

• Main article: Xbox 360 hardware

The main unit of the Xbox 360 itself has slight double concavity in matte white or black. It features a port on the top (when vertical, left side when horizontal) to which a custom-housed hard drive unit can be attached in sizes of either 20, 60 (August 2008 onward) or 120 GB. Inside, the Xbox 360 uses the triple-core IBM designed Xenon as its CPU. Graphics processing is handled by the ATI Xenos which has 10 MB of eDRAM. Its main memory pool is 512 MB in size.

• Main article: Xbox 360 accessories

Many accessories are available for the console, including both wired and wireless controllers, faceplates for customization, headsets for chatting, a webcam for video chatting, dance mats and Gamercize for exercise, three sizes of memory cards, and three sizes of hard drives (120GB, 60GB, and 20GB), among other items, all of which are styled to match the console.

• See also: Xbox 360 System Software

The Xbox 360's original graphical user interface is the Xbox 360 Dashboard; a tabbed interface that features five “Blades” (formerly four blades), and was designed by AKQA. It can be launched automatically when the console boots up without a disc, or when the disc tray is ejected. However, the user may choose to launch a game automatically if a disc is inserted. A simplified version of it can also be accessed at any time via the Xbox Guide button on the gamepad. This simplified version shows the user's gamercard, Xbox Live messages and friends list. It also allows for personal and music settings, in addition to voice or video chats, or returning to the primary Dashboard from the game.

As of November 19, 2008, the Xbox 360's dashboard has changed from the “Blade” interface, to a dashboard reminiscent of that present on the Zune and Windows Media Center.

Since the console's release, Microsoft has released several updates for the Dashboard software. These updates have included adding new features to the console, enhancing Xbox Live functionality and multimedia playback cabilities, adding compatibility for new accessories, and fixing bugs in the software. The latest Dashboard update, revision 2.0.7357.0, was made available on November 19, 2008.

• Further information: Xbox Live#New Xbox Experience

At E3 2008, at Microsoft's Show, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg and Marc Whitten announced the new look Xbox 360 called “The New Xbox Experience”. The idea of the update is to allow people who cannot navigate the current Blade GUI, to navigate throughout the console easily. The GUI uses the Twist UI (used in Windows Media Center, Zune). The Blade interface is still used in the new Xbox Guide. The new guide allows you to do everything you could do from the Dashboard itself, whether it's ejecting a disk or browsing the Marketplace, thus making it easier to navigate throughout the system.

As well as a GUI update, many new features have been put into the system's software. Firstly, the update offers the ability to install games from the disk to the hard drive, reducing load times and disk drive noise. However, the game's disk must remain in the system to run its installed version. A new Community system is also built in, allowing the creation of digitalised Avatars. These Avatars can then be used for multiple activities such as sharing photos or playing Arcade games like 1 vs. 100. The update was released on November 19, 2008.45)

While previous system updates have been stored on internal memory, this will be the first update to require a storage device. The update requires at least 128MB free space on either a memory card or a hard drive.46) Microsoft has stated that many Core or Arcade users will not have sufficient space on their limited memory cards for the new update thus providing them with a free 512MB memory card or a discounted 20GB hard drive.47)48)

The Xbox 360 supports videos in .wmv-format, as well as high-definition .wmv-videos, H.264, MPEG-4, and PlaysForSure WMV videos. The December 2007 dashboard update added support for the playback of MPEG-4 ASP format videos.49) The console can also display pictures and perform slideshows of photo collections with various transition effects, and supports audio playback, with music player controls accessible through the Xbox 360 Guide button. Users may play back their own music while playing games or using the dashboard, and can play music with an interactive visual synthesizer.

Music, photos and videos can be played from standard USB mass storage devices, Xbox 360 proprietary storage devices (such as memory cards or Xbox 360 hard drives), and servers or computers with Windows Media Center or Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or higher within the local-area network in streaming mode.50)51) As the Xbox 360 uses a modified version of the UPnP AV protocol,52) some alternative UPnP servers such as uShare (part of the GeeXboX project) and MythTV can also stream media to the Xbox 360, allowing for similar functionality from non-Windows servers. This is possible with video files up to HD-resolution and with several codecs (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV) and container formats (WMV, MOV, TS).53)

In the UK the Xbox 360 will be enabled to download and display BT Vision video content.54)