Xbox 360 "Zephyr" to Offer HDMI, Expanded Hard Drive

The PlayStation 3 is drawing in many of its fans with the inclusion of HDMI, an I/O option that trumps the Xbox 360's component limitation.  While the difference between 1080i and 1080p is extremely small, it's enough to leave 360 owners grumbling about the advantages of Sony fanboys.  Similarly frustrated is Microsoft, who may now have a fix in the works.  You're now looking at a picture displaying what could be the new Xbox 360, codenamed "Zephyr", packing that all important HDMI port.

According to reports, the addition of HDMI isn't the only new feature.  Also rumored for Zephyr is a cooler-running 65nm processor and a 120 GB hard drive, offering six times the storage of current Xbox 360 HDDs. 

Although no price is yet rumored, with all of these additions you can expect it to rival Sony's PlayStation 3.  After all, the hard drive doubles that from the PS3 premium edition.  Rumors are that it could ship "soon".

Our take?  Bullflop.  But, since we hate the feeling of egg on our faces (it's greasy), we'll settle with, "time will tell".

Xbox 360, games and accessories at Gizmo Shop!

7 comments
Posted by Lou on March 25,2007 at 10:52 AM
I've had my 360 since the launch party, and it works fine, no problems. This new one w/ the HDMI adapter & the 65nm cpu seems cool, but I'm not gonna go out and replace it =P all I would get is the 120 GB HDD when it's out seperately. The VGA 1080p from what i've heard works fine.
Posted by shaka89 on February 26,2007 at 8:52 PM
ok it's not just the color they are moving from 90nm to 65nm + new HDD + HDMI and maybe hd-dvd support
Posted by OculusX on February 20,2007 at 4:28 PM
You don't need an HDMI output to get 1080p.  Component outputs are perfectly capable of transmitting 1080p and Microsoft released an update months ago making 1080p available as an output option on the Xbox 360. (I am using it now)

The main difference is HDMI is a pure digital output, and a single cable for sound and video.  Component cables are analog (voltage) outputs.  Both are capable of 1920x1080 progressive or interlaced resolution.



Posted by Lang on January 6,2007 at 12:30 PM
This is the very reason why I am still waiting; recently I learned (just before going to the store) that the HD output of the XBox 360 is analogue. I don't care much about 1080p or 1080i, but I do care about HDMI or component output, so I did not buy and I had to reconsider the PS3. Time will tell.
Posted by Wayde on January 5,2007 at 2:33 PM
So, what do you propose MS do Vader?

Not include HDMI or HD DVD because they didn't invent them?
Posted by DoucheVader on January 5,2007 at 1:52 PM
Again Microsoft come out with a "Me Too".  Can MS ever think up a completely original idea on their own?  Oh PS3 has HDMI, HiDef Drive and a bigger HD.  MS does too Me Too! :)

Did they stay up all night thinking of this one?

Honestly isn't this the package MS wanted to release in the first place?  :) :) :)
Posted by Steve Pell on January 5,2007 at 10:57 AM
Oh i've heard about this. However I decided to buy a 360 anyway. I can't really utilize the HDMI and my system seems pretty stable for heat *knock on wood*. I am sure microsoft will allow you to purchased the hard drive seperatly and I am HOPING they do make an HDMI output adaptor or something for the current xbox. Only reason I would need it however would be incase the copy protection is ever activated on HDDVD movies.

Lastly what would be really cool is if the main drive of the 360 became an HDDVD drive.