HDMI-equipped Xbox 360 "Core system" shows up for pre-order

While HDMI-equipped Xbox 360 Premiums are already fast making their way out into the wild, it looks like Best Buy may have now inadvertently added some further confusion to the SKU situation with a listing for an "Xbox 360 Core System w/ HDMI." Such a system would certainly be news to us but, as you can see above, the image for the system in question quite clearly shows a Premium box, which also happens to match the $349.99 price listed (previously confirmed as the price for the HDMI-equipped Premiums). Those willing to take their chances on the mystery system, however, can put in a pre-order now, with it apparently set to ship on September 1st.

[Thanks, Bret and Brad]

[joshua @ Aug 24th 2007 2:29PM]

what's a zune?

[carl @ Aug 24th 2007 3:43PM]

What's a life?

[Hugh @ Aug 24th 2007 11:35PM]

You don't even want to know, man.

Trust me.

www.apple.com/ipod

[ChrisG @ Aug 24th 2007 2:35PM]

Let's just see it could be an error, but the new core or as they're soon to be call Xbox Arcade might have hdmi. However, I'm pretty sure its a bad error.

[Vidikron @ Aug 24th 2007 2:44PM]

The new Arcade is replacing the Core and it will have HDMI. Likely the only error here is that they are still calling it "Core".

[ChrisG @ Aug 24th 2007 2:52PM]

i kinda doubt that MS would add the hdmi port to the core, im not exactly saying they won't but it would be worth it after all most hardcore gamers that care about high definition would buy the premium and elite units to fully take advantage of it especially because of the hard drive.

[Matt Nicholson @ Aug 24th 2007 2:37PM]

It's got to be an error. I picked up my premium with HDMI from BBY last week and it's working beautifully. I highly doubt that MSFT would put out another sku to further confuse consumers.....
1. HDMI premium
2. Top spin Bundle (non HDMI Prmium) for the same price as HDMI Premium
3. Elite
4. Halo 3 Edition

Cmon, do we really need more options?

[BEN! @ Aug 24th 2007 2:39PM]

The manufacture part number B4J-00107 is for the premium with HDMI. They just listed it incorrectly as a "core" system.

[Paul @ Aug 24th 2007 2:41PM]

One dirty little secret about this: the HDMI connetion on the XBOX 360 does NOT support 5.1 audio - it only supports stereo.

Apparently Microsoft saves a few pennies on each unit by only supporting stereo audio - wow, real forward thinking!

[BEN! @ Aug 24th 2007 3:26PM]

I believe it does. I'm debating getting one with HDMI, and from what I've been reading on the internets, there are two issues people are having with 5.1 audio over HDMI. One is that in the XBOX settings, you have to select HDMI as the video output AND select 5.1 as the audio output format. The other is that some (or maybe all) TV's will not pass through 5.1 audio from HDMI to a receiver (via optical). It's supposed to work if you run HDMI directly from XBOX to your receiver.

[Matt @ Aug 24th 2007 3:26PM]

I don't know about the Premiums, but at least on the Elite, it's got a connector that you put into the normal port as well as the HDMI cord that gives you optical out for your 5.1. I don't think MS is counting on many people having HDMI-switching 5.1 receivers, so I can see why they wouldn't see it entirely necessary to put more than stereo in - if it's feeding straight to your TV, how many TVs have 5.1?

[Luther @ Aug 24th 2007 5:06PM]

Most HDTVs do NOT support outputting surround sound from an HDMI source and out through the optical output. This optical output is generally only of use for over-the-air HDTV. For all other sources, the TV will pass through stereo. This is not a fault of the 360, but rather a misconception that many people have about the optical output on their televisions.

[Blah @ Aug 26th 2007 8:08PM]

"Paul @ Aug 24th 2007 2:41PM
One dirty little secret about this: the HDMI connetion on the XBOX 360 does NOT support 5.1 audio - it only supports stereo.

Apparently Microsoft saves a few pennies on each unit by only supporting stereo audio - wow, real forward thinking!"

The problem with the internet is the fact that it is filled with LIARS!!! This is coming from someone who has hooked up an Elite to a 5.1 HDMI switching receiver and had FULL SURROUND SOUND.

[moshb @ Sep 18th 2007 2:24AM]

I have a Samsung 52" LCD TV that supports 1080p.

it is now ongoing issue in Korea that Samsung's LCD/PDP HDMI does not support 5.1 channel audio passthrough. (with optical out from the TV)

which means,

If you make HDMI connection from your peripherals(PS3,DVD,XBOX,etc) to Samsung's TV, and optical audio output form Samsung TV to amps and receivers, you won't be able to hear the sound in 5.1 mode, it will only support stereo channels.

In Korea (where Samsung is orginated from) users of Samsung's PDP/LCD TV are asking Samsung for recalls.

ps - btw, LG models will support 5.1 HDMI audio passthrough without any problem at all.

[I Hate Circuit City @ Aug 24th 2007 2:44PM]

I bought a 360 Premium at Circuit City on Wednesday. I got home and opened it up, fully expecting to find the HDMI port, etc. Oh no! The console has a manufacture date of 7/2006!! I think CC is selling refurbs, or found a bunch of 360s in a warehouse and put them out for suckers like me. Oh yeah, now I get to lug that heavy mofo back onto the subway and go back to Union Square. GRRRRRRRR.

[nerrrrrrd @ Aug 24th 2007 2:47PM]

Look for the ones that say HDMI on the box. I believe those will have the HDMI ports instead of those 'refurbs' your CC is selling.

[ChrisG @ Aug 24th 2007 2:48PM]

you should have looked on the box first because the hdmi premium units have the hdmi port list in the details side of the box.

[I Hate Circuit City @ Aug 24th 2007 2:58PM]

well, I made the mistake of assuming that by buying an Xbox priced at 349.99 I was getting the latest version. Silly me.

[Rob @ Aug 24th 2007 2:56PM]

I'm still bitter because Engadget didn't pick me for that "300 Limited Edition Xbox 360."

Oh well, time to pay the piper.

[joe23521 @ Aug 24th 2007 3:09PM]

Do all the HDMI-equipped units also have the new and improved cooling system? If so, I might actually finally get one.

[ChrisG @ Aug 24th 2007 11:29PM]

actually the hdmi premium units don't exactly have the better cooling system that we've all hoped for, however a few of those units have the heatsinks that could help with cooling but most don't. If your waiting for a 360 with better cooling in order to avoid the red ring of death, you'd be better off waiting around holiday season for the units with the much cooler 65nm chipset aka Falcon instead of the current units that have the hotter 95 nm chips. Its sorta like the time when the original xbox had the overheating power problem, back then the only units that were safe were the one's made from Nov - Dec of that year, so I have a feeling MS will roll out those units around that time.

[Gerard @ Aug 24th 2007 4:10PM]

I'll stick with my Playstation 3, it has so many more games, and Final Fantasy 13 is coming out on it :)

It's more stylish too
http://www.pixideal.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=3242&category_id=96&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=165

[Thomas @ Aug 24th 2007 4:31PM]

Thank you for adding such a poignant comment to the discussion...jackass.

[timatl @ Aug 24th 2007 4:44PM]

i know you didn't just say the ps3 has more games than the 360. especially quality games. It is only one place that you can get Gears of War, Halo 3, BioShock and GTA4, the 360 baby. end of convo.

[zerosozha @ Aug 24th 2007 9:09PM]

Actually, GTA4 is on PS3 as well.
Not to mention MGS4, GT5, and FFXIII.
I'm not a PS3 fanboy, I just get tired of people trashing it.
How long did it take for the 360 to get Gears of War?
A year?
How long has the PS3 been out? Less than a year?
Do you see where I'm going with this?

[DAZA @ Aug 25th 2007 4:45AM]

You get exclusive content on the Xbox 360 with GTA4 though. I'd probably go with the Xbox.

[ellisfan @ Aug 24th 2007 5:39PM]

Incidentally I noticed this earlier as well while looking for the wireless steering wheel but figured it was old news.

[Ryan @ Aug 24th 2007 6:49PM]

Why is this even a story? This may very well be the most obvious website typo I've seen anyone be confused about. The picture is of a premium, the price is of a premium, it's a premium!

[Tyler S @ Aug 26th 2007 6:05AM]

just may have to wait and me one of these

[YSR @ Aug 26th 2007 12:10PM]

i got my new 360 premium from best buy in chicago and have not had any issues so far. and i have been playin madden and bio shock non stop. the price cut and hdmi input was just what i needed to make it a must buy!
cheers

[LuisOnline @ Aug 27th 2007 12:28PM]

Hey everyone, I have been checking out the best buys and circuit city's in my area and if you look at the top or back that says what is included in the box, it says HDMI output.

Check them out they have been out for about 2 weeks now.

[Shmoe @ Sep 8th 2007 10:03AM]

With the Premium now having HDMI, what's the point of the Elite now? Black paint?

(they all need gigabit ethernet by the way)

[Jonathan Keim @ Aug 24th 2007 2:50PM]

Why would the Xbox 360 need more than 100 mbs...

[jman315 @ Aug 24th 2007 3:08PM]

black paint and hard drive size

[Owen V @ Aug 24th 2007 3:01PM]

@john hd video streaming from the computer

[Alex @ Aug 24th 2007 3:20PM]

More hard drive space? Still, what's the point, you can add more storage yourself, right?

[Josh Warner @ Aug 24th 2007 3:33PM]

Maybe the "Premium" is going to be renamed the Core version, since the Core is all but discontinued now? It's either that or another BB screwup.

[jakep_82 @ Aug 24th 2007 3:56PM]

@Owen V

Current HDTV streams from broadcasters top out at about 19Mbps. So unless you're streaming 5 HD recordings simulataneously, gigabit ethernet is unnecessary.

[rickane58 @ Aug 25th 2007 4:03AM]

I think what owen is talking about is streaming HD Video saved on the computer. I know all my video won't play without skipping or a long (i.e. 20 minute) buffer period. Then again, i am using a wireless netwrok, and yes i now im an idiot.