Microsoft Xbox 360 slim also know as Xbox 540 coming in 2009: 65 nm GPUs coming August
It is said that the first batch of 65 nm GPUs for the popular Microsoft Xbox 360 are rolling of the production line and that the Xbox 360 consoles using the 65 nm technology is expected to start shipping this August, but what is more important are the rumors of a new refreshed Xbox 360 which is expected to hit in the fall of 2009.
The Xbox 540 will be using the Valhalla processor chip and is believed to be of a system on a chip design which will allow the gaming console to fit into a very slim case. This Xbox 360 is expected to ship with 65 nm package known as the Jasper platform this August and you the consumer will not notice the refresh, well that is unless MS decide to put a what is much needed a Blu-ray drive into the Xbox 360.
There is no obvious confirmation on this but are Asustek subsidiary Pegatron going to manufacture the normal and regular Xbox 360 or units with an integrated Blu-ray drive, this is something to ponder the mind. We do know that Celestica, Pegatron and Wistron will be pretty busy bunnies trying to push out millions of refreshed Xbox 360 consoles.
TSMC are planning on producing the Valhalla chip which will be a dramatic change and of course a visible one at that in where it will be the foundation of the mid-cycle refresh of the Xbox 360 and of course why it is called the Xbox 2.5 or the Xbox 540’ (360+180) in the fall of 2009. We think that TSMC will opt to use a 45 nm process for this Multi-Chip-Module package (CPU+GPU+eDRAM).
Sorry if I am confusing you, to tell you the truth I am confusing myself with all of this and personally I prefer playing games rather than banging on what might be. Another good point to put across whilst I am at it is the fact that Microsoft are shopping around for a more efficient cooling solution which come on is very much needed.
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“unless MS decide to put a what is much needed a Blu-ray drive into the Xbox 360″
Much needed by who?
Nobody’s even buying Blu-Ray movies now the format has won, check the latest sales data most people simply arent interested and people who buy the 360 buy it for games, if you think the 360 should have a Blu-Ray drive then that is just your opinion, it doesn’t reflect what 360 gamers want, all we want is good games and we’re getting those thank you.
The Xbox 360 will never be slim is just near impossible…
Yeah, shame:(. Looks like its not comming!
Ivan, I don’t see why it couldn’t be slim though?
Source: http://counterstrikesource.precision-media.net/extrememodding/?p=104
Check this out from Iomega for Xbox 360 or Playstation 3
Iomega Announces New Media Xporter Drive For Use with Today’s Popular Game Consoles
Media Please Contact:
Chris Romoser, Iomega Corporation, (858) 314-7148 romoser@iomega.com
Analyst/Investors, Please Contact:
Preston Romm, Iomega Corporation, (858) 314-7188
Iomega Announces New Media Xporter Drive For Use with Today’s Popular Game Consoles
***
Innovative Cross-Platform Portable Storage Device Makes It Easy to Enjoy Digital Video, Images and Music in the Living Room Without a PC
SAN DIEGO, April 17, 2008 - Iomega Corporation (NYSE: IOM), a global leader in data protection and security, today announced the new Iomega® Media Xporter™ Drive, a game-oriented portable hard drive that provides cross-platform media storage for Xbox™ 360 and PlayStation® 3 consoles, making it easier than ever to utilize today’s popular game consoles and high definition televisions and other large screen TVs to share photos, videos, and music collections with family and friends.
The wallet-sized USB-powered 160GB* Media Xporter Drive utilizes the USB 2.0 ports on the Xbox 360 or the PlayStation 3 to give gaming enthusiasts a convenient new way to enjoy music, digital movies, and photos through the family game console, without the need of a PC or digital media adapter. The new Iomega Media Xporter Drive has been tested for compatibility with the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 and like other Iomega products is a complete storage solution that includes value-added software for converting file formats not natively supported by the game consoles.
About the Iomega Media Xporter Drive
Because the current Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles support HDMI connections and high-definition television resolutions of up to 1080p, photos and videos stored on the Iomega Media Xporter Drive (and displayed through either game console) take on the breathtaking sharpness and clarity of today’s most advanced HDTV’s.
“The new Iomega Media Xporter Drive extends the value of today’s most popular game consoles that are already evolving into home entertainment centers,” said Ralf San Jose, global product manager for HDD Products, Iomega Corporation. “For the home-gamer enthusiast, the Media Xporter Drive provides an easy-to-use portal for 160GB of family photos, music files and videos to move beyond the computer room and into the family room for the enjoyment of everyone.”
Designed for plug-and-play operation and easy portability, Iomega’s new Media Xporter Drive features a rugged 2.5 inch portable hard drive that requires no external power supply-just connect its USB 2.0 “Y” cable to two available USB 2.0 ports on the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. The Media Xporter drive natively supports PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 compatible formats such as MP3, MPEG-4 and JPEG, and it also comes with video conversion software to convert additional video file formats into compatible game console formats. Prism Video Converter MX software can be downloaded free of cost to convert input files in formats such as QuickTime, AVI, VOB and others, into MPEG-4 files that are playable by the game consoles.
“The new Media Xporter Drive is a total solution from Iomega that includes software to convert most kinds of video formats for use with an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3,” continued San Jose. “That means a game console can run an entire media library, be the family video and photo viewer, not to mention run favorite music playlists. The Iomega Media Xporter Drive makes home entertainment accessible and portable in a way that’s fresh and relevant for today’s home gamer.”
As an added plus, users of the new Media Xporter Drive can not only take their media files wherever they need them, but also use the Media Xporter Drive as a backup solution for 160GB of media files stored on virtually any computer with a USB port. Iomega’s new Media Xporter Drive can carry up to 640,000 photos, over 2,900 hours of music or 240 hours of video.**
About the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 Game Consoles
Microsoft’s Xbox 360™ game console, released worldwide in late 2005, supports HD video output of 720p, 1080i or 1080p with the Xbox 360™ Component HD AV cable (or HDMI cable for HDMI-equipped Xbox 360 units). It has 3 USB 2.0 ports which can be used with the Iomega Media Xporter Drive.
Sony’s PlayStation 3 game console, released in Japan and North America in late 2006, supports video of 1080p, 1080i, 720p, or 480p and 480i either through the built-in HDMI connector or through Sony’s AV Multi cable for component connections. Most models come with 4 USB 2.0 ports (except for the 40GB model which comes with 2 USB 2.0 ports), any of which can be used with the Iomega Media Xporter Drive.
Compatibility
Designed for use with Xbox™ 360 and PlayStation® 3 game consoles, the Iomega® Media Xporter Drive USB 2.0, 160GB is also compatible with Apple computers (Mac® OS X 10.1 and above) and with Microsoft® Windows 2000 Professional or above, including Windows Vista.
Availability and Price
The Iomega® Media Xporter Drive USB 2.0, 160GB is now available in the U.S. for $119.95 (U.S. suggested retail) and in Europe for €99.
About Iomega
Iomega Corporation, headquartered in San Diego, is a worldwide leader in innovative storage and network security solutions for small and mid-sized businesses, consumers and others. The Company has sold more than 400 million digital storage drives and disks since its inception in 1980. Today, Iomega’s product portfolio includes industry leading network attached storage products, external hard drives, and our award-winning removable storage technology, the REV® Backup Drive. OfficeScreen®, Iomega’s managed security services, available in the U.S. and select markets in Europe, provides enterprise quality perimeter security and secure remote network access for SMBs, which help protect small enterprises from data theft and liability. To learn about all of Iomega’s digital storage products and managed services solutions, please go to the Web at http://www.iomega.com. Resellers can visit Iomega at http://www.iomega.com/ipartner.
NOTE: The statements contained in this release regarding development, production and distribution of the Iomega® Media Xporter Drive USB 2.0, 160GB, anticipated product pricing and availability, expected product performance and specifications, future applications for the new product and all other statements that are not purely historical, are forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All such forward looking statements are based upon information available to Iomega as of the date hereof, and Iomega disclaims any intention or obligation to update any such forward looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from current expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the successful completion of product development and testing, market acceptance of, and demand for, the Iomega product, any difficulties encountered in ramping up production or other manufacturing issues, including component availability and pricing, co-development, production, and distribution issues, product pricing and conformity to specifications, dependence upon third party suppliers, competition, intellectual property rights and other risks and uncertainties identified in the reports filed from time to time by Iomega with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Iomega’s Annual Report on Form 10 K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
@ Sam:
If M$ were to UPGRADE to a Blu-Ray drive, then game developers would not be limited to the storage capacity of a DVD. Since HD-DVD is now defunct, this is the next obvious step and will be a big plus for XBOX! I can’t wait!