Technical problems

Main article: Xbox 360 technical problems
The Xbox 360 is subject to a number of technical problems. Since the console's release in 2005, users have reported concerns over its reliability and failure rate.[149][150][151]

To aid customers with defective consoles, Microsoft has extended the Xbox 360's manufacturer's warranty to three years for hardware failure problems that generate a "General Hardware Failure" error report. A "General Hardware Failure" is recognized by three quadrants of the ring around the power button flashing red. This error is often known as the "Red Ring of Death".[152] In April 2009 the warranty was extended to also cover failures related to the E74 error code.[153] The warranty extension is not granted for any other types of failures that do not generate these specific error codes.

Since these problems surfaced, Microsoft has attempted to modify the console to improve its reliability. Modifications include a reduction in the number, size, and placement of components, the addition of dabs of epoxy on the corners and edges of the CPU and GPU as glue to prevent movement relative to the board during heat expansion,[154] and a second GPU heatsink to dissipate more heat.[155] It is now clear that these modifications have not only been exclusive to consoles repaired by Microsoft but to new consoles as well.[citation needed]

Video Store

On November 6, 2006, Microsoft announced the Xbox Video Marketplace, an exclusive video store accessible through the console. Launched in the United States on November 22, 2006, the first anniversary of the Xbox 360's launch, the service allows users in the United States to download high-definition and standard-definition television shows and movies onto an Xbox 360 console for viewing. With the exception of short clips, content is not currently available for streaming, and must be downloaded. Microsoft has also announced that its Microsoft TV service will add IPTV functionality to the console, giving users the ability to stream 2 simultaneous HD and 2 simultaneous SD channels.[99] Movies are also available for rental. They expire in 14 days after download or at the end of the first 24 hours after the movie has begun playing, whichever comes first. Television episodes can be purchased to own, and are transferable to an unlimited number of consoles. Downloaded files use 5.1 surround audio and are encoded using VC-1 for video at 720p, with a bitrate of 6.8 Mbit/s.[100] Television content is offered from MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Turner Broadcasting, and CBS; and movie content is Warner Bros., Paramount, and Disney, along with other publishers.[101]

After the Spring 2007 update, the following video codecs are supported:

H.264 video support: Up to 15 Mbit/s, Baseline, Main, and High (up to level 4.1) Profiles with 2 channel AAC LC and Main Profiles.
MPEG-4 Part 2 video support: Up to 8 Mbit/s, Simple Profile with 2 channel AAC LC and Main Profiles.
As a late addition to the December Xbox 360 update, 25 movies were added to the European Xbox 360 video market place on the December 11, 2007 and cost 250 Microsoft points for the SD version on the movie and 380 Microsoft points for the HD version of the movie.[102] Xbox Live members in Canada featured the ability to go on the Xbox Live Marketplace as of December 10, 2007 with around 30 movies to be downloaded for the same amount of Microsoft Points.

On May 26, 2009 Microsoft announced the future release of the Zune HD (in the fall of 2009), the next addition to the Zune product range. This is of an impact on the Xbox Live Video Store as it was also announced that the Zune Video Marketplace and the Xbox Live Video Store will be merged to form the Zune Marketplace, which will be arriving on Xbox Live in 7 countries initially, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Italy, Germany, Ireland and Spain.[103] Further details will be released at the Microsoft press conference at E3 2009.

Software

Dashboard
See also: Xbox 360 System Software
The Xbox 360's original graphical user interface was the Xbox 360 Dashboard; a tabbed interface that featured five "Blades" (formerly four blades), and was designed by AKQA. It could be launched automatically when the console booted without a disc in it, or when the disc tray was ejected, but the user had the option to select what the console does if a game is in the tray on start up, or if inserted when already on. A simplified version of it was also accessible at any time via the Xbox Guide button on the gamepad. This simplified version showed the user's gamercard, Xbox Live messages and friends list. It also allowed for personal and music settings, in addition to voice or video chats, or returning to the Xbox Dashboard from the game.

On November 19, 2008, the Xbox 360's dashboard was changed from the "Blade" interface, to a dashboard reminiscent of that present on the Zune and Windows Media Center, known as the "New Xbox Experience" or NXE.

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 capabilities, adding compatibility for new accessories, and fixing bugs in the software. The latest Dashboard update was made available on November 17, 2009.

New Xbox Experience
Further information: Xbox Live, section "New Xbox Experience"
At E3 2008, at Microsoft's Show, Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg and Marc Whitten announced the new Xbox 360 interface called the "New Xbox Experience" (NXE). The update was intended to ease console menu navigation. Its GUI uses the Twist UI, previously used in Windows Media Center and the Zune. Its new Xbox Guide retains all Dashboard functionality (including the Marketplace browser and disk ejection) and the original "Blade" interface.

The NXE also provides many new features. Users can now install games from disc to the hard drive to play them with reduced load time and less disc drive noise, but each game's disc must remain in the system in order to run. A new, built-in Community system allows the creation of digitized Avatars that can 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.[57]

While previous system updates have been stored on internal memory, the NXE was the first to require a storage device—at least a 128 MB memory card or a hard drive.

Multimedia
The Xbox 360 supports videos in Windows Media Video (WMV) format (including high-definition and PlaysForSure videos), as well as H.264 and MPEG-4 media. The December 2007 dashboard update added support for the playback of MPEG-4 ASP format videos.[58] 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.[59][60] As the Xbox 360 uses a modified version of the UPnP AV protocol,[61] 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).[62]

In the UK the Xbox 360 will be enabled to download and display BT Vision video content.[63] Since 27 October 2009 [64] , UK and Ireland users will also be able to access live and on-demand streams of Sky television programming.[65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72]

XNA community
Main article: Microsoft XNA
XNA Community is a feature whereby Xbox 360 owners can receive community-created games, made with Microsoft XNA Game Studio, from the XNA Creators Club . The games are written, published, and distributed through a community managed portal. XNA Community provides a channel for digital videogame delivery over Xbox Live that can be free of royalties, publishers and licenses.[73][74] XNA game sales, however, did not meet original expectations.[75]

Hardware and accessories

Hardware

Xbox 360 Wireless ControllerMain article: Xbox 360 hardware
The main unit of the Xbox 360 itself has slight double concavity in matte white or black. The official color of the white model is Arctic Chill. 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, with each core capable of simultaneously processing two threads, and can therefore operate on up to six threads at once.[55] Graphics processing is handled by the ATI Xenos, which has 10 MB of eDRAM. Its main memory pool is 512 MB in size.

Accessories
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 (120 GB, 60 GB, and 20 GB), among other items, all of which are styled to match the console.

Project Natal
Main article: Project Natal

The Project Natal sensor device.Project Natal is the code name for a "controller-free gaming and entertainment experience" for the Xbox 360. It was first announced on June 1, 2009 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. The add-on peripheral enables users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without a game controller, but rather through gestures, spoken commands, and/or presented objects and images. Project Natal will be compatible with all existing Xbox 360 models. A release date has yet to be announced, but Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has stated that the technology will be incorporated into a new Xbox 360, which may or may not have new hardware, due for release in 2010.[56]

Special editions

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, a wired headset, a wireless controller, and a Play and Charge Kit. Other than the unique "Spartan green-and-gold" color scheme, exclusive dashboard theme and downloads, and an HDMI port,[45] its features were identical to those of the Xbox 360 system at the time.[46] It is priced at US$399.99 and £279.99 (the original price of the Xbox 360).[47]
To promote The Simpsons Movie, Microsoft created a specially designed, yellow Xbox 360 console.[48] The configuration was based on the Xbox 360 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.[49] 100 consoles were produced in total.[50]
A Resident Evil 5 bundle containing a red Xbox 360 Elite console was released on March 13, 2009.[51] The bundle also contains a red, wireless controller and a black, wired headset.[52]
On September 15, 2009 Microsoft announced a special 250 GB hard disk limited edition version of the Xbox 360 for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The unit is highlighted by special game product branding and includes two wireless controllers and a headset. This was the first Xbox 360 announced to come with a 250 GB hard drive.[30]
Holiday bundles
As with the original Xbox, Microsoft has continued bundling two video game titles in console retail packaging during the holiday season. In Holiday 2007, Xbox 360 Pro and Elite packages were bundled with Forza Motorsport 2 and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.[53] In the UK and the Netherlands, Forza Motorsport 2 was bundled with Viva Piñata.[54] Holiday 2008 Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Elite packages were bundled with Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures and Kung Fu Panda, while Arcade consoles were bundled with Sega Superstars Tennis.[23] Holiday 2009 packages include an Elite console, LEGO Batman, and Pure. Another package includes a 250 GB hard drive, 2 controllers, and Modern Warfare 2.

Comparison of features

Information is based on current specifications for standard packages. Older or holiday packages may differ from current configurations.

Model Storage HDMI Appearance Accessories/Bundled Items Suggested Retail Price First Available In Prod.
Elite 250 GB HDD[a] Yes Matte black
Chrome disc drive
2 wireless controllers
Ethernet cable
Xbox 360 Headset
Composite video cable[b] $399.99
£249.99 October 23, 2009 Yes
120 GB HDD Wireless controller
Ethernet cable
Xbox 360 Headset
Composite video cable[b][39]
(Hybrid video cable[c], HDMI cable and audio dongle[d] incl. prior to September 2009) $299.99$329.99
£199.99€299.99
¥29,800$549.00
[40][41][42] April 29, 2007 Yes
Arcade 512 MB[19] onboard Yes All matte white Wireless controller
Composite video cable[b] [43]
Xbox Live Arcade compilation disc[e] $199.99$229.99
£159.99€179.99
¥19,800$299.00
[25][42] June 2009 Yes
256 MB[20] onboard December 2008 No
256 MB memory unit October 23, 2007
Pro 60 GB HDD Yes Matte white
Chrome disc drive Wireless controller
Ethernet cable
Xbox 360 Headset[f]
Hybrid video cable[c] $249.99$299.99
£169.99€239.99
¥29,800$399.00
[42] August 1, 2008 No
20 GB HDD After 2007 November 22, 2005 No
Core None No All matte white Wired controller
Composite video cable[b] $279.99
£199.99
¥27,800 November 22, 2005 No

Retail configurations & Models

Current models
The Xbox 360 is currently available in two standard variants; the "Xbox 360 Arcade" and the "Xbox 360 Elite."[12] A discontinued SKU, the "Xbox 360 Core," was replaced by the "Xbox 360 Arcade" in October 2007.[13] The 60 GB version of the Xbox 360 Pro was released on August 1, 2008. At launch, the Xbox 360 was available in two configurations: the "Xbox 360" 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 Xbox 360 version included a cut-down version of the Media Remote as a promotion. The Elite package was launched later at US$479. The Pro package was discontinued and marked down to US$249 on August 28, 2009 to be sold until stock ran out, while the Elite was also marked down in price to US$299.[14][15]

Xbox 360 Arcade
The Xbox 360 Arcade[16] is the entry level for the Xbox 360. On October 23, 2007, it replaced the "Xbox 360 Core" and maintained the price of $279.99.[17] It was publicly revealed (though it was available in stores far earlier)[16] by Microsoft's president of Entertainment Devices division Robbie Bach to the Financial Times on October 18, 2007,[18] and officially announced on October 22, 2007.[13] It includes a wireless controller, composite AV cable, HDMI 1.2 output, an internal 512 MB[19] memory chip (units released prior to summer 2009 had 256 MB internal memory[20] while those prior to fall 2008 included a 256 MB memory unit), and 5 Xbox Live Arcade titles:[21] 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.[22] Like its predecessor the "Core" it does not include a hard disk drive, which is required for Xbox software backwards compatibility. Holiday 2008 consoles were bundled with Sega Superstars Tennis.[23] With the September 4, 2008 price cuts, the Arcade fell from $279 to $199.[24] In the UK, with the 2009 Elite price drop and discontinuation of the "Premium" Pro bundle, the Arcade price rose from £129.99 to £159.99[25]

Xbox 360 Elite
The Xbox 360 Elite is the second most expensive variation of the console. It includes a 120 GB hard drive and a matte black finish. The Elite retail package also includes a controller and headset that match the system's black finish.[26] The initial release price was $479.99 USD,[27] C$549.99,[27] £299.99, and AU$729.95. The Elite was released in North America on April 29, 2007,[28] Europe on August 24, 2007, and Australia on August 30, 2007. Early Elite models shipped using the Zephyr motherboard, though later models used the Falcon 65 nm 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. As of 2009, Elite models using the Jasper chipset have become available; these are identified by a 12.1V power supply. Holiday 2008 consoles were bundled with Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures and Kung Fu Panda.[23] The Elite's price tag was cut from $449 to $399 on September 4, 2008.[14][15] It currently sells at $299.99 USD.

The Xbox 360 Elite has also been configured with a 250 GB hard disk drive and 2 wireless controllers on special limited editions of the console. The 250 GB Elite retails at US$399.99, UK£249.99 and AU$599.00[29] as of 10 November 2009. A Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 bundle includes a special limited edition console design and a flat black finish. The other bundle will include a standard Elite finish and the game Forza Motorsport 3[30][31]

Discontinued models
Xbox 360 Core
The Xbox 360 Core[32] was an entry level Xbox 360. The SKU was later replaced with the "Arcade". It was not originally available in Japan, but was later released on November 2, 2006.[33] The Core system came bundled with composite video cables, capable of only SDTV resolutions. It was however capable of the same HDTV resolutions (up to 1080i) as the other models when connected to a separately sold Component cable. In October 2006, 1080p support was added for all models in a system update[34], including the "Core" using either the component cable, or the new VGA cable (although 1080p via component was not widely supported by televisions). It may also utilize a separately sold Xbox 360 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.
Xbox 360 Pro / Xbox 360 Premium
The Xbox 360 Pro[35] (sometimes referred to as Premium and packaged as simply Xbox 360 with the subheading "Go Pro") included all the features of the Xbox 360 Arcade and included a hybrid composite and component cable with optional optical out instead of a composite cable. This model also included a detachable Hard Disk Drive (initially 20 GB, while later models had 60 GB) to store downloaded content, provide compatibility with original Xbox games, and store game data. The included hard drive came 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 this package did include an HDMI output, it did not come with an HDMI cable.[36][37] 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.[38] On August 1, 2008, the 20 GB version was discontinued and was replaced by a 60 GB HDD model at the same price. Holiday 2008 consoles were bundled with Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures and Kung Fu Panda.[23] Price cuts that took effect on September 4, 2008 reduced the price from $349 to $299.[24] The Xbox 360 Pro will, following its discontinuation, retail for $249.99 until it sells out.