Xbox 2, what can we expect when it comes?

[Gamester17]

xbox 2/ii/next - what can we expect when it comes?

maybe it's a bit early to start dreaming as it's targeted for spring of 2005 but...

here is what i like to see the "xbox next/ii" feature when it comes out:
- amd or intel (or via) x86 32-bit cpu (maybe even possibly 64-bit if amd) at ? ghz
- graphics based on a derivitive of ati (http://www.ati.com)'s r500 (http://www.google.com/search?q=ati+r500&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&hl=en&meta=), (r420 (http://www.google.com/search?q=ati+r420&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&hl=en&meta=) successor) on pci-express bus
* (capable of anisotropic filtering and fsaa at 60+ fps in every game)
* (supporting directx 10 api, pixel and vertex shader 3.0 or later)
- rgb, svhs & dvi video-out + full 4:3/16:9 progressive & interlaced hdtv support
- duel/quad ddr2** and/or gddr2 memory controllers using memory at ? mhz/ghz
- 4 game ports in the front (based on the usb 2.0 standard)
- 2 expantion ports in the back (based on ieee-1394a/firewire)
- dolby digital ex 7.1 and dts es 7.1 decoder (supporting 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1)
- one 10/100/1000mb rj-45 network port and an expresscard* expantion port for wifi
- dvd-rom via serialata (one that can read all cd/dvd+-r/rw media)
* (replaceable without opening to swap with optional dvd+-r/rw burner)
- one large (silent) single or dual platter 5400rpm hdd via serialata
- place or port for add-on hdd, as option to extend capacity for pvr & media files
- dvd/vcd/svcd/mp3 playback enabled by default without remote control
- upnp (http://www.upnp.com)™ mediarenderer, renderercontrol & mediaserver dcp support
* (play/stream supported media files from upnp devices and vice versa)
- possibility to play supported media files on xbox from pc over network
- digital tv-turner for reciving digital tv & radio, inc tv-guide & weather
- digital pvr to build-in hdd using mpeg-2 codec (maybe via expresscard*)
*(needs a basic editor for port-record edit before burn as dvd-video)
- backward compatible with all xbox (v1.x) games, with enhancing effects
- backlit lcd display on front to play audio-cd's and mp3's with tv off
- build in rf reciver (maybe bluetueth?) for the dvd/pvr-remote control option/s
* (not having to "sacrifice" one of the four gameports being the main idea)
- capable of powering on/off (and reseting) via the controller & remote control

+ maybe make a separate 'xbox plus' model with dual-head graphics for 3d (http://www.geowall.org)***

external size and look:
smaller, lighter + silent (xbox v1.x is noicy) is important, use no fans & maybe 2.5" hdd.
i like size/look of the xbox 2 to be mini-itx styled (http://www.mini-itx.com/) like hush (http://www.hushtechnologies.com/) or tranquil pc (http://www.tranquilpc.co.uk/) mini-itx pc's,
would be great if acoustic output sound of hush (http://www.hushtechnologies.com/press/hushminiitxpcacoustictests.pdf)/tranquilpc (http://www.tranquilpc.co.uk/) mini-itx pc's was mimicked.

official xbox options from microsoft should be:
- adapter to enable pvr if not in by default*
- bigger additional add-on hdd (serialata),
* internal hdd or external via nas (or ndas (http://www.ximeta.com))
- dvd+-r/rw burner as option/replacement
- wifi (802.11a/b/g) network adapter*
- wireless rf dvd/pvr remote control
- wired & wireless-rf game controllers
- wired and wireless-rf lightgun/s
* (plus if support hdtv & plasma)
- xbox live communicator wired
* (if add true voip be a plus too)
- xbox live communicator wireless
- webcamera for use with xbox live
* (also video conferance abilities)
- wired microphone for karaoke (cd+g)
- wireless microphone, also for karaoke

*one or two empty expresscard (http://www.expresscard.org/) ports for optional wifi (802.11a/b/g) and/or pvr adapter/s. expresscard (http://www.expresscard.org/) (formerly named newcard), "faster, smaller expansion card expected to revolutionize desktops. the computer world just got a little smaller. the trade group behind the pc card has released standards for a tinier, faster card that will modernize desktops, miniaturize notebooks and even change the way computers look". (read the full story here (http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/22306.html)). ps! with ati (http://www.ati.com/products/multimedia.html) doing the gpu/chipset the likelihood of pvr functions (http://www.ati.com/products/dtv.html) is now bigger than ever!

**fun fact; ddr2 offers lower power consumption of 1.8 volts compared to ddr's 2.5 volts, which translates into better overall thermal specifications. the new packaging processes of ddr2 will also lower costs. mass-scale production of dd2 is scheduled to start in the first quarter 2004 (micron, samsung, elpida and infineon have already announced ddr2 products), the ddr standards will be ddr400, ddr533 and ddr667.

***3d never made it big commercially in the past but that looks like it will change in the future...
* * *(optional 3d glasses and/or 3d headset would sell today, also 3d lcd (http://news.com.com/2100-1040_3-978499.html)'s, tv (http://www.ddd.com)'s and projector/s (http://www.geowall.org))

what other hw/spec/features would you guys as xbox users realistically like to see?

[Schaap]

that about covers it, but dont let them make it to god damn expensive. not every one is rich or has a sugar daddy

i would like to see some vga output, so i can switch between xbox next and pc

vr could be possible if it doesnt look to stupid...
those blue red glasses arent my favourits

:d

its great to have dreams....

[skierdb526]

here are the specs for the prototype ps3....

specs on the prototype unit,are 2.04 ghz proc,768 mb chip ram,custom
bios,and a 120 gb hd!

video is supported with an nvidia chip set,with some ungodly
configuration..
outputs are s-video,composite,and hd-tv!!!

a relitive works for the company thats making the video outputs. there already in production for the outputs

[alexplicit]

in your dreams gamester...

[Frodo]

my xdk/os wishes for xbox 2

- virtual memory support
- support for dlls
- multi tasking (multiple processes)
- same driver interface as windows xp
- directx9 support
- full directshow support


frodo

[ravemax]

i would prefer a ibm g5 cpu (yes iam a apple junkie).

frodo:
multi tasking (multiple processes)
why multiple processes on a console - multithreading should be enough ?

[windragz]

.net framework and some dashbugs :d
i assume that m$ has learned the lesson about some hw/sw holes. next time will be very hard expecially if the key will be migrated to 4096bits http://www.xboxmediaplayer.de/forums/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[PYSKOYLY]

isnt ibm sony and toshiba creating the next cpu for the ps3... wouldn't it be funny if microsoft use cell technology too... and ravemax the ibm proccessor is going to be the g6... i think its called the 980 and its coming out in 3rd or 4th q of next year... i think

[Torro]

why not just buy an amd athlon64 barebone system? if you want all those specs., then it is possible to get it today.

[Gamester17]

not directly related but interesting if it would be: microsoft tunes in to internet tv

u.s.-based software maker microsoft says it will develop software to deliver standard television over the internet, targeting telecoms operators wanting to expand their business. quotes: "a prototype of the software will be shown next week in a speech by microsoft founder bill gates at itu telecom world 2003 in geneva, one of the world's largest telecoms trade shows." and "ultimately it can be so cheap that it can be built into a dvd player, a personal computer or a gaming platform," graczyk said"

read the entire story here. (http://www.cnn.com/2003/tech/10/09/itu.microsoft.reut/index.html)

[Gamester17]

from doom9.net (http://www.doom9.net) - the definitive dvd backup resource site: i was visiting "itu telecom world (http://www.itu.int/world2003/) fair this weekend and found something interesting at the microsoft booth: in their windows ce section, they had a couple of windows ce.net based devices capable of playing wmv9 video. besides the samsung dvd player with integrated wmv support, they had 7 settop boxes for vod services. most devices used a standard 733 mhz celeron processor which limits their playback capabilities somewhat. in fact, those devices are designed for streams of 1.5 mbit/s or lower, and resolutions up to d1 (720x480/576). prices are as of yet unknown, but the devices should be ready for field trials in q4 2003. they also had a €35'000 hardware real-time wmv9 encoder by tandberg on display, which could be used by vod providers to encode content on the fly. the settop boxes also supported tv playback and interactive services via microsoft tv, which seems to indicate in which direction microsoft is going to conquer the living room."

[Gamester17]

ati's radeon 9100 igp chipset (pre xbox2)
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=12204
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=12289
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=12304

[Gamester17]

gamespot.com (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/news/news_6078043.html) & globetechnology.com (http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/rtgam.20031103.wxbox/bnstory/technology/) reported today that microsoft has announced that ibm will develop the cpu for the next xbox.
this however creates a new questions like, will it be x86 based?, will it be backward compatible with xbox games/software?
edit: update! newsfactor.com (http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/22622.html) has posted an article where gartner analyst martin reynolds speculates that ibm/ms will still use x86

edit: update!: in a other story microsoft and (silicon integrated systems) (http://www.sis.com/news/press/sis_xbox.htm) has announced they have entered into a technology development agreement, under the agreement, sis is developing advanced media input/output technologies for use in future xbox® products and services. general manager of microsoft xbox hardware todd holmdahl, said: "we're integrating sis' cutting edge, media i/o technologies into future products to create innovative xbox products and services that serve the digital entertainment lifestyle.", but no more details was given of what this actually involves.

[Gamester17]

maybe not directly related (or maybe it is? http://www.xboxmediaplayer.de/forums/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif ):

"ati powers world’s first high-definition digital media player"
ati announced today that its xilleon™ 225 chip powers the world's first high-definition digital media player. introduced just last month and now in north american consumer electronic stores, the roku hd1000 connects to any hdtv and provides a high-resolution canvas for digital media such as photos, art, music and dynamic media applications. & "xilleon 225 integrates into a single chip all the processing, graphics, video, audio, and i/o (input and output) capabilities needed in the roku hd1000. included in the xilleon 225 is a 300mhz mips® cpu (central processing unit), dual-hd (high definition) capable mpeg decoder, audio decoder, dual display engine, conditional access, transport demultiplexers, pci (peripheral component interconnect), usb (universal serial bus), and hard disk drive interfaces.", maybe, just maybe microsoft will use this or, a successor or even just the technology from it in xbox2(?), as microsoft already got a deal with ati, who knows, but that is just another speculation.

you can read ati's full press release here (link) (http://www.ati.com/companyinfo/press/2003/4698.html)

[Gamester17]

quote (robbie bach, senior vp of microsoft's home and entertainment division, 4th nov 2003): "xbox isn't at the center of what we do in the home. xbox is critical and vital to what we do in the home, but at the center of the home, we believe is a windows® computer, a media center computer, because at that center you want a place to store all your digital assets. you want to be able to put your photos, your music, your video, and your television recordings. you want something to manage the network and your multiple internet connections. you want that central, multipurpose workhorse that, by the way, can also do a lot of productivity things as well, at the center of what you do in the home. xbox then becomes the device that connects around that to provide great videogame entertainment.
* *
*so windows is at the core of what we do and around that, microsoft sees in the consumer space a set of connected devices. it's quite clear to us that over the next five years wireless networking will be very pervasive in the home. we're already seeing a lot of growth in that marketplace. prices have come down. the technology is improving. installation is easier and people are seeing the benefits of simple things, like being able to get to a printer, and the more exciting benefits of having multiple people on the internet gaming against each other and communications.
* *
*so we think the home is fundamentally a networked environment with a windows computer at the center and a series of devices connected to that windows computer. now, one of those devices could be a tablet pc, it could be a pocket pc, it could be printers, or other intelligent devices. and certainly one of the important ones for us is xbox because of its role in the videogame space and how central videogames and interactive entertainment is to what people do in the home."

you can read the whole article here: http://www.microsoft.com/msft/speech/fy03/bach1104playtime.mspx
a related article on future wmc can be found microsoft preps 'symphony,' 'slalom' media center releases (http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,4248,1395326,00.asp)