BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Microsoft's Xbox 360 Elite, a new version of the popular video game console with 120GB Elite HDD will be on sale in the U.S. and Canada this Sunday at the price of 479.99 U.S. dollars.

The Elite version has two major benefits in comparison to the original Xbox 360: a 120GB HDD HDMI port (with bundled cable), the company said Friday. The former will obviously provide live users with far greater storage potential while the latter will enable the console to output in 1080p (it was previously limited to 1080i).

Microsoft has made an effort to expand the Xbox 360's capabilities beyond gaming by adding features that make it an alternative to devices like the Apple TV. It can play regular DVDs and a 199.99 dollars add-on accessory also let it play HD DVDs.

It can store music ripped from audio CDs or digital photos, and connects to a Windows XP-based PC to enable users to stream digital content between thecomputer andentertainment system.

Some gamers have criticized Microsoft's decision to leave out built-in wireless networking on the Xbox 360 Elite, a capability included with the less-expensive Nintendo Wii. Instead, Microsoft offers a wireless networking adapter as a 99.99 dollars accessory. A 299 dollars Core console, which eschews a hard drive all together, remains available as an option.

By all accounts the Elite is no quieter than the original, probably due to the cooling fans still needing to kick in at the same time and DVD drive having not improved despite the change of manufacturer.

In sum, the role of the Elite appears primarily to drag attention away from the PS3 and with 120GB HDD upgrades being made available for existing 360 owners (179 dollars) there is little need to splash out on a whole new machine.

That said, if you have yet to take the plunge on a new gen console or simply have a fetish for black it does offer a more compelling alternative to Sony's behemoth.

(Agenices)