To celebrate the impending release of HALO 3 Microsoft and BUNGIE created a HALO 3 theme XBOX 360 console for the fans. The console is decorated in HALO Green and Orange even though I would have preferred some HALO Art or Graphics of Master Chief and other Spartans but nevertheless the consoles design is SWEET. The console includes a new HALO 3 wired Headset, HALO 3 themed controller, Black Battery (and charge cable) along with HD AV Component cable and Ethernet cable. The biggest feature of the new Console (like the new Premium model) is the addition of HDMI. The Picture quality is improved with the use of HDMI. HDMI yields deeper Blacks, better lighting (picture is a bit darker as it should be) and richer colors. With richer colors and improved lighting I noticed some deeper smoke effects in COD4 BETA along with richer textures. The lingering smoke on the Vacant level is something I NEVER noticed before when using component HD cables.
The bad side of HDMI is that you must have a HDMI Receiver if you want 5.1 Dolby Digital as you cannot use the HDMI cable and HD AV Component Cable pack (which has Optical connector) together because the ports are so close together. If you do not have an HDMI Receiver you may want to reconsider the purchase of any 360 HDMI. Sure you can connect directly to HDTV but you will not be able to take advantage of the superior sound 5.1 delivers (unless your TV has an optical output for pass thru to a receiver). The other bad side to the HALO 3 edition is the 20GB drive. I already have a 120GB drive but the HALO 3 edition hard drive enclosure is painted green and orange where the standard is Grey and silver. To please myself, I opened both enclosures using TORX Screwdriver (voids warranty on both hard drives) and swapped the drives. I now have the 120GB drive inside the HALO 3 edition hard drive enclosure.
If you are a Massive HALO fan (like myself), this version of the console runs 399.00 (50.00 more than the new Premium) and is worth your hard earned CASH.
