I was just reading a thread by Jaywood and lead me to this topic (which isn't a new idea either)...

IS THERE VALUE IN BUYING THE XB1?

The problem with most people that frequent these forums is that they are true gamers.  They can only think of one thing they want out of their console = Gaming.  M$ has zoomed out and said that if they build a box that hooks to the TV, what else can it do?  It can be a Media center with very little effort.  It can be a fitness trainer/tracker.  It can be a portal to the internet.  It can be a game system.  Voice/Hands Free control for your tv.  It can be a video conferencing set up. It can be a fantasy football heaven.   Etc...  Now, if you were to go buy individual machines or add ons to do these things it could cost well over a thousand in some cases maybe 2 thousand or more.  To me, that is a lot of value for the money.

  The hang up for most gamers in these forums seems to be that they can't seem to accept that if they don't want to use the other features, they don't have to.  Are they paying for them anyway?  In some ways they are($100 price difference from the PS4 or $200 to the WiiU).  But the same happens anytime you buy pretty much anything.  Even the PS4 has things that we don't really need to play games.  Almost everything we buy now has 5 or 6 extra things that it does.  Try to buy a simple can opener...  I look at the PS4 right out of the box and say that it does most of what the XB1 does - gaming, basic internet, some media features(netflix, blu ray,etc..). So I am not saying that the XB1 is the only option, especially if you add on the camera to the PS4.

If you want a gaming only type system, get a steambox.  If you want something a little more, get a WiiU.  If you want a little more, get a PS4.  If you want a little more, get a XB1.  All have different price points and offer slightly different capabilities. 

So, to me it is obvious that the XB1 is well worth the $500 to buy it. 

I think i could do most those things much cheaper

i will absolutely agree that consoles do a lot for the money, a great value.

...but for those that don't specifically want to game i think both ps4 and x1 are far too costly to additional features compared to simple media devices like roku and chromecast or an internet enabled smart TV/blu ray player or more directly integrated platforms to the content they want like comcast's X1.

OK, let's hear the breakdown.

The awesome X1 exclusives provide most of the value I'm looking for. I can't wait for Project Spark, Quantum Break, Sunset Overdrive, and of course Halo!

Add to that a great new controller (with rumble triggers!), the best online experience (Dedicated servers for more games, as well as Smartmatch), and voice/motion control of the UI, and what you've got is an excellent next-gen console with a lot of exclusive features that cater to hardcore gamers and casual gamers alike. That's definitely worth 100 extra dollars and a few extra jaggies on my 3rd-party multiplats.

Media center and internet connection to TV can be achieved with a less than $50 device.

http://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-MK808B-Android-Rockchip-Cortex-A9/dp/B00ALSZNLW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380386161&sr=8-1&keywords=MK808B+Android+Mini+PC+Smart+TV+Stick

http://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Pi-Model-Revision-512MB/dp/B009SQQF9C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380385338&sr=8-1&keywords=raspberry+pi

(are just some examples)

Fitness trainer and tracker will likely be extras (you only get one year for free) so that isn't included in the cost of the system.

I don't see your 1,000 - 2,000+ value in the remainder of what you listed (voice controls, extra phantasy football information, and video conferencing).

Sure the system has a lot of value but you are obviously overstating the value.

I agree that if you look at only the Netflix/youtube angle, then your right.  But drop over to the Jaywood thread about the fitness angle.  In there people have broken down just that angle to be worth $500+ a year.  Each element of these systems will add up to $200-$500+ to be purchased by itself.

So, people that may not look at a gaming system just by itself but wouldn't mind having the capability could buy one of these systems for the alternate purpose and use the gaming too.  Take that to the general public that for the most part has an interest in gaming, but needs these other reasons to justify it to themselves.

A computer does all that with even more value for the price.

Not that I'm knocking the XO.  The real lure of consoles is that they trade in some measure of versatility for simplicity.  The can do less but with less effort and knowledge required.

Still, value is relative.  I wouldn't use most of the features on the XO or the PS4, as I have a PC for that, so the PS4 is the better value, for me, between the two.  For someone who wants all the extra media stuff, wants Kinect, the XO might be the better value.  Depends on the person.

I see a big difference in the Media center as you see it.  A media center has HDMI pass through and allows with IR blaster to control your whole entertainment center(with voice or motion controls no less).  There isn't a $50 device that does that - Probably more in the $300-$1000+.  The Fitness trainer is free the first year and we don't know the cost after that, but the cost could be $500+ if you were to include club charges and a trainer.  High def  video conferencing equipment with good audio/mic systems are $300-$1000+.  Voice controls exist on some tv systems, but you have to buy a whole new $2,000+ tv to get that(and again motion controls too).   On Screen fantasy footbal options are really only available in the US for $300+ through Direct TV, and that is very limited compared to what has been shown. 

I think that most of these features can be purchased on the cheap, but they aren't really comparable in capability.  just remember, they alson get a next gen gaming system Valued at $350+ by itself.

IT has a lot of value, if you value everything it does.