Yeah, it doesn't have the built in HD player... but now they still give gamers the CHOICE whether they want to pay for that technology or not. Atleast if you get the new HD for it, it has migration cables to switch everything. Think of it this way, HD for the premium costs $100... and it cost $400... the HD for the elite costs $180 and the system costs $480... I mean, you can try to sell your old HD or something worst case... but I almost did the same thing as you and bought the premium a while back, glad that I waited. And yes, GoD, the elite does amuse me alot, you'll like it