K&AJones

Saw this over at Team Xbox and it appears that HD-DVD could be in the works for the 360 after all but as an optional add-on. There's some details on Sony's problems with the Blue-Ray. I know it's still far off but just the thought that MS is giving it a thought is a plus.

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/10375/...-for-Xbox-360/

I meant to add this about who is on what side of the format war. It's a pretty interesting list of major firms and surprising at that.
http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messa...79/129058.html

Kenny J.

kvrdave

Yeah, I think they've said this for awhile. I think it probably is indicative of the fact that games really don't need as much space as there is on a HD or even a BR disc, but MS doesn't want to "appear" to be behind the times wrt HD, which obviously they aren't because they can do Xbox games in HD.

All for show, I believe.

sracer

If by "all for show" you mean "keep pressure on Sony to include BR on the PS3", then I would agree. That's the REAL motivation behind the announcement, IMO.

BeanDip0001

this has been out there, just to show the hardcore xbox fans that yes sony will probably kill their console again. i'm on the fence about the next two from nintendo and sony, because what sold me on xbox beside halo2 was the fact the control was made for adult hands and no little kid hands, so i can play for hours without hand cramp. oh yeah what was the topic here again????

rbbrbndsmlfnny

strictly for movies, so who cares?
it'll be nicer than buying a 700 dollar player.

BeanDip0001

dont ever say strictly for anything when it comes to microsoft its up to their software people what the hardware devices do, and it seems like they can never make up their mind when it comes to their game systems.

The Bus

Discussed already here a couple of months ago.

Supermallet

Why would Microsoft want to pressure Sony into keeping BR on the PS3? Blu-Ray on the PS3 is bad for Microsoft. Also, they don't need to keep pressure on Sony, as BR on PS3 is part of Sony's plan for home media center dominance.

Qui Gon Jim

BR on PS3 means a higher MSRP which helps MS. There was some speculation that the BR drive was going to be dropped for the sake of cost cutting.

sracer

Qui Gon Jim explained my belief correctly.

Blu-Ray on PS3 is not bad for Microsoft... at least not yet. Because it isn't certain that Blu-Ray will be commercially successful. The greater expense of BR vs. HD (or SD) will translate into higher Vaio (equipped with BR drives) prices and a higher PS3 price. That price differential is going to be a "drag" on sales with no guarantee of success.

By Microsoft not embedding a next-gen DVD drive in the 360, they were able to get the 360 out to market first.... and less expensive. By dangling the possibility of an HD-DVD add-on to the 360, it helps address criticism.

I believe that there are 2 things that are holding Sony back from releasing the PS3. First is that some of the details regarding Blu-Ray are still unresolved. Second, I believe that Sony is having difficulty fitting all of the components inside their "George Foreman grill" console shape.

K&AJones

The thing I like with Microsoft is they're having the drive "optional", With Sony they're wanting it with the PS3 but costs are playing a major role. I don't think they're wanting an optional add-on drive period. I also think with all the backing from several top firms Blu-Ray would be the format a long time ago. I'm sure that any HD drive can benifit developers by freeing up compression on 360 games which would translate in better quality.


Kenny J.

Qui Gon Jim

I don't think they are looking to put games on HD for the 360, just a player for movies.

DJ_Longfellow

Yes, that is all MS has committed too.

joshd2012

It has been hinted on more than one occassion that they may distribute games on HD-DVD. It wouldn't surprise me in the least bit.