Blu-ray still an option for Microsoft

[BBlue]

Blu-ray still an option for Microsoft

MS consider partnership

* by Luke Guttridge
* 28 january 2008

Marketing person Jeff Bell says Microsoft hasn't ruled out a partnership with Sony over Blu-ray, the chief stating that a deal was possible all along, despite Microsoft offering repeated public support for the rival HD-DVD format. Said format now appears defeated with most major movie studios having now sided with Sony.

The tipping point was Warner Bros' decision to go with the format, sales of Blu-ray also leading the way thanks to the PS3.

"We've been talking to Blu-ray all along because we have the best piece of software in the business, called HDi. It is the backbone that powers interactivity in HD-DVD and we have that available to potentially partner with others," Jeff Bell revealed to US site 1UP.com.

"You never say never. I think we'd like to see how things evolve. Our commitment, however, to HD-DVD is profound and consistent, and we have done very, very well in term of our accessory sales."

MS hasn't ruled out an HD-DVD revival, however, the format still counting a few supporters, although talks with Sony have been ongoing, not least because Sony use Windows on their PC range. Bell calls such partnerships "coopetition," Sony also contributing downloadable content to Microsoft's IPTV service.

Will a Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360 be confirmed in the future? Bell's chatter certainly appears to suggest Microsoft could be engineering just such a scenario.

This article is taken from our sister site Tech.tm.

http://play.tm/story/15759