Rumor: Xbox 360 w/ built in HDDVD coming soon...

[BigRick]

I cant post the link im on my phone go to N4G.COM and they have the article there

[BTBuck1]

http://n4g.com/News-75565.aspx

DC R1D3R, 18/10/2007 - In some exciting news for HD-DVD fans, Scott Browning, one of the most experienced CE retail marketing executives in Australia, has revealed that Microsoft is preparing to launch a new Xbox 360 console featuring a built in HD-DVD drive. The Marketing Director made the announcement whilst commenting on the shock decision (Which left many Sony execs stunned) of JB HiFi dropping their exclusive support for Blu ray and start selling the Toshiba backed HD DVD. Browning believes that with movie powerhouses such as Paramount, Dreamworks and Universal all firmly behind the HD DVD format, support for the medium will increase and that it's now only a matter of time when Microsoft (who are also in the HD-DVD camp), will release the built in HD-DVD 360 console.

" The fact that movie houses like Paramount are behind the HD-DVD format along with the like of DreamWorks is key. I believe that more content providers will get behind the format and that the likes of Microsoft who are big supporters of the HD DVD format will bring out an Xbox with a built in HD DVD player. This is a given."

Lately, Sony have boasted of their superior Blu-Ray sales ratios when compared to HD-DVD, with many PS3 owners purchasing the discs, with a built in HD-DVD Xbox 360 console, will Microsoft be able to claw back some lost ground in the HD format wars? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.



News source: smarthouse.com

I highly doubt this ever materializes. But we'll see.

[WickyWoo]

Yes they "believe it's only a matter of time"

I don't think they understand the engineering/expense issues behind that. And even if they replace the elite with it, the rest of the consoles will drop faster.

It'd be a custom drive, not one you can swap in (360 drives have custom firmware and read differently).

The fact that they haven't released one yet should tell you all you need to know.

Toshiba paid that Australian firm off, because literally no one in Oz was carrying HD DVD. Too little, too late

[BigRick]

thanks for posting article

[GaS]

MS would have to be desperate for HD-DVD to win for hd drives to come standard in the elite. You couldn't use it for games since most xbox's won't have them and we know they want downloads to become the norm. I don't see it happening.

[GasCat]

Wait for an official news release, this one seems a bit opinionated.
Sony officials were "stunned"? Huh? I did find this though, enjoy:

The result, GfK figures released last month show, is that 85 per cent of high definition disc sales have been Blu-ray titles.

Further, 24 of the top 25 HD disc titles were Blu-ray movies; the only HD DVD title to make the list was 300, which ranked 20th.

From January through to September this year, 81,219 Blu-ray movies were sold in Australia compared to 14,632 HD DVD movies, GfK's Sandra Bayly said.

The main factor driving Blu-ray's penetration in Australia is the Playstation 3, which has a built-in Blu-ray player.

Around 84,000 units of the games console have been sold locally since it launched here in March, and Sony expects its recent $A300 price cut to spur another 84,000 PS3 sales by the end of the year.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 supports HD DVD, but the feature is only enabled through the purchase of a $A249.95 external player. GfK said

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4238588a28.html

[Footloose301]

It is way too late for MS to be putting HD DVD drives in there. If they did it from the get-go like the PS3 then maybe they would have had a chance. Not many people want to go out and spend another $200 on a separate drive that takes up more space, and looks ugly. Besides, I think the HD DVD add-on only puts out 1080i (correct me if im wrong) because it connects to the XBOX360 via mini USB and then my Elite upscales it to 1080P, but it still doesn't look half as good as a Blu-ray. If they put the HD DVD drive inside the XBOX360 then maybe they'd be able to get 1080P and lossless sound....? Who knows. IMHO I think its too late for them.

And if they were half-way intelligent they'd find a way to make it play the 51GB discs they were talking about. But knowing MS they won't do that and then IF those 51GB discs were ever used for movies then people would still have to buy a new player lol.

....Anyways, my new Blu-rays just arrived, time to watch some

[w_tanoto]

plus, there will be some angry xbox fans..... (especially who bought the high-end models)
too late, I say

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by GasCat

Wait for an official news release, this one seems a bit opinionated.
Sony officials were "stunned"? Huh? I did find this though, enjoy:



http://www.stuff.co.nz/4238588a28.html

Stunned at how ridiculous it was...likely Sony did this:

[w_tanoto]

Originally Posted by BTBuck1

http://n4g.com/News-75565.aspx



I highly doubt this ever materializes. But we'll see.

IMO, it's not big deal... they still sell BD. that would be different case if they stopped and changed to hd dvd completely.

""Sony Execs Hit Like "Stung Mullets" After HD DVD Decision""???? exaggerating

[Zyclone]

i think this is a fake article.

[lch]

it will be fun to see how they calculate their 'attached rate'
exclude ps3 and include xbox for player sales ?
include ps3 and exclude xbox for movie sales ?

[jorg]

Originally Posted by GasCat

Wait for an official news release, this one seems a bit opinionated.
Sony officials were "stunned"? Huh? I did find this though, enjoy:



http://www.stuff.co.nz/4238588a28.html

***** slap to hd dvd lmao

[nate4241]

Is this something we need to worry about? I hope this doesn't come out before the holiday season...hopefully the war is over.

http://xboxkings.com/index.php?site=...ID=616&lang=uk

[sj001]

I can't say that this would make too much of an impact at this stage of the game. We also have no idea when it will be released, or even if it's OFFICIAL.

[bhampton]

Yeah,

Soon like in a year.

And they better make it quick because I don't expect HD DUD to last that long.

For the record Xbox isn't something anyone needs to worry about unless they own one. I understand they are a fire hazard.

-Brian

[SNAP]

Probably too little....too late.

[CptGreedle]

It is strange cause it counters what it says. First it says this guy "reveals" that M$ is going to release this, then later it says he speculates that it is a matter of time.
I think he is guessing.
Either way, it has NO PRICE tag on it. If it is as the add-on goes, you can expect it to cost more than a PS3, and who knows if it will even have an HDMI cable?
Plus, it will still NOT have games on HD-DVD, cause then all the existing consoles would not be able to play them.

[w_tanoto]

very late, and believe me, there are several angry xbox fans that want replacement

[kaliraver]

Originally Posted by FFObsessed

To any Blu-Ray Insiders,

There are currently rumours, strong rumours, of Toshiba working with Microsoft on an Xbox Entertainment Box, a 360 with built in HD-DVD. It will be a while, most likely late 08/early 09 but I hope the BDA/Sony are aware of this and maybe are able to counter.

It seems MS will stop at nothing to screw Sony, and if the format war isnt over by that time (which it most likely wont be) this could cause some trouble for Blu-Ray.

I understand the BD Insiders most likely cant comment on this.

Thank you.

I wouldn't worry about it the support for HD-DVD by late next year either will be dismal or will non-existent. Retailers and studios will get tired of supporting the lesser format and will kick HD-DVD to the curb. Also Sony is countering that already with a Blu-Ray drive built into the PS3.