Built in HD-DVD drive?

[partridge]

http://www.t3.co.uk/news/247/games/x...dvd_inside_360

T3 can be a bit "enthisiastic" when it comes to tech news (i.e. they'll print news, even with nothing to back it up) but...

I would be surprised if MS did this, it would introduce a 3rd version of the console at a higher price (but probably lower than the 60gig PS3), and wouldn't it irritate early adopters who had to buy the add on? And of course it still won't support games, even MS wouldn't alienate their entire existing user base!

I don't believe for a moment MS has any interest in HD-DVD other than it being the rival to blu-ray, so while this could be true, I would be surprised; having the add on drive means they can drop it when HD-DVD keels over and dies.

[georgir]

integraded hddvd would reduce the costs compared to two separate components, and would reduce clutter. so it would definitely make sense if hddvd catches on. would make the addon completely pointless though, and you're right it will annoy a lot of early buyers.
if they go for such a new xbox revision, they can finally also make 1080p/i playback possible

but i myself am happy that they will launch a separate addon instead of a whole revised xbox - this way it is easier to get just the addon, and i bet pretty soon after its launch a way to use it as a pc drive will be found

[JTK]

Microsoft to offer Xbox 360 with built-in HD-DVD drive, say makers

A dialogue I had on another forum:

If Microsoft does release a 360 with a built-in HD DVD drive will there still be a way for them to easily connect a BD add-on? It'd be funny if Microsoft were one of the first to release a dual format player.

It would be ironic, but it wouldn't really surprise me, since I personally believe this is all about VC-1 for MS, first and foremost, and formats second.

Keep that back door cracked open, I guess...

[partridge]

I guess when MS launched the 360, they knew it was too early to include a built in HD movie drive. By supporting HD-DVD they can irritate Sony in the short term, but if blu-ray becomes the dominent format they can release an add on BD drive.

That said, the news about a possible built in drive puts that into doubt, it would seem MS are putting their money where their mouth is and showing genuine support for HD-DVD. IF it turns out to be true, and as they haven't even launched their add on, I find it difficult to believe they would bring out a 3rd version of the 360 with one built in anytime soon, if ever.

JTK; I've read your experiences with HD-DVD players, and it wasn't good - what if this add on suffers the same problems? That will kill it dead.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by partridge

JTK; I've read your experiences with HD-DVD players, and it wasn't good - what if this add on suffers the same problems? That will kill it dead.

It will for me, that's for sure.

MS has had QC issues with the 360 since its launch. I myself have a somewhat buggy 360 right now, but I'm tolerating it.

The fact that this is going to be yet another Toshiba drive situation doesn't make me do cartwheels in the street either, but Toshiba is the only HD-DVD hardware vendor anyways. It's their thing.

If this thing happens, hopefully there would be some refinements and improvements made and this thing would perform well enough.

We'll see...



It's funny. I remember a lot of people I knew really were adamant a year ago about this idea that MS would launch a "1.5 or second gen" Xbox 360 to go against the PS3 and they absolutely refused to buy the 360 at launch or in its present form. I never completely ruled that idea out myself.

Maybe those people were right after all...

[partridge]

On the other hand it seems pretty hypocritical of MS to *possibly* be considering this move; weren't they arguing that gamers don't want a movie format pushed on them?

More recently they've argued that the PS3 delays are down to Sony opting to use unproven technology in the console! Right, so HD-DVD is established and fault free, yeah?

Then again, it might be funny to see the more fanatical 360 owners backtracking on why it IS a great idea to have built in HD movie playback in a games console...

[BTBuck1]

Microsoft employees dispute built in HDDVD claim:
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=19684

[Psiweaver]

I will be shocked if they start building in the HD DVD drive at this point because it would mean re engineering the whole system and it frankly wouldn't be worth it.

[Blackraven]

IMO, this is what they should've done since Day 1.

If they wanted to do more and avoid disc-swapping (which is something I personallly hate), then they should've dropped that DVD-7 since early 06.

This is a much better move if they want to compete on all fronts. An external add-on won't do shit and I wouldn't want to spend on such a device that only takes in even more space.

Or if MS is still stubborn, they could just continue using DVD-7 and hope that they will remain at the bottom end of the console wars

[Psiweaver]

they should've could've but ultimately they didn't and they will pay the price in the coming years for it. As they will in the next couple of years be forced to release a new console so as to not seem completely out of date and to not fall behind.

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by Blackraven

IMO, this is what they should've done since Day 1.

If they wanted to do more and avoid disc-swapping (which is something I personallly hate), then they should've dropped that DVD-7 since early 06.

This is a much better move if they want to compete on all fronts. An external add-on won't do shit and I wouldn't want to spend on such a device that only takes in even more space.

Or if MS is still stubborn, they could just continue using DVD-7 and hope that they will remain at the bottom end of the console wars

Agreed, I would have gladly paid $100 mor for my 360 to have HD-DVD or even better blu-ray. Developers like Team Ninja, Starbreeze, etc would have been happier as well.

[Psiweaver]

Yeah most conumers would have gladly paid more for better features as evidenced by the overwhelming sales of premium vs core units. This video game war would be far closer this fall had microsoft included next gen optical format but they didn't and so we shall see them get blown out of hte water this fall.

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by Psiweaver

Yeah most conumers would have gladly paid more for better features as evidenced by the overwhelming sales of premium vs core units. This video game war would be far closer this fall had microsoft included next gen optical format but they didn't and so we shall see them get blown out of hte water this fall.

that's an excellent point and one that goes against much of the xbox360 fanatics raging about the PS3 being too expensive.