MS to release Xbox 360 with HD-DVD in 2006

[Dave Baumann]

In many ways Xenos will still be a superior graphics processor to R580, IMO, especially for a closed box environment. Still, delaying into next year wouldn't have had significant impacts unless they delay it long enough to move to a smaller process; if the timings were such that 90nm was still to be used then I doubt the internals would be very different, all it would have achieved is loosing out on sales while no other next gen systems were around.

 

[one]

It's

I fail to understand why there is an issue of trust or brand image here - they already offer multiple SKU's (Core / Premium) and if that continues to be the trend then I see no harm in offer an "HD" version with more "value add features" in the long term.

As for downplaying the HD media, I seem to remember them making fairly sane comments about the fact that it was being released before the formats were ready, so they couldn't really ship with one if they wanted to hit this ship date.

The problem is it's too early to disclose this kind of information.

Besides, HD-DVD drive is not a detachable HDD which you can simply add to the Core unit. If they sell HD-DVD drive as an add-on, they may be able to put it in the HDD slot of Xbox 360, but it's too awkward.

Personally I think HD-DVD will vanish so don't really expect MS to release an HD version soon, but then again, the real problem is the fact that this information has been unleashed in this early phase of the launch just like a reaction to the lukewarm start in Japan.

 

[Bill]

In many ways Xenos will still be a superior graphics processor to R580, IMO, especially for a closed box environment. Still, delaying into next year wouldn't have had significant impacts unless they delay it long enough to move to a smaller process; if the timings were such that 90nm was still to be used then I doubt the internals would be very different, all it would have achieved is loosing out on sales while no other next gen systems were around.

I hope so, but if you gave me a choice based on what I know right now..I'd take R580 in a heartbeat.

 

[Bill]

Here's a scary hypothetical thought..MS says no HDDVD games right?

Well, what if four years later, things are humming along and 90% of the userbase has HDDVD X360's..and a dev says we want to make our game on HDDVD, and MS says "well..ok" Therebey freezing out all us early adaptors.

 

[Eleazar]

I thought that HD-DVD was fully compatible with the current DVD standard. So couldn't all games still be released as one SKU. Also another possibility is that they could use Xbox Live Arcade to sell all Xbox360 games [/speculation].

 

[Dave Baumann]

The problem is it's too early to disclose this kind of information.

Hadn't they already intimated things along these lines though? (really, I don't know, but thats kind of the impression I've always had)

Besides, HD-DVD drive is not a detachable HDD which you can simply add to the Core unit.

No, but then I don't expect it to be. I would still go along the lines of a distinct SKU.

Personally I think HD-DVD will vanish so don't really expect MS to release an HD version soon

Again, I thought they had intimated they would "wait and see" on the particular next gen format - if they do an HD SKU they would be agnostic to what format, just so long as the device can read their current media.

 

[FiggyG]

It'll be fine if they don't release games on HD-DVD. I hope this is just adds to the media aspect of the console, and I'm willing to bet the machine messed up on translating the article too.

 

[Lysander]

Besides, HD-DVD drive is not a detachable HDD which you can simply add to the Core unit. If they sell HD-DVD drive as an add-on, they may be able to put it in the HDD slot of Xbox 360, but it's too awkward.

free replacement of dvd9 unit with hddvd unit?

 

[AlNom]

I thought that HD-DVD was fully compatible with the current DVD standard. So couldn't all games still be released as one SKU.

A dvd drive isn't forwards compatible...

Also another possibility is that they could use Xbox Live Arcade to sell all Xbox360 games [/speculation].

That's a bit much given current internet bandwidth... Personally, I'd rather buy a game and instantly have it.

 

[randycat99]

I think he was just hinting that possibly a DVD layer would be present on HD-DVD game discs, which would serve early DVD-only X360's.

 

[Edge]

That's wrong for two reasons:

1) It's like saying the system was rushed, which makes MS look bad, and
2) Including the next generation FAILED video format is laughable, and makes MS look really stupid if they do that.

Adding HD-DVD for games alienates your current base, and including a video standard that is by almost all accounts going to fail, makes it a useless drive for movies.

Makes no sense, and I think MS is smarter than that. I see a Blu-ray version being released, and doubt Sony can even stop MS from buying Blu-ray drives from Panasonic for example. Blu-ray for movies only, and games will still be DVD-9 throughout the life of the console.

 

[kyleb]

I can't see what the point of that would be. I mean if the game fits on a DVD layer then what would be the point of an HD-DVD layer?

 

[AlNom]

Makes no sense, and I think MS is smarter than that. I see a Blu-ray version being released, and doubt Sony can even stop MS from buying Blu-ray drives from Panasonic for example. Blu-ray for movies only, and games will still be DVD-9 throughout the life of the console.

Don't you think MS supporting a Sony designed format makes them "look stupid"

 

[scooby_dooby]

I don't see them even bothering with thinking about this until 2007-2008.

Dave, personally I took their comments about "being flexible" to just be standard PR comments. Console companies typically say they "may" do things but never do.

I wonder how long until the official retraction...

 

[Edge]

Don't you think MS supporting a Sony designed format makes them "look stupid"

About as stupid as Sony supporting DVD in the PS2, which is largely owned by Toshiba, and about as stupid as Sony supporting Microsoft's video codec for Blu-ray, and as stupid as Sony installing Windows XP on the PC's they sell.

If you think HD-DVD is the way to go, then I agree with you. I love to see Microsoft shoot themselves in the foot.

 

[winstonsmith1978]

When would Microsoft even reveal such a feature?

As soon as they reveal HD-DVD, people will stop buying 360's with DVD drives, making the early launch worthless or a huge negative in the eye's of the consumer.

and if they wait to long to introduce HD-DVD, it'll be to late. It probably is already to late.

Microsoft is caught in the middle and i don't think they will invest in an already dead format. I don't see this happening.

 

[BlueTsunami]

With this news it would make people stop and think about their 360 purchase (the knowledgable buyer). I'm sure the general consumer doesn't even understand what this means and how it would effect them but nonetheless, I think its a poor decision if this encompasses Games.

 

[AlNom]

About as stupid as Sony supporting DVD in the PS2, which is largely owned by Toshiba, and about as stupid as Sony supporting Microsoft's video codec for Blu-ray, and as stupid as Sony installing Windows XP on the PC's they sell.

Well, Toshiba isn't exactly competing with a console of their own. How many people will know about a video codec? It won't be as big of a marketed feature as BRD versus HDDVD. Plus, you're comparing a fundamental hardware difference to a software implementation that can be used in either drive. PC's are an entirely different market.

If you think HD-DVD is the way to go, then I agree with you. I love to see Microsoft shoot themselves in the foot.

er... I think you need to calm down.

 

[randycat99]

It almost makes more sense for them to announce support for an HVD equipped sku, rather than HD-DVD.

 

[Bill]

If X360 is more powerful than PS3, then it'll win the next gen console wars.

And if it had HDDVD, then HDDVD would win.

All highly speculative. I dont think Blu-Ray or HDDVD are even ready, nor do I think MS is really doing this.