MS to release Xbox 360 with HD-DVD in 2006

[winstonsmith1978]

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.

I agree, if this includes games then the early launch is truelly pointless.

I would imagine that if Microsoft did go this route, they would introduce HD-DVD 1 year from their launch. How many 360's will Microsoft sell in a year?

I would not be happy if i owned one of these 360's. and i repeat, this would render the early launch worthless.

 

[one]

Hmm, it's over? Impress Watch seems to have got a denial comment from MS.

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20051215/ms.htm

According to Microsoft, they did no announcement about the possibility of the HD-DVD model in the US and Japan. Also they commented they have no plan to release such model at the present time. The official PR is yet to come online.

 

[Bill]

I agree, if this includes games then the early launch is truelly pointless.

I would imagine that if Microsoft did go this route, they would introduce HD-DVD 1 year from their launch. How many 360's will Microsoft sell in a year?

I would not be happy if i owned one of these 360's. and i repeat, this would render the early launch worthless.

There's no way they would do that. Only haters seem to wish for it. Just stop. It would be for MOVIE PLAYBACK ONLY.

Besides, DVD's have acquited themselves nicely as having enough storage on the launch games. So I think the advantage of HDDVD games would be fairly minimal, or at least unnecessary anyway, rendering it even more pointless.

 

[one]

BTW here's IGN's take
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/675/675764p1.html

 

[BlueTsunami]

BTW here's IGN's take
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/675/675764p1.html

Reading that (it states the updated model can be out as early as Spring) it seems like its a way for Toshiba and Microsoft to combat PS3 and Blue Ray. If thats the case, then Sony has more of a reason to get out that console around Spring

 

[one]

Reading that (it states the updated model can be out as early as Spring) it seems like its a way for Toshiba and Microsoft to combat PS3 and Blue Ray. If thats the case, then Sony has more of a reason to get out that console around Spring

Maybe a desperate executive in the HD-DVD backers camp leaked it to the press without consulting Microsoft

 

[<nu>faust]

man i still wanna beleive that all these rumours are fabricated crap(even it seen otherwise) ms management can't be this stupid, can they?

 

[BlueTsunami]

Maybe a desperate executive in the HD-DVD backers camp leaked it to the press without consulting Microsoft

It would have to be that, the way this was outed was on an obscure scale. This type of information being out in the open probably doesn't do anything positvie for Microsoft (if they were trying to be secretive). Sony has a few months leeway now, instead of this bombshell being dropped a month or two away from the supposed PS3 release.

 

[dodo3]

If this is true and Microsoft does make yet another SKU for the XBox 360 console, then I would think it'd be a poor decision.
1.) It would confuse consumers more than they already are with the CORE and PREMIUM packages.
2.) It would confuse developers whether or not to release games on HD-DVD or DVD. I mean wouldn't an HD-DVD be cheaper than 2-3 DVDs if multiple DVD games were becoming a problem?
3.) The 1.5 million early adoptors would be pissed.
4.) won't this affect the pricing with an HD-DVD drive?
5.) Media would be ALL OVER IT and again bash anything dealing with the XBOX 360.

 

[Bill]

If this is true and Microsoft does make yet another SKU for the XBox 360 console, then I would think it'd be a poor decision.
1.) It would confuse consumers more than they already are with the CORE and PREMIUM packages.
2.) It would confuse developers whether or not to release games on HD-DVD or DVD. I mean wouldn't an HD-DVD be cheaper than 2-3 DVDs if multiple DVD games were becoming a problem?
3.) The 1.5 million early adoptors would be pissed.
4.) won't this affect the pricing with an HD-DVD drive?
5.) Media would be ALL OVER IT and again bash anything dealing with the XBOX 360.

Mmkay, what part of "for movie playback only" do you not understand?

 

[one]

Another take by IGN
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/675/675855p1.html

MS Responds To HD-DVD Reports
Big fat no.
by Anoop Gantayat

December 14, 2005 - One day after Japanese reports sprung up about the future of HD-DVD and Xbox 360, Microsoft has issued an official response.

Microsoft lists two points in response to the reports claiming that it has, as of the 14th, entered into final development phases with Toshiba and other HD-DVD backers to release an HD-DVD version of the Xbox 360 some time next year after Spring. The first point: "Microsoft, in both America and Japan, has not announced anything regarding the possibility of a next generation DVD drive being placed in the Xbox 360." And the second point: "There are currently no plans to release an Xbox 360 equipped with a next generation DVD player."

While the second point may be true, we'll point out that the first point definitely isn't. Microsoft, both in America and Japan, has made comments regarding HD-DVD appearing in future revisions of the Xbox 360. Whether more specific comments on the matter were shared yesterday with the Japanese press, either in an official context or while everyone was drunk off hot sake, is the question.

 

[Bill]

IGN's previous report stated HDDVD would be movie playback only, as well.

In that context it's a non-issue. Especially since it will cost a lot more (I doubt we'd see HDDVD in core packs for ages)

 

[rabidrabbit]

Doesn't xbox360 already have support for HD-DVD, and Blu-ray too.
All you need is a PC With Windows XP Media Center Edition, and a HD-DVD and/or BR drive
Though, I see little reason to put the xbox360 between your HD Ready display and PC, especially if your PC has digital output for video.
Edit: Come to think of that, would it be possible to stream HD-DVD and BR over WiFi or wired lan via xbox360? Is the HDCP reatained in the transfer?

 

[Doon22]

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)

They did “intimate,â€￾ but that is only a statement of fact. The issue is that choosing to move forward with another SKU and update the system so soon after the release does nothing for customer confidence. I don’t see how that is too mysterious to grasp.

When most people buy a console it is a type of investment. One thinks, “I am confident that this system will have the games and features I want for the long run. I know that this will not be another Dreamcast…â€￾

Consider the analogy: software released too early - in need of a patch… the fans get angry and the early adopters suffer through bugs, freezes etc. Well, the patch comes and finally everyone is pleased – mostly. The lack of foresight and quality control creates mistrust and leads to animosity toward the software maker. The update of hardware so soon after release creates a similar situation except - one cannot patch the hardware!

 

[scooby_dooby]

All you need is a PC With Windows XP Media Center Edition, and a HD-DVD and/or BR drive ?

Or Windows Vista. In 2007-2008 that'll be most everyone, BR drives should be available and less expensive than standalone player, sounds like a good budget solution to me.

 

[Carl B]

Insanity.

 

[rabidrabbit]

Or Windows Vista. In 2007-2008 that'll be most everyone, BR drives should be available and less expensive than standalone player, sounds like a good budget solution to me.

Hmm.. would it be possible to connect the PS3 to a xbox360, to use the xbox360 to stream a BR disc inside PS3
Most likely not, you can't stream video from PSP through xbox360, so chances are slim you'd be able to do that with PS3.

 

[scooby_dooby]

i think the windows conncectivity will pay off i spades for ms, imagine 2008, $99 x360, works with your new Vista PC w/ BR burner. Acts as a free standalone HD player. Buy a capture card, and it acts as a tivo. $99? Not to shabby!

That's why this is such a ridiculous rumour, there's no reason for them to do anything like this.

 

[silhouette]

This makes perfectly sense.. What if Blu-ray wins the high-def dvd race.. Then, MS will have another SKU which is obselete from the beginning.. I think they will wait to see which format wins the war. Then, they will release a new XB360 with the drive that supports the format that becomes dominant. In addition, when you just start to sell a new hardware and then announce a new hardware, nobody would buy the current one. Even if MS has plans for this, they won't announce until the very last moment.

Sony is gambling with blu-ray (though it seems that they have an edge now).. If it works, it will become a win-win for them; It will help them to sell PS3 more, and they also will get royalties from all movies that is relased on that format.. If not, they will have hard time to advertise it as a HD player.

Anyway, probably we will know who is the winner in two years.

 

[Carl B]

i think the windows conncectivity will pay off i spades for ms, imagine 2008, $99 x360, works with your new Vista PC w/ BR burner. Acts as a free standalone HD player. Buy a capture card, and it acts as a tivo. $99? Not to shabby!

That's why this is such a ridiculous rumour, there's no reason for them to do anything like this.

Isn't there an issue though with streaming HD content? I can't keep track of this stuff anymore...

Ah well other than that I agree with you though.