Xbox 360 HD DVD Drive Spotted for Just $80

Microsoft just lowered the official price of the add-on player to $130, and now it's been found online for just $80. Here's the big question, though: Do you really want to invest in a format that's dying on the vine?

Xbox Live's Major Nelson just broke the news that the add-on HD DVD player for the Xbox 360—which originally sold for $200, and then $180—is now officially going for only $130. (The drive was already selling for $130 at Amazon and Toys R Us, as Gina reported in December.) You'll also get a mail-in offer good for six free HD DVD discs (although you must choose from a selection of about 20 movies, and they'll take several weeks to arrive).

That's just the official price drop, mind you. The bloggers at Engadget HD have spotted the add-on drive at Amazon for a mere $80; however, it's already sold out.

Of course, the outlook for HD DVD is looking grim right about now, what with Warner Brothers' recent defection to the Blu-ray camp and plummeting sales of HD DVD players and discs. Indeed, most observers (myself included) now think it's only a matter of time before HD DVD bites the dust.

So, what's the best move then? Are you better off waiting until the format war is officially over? Or is it a good time to swoop in and take advantage of the HD DVD fire sale?

My two cents: If you're a sensible shopper, you're better off waiting it out (the wait shouldn't be too much longer). The 360 HD DVD player may be cheap, but it's destined to be a relic before the year is out. Sooner or later, you'll need to pony up even more for a Blu-ray player to get your HD fix.

But what if you're, say, not so sensible?

I admit, I fall into this camp. If you're just dying for some quick-and-dirty HD action, the $80 player on Amazon (if you can get one) sounds hard to resist—as long as you go into the deal with eyes wide open.

When I bought my Xbox 360 HD DVD player last summer for $180, I knew I might be betting on the wrong side (looks like I was). But I'd been wanting my own HD disc player for some time, and the ride has been worth it.

Would I spend $180 now, given the current state of the format war? No—but I might pay $80, especially given that some top must-see-in-HD movies ("Transformers" among them) are still HD DVD-only.

Related:
Xbox 360 HD DVD Player price drop (now US $129.99) [Major Nelson]
Amazon: $80 Xbox 360 HD DVD player with 6 free HD DVDs and shipping [Engadget HD]