Microsoft Ejects Xbox 360 HD DVD Player
Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:24AM EST
See Comments (24)
Redmond has finally ended its silence and officially laid its Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on to rest, just weeks after giving the player a hefty price cut. Now the big question: Is a Blu-ray drive for Microsoft's gaming console in the works?
News of the Xbox 360 HD DVD player's demise comes almost a week after Toshiba, the prime mover behind HD DVD, announced that it would cease production of HD DVD players, a move that essentially ceded the HD format war to Blu-ray. A slew of retailers and movie studios have given up on HD DVD in the past few weeks, and while there was little doubt that Microsoft would also throw in the towel, the software giant (and major HD DVD backer) kept mum on its HD DVD plans until Saturday.
About 300,000 gamers (including yours truly) own the Xbox 360 HD DVD player, according to the AP. Microsoft promised that it would continue to honor the warranty on the deck.
Of course, the news threw gas on a long-simmering Xbox 360 rumor: that a Blu-ray player for the console (or even a 360 with built-in Blu-ray) might be on tap. Naturally, Microsoft hasn't confirmed anything at this point, although company execs haven't ruled out the possibility, either.
Personally, I think there's at least a 50-50 chance that we'll see an Xbox 360 Blu-ray player before the year is out. Why? Because the Blu-ray-equipped PlayStation 3 isn't a joke anymore—sales are surging, and the PS3 actually moved more consoles than the Xbox 360 in January. A reasonably-priced Blu-ray add-on for the Xbox 360 would be a way for Microsoft to fend off the resurgent PS3, at least in the high-def arena. And were it to sell for $180 or less, I'd buy one.
So Xbox 360 owners, what do you think: Would you buy an add-on Blu-ray player for the console? Or how about a 360 with built-in Blu-ray?
Update: CNET is reporting that the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive is on sale for $50 at Best Buy... if you still really, really want one.
Related: Microsoft pulls plug on HD DVD [AP, via Yahoo! News]
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Comments on Microsoft Ejects Xbox 360 HD DVD Player
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7 Posted by mcglade16 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:13PM EDT Report Abuse
I already bought the HD-DVD player, i will not spend more money on another add-on. I would like to see Microsoft compensate those loyal customers who spend the 200 dollars on the HD-DVD because the price is now $50!!!! If i had waited a month i could have bought 4 of them! I really hope Microsoft does not leave its 300,000+ supporters out to dry....
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8 Posted by db8miniguy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:38PM EDT Report Abuse
If XBOX starts using Blu-ray, the price of their systems will go up about $100-$150. Sony will try to charge as much as they can for it. Looks like Sony is going to get the best of Microsoft.
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9 Posted by jeff.sligh on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:31PM EDT Report Abuse
A decent Blu-Ray player is about $300, why would I buy that when I can buy a PS3 for a $400 and have Blu-Ray and a sweet gaming consoled. I own and love my 360, but I bought a PS3 as my Blu-Ray and now I can play Haze. Win-Win situation!!
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10 Posted by somebodys_here on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:32PM EDT Report Abuse
For around $250 you can get a nice BD-R combo drive for your PC... I could have fun with one of those.
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11 Posted by kyleisthebest on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:55PM EDT Report Abuse
if they make an internal bluray version for the 360 they could never make a bluray game because of older version 360s. unless they made the games in DVD and bluray witch is just dumb
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12 Posted by enj68iou12001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:55PM EDT Report Abuse
Ok bluray on 360 is a nice idea but I am willing to bet that the only way that will happen is with an ad-on do to the fact that if 360 put bluray in the console it would pretty much be a ps3 made by Microsoft. That and let us not forget that we are in a next-gen game war why would sony agree to do anything to help Microsoft. In think there may be a good chance that we will see an add-on but it actually being in the 360 I doubt. But then again i could be wrong just my opinion.
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13 Posted by jjkunnat on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:35PM EDT Report Abuse
I actually bought an HD-DVD add on under the impression that if HD lost, MS had made a committment to immediately develop a blu-ray add on (this is what the sales guy told me when i bought it). Well, it's finally happened and it looks like MS is good on its promise...BUT...I don't know whether it's even worth wasting money on blu-ray when the technology will maybe be around for another 5-10 years. I think MS is the smartest developer in the industry, seeing past blu-ray and investing droves of cash in marketplace downloads of high-def movies, and providing the space for it with it's 120 gig harddrive. would u pay $30 for a blu-ray disc, or half that cash for a download? If it's me, I choose the download, same amount of time as going to BestBuy to pick up a movie, but no lines ... at least I don't pay $180 for something that's gonna be obsolete in a couple of years and MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE TWICE.
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14 Posted by hipnjive on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:19PM EDT Report Abuse
i would buy it biult in wit the system
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15 Posted by hipnjive on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:19PM EDT Report Abuse
i would buy it biult in wit the system
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16 Posted by cgrsngns261 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:21PM EDT Report Abuse
I agree with most of the commentors here. I wouldn't buy a Blu-ray add-on either. If I wanted it in my console bad enough, I'd upgrade to a console with Blu-ray already on it. Since I'm a n00b when it comes to Blu-ray and not much of a PS fan, I'll wait until the 360 has one.
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17 Posted by mikebreedyk@rogers.com on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:19PM EDT Report Abuse
Microsoft must come out with a 360 with built in Blu-ray. For a supposedyl cutting edge High Tech company they've really dropped the ball with the 360, in my opinion anyway. First of all there's the red ring of death. Then they force you to buy an add on HD player simply to make an extra buck and to clutter up your living room. With the amazing bigness of the 360 there's no reason the player shouldn't be built in. And if it had been the format war might have turned out different. And come on, spending an extra $100 for a wireless adapter. Wireless is pretty much the standard for everything. . . except Microsoft's XBOX 360, go figure. Come on Microsoft, give us something that we can be proud to spend our $400 on.
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18 Posted by tony07306 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:16PM EDT Report Abuse
Microsoft needs to make the elite with a built-in blu-ray player and sell an add on for those who already own a 360 and are not looking to spend much. They need to hurry up and seal the deal with Netflix also!
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19 Posted by hackbeezie on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:15PM EDT Report Abuse
I am a owner of both the 360 with HD add on and a PS3 so i don't need to get a blu-ray player for the 360. It would be just another waste of money.... Good thing microsoft didn't have a built in HD DVD player LOL. They would be hating life right now.
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20 Posted by youngdudect on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:57PM EDT Report Abuse
Well i wouldnt want to buy another 360 just for the blu-ray if the games werent on the blu ray disc. if they did make a stannd alone blu-ray drive, the games should be made in Blu ray also so that there could be more put on the games themselves, and then maybe be able to stream the game through the 360 to play ya know?
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21 Posted by xxdemonxx@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:53PM EDT Report Abuse
I haven't invested in either the blu ray or the HD player. Why? because eventually the prices will go down for either one. So... now blu ray wins over HD, will I buy a blu ray add on for the 360 if they make one? No, I wouldn't because if they sell it for more than 150 for an add-on, you might as well go all the way and spend 500 bucks for a PS3. And to buy the game Metal Gear Solid 4, the only reason why you would buy the PS3. -MIGHTYDEMON XX
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22 Posted by bkmc916 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:08PM EDT Report Abuse
I bought my 360 to play games, not movies. I'm perfectly fine watching standard DVDs on my LCD TV. Looks great to me.
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23 Posted by azzemean on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:00PM EDT Report Abuse
really what is the point of getting either one right now. the war the seems over but the prices are too high. I just can't see paying 30 dollars for a movie. When are the rental places going to up their stock of movies on blu-ray. And if they do, is the reliabilty and scratch issues on blu-ray going to be cost effective for rental places. Why the big stink on blu-ray when i think hd-dvd is just as good and double sided. I think it is all big business politics and business under the table that is getting the blu-ray to win over hd-dvd.
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24 Posted by mangiare94 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:05PM EDT Report Abuse
i would sell my Xbox 360 and buy the Xbox 360 w/blue ray built in
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6 Posted by blueyesoul1l on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:09PM EDT Report Abuse
360 with built-in Blu-ray?yes i would buy one but ps3 is so much better...so im going to buy one of them...later...