Microsoft dismisses HD DVD 360 (again)
Despite a very hard company line that HD DVD will never be used as a gaming format on the Xbox 360, and that there are no plans to integrate an HD DVD drive into the 360, the rumors just keep popping up. From the Xbox 360 Ultimate to the Frankensteinian Toshiba nightmare with every media connection, dock, port, and function imaginable, it just won't go away. It's probably about time to heap a fresh reiteration of the company line onto the pile then. Speaking to Home Media Magazine, Microsoft's Kevin Collins rehashed that there were no plans to bundle an HD-DVD drive with the Xbox 360. Collins noted that Microsoft "believes that gamers are first and foremost gamers," and that market statistics bear out that gamers use their consoles for gaming, not movies. He says that including an HD drive would inflate the Xbox price, making it too expensive. He takes this opportunity to jab Sony saying, "If bundling an HD optical drive in a game console is such a smart idea, then why is the PS3 so far behind on sales targets?" Finally, he notes that UMD sales for the PSP declined as more compelling games were released, and he expects a similar chain of events for the Playstation 3. In other words, Playstation 3 owners are purchasing Blu-Ray movies because there aren't enough quality games available, no necessarily because they are crazy about Blu-Ray.
So, in brief, no HD-DVD 360 for you.
[Via High-Def Digest]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mudvayne_nothin @ Nov 8th 2007 2:50PM
Good, at least Microsoft is focusing on the most important thing, and that is GAMES. Movies are cool too, but not needed when there's bad ass games out for 360.
PeacefulOutrage @ Nov 8th 2007 2:54PM
That is a logical explaination, and the 360 HD-DVD hybrid system would be 3rd party anyway, if it is released.
TORO @ Nov 8th 2007 3:00PM
I bet you that in 1 or 2 years, this will change and they'll HAVE to integrate HD games somehow. Only so much the current Hardware can output!
Morgon @ Nov 8th 2007 3:07PM
Of course, Microsoft said similar things about HDMI.
TURNERSVILLE @ Nov 8th 2007 3:30PM
My guess is that the xbox 360 will become a platform that other companies will add features too such as a HD-DVD drive (Toshiba) or an media extender package with pc like features (HP) or DVR/IPTV functions (AT&T). So Micorsoft will just sit back and finally let another company worry about hardware quality.
DeadPlasmaCell @ Nov 8th 2007 3:30PM
@ Morgon
Exactly.. Most of the time when MS denies something, it turns out to be true and usually announced soon after... Usually.
Deezul @ Nov 8th 2007 3:32PM
MS never said "No HDMI on the 360." What they said was they would update the console if gamers wanted the features or the market looked like it wanted it. Well, the people spoke, and MS responded. It helped that tossing HDMI in didn't add to the cost of the console either. But putting an HD-DVD drive in would most definitely run up the cost, and the moment it's in there, some game company will ask if they can put a game on an HD-DVD disc instead of DVD.
ccc @ Nov 8th 2007 3:34PM
* Not *
Van Faulk @ Nov 8th 2007 3:49PM
As a ps3 gamer, i object to the idea that all we are using the system for is bluray movies.
I'm using mine as a ps2. or I would, if it could play any ps2 game worth a damn. I'm using mine as a Ps1 i guess.
Eddie @ Nov 8th 2007 3:55PM
Oh, c'mon Microsoft. You know you want to!
What? No means no?
Are you suuuure?
I mean, look at the way you're presenting yourself, your HDVD drive sticking out like that... you're just begging for someone to integrate you!
c4v3man @ Nov 8th 2007 4:13PM
Good thing that Microsoft feels that consoles are used for games, and not for movies. Maybe this means that we'll unclutter the live marketplace by getting rid of all the movies...
Dadidito @ Nov 8th 2007 4:16PM
@10 dont know if I should admit your comment was original being its over NOT PC-ness. :)
Deezul @ Nov 8th 2007 4:35PM
c43vman - But putting Movies for download on Live doesn't increase the cost of the console by putting in a video playback method that could be obsolete. If I had more time to watch movies and TV, I'd be all over downloading Live movies. No trip to Blockbuster or waiting for the movie to be shipped by Netflix.
Edge @ Nov 8th 2007 5:08PM
I don't get why people assume that Microsoft has to do something just because one of their competitors did. Maybe there is a good reason why they didn't. Like price.
I can download HD movies at my convenience and I have spent a fraction of what I would have spent on a high-def drive. Downloading movies is the sweet spot right now and this format war is going to die away. Microsoft is EXACTLY where they need to be and Sony is developing on their draconian concept of generating value though feature overload.
Strider_J @ Nov 8th 2007 6:18PM
he makes some very good points.
can't help but agree with the guy.
would an integrated HD-DVD drive be nice with the 360? yes. but i would honestly prefer that they focus on games, games, games.
if they lowered the price on the add on drive, or maybe developed a low cost integrated model later on, that'd be cool too.
Aaron @ Nov 8th 2007 7:31PM
The price of the Toshiba player has already broken the $100 barrier so these drives appear to be getting cheaper by the day; thus, it's not inconceivable that MS may eventually integrate the drive. They are smart to wait until it becomes more of a commodity.
tiremfej @ Nov 8th 2007 7:33PM
Since the inception of DVD's I have never owned a stand alone player. I had a Gateway Destination system with the first PC-DVD out, which I used until I got my Xbox. My 360 has been my DVD player of choice and yesterday it became my HD-DVD player of choice.
I don't know where that comment is coming from, no one uses the system for movies.
I'm a minimalist if I can have one machine do it all ie: the 360 then that's what is best for me.
On the other hand trumpeting your system as a movie player can do a bit to distract the sole focus of gaming and the edge to the living room. So maybe MS has a good grasp on things afterall.
I do have to say I've never owned a component CD player either, that started with the Sega Saturn. My MP3 player usage has gone done quite a bit as well thanks to Media Center and Media Connect on the 360. Hell, with Media Center and XM I don't even listen to FM or AM at home. The little white box is a gem, and I'd hate to part with it!
Titty Pink @ Nov 8th 2007 8:01PM
How does MS concentrating on an internal HD drive take away from concentration on games? Its totally seperate departments right? I mean I don't think they would have developers working on this venture would they? It only helps the gamer, as well as the longevity of the system. DVD-9 space will become an issue this generation. I bet if HD-DVD was killing Blu-Ray, they'd be all over this idea. I say put the new SKU out in limited quantities and see how it does. You never know, it could be a hit. The SHOULD have done this with the (snickers) "Elite" 360. It makes more sense than HDMI. At least I can see the benefit of an internal HD drive TODAY.
FrankTheCrank @ Nov 9th 2007 9:36AM
What a douche bag...
PS3 sales are at the same pace as 360 in the first year. Their exactly the same.
http://www.techvat.com/orange-box-takes-the-lead.html
SiGuy @ Nov 9th 2007 11:45AM
Microsoft is going about it the right way, which is not to focus on an intergrated HD-DVD player at this point. MS has been the best at providing what most consumers want and expect from a console which is gaming first and extras second. As for HD content, HD movies are available via download and are increasing in availability by the month. So the need for an intergrated HD drive is not necessary at this point. Now being that this console is a next-gen console that has tremendous power that has not reached its full potential, it is a no-brainer that developers will be creating games that will require more disc storage such as Mass Effect although scaled down to fit the DVD-9 format. After Mass Effect most developers will be creating games with larger content and an integrated HD drive will be inevitable and Microsoft knows that... that will be at least another year to two years from now and by that time the cost will be much lower to intergrate a HD drive and consumers who already own a 360 can always sell their current 360 by that time and upgrade or maybe MS will offer an upgrade at a low price which would be great.. either way the consumer wins and is never forced to buy an overprice console with a drive that has format that is not being exclusively used.
@FrankthCrank:
I don't know about those stats but even if PS3 sales are on par with the 360... there is nothing a true gamer enthusiasts has to benefit by buying a PS3... there is absolutely no must have game out there for the PS3... the 360 is killing PS3 and Wii for games purchased at a console to game ratio. 360 has so many great exclusives already out and due to come out. Those sales for the PS3 are by mostly loyalists sitting and waiting for a good game to come their way... the PS3 truly is an overpriced game console that is not doing well at all... who as a gamer in their right mind would buy a PS3?? what would you be playing that is worth paying all that money for a format that is not even being used at this time.. Sony does not know how to market or strategize toward the future... they screwed up totally with the PS3 (even the PS2)... teh PS2 was successfull only because of its predecesser but it was no where near as good as the Xbox in power, ease of software coding, or features... let's not even begin with online gaming... something Sony is ridiculously and so embarassingly far behind in. How freaking ridiculous does a "next-gen" console look and it does not have a viable worthy online system to compete with such as Xbox Live. Get real there is absolutely no real reason to waste money on a PS3 and that's a fact. Unless you enjoy waiting for movies to come out on Blue-Ray disc.. that is it.
Heffer @ Nov 9th 2007 1:03PM
This is smart PR for Microsoft.
Rumors that an integrated HD DVD Xbox 360 can kill sales during this crucial holiday season. They will lose a handful of potential customers waiting for this hybrid to come out. They have no choice, but to shoot it down the rumor.
This also gives Microsoft a chance to observe the HD format wars. If HD DVD pulls in enough users I guarantee MS begins developing an HD DVD 360 for next holiday season.
MS is playing this perfectly. They'll be adding in an HD DVD player next year--if needed--at a price point low enough where they can maintain their current $279, $349, $399 Sku's.
...or if HD players drop low enough, I can see a $249, $299, $349...oh, the possibilities.
Heffer @ Nov 9th 2007 1:25PM
The more I read into this the more it makes sense. Toshiba lobbyingfor MS's support. They need MS to stay relevant.
With Toshiba's latest price cut each player is worth more as more and more people buy one.
If Toshiba were to convince MS to integrate an HD DVD drive, they have to be willing to take a loss while proving their commitment to getting their format out to the masses.
It makes sense that Toshiba is shooting down this rumor b/c it'll hurt sales of HD DVD players as well as 360 sales. Not a good thing when both have a lot of momentum going into this Christmas.
MY2NADS @ Nov 9th 2007 4:19PM
Well the whole who came out first is like a dx2 edge sword. I know back in the Dreamcast days I got it at launch and the Walmart employee was dissing me because he was sooo sure that the PS2 was 10x better in everything. Well the point is most people usually wait until both console gets released before they buy it. But for the whole it's doing the same is actually pretty sad excuse there's more people who wait then grab the first thing available unless you have either money to burn or must get the latest thing. I was going to get a PS3 later this year (planned from early this year) but after the whole gimping the BC instead of going out and buying the 60GB version I decided to build myself a gaming pc instead. See what I did there I saw what was out, I bought a 360 (came out first and I'm type of person who must get the first of the next gen system minus the 3d0) and waited until PS3 came out and when the timing on when I was planning to buy it wasn't impressed got a computer instead. If PS3 came out first then as much as I hate Sony I'd most likely would've bought one and I still wonder why I even bought PSP... twice (both Fat version). Oh well even MS is pissing me off with their DLC structure on how xbla or purchase must be on the original console and can't undo the license like how itune or most other DRM based can change.
Actually as much the next gen has gone up in visual and audio quality the whole Vista/DLC/DRM/Trojan Blue media/fun but limited control with last gen and feature/TMP - Trusted media protection (where it's like a chip that only allows other of that chip could be able to run on that platform almost like the idea behind HDCP).
It's a tough time for us gamers as whole in the near future and expensive too. May whatever you believe in have mercy on your gamers soul because I dieing a little inside.
Shinobijutsu @ Nov 13th 2007 9:24AM
I pretty much have to agree with #20 about the PS3. I work for a theater design store and we sell PS3's as the lowest cost Blu-Ray player with additional features. Gaming rarely comes up in those conversations. At home we have four xbox 360's connected to different media systems in the house, two Wii's, and one PS3. We play the crap out of the 360 on all kinds of games across the board. The PS3, is a blu-ray player for the theater room. We have games for it that have not seen more than 10 min play time total. By dropping the price of the PS3 and removing BC they further show commitment to the MOVIE industry, not gaming. They may be selling, even close to the sales of the 360 as they were, but you have to look at what's being sold. The 360 is being sold on those margins as a GAMING machine, many people buying the PS3 are doing so for movies, or are past sony fanboys(girls). There are far more dvd players in homes than game machines, so if look at those numbers keeping in mind xbox is gaming, sony is really mostly a blu-ray movie push, then as a gaming maching the PS3 is skydiving without a parachute. Unless Sony finds a way to open a reserve and bring their company full circle on the idea of a game machine it's not going to go well for them in the long run. BTW, in closing, anyone else like the direct ripoff in the PS3 2.00 update of the Sprint marketing campaign. Sony needs to find something of their own for once...