Xbox 360 HD-DVD player drops to $179, adds five free movies to the mix

by Jared Rea { Jul 26th 2007 at 5:29AM }

Microsoft has announced a price drop for the Xbox 360 HD-DVD player from $199 to $179, effective as of August 1st in North America. Appearing at Comic-Con in San Diego, the announcement was made amidst promotion for the HD-DVD releases of the film 300 and the cheerleader epic, Heroes.

Not content with just a twenty dollar dip, Microsoft has extended Toshiba's "Perfect Offer" promotion to Xbox 360 owners, awarding five free movies with purchase. The hard part now is choosing between Casablanca and The Dukes of Hazzard.

Naturally, the Xbox Live Marketplace wasn't left out in all this news as 300 will be making its way to the service in HD on August 14th, while free content for Heroes will arrive sometime before its HD-DVD release.

[Thanks, Devwi!]

Tags: BreakingNews, hd-dvd, hddvd, pricedrop, XBLM

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

directhex @ Jul 26th 2007 5:58AM

Yet more reason for Europeans to feel hard done by - we still pay £110 ($230) with nothing free, and have no movie or TV content for download either.

Bah.

ssuk @ Jul 26th 2007 8:37AM

£110 is actually a good deal for it. GAME stores sell the thing for £179.99 still, GameStation £99.99 and other places from £130+.
We should still feel shuned though, we have no HD movie-rental-crap for Britain, although when we EVENTUALLY get it (if ever) it'll just be the US store but 5-6 months behind, overpriced to extremes and wont be worth it anyway.

Besides, HD-DVD and BluRay aren't making their presence in the UK noticable. You get the occasional advert saying "ALSO ON BLURAY DISC" but most people you ask wont know what bluray is, most people who bought a PS3 I asked didn't even know it WAS a bluray player, they just thought the games were bluray.
The 360 HD-DVD player isn't pushed by MS much, no adverts for it, no deals in store... But hell, if I can find a HMV or something around me that SOLD Bluray or HD-DVD it may actually account for something.

It's a poor state of afairs here and they wonder why Europe is so pissy towards the gaming industry.

Grant @ Jul 26th 2007 8:57AM

just remember,
you have a lower drinking age,
and most european countries get to enjoy nudity in their street ads.

i think it's a perfectly fair trade off.

mike @ Jul 26th 2007 10:47AM

well hd-dvd is REGION FREE unlike blu-ray, so you can always buy your hd-dvds online and buy the North american releases. If your a blu-ray supporter and not north american or japanese, well then I think its time you look into hd-dvd.

LordPaul @ Jul 26th 2007 2:48PM

to SSUK - Eh??? Every HMV & Virgin & Asda (walmart) & Sainsburys near me sells HD DVD & Blu Ray & I live oop narth!

Also, HD DVD drive is about 100 quid pretty much everywhere now, not that I've got or getting one yet, although I am tempted cos I saw Children of Men in the shop today & it won't play on my PS3

Phranctoast @ Jul 26th 2007 6:02AM

so instead of a waste of money at $199, it could be a waste of money at $179. Congrats.

sidd2600 @ Jul 26th 2007 6:18AM

Remember, this thing works with XP/Vista and Mac fairly easily so it's worth it if you're 360/PC

MegaMan @ Jul 26th 2007 6:24AM

Too bad my 360 is being shipped back for the 3rd time for RROD.

Well, I guess once I get it back I guess I can buy the HD-DVD? But do I really want to?

maylon @ Jul 26th 2007 9:29AM

Why is it that no matter what topic I read about the 360, someone will find a way to squeeze in "RROD"? I know, its all over the net, and yes it has a high failure rate, but for fucks sake give it a rest.

Akiosarin @ Jul 26th 2007 10:15AM

I agree maylon, I think its the same people who bought iPhone....an they suffer from OCD I'll bet xD

Patrick @ Jul 26th 2007 11:17AM

Im not saying this about you in particular, but i bet half the prople who say they have rrod dont even own an xbox 360

ymmv @ Jul 26th 2007 6:24AM

Meh, I've already seen the HD-DVDP in the Netherlands for 150 euro.

Although I'm a Xbox 360 myself and its cheap I'm not getting one, because I just can't see HD-DVD succeeding in the long term. Even though HD-DVD is a great product with great specs, Blu-Ray has just too much support from Hollywood and hardware companies. The studios backing Blu-Ray have 90% of the movie market, HD-DVD about 40-50%. That's a _lot_ of popular movies HD-DVD owners are missing out on. Then there's the fact that HD-DVD is primarily backed by Toshiba and Microsoft, while Blu-Ray is backed by Sony, Samsung, Sharp, Pioneer, Panasonic, Philips and now also Denon.

I'm going to keep that 150 euro and invest it in a PS3 when the price drops so I've got all the consoles that matter in this next gen generation.

Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Jul 26th 2007 8:30PM

Actually more and more hardware companies are making Dual Format players such as Samsung and LG. Which means HD-DVD still has a lot of life in it especially since these companies were Blu-Ray player makers only.

Personally I like iHD better. Me thinks this will go the way of DVD+R/DVD-R. Dual format players FTW.

mmdv @ Jul 26th 2007 6:47AM

Blu-ray is only supported by 6 of the 8 studios (no Universal or Weinstein releases) so it's more like 75% support rather than 90%. HD DVD has about 50% support with 4 of the 8 major studios (Warner, Paramount, Weinstein, and Universal). I don't see Universal ever releasing their movies/tv shows on Blu-ray. Likewise for Sony on HD DVD.

ymmv @ Jul 26th 2007 7:20AM

No, Blu-Ray has 90% of all popular movies. Weinstein is not a major studio, they have been around for just two years, they've released about 30 movies with only a few semi-hits and they don't have any blockbuster movies, so their market share is very small.

See also http://blog.pixelperfectproductions.com/?p=54 for real market shares. It's an eye opener.

mike @ Jul 26th 2007 10:55AM

universal is exclusive to hd-dvd, that alone carriers huge weight. HD-dvd will win guys. Format wars always come down to 1 factor, price. Right now both blu-ray and hd-dvd are enjoying sales of less then 1 million. Thats right, their numbers are not in the millions yet in a country of 300 million people.

The format war will be decided when the mass market buys into a format. And this happens at $199 or lower for a standalone player at the retail giants (not some obsecure online deal site). Now if we take a look at the facts, HD-dvd is almost at that price point, while blu-ray is a farcry away. Then when the players reach the $150-$100 mark, things will pick up even more. The average joe will decide this war, and they always pick the cheaper product.

Not to mention, why would you want blu-ray to win over hd-dvd? Hd-dvd is region free so you can import from overseas if there is a better quality release in a different region (which is the case for DVD 90% of the time). Hd-dvd is also cheaper, a finished product (blu-ray is still adding features to its specs which will cause future discs NOT to work on your ps3) and general reviews show most movies being higher quality picture on hd-dvd. I really cant understand why anyone in their right mind would be a blu-ray supporter? These people are probably just ignorant and bought into sonys hype about more disc space = the better product, no matter what.

tommy @ Jul 26th 2007 7:07AM

im guessing this is a sign of the console price drop coming pretty soon

Doylie1984 @ Jul 26th 2007 7:29AM

yea nothing for the europeans looks like i might not get that hd dvd just yet because if america gets 5 free hd dvds to promote 300 & heros then we should too and i hope this promo to promote HD will actually slow or stop sales in europe until we get the same deal.

Work it out $179 = 87.62 GBP for the drive and 5 HD dvd's yet we pay 99.00 GBP and get nothing!

Lewis @ Jul 26th 2007 7:32AM

$20 JUST $20?....

Whatever. What A way to save for Tax...

Ben Hobbs @ Jul 26th 2007 7:38AM

Since when have movie studios decided which video format wins? Its a consumer issue, they will go wherever the market decides to go, cheaper players are a start...

The Europeans are already looking into how legal it is to try and force a more expensive format onto consumers by refusing to sell it on a rival, cheaper format.

Personally I think both formats will still be here in a few years time. I think we ned to wait until they stop making normal DVD's before a winner is declared.

Grant @ Jul 26th 2007 8:52AM

"Since when have movie studios decided which video format wins?"

well, since movie studios produce the movies, and choose which format to use, if the majority choose to support one format and will get most of the major titles, and thusly will sell. these profits will lead to greater expansion of the format, and increase the interest of other studios to move or change towards the higher grossing format.
while it is the consumers all mighty dollar that moves this war, dollars are just the bullets. The studios and the entire home movie industry is completely involved.

as for the "5 free hd-dvds": http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/hddvd/data/pdf/Toshiba_Online_Rebate_R08.pdf
it's a pretty sad list in my book, since you can only choose 1 from each tier, which are broken down below(e.g., hope you didn't want seabiscuit and Riddick):
Apollo 13
Seabiscuit
The Chronicles of Riddick

Casablanca
Constantine
Dukes of Hazzard

Four Brothers
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

The Rundown
Blazing Saddles
U2: Rattle and Hum

U-571
The Perfect Storm
We Were Soldiers

morganfell @ Jul 26th 2007 9:45AM

Since they decide what format you can get the movies on in the first place. Since HD-DVD couldn't get their shit together regarding imbedded security.

And the format war is over. Bluray won. End of story and every analyst knows it. MS has a lame duck on their hands. It is about as useful as the 360 camera.

Shagittarius @ Jul 26th 2007 11:26AM

Those are much better choices than in the blu-ray offers. At least I can find a title I like under each of the tiers.

Jake @ Jul 26th 2007 7:45AM

It looks like either blu-ray or dual format will win. It kinda depends on where consumers decide to go with PC drives and standalone players.

But still, if you own a 360 anyways, $180 to have an HD-DVD player isn't a bad deal. Remember, people don't get 360's to watch movies.

marcandrer @ Jul 26th 2007 7:46AM

hmm .. 5 free movie with purchase ??
deja vu anyone ?

WowWowWubzy @ Jul 26th 2007 7:48AM

Great Offer

To the people in the AV World know that HD-DVD is the way to go!!

To the misinformed, Sorry but YOU LOSE!

Neither format is going to win, all there will be is hybrid players. Then it will be another disc, say like Holographic. So there's no need to worry about who will win. It's Obvious there both gonna be around for a couple years.

Phranctoast @ Jul 26th 2007 9:36AM

you should definately get into hddvd wow! I like it when morons waste their money, and by the time you realize your stupid, it will be to late to get rid of it on ebay.

Dave @ Jul 26th 2007 9:53AM

@Phranctoast

definately=definitely
your=you're

Seriously, if you're going to call someone "stupid" and a "moron", you should probably make sure you don't sound like a stupid moron. Oh, and your grammar sucks, too.

borland502 @ Jul 26th 2007 9:59AM

Formats do not "win" when they are content independent (e.g. DVD+/-R) and it is ridiculously easy to create a dual format reader. Formats do not win either, when no one cares about them (DVD-A, SACD).

Formats do win when content is popular and only released on one format (VHS vs. Beta). HD media is not yet popular, but studios will eventually choose one side or the other. Hybrids are less likely, because it's more than just a difference in media type, it's also a difference in feature sets. So any dual player will be primary for one format, and a gimpy solution for the other. It hedges your bets like a combo DVD/VHS player, but it doesn't mean both formats will continue.

As for your second point, we live in a rapidly changing world. But just because records gave way to taps, then cds, which are being displaced by mp3 doesn't mean there isn't time for a given format to dominate. Blu Ray or HDDVD will be around for a decade at least before holo or dlc begins to dominate.

Tiremfej @ Jul 26th 2007 7:50AM

I'm still no buying into either format.

1. The Live Marketplace offers all the HD movies I could want.
2. On Demand HD offers all the HD movies I could want.
3. HBO, Starz, Cinemax, Movie Channel, and Showtime offers all the HD movies I could want.

When it becomes a viable format on either end and digital distribution doesn't takeoff then maybe...maybe I will pick one up...d

Ian Von Porter @ Jul 26th 2007 8:04AM

On demand at a price.

- highly compressed video and audio vs. 50gb of room and HD audio formats
- you dont get to keep it or play your purchase on different unit
- cant sell it

Some people want to own the videos/movies ... take a look at the DVD market; people want something tangible, this isnt your $1 song download.

Evan @ Jul 26th 2007 8:34AM

If you only rent movies, buying an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player is not worth it. $179 for the add-on HD-DVD drive just for the prilividge of renting the HD-DVD versions of the movies instead of downloading them. Let's say I was to rent 20 HD-DVDs in a year (I'd be hard-pressed to find more than 20 HD-DVDs that I care to watch). The cost of the add-on drive amortized over 20 movies is $9 per movie. That's $9 on top of the rental fee or Netflix membership! Not worth it, in my opinion.

borland502 @ Jul 26th 2007 10:04AM

@Evan: "If you only rent movies, buying an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player is not worth it."

Untrue from my vantage point. I am happy using Netflix on my PS3. It is cheaper than buying the movies and I get to enjoy the quality. Besides, the cable companies charge too much for standard cable, let alone premium.

Netflix is like 1/3 price and I only have to accept a season's delay.

Evan @ Jul 26th 2007 10:49AM

@borland502
I completely agree with you about Netflix verses cable. Like you, I dropped my cable tv service and never looked back.

However, I have not yet moved to HD because there's not yet enough content to justify buying the hardware. Divide the cost of the hardware by the amount of content. The HD-DVD add-on drive is $180 / 20 movies = $9 per movie or about $5 per hour of use! I don't think it's worth an extra $9 per movie to see it in high-definition compared to standard-definition DVD. I could see it in the theater for $9! The PS3 is currently worst. The PS3 is $500 / (2 games + 20 movies) = $150 per game and $10 per movie to cover the hardware costs. There needs to be a lot more content that I want to play to justify spending the money on high definition hardware.

WhackMushroom @ Jul 26th 2007 7:53AM

to bad target stores picked blu-ray:

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=349

Phranctoast @ Jul 26th 2007 9:37AM

just like blockbuster, target doesnt matter

/sarcasm.

WhackMushroom @ Jul 26th 2007 10:23AM

all that matters is sears. not wal-mart.

polly @ Jul 26th 2007 10:21AM

Too bad Target is still going to sell the 360 HD DVD add on and HD DVD movies in stores, and if I read correctly, will continue to sell HD DVD players on their website.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/07/26/target-to-only-sell-blu-ray-players-in-stores/

Regardless, it's a stupid move. HD DVD has the edge in standalone players. They sell more and are far more affordable the Blu-ray players. Sounds like someone got paid off.

WhackMushroom @ Jul 26th 2007 10:28AM

too bad that doesnt matter because target still does a majority of its business brick and mortar and most people who buy HD DVDs in the store return them because "it does not work in my dvd player" ;) one of the unnoticed side effects of the HD DVD name.

polly @ Jul 26th 2007 10:41AM

"it does not work in my dvd player"

All that means is that there are stupid people out there. Not that they will rush out to buy a $500 standalone Blu-ray player, especially when they can go across the street or online to get an HD DVD player for under $250, which, despite all that studio support the Sony fans constantly bring up, has pretty much the same amount of releases available: 257 vs 267 by last count.

Get over yourselves.

WhackMushroom @ Jul 26th 2007 10:49AM

if by stupid people you mean mass market middle america then .. yeah. sorry to know thats how you would view the situation.

yeah the releases are almost paired ... wonder who sells more? and if they can just go pick up a cheaper HD DVD player why haven't they?

polly @ Jul 26th 2007 11:16AM

Uhm, yeah dude. I consider someone who buys an HD DVD thinking it will play on their normal DVD player an uninformed consumer and generally stupid. You need to pick a damn side to argue from. Are Target shoppers dumb enough to not know the difference between HD DVD and standard DVD, or worldly enough to purchase a $500 Blu-ray player from?

And since when has Target even been a player in high end electronics anyways? People shop there because they want Wal-Mart prices without the "cheapass" stigma. They go there to buy cheap home decor they won't be afraid to show off.

WhackMushroom @ Jul 26th 2007 11:35AM

well thank god your not running for president or run a marketing department .. because you would probably not make alot of money at all and you would offend alot of really smart people that dont spend time on gadgets like we do and make honest mistakes like think that an HD DVD is a DVD that is in HD.

Ian Von Porter @ Jul 26th 2007 8:01AM

Someone needs to do a case mod where they stuff the Wii innards into the 360 HD-DVD player.. there would be plenty of room to spare.

But, yea, Sony is giving away 5 BDs with their PS3 nowadays... great way to promote a new fledgling medium. MS is conflicted since, HD-DVD sorta (not really) competes with their xbl video service and they're not really that interested in backing HD-DVD anyways.

Evan @ Jul 26th 2007 8:16AM

Is it the same "choose one from each category" as Toshiba's offer?

Toshiba's HD-DVD offer is, "choose one from each category":
A: Apollo 13, Seabiscuit, The Chronicles of Riddick
B: Casablanca, Constantine, Dukes of Hazzard
C: Four Brothers, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Sky Captain
D: The Rundown, Blazing Saddles, U2: Rattle and Hum
E: U-571, The Perfect Storm, We Were Soldiers

The movies I most want aren't included, but I think the choice is better than Blu-Ray's offer.

Blu-Ray's offer is also "choose one from each category":
A: The Guardian, Pearl Harbor, Invincible, Chicken Little
B: Corpse Bride, Phantom of the Opera, Blazing Saddles
C: Stealth, Resident Evil 2, Underworld Evolution
D: The Italian Job, Black Rain, Babel, Devil's Rejects
E: Kiss of the Dragon, Omen 666, Transporter 2, Species, Hart's War, The Last Waltz

What movies would you choose?

chenry @ Jul 26th 2007 8:49AM

The Chronicles of Riddick
Constantine
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Blazing Saddles
U-571

h0mi @ Jul 26th 2007 10:44AM

HDDVD
A: Apollo 13
B: Casablanca
C: Four Brothers
D: Blazing Saddles
E: We Were Soldiers

BR:
A: Chicken Little
B: Corpse Bride
C: Underworld Evolution
D: Babel
E: Transporter 2

The thing about these offerings is that most of the bluray offerings are bronze tier or worse encodes, according to avsforum.com. The hddvd offerings are better quality

cc123 @ Jul 26th 2007 11:33AM

@h0mi

Where the hell did you get your info??

At avsforums.com the rankings for those BRs are as follows:
Blu: Corpse Bride
Gold: Chicken Little
Silver: Transporter 2, Babel, Underworld Evolution

None of those BR movies is bronze or below! Corpse Bride is one of only two movies they graded as a perfect transfer.

The HDDVD movies are somewhat lacking from the list there though...