Speculation: Microsoft may integrate HD DVD into Xbox 360

by Christopher Grant { Jan 1st 2008 at 2:30PM }

This Sunday will mark the end of an era: Bill Gates is going to deliver his final CES keynote in Las Vegas. Nevertheless, the rumor mill continues to churn, unwilling or unable to pause briefly and reflect on the legac ...

... whoa, sorry about that. On to the rumor du jour: Seattle Times staff columnist Brier Dudley speculates that Microsoft "may be preparing to license the Xbox gaming platform to consumer-electronics companies." While you look up 3DO on Wikipedia (we'll help you out), we'll continue with the specifics of this speculation. Dudley envisions a Toshiba-built 'box bundling "a digital video recorder with a hard-drive, high-definition HD-DVD drive and Xbox gaming capabilities." Alternatively, Microsoft could forgo the licensing and bundle that HD DVD drive themselves "putting it on par with Sony's PlayStation 3 that has a built-in Blu-ray drive."

The rumors regarding an integrated HD DVD drive have been swirling about for some time (Toshiba says "no comment"), so Dudley could be basing his speculation on the old "where there's smoke, there's fire" adage. Guess we'll know soon enough.

Tags: Bill-Gates, HD-DVD, Microsoft, Toshiba

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Jhongerkong @ Jan 1st 2008 2:39PM

Fact of the matter is that no 360 games will use HD-DVD cause then itll be incompatible with early adopters. So this really has no point.

Reaper0fAnguish @ Jan 1st 2008 2:45PM

It may just force people to go out and buy the HD drive to play the new games.
going to HD only wouldnt be a bad thing, it would allow for bigger, better looking games.

Exo @ Jan 1st 2008 2:47PM

more disk space wont make games better looking. where the fuck did you get that idea

Jhongerkong @ Jan 1st 2008 2:49PM

More space = more content not better graphics.

A little common sense goes a long way here people.

mattclarkie @ Jan 1st 2008 3:03PM

I am going to get flamed for saying this but.

MS would be nuts to do this as HD-DVD will lose the war. 2 Formats can never survive, and Blu-ray has benefits, and Sony Studios, and many others behind it, now evern prn.

It would be good to get more capacity for games, as 6gb is not enough (that is roughly how much you get with formatting, physics, ai, and all the vital crap you need before building the game). But as someone stated you can't screw over early adopters like me.

I am thinking about getting a 3l33t soon, as my HDD is full, and I want a black console.

SoulBlade @ Jan 1st 2008 3:10PM

you can argue that more space leads to better looking games since you can store higher res textures on it. If you want to bring up compression, then it just means you can store more high res textures for better variation in the graphics. If you then decide to bring up dynamic textures, then yea - space won't do so much ;)

DEEZNUTZ @ Jan 1st 2008 3:24PM

MS doesn't care, they will be making money on licensing the console specs out to TOSH and whomever else would like to use it. Games will not go HD-DVD.
I think it's an awesome idea. Maybe Tosh will make it a 5 disc changer as well, that way I can keep more than 1 game in the unit.
MS isn't losing any money and it doesn't affect the consumer in the least bit.

mike @ Jan 1st 2008 4:00PM

Whats funny is if xbox 360 had an integrated hd-dvd player from the very start and it was on all model like the ps3 did with blu-ray, blu-ray would of 100% lost the format war by now. The only thing keeping that dumb format aflot (and maybe actually may win it for them) is the ps3. Standalone blu-rays are being outsold by stand alone hd dvds 6:1.

Adding an hd dvd drive now to a 360 would really be pointless. Since it cant be used for games, it would be no different then the external hd dvd drive, which is already for sale. And since there will still be hd-dvdless 360s for slae, it wont help with the format war, because majority will buy the non hd dvd cheaper console versions.

This will only benefit new xbox 360 purchasers who want to also buy the hd dvd add-on drive. Now they just get it all in one package instead of 2. It will change nothing at all but make those new buyers feel slightly better because they have less hardware cluttering their space. It will not attract a single new buyer at all to the 360 or hd dvd format who was not already interested in them.

aristokrat @ Jan 1st 2008 4:42PM

I could see there being a point. Imagine Halo 4 or Gears of War 2 or Mass Effect 2 (or some other major Microsoft property, not necessarily owned but through contracts or whatever) coming out exclusively on HD-DVD, optionally bundled with the HD-DVD drive. You don't think that would bring HD-DVD gaming instantly into mainstream?

B1gC72 @ Jan 1st 2008 11:11PM

@ mike

yea its 6:1 but the PS3 is one of the cheapest Blu-ray players you can buy now. you can get a standalone HD-DVD player for alot less than a standalone Blu-ray player so obviously they are going to sell more. dont fudge the numbers like that.

i do agree that the format war probably would have played out a little differently if the 360 had HD-DVD built in from the start though.

seanconn @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:20PM

no it could work. hd dvd wont screw over the early adapters. M$ can start the hd dvd warranty program, so when your 360 RROD's you send it in and you get a 360 with HD drive.

harfenuegle @ Jan 7th 2008 11:47PM

jhongerkong - Dude, you have no idea what you're talking about... incompatibility has nothing to do with anything in this discussion. And regarding your comment, "More space = more content not better graphics"... this couldn't be more wrong!! Better graphics REQUIRE more bits of information to process things with higher detail. PERIOD. Half the games out today have no more content than games 20 years ago, yet are significantly larger -- idiot! what are you qualifications anyways?

Qraze @ Jan 1st 2008 2:42PM

copy copy copy copy that's all ms ever does copy copy copy off other peoples ideas geez b original 4 once

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jan 1st 2008 2:45PM

.....

Wow. just massive facepalms in that whole post of yours.

Christopher Grant @ Jan 1st 2008 2:47PM

UGH

Sky Shark X2 @ Jan 1st 2008 4:02PM

So I guess MS coppied the HDD in video game systems from Sony eh? Where was their HDD in the PS2. I guess your gonna cry that they coppied online gaming from the PC too. Don't even try to say MS coppied wireless game controlers from Nintendo because 3rd parties were doing it last gen and its the next logical step up. How about next time idiot...I mean Qraze you back up your un defendable claims.

capt_carl @ Jan 1st 2008 4:03PM

If it wasn't for Microsoft copying others, the world wouldn't have lolWindows. Actually, that probably might've been a good thing.

Qraze @ Jan 1st 2008 2:46PM

putting it on par it'll never b on par with the ps3 still waiting 4 that ms rip-off of psHome 2 b confirmed

Christopher Grant @ Jan 1st 2008 2:48PM

Seriously, I'll be monitoring your comments. If your next comment isn't *marginally* intelligible, I'll drop the banhammer. Just actual words, that would almost be enough!

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jan 1st 2008 2:49PM

And thus a new illogical sony fanboy is born.

Great way to start the New Years.

sheppy2.0 @ Jan 1st 2008 8:00PM

God, why are you blaming this fucktard on Sony, Vegeta? Can't we just call him a moron in general? Sony isn't distributing "how to be an idiot" instruction manuals to everyone with an internet connection, you know. Blame it on the person....

Love, peace, and Chicken Grease

MinorHavoc @ Jan 1st 2008 8:23PM

Although you must admit that Sony's marketing and PR departments seemed to have been following such a manual this past year.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jan 1st 2008 2:47PM

The only way I could see this working is:

1. Provide those who already bought a 360 with a free HD-DVD drive.
or
2.Have a program where people who already bought a 360 can replace it with the new one for free.

Drew @ Jan 1st 2008 2:59PM

The second Idea sounds more logical. While the first sounds like what will/would be more likely to happen.

This is all just a speculation. So even if it were to be a part of the 360 (in the box, I mean) whether it would apply for games or just be for HD-DVD viewing, whose to say.

BIGGEN @ Jan 1st 2008 3:29PM

so why couldn't an update just be applied to make the hd dvd player play games through the 360? isn't that what they did to make it play movies through the 360?

when i hooked up my hd dvd player the first time and played an actual hd dvd movie, it applied an update.

copa @ Jan 1st 2008 3:46PM

If Microsoft actually did release an integrated SKU, it would be some fringe thing for the fetishists that bought the Elite unit. As another poster eloquently stated here, "Improved gameplay not included."

Microsoft is not going to replace the Core or the Pro with an integrated unit. No company would be so stupid as to require the integration of a fringe technology like high-definition playback in each and every SKU of a gaming console intended for the mass market.

Mike @ Jan 1st 2008 2:50PM

so now they have the arcade, the pro, the elite, the halo edition, the core, and soon an ultra omega elite edition with hd-dvd, motion control, dvr, only a 20 gig hard drives, bluetooth, wireless internet, a built in CD player, and karate chop action. Improved gameplay not included.

Jhongerkong @ Jan 1st 2008 3:46PM

Id buy any console, no matter what the price is, if it had karate chop action.

Moorio @ Jan 1st 2008 5:56PM

I believe the Arcade replaced the Core and that they stopped making the Halo edition one.

So there are currently only 3 SKUs.

colinbell @ Jan 1st 2008 2:52PM

Another 200-post article?
But the biggest problem will be like that of the hard drive - just because some units dont have it, NO games can take advantage of it.
Somehow, I have a feeling that the next XBOX is coming in less than 2 years - MS is just too used to creating shoddily engineered, short-lived products, like their OS. Even though the 360 could easily live on for 6-7 years, now that its engineering issues are behind it, MS will kill it just like they killed XBOX1 which could have been supported till 2006-end but thats just not the MS way.

jackbauer @ Jan 1st 2008 3:01PM

Back in my day console came and continued to be sold in one SKU.

jackbauer @ Jan 1st 2008 3:01PM

Back in my day consoles came and continued to be sold in one SKU.

jackbauer @ Jan 1st 2008 3:02PM

FUCK!

Jeff @ Jan 1st 2008 3:02PM

BS. Name the console.

jackbauer @ Jan 1st 2008 3:08PM

atari 2600

Jeff @ Jan 1st 2008 4:36PM

Wikipedia says you're a liar, "Sears released several versions of the 2600 as the Sears Video Arcade series from 1977 to 1983. These include the Rev. A "Heavy Sixer" model in 1977, the Rev. B "4 switch" model in 1980, and the US version of the Atari 2800 branded as the Sears Video Arcade II in 1983.".

"In 1986, a new version of the 2600 was released (although it was planned for release two years earlier). The new redesigned version of the 2600, unofficially referred to as the 2600 Jr., featured a smaller cost-reduced form factor with a modernized Atari 7800-like appearance. The redesigned 2600 was advertised as a budget gaming system (under $50) that had the ability to run a large collection of classic games."

Now I'm just being a douche: "The Atari Flashback 2 console, released in 2005, contains 40 games (with four more programs unlockable by a cheat code). The console implements the original 2600 architecture and can be modified to play original 2600 cartridges by adding a cartridge port, and is compatible with original 2600 controllers.".

There have always been, and always will be, a shit ton of SKUs.

jackbauer @ Jan 1st 2008 5:42PM

I could have gotten away with it too if it wasn't for those meddling kids and their googles and wikipedias.

Jeff @ Jan 1st 2008 3:02PM

You guys are all tools. =P This doesn't mean the GAMING console will be adjusted.

It means the gaming console can be INCLUDED in a whole new home theater uber pwnage ultimate setup with a bunch of other shit. FTW.

aristokrat @ Jan 1st 2008 4:31PM

No, the Stanley FuBar is a tool.

RoboChamp @ Jan 1st 2008 3:03PM

Well, so much for choice.

But they wouldn't, not only would this stifle any chance of the price dropping for a good while, it would prolong this horrendous HD-media war to no end. Not to mention ANOTHER split in the install base.

RoboChamp @ Jan 1st 2008 3:05PM

Oh, and in before the name-calling, fan-wars, bashing, and movie listing.

Chris @ Jan 1st 2008 3:04PM

Sounds like a good idea... for Toshiba. I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft is being leaned on a bit to fully commit to the HD-DVD format. That or they can see some real money in it now.

SoulBlade @ Jan 1st 2008 3:05PM

I find this hilarious. Why are they doing this? They don't have a guaranteed HD, and now they're going to have a non guaranteed HD-DVD drive. I doubt the addition of HD-DVD will move units, and devs won't be able to use it - talk to any developer about MS's requirements for XBox games - they have to work on the base platform.

Kudos to Sony for including everything in their console from the beginning, the differences in their SKUs don't really affect development - guaranteed HD and BluRay. If MS does this, they'll require devs to still make sure the games work on the crappiest of their SKUs.

MS has done some nice things, but I think they should stop with the ridiculous number of SKUs they'll have produced and focus on creating a stable piece of hardware that kicks serious ass for the next gen. Their current 360 is good enough I think, and they should have put the HD-DVD in their elite.

XanthouS @ Jan 1st 2008 3:15PM

An intelligent, unbiased post. Imagine that.

MS's decision to release different models at different price points with different important features helped move a lot of units. The base/arcade unit has a very attractive price point for a next/current-gen system.

However, as we move forward, developers will be hindered by an inability to utilize features like HDD (for things such as removing/reducing load times) and the expanded disc storage capacity (for higher resolution textures and uncompressed audio).

As games become more and more complex these storage/memory features will become more and more valuable to both developers and gamers.

Obie @ Jan 1st 2008 3:42PM

Very good points, and I agree. A 360 with a built-in HD-DVD drive, wifi, HDMI and cooler chipset should've been the Elite...not that stuff they have on the shelves now.

Korova @ Jan 2nd 2008 7:09AM

Can this be XBOX 720? MS's answer to Sony's 10 year product cycle? Think about it. When 360 starts to look outdated, they release a 360HD which is fully backcompat but also can play HDDVD-only games. Later when PS4 is rolling around, MS will move to HDDVD only. A better way to do backcompat and HD-format transition - instead of carrying losses for the early years, like Sony.

Salam Zebian @ Jan 1st 2008 4:20PM

Well, my 360 Elite's DVD drive broke yesterday morning, hopefully when I send it in, and I get it back, I get the Hd-dvd drive, then I won't have to use my external one!

Dragod @ Jan 1st 2008 3:21PM

Microsoft would be kind of stupid to do this... It would mean that they would be knocking out every 360 owner now, who doesn't own an HD-DVD drive. I don't because I don't have an HDTV yet, but I hope to soon.

If anything, this should be what's coming in the 3rd Xbox.