Xbox 360 still open to Blu-ray add-on should HD-DVD fail
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Jan 9th 2008 at 10:00AM }
Microsoft's initial decision to keep HD-DVD separate from the Xbox 360 hardware has always been trotted out under the "consumer choice" banner, with cost reduction cited as an immediate benefit. Of course, it also makes bailing out a lot easier should white flags start to go up. It may seem strange to envision Microsoft supporting a format so entwined with a competing console, but the company's not likely to shed a tear for discs when there's money to be made in the Xbox Live Video Marketplace.
Update: A further comment from Microsoft emphasizes that despite Penello's comments, HD-DVD hasn't gone away just yet: "Microsoft currently has no plans at this time to consider Blu-ray as an option. We continue to believe that HD DVD is the best optical solution for consumers, since it's the only format today that delivers quality experiences at affordable prices."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
aslam @ Feb 16th 2008 3:46AM
Verizon DSL, FIOS, ATT DSL, BT Broadband, Talk Talk Broadband, Comcast Cable net, Tiscali Broadband, Time Warner Cable, AOL Broadband.
Obie @ Jan 9th 2008 10:05AM
They better offer some kind of trade-in program for boners like me that got the HD DVD drive for Xmas.
Andy @ Jan 9th 2008 10:09AM
Give up the trade in program crap. It's not happening. You took a risk on HD-DVD, now live with it IF it dies. Microsoft, consider this as a request for a Blu-Ray add on, and keep it under $200.00.
Obie @ Jan 9th 2008 10:11AM
It's not a matter of "IF" rather, when.
M$ get on the ball, get a BD drive out there soon and there will be less people picking up PS3 for the ever growing BD disc library.
NATO_Duke @ Jan 9th 2008 12:05PM
Jesus, the same kinda crap people spew at the PS3 Fanboy site comes here. Obie, get real - people took a chance of Betamax and that failed, and nope, they didn't get their money back for the movies and players. Neither will you.
Of course, by the M$ usage, and the quick to cry attitude, I would bet you dont have an HD DVD player (or 360) anyway.
I dont get why people keep confusing the movie format war with the console war. This isn't an issue of what format to put games on, so relax. Whether MS supports one format or another, it won't change gaming at all this generation. They also won't be throwing BluRay drives in 360's, even if they did throw in the towel. It makes no sense to do so and raise prices of the console.
ark_v2 @ Jan 9th 2008 2:01PM
Yeah, like I did with my Betamax VCR!
....
aristokrat @ Jan 9th 2008 3:04PM
I think your bonus is going to be the HD-DVD firesale that will ensue if the format dies. I know I'm looking forward to it.
What? @ Jan 9th 2008 5:30PM
"I dont get why people keep confusing the movie format war with the console war."
Which format of media either systems plays does effect the console war, I've sold quit a few ps3's on the fact that they come with a blu-ray player over hd-dvd add on. It might not be the biggest selling point but it makes a different to consumers.
WiNG @ Jan 9th 2008 10:09AM
This is a smart move by MS.
Also, that picture is priceless.
Viridium @ Jan 9th 2008 11:25AM
Yeah, and it was smart when they said it two frigging years ago as well:
http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/bluedragon/news.html?sid=6142137
Gohan @ Jan 9th 2008 10:10AM
it should be biltin blu-ray if there ultimate XBOX 360 Too but for sure its soon Blu-ray player for 360
any way this pic should be its over too :P
xFenixKnightx @ Jan 9th 2008 10:14AM
Vegeta is that you?
Gohan @ Jan 9th 2008 10:18AM
it's Gohan :S
xFenixKnightx @ Jan 9th 2008 10:37AM
I know your Gohan but I thought you were the other fellow Joystiqer Vegeta, nevermind :/
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jan 9th 2008 11:47AM
NO. I'm vegeta. Fuck gohan and fuck his mystic powers.
Stupid Mystic. he doesn't even transform. Mystic is so fucking gay. Oh what so you just sit there with some old guy and all of a sudden your mystic? Fuck you gohan. You're loser, go home.
StrangeBum @ Jan 9th 2008 12:06PM
Fuck vegeta and gohan. I can haxorz your eyeballs so you can't see my face biotches!
Of course I don't really care, it just seemed like it would be fun to say.
Oh and MS better come out with the BD addon soon, would totally help them steal some competition from Sony from the people that are buying the PS3 merely for the Bluray player.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Jan 9th 2008 12:31PM
Oh vegeta, you're just pissed because Kakarrots son has surpassed you AGAIN.
ill trooper @ Jan 9th 2008 12:32PM
"Oh and MS better come out with the BD addon soon, would totally help them steal some competition from Sony from the people that are buying the PS3 merely for the Bluray player."
No, because if you're interested in buying a movie player, you are not going to buy the "teenager solution" of a noisy 360 with a second drive connected to it with two power bricks and silly optical/hdmi connectors and a mediocre remote. If you want movies, you're going to pick a single unit where you don't have to plug it in twice and then have to remind people which drive to put the movies into.
I love my 360, but if you want one for movie watching, it's strength is in the LIVE online hd rentals. I feel MS should have put an HD-DVD drive inside it in the first place. This "add-on" drive stuff is a terrible solution.
ThornedVenom @ Jan 9th 2008 12:37PM
Flamewar about DBZ in my Joystiq?
Oh well, GO MR. SATAN
StrangeBum @ Jan 9th 2008 12:59PM
@ ill trooper
You mentioned the noisy drive, but honestly, if you are using the addon optical drive then why the fuck would the noise from the builtin dvd be spinning at all?
And MS was smart for not having one of the drives builtin, and not forcing a specific format down it's users throat. But you are right on one note, the XBL Marketplace, digital distribution is easily the next best thing around.
If only they would do away with the stupid 3 day rental stuff (however long it is) and just made permanent downloads. And possibly support for USB HDDs as well.
Gohan @ Jan 9th 2008 2:20PM
@vegeta don't envy that Mystic Level surpass SSJ2 be cool man :D
i know hard to you bcause:
IT's OVER OVER OVER NINE THOUTHAAAAAAAAAND !!!
i understand it :3
any way yes there is M$ Sells 100k HD-DVD Player M$ they have replace it with Blu-Ray one too
ill trooper @ Jan 9th 2008 3:59PM
StrangeBum ~
Actually, YOU mentioned the 'noisy drive,' I mentioned a 'noisy 360,' which is usually attributed to the fans when the thing hits a high-heat full tilt.
And they sort of did cram a format down your throat: The HD DVD is the only HD disk-format the 360 can play, via an external add-on.
Look, the honest truth is that the moment you start caring about all of this movie stuff, the more you realize the PS3 is a better machine for that, and not at all a bad value. If, and I recognize the 'IF' here, Sony adds a download-a-movie service like they say they are, then the 360 will have a harder time stacking up against the PS3 in this area of 'watching things,' just as the PS3 is playing catch-up in the 'playing games' department. I don't really think Sony can hit the level of online shows and movies that MS or Apple has reached, but who knows.
I like my 360 too, but I don't use it as a media center like I've been using my PS3. The PS3 is quieter, it's a single unit with no power brick, it already has external USB harddrive support, streaming to it is widely supported, and you can swap the internal drive for a larger one yourself if you want (it even explains how to do it in the manual). You can view or listen to your media remotely over the net on a PSP. Every model has optical audio, HDMI and Blu-Ray. It's proven itself to be more dependable hardware than the 360. If media viewing and support is what you want, it's a better choice.
TheWarden @ Jan 9th 2008 10:18AM
Oh snap!
SoulBlade @ Jan 9th 2008 10:19AM
Not sure, but if I were a consumer, and I really wanted Bluray capability in my video game console, I'd just get a PS3 - it's integrated, established, and gets most if not all of the third party games that the 360 gets. I'd only really desire it for the 360 for the exclusives, but most of those good ones will hit the PC.
I can't see MS doing it anytime soon - HD-DVD isn't quite dead either - it'll probably be the next format for home digital content since Toshiba owns more of that market.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Jan 9th 2008 10:22AM
Except I already own an Xbox360. If blu-ray officially wins, and microsoft offers a 150-200 dollar BR movie player attachment, I think I'd be more inclined to spend to 150-200 dollars for it, rather than the 400-500 dollars on a PS3.
paragraph @ Jan 9th 2008 10:19AM
Picture Suggests BD is winning :-P
I like the idea, but i'll still wait some more, i'm not going to jump on HD til i get an HD tv... and thats a good few years away.
x876543 @ Jan 9th 2008 10:50AM
No point in getting an HD player now anyway. I have an HDTV and I just use my 400 DVD changer with progressive scan and it still looks great on my TV. Why am I going to bother with HD until it drops down to current prices for DVD.
Korova @ Jan 9th 2008 1:12PM
except in the picture, Blue Ray is an ass
KushielsScion007 @ Jan 9th 2008 10:23AM
Fuck bluray. I hope this isn't true since I love the 360 and love the games I have for it along with my Wii. However I'll be damned if I let sony force their bullshit format into my living room. IF bluray wins I'll just skip this "format war" in its entirety and just wait for the next thing...or resort to pirating my movies.
I really hope this isn't true.
Vidikron (FU) @ Jan 9th 2008 10:39AM
Do yourself a favor and read up on the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA). That way you won't have to look so stupid in the future. And I fail to see how this has been forced on you. One side was going to eventually win. If HD DVD had won would you be throwing a hissy fit that Toshiba forced their format on you?
Word Up, North Korea! @ Jan 9th 2008 10:40AM
You do know that the Compact Disk was also a "bullshit format" developed by Sony, right?
Stop living and dying by the consumer electronics you chose to buy, it's just sad
KushielsScion007 @ Jan 9th 2008 10:46AM
Which is why I've NEVER used compact disks dipshit.
As for you vidikron stop pretending like sony isn't one of the major backers if not the most important back of bluray.
Its not really hard to see...sony backs bluray. I hate bluray and I hate it even more because sony is backing it.
As for HD DVD I wouldn't have minded if it won. The difference is that MS didn't force it on the consumer by putting it IN the 360. SO I fail to see how Toshiba or mS would be forcing it on me.
Noshino @ Jan 9th 2008 10:57AM
hey, could you please state how exactly Blu-Ray is being forced to you? what kind of gun are they using to force you? or is it a shotgun? or probably being threat with having your house burned down, getting kicked off your job...?
Why do people keep using the word "force", I mean, in your case, you don't like Sony, and so you won't be buying a PS3 or any of their products, so why are you even complaining about this when it is OBVIOUS that you don't want anything that is Sony related? or is it that you are just bitching about it for no reason and still going to buy their products? hey, its ok, I have seen people doing that...
Phranctoast @ Jan 9th 2008 11:00AM
never using CD's does show your age and makes your immature post slightly more forgiving.
To help you in the future.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc_Association#Board_of_Directors
FidliousWong @ Jan 9th 2008 11:00AM
Sad but true, if HD-DVD stayed on their original release course, it would have been forced on you in the 360. In fact, wifi adapters and HD-DVD drive were standard equipment in the original 360 specs. However, MS thought it was more important to have that year head start than having the new format. Ironically enough, the rush to market is also the source of roughly 80% of the hardware and software problems.
So to say HD-DVD isn't being forced on you is technically correct, but if Toshiba hadn't hit 2+ years of snags, it would have been.
Also, I may be wrong in this but HOW IN THE FUCK IS SONY MORE EVIL THAN MICROSOFT?!? When did this happen?!? And I swear to god/s, if you say "their DRM/rootkit issues," I am officially pulling your breeding license. I mean, there is a reason why I quit buying Live games. Not to mention I have to spend an hour on the phone revalidating my XP copy on my old computer.
Vidikron (FU) @ Jan 9th 2008 11:03AM
Oh, so Sony is forcing people to buy the PS3 now? I'd like to hear how you came to that conclusion. Also, I've never denied that Sony is one of the main supporters of Blu-ray, but they don't soley own the format. There are a lot of companies in the BDA. And I'm calling BS on your statement that you've never used CDs. That's laughable. Just admit that you're a lunatic fanboy.
KushielsScion007 @ Jan 9th 2008 11:04AM
@ phranctocast
I'm 22 and by not using CD's I mean I truly did NOT use CD's "back in the day". Just skipped completely. I mean really when you have the radio its not really all that necessary to buy CD after CD as YOU might think. Just like in todays society people really don't need to buy all these artists cd's when there is iTunes, handhelds, etc...
And tell me where I'm wrong about bluray not being a sony format?
@ noshino
You're an asshole plain and simple just from looking at your comments. I could care less what your arrogant self thinks.
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?SAVEHDD
Trev @ Jan 9th 2008 11:12AM
That's just fucking stupid. How was it forced on you? PS3 games come on blu-ray discs and cost exactly the same as the DVD games for 360. Boo-fucking-hoo, the same game for the same price. That's so evil of Sony.
Do you think some burly mobster guy is going to come break your knees if you don't buy a bunch of blu-ray movies? If the games cost the same and movies are entirely optional, I don't see where force comes into it.
I can see it coming: "But if you buy a ps3, you're forced to buy a blu-ray drive." when you buy ANY of the current-gen (or for that matter, last-gen) systems you're "forced" to buy an optical drive of some kind. What do you want games to come on? Floppy disks? They're also forcing you to buy a harddrive and a processor and heatsinks, those monsters. How dare make you pay for RAM to play games.
If you want absolute control over the hardware you use, get a fucking PC.
FidliousWong @ Jan 9th 2008 11:22AM
"I'm 22 and by not using CD's I mean I truly did NOT use CD's "back in the day". Just skipped completely. I mean really when you have the radio its not really all that necessary to buy CD after CD as YOU might think."
If 99% of radio wasn't shit, then I'd agree. Meanwhile, I like driving to GOOD music which naturally means I have to have CDs in my car. Not to mention there is an excessively noticable audio quality difference between FM and CD. Of course the best sound still comes from Vinyl but that's hard to tote along in a car.
"Just like in todays society people really don't need to buy all these artists cd's when there is iTunes, handhelds, etc.."
Audiophiles NEED to buy CDs. iTunes on a decent sound setup has a huge difference between compressed and uncompressed audio. In fact, I only buy iTunes music when I simply cannot find the album for a reasonable price. For example, there was a period where the cheapest copy of Republica's Speed Ballads was on Amazon for $90 just because it never saw US release. I snagged it off iTunes for $9.99. But if it's music I KNOW I'll listen to a ton, I'm getting the CD.
It's true, you can avoid CDs, if you really try. But you're honestly getting less than half the quality at roughly the comparable price. In other words, your ethical stance on this makes you fucking retarded. "I'll show them! I'll pay the same for less! That'll teach em a lesson!"
KushielsScion007 @ Jan 9th 2008 11:25AM
It may be stupid to you Trev but its not to me. I might have bought a ps3 if it weren't the fact that I know exactly what sony is trying to do by putting bluray in it. thats their decision...I get that. Its MY decision to hate them for it since I don't want a bluray player in a GAMES console. Especially when we're in the mdidle of a war.
And the difference being with MS that DVD drives are STANDARD. As in the Wii also has it. If the Wii and 360 had a DVD drive capable of playing movies I wouldn't care. The same thing applies to sony. If it had made the ps3 have a simple DVD player I really wouldn't care.
But the bottom line is that they're trying to force this new format on the consumer and its pathetic.
Aside: OMG the sDF is so MEAN...I think I'm gonna cry because they took away some digital hearts...OH NO! PLEASE DON'T. I worked SO HARD for them. Joystiq is my entire life and I NEED my digital hearts to verify that I'm "cool" and "hip" on the world wide web. I REPENT! I SWEAR IT! bluray is UBERCOOl and will WIN!
Really freedom of speech is a fundamental right for everyone and it should apply in most cases. You may NOT like what I'm saying but why exactly should YOU be the one to censor it? Just because a few diehard bluray/sony fanboys hate the fact that I don't like their system they decide to take away a few hearts. What again do the hearts do? I heard they're supposed to make your comments harder to read or something? Is it magic? Do they turn the words smaller?
Anyways I've said my peace. This is just speculation at this point. IF it turns out to be true then so be it but as of now there are no plans for a bluray player add on for the 360 and that is a good thing in my opinion which I'm entitled to have no matter what arrogant pieces of shit like noshino and these other sony fanboys believe. They are NOT always right people and you don't have to be afraid of them when it comes to voicing YOUR opinion.
Noshino @ Jan 9th 2008 11:32AM
so...because I ask you something to which you didn't have a logical answer...I get insulted?
anyway, I'm glad I was of any help at raising your self steem, hopefully insulting other people and avoiding questions that clearly put you in a position that you can't get away from make you feel better about yourself...
Trev @ Jan 9th 2008 11:40AM
Bawww. You know you're scraping when "1st amendment means I can say whatever I want" is the best you can do. Yeah, you can say it, but it doesn't protect you from looking like an idiot while you're saying it.
Seriously? DVDs. Is that all you've got? The PS3 also plays DVDs (and upscales them very nicely), it just does more on top of that and the games have a much higher size restriction than those for 360 or Wii. Does it NEED all the extra space? Maybe, maybe not. Are you going to try to tell us extra space is bad? Yeah, probably.
And your cry of "rally against the PS3 fanboy overlords. fight for freedom. Express YOUR opinions however you want." is just pathetic. You're losing hearts because people disagree with you, and it's the community's opinion that your comments should be hidden. Their "-" clicks ARE their expression of opinion, and if I'm interpreting that opinion correctly, they want you to shut the fuck up.
Vidikron (FU) @ Jan 9th 2008 11:41AM
You're still not making much sense here. There's no denying that Sony has used the PS3 to help the Blu-ray format overall, but you still haven't answered how it has been "forced" on you. And DVD is only the "standard" because it's been out much longer. But it still has its own consortium just like BDA. It started off as a small market new format like BR and HD DVD. It just didn't have any major challengers.
Anyway, it now appears that Blu-ray has won and will become the next standard for physical media. Quit being such a fanboy and get over it. Also, I love how you said you'll resort to piracy rather than buy any BR movies... lovely.
And don't give us all the BS about free speech. Just because you can state your views doesn't mean you're free from being called an idiot because of those views.
I still don't buy the whole never used a CD BS. Have you never installed any software on a PC or anything? It's not just music that comes on CDs. But then again, I suppose you just pirated all your software anyway. So maybe you're telling the truth.
Good day, thief.
FidliousWong @ Jan 9th 2008 12:21PM
Yay! Freedom of speech!
This means I can say whatever I want on servers I don't pay for, right? Likewise, all terms of service are rendered null and void, correct?
Look, you can be a dick and say whatever you want. But when in a community, you have to abide by community rules. You have to be respectable to others (up to a point) and you have to realize in a voting system, unpopular believes or idiotic rants will be voted down. It's not a freedom of speech thing, it's a "when you are in my house, you play by my rules" thing.
If you cannot respect the Joystiq community, fucking leave.
Also, great idea. In a world where the RIAA is going as far as saying ripping CDs you bought to MP3s is still music piracy, you're going to proudly declare you'd rather steal films than support them just because of the color of laser that reads the media. Way to think it through, fucktard. You're the reason many in congress believe the DMCA as it stands is far too lenient towards consumers.
CM @ Jan 9th 2008 12:52PM
Man ... it was really hard for me to see your "red minus" button. Pressed.
StrangeBum @ Jan 9th 2008 1:11PM
I want to jump in here too. With totally valid points about all of this.
1.) DO WHATEVER THE FUCK YOU WANT!
2.) WHY ARGUE OVER PERSONAL PREFERENCE?
3.) CAPS LOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL!
rv @ Jan 9th 2008 1:59PM
I already pirate hd movies, lol. Downloaded 4 last week, play them on my 360. Greatness....
ark_v2 @ Jan 9th 2008 2:30PM
Thanks a lot! Your retardation made my day :D
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Jan 9th 2008 3:32PM
"There's no denying that Sony has used the PS3 to help the Blu-ray format overall, but you still haven't answered how it has been "forced" on you."
I'll field this one. The Blu-Ray disc format would have been declared dead long ago had the PS3 not included it. It was a smart business move by Sony. BUT, by their move, the HD format has been decided, and its decided consumer unfriendly. Yes, I know there are more groups than Sony in the BDA, BUT it was sony's decision to piggiepack their format on the backs of gamers who didn't want it that launched blu-ray to victory. That is how sony forced it on us.
yeah yeah, nobody's making me buy blu-ray discs. But in 5 years when DVD is started to get phased out, what format are my movies gonna be on? Yeah, forced to buy blu-ray.
upz @ Jan 9th 2008 3:33PM
This is one of the most entertaining threads I've read on Joystiq. We've got all our old SDF crew involved - Noshino, Vid, Trev, Wong. All we need is Borland and Sheppy. I'll let you guys do the reasoning, but Kushiels, I just wanted to quickly chime in regarding your never having used a CD before...EVER! I can buy that you've never bought an audio CD, I've only bought a few myself, but are we also to believe that you didn't use any computer software for the good eight or so years compact discs were the standard storage format? No Windows 95, Microsoft Office, Norton Antivirus? How about PS1 or Saturn games? Come on man, there comes a point when you have to realize that your lie wasn't water tight and admit that you were just trying to prove a point. Hopefully at that same time, you'll realize how ignorant of a man-child you're being, 22 year old.