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PSA: Microsoft not planning Blu-ray drive for 360

by Richard Mitchell on Oct 22nd 2009 6:55PM

Today has seen several reports that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has confirmed a Blu-ray drive accessory for the Xbox 360. The purported revelation came from a Gizmodo interview, during which Ballmer said that 360 owners wanting a Blu-ray player could purchase "Blu-ray drives as accessories."

Clearing the air, Microsoft's Larry Hryb (a.k.a. Major Nelson) has gone on the record saying that the company has "no plans" for a 360 Blu-ray drive, adding that Ballmer was actually referring to Blu-ray drives for PCs. Hryb reiterates -- as did Ballmer -- that the main push for the Xbox 360 will be streaming media, noting specifically that the upcoming Dashboard update will bring instant 1080p streaming, a feature of the Zune Video Marketplace.

Now, say it with us (one more time): Blu-ray isn't coming to the Xbox 360.

Source

Tags: blu-ray, debunk, Microsoft, rumorong, steve-balmer, Xbox-360

Reader Comments (84)

Just don't cross the streams!!!!....seriously........I'm watching this....

Microsoft customers : Can we have Blu-ray drive in Xbox 360?

Microsoft: NOOO!!

Microsoft customers: :-(

Microsoft: It's okay, we are gonna make Blu-ray drive accessory for the Xbox 360, It'll be sold separately.

Microsoft customers: YAY!

Maybe in the next Xbox we'll see it. Though I don't think it will be a big push seeing how Microsoft is really pushing for digital distribution. Either way, the next generation of consoles will be great for us gamers.

Or shit, if we look at how digital distribution is already getting annoying.

Same story, different year.

I guess it had been a while since this "rumor" popped up, so we were due.

PCs, Xboxes, fish heads, basketballs...I can see why he made that mistake... Those are all the same thing really...

I WILL NOT pay to download games or full length features I want to own through LIVE. I have two kids and I never know where I am going to have to play the game or movie. Piss Off MS. I like my games and the fact that they have a value outside what I pay for them. If I want to trade a P.O.S. in for another game I would like that option. BTW BluRay holds up against kid's scratches way better than regular DVD's and that is why I buy all my films for the PS3 I never play.

The "I never play" part at the end wasn't necessary, unless you're flamebating. In which case, carry on.

if they ever did bring a blu ray player out it would cost say.... a million billion pounds

MS will need to take the Blu pill sooner or later. Probably not for X360 but for X720 they will have no choice. No way they can offer download only console for another 20 years.

Since streaming is only going to get more popular, you're wrong.

I'm not even saying I like it - I much prefer disc media. But physical media is going to be slowly phased out. MS doesn't have to do anything with Blu-Ray if they don't want.

I wonder what the next format for PC games will be. If its digital, then we are limited to less than Blu-Ray size and even less due to bandwidth caps by the ISPs.

I'm not concerned about Blu-ray on xbox. What I do wish Microsoft would do is provide .mkv support on xbox.

As much as I'd like it, I don't think it will happen. I've been wishing for it since I got an HDTV over a year and a half ago, because of how common MKV is.

To be honest, I don't think I'd want it to happen. I'd prefer some of the cheap, easy to use devices that do it, do it quietly and more efficiently than the 360 does.

Personally, I don't like using my 360 to do anything but play games. The thing is made of balsam wood and elmer's glue, it doesn't take much to turn it into goo, and I don't want to risk it watching HD videos, thanks ;)

They are hardly going to provide support for a file format which is solely used for pirate movies.

Xbox 360 has always been on ultra safety lockdown when it comes to that stuff. You're better off just getting a cheap HTPC or laptop to hook up to your TV. Honestly, PC's are worth it to get near endless options like that... not to mention they run freaking ten times quieter than a 360.

GOTSent converter is the best thing ever.
converts MKV to MP4.
Very fast and reliable. Longest its taken is 10 min.
I've use it for all HD movies and TV shows.

Microsoft already has Netflix. That is more than making up for the lack of bluray

Streaming is the wave of the future.

Until, of course, your ISP decides you surfed that wave enough and hit your monthly bandwidth cap.

Exactly, I'm worried about the future of broadband here, Japan and South Korea are fine.

This again?

Hryb? His name is Hryb? What the kinda name is that? Hryb!!

Why would anyone even want a blu-ray drive for 360??? If you seriously wanna watch blu-ray movies buy a blu-ray player or a ps3....knowing how much microsoft charges for additional hardware this thing could cost more than a ps3 lol not to mention it wouldn't even be used for games... and even if it was, why would you want a slower blu-ray drive when you could just stick with the much faster dual layer dvd's... geeze

It's because they don't want people to see how much of a better value the PS3 is once you buy all the stuff to make them equivalent.
$300-PS3, all inclusive.

$300-Xbox 360 elite+$100 WiFi+(what would be)$200 Blu-ray drive+cost of live. don't forget you have to use MS memory cards and accessories while the PS3 is completly open.

The 360 doesn't need blu-ray, haven't wee been over this? Maybe the next xbox will use it, but changing formats 5 years into a consoles life is pretty pointless.

Looks like Microsoft and Apple have something in common again…

If the 720 is streaming only, I'm not buying it. Downloadable games are a cool addition, but I'll never buy full priced games digitally.

Well it seems like every company except for Sony wants to kill blu-ray. It's pretty obvious by now.

"Dashboard update will bring instant 1080p streaming, a feature of the Zune Video Marketplace."

Not available outside US. BluRay is.

I buy it but I don't. A friend of mine works at Sony (fairly high up) and confirmed with me that Microsoft was in talks to get a blue ray drive for the XBox. Of course, this can also mean they were in talks and ultimately chose not to get it. OR maybe Natal will come blue-ray equipped? XBox could kill two birds with one stone if both were bundled together.

Isn't "no plans" pretty much a confirmation of the opposite with these sorts of stories?

HA HA! when xbox 720 starts using blu rays next generation the ps4 will have a super blu-green ray that will be way better and xbox people will be like our blu ray drive is way better, LOL

So screw 360 owners because you're being stubborn, pouting in a corner over HDDVD demise?

Methinks thou doth protesteth tooth mucheth.

Previous 50 Comments

Breaking News

PSA: Microsoft not planning Blu-ray drive for 360

Reader Comments (84)

Posted: Oct 23rd 2009 1:35PM Nate Addison said

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