Microsoft Shows Off XBOX 360 HD DVD Player

eHDMI · 08-12-2006, 03:43 PM

Word on the street is that it will retail for around $200

Microsoft has again showed off its standalone HD DVD player for the XBOX 360. Whereas Sony decided to include its Blu-ray drive as standard equipment on the PlayStation 3, Microsoft decided not to force HD DVD on customers and instead provides it as an option. For those that choose to pursue that option, word on the street is that it will come in at around $200.

While some consumers may scoff at a $200 add-on for the XBOX 360, one must consider that set top HD DVD players are retailing for $430 to $500 while Blu-ray players cost anywhere from $840 to $1,000. For those that have an XBOX 360 and want to add high-definition movies to their library, it's a relatively cheap (all things considered) and simple upgrade. "Here's what I can tell you for sure; it's going to be the cheapest HD-DVD player you can buy without a doubt, when it comes out. I think it's going to be a great value... Everybody is very enthusiastic with the direction we're going. There are still a few surprises left. And I don't want to spill the beans yet, but I think people are going to think it's a great value," said Microsoft Larry Hyrb (aka Major Nelson). The low price tag can be attributed to the heavy lifting being performed by the XBOX 360 rather than the HD DVD drive. "All the audio and video processing is done inside the XBOX," said Microsoft senior program manager Kevin Collins.

As for the hardback book-sized drive itself, Microsoft showcased the device running "The Phantom of the Opera." The design of the drive, which has the internal codename of Sapphire, was all done in-house by Microsoft while Toshiba was selected to manufacture the drive. It will feature two USB 2.0 ports on the back to make up for the one USB port that the device itself uses. It also features the same cut-out on the back as the XBOX 360 to hold Microsoft’s XBOX 360 Wireless Networking Adapter if you chose to mount it there. The HD DVD interface, while not yet finished, was also on display. Gamerscore Blog has images posted of how it will look including an animated gif of it in action. The new interface basically replaces the "old" Open Tray button on the dashboard with a hybrid button that can toggle between DVD and HD DVD options with the up/down arrow keys. The drive will also be software updatable via XBOX Live so as new features are introduced, they can be automatically downloaded and applied.

Microsoft has revealed that it has some surprises in store for gamers during the fourth quarter. We know that one of them is the aforementioned HD DVD player and Gears of War. Hopefully, this isn’t all that Microsoft is planning and we’ll have even more to look forward to as the holiday season fast approaches.

Source

BobY · 08-12-2006, 04:51 PM

I suspect that Sony is building in the BR player, not because they think everyone who buys a PS3 wants to (or is going to) watch BR movies, but because once they instantly sell a boatload of PS3's they'll be able to tell everybody the installed base of BR players is in the zillions. It's smoke and mirrors to convince consumers and studios that BR is a hit.

While I hate to give Microsoft any credit for anything, their approach is the most consumer friendly (and probably means they won't be losing big bucks on every game machine they sell in an effort to try and establish an unrelated market).

I'm not sure why Sony is putting all of their eggs in the BR basket or why they they think it is so essential for BR to succeed that they are willing to possibly damage PS3 sales (and definitely damage PS3 margins), but if I was a Sony stockholder, I'd be really concerned (well, no, I'd be selling my Sony stock).

**bruceames** · 08-12-2006, 05:01 PM

And I used to be so anti-Microsoft...I take it all back. My how times have changed.

I firmly believe that Xbox add-ons will result in more HD DVD sales/rentals than PS3 will with BD. 100% of 1 million is greater than 10% of 6 million.

1080i Ownz · 08-12-2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceames

And I used to be so anti-Microsoft...I take it all back. My how times have changed.

I was that same person.

usmc13 · 08-13-2006, 04:12 PM

Can anyoine tell me if the add-on will have hdmi capabilities?

Jerry1808 · 08-13-2006, 04:28 PM

The hd-dvd addon is basically an hd transport with all the a/v processing done in the xbox which only has component outputs. So it would appear no hdmi at least in the first generation. I'm not a gamer so maybe someone else here has more definitive information?

Robert D · 08-13-2006, 04:40 PM

Interesting that Microsoft is using a Toshiba HD DVD drive for the 360 add on and Toshiba is using a NEC HD DVD drive for their player.

µCOM-4 · 08-13-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert D

Interesting that Microsoft is using a Toshiba HD DVD drive for the 360 add on and Toshiba is using a NEC HD DVD drive for their player.

I don't think the information provided was intended to be that specific. The drive could be a Toshiba or it could be a NEC or both.

08-12-2006, 03:43 PM	#1
eHDMI Vizio 37 LCD Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,648	Microsoft Shows Off XBOX 360 HD DVD Player Word on the street is that it will retail for around $200 Microsoft has again showed off its standalone HD DVD player for the XBOX 360. Whereas Sony decided to include its Blu-ray drive as standard equipment on the PlayStation 3, Microsoft decided not to force HD DVD on customers and instead provides it as an option. For those that choose to pursue that option, word on the street is that it will come in at around $200. While some consumers may scoff at a $200 add-on for the XBOX 360, one must consider that set top HD DVD players are retailing for $430 to $500 while Blu-ray players cost anywhere from $840 to $1,000. For those that have an XBOX 360 and want to add high-definition movies to their library, it's a relatively cheap (all things considered) and simple upgrade. "Here's what I can tell you for sure; it's going to be the cheapest HD-DVD player you can buy without a doubt, when it comes out. I think it's going to be a great value... Everybody is very enthusiastic with the direction we're going. There are still a few surprises left. And I don't want to spill the beans yet, but I think people are going to think it's a great value," said Microsoft Larry Hyrb (aka Major Nelson). The low price tag can be attributed to the heavy lifting being performed by the XBOX 360 rather than the HD DVD drive. "All the audio and video processing is done inside the XBOX," said Microsoft senior program manager Kevin Collins. As for the hardback book-sized drive itself, Microsoft showcased the device running "The Phantom of the Opera." The design of the drive, which has the internal codename of Sapphire, was all done in-house by Microsoft while Toshiba was selected to manufacture the drive. It will feature two USB 2.0 ports on the back to make up for the one USB port that the device itself uses. It also features the same cut-out on the back as the XBOX 360 to hold Microsoft’s XBOX 360 Wireless Networking Adapter if you chose to mount it there. The HD DVD interface, while not yet finished, was also on display. Gamerscore Blog has images posted of how it will look including an animated gif of it in action. The new interface basically replaces the "old" Open Tray button on the dashboard with a hybrid button that can toggle between DVD and HD DVD options with the up/down arrow keys. The drive will also be software updatable via XBOX Live so as new features are introduced, they can be automatically downloaded and applied. Microsoft has revealed that it has some surprises in store for gamers during the fourth quarter. We know that one of them is the aforementioned HD DVD player and Gears of War. Hopefully, this isn’t all that Microsoft is planning and we’ll have even more to look forward to as the holiday season fast approaches. Source __________________ Discount HDTV Accessories HDFury

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08-12-2006, 04:51 PM	#2
BobY What's all this, then?... Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,197	I suspect that Sony is building in the BR player, not because they think everyone who buys a PS3 wants to (or is going to) watch BR movies, but because once they instantly sell a boatload of PS3's they'll be able to tell everybody the installed base of BR players is in the zillions. It's smoke and mirrors to convince consumers and studios that BR is a hit. While I hate to give Microsoft any credit for anything, their approach is the most consumer friendly (and probably means they won't be losing big bucks on every game machine they sell in an effort to try and establish an unrelated market). I'm not sure why Sony is putting all of their eggs in the BR basket or why they they think it is so essential for BR to succeed that they are willing to possibly damage PS3 sales (and definitely damage PS3 margins), but if I was a Sony stockholder, I'd be really concerned (well, no, I'd be selling my Sony stock).

08-12-2006, 05:01 PM	#3
bruceames Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 10,171	And I used to be so anti-Microsoft...I take it all back. My how times have changed. I firmly believe that Xbox add-ons will result in more HD DVD sales/rentals than PS3 will with BD. 100% of 1 million is greater than 10% of 6 million.

08-13-2006, 04:12 PM	#5
usmc13 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 63	Can anyoine tell me if the add-on will have hdmi capabilities?

08-13-2006, 04:28 PM	#6
Jerry1808 Home Theater Fan Join Date: May 2006 Location: seattle Posts: 831	The hd-dvd addon is basically an hd transport with all the a/v processing done in the xbox which only has component outputs. So it would appear no hdmi at least in the first generation. I'm not a gamer so maybe someone else here has more definitive information?

08-13-2006, 04:40 PM	#7
Robert D High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 206	Interesting that Microsoft is using a Toshiba HD DVD drive for the 360 add on and Toshiba is using a NEC HD DVD drive for their player.