Microsoft: HD-DVD not to be bundled with Xbox 360

[seminole2001]

Microsoft Denies Xbox HD DVD Rumors | High-Def Digest

That rumored "Entertainment Xbox" with a built-in HD DVD hard drive? Microsoft says its a no-go.

Speaking with Home Media Magazine, the computer giant denied persistent rumors that it had teamed up with Toshiba to develop a new version of its gaming console with an internal HD DVD hard drive.

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The trade magazine quotes Kevin Collins, Microsoft's director of HD DVD evangelism, as saying the company did not and will not bundle an HD DVD drive in its popular gaming console because Microsoft believes that gamers are first and foremost gamers.

"Microsoft knew if we put in an HD DVD drive that we would have to raise costs and disenfranchise our customers (that are primarily gamers) as the unit would become too expensive," explained Collins.

The exec's comments on the rumored Xbox came as part of a response to accusations that Microsoft's support of HD DVD was designed to perpetuate the format war in hopes that consumers will sit it out entirely, and instead buy their entertainment online. Collins called the accusations baseless, stating that the company had "over 100 people working on HD DVD interactivity and we believe that HD DVD is the next-generation optical format."

 

[NOHDjunkie]

"Microsoft: HD-DVD not good enough to be bundled with Xbox 360"

WoW... that's quite the misleading thread title....

 

[Paradox-SJ]

WoW... that's quite the misleading thread title....

+1

MODS...please fix

 

[vurbano]

Another BD troll strikes again.

 

[Neutron]

Title fixed.

 

[meStevo]

There are enough of these, that I think I might need to photoshop together the Iraqi Information Minister and the BD logo when I get a minute.

 

[jgantert]

Great move by Microsoft. They're focusing on the GAME market, with a movie option currently available. No need to add extra expense to the 360, after the recent trend of lowering prices.

 

[vurbano]

Great move by Microsoft. They're focusing on the GAME market, with a movie option currently available. No need to add extra expense to the 360, after the recent trend of lowering prices.

I agree.

 

[IcEWoLF]

Another BD troll strikes again.

Look who is talking...an HD-DVD troll.

There is no troll's existing in this forums its HD DVD - Blu-ray Warzone.

 

[ONUOsFan]

This seems like a good move by them now, as opposed to Sony which has, to a certain extent, disenfranchised its customers by including the BD drive and having higher costs.... I just wonder if it will look the same in a year or so when multi-disc games become more prevalent - seems like it would be a good idea to at least provide the option to have them on HD-DVD and have a bundled solution for someone who was willing to pay for the "convenience."

 

[SKrueger]

Actually IMO it makes good sense. If HD-DVD loses the battle then all Microsoft has to do is release a Blu-ray add-on rather than have a bunch of consoles with a then useless built-in HD-DVD.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Face it fellas, microsoft hopes BOTH die so that downloadable content lives. This is something most of us DONT want.