Microsoft in Talks For Blu-ray Xbox 360

[Heavie]

Sony seems to be in talks with Microsoft about offering a Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360, Steve Balmer almost admitted yesterday speaking in Las Vegas.

Microsoft's move was expected since Toshiba decided to stop advancing the HD DVD technology last month. Microsoft has backed Toshiba's HD-DVD format and offered an external HD-DVD drive that can be plugged into the 360.

In its Thusday afternoon keynote at MIX 08, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said that the company moves on and supports Blu-ray.

"We've already been working on, for example, in Windows, device driver support for Blu-ray drives and the like, and I think the world moves on. Toshiba has moved on. We've moved on, and we'll support Blu-ray in ways that make sense."

Balmer's statement comes just one day after a Sony executive hinted that his company is in talks with console rival Microsoft about offering a Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360, in an interview with Financial Times.

Microsoft did to confirm any talks, saying that they have not made any official move to Blu-ray.

A Blu-ray drive in a 360 would make Microsoft more competitive with the PS3, but it would also mean extra revenues for Sony?s electronics division.


Microsoft in Talks For Blu-ray Xbox 360

 

[JoeSp]

It can only make it more competitive with the PS3 if the price for the XBOX360 drops significantly. Because you have to compete with a PS3 at $399 that already includes the BD drive. It is going to be hard for M$ to offer a comparable package.

 

[darrencp22]

It would be interesting to see what an add-on might cost. Could one use both the HD DVD ad on and a potential BD addon?

 

[meStevo]

IMO, it's just a sexy headline, people are taking the confirmed 'we will support Blu-Ray' comments way out of context and applying it to suit their argument.

There is just as much proof that they will develop an addon BD player for the Zune as there is they'd make one for the 360.

If anything, I'd expect the next 360 (2010?) to support BD before a new SKU is created, prices will be reasonable enough that it wont make its inclusion a burden on console pricing.

 

[dimi1963]

Microsoft denied rumors claiming that they would soon releas a BD player fpr the 360:

Report: Microsoft says no Blu-ray for Xbox 360 | Tech news blog - CNET News.com

 

[IcEWoLF]

Microsoft denied rumors claiming that they would soon releas a BD player fpr the 360:

Report: Microsoft says no Blu-ray for Xbox 360 | Tech news blog - CNET News.com

Well again, M$ wants to make money off Marketplace download media, I am sure they are making good money off it.
If their download media fails then they will have Blu-ray at their disposal.

 

[Van]

It'll hurt them not do it. xbox 360 = betamax

 

[meStevo]

It'll hurt them not do it. xbox 360 = betamax

You have got to be kidding me. Are you bathing in the kool-aid?

 

[Van]

No, think about it, if MS doesnt go with a new hd dvd player format then what do you think will happen? Before blue-ray came out as the winner I was looking to get a 360 and an add on drive but why go that route now when toshiba threw in the towel and ms wont have anymore players, I'll just wait a bit longer till I can get a used ps3 from game stop and watch blue-rays.

 

[meStevo]

No, think about it, if MS doesnt go with a new hd dvd player format then what do you think will happen? Before blue-ray came out as the winner I was looking to get a 360 and an add on drive but why go that route now when toshiba threw in the towel and ms wont have anymore players, I'll just wait a bit longer till I can get a used ps3 from game stop and watch blue-rays.

I am sorry, I thought I was posting in the video game forum.

With something like 300k total HDDVD drives in the wild for the 360, compared to the more than 17 million 360s that have been sold, your opinion is in the very very small minority.

'Think about it'

The NPD numbers are out for March, 1.1 million games sold for the 360 in the top 10. DMC4 reminded a few PS3 owners that their BD player can take spiffy $60 discs called games, and so it popped into the top 10. Like all PS3 titles though, that will be a brief trip and it will poof next month while the 360 version will retain decent sales.

Betamax? Are you kidding me?

 

[Madtown HD Junkie]

MS should swap out the frick'n HD-DVD for a blu ray if they make one....

 

[meStevo]

They wont, and by the way, given current hardware sales (including the 360's 'shortage' the last 2 months), it would take 4 years for the PS3 to pass it in worldwide sales.