Microsoft seeing writing on the wall HD-DVD going away?

[mike123abc]

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=6714

Interesting read. Microsoft still behind HD-DVD they say, but we could support Blu-Ray on Xbox in future if it wins...“And if and when it does, then the way that we’ve constructed the offering we’ve made means we’ll be able to go whichever way we want.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17824564/

Reporting blow to Toshiba by not including HD-DVD in Xbox Elite.

Seems like the press is starting to pick up on a theme of HD-DVD losing support and now speculating that Microsoft support is not very strong...

 

[BlackHitachi]

Wow that is really smart! I guess we know why there is not a HD DVD built into the new 360 Elite.

 

[JoeSp]

M$ will still be a winner. Their XBOX360 has some very nice games coming out and the inclusion of HDMI on the 360Elite will allow for 1080p viewing. It would be easy to come up with a BD player for them and it would allow for them to straddle the fence very easily. Every so once-in-awhile M$ actually does something smart.

 

[ocnier]

It does make an interesting point, but it will be a long time before Sony produces a USB compatible drive (at least 2 years), they are simply too paranoid about security (something that has already been broken thanks to slysoft, LOL ). HD Net CEDIA coverage was right with argument that fear is hindering true technology product development in the market place. MS is making a brilliant move not to incorporate either format native to the elite system in terms of price (heck, from a gaming standpoint the games are just now going to the need for the DVD size format). On this level in my mind sony overshot the mark by forcing the BD in ever unit, i.e. what would the price point be if the PS3 had a BD option through USB/Firewire/External SATA etc.., I suspect a lot lower and more appealing to a broader base of consumers that are more price conscious. The raw cost price of these consoles keep going up and up.

 

[JoeSp]

While I tend to agree with the USB statement I disagree with the "Forcing the BD in every unit" remark. I think they were very smart. The PS3 is totally upgradable to everything the BD format has promised. It can support both lossless audio formats with upgrading. It can do 24 FPS in 1080p with an upgrade. It already has internet access and memory on board. Sony made a promise to the BD camp that the PS3 would not only deliver sales but would greatly enhance BD movie sales.

While not burning down any bridges in sales it has been consistant. By summer when several hot titles come out (Heavenly Sword, Lair and others) the games might start driving the sales. But where BD movies sales are concerned they are steadily rising and with Casino they have set a record for HD movie discs sales.

Yes, without the BD they could of sold the system for considerably less, and without alot of great games they would not of had a chance to push M$. But with BD on board they also appeal to the early adopter who likes BD and the studios backing that format. In this matter they were very smart.

Now by XMAS when there are several cool game titles out for the PS3 with just a little incentive (maybe a free game or a small price drop - maybe $50 to $100) and the PS3 could just steal the XMAS crowd for consoles. Competition is great and this XMAS is when the real contest begins.

 

[mike123abc]

I expect a new PS3 to come out with at least a 120 GB disk to match Xbox and the price to be lower than the 60GB one is now. With the new smaller die size on the processor from IBM increasing yeild (and should drive down pricing), the continued lowering in costs of hard drives, and the dropping of the PS2 compatibility chips, the build cost of the PS3 is probably dropping quickly.

 

[JoeSp]

Why bring out a new PS3 when I can buy as big a hard drive as I want and put it into my PS3 and the PS3 will automatically format it for me?

 

[John Kotches]

It does make an interesting point, but it will be a long time before Sony produces a USB compatible drive (at least 2 years), they are simply too paranoid about security (something that has already been broken thanks to slysoft, LOL ).

The X-Box HD-DVD drive isn't a USB drive. It's a PATA drive with a PATA to USB Bridge. I can take my Sony drive and install it itno a 5.25" enclosure with USB or Firewire and I have an instantly compatible drive.

So if I can manage to do something like this in about 20 minutes, which includes pulling the Blu-ray drive out of the computer case it's currently installed in, why do you think it will be so difficult for any company to do the same?

 

[John Kotches]

I expect a new PS3 to come out with at least a 120 GB disk to match Xbox and the price to be lower than the 60GB one is now. With the new smaller die size on the processor from IBM increasing yeild (and should drive down pricing), the continued lowering in costs of hard drives, and the dropping of the PS2 compatibility chips, the build cost of the PS3 is probably dropping quickly.

Nope, the biggest single expense is the Blu-ray drive and that isn't dropping in price.

Cheers,

 

[CochiseGuy]

Nope, the biggest single expense is the Blu-ray drive and that isn't dripping in price.

Cheers,

The only thing "dripping in price' is SNE stock.

MSFT is smart, as usual. It's about giving consumers choice. :up

 

[John Kotches]

Cochise.. Doh...

I'll fix it.

 

[Paradox-SJ]

LOL M$ stupid? There 'stupid' has made more multi-millionare then any other company in the last 20 years....

I love that kind of stupid...keep it up Redmond

 

[tnsprin]

I expect a new PS3 to come out with at least a 120 GB disk to match Xbox and the price to be lower than the 60GB one is now. With the new smaller die size on the processor from IBM increasing yeild (and should drive down pricing), the continued lowering in costs of hard drives, and the dropping of the PS2 compatibility chips, the build cost of the PS3 is probably dropping quickly.

Sony already supports the user switching disk drives. Whether they will start shipping with a 120 gb (or bigger) is another question.