MS: 'NO' to built-in HD-DVD in 360

[T2k]

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/07/03/ms_xbox_360_hddvd_plan/

MS says no to Xbox 360 with built-in HD DVD
By Tony Smith
Published Monday 3rd July 2006 10:51 GMT

Microsoft has "no plans" to offer a version of its Xbox 360 console with an internal HD DVD drive, a company employee has stated in a bid to confound rumours to the contrary.

According to the software giant's official Xbox employee blog, the company is "sticking" with the external drive it announced in January this year and demo'd in May.

"By keeping the drive external, we're offering consumers a choice in creating their own hi-def experiences," wrote one Cesar Menendez. "So: no plans for an internal HD DVD."

Last week, Mark Whittard, general manager of Toshiba's Information Systems Division in Australia, was quoted as saying he reckons Microsoft will build HD DVD into the Xbox 360.

"I would imagine that there are plans in place to put an HD DVD drive internally in future revisions of the product," he told IT Wire in Australia. "They're not speaking about it publicly at the moment but I would expect them to do that and fairly soon."

Claims that Microsoft was considering such a move follow rumours that upcoming Xbox 360 price cuts will actually manifest themselves as the bundling of the HD DVD drive - the ticket price will remain the same. That suggestion was not addressed in the blog post. ®

 

[Purogamer]

Yeah, because that rumor by the guy who works for (what was it, toshiba?) stated otherwise. Like this was really something MS needed to get out there and squash. They've said since day one they wouldn't change the hardware down the line...

 

[jgantert]

They won't change the internal drive... that's like going from Intellivision to Intellivision II. Bad move.

The bundle with the HD-DVD add-on, I can see. Actually, that might be a pretty attractive bundle to me since I haven't bought my HD-DVD player yet.

-John