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[Matlock]

http://www.xboxcircle.com/portal/content/view/949/55/

Peter Moore sat down with the Japanese site ITmedia after CES to talk a little bit about add on drives. With all the frenzied news about the new format wars slowly building Microsoft feel they are sitting in a good position to go either way.


At CES Microsoft announced an add on HD-DVD drive would be available for Xbox 360 for movie viewing purposes only. However in the interview Moore said that Microsoft would be more then willing to adopt a Blu-Ray drive if HD-DVD should lose the format wars.

HD-DVD is clearly Microsofts first choice, but Moore said that the Xbox 360 can adopt to the dominat format since it will be an external drive. Moore also said that he felt the PS3 will be held back by the limit of Blu-Ray should HD-DVD win.

Moore also clearly stated that no plans exist for an Xbox 360 console to ship with an internal HD-DVD drive.

Estimates for this thread:

70% Sony fanboyism
20% WTF
10% Microsoft fanboyism

 

[BlueTsunami]

I wonder when we'll see an HVD addon

 

[Ghost]

Doesnt the Blu-ray standard require HDMI? or HDCP over DVI at least?

 

[ManDudeChild]

Anyone else getting that, "we dont know wtf to do so we'll throw shit at the wall and see what sticks," vibe?

 

[xaosslug]

Toshiba am cry.

 

[Borys]

70% Sony fanboyism
20% WTF
10% Microsoft fanboyism

That leaves exactly 0% for Common Sense :lol

 

[Ninja Scooter]

 

[BlueTsunami]

Couldn't the PS3 put a HD-DVD addon if Blu Ray fails and just use Blu Ray for games :lol

With that said, couldn't the Revolution do the exact same thing?

 

[GitarooMan]

I'm in the 20% WTF camp. I didn't get involved in that other massive thread but this whole add on idea is dumb (even just for movies) and I wouldn't be surprised if it's never released. Throwing out the possibility of BR add on just adds to my puzzlement

 

[teiresias]

So basically he's saying, "Ummm, we'd suggest not buying any add-on until the winner of the Hi-Def format war is decided."

 

[ManDudeChild]

That leaves exactly 0% for Common Sense :lol

I'm not naming names, but someone seems to forget what forum they're on

 

[Jeff-DSA]

Doesnt the Blu-ray standard require HDMI? or HDCP over DVI at least?

Yeah, I don't know how they'd dodge that one unless the add-on drive also has outputs...but that seems silly.


First pic of 360 Laserdisc drive!

 

[Ninja Scooter]

the fact that these are probably going to be addon DRIVES and won't use the existing 360 drive completely defeats the purpose to me. I know they will likely be cheaper, but honestly who wants a bunch of zipdrive lookign things sticking out of their Xbox360? just buy a dedicated HDDVD player once they get cheap enough.

 

[Late Stage Marxist]

Laserdisc add-on FTW

 

[human5892]

Moore also said that he felt the PS3 will be held back by the limit of Blu-Ray should HD-DVD win.

He is assuming that Sony will not be silly enough to put out an HD-DVD add-on drive.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

That leaves exactly 0% for Common Sense :lol

Yeah, leave a percentage point for me at least for crying out loud.

 

[[Nintex]]

Problems in the HD-DVD camp?
Microsoft jumping ship and choosing the "sony" format.
Interesting.

 

[DenogginizerOS]

Will Blu-Ray work on non-HDMI/component only HDTV's? I know there was some talk about them backing off a bit from a non-component stance.

 

[crunker99]

Problems in the HD-DVD camp?
Microsoft jumping ship and choosing the "sony" format.
Interesting.

Why would u say jumping ship.. its called hedging their bets.. the first smart move MS has made..


if anythign they are doing both .. theres no giving up one here so "jumping ship" is inaccurate

 

[Joe]

360 was built so that if something need hdmi bandwidth (like an hd-dvd drive) it was capable of adapting. is usb enough for the hd-dvd drive? thats the only way it can connect unless im over looking something? and does anyone honestly expect it to be attached to the 360? i kind of figured it would be a seperate component that you could put as far as the usb or whatever cable can go.

 

[choplifter]

oh noes :lol

 

[acidviper]

The Sony 360.

 

[Guy LeDouche]

ground floor.

Also, Peter Moore knows not what he does.

 

[IJoel]

Couldn't the PS3 put a HD-DVD addon if Blu Ray fails and just use Blu Ray for games :lol

With that said, couldn't the Revolution do the exact same thing?

They certainly could, but obviously the cost would be higher, and would definitely try to avoid it. Sony wants BluRay to be successful badly and will be affected in a significant way if it isn't. MS isn't in that same position.

360 was built so that if something need hdmi bandwidth (like an hd-dvd drive) it was capable of adapting. is usb enough for the hd-dvd drive? thats the only way it can connect unless im over looking something? and does anyone honestly expect it to be attached to the 360? i kind of figured it would be a seperate component that you could put as far as the usb or whatever cable can go.

I wonder about the same thing. I don't think Xbox 360 has the capability to output Hi-Def movies (lack of HDMI,) but i suppose they could use the SATA connector the HDD uses and build the HD-DVD drive to have its own output.

 

[ManDudeChild]

He is assuming that Sony will not be silly enough to put out an HD-DVD add-on drive.

He's also not paying much attention to the fact that almost every major studio has jumped on the Blu-Ray bandwagon.

 

[radioheadrule83]

Why would u say jumping ship.. its called hedging their bets.. the first smart move MS has made..

Agreed.

I'd of thought this would make BluRay camp brown-nosers happy enough without having to spin it negatively for Microsoft.

 

[Kobun Heat]

 

[xaosslug]

now when they should be promenading about the truth they decide to be truthful? me am not getting this new business model at all. shouldn't their faith in this new standard they’re on the front lines, trying to push be blind, reality be damned? wtf.

Peter Moore should put out a new statement claiming a misquote ASAP, sighting the language barrier. :lol

 

[Azure Dream]

Yeah, I don't know how they'd dodge that one unless the add-on drive also has outputs...but that seems silly.

Tell that to my 32X.

One thing I don't get is, just how useful or cost-beneficial is it to release something like this as a 360 add-on? It'll require a new disc drive, new outputs as it's been said, and at least some specialized hardware, even if some of the internals can be replicated with what's on-board the 360 already. Would one just be practically taping two completely different systems together only bound by a few pieces and marketing, or is there honestly a lot that could be saved in HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray player production by tying it to the 360?

I wish they had pushed back the console a few months and just picked a winner to include as the standard for their drive; even if it ended up being the wrong choice for the movie market, game developers would've certainly benefitted.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

Seriously, who the hell wants to connect some ugly out of place add on to their 360?

Fuck it. It should have had BR to begin with. Do it right the first time MS dammit.

 

[DarienA]

I'm curious to know how this went down.. if someone said hey if Blu Ray became the dominant formula could you do an add-on drive for it and he said sure... then that's no biggie... if he himself pulled this statement out without any prodding... then I gotta wonder... why?

 

[bud]

Moore also said that he felt the PS3 will be held back by the limit of Blu-Ray should HD-DVD win.

HUH?

 

[Cold-Steel]

QFT.

 

[Flo_Evans]

sweet... now all it needs is a vacuum attachtment so I can clean the doritos out of my couch as I game!

oh peter, you so crazy! (again) :lol

 

[DenogginizerOS]

This has about as much impact on the 360's future as the ability to hook up your camera for photos. It doesn't really mean dick for games. I was gonna say something about how adopting THAT position further weakens HDDVD in my eyes, but then again, Peter Moore said it, and we don't know if he's finished detox yet . . . :lol

Recently, Circuit City, Best Buy, and COMPusa execs were commenting in a CES press conference that they don't look forward to the blame they will get for selling the losing format player to consumers. Having a Blu-Ray add-on is no "Moore" an advantage than having an HD-DVD add-on. The large majority of initial PS3 games will be on DVD's and ALL X360 games will be on DVD-9's. I fail to see how either BluRay or HDDVD helps either console this early in the game. However, I would have to say that there is much "Moore" of a risk that HD-DVD will be less popular just based on the fact that the much sought after PS3 will make your HD player decision for you.

 

[mckmas8808]

Anyone else getting that, "we dont know wtf to do so we'll throw shit at the wall and see what sticks," vibe?

It's all about OPTIONS!!! :lol

 

[GeoramA]

Sony responds:

 

[Lo-Volt]

Peter... *sigh*

 

[DenogginizerOS]

Soooo...Ebay then? let me know, I've got the page ready. we can do a combo deal, and throw Prine in as our bikini model!

Covers eyes and shudders

I am SOOO getting rid of my X360. I can't take the idea of adding an accessory to anything, let alone my gaming console. My Logitech wheel for PS2 caused such a disturbance in the aesthetic balance of my living room that my wife would bitch slap me every time she passed by me.

HORI Sticks, IPODS, PSP's, PC's. YOU ALL SUCK. All hail the mighty PS3! If one component fails - no problem. Just send it to Sony and all will be better.

 

[The Faceless Master]

360 was built so that if something need hdmi bandwidth (like an hd-dvd drive) it was capable of adapting. is usb enough for the hd-dvd drive? thats the only way it can connect unless im over looking something? and does anyone honestly expect it to be attached to the 360? i kind of figured it would be a seperate component that you could put as far as the usb or whatever cable can go.

well, i don't know the data read speed for HD-DVD, but there was a big brouhaha when people saw that the DVDROM drive in the Xbox 360 had faster data read speeds than "2x" Blu-Ray...

and that speed was less than 1/3 of the 480mbps theoretical max of USB2

 

[gofreak]

Doesnt the Blu-ray standard require HDMI? or HDCP over DVI at least?

Unknown, still undecided. At the moment HD-DVD does.

But... :lol at the whole sorry mess.

well, i don't know the data read speed for HD-DVD, but there was a big brouhaha when people saw that the DVDROM drive in the Xbox 360 had faster data read speeds than "2x" Blu-Ray...

and that speed was less than 1/3 of the 480mbps theoretical max of USB2

The problem is if X360 needs a HDMI-out, and it only can go on the add-on. Then you need gigabits per second of bandwidth. Unless you want to put a hardware decoder in there too. In which case, you're basically talking about a standalone HD-DVD player, so the what's the point of connecting it to the X360 in the first place?

 

[MaddenNFL64]

Even though what he said makes sense, it's Peter Moore saying it, so...

:lol

 

[ypo]

What the guy failed to realize that even if the Blue Ray format fails as a movie player it still gives the PS3 a HUGE advantage in what's important nad that's data storage.

 

[Jive Turkey]

Now that you mention it, Controllers for videogames suck too.

Revmote for the win!!!

 

[VictimOfGrief]

Honestly I suprised no FanBoi or Xbot has said it yet....


"Peter moore says 360 could see PS3 addon....."

:lol

 

[DenogginizerOS]

Now that you mention it, Controllers for videogames suck too.

You know it. Here's hoping that my Australian themed decor will marry nicely with the wireless batarang PS3 controller. I currently mount my X360 controllers on my huge "Dogs Playing Poker" painting as bow ties for the dogs. It blends right in like the George Foreman grill on my countertop in the kitchen.

 

[crunker99]

Dunno why people are assuming blu-ray is exclusively the domain of PS3

the PS3 will have a blu ray drive but remember sony has a HUUUGE business outside playstation and blu ray is going to be a part of that business which means that MS making a blu-ray addon does not mean it is "stealing" from the ps3

 

[BlueTsunami]

Honestly I suprised no FanBoi or Xbot has said it yet....


"Peter moore says 360 could see PS3 addon....."

:lol

Ummmm....you just said your surprised that a FanBoi or Xbot hasn't posted that and yet you post it? What does that make you?

 

[hukasmokincaterpillar]

So what are the chances Sony gives MS the best offer on the Blu-Ray add-on...and you could potentially have a 360 with a Sony logo?

 

[DenogginizerOS]

So what are the chances Sony gives MS the best offer on the Blu-Ray add-on...and you could potentially have a 360 with a Sony logo?

The same likelihood that Samsung or Phillips insists on their logo be displayed on the XBOX or PC disc drives. The Blu-Ray technology may some day be analogous to DVD which last time I checked, has no system bias.