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Xbox 360 to have HD-DVD ?

M

midnightguy

Member
http://forum.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?t=344487

http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=upsell_article&articleID=VR1117922513&categoryID=18&cs=1

Game for integration

At stake is a financial cut and control of the disc on which consumers spend tens of billions of dollars each year to see movies and TV shows and play videogames. Sony is already planning to integrate Blu-ray into the PlayStation 3, while Microsoft is expected to announce this week that HD DVD will be a non-exclusive component of the upcoming Xbox 360. Both next-generation gaming consoles will be used for DVD playback and home media networking.
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whoa, so HD-DVD afterall, and not DVD-9 ?



Details on the next-generation Xbox were scant from Edward Bland, global marketing general manager of Microsoft's home and entertainment division for Xbox, explaining that its major introduction will be held at the E3 show in Los Angeles the week of May 16. But he did note that “no decision has been made as yet for a blue-laser format” for Xbox. Bland noted that “either Blu-ray or HD DVD would be acceptable” and that the next-generation Xbox would be “extendable” in that area. Weedfald added that Samsung has also not selected a blue-laser format as of yet.
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"But he did note that “no decision has been made as yet for a blue-laser format” for Xbox. Bland noted that “either Blu-ray or HD DVD would be acceptable” and that the next-generation Xbox would be “extendable” in that area."

Extendable?
 
CabbageRed said:
"But he did note that “no decision has been made as yet for a blue-laser format” for Xbox. Bland noted that “either Blu-ray or HD DVD would be acceptable” and that the next-generation Xbox would be “extendable” in that area."

Extendable?
Click to expand...

USB External Drive? They could have drivers for both BluRay or HD DVD come with it for Xbox 360.
 
MS to sell a kit for people to solder a blue laser diode in the drive sometimes in 2006. Instant tens of millions seller!!!11
 
it would be nice.. .but im doubtful. and what does non-exclusive mean? probably games on normal DVD but som emodels would have the ability to play HD-DVD movies?
 
doesnt make sense to have it external. why would a consumer buy an add-on when they can just buy a stand-alone player.
 
Or perhaps just extendable in the sense that you could stream audio/video feed to the X360 from a host computer or other device. If they could swing it, it'd be nice to see inside of the system, though. I dunno. Doesn't seem necessary to me, but if they felt that Sony pushing BR would make them look bad if they only had DVD...well, it doesn't seem impossible to have it included.
 
android said:
what does non-exclusive mean? Not in every 360 or in other things as well as 360?
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Yeah, that, plus

" that the next-generation Xbox would be “extendable” in that area."

that, makes me confused. An external drive would just be silly. Unless you can "eject" the x360's drive cleanly and slot a new one in. But this would only have benefits for movies, not games..
 
and looking at teh 360's design it seems fairly impossible that it would be easy to swap, or msft would let the user do it at least
 
Begun the HD Era has...

yoda.jpg
 
what a day for HD-DVD today, huh? 45 GB discs announced, and now possible inclusion in the next-gen Xbox


Sony must be, at least, frustrated over this, assuming MS goes with HD-DVD and not Blu-Ray

:)
 
Well, if X360 were to include this media as standard, and do well off the blocks...it would give Toshiba and its backers some reason to not fold and reconcile their format with BR. As much as it would be nice, it still seems very unlikely for MS to be able to do this.
 
Well none of the leaked specs mention HD-DVD, and if its not in the launch box then all games will still only be on DVD-9 even if they release an upgraded version later.
 
Since HD-DVD and Bluray don't seem to be technologies that are set in stone yet wouldn't it be non-sensical for MS to commit to HD-DVD in a product that will be manufactured in the next few months when it's spec could change after that?

On the other hand, it would be brilliant of them to put out amazing specs for their system and then lower expectations with online rumours that say it wont be all that good, and then go meet the original expectations.

Would it be feasible for them to use a HD-DVD beta spec and then if the spec changes for the format after they manufacture their launch units just treat it as a proprietary disc format just for games and regular DVD (i.e. no blu-ray/HD-DVD compatibility but still can play DVD and has more storage space for games using the 'Beta' HD-DVD format)?
 
If the Xbox 360 doesnt have a form of HD movie watching capabilities then that is sales (-1).
At least until a price drop...

I was really looking forward to that feature.
 
intresting quote form the other thread
Details on the next-generation Xbox were scant from Edward Bland, global marketing general manager of Microsoft's home and entertainment division for Xbox, explaining that its major introduction will be held at the E3 show in Los Angeles the week of May 16. But he did note that “no decision has been made as yet for a blue-laser format” for Xbox. Bland noted that “either Blu-ray or HD DVD would be acceptable” and that the next-generation Xbox would be “extendable” in that area. Weedfald added that Samsung has also not selected a blue-laser format as of yet.
Click to expand...
 
golem said:
intresting quote form the other thread
Click to expand...

Maybe they know something we don't and are waiting on a unified format ;)

Let's face it - the best scenario for everyone is if Bluray and HD-DVD unite (be it with Bluray's disc structure of HD-DVDs), and both PS3 and X360 come with it as standard.
 
gofreak said:
Maybe they know something we don't and are waiting on a unified format ;)

Let's face it - the best scenario for everyone is if Bluray and HD-DVD unite (be it with Bluray's disc structure of HD-DVDs), and both PS3 and X360 come with it as standard.
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Toshiba developing and yesterday announcing a way to slap a third layer onto their HD-DVD disc doesn't really instill confidence that they are still seriously working towards a unified solution with BluRay :<
 
bitwise said:
Toshiba developing and yesterday announcing a way to slap a third layer onto their HD-DVD disc doesn't really instill confidence that they are still seriously working towards a unified solution with BluRay :<
Click to expand...

It says nothing about the unification process. Both camps have to go full steam ahead with their prospective offerings until a deal is absolutely and finally done. It helps their position in negotiations, and saves them face if talks fail (they don't want to lose momentum if things don't work out).
 
gofreak said:
It says nothing about the unification process. Both camps have to go full steam ahead with their prospective offerings until a deal is absolutely and finally done. It helps their position in negotiations, and saves them face if talks fail (they don't want to lose momentum if things don't work out).
Click to expand...


sure. well, i hope they are still working towards it, im just not confident that they are anymore.
 
I would love to see all the new consoles have a HD optical drive.

Would tie in with MS's HD era.

360 will sort of be a half baked HD solution if it does not have a HD drive IMO.
 
I hope HD-DVD wins over Blu-ray.. since HD-DVD's could have "normal" DVD's on them, it would eliminate confusion, and not piss off all the people who just recently got on the DVD bandwagon.. it would make the 1080i (or 1080p) version of the movie seem like an "option" for watching it for those with the better players.. I just think the format is more pragmatic in the long run... even if it isnt as technically advanced.
 
since HD-DVD's could have "normal" DVD's on them, it would eliminate confusion, and not piss off all the people who just recently got on the DVD bandwagon..
Click to expand...
BRD group has already presented their own CD/DVD hybrids, so HDDVD has no advantage in that area either.
Personally I would prefer if they both skip the hybrids alltogether though.
 
byproduct said:
Since HD-DVD and Bluray don't seem to be technologies that are set in stone yet wouldn't it be non-sensical for MS to commit to HD-DVD in a product that will be manufactured in the next few months when it's spec could change after that?

On the other hand, it would be brilliant of them to put out amazing specs for their system and then lower expectations with online rumours that say it wont be all that good, and then go meet the original expectations.

Would it be feasible for them to use a HD-DVD beta spec and then if the spec changes for the format after they manufacture their launch units just treat it as a proprietary disc format just for games and regular DVD (i.e. no blu-ray/HD-DVD compatibility but still can play DVD and has more storage space for games using the 'Beta' HD-DVD format)?
Click to expand...


good points.
 
considering vhs lasted what 25 years? and dvd is working on more or less than 10 with it JUST becoming truly mass market whatever the next format is HAS to have both HD and normal options. for some reason i dont see the masses talking too kindly to a switch this fast.
 
Barnimal said:
considering vhs lasted what 25 years? and dvd is working on more or less than 10 with it JUST becoming truly mass market whatever the next format is HAS to have both HD and normal options. for some reason i dont see the masses talking too kindly to a switch this fast.
Click to expand...

I agree completely.. I think there would be a backlash that would send the new hi-def DVD's the way of the laser disc.. this way they can cater to the early adopters but still tap into the old market base for DVD sales. Hopefully the new generation of game systems and the increased presence of HDTV programming will spur alot of people to move to hi-def sets in the next 10 years.. but right now most people are happy with their normal TV's, so unless you have a HDTV there is no real reason to want either of these formats.

Didnt know Blu-ray had a backwards compatible component, so I guess I hope that wins out (it still holds more data, correct?)
 
Fafalada said:
BRD group has already presented their own CD/DVD hybrids, so HDDVD has no advantage in that area either.
Personally I would prefer if they both skip the hybrids alltogether though.
Click to expand...

Yep. Other than bargain titles, I simply don't see studios jumping on it anyway.

The biggest thing studios want is to be able to charge a premium price for HD content as DVD's have dropped to very thin margins. If you've got a 17M seller like the Incredibles, you'll still make a mint, but if you've got a standard release, the profit is seriously being squeezed with current pricing.

So, if you've got a premium title, why bother putting the DVD version on there? The people with only DVD aren't going to pay an extra $10 or so in the hope that they'll get a HD players eventually and the people with HD players aren't going to care about the DVD version. So, unless the cost is absolutely negligible and the studios want to be nice to HD owners by giving them the DVD version for free to use when they're away from their main player, I don't really see the point.

They're going to have to have 2 skus out there anyway, because they want different price points.
 
StoOgE said:
I agree completely.. I think there would be a backlash that would send the new hi-def DVD's the way of the laser disc..
Click to expand...

yeah i dunno if its greed on movie studios or sonys part or what but they are all jumping the gun totally on this format switch. with DVD it improved greatly from VHS and the masses were able to take advantage of dvd using the millions of normal TV sets already in households. if anything people only had to upgrade their stereo systems to include 5.1 which i'm sure less than 50% have. Now you are gonna tell people not only do you have to buy these new players but if you want the full benefit of the players...welp you gotta plunk down a nice chunk on a new TV. its as if they are betting that everyones just gonna run out and buy an HDTV. it aint gonna happen.
 
Barnimal said:
yeah i dunno if its greed on movie studios or sonys part or what but they are all jumping the gun totally on this format switch. with DVD it improved greatly from VHS and the masses were able to take advantage of dvd using the millions of normal TV sets already in households. if anything people only had to upgrade their stereo systems to include 5.1 which i'm sure less than 50% have. Now you are gonna tell people not only do you have to buy these new players but if you want the full benefit of the players...welp you gotta plunk down a nice chunk on a new TV. its as if they are betting that everyones just gonna run out and buy an HDTV. it aint gonna happen.
Click to expand...

I think you've gotta look at it from the studios perspective.

1) DVD is killing them in terms of piracy. They want the new format with better copy protection to take hold ASAP

2) People are buying HDTV's at a furious clip and there's very, very little content out there, which means great opportunity

3) HD Content = Premium pricing (for awhile). Both formats will exist, but it will allow studios to make some serious profit of off the new format. It's the whole supersizing idea.
 
I i wouldnt exactly call it a furious clip. its kinda hard to get a regular TV these days. Its not a bad thing but its not as if people are going in in droves to get HDTVs. its just the people who wanted new TVs anyway finding that 90% of the sets on store shelves are now HD.
 
the thing is, I dont think the average person bought a DVD because it looks better.. joe schmoe probably liked it because you didnt have to rewind, and could jump to any scene you wanted... very similar to CD's, most people didnt jump on board because of sound improvements, but because of convinience.

I think most people are going to look at HD-DVD's, see that the only improvement they get from them is that it looks better with a bitchin' TV and say "Meh, I dont really care". Hell, my parents think the only difference between their 10 year old POS Zenith TV and my bitchin' new Samsung DLP is that mine is widescreen. I think a large part of the population really thinks HDTV is about widescreen and thats it (or if they do know it looks better, really dont care or cant really tell)... you have to remember most of us are younger tech savvy people who hang out with like minded people, the general public really doesnt care about picture quality.
 
HDTV market penetration just isn't there yet. Next year will be closer, but I don't know many people that actually have an HDTV in my neighborhood. And I've been told it's a rather "rich" neighborhood.

Look at the sales, and HDTV is still only a luxury.
 
trmas said:
HDTV market penetration just isn't there yet. Next year will be closer, but I don't know many people that actually have an HDTV in my neighborhood. And I've been told it's a rather "rich" neighborhood.
Click to expand...

this is my experience as well.. Im not from a hyper rich neighboorhood, but my parents old neighboorhood is fairly well off, and no one that they know has an HDTV.. wearas I live in a moderatly priced condo where half of us are living paycheck to paycheck but most of us have HDTV's.. :lol
 
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