Network now...NEWS
Report: Xbox 360 Readies for Blu-ray
According to a report in the hardware press, Microsoft is set to announce plans for an external Blu-ray drive for Xbox 360.
According to the report, Toshiba-Samsung Storage Technology Corp has picked up a contract to manufacture external Blu-ray disc drives for Xbox 360. A price of $100 - $150 is being suggested, although the story says this number is “rumor”.
Microsoft’s short-lived flirtation with Blu-ray rival HD-DVD was widely seen as a tactical move against Sony’s Blu-ray drive; one that failed to stem Blu-ray’s victory over the rival format.
Now Microsoft is seeking to bridge a gap between its machine and PS3, by offering Blu-ray as a relatively inexpensive add-on for Xbox 360. Edge is chasing Microsoft for a comment.
Source: XbitLabs
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Don't want to ruin the party but this is the worst kinda troll food.
They may be ready for it. Or not. In the end they probably will, whatever the 'end' means, on the 360 or the nextbox. One thing's for sure: considering a typical AAA title's size, the talk about DLC's future dominance is utter BS.
Gyak,
You and I can't seem to agree on this subject. No one knows what's going to happen in the "future" but one thing I believe is that the next systems will be digital distribution ready. I don't think it'll be replacing retail, not at all. But the first steps have already been taken this generation to prepare the next generation (and possibly this generation) for full-game downloads as an OPTION. The 360 and PS3 offer Xbox 1 and PS2 respectively full retail games via download, why couldn't they make this an option for new games, too? I think bluray may be used strictly as a delivery medium and not something games will run off. You either download new full games to your HDD, or you buy the install disc (what has been happening with PCs forever now) and just install the game on your Nextbox or whatever. You'll never be spinning a disc in your system again, it'll only function as your DRM key. That is what I'm HOPING for. I guess you'll need like a terabyte HDD or something for that though...
I don't see the point of this. What percentage of people that own 360s also have an HDTV that's worth getting a blu-ray drive for but also doesn't already have a PS3 or another blu-ray player? What percentage of THOSE people that fulfill the requirements are willing to buy a somewhat bulky add-on just to play Blu-ray? It can't be very much. If someone has a decent HDTV that can play HD movies well, they probably already have a PS3 or they have neither system. Part of the reason PS3's Blu-ray functionality is so popular is because people get it automatically. Even people with crappy (old) HDTVs may buy Blu-ray movies just because they have a player now and are trying to futureproof their collection. It'd be silly for a person in that situation to shell out 100-150 dollars for a small quality upgrade (since their TVs aren't too great). It makes more sense to be saving for a better HDTV. I guess then the purchase may make more sense at that point.
Brendon,
I would imagine quite a bit of 360 owners have an HDTV and no BluRay player. HDTVs have been around for a long time, they didn't show up when BluRay arrived. I had one with my Xbox 1 which I've upgraded twice now (the tv I mean). I owned a 1080p tv well before BluRay. I have not purchased a BluRay player OR a PS3 cause I don't want one. Movies aren't the only thing that play in HD. I download most of my movies in HD to my 360 or watch my 30 movie catalog of HD-DVDs. Now that I see DD as MY future for my HD movies, I have no need for a BluRay player. Good HDTVs have been around for a while as BluRay is in its infancy. I do think maybe NEW HDTV purchasers may look into BluRay right off the bat, and in that case you're right, pick up either a PS3 or standalone for their HD movies if that's what they're interested in. But prior 1080p/high quality HDTV owners may or may not feel the need to instantly updgrade their player to the 1080p variety.
Maybe Microsoft better consult a company from Japan by the name of SEGA.
They shoud ask SEGA about all the novel ideas they had when it came to add-ons.
Part of this is Microsoft fault because the should have "future proof" their system to
begin with by having some balls and making the 360 with a HD-DVD drive. If they would have
done that, we could be still talking about HD-DVD as a formidable media right now still.
On the other hand, the PS3 is right now, an expensive 360 since most of the games right now are 360 game ports. The developers are taking advantage of the full capabilities that the PS3 possesses and its hurting the Sony "superior system" argument. The developers wanted mega power from these systems, so they should start harnessing the spec pretty soon...
But wait!
I thought that disc-based formats were on the way out and the future was all about digital downloads.
WHICH IS IT, Microsoft?
That depends, some people prefer downloads, some prefer discs.
MS are giving the consumers the freedom to choose, which I see as a good thing.
Aye, Neo couldn't have put it any better.
If it does reach retail, most likely I personally will not be purchasing it unless there crops up an appealing reason to get a Blu-Ray player (which I don't foresee). Otherwise I can wait until God of War 3 comes out and become Blu-Ray capable when I get a PS3 to play it.
Either way, I appreciate the choice (not to sound like MS's 360 marketing line from a few years back).
Don't know about this one. I'd rather invest the extra $250 and buy a PS3.
For me, if this is true, the PS3 is seriously running out of reasons for me to buy it. After Final Fantasy XIII and the removal of PS2 compatibility, it's now down to Metal Gear Solid 4 and Linux.
Assuming the add-on is reasonably priced, of course.
I dunno, do XBOX fanboys love being shafted or what?
I dunno, do sony fanboy like games? seriously, im just joking though. Yes, microsoft screws stuff up (although it was more toshiba's).. a lot, btu the same can be said for sony or nintendo.
i think if mirosoft had used the hd-dvd for game it might have been a different story
@Arron,
I do feel a bit sour about buying the HD-DVD add-on at launch, but I can hardly blame MS for that. Hopefully the BluRay add-on will be relatively cheap, but even then I'll probably just stick to digital distribution (Unless Lord of the Rings comes to BluRay...).
Agreed, LOTR on Blu-Ray could have convinced me to get a PS3, if this is true then Sony are going to have to work twice as hard to justify the cash.
Are u guys serious microsoft is a sad sad bunch all theyve done since ps3 came out is play "keeping up w the joneses" . Microsoft has copied everything that sony has done since launch hdmi,hardrive now bluray I guess its a good thing microsuck has the money to burn you xbots must be happy that your system cant seem to come up w any of its own original ideas ridiculous.
@rydamgw
Your comments always remind me of the value of education. The first xbox had a built in HDD and Network card and was first to have online play (when comparing the PS2 and Xbox 1, as if any of you are old enough to remember, the SNES had an online service that ran off 56k called Xbvnd). The PS2 eventually added a hard drive and a network adapter (with the former dying almost instantly). As someone else has mentioned, Sony is no stranger to copying people.
Microsoft did the smart thing by not including one of the new high definition disc formats in the system just incase one died. Now they are realizing there may be a demand for BluRay and they want to offer customers the OPTION of picking one up. Once that happens, Sony wouldn't have any more bullet points over the 360...
Oh damn, rydangw got owned, son.
Ahem... on a serious note, this could really pull Microsoft ahead for those on the fence about PS3. Personally, the only reasons I haven't ruled it out completely are Metal Gear Solid 4, the rumored Snatcher sequel? Remake? And Metal Gear Solid 5.
Because Sony totally invented dual analogs, rumble functionality, wireless and motion sensing controllers, right? Oh no, wait, that might have been Nintendo. My bad.
If we're "keeping up with the Joneses", let's not mention rumble functionality and backwards compatibility, eh?
This is cool indeed, but I would honestly not pay that much for it. I think 100 dollars would be y maximum. I know that wouldn't make the most sense considering Microsoft's inflated peripheral prices, but that is where I stand. I bought the hd-dvd peripheral... and guess what, two months later the hd-dvd drive was being sold for 50 bucks and packaged with movies. The addition is welcome though.
Considering I'm one who supported the HD-DVD camp buy buying the 360 add-on (loving it still) and bought about a dozen movies...I'd be happy if Xbox supported Blu-ray because the ONLY reason I'm even tempted to buy a PS3 is for the HD movie playing abilities. My HD-DVD still works and my movies still look awesome. Getting another that plays Blu-ray would be a great alternative to spending $500 to occasionally play a rented game.
MS should have done this a year ago to advertise they had the only console to support both formats.
Brian
www.brianwoods.com
That would be very cool. I already own the HD-DVD drive, if I could tack on a Blu-Ray on the cheap, I'd be able to start buying NEW high-def movies.
What with my PC-Xbox connection, HD-DVD movies, and the ability to download trailers for free, I don't think I'm going to use my X360 for gaming ever again.
Cool indeed, right now my HD-DVD collections is at 20+ all very cheap but no new titles. I got my HD-DVD for $30 once the format went bananas, certainly an Blu-ray add on will be more than welcome.