gamers

Microsoft to offer Xbox 360 with built-in HD-DVD drive?

Daniel Fleshbourne   on 13 September 2006 - 10:23 · 10 comments & 6321 views

Advertisement (Why?)
Microsoft has started designing a new-generation of Xbox 360's equipped with an internal HD-DVD drive and is selecting manufacturers in Taiwan to build the drive, according to sources in Taiwan's optical disc drive (ODD) industry.

Microsoft will offer an external HD-DVD drive for its Xbox 360 at around the end of this year, in an attempt to compete with the Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3), which will have a built-in Blu-ray Disc (BD) drive, the sources indicated. The external HD-DVD drive, however, can only play back movies, the sources noted. If the process of selecting partner makers and subsequent certification goes smoothly, Microsoft may launch the Xbox 360 equipped with the built-in HD-DVD drive in the first half of 2007 at the soonest, the sources noted.

View: The full story
News source: DigiTimes

Share this Article

About the Author

Full name: Daniel Fleshbourne
User name: Daniel
Contact: via forum PM
Submissions: View All
More: View Bio   New!

Related news

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 10 additional comments
#1 Ryster092 on 13 Sep 2006 - 13:22
Guys, don't get your hopes up about games coming out on HD-DVD. This is not going to happen, it would alienate everyone else who already bought a 360 and mean that games stores would need twice the amount of shelf space for DVD and HD-DVD versions of games. All this means is that people buying a new console who want to play HD-DVD movies, won't have to buy a bulky add-on.
(1 reply) #2 alister on 13 Sep 2006 - 14:09
From what I understand you can put DVD and HD-DVD content on the same disc. Someone could buy one of these hybrid discs and play it on their current DVD player and then when they by a HD-DVD player they will be able to play the HD version in it. I don't see why they cannot do it with the games also. It apparently has something to do with layering ?
#2.1 chicken-royal on 13 Sep 2006 - 14:54
yeah, it's something Toshiba are doing. If fact they've just made a triple layer HD-DVD/DVD (click)
(1 reply) #3 B0GiE on 13 Sep 2006 - 14:38
What they need to do is incorporate the HD-DVD drive and speed up the graphics and cpu. Then call it the XBOX360+ and sell it cheaper than the PS3!

Winner!
#3.1 _dandy_ on 15 Sep 2006 - 15:14
> speed up the graphics and cpu.

Why? This is a console, not a PC. You don't want to fragment the console market with Product A, then Product A.2, A.3, etc.

All consoles being identical is the primary reason they have any benefit over a PC. Don't start changing components within the same generation. I thought that was obvious?
#4 marvin_duran on 13 Sep 2006 - 16:14
I think it all comes down to the consumer. I really don't see myself replacing my dvd collection anytime soon. Heck, I still see VHS tapes at the stores. DVD aint going nowwhere.
(2 replies) #5 macrosslover on 13 Sep 2006 - 20:16
i can't believe this. it's like this rumor resurfaces every few months it's crazy. it's too much of a negative backlash against MS if they offer a hd-drive built-in to the system. it's just much easier for them to offer an external hd-dvd drive or even an external blu-ray device and seem more neutral in the format wars.
#5.1 Xero on 13 Sep 2006 - 20:34
neutral? what rock have you been living under? Microsoft HD-DVD bias more than miss andersons chest is real. As for only offering a external, that is a terrible idea. Microsoft is alienating itself if they did that. Therefore they cannot create any HD-DVD games as its not a sure thing that the majority of the public has it, and believe me, microsoft won't release a game that won't reach everyone, they will degrade the **** out of it before that day comes.
#5.2 Ghostdraconi on 14 Sep 2006 - 03:59
Quote - Xero said @ #5.1
neutral? what rock have you been living under? Microsoft HD-DVD bias more than miss andersons chest is real. As for only offering a external, that is a terrible idea. Microsoft is alienating itself if they did that. Therefore they cannot create any HD-DVD games as its not a sure thing that the majority of the public has it, and believe me, microsoft won't release a game that won't reach everyone, they will degrade the **** out of it before that day comes.


Microsoft wouldn't release a game on HD-DVD simply because the console didn't ship with one. I can just see it now, "hey, you know that console you just paint $400 bucks for? It's obsolete, time to upgrade".

I doubt this rumour is true anyway.
#6 Smigit on 14 Sep 2006 - 10:23
I think MS SHOULD release a version with the HD Drive. It'll likely be cheaper than shipping a standalone one and if it was around when I went to buy mine early next year I'd certainly grab it. I do however also feel they shouldnt release a game for the drive for compatability, but for simple movie viewing I see no reason not to ship the drive in a 3rd version. It's not like it could possibly hurt anyone and current owners can still buy the external one if they wish.

Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!

Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.

Advertisement (Why?)
News powered by Neowin Management System (Build - 5.0.897) © 2000 - 2008 Neowin.net