Microsoft Admits Xbox 360 Blu-Ray Support Possible


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Microsoft Admits Xbox 360 Blu-Ray Support Possible

Although the eventuality has been hinted at before, Xbox UK head Neil Thompson has stated again that if the Blu-ray format becomes significantly more successful than the HD-DVD format then the company will support it with the Xbox 360.

Speaking to the BBC, Thompson is quoted as saying: ?Whatever format wins it is highly likely we will offer a solution. The only debate is if you want to watch Blu-ray movies and pay the extra money for that feature. We prefer to offer the consumer choice."

Microsoft is known to greatly favor the HD-DVD format, although most assume that an unwillingness to support a Sony-sponsored format has played a significant part in this decision. As such, the Xbox 360?s HD-DVD drive has become the cheapest way to obtain a HD-DVD movie player.

Microsoft has always denied plans to release games on the HD-DVD format and this would presumably also follow for any potential Blu-ray drive. Recent data has suggested that cumulative sales of Blu-ray discs have surpassed those for HD-DVD for the first time, with Blu-ray outselling the HD-DVD format discs by a margin of more than 2-to-1Source: Gamasutra

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This was always going to be the case. Lets face it - MS' hd-dvd drive is simply an external usb drive. With the right software drivers, the xbox can support any drive that comes out as long as its compatible with usb...

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I thought they previously said they were hedging their bets with HD-DVD, but in-case Blu-Ray got popular - that's why they went with an external solution.

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which was cleaver ... if somehow HD-DVD does fight back and win the format war then sony are screwed...

I hope HD-DVD wins, but I'm glad Microsoft took the smart path. :)

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which was cleaver ... if somehow HD-DVD does fight back and win the format war then sony are screwed...

NAh, they'll just do the same and offer a usb HD-DVD player :D

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I thought they previously said they were hedging their bets with HD-DVD, but in-case Blu-Ray got popular - that's why they went with an external solution.

Yeah, I thought this has always been known. Not news in the least to me.

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This is actually great news, theres always 1 winner, IF* its Blu-Ray at least microsoft can do something about it :D

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Signs of weakness on Microsofts part, not good for the HDDVD camp as well.

No it's not

Looks like part of their strategy to me. Why do you think they made HD-DVD an add-on? It was a format they wasn't sure they wanted to use because they knew about Blu-Ray.

What's the best thing to do?

Give the option of having either one as an add-on in the future. If they wanted HD-DVD to be a default for the 360 they easily could have done that.

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HA... smart move my microsoft.. not only are you stealing the blu-ray market to sell your system, but you also support HD-DVD, the best of both worlds... so people can buy a 360, with a HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray add-on.

:yes: Great move my microsoft. If Microsoft says they may support blu-ray in the future, it must be technically possible, or they would not release this statement.

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Microsoft never said it was exclusive to HD-DVD, they were originally supporting Blu-ray until a few months before the Xbox360 release. Why does it bother Microsoft so much whoever wins?

What else is getting old is that soo many people are starting to use Wikipedia to try proving a point.

Not everything on that site is fact. Microsoft has never once said they support HD-DVD over Blu-Ray

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Any future poster trying to argue the "Microsoft has always supported HD-DVD" argument just don't even bother. People find the smallest things to claim Microsoft supports them over Blu-Ray

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This bit of news shouldn't be new, the 360 can support loads of add-ons like a bluray player if that format wins. But I think it's still early to decide a victor. All Toshiba and the hd-dvd camp have to do is drop the price again. They sell at $500, if they can drop this to $400 or less, it's a whole new ball game. I think first person to start selling a $300 player wins.

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I think Blu Ray is winning because, not only does it come with the PS3 and possibly a free movie with the PS3, but because it has a 'cool' name, and is marketed as such, HD-DVD sounds kind of old compared to something as suave as Blu Ray and to the mases, the non-neowin folk, coolness can be a big deciding factor, even if it is subconsciously... IMHO.

Richard

xxx

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Apologies for using online talk, I hate the stuff but ROFLMAO!!!

That's a funny post and the second real laugh out loud I've had all night!

Richard

xxx

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NAh, they'll just do the same and offer a usb HD-DVD player :D

Personally I can't see that happening, for Sony that would be like admitting defeat and saying Blu-Ray isn't good enough.

Does Blu-Ray have the interactive menus like HD-DVD has? I've never seen a Blu-Ray movie but heard that it dosn't have the decent menu system like HD-DVD has...

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