Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive to retail for GBP 199

Retail sources have indicated to GamesIndustry.biz that Microsoft is currently planning to price the standalone HD-DVD drive at GBP 199 (293 Euro), and to package it with two HD-DVD movies. The sources also suggested that Microsoft will bundle the Premium console and next-generation movie player together for under GBP 400 (589 Euro) – and that the price could even be as low as GBP 375 (552 Euros).

[DG]

thats a rip off.

[Captain Tuttle]

It's only a rip-off if you buy it.

[andy capps]

It's a ripoff either way. This is an add-on drive that is only for movies, MS must not want to sell any of these if this is the true price. MS is all about choice... yes, $100 wireless internet add-ons, $70 a year subscription to Xbox live, $100 harddrives with 20 Gb of storage on them, and now a possibly $250 HD-DVD addon that is only for movies, etc. I'm not sure what the conversion from Euro's to dollars is, so that's why I said possibly. If it is $250, then you will have Xbox 360 users having to buy a $399 console, plus a $250 add-on which comes out to $649, which is more than the PS3, and the drive as I mentioned is only for movies, you wouldn't have wireless internet like the PS3 has, 40 gb smaller hard drive, less usb inputs, no HDMI output, no "memory stick" slots.

[Captain Tuttle]

I won't buy it. I'll save my money for games. I don't need a hi-def movie player.

And where did you get $70/year for LIVE?

[frostbite06]

Dude you are getting ripped if you pay $70 for live. $50 tops and Amazon had those 12 month cards a while ago for $35.

[andy capps]

Isn't $70 the regular price for the start up package with one year of live?

[XboxKing]

mmmmm let me get this right, MS HD-DVD player $199.99 and Toshiba and RCA's HD-DVD player $499.99 uuuhhhh yeah your right it is a rip off? But hey I think I'll buy two MS HD-DVD players "WHY buy one when you can buy two" and if this thing ever BREAKS I'll just get a new one and NOT go out a buy other $500 doller DH-DVD player from Toshiba and RCA.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site...

[The Real Deal]

Next-generation movie support is considered a unique selling point of the PlayStation 3, but Microsoft’s HD-DVD bundle could retail around GBP 50 (74 Euro) cheaper than Sony’s machine, which features the rival Blu-ray movie format.

[frostbite06]

Since no one answered you $70 is the price for the start up package, but its only $50 if you just want the live for a year. The package just comes with a headset i believe, and you get that with a premium so theres no point to buying it (unless you purchased the core obviously)

[kingboy]

lol no comment

[heihoosilver]

i don´t need hddvd for 2 or 3 years more.

[BlackCountryBob]

Thats a lot of money but atleast you have a choice whether or not you want the hi def movie player.

[The Real Deal]

Next-generation movie support is considered a unique selling point of the PlayStation 3, but Microsoft’s HD-DVD bundle could retail around GBP 50 (74 Euro) cheaper than Sony’s machine, which features the rival Blu-ray movie format.

[GamerX2]

dumb people choose to get ripped off
what your choice DG????

[DG]

My choice is not to buy it but I do want an HD player. I think Ill wait to see who comes out on top and buy a multi format player when it drops in price or an internal drive for my PC.

[THAMMER1]

I will get one in like a year or so when the titles beef up some. Right now DVD9 is just fine.

[GamerX2]

So fill free to comment on this unofficial statement!!!

[richie007bond]

thats a good price ill be buying one,a stand alone player will cost about 425 when there released in the uk,so 199 a bargin if you ask me HDDVD all the way

[Chexd]

i agree....people can be so dumb! its very good value, its also opitional.

(i know its not official but even if this is the price it is still good value!)

[Gamer13]

Im ok with my 360, i don,t need a HD DVD to enjoy a film.

[Donkey Slayer]

MS needs to lay off the crack pipe.. I bet this was another of Peter Moore's retarded ideas.. luckily he doesn't have the power to bring MS down like he did with Sega and the dreamcast

[Solid Snake]

this almost hits £5000 pounds when you add the console and the hd-dvd player together, man with the exchange rate that's almost$800 to $900, oh my the 360 is in trouble!

[Marriot VP]

Don't be so lame, comments like that are hilarious.

NOBODY NEEDS or WANTS
-HD DRIVE
-WIRELESS INTERNET
-WIFI
-HDMI

And when I say nobody I mean the overwhelming majority that aren't tech extremists like yourself. You guys will buy a PS3 for sure but your a tiny percentage of the bulk market that'll be waiting for a price drop or look else where. And the price drop won't come for years and years. It'll end up being too late in the PS3's lifecycle to sell to the majority of normal people.

Sony was mis-managed to the wrong demographic

[The Real Deal]

Next-generation movie support is considered a unique selling point of the PlayStation 3, but Microsoft’s HD-DVD bundle could retail around GBP 50 (74 Euro) cheaper than Sony’s machine, which features the rival Blu-ray movie format.

[PS3n360]

i wish they had put in a drive bay so you could swap in the hd drive instead of adding yet another plug to deal with in the powerbar. I am a 360 fanman but cmon this thing looks terrible it only matches the 360 cause its white.

[clayton]

This isn't required for the 360 to function, it is an option. If you got the money get one if you don't then fine. It will still be around the PS3 price in the US. Atleast if the HD-DVD player gives out, I won't be out of a 360.

[clayton]

I will be getting one can't beat that price for a seperate unit. HD movies for me!

[PS360PCROCKS]

am I the only one who doesn't understand the price? what is GBP? is it 199 for america? and than 400 or less for the bundle?

[BlackCountryBob]

GBP is British pounds sterling aka the money used in Britain. £200 (thats GBP) equals $370 but as Britain always pays more for everything you should expect to pay between $250 and $275 in the USA.

[Boink]

all the movies I watch are streamed from media center, they look nice, and are a lot cheaper.

[Donkey Slayer]

Not nearly as good as a dedicated unit and should be priced much less

[shotty]

Still cheaper that buying a standalone HD-DVD or Blu-ray player. People the xbox 360 is a gaming system. Movies is extra.

[kingboy]

Bluray on ps3 =HD Video + Games support

HD add on on 360= HD Video + well more HD

they would have just made it with game support

[DJ]

'Cause otherwise that's going to be $250 down the drain. Damn, choice is frickin' expensive.

$100~200 more for Blu-ray movies AND games.
$250 extra for HD-DVD movies...and that's it.

Nice.

If you love HD-DVD that much, you might as well just buy a standalone player. It'll be cheaper, that's for sure.