The Microsoft Dilemma: HD DVD or Blu-Ray?

The Money Times, by Daisy Sarma - January 6, 2008:

It has been an eventful Friday as far as HD DVD is concerned. Warner declared its preference for Blu-ray over HD DVD, and then the HD DVD Promotion Group canceled its CES press conference. The immediate reaction in the market probably is that it is doomsday for HD DVD. What will be more interesting to see is Microsoft's stand in the entire episode.

It seems Microsoft made the wrong choice as far as HD DVD is concerned. While many consider the fact of having to admit making the wrong choice embarrassing for Microsoft, one thing is for sure: Microsoft cannot escape making a choice. It is critical for Bill Gates to address this issue, and the sooner he does it the better.

[Neurotoxin]

I want there to be no peasant in my kingdom so poor that he is unable to have a chicken in his pot every Sunday.

[Mr Marbles]

What kingdom? Here is the reality, why does Microsoft need to acknowledge any mistakes? Does Intel also need to admit they backed the wrong format, because they back HDDVD as well. Sure MS sells a HDDVD add on for the 360 but Toshiba manufactures that product, MS sold quite a few and will simply stop selling them if HDDVD goes extinct, no skin off MS's back. There is nothing Gates needs to address here. Bill Gates is big on digital downloads so I don't think MS invested much in the disk format anyway, I think the HDDVD add on was a favor to Toshiba, or possibly even a deal, Toshiba probably payed MS to sell the Toshiba add on with the 360 name on it. So don't give me this crap about MS needs to admit a mistake, as usual MS is two steps ahead of eveyone around them, they made their money either way, and they will keep doing so when both formats are dead, digital is the future, and from the looks of the success of it on Xbox live, MS is leading us into the digital download era.

[P4KY B]

Although it would only be for films and not games.

That would take the wind out of Sonys sails. (becuase most people would then see the two consoles as being very similar, unaware that the 360 cant use the BluRay for games)

[hotshot127]

before the impact has been done already. now a bluray add on raises this......

sony really set themselves up good. if microsoft adopts bluray, I GURANTEE you there gonna have to put up some money for sony. and then if they made the add on by early 09, it would cost around 200 bucks or so and the ps3 would be around 300 by that time so the choice would definetely look brighter for the ps3.

also, cost would be able to come down ever faster for the ps3 since its a bluray player and game development will be cheaper since it will be cheaper to produce bluray disk.

but if microsoft doesnt go bluray, then sony is gonna eat up those sales.

so really its win win situation for sony if you think about it.

fanboy or not, you have to admit, this was a very smart move on sonys part.

and YES i know other companies are with bluray also but sony is one of the MAIN companies behind it so its pretty obvious microsoft isnt gonna breakthrough without some deals.

companies also know that microsoft wanted them both to fail anyway and wants digital download so thier gonna really have to do some SERIOUS negotiations.

also if microsoft doesnt adopt bluray, how are they gonna go on to there next system with dvd9?

none of what i said was fanboyism but just facts. so i want to know

[unlimited]

I think the 360 will have a Blu-Ray add on for 300 dollars..lol.. I feel bad for all HDDVD owners they are wasting all their money just to support something that is dead..

Either way Sony wins!!! Everybody will just switch to the PS3 the cheapest blue ray player that can play GAMES and MOVIES and etc...

[barom]

I honestly don't see why MS would put BD/HDDVD in X360 anyway. It's not like they're gonna allow people to use it for gaming. There is nothing logical as far as business goes.

[IntelligentAj]

Do you realize what that MS would be doing by adopting a Blu-Ray player add-on? They would most likely have to pay Sony licensing fees for the tech and that would be admission that MS lost.

[tatotiburon]

Microsoft will only do a BR drive as an add-on, NOT BUILT-IN, games in DVD9 are perfect right now, remeber the 2007's GOTY, Bioshock (DVD9), Mario Galaxy (DVD5)...but any BR game? NONE! so microsoft can relax on his choice with DVD9. Add-on are just add-on, thye probably make the BR player for customer choice, nothing more.

[godofthunder10]

microsoft already said that if br wins it wouldn't be that big of a deal they will just use br but they will support hd dvd till a winner is declared,microsoft said this right after the ps3 was released.
there will be no br or hd dvd drive till the next xbox.if you want to admit it or not microsoft was smart by releasing the 360 1 year ahead of the ps3 and not putting a br or hd dvd drive into the 360 because they neeeded to keep the 360 cheaper then the ps3 to get a good lead and it work.
microsoft said that the 360 will last till 5 or 6 years and dvd-9 will be good for games till then because about %98 of the games that they talk about that's coming out in the next few years will do just fine on the dvd-9 disc.i know that a few games will need more then 1 disc but like i said above it's only a few.
if you think about it with an open mind and with out being bias,you will see that it was a smart move that microsoft made.i know that that ps3 fans will disagree with me but microsoft new that it had to keep the price down on the 360 so they stayed with the dvd-9 drive because it's good enough for another 3 years for games and when they released the new xbox it will have a br drive in it 9 times out of 10 and they still will be able to sell it for around $400 because by that time br would have drop in price and hopefully it will catch on because it's nice to have.
i also know that ps3 fans will disagree with me but the reason that sony put br into the ps3 wasn't for games it was so they could get br players in homes a lot quicker then hd dvd and it was a smart moves.br is good to have but truthfully br isn't really need for games for another 3 years because like i said above %98 of the games that's coming out in the next 3 years will be on 1 disc,hell look at all the games that's out now and there is only a few that needed more then 1 disc.
i'm not saying that the ps3 isn't a good system because it is but the 360 is to and they both will be around as long as people want to play games.we know that the ps3 is here to stay but so is the 360,hell it made a profit this year,it took a few years before sony made a profit to,so instead of fighting over systems like a bunch of kids, we need to talk about games because that's what it's really all about.

[gogators]

Anyone in the industry can liscense Blu Ray and if MS wants to liscense Blu Ray, then they can liscense Blu Ray. A varity of companies manufacture Blu Ray drives. Sony may manufacture their own drives, but many of the parts come from different companies. MS can liscense a company to make their drives if they want to spend the money without involving Sony

[BrianC6234]

I say Microsoft should stay out of the format war. Why does the 360 need either drive? They released the 360 too soon. Any HD drive will be for movies only. No way will games use it. That would anger 360 owners who don't have the new model. And it would add to the cost of the 360 so why do it? Blu-ray is winning this battle and that's all that matters.

[TheTwelve]

I too don't understand why people are saying that the 360 would just add a Blu-Ray drive add-on. That would be the most clear representation of confusion to consumers.

I think the more likely scenario is that Microsoft will preach about how much they don't need Blu-Ray to make great games, and how you can download HD movies through their marketplace.

Both of these likely statements have some serious issues in them, but Microsoft has the money to say it and make it appear valid.

As for me? I just own a PS3 and am quite content.

12

[aslucher]

as it may be true that they are a group it is also true that Sony owns some techonologies to be licensed out for blu-ray. this is why the porn industry had such a hard time with blu-ray.

[hotshot1237]

..

[Primetimebt]

It was funny seeing him at gamestop.

[chanto23]

LOLLLLLLL

[switch-it]

Haha, bubbles for you. :D

[HarryEtTubMan]

Microbucks got worked...like the tools they relaly are....

as for the answer to the Article....

..............DVD9........... ....... HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAA

[ActionBastard]

Bubbles! That was funny as hell.

[PlayStation360]

Aww damn dude. That was a cheap shot. But Bubble+ heading your way for making me fall off my chair. :D

[nice_cuppa]

now i can download movies in hd (they look just as good to me so don't start the whole its compressed its audio isnt as good blah..blah...bla)

im just sick of having these cases taking up room in my house.

i got over 300 dvd's too and guess what.....im selling them too.

[chanto23]

STFU!!! now all the xbots jumped into the download media ship...how convenient...just face it, 2007 was the last year os the 360, and the next xbox will have blu-ray making it a PS3 lol

[nice_cuppa]

i have a ps3 and 360 and Wii and pc and ds and psp.
how am i an xbot ?

the fact i point out how many blu-ray movies i have in my original post should have given you a hint.

you obviously only have ps3 as you have taken this as some sort of victory ?

i just don't want all the boxes anymore.
now there is an alternative.....i'm taking it.

if you like having shelves full of movies good for you but to attack me and claim i'm an xbot (i assume this is the xbox360 only version of you) is a bit sad.

now how about we get news 4 gamers back on the topic of.........i don't know.........games.

[allatain]

MS download service is not going to be in HD format, and where exactly are you going to download it into, your MS hard drive which doesn't have enough capacity of the HD download. Not to mention that Half the people in the 360 community probably doesn't have an hard drive because it is just too expensive

Hell most HD download services isn't going to go up until we see a huge proliferation of Fiber Optic

[demolitionX]

guess what? u r a nut case!

[nice_cuppa]

this is the first post google gave me.

their are about 68000 more if you want.

i watched 300 in hd on my 360 yesterday......sorry.

[BrianC6234]

Downloading HD movies is for losers. You get what you pay for. You might as well stick with DVDs or just watch on cable. HD movie downloading makes no sense. It takes way too long to download them anyway. Your ISP will see all that activity and disable your connection.

[nice_cuppa]

you don't have to download it all before you can start watching.

look its clear you only have ps3 and have chosen to be a fanboy so i'm probably wasting my time.

oh well.

have fun bud.

[gogators]

it's usually ready to start playing in about 30 seconds. It's nice to download movies that you want to watch and not have to buy it out right. If it's something you'll watch more than once then just buy the disc on Blu Ray or DVD.

[BrianC6234]

Maybe you should just stop wasting your time with downloads then and go to pay-per-view. A lot of movies are now out on pay-per-view when they come out on DVD. That would definitely be a lot better than downloading them illegally or on Xbox Live.

[aggh im on fire]

This isnt really relevant for the 360 as the hd was an add on not essental. The next machine will probably be blue ray though.... or maybe even something else!
Im sure microsoft thought about this eventuality.

[TheExecutive]

it will be relevant for later xbox's IF bluray becomes the standard format. We are years away from mainstream digital distribution and the "720" will have to make a hard choice. Pay your main competitor royalties for every BD sold and every console sold?

[travelguy2k]

Sony uses Microsoft software in thier laptops and computers, so now it just goes both ways.

[BrianC6234]

"it will be relevant for later xbox's IF bluray becomes the standard format. We are years away from mainstream digital distribution and the "720" will have to make a hard choice. Pay your main competitor royalties for every BD sold and every console sold?"

If you think that's bad what about Toshiba? They helped make the Cell processor. They want the PS3 to sell well for that. But they're the main backer of HD DVD so every PS3 sold hurts them. That is one of the strangest things I've ever seen. They really should have worked harder to make a deal with Sony early on and merge the two formats. Why can't they work together and share it?

[kurochi]

makes me laugh at how this whole mess is now MS's problem to deal with in choosing blu-ray or not for their next system.... LOL

[TruthBTold]

but the thing is MS was a or still is a big supporter of HDDVD. Being that the Microsoft Corp. is known so well in the PC software industry and very powerful might I add, people who follow and support MS will be looking towards them for guidance in regards to the format war. People around the world are getting into the next format but need a little push. MS pushes a lot of people so their choice needs to be clear what they will do. HDDVD has lost a lot of support by loosing WB and people who read into these things know that. They have the feeling they should all go Blu but are waiting for MS to show they feel the same way unless they have another type of format for storage. Thats why its not MS problem but it is their responsability to guide their followers and partners.

[kurochi]

@ 7.2
Yeah it is Microsoft's problem to choose which format for their next console (maybe they'll have their own format). People around the world isn't looking for MS for their guidance on which format to choose..... typical ego-centric views from Americans. True, MS has some swaying power on which format they back, and they DID choose already...... Everyone (Asia & Europe) else but the US has already chosen which format to back and it's Blu-ray. Maybe HD-DVD can still continue (in dual format players), but it'll be less popular than Blu-ray.

[Sayai jin]

If HD DVD dies or when it dies, MS will go to the Blu Ray Format. Rememeber blu-ray is not all Sony. Sony owns 33% of the technology, which will be a plus for them, no doubt about it. MS is really aiming at digital media more over than HD cinema...meaning digital downloads instead of disc. It will probaly be in the next MS console. I have a PS3, but do not watch movies on it. I have a huge DVD collection (over 800)so I will be using my DVD player for some time.

[hotshot127]

slow down thier digital download hopes.

or support something that would give sony an advantage with the ps3 because it IS A BLURAY PLAYER.
cost would also go down in development for ps3 since disk wouldnt cost as much to produce.
either way its kind've a win/win situation for sony right now and sony definetely has the upperhand.
and yes sony ownes 33 PERCENT which is quite a large chunk of bluray technology so sony will make sure microsoft is gonna go through some problems first.
ALL OTHER COMPANIES know what micrsofts ultimate plans are too so thier not exactly gonna be SUPER quick to letting them in either.
anyway, microsoft is gonna have to make a tough decision here but i think. READ MY ABOVE POST ALSO, ME TALKING ABOUT HOW IF MICROSOFT RELEASES A ADD ON.............WHAT WOULD WIND UP HAPPENING

[Sayai jin]

If MS decides to go with blu-ray, Sony will not give them any problems. Trust me Sony is a company and the blood of a company is money. It's like saying MS will give Sony problems with puting Windows on Sony Viao computers. It did or will not happen.

They just wanted to stall the format war to get their digital media tech further in development.

[whoelse]

Yes, Microsoft should bite is an release a Blu-ray add-on as well.

Though will Sony let it go easy for Microsoft...? NO!

[hotshot127]

sony really set themselves up good. if microsoft adopts bluray, I GURANTEE you there gonna have to put up some money for sony. and then if they made the add on by early 09, it would cost around 200 bucks or so and the ps3 would be around 300 by that time so the choice would definetely look brighter for the ps3.

also, cost would be able to come down ever faster for the ps3 since its a bluray player and game development will be cheaper since it will be cheaper to produce bluray disk.

but if microsoft doesnt go bluray, then sony is gonna eat up those sales.

so really its win win situation for sony if you think about it.

fanboy or not, you have to admit, this was a very smart move on sonys part.

and YES i know other companies are with bluray also but sony is one of the MAIN companies behind it so its pretty obvious microsoft isnt gonna breakthrough without some deals.

companies also know that microsoft wanted them both to fail anyway and wants digital download so thier gonna really have to do some SERIOUS negotiations.

also if microsoft doesnt adopt bluray, how are they gonna go on to there next system with dvd9?

none of what i said was fanboyism but just facts. so i want to know

[TheExecutive]

It will probably be a bluray player for the xbox3. Its too early to have mainstream digital distribution and they need to go with the format that is becoming the standard (although it has a long way to go against DVD). The BDA will gladly accept MS's money in royalties to put a bluray player in the next xbox. It sucks for MS but they will have to put up with it for at least another generation.

[gogators]

but that would have to be far more expensive than just leasing Blu Ray. Other companies have done it, and for one it's wasn't very successful at all.

[BrianC6234]

I don't think Microsoft should release a Blu-ray add-on player for the 360. The HD DVD player was a mistake even. They can't use it for games. Adding it to the cost of the 360 means the PS3 is cheaper and can use the Blu-ray player for games which gives the PS3 a huge advantage. I just don't see how this would help Microsoft at all. It would just prove they made a big mistake. The 360 was released six months too soon. Waiting just six months would have allowed them to include an HD DVD drive. HD DVD wasn't out yet when the 360 was released so they didn't include the drive. I think they might have included it though if they could. A six month wait still would have given them a six month lead. It's not like there was anything worth buying the first year.

[aggh im on fire]

I think alot of people are quite happy with dvd at the moment, i only brought some blue ray discs to try out my ps3 but im still happy with dvd. It makes a difference on 40'' and above but isnt that noticable on smaller sets. Also you can buy a film on dvd for under a tenner which is usually upscalled. Most people ive spoke to just arn't that bothered.

[eagle21]

But you better understand Microsoft DOES! lol

[TrooGamer]

People will begin to care when HDtvs become standard, which they will.

Sony know it, MS know it even Ninty know it.

Sony have set thmselves up for the HD explosion as the more consoles sold means the more likely that consumer owns a HD tv.

Where can you watch you movies upscaled and in HD .... PS3

[dark loard]

hi i'm 4 sony all the way but whats stoping ms from using a hd dvd drive 4 there next console just 4 game they wouldn't need sonys Blu-ray

[TruthBTold]

why would they invest even more on a format that is seen as the loosing format in this format war? MS is a smart company and they did well by not using a built in HDDVD drive in the 360 so they can still change it and it wont affect their gaming console. They would have to be out of their minds to think about investing even more on HDDVD and worse jeopardize their gaming division. Not gona happen.

[Darkiewonder]

I can see Microsoft not going with either format. Going Blu-ray isn't a choice for them, as much how well it's doing, it's basically showing they gave in. Would they? we won't know until they get on with their conference which is 8 hours from now.

[TruthBTold]

I was just gonna ask about when and what time their conference was gonna be.

[Cabroo]

HA HA Microsoft will never go blue. They will not pay money to sony for the format. All they can do is to buy Warner and Fox (They have the money to do just that) and make them go to the HD DVD camp.

[RonDeMuerte]

Last time I checked Warner and Fox weren't for sale, nor are they going into bankruptcy or are suffering from financial problems that would force them to sell out..........stupid........... Microsoft does have money...but they can't just buy any company they want!!! otherwise they would have done that to most of their competitors!!!!

[gogators]

but Warner and even Sony and MS are publicily traded compaines. All are at risk for hostile take overs. The money to do something like that would be huge.

[f7ss1]

when does bill gates speak at CES anyway id like to see that it should be interesting?

[cow moolester]

Bill Gates gives his speech at the opening of CES.He starts it off

[f7ss1]

so that should start sometime tomorrow?

[pwnsause]

no, it starts tonight, just go to the Microsoft CES site to watch it

[cow moolester]

People who say "Ohhh Sony won't let Microsoft use Blu-Ray". While Microsoft and sony may be competitors in MP3's and consoles, they work together a lot.Sony supplies the artists for "Artist of the Month" for the Xbox Live Marketplace and Microsoft supply an OS for all Sony Computers.Sony aren't the only ones in the BDA.They would do anything to get a company as big as Microsoft on their side.

The way I see it, HD Discs may never become mainstream.DVD will be around for years to come and by then Digital Downloads may already become prevalent enough to be a contender for Blu-Ray.

Just my 2 cents though

[TheExecutive]

Sony will have no problem getting paid royalties from MS. However, I gotta disagree about digital distribution. Digital distribution is years away from mainstream usage. MS will jump on the Blu bandwagon and they will do so with very little resistance (probably open arms) by the BDA. Sony is in a win-win here, they really set themselves up nicely.

[EZCheez]

Sony and Toshiba making processor chips. Windows OS in every Vaio. All of these companies work together one way or another. The companies that lose these "wars" probably won't bother dragging things out. It's not like these companies work like fanboys. They don't necessarily have to be against the ropes with no chance to win to give up. They will take the path of least resistance and mass profit.

HD will probably turn mainstream though. People will realize they need HD players when they try to watch regular DVD's on their brand new HDTV's and realize how horrible the picture is.

Besides, in my opinion digital distribution doesn't sound as great as it's cracked up to be. Just imagine all of the DRM. You just can't replace having a physical copy of something to prove your ownership and a lot of people relate to that.

[eagle21]

I bet they will be based on Blu-ray technology. Oops, MS you fail again.

[ReBurn]

How would digitally distributed movies be based on optical media technology?

[tk]

Game content becomes bigger. Small games will be downloads. For the next gen 9GB game downloads will be common, but then, 50GB content for games will then be standard... which will again need physical media.

MS must jump to BR. The technical jump is not a problem. All the drivers and software is there already. It is all about reputation, appearance. They were very vocal about HD-DVD and very very vocal about BR not being a good "value proposition" whatever the hell that may mean...

They have no choice. They have to make a statement about supporting BR at some point. Heck... the successor to Vista will be shipped on it... And would that not be fun...

But the big egg on the face is that the next XBox will have to include a BR drive. The moment that announcement is made... the XB360 is dead in the water. Just as well... they will drop it the moment the XB720 is ready.

[TheExecutive]

I agree 100% MS will go blu next gen.

[Valik21]

it's nonsense to say that Micro will not choose a format only because of the DD, the DD is the future, and it will take a long time till it becomes widespread around the world, especially in some countries of Europe and Asia, (not even considering afrika and south america, the situation there is the worst with net connections.) So the blu will be maybe the last standard solid format before the DD will begin to spread, and Microsoft can't just jump a generation of disc only because it's Sony and they made a wrong choice, it will be worse for them. the PC will be enabled soon with the blu drive as it's now with the dvd drive, the movies and games will be soond on blu discs, even the har discs maybe (when they will be faster with reading thw blu discs) will be with blu discs to have more data space in less material space, it's the normal evolving of the technology as happened with the CD to DVD transition, and Microsoft can't do anything to stop this. About the 360 the only thing that they can do is to make a 360 add on, but it will be a lot less appetible for the consumer who is in the entertainment things, because it will cost a lot and sumed up with the 360 price it will surpas a lot the ps3's price, so the ps3 will be "the deal" to have both, best blu ray and best console with it's good price.

[Meus Renaissance]

Microsoft must release a Blu-Ray add-on or many of their users, like the ones who bought the HD-DVD add on will purchase a Blu-Ray player such as the PlayStation 3. It's as simple as that.

And it'll be interesting to see how they price this add-on.

[travelguy2k]

and have a HD DVD trade in program where the take your HD DVD add on and give you a Blu-ray add on.

[Meus Renaissance]

But those are Toshiba players, why would Microsoft take the loss in replacing another manufacturers hardware?

[EZCheez]

How much could a blu-ray player add-on be when stand-alones average over $300?

How many people would even bother to buy that when they could just buy a stand-alone that would probably be the same price?

Big questions that will hopefully be answered somwhat within the next week.

[TheMART]

So was BluRay dead after Paramount went HD-DVD?
Is HD-DVD dead after Warner goes BluRay?

What if HD-DVD's drop prices to under 100 dollar/euro constantly and a lot of players are sold and the market turns? Warner could decide to go HD-DVD again.

In the end it's wise to choose neither. Because discs are last gen. HDD's and non fast moving internal parts internal are the future, and no discs to scratch...

[doshey]

oh so nice to see you again mart but ya in your dream and it looks like we have another xbot fan that is in for digital distribution

[Meus Renaissance]

Alot of "If's" there. If Blu-Ray is still outselling HD-DVD without Warner, what makes you think HD-DVD will start outselling Blu-Ray now that Warner is an exclusive?

I agree the war is still not yet officially won, but Toshiba are on their last breath with HD-DVD right now and it's only a matter of time. It'll take a miracle for that to change.

[EZCheez]

That would look dumb and unprofessional on their part making their first decision seem like a mistake.

It's kind of like what Microsoft and Toshiba are probably trying to figure out the best way to say right now.

You won't see any blu-ray companies go HD-DVD exclusive from here on.

[Valik21]

With Paramount things was different, they went HD only because paid (despite bigger sales on the blu side) and it's a temporary contract, they didn't turn all the hd "pie" red like Warner did with the blu ray in turning it 80% blu, and it's permanent for now, not a 18 months contract, and it has logical reasons to do so, the sales o blu comparing to hddvd are 9:1 in japan, 4:1 in EU and 2/3:1 in USA, so this is the logical choice for a studio to stop the war and decide a winner that is already decided by the consumer. And the price can't help, you must be blind to think so, there are already hd dvd player with a 99$ price, and they aren't proving anything, this isn't a console war, but a format war and here wins only who have more movies and who sells most for a long time. And this is blu ray, accept it or not. And the comment about the DD is a stupid one, i wish you good luck in waiting an eternity till it becames the standard and i hope you will never need a Blu Ray disc for some use, (you will need a lot of luck i guess, lol)

[shysun]

At 100$ each HD-DVD couldn't out sell Blu-ray players, during the Christmas season! It wont change Mart.... give up the Ghost!

[tk]

He's baaackkk...

Hi Marty boy(s), howzit down there in that dusty basement? You guys got quite a rap for not generating enough effective negative buzz on BR hey?

So when is MS going to release a BR add on?

Tell me - if MS decides to drop HD-DVD and go BR instead as a add-on for XB360 - would you buy it?

[doshey]

what is with you guys saying digital distribution is the way to go now ands stuff like that, idk were ur hearing that from but there is no way that will become popular till everyone has a fast connection, and if you think that it is great now, i would much rather go for a 5 minutes drive get a movie come back in another 5 minutes and and take a minute to start it up instead of waiting 2 hours just to see a movie, and another thing can you re download these movies if ur hard drive get messed up or something happens

[TheExecutive]

Fiber Optics will need to be the standard. Regular cable internet just wont work. We are years from mainstream DD.

[Tru_Blu]

FOiS(SP?) is a must before digital distribution catches on. Right now the so called "HD" on demand movies are running at about 768kb/s. Now imagine what it would take to get them running at 15mb/s (like a blu-ray). Digital distribution IS many many years away from even being comparable to physical media.

[travelguy2k]

If HD DVD drops in price any more, people will think its a fire sale to get rid of obsolete discontinued technology. So it will hurt the format more than help. All they can do is kill it before they invest anymore money into the format.

[cow moolester]

But What I was saying was neither console may have a Blu-Ray Drive next gen.Phil Harrison himself said he'd be amazed if there was a Physical Disc Drive in the Ps4

http://www.gamesindustry.bi...

[travelguy2k]

to make the PS4 backwards compatable with older media. They can't expect us to download all are games that we already have on disk. Plus, what does sony have to lose, they own 30% of Blue-Ray tech. the more they promote it the more they win.

Edit: I see i have a disagree, Apparently a ps3 with no media drive will be compatible with older media...maybe bluetooth connection with my PS3, its possible i guess...but not likely.

If you buy a PS3 with the intent to play PS2 games, make sure to buy the right one, like i did! not the cheap one.

Thanks for making me see other possibilities.

[pwnsause]

yea, I remember him saying that. Its all about our how fast and expensive our internet connection will be 6-10 years from now. not to mention cost of HIgh Capacity HDD. if these things get cleared, then we get Digital Distribution.

[ReBurn]

You mean like how PS3 is backward compatible with PS2 media?

[tfur]

There probably will not be an internal disk drive. By next gen, the solid state drive will be fairly common. They are already on the market now...

A few new SSD drive will be shown at CES... lots of Cell based hardware as well...
http://www.foxbusiness.com/...

[shysun]

Whats HD-DVD? Isn't that a dead format?

[Snukadaman]

How will it be possible too put in a blu-ray player into a xbox 360...it will cost the same or even more as a ps3.. ...whats the use...please some of you use your heads...thats why the hd-dvd was an add on...because of price..blu-ray might of won the format war..but everyone will not switch automatically and just go with it ...this is what you call "delusions of grandeur"...look it up ps3 droids.

and read this definition because its quite fitting as well..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

[pwnsause]

Hey you might never know, especially when they want to break through the Japanese Market, where blu-ray Outsells HD-DVD at a 9:1 ratio. Did you see how the Elite sold in Japan? this might Have the same effect. BTW we all know its not going to be used for games, which was Microsofts mistake 2 years ago. they could of been the company to launch HD-DVD first before the others that launched about a month after them(HD-DVD Launched on Janurary 2006, Consider Warner Bros. going to BD as HD-DVDs Birthday Present). but it didnt happen, hence HD-DVd's Demise.

[Nameless]

Sony would be stupid to not let Microsoft in on the whole Blu-Ray thing. What about all of the Sony items that uses Microsoft stuff ? If Sony says no just to spite Microsoft then guess what Microsoft will do the same. Sony already relies on Microsoft for alot of stuff for example Video Codecs & Sony Computers that use Windows XP & plenty of other things. If Sony becomes an ass about this then this will just go back to hurting consumers again. Sony can not afford to be an ass to Microsoft now. These two companies now need to grow some balls & wise up & work together. If they say no to each other just to spite each other then like I said the consumers will be the ones that loose. Sony can not afford to be assholes to Microsoft right now because that will just bite them in the ass later.

[doshey]

forget it hd dvd is done(kind of) and who knows if they will add a blu ray add on, time will only tell us

[gnothe1]

MS will NOT adopt a blu ray add on!! an IF they decide to use a format next gen WHY can they use HD-DVD. I recall alot of you sony boys saying that even if blu ray failed it still can be used for games right!! why cant the same apply here. MS can use HD-DVD for its storage because they really want to push the movie service on XBL. MS learned last gen that they dont want ANYBODY else's tech in there box.thats what was really killing them with the xbox 1, they were paying licenses fees to everybody with that system!! thats the reason they dont even use blue tooth in there system, instead they made their own wireless tech!!

also I see many of you forgot about this http://www.1up.com/do/newsS...

[TheExecutive]

Not including common technology is one reason I WONT support the xbox. Making everything an add-on and proprietary is BS. Its a way to extract a bunch of money from suckers and I refuse to be one.

One of the reasons why the PS3 outshines the 360 hardware wise is that it allows its users to use ANY bluetooth product (up to 8 in fact). It also allows anyone to switch out the standard hdd.

I would laugh if MS used HD-DVD for games. People still like discs and if MS goes digital distribution only I dont foresee them selling too many movies. By then anyway the standalone bluray players will be pretty affordable.

[travelguy2k]

but why would they by the time the next xbox comes out Blu-ray will be very inexpensive to put in, and it will be a widly used and accepted media. They could use HD DVD but they would be one of the only coompanies using it which would make it expensive. On the other hand that would be a great way to make piracy a non issue.

But realisticly they will use the media that gives their system the most value. When that time comes HD DVD will not be considered a valuble asset. Just like buying a T.V. Beta-max combo...

[iNcRiMiNaTi]

i doubt MS is gonna go for any of those formats because u can just download HD movies from the marketplace anyway

[doshey]

but why wait when you can just go to the store and buy it and then end up only spending like 15 minutes getting a movies instead of that two hour crap

[zonetrooper5]

Microsoft does not have anything to lose, I think they used HD-DVD as a way to slow down Sony and Blu-Ray long enough to improve XBL and introduce the Video Marketplace. DD is part of the future and yes it will be here sooner rather than later, call me an Xbot because I think DD is the future.

Good thing I got a Blu-Ray player in my PS3 and I didn't get the HD-DVD addon but Warner will not be making movies for Blu-Ray until May, sometime away which will make this format war drag on for sometime longer.

[TheExecutive]

yes, DD is here, but it wont be mainstream for some time. People want physical formats. I like to take my things wherever I want and not have to lug around a 360 if I want to watch a movie over at a friends house. DD is here to stay, but people still prefer the satisfaction of a disc in their hands and the will for some time.

[tfur]

FYI...

Warner already produces Bluray content. May is when they stop releasing HD DVD content entirely.

[travelguy2k]

great service this year so far...

Warner will continue to make Movies for Blu-Ray and HD DVD until MAY. After May their contract with HD DVD is over and they will discontinue HD DVD support.

Warners contract with Blu-ray expired last year in December, but with this announcment i assume there has been a new Contract put in place, obviously a contract that is exclusive to Blu-ray once the others run out.

[Tyrael]

How is supporting a format embarrassing when it ultimately loses? If Microsoft should feel "embarrassed" for supporting HD-DVD then by rule of the history books, Sony should have a brown f*ckin paper bag over its head. Blu Ray and HD DVD are both good formats, and their competition helped to lower prices for the consumer.

[RUF1]

I have always said from the outset that the reason why Microsoft has stated that there would be NO "internal" drive was that they couldn't be sure of which format would win. Microsoft developed HDi and the VC1 codec, and HD-DVD was in direct competition with Blu-ray and SONY, so OF COURSE THEY WOULD PUSH HD-DVD. However, they knew what they were up against. By having an external drive, if the format lost, which it now pretty much has unequivocally, all they have to do is STOP MAKING THE DRIVE--THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO RE-TOOL THE ASSEMBLY LINES FOR THE 360!!!

As for the future, it remains to be seen if they will adopt an external Blu-ray drive or not. They very well could. This is about not just the format war, but offering consumers a chance to have a media-centre as well as a gaming console, which is why we have the HD-download service as well as interoperability with PC's and other entertainment devices such as iPod's and the like. IPTV and the use of either console as a PVR is yet another example of how consoles are becoming media-centres. Check out the letter written by Denis Dyack of Silicon Knights regarding the possibility of a one-console future. Very interesting stuff.

And I have to add this: Whoever it was who said that there is no HD available on XBLVM is either a complete fanboy, or completely delusional. Oh, wait, I guess those are both the same. Also, he has obviously never done any homework, because if he did, he would know that the 360 without the hard drive (i.e., the "Core" or "Arcade"), while being the cheapest of the 360's, is also the least popular of the three current versions of the Xbox. Honestly, what a load of crap he posted.

[jordan8445]

If MS release a BluRay addon or SKU with it bult in, it will be the ultimate humiliation and sign of defeat. It will spell absolute disaster.

[wallace1000]

Microsoft were supporting a side that lost, not a big deal because they only supported by making the 360 add-on that didn't sell very well anyways. I don't think they should release a 360 with a blu-ray drive because it is a gaming machine and the 360 games are doing fine on DVD. However, for the next console they release blu-ray might be a good idea if games require storage larger than a DVD. I am just not a fan of having a gaming machine and movie player squished into one box. I like stand alone players :-D

[gnothe1]

you say people still like discs, well that maybe true but theres some that likes the convenience of NOT having disc!! I burn cd's on my PC, but I was getting tired of doing that, so I decided to buy me an ipod touch. I currently got over 1250 songs on it an theres no need for me to buy discs again. i have over 250 dvd's but I also download torrents (sometimes) an i have them stored on my pc that I watch from either 1 of my 2 360's or my PS3, so theres no need to buy discs there again!! so dont speak for everybody when you say people like discs. Im thinking about setting up my house with a home network for all my tv's an just rip my dvd collection to the server!!

[TheExecutive]

i wasnt trying to speak for everyone but a lot of people like the disc. I personally like both. I want the disc and I want to rip it to hdd's. I would hate not to have that choice someday.

[eagle21]

Blu-ray will be on Oprah soon.

[Phalken_Six]

"Microsoft will only do a BR drive as an add-on, NOT BUILT-IN, games in DVD9 are perfect right now, remeber the 2007's GOTY, Bioshock (DVD9), Mario Galaxy (DVD5)...but any BR game? NONE! so microsoft can relax on his choice with DVD9. Add-on are just add-on"

I DONT KNOW WHAT YEAR YOU LIVE IN BUT WE GONNA SLAUGHTER YOU. TAKE IT IN PERSONALLY K? SLAVES IN CAVES! GO BLU!!

@cow moolester- You know it would be a pleasure to be a member of the BDA but im not but a war is a war. I even take this war on the physical world with people that buy anything supported by M$ but only after work. No threats to anyone here but I am a SONY Fan with a SONY life and i proud of it as i am proud of these other SONY fans in this Forums that have been here longer than i have that been supporting SONY.

[cow moolester]

Oh wow Phalken Six....I didn't know you were a member of the BDA?

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Specialty DISC, you know the disc found in the GameCube, PSP, Dreamcast and the Playstation? After all MS already has a movie delivery system so if they need a larger disc, HD DVD is there for the taking and it plays upscaled DVDs. I don't know about the rest of you but I use my 360, Wii and PS2 to play games. I have digital cable, video on demand, mobil broadband, internet, netflix/online movies, Atom films, Cinimark Theater 1/2 a mile away and only $4.50 a ticket and Xbox Live so I'm not realy in nead of more movies to watch. I would rather use my gaming system for "GAMES".

[Maldread]

A Blu-Ray drive for the 360 should be made available, as the format seems to be the winner of the format war by far, only a miracle could save HD-DVD now.
http://www.theregister.co.u...

If it really was about costumers choice, Microsoft should have let people have a Blu-Ray add-on to choose between from the beginning, but i guess they just never was behind either format,and instead push Digital Distribution. I just think more people want to have all included from day one, and not have to buy an add-on to begin with. How that will affect the future games in the case of storage problems and potential buyers of HD-game/movie stations which have both in one box, will be interesting to see. I don`t think the Digital Distribution is here yet, the same could be said of the HD-film area too, but i do think the last is a lot closer.

Moore`s not with the company any more, so they don`t have to honor the Blu-promise though ;)

[InMyOpinion]

I think the 360 is doing fine without Blu-Ray. One of the games that won most GOTY awards, Bioshock, was not on Blu-Ray. At the moment both hardware & software sales look pretty stabile as well.

The PS3 is picking up and both systems sell about the same amount of consoles worldwide each month (Sony with a lead of about 100.000 the last months). No one is totally outselling the other but the PS3 has an advantage in both Japan and Europe. I don't think any of the consoles will bomb next year.

Maybe everything will change in 2008. I think Sony will boost it's sales significantly with so many big titles coming out. I also think that the Wii will start dropping in sales, but I'm not sure about that since the DS has been selling like crazy for so long.

[Lcarrero5]

first time i hear someone say something here and not sound like they're favoring one side or the other. b4u

[gnothe1]

what the most entertaining is how they say the 360 has no games for 2008 an the PS3 does!! did anybody see gears coming or how about bioshock or mass effect. did anybody expect thoses games to do what they did!! nobody knows what MS has coming, just because its not announced doesnt mean its not coming!! please dont sleep on MS an what they have up their sleeves. they have the money to back BIG PROJECTS an they only fund game that they feel will sell big time!! Gears,bioshock,mass effect,PGR, forza, crackdown all million sellers an all MS published as will be NG2. I think one of the reason why MS didnt wanna take on HS was because they had alot of faith an MONEY tied up in too human an they didnt feel it was needed!! you guys do know that ninja theory pitched that game to MS before sony ended up with it.

[power of Green]

We'll see what they do they choose HD-DVD for their ad-on, HD movies are not part of MSFT's console market stradigy when talking about using movies as a selling point for the 360.

HD-DVD is not part of any real goal for MSFT.

I wish The Round Peg would stop posting this BullshIt theres things in these news posts he posts that are taking us backwards when it comes to facts.

[DFresh]

Bill Gates will never admit his problems he only cares about the money.
MS even addresses they don't want a format that they want an online service for movies.
However he has never admitting to the RROD and it's been 2 years now.
Bill Gates can't just simply fix the problem by repairment that he has to make a totally new console and screw off all his consumers.
At least when it comes to service and fixing problems Sony is the way to go.
When I call up MS for any problem whether 360 or PC I get some foreign guy from India who I can't understand.
When I call up Sony I actually get someone who speaks my own language and is glad to help me with my problems whatever they may be.
I'm tired of MS and their problems and they need to stop while their ahead BEFORE THEY LOSE LOYAL CONSUMERS.

[gnothe1]

are you serious. just like sony admitted the DRE of the PS2. just like they fixed them for free WITHOUT that class action lawsuit!! come one guy every company has problems from time to time its just HOW they handle them after that!! MS handles theirs the best way they see fit, sony was FORCED to fix theres, but MS is the bad guy!! my first HD tv was a 36 in sony grand wega an it died in about 2 years. did I cry a river an stop supporting sony, hell no I bought a few Ps2's an sony camcorder an my newest tv is a 60 sony SXRD 1080p. so i dont think MS has to worry to much about loosing consumers!! theres people that always want the latest an greatest an as long as a company is providing that they will sell!!

[DaEnforcer]

AHAHA poor Billyboy and poor xbots

[SDS Gamerfiend]

Had Microsoft Shipped the Xbox 360 with the HD-DVD built in from the beginning, There would be no talk of Blu-Ray Right Now! Anyways, I could care less who wins! As long as I can have a HD format to watch movies on! I`m tired of this format war anyways! I`m not buying one until the the proven format wins!!! If Blu-Ray wasn`t included in the Ps3, it wouldn`t be winning right now either! Points to Sony for using it as a trojan horse like they did with DVD with the Ps2! That`s how they killed the mighty Dreamcast by including DVD playback! M$ dropped the ball on this one and should have known better! Just think about how many 360`s are out there! Then think about if they all had a bulit in HD DVD drive LOL!

[gnothe1]

i cant say Ms dropped the ball because by them adding an HD-DVD drive it probably would have delayed the system an they didnt want that, plus it would have put the system in the same boat the Ps3 was in when with price when it came out or maybe worse. because the Hd drives were a year older when the Ps3 came out so the drives probably would have been MORE expensive back then!! as popular as the Playstation is it had a hard time selling at the 500-600 price point, theres no way the 360 would have sold at that price. it doesnt have THAT much mass appeal like a PlayStation brand. I think it was unfortunate that the 360 was released with out an HD drive but they made a BUSINESS DECISION an that didnt include HD-DVD. I feel if the 360 would have released months apart with the Ps3 like the Wii did, the 360 wouldnt be in the position its in now. so I dont think MS would give that up JUST to have an HD-DVD drive in the system!!

[QuackPot]

That's what would have happened if the Ps3 had no Blu-ray.

The Ps3 would have been release at the say time as the xbox 360 and would have cost as much if not cheaper than the 360.

No one year head start for the 360. Think about that one.

[thedude17655]

i have thought about the progression of the media technology for gaming consoles and also movie formats. I have to say that DD will not happen for the next generation because there isn't enough bandwidth throughout the country or the world to justify putting all there eggs in one basket, i will take decades for enough of the country and the world to be set up with fiber optics for the DD to boom actually happen. It isn't as easy as everyone going to a cable company, There will have to be thousands of miles of fiber optics to be layed to the majority of the country/world in order for MS or any company to go to DD, which will not occur any time soon due to the price that process will cost. Next generation of gaming consoles,save Nintendo, and computers will most likely go to Blu-Ray until DD is possible financially.

[QuackPot]

Focus on the xbox 720 for release in 2-3 years.

Here are the things:

* Wii dominates consoles sales for at least the next 2 years due to its appeal to casual gamers.

* increased sales of Ps3 as it gets cheaper and cheaper - to eventually be attractive to casual gamers.

* games are only going to get better and more spectacular due to the H/W specs of the Ps3 and increasing experience of developers.

* growing library of quality and exclusive Ps3 games - including quality multis as Ps3 is lead platform

* Blu-ray winning HD war and comes with the Ps3 already - attracting more HD player buyers.

So....

M$ should just cut it's losses, have a Blu-ray addon and continue with current game policy with the no HDD SKU base

and

focus on getting the xbox 720 perfect.

Then again, they can just screw their current fans by getting rid of the no HDD Sku and even the others and just go one SKU - the xbox 360 with Blu-ray. Knowing their luck, those ~20 million odd xbox fanboys will still buy the new SKU.

[GITPWNED]

A Blur-Ray drive in the 360 would make the PS3rd completely useless to most consumers, even more than it is now.

[AngryTypingGuy]

Message to Microsoft:

For God sakes MS, go with BluRay! That's one of the reasons you made the HD-DVD drive external! It served two purposes: 1) to not force the consumer to pay for an HD DVD format, and 2) to give you the option to switch if HD-DVD lost, which, after the past few hours, you can pretty much stick a fork in it.

If Sony can partner with you to use Windows on their PC's, then you can partner with them to use BluRay.

[Phalken_Six]

Wake up kid youre not dreaming. This isnt a "what if" situation. and please dont get a blu-ray when you were against it. these things arent exactly for poor people like you aiiight? Nobody gives a d*mn what you say and if you go blu then you just humiliated your fanboism. I know the truth hurts for you and your other cave slaves so just keep buying them soon to be extinct POS format and go to hell with it k? And oh take your whole family down there for creating a person like you that cries about these things. nobody cares about your depresive whinning about making the wrong choice of format and why hd-dud lost. Just go about your way with your doomed console and get over it. dumb@$$. someone give this kid a d*ldo to suck on please.

[Matpan]

plain simple:

If blu Ray is going to be the winner, then I wish Microsoft will release a 360 with built in BR...

so much for me to say :)