[Rumor] MS Set To Announce Blu-Ray Addon For the 360?

[DoctorFinger]

It's probably been inevitable since the death of the HD-DVD format earlier this year, but once again rumors are floating that Microsoft is set to announce a Blu-Ray add-on drive for the Xbox 360. Hardware news site Xbit Labs (http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/multimedia/display/20081008073445_Microsoft_Preps_External_Blu_Ray_Di sc_Optical_Drive_for_Xbox_360.html) has the scoop this time aroundToshiba-Samsung Storage Technology Corp., a joint venture between Samsung Electronics and Toshiba Corp., has been contracted to manufacture external Blu-ray disc drives for Microsoft Xbox 360 game console. While the exact specifications of the product are unknown, it is rumoured that Microsoft aims at $100 - $150 price-point for the device in order to compete against Sony PlayStation 3 with Xbox 360 + external Blu-ray drive combination.Now this does not mean that Microsoft is suddenly going to start releasing games on BR discs. This would strictly be an add-on peripheral, like the old HD-DVD drive. But it would be a logical attempt to blunt the PS3's momentum. Microsoft declined comment on the story, but this week's Tokyo Game Show would be a logical place for such an announcement.

Source - Xbit Labs (http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/multimedia/display/20081008073445_Microsoft_Preps_External_Blu_Ray_Di sc_Optical_Drive_for_Xbox_360.html); Gamesindustry (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/xbox-360-to-get-external-blu-ray-disc-drive-report).

[SPBTooL]

If MS did this it would help overall sales of HD media compared to DVD enough to almost confirm that all next gen consoles will have a BR player built in. BR is still low enough in sales compared to DVD that there is a chance for a new better format to come along and try to take the plce of DVDs

[Norse]

It makes sense I guess. I would never buy it though. I have a Ps3, and I rarely buy Blu-ray movies.

[Johan]

Interesting stuff going on (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080923-blu-ray-stutters-in-face-of-tough-economy-hd-downloads.html) with Blu-Ray. (http://www.smh.com.au/news/home-entertainment/articles/bluray-struggles-to-break-through/2008/10/07/1223145318783.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1)

Bring on the add-on! :D

[KingGorilla]

Now I know MS does dumb shit. But Blu Ray is NOT selling. People are moving right to downloads and streams.

[DoctorFinger]

If MS did this it would help overall sales of HD media compared to DVD enough to almost confirm that all next gen consoles will have a BR player built in. BR is still low enough in sales compared to DVD that there is a chance for a new better format to come along and try to take the plce of DVDsI don't see any new physical media format coming along before the next round of consoles drop. BR isn't huge, but it's still way more entrenched than any upstart would have a hellacious time trying to make a dent in it.

[DangerousDaze]

If it encourages the uptake of the format then I'm all for it. I already have a PS3 so for me all this would mean is a better choice of movies. I want Spirited Away FFS!

[rein]

Interesting stuff going on (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080923-blu-ray-stutters-in-face-of-tough-economy-hd-downloads.html) with Blu-Ray. (http://www.smh.com.au/news/home-entertainment/articles/bluray-struggles-to-break-through/2008/10/07/1223145318783.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1)

Bring on the add-on! :D

Are you trying to imply Microsoft would sell an add-on to their loyal customers knowing that it may be short-lived? No way. Microsoft would never take advantage of their customer base like that.

[Norse]

Are you trying to imply Microsoft would sell an add-on to their loyal customers knowing that it may be short-lived? No way. Microsoft would never take advantage of their customer base like that.

LOL! Yeah, large companies like Sony and Microsoft would never take advantage of customers to make money. You're right, it never happens.

[PathMaster]

Now I know MS does dumb shit. But Blu Ray is NOT selling. People are moving right to downloads and streams.

While I agree with that, you have to see the value in them stealing some thunder from Sony. If priced right, the combo of an xbox and a Blu Ray addon could be cheaper then the PS3. What a kick in the pants that would be.

[Xerxes]

This doesn't help Sony. Blu-ray isn't even doing so hot.

[biosc1]

Now I know MS does dumb shit. But Blu Ray is NOT selling. People are moving right to downloads and streams.

I would buy it. I buy Blu-Ray's. Yes, I'm that minority that has a big screen tv that regular DVD's and streams look like crap on. Yah, I'm a videophile who likes to have the best picture possible for my movies and not some pixelated mess.

Yes, I would buy it, if priced reasonably. I have a PS3 in the living room, but would like to watch the occasional Blu-Ray that the gf doesn't want to on my big gaming screen in the "man-cave" :)

Not to mention...downloaded HD (http://www.tvpredictions.com/zdnet011808.htm) movies (http://gizmodo.com/352392/vudu-test-confirms-hd-download-worries-plus-what-needs-to-be-done)are (http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=959)not (http://www.tuaw.com/2008/01/29/when-is-hd-not-hd/)HD (http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=959).

[Wilkz07]

this would have been awesome before i bought a ps3 for blu-ray. oh well, good to see ms getting on board finally.

[Shadowstorm]

LOL! Yeah, large companies like Sony and Microsoft would never take advantage of customers to make money. You're right, it never happens.

Unless my Sarcasm Meter™ is broken, I think he was being sarcastic.

[Ghostbear]

I would buy this.

[Norse]

Unless my Sarcasm Meter™ is broken, I think he was being sarcastic.

Well, I assumed he was.

[Iron Past]

Now I know MS does dumb shit. But Blu Ray is NOT selling. People are moving right to downloads and streams.

I think you're massively overestimating the number of people with computers plugged into their TVs. Once again, unless somebody goes around the entire planet and gives everyone free broadband, digital distrubution will never overtake physical media. Blu-Ray isn't selling well because it doesn't present a good cost/benefit situation for a large population of people.

[KingGorilla]

Who said TV? Did you see the data from the Olympics?

[itchyeyes]

In my opinion, here's what Microsoft needs to do:

Release a redesigned version of the 360 with the NXE. Almost the same internals as the old machine, new exterior design. Make all new machines with the 65nm architecture, and clear up the red ring issue once and for all. Include a hard drive with all models and repeal their 3 year old rule about developers no having access to it. Make a model with Bluray internal and make it the new hard drive (ie developers don't have access to it) so as to not splinter their product base.

[muddi900]

HDCP. The motherfuckers of all DRM's. How would it ever work on non-HDMI 360's? It won't. It'll never. Nope. Fuck you MPAA, for making my TV obsolete.

Now I know MS does dumb shit. But Blu Ray is NOT selling. People are moving right to downloads and streams.

Yes, with your magical survey data, we can finally prove that pigs can fly:P

Fanboy FUD is so full of shit (http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/10/08/iron-man-dvd-sales-setting-blu-ray-records/)

Blu-rays will probably never replace DVD's. Alot of the world still watches VCD's. But its not a dud you guys are painting it to be.

[Maskatron]

I still don't see Blu-Ray going away for awhile. Even if it will always stay as a niche format. It surpassed Laserdiscs awhile ago in terms of total sales, and that was a format that was around for 10+ years.

Even if the studios kept up the current output rate I'd never run out of things to rent/buy/watch. Plus Criterion is now supporting the format, and will be charging the same amount for their BRs as their DVDs. Very cool.

[Johan]

Fanboy FUD is so full of shit (http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/10/08/iron-man-dvd-sales-setting-blu-ray-records/)

Get back in touch when they're shattering records that have actually been around for a while, on a format that's been around for a while.

I just shattered the record for word-count in posts by Johan on the topic of Blu-Ray addons for the 360! Woot! :D

[VerseD]

If a Blu-Ray addon gets more people to adopt it, then in my mind that's good. I'd hate to see both high definition DVD mediums die out because of lack of consumer interest.

In my opinion, here's what Microsoft needs to do:

Release a redesigned version of the 360 with the NXE. Almost the same internals as the old machine, new exterior design. Make all new machines with the 65nm architecture, and clear up the red ring issue once and for all. Include a hard drive with all models and repeal their 3 year old rule about developers no having access to it. Make a model with Bluray internal and make it the new hard drive (ie developers don't have access to it) so as to not splinter their product base.

So you want Microsoft to release a PS3?

[violent]

It'll come out and everybody will sing a different tune. New theories and new accusations. The internet. What a hungry bitch she is.

[Purple Santa]

A big meh for me. I have a PS3 but I actually like mine to play games. I'm not a big enough vidophile or whatever they call themselves to care.

MS just trying to cash in on Blu-ray...should a company NOT try to make money? I said try...didn't say it was going to be a successful try...

[biosc1]

Yes, with your magical survey data, we can finally prove that pigs can fly:P

Fanboy FUD is so full of shit (http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/10/08/iron-man-dvd-sales-setting-blu-ray-records/)

Blu-rays will probably never replace DVD's. Alot of the world still watches VCD's. But its not a dud you guys are painting it to be.

Blah...don't remind me, I still can't find a copy of Iron Man on Blu-Ray in any of the local stores :(

[KingGorilla]

All I know is what the sales and awareness is based on what I read and hear in podcasts. Blu Ray discs are not selling, DVD sales are not declining, but the number of people buying from Apple, Amazon, or streaming from Netflix, Hulu, BBC, Fox are rising fast.

So unless Engadget, Wired, and CNet just make shit up, they are not CNN after all, I gotta go with Blu-Ray is dead in the water.

[muddi900]

Get back in touch when they're shattering records that have actually been around for a while, on a format that's been around for a while.

I just shattered the record for word-count in posts by Johan on the topic of Blu-Ray addons for the 360! Woot! :D

If you cared to actually read, you might've found out that the Iron Man Blu-Ray outsold both the single disc and dual-disc DVD edition in most outlets. Of course the record is useless, and probably be broken by Dark Knight. If you've cared to read after that link, I made my point clear.

EDIT:

I'll quote it for you.

Amazon.com reported that the “Iron Man” Blu-ray beat both the single- and two-disc standard editions of the title in their weekly charts, and is the top-selling Blu-ray title of 2008 thus far, while Best Buy representatives reported similar sales. Echoing Marvel Studios’ own plans for the project, one Best Buy spokesperson called the film a “tentpole title for the format.”

[Johan]

Of course the record is useless

THAT is the point.

Without context (as in, talking about sales of a product that has not even been around for very long), records are pointless.

It's like saying that a pitcher broke the record for wins in the fourth year of the history of baseball...a four-year-old record. Woopie. Get back to me when an actual record of some value is broken.

BTW: I broke my own personal record for word count in posts on a Blu-Ray addon for the 360. See how easy it was? There were only two posts of mine in this thread to compare to! :rolleyes:

Oh, and drop the whole "if you cared to actually read" thing; it's rude.

[cp#]

Bluray is already dying, no need for MS to put out another soon-worthless peripheral.

[Haemorrhage]

All I know is what the sales and awareness is based on what I read and hear in podcasts. Blu Ray discs are not selling, DVD sales are not declining, but the number of people buying from Apple, Amazon, or streaming from Netflix, Hulu, BBC, Fox are rising fast.

So unless Engadget, Wired, and CNet just make shit up, they are not CNN after all, I gotta go with Blu-Ray is dead in the water.

I agree with King. With Netflix streaming implemented in the NXE, it would seem that Microsoft is continuing to focus more on digital distribution. A Blu-ray add-on would seem like a step backwards. We've heard this rumor many times before so I'd be surprised (and confused) by this announcement.

[muddi900]

THAT is the point.

Without context (as in, talking about sales of a product that has not even been around for very long), records are pointless.

It's like saying that a pitcher broke the record for wins in the fourth year of the history of baseball...a four-year-old record. Woopie. Get back to me when an actual record of some value is broken.

BTW: I broke my own personal record for word count in posts on a Blu-Ray addon for the 360. See how easy it was? There were only two posts of mine in this thread to compare to! :rolleyes:

Maybe you lost your reading glasses: I WAS NOT REFERRING TO THE "RECORD". BR OUTSOLD THE DVD. It at least prooves that BR isn't dying the horrible death that most posters in this thread are saying.


Oh, and drop the whole "if you cared to actually read" thing; it's rude.

Whereas your posts are sources for exemplary politeness, and you didn't actually cared to read anything :p

[OldJadedGamer]

I don't think it will die a horrible death but it will slowly fade away over time like Laserdisc did. I bought a PS3 and I can honestly say that I will play a Blu-ray once... maybe twice this year.

Maybe.

[Johan]

BR OUTSOLD THE DVD.

Again, don't be insulting in the midst of making your point.

Outselling DVD on one title, without any context other than one title on BR outselling DVD, is like my telling you I've outposted my previous post.

Meaningless. Who cares. Your previously posted link says nothing about numbers. (http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/10/08/iron-man-dvd-sales-setting-blu-ray-records/) Without context on numbers (total sold at retail, total expected to be sold at retail, for both versions), you've given us...

nothing.

Whereas your posts are sources for exemplary politeness, and you didn't actually cared to read anything :p

You seem upset and extremely emotionally intertwined with this topic. Given your previous admissions of piracy, and strong advocacy for piracy in the developing world, why would you be so emotionally invested? You don't pay for your media anyway; whichever format exists, you can just torrent it!

Also, is everything okay?