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Following the news earlier this week that Warner Bros. has made the decision to drop their support for the HD-DVD format, Microsoft has also been mulling over the future of the optical disc format.
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Read more.Quote:
Following the news earlier this week that Warner Bros. has made the decision to drop their support for the HD-DVD format, Microsoft has also been mulling over the future of the optical disc format.
they've always said the reason for USB-based drives is to they can go with whichever format people prefer
What I don't quite understand is why Microsoft doesn't realize the market potential for the Xbox as a HD-DVD player. The PS3's ability to play Blu-Ray cinema for as much or less than a standard set-top Blu-Ray player is a HUGE selling point. I see the cost of a set-top Blu-Ray player, and the price of a PS3 and think, "why would I want to settle for a mere player when I can get a whole gaming platform for nearly the same price?" If the Xbox had only integrated HD-DVD, even at a reasonable price difference from set-top players, they would not only have that advantage, but also lend support to the format that consumers would ultimately benefit the most from. They'd sell like crazy.
I believe that the PS3 doesnt have the same digital audio out capabilities as a regular Blu-Ray player. Then there is always the issue of consoles overheating and braking plus the sheer volume of the device.
I would have a blue ray player over a PS3 anyday but i would rather just get a drive for my PC and use that, hense the XBOX 360 offering a Blu-ray drive would be a great idea!
Or MS could just made an Xbox 360 Ultimate or whatever with integrated HD DVDROM at higher price, while keeping the external option there.
Considering you can buy a stand alone HD-DVD player so cheaply, xbox 360s would need to incorporate the HD-DVD drive into the console, and retain the current price of it's current console to be in the same price bracket as the mid-range HD-DVD players;
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The main reason the PS3 as been highlighted for it's blu ray player is it's price point in comparison to other blu-ray players, where as for HD-DVD there is no lack of budget players.
This isnt news, just old stuff dug up again.