Microsoft's Xbox 360 HD-DVD delivers a sharp slap to Sony's Blu-Ray PS3

[Steven W]

Microsoft have achieved their aim of offering a Xbox 360 and a HD-DVD drive at a cheaper price than the PS3.

Check out the Headline for more info.

[Lexic]

Microsoft have achieved their aim of offering a Xbox 360 and a HD-DVD drive at a cheaper price than the PS3.

How's that again? Cheapest 360 + HD-DVD = $500. Realistically $540, because you're really going to want a memory card in addition if you fancy playing any games. Same price as, or more expensive than, a $500 PS3 that also comes with a 20GB hard drive etc. (and is, well, a PS3). If you fancy a premium 360 - and the vast majority do, since the core pack is a joke - you'd be paying $600. For the same price you get a $600 PS3 that has a 60GB hard drive, wifi, HDMI 1.3 etc.

At $200, this isn't a good comparison for 360 unless the consoles themselves come down in price. In fact, I don't know why MS would want to draw attention to such comparisons by releasing a add-on like this.

Oh, and to add insult to injury, MS apparently still hasn't ruled out allowing games on HD-DVD. 32x, anyone?

[Isy]

It costs too much

[Tomahawk]

Looks good if you are after a HD-player.. but I'm just hoping the price on the unit drops relatively quickly, as £100+ does add up seeing as you have to buy the 360 first.. etc.

[Isy]

Cheaper option for a HD DVD is to buy a £50 SLim PS2 from boots (deal on right now) and get the Xploder HD DVD extention for it.

It is far cheaper and runs quieter than the 360.
Also alot slimmer.

[Spud1]

its all irrelavent at the moment anyway.

Leaving aside any company bias/loyalty - the PS3 has not even been released yet, theres still no real indication whether Blu-ray or HD-DVD will win out, we dont know what the real prices of any of these units will be yet (and we wont until they hit mass market)...all just idle speculation so far imho

[Swafe]

Cheaper option for a HD DVD is to buy a £50 SLim PS2 from boots (deal on right now) and get the Xploder HD DVD extention for it.

It is far cheaper and runs quieter than the 360.
Also alot slimmer.

Yeah sure, because there will be some left at that price, and of course, thatll play HD DVDs :\


Anyway... MS should really replace the DVD Drive in the X360 with a HD DVD Drive and release a HD DVD 360 to directly compete with the PS3... as no DVD drive will be included as well just the HD DVD one itll knock a bit off the cost at least... I think a good idea, instead of doing the price drop around the PS3 launch would be to keep the premium bundle at 280, but change it to a premium HD DVD bundle with a HD DVD drive built in and sell the normal premium bundle at a discount price, say 199.99.

[Steven W]

How's that again? Cheapest 360 + HD-DVD = $500. Realistically $540, because you're really going to want a memory card in addition if you fancy playing any games.

360 (40GB) @ £279.99 + HD DVD @ £100 = £379.99

PS3 approximately £425.00

Not much of a difference and I suppose you do get an extra 20GB with the PS3, but it will still be cheaper, unless Sony lower the price before launch.

I agree with you though, I should have stated that fact as it makes it look as though the Xbox 360+HD DVD is an unbelievable bargain compared the the PS3, when in fact it isn't that great.

Article amended

[Lexic]

360 (40GB) @ £279.99 + HD DVD @ £100 = £379.99

The reported figure was the dollar price, you should probably stick to comparisons in the dollar prices. $200 may equal £100 given the current exchange, but by that guide, 360 Premium should only be £210, but it's not, it's more. Prices don't necessarily translate like that, clearly.

Also, the 360 premium has a 20GB hard disk. So even taking your comparison as is, you're getting an extra 40GB on the PS3, and wifi (something MS charges $100 for), and HDMI etc.

[Bull Dog]

All I want to know is...will it work on a PC?

[5lab]

why anyone woudl want to do this is a bit beyond me - i'd be surprised if the quality is up to that of stand-alone units, and besides, until the format war is won you'd be silly to invest in either platform

[Stoo]

and besides, until the format war is won you'd be silly to invest in either platform

Which would result in nobody winning the format war..

[Steven W]

The reported figure was the dollar price, you should probably stick to comparisons in the dollar prices. $200 may equal £100 given the current exchange, but by that guide, 360 Premium should only be £210, but it's not, it's more. Prices don't necessarily translate like that, clearly.

Also, the 360 premium has a 20GB hard disk. So even taking your comparison as is, you're getting an extra 40GB on the PS3, and wifi (something MS charges $100 for), and HDMI etc.

Good point. I got my 20GB confused with 40GB.

I noticed the standalone Blu-ray drive price can cost $1000, if that is the case the higher price point doesn't seem too bad, but still you're paying for something that most won't be bothered about having. I just want a decent games console at an affordable price.