Xbox 360 Adds HD-DVD Player
September 21, 2006 by Jason Bean
Filed under Computers
Not willing to be outdone by the Wii or the Playstation 3, Microsoft will be released an HD-DVD drive as an accessory to their Xbox 360.
The attachment will cost 19,800 yen in Japan, bringing the combined cost of the basic Xbox 360 and the HD-DVD player to 49,600 yen — compared to 59,800 for the basic PlayStation 3 in Japan. The higher-end Xbox plus the HD-DVD player will cost 57,700 yen. Sony has left it up to retailers to set the price for its higher-end PlayStation 3.
Yep, that’s right…yen. Which can only mean it’s going to be released in Japan first. Wonder how long it will take to get state side.
Source: Mainichi Daily News with Microsoft ups Xbox defenses vs. PlayStation and Nintendo with HD-DVD add-on
The Xbox 360 is currently fighting to stay with the PS3. But for consumers to go out and buy HD DVD drive is just another hassle. I believe that Microsoft should have included it in the system. The PS3 can play Blu-ray movies right out the box. I think Mircosoft messed up with that decision.
The debate over HD DVD vs Blu-Ray will continue. Blu-Ray apparently has more storage capacity. However, Microsoft backing the HD DVD with their Xbox 360 will cause movie developers to think hard in which format that they will ultimately back. I am going to go with HD DVD to win the Blu-Ray vs HD DVD poll.
See for yourself: http://todayspolls.googlepages.com/bluray_vs_hddvd_poll