Microsoft's Xbox could consider Blu-ray addon

[ParticleReality]

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp's (MSFT.O) Xbox video gaming unit still fully backs Toshiba Corp's (6502.T) HD-DVD high-definition DVD format but could consider supporting Sony Corp's (6758.T) rival Blu-ray technology should consumers want it, an executive said on Tuesday.

"It should be consumer choice; and if that's the way they vote, that's something we'll have to consider," Albert Penello, group marketing manager for Xbox hardware said when asked whether Microsoft would support a Blu-ray DVD accessory in the event that HD-DVD failed.

Microsoft does not believe the surprise decision last week by Time Warner Inc (TWX.N) unit Warner Bros, the top seller of home movies, to abandon HD-DVD format in favor of Blu-ray should affect sales of its Xbox 360 video game console, Penello said.

"I fundamentally don't think ... this has a significant impact on Xbox 360 versus (Sony's) PlayStation 3," Penello told Reuters in an interview at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

"With the PlayStation 2, DVD was a big part in the beginning, but over time, people were not buying it as a DVD player after first year or two," Penello said.

The Xbox 360 supports a plug-in HD-DVD accessory that is bought separately, while Sony, hoping to give its next-generation video format a leg up, built a Blu-ray player into its PlayStation 3 machine.

"You can't say it's not a bummer, not a setback, but I've seen this battle declared over so many times," Penello said of Warner's decision.

"I want consumers to have a voice in this and I think there are a lot of consumers who bought HD-DVD who are going to have a say in how this shakes out."

Warner Bros is the movie division of media conglomerate Time Warner Inc (TWX.N).

(Reporting by Scott Hillis, editing by Gerald E. McCormick, Richard Chang)

[Vizzys]

not a bad idea actually, why buy a ps3 when you already have a 360 with the option of adding bluray

[Vizzys]

yes

[CurseoftheGods]

Is it really called a Blu-ray DVD?

[Joe Molotov]

Well, that about wraps it up for HD-DVD and PS3.

[Cormacaroni]

In protest at Warner's backstabbing perfidy against HD-DVD, I plan to buy a Sony Blu-RayStation and never buy any games for it.

[Kyle]

sorry, no need for an add-on.. I'll buy a Samsung standalone BR player later this year. 

[DJ_Tet]

I wish they would, but I wouldn't pay $200 for one probably.  I'd rather buy a used PS3 for $300 or a standalone.

If they sold it for $120 with some movies however 

[calcifer]

In protest at Warner's backstabbing perfidy against HD-DVD, I plan to buy a Sony Blu-RayStation and never buy any games for it.

so you're a bitter hd dvd taco? i bet you didnt complain when paramount "backstabbed" blu-ray

[calcifer]

not a bad idea actually, why buy a ps3 when you already have a 360 with the option of adding bluray

Sony would explode in fury. They would become....


THIRD PARTY!

yeah im sure sony made blu-ray to stop companies from using it!

they'll get more from royalties if ms makes a blu-ray addon than they would from a few xbots buying a console they're losing money on every unit sold

[MrAngryFace]

both bluray and hd-dvd use the same laser type iirc, there's not a HUGE difference