Blu-ray add-on for the 360.

[CurseoftheGods]

Sell your HD-DVD add-ons. It's all over.

Has Microsoft been considering a Blu ray add-on for the Xbox 360 all along? According to Jeff Bell, Microsoft’s head of marketing, yes.

In what has become a popular debate in the vein of “Will they or won’t they”, Jeff Bell confirmed that Microsoft has been in talks with the Blu ray association for sometime now regarding an add-on for the Xbox 360. The idea of a Blu ray add-on, similar to the current HD DVD add-on, first emerged when Peter Moore made mention of it prior to last year’s E3 conference.

"We've been talking to Blu ray all along because we have the best piece of software in the business, called HDi. It is the backbone that powers interactivity in HD-DVD and we have that available to potentially partner with others," Jeff Bell told 1UP.

"You never say never. I think we'd like to see how things evolve. Our commitment, however, to HD-DVD is profound and consistent, and we have done very, very well in term of our accessory sales."

While HD DVD still has major support from Universal, Paramount, and Dreamworks; the recent move by Warner Bros to go exclusively Blu ray later this year has changed the entire game plan for many directly involved in the next-gen movie format debate.

Bell also pointed out that it shouldn’t be seen as too crazy a concept for MS to support Blu ray. Sony’s Vaio line of computers all use Windows software. Fanboys often forget that these companies are out to make money and will partner with whoever it takes to make that money. It’s not about fanboys. It’s about business. If a Blu ray player could sell as an add-on for the Xbox 360. Everyone wins.

http://xboxfamily.com/xf/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1283&Itemid=2

[The Sceneman]

whhoaaaaaa I'll be getting one these

[Smooth Groove]

I hope there'll be fire sales everywhere when Hd-doa dies. 

[AdmiralViscen]

I don't see why some are flipping a shit over this, they said they'd consider it like a year ago.

[CurseoftheGods]

I don't see why some are flipping a shit over this, they said they'd consider it like a year ago.

Well, in the beginning Peter Moore said that it wasn't a possibility, but some Microsoft execs/representatives then said it was "possible" a year or two later. However, now Bell's statements bear some weight and seem a bit more official.

One can argue that a 360 with a Blu-ray add-on is a better deal than a PS3 for the same price.

[The Fake Shemp]

I told everyone this in the Gaming Forum.  It'll be rolling out soon - Microsoft is sending their sales representatives, locally, to Sony operations in San Diego for some kind of training.  I'd expect an announcement and launch date before summer.

[Ichirou]

I told everyone this in the Gaming Forum.  It'll be rolling out soon - Microsoft is sending their sales representatives, locally, to Sony operations in San Diego for some kind of training.  I'd expect an announcement and launch date before summer.

Hahahaha, now I NEVER have to buy a PS3.

[The Fake Shemp]

Pretty much.  I was planning on getting a PS3 with my bonus for a BD player, but I'll just wait it out.  There's not really much coming out of the PS3 woodwork that won't be available on the 360, and it saves me some money.

[The Fake Shemp]

Er, I meant San Jose, not San Diego.  Unless the representative did say San Diego, but Microsoft wouldn't fly folks there.  Into the belly of the beast!

[Ichirou]

PS2Waggle + 360 with Blu-Ray Add-On = True Next-Gen

[Cormacaroni]

After turning in my HDDVD player, I vow to never buy another attachment for a system again. 

PS3

lol@gamers griping about supporting dead media formats when they all have a closet full of Saturns, DreamCasts, N64's etc etc etc.

(yes i have a mountain of HD-DVDs and TWO HD-DVD players...   )

[Mupepe]

no no no no no   i need an excuse to buy a ps3, so fuck this.

[DJ_Tet]

no no no no no   i need an excuse to buy a ps3, so fuck this.

I do too.  The way I figure, the add-on will likely come out at $180 while the hd-dvd add-on either gets discontinued/discounted/both.  But, there's no reason to think that dvd upscaling will be any better than it currently is on x360.  While it probably could be better, right now it supposedly performs way behind the ps3.

If the PS3 comes down to $300, it's still the choice for me do to exclusive games and better dvd playback.  If it's $400 when this drive comes out, it's a little harder choice.

I'm still likely getting the PS3 rather than another add-on, but I'd appreciate the option as an x360 owner.

[evilol]

One can argue that a 360 with a Blu-ray add-on is a better deal than a PS3 for the same price.

[AdmiralViscen]

Yea, I dunno about that. And it certainly won't be the same price.

[huckleberry]

If Ms released a BR addon for the 360 it would almost completely absolve me from owning a PS3.  If they do it, hopefully it is cheap cheap.

[Bloodwake]

I'm pretty sure that a 360 w/ Blu-Ray add-on would still be more expensive than a PS3 40 GB.

Just saying.

Plus the fact that considering how horrible a regular DVD player the 360 is, I'm not nearly ready to submit to saying that the 360 would be a decent Blu-ray player. Whereas the PS3 is a fucking excellent DVD player and an amazing Blu-ray player as well.

[DJ_Tet]

Plus the fact that considering how horrible a regular DVD player the 360 is, I'm not nearly ready to submit to saying that the 360 would be a decent Blu-ray player. Whereas the PS3 is a fucking excellent DVD player and an amazing Blu-ray player as well.

Yeah that was my point as well.  I think anyone concerned about video quality would likely do themselves a disservice by getting another add-on as opposed to a PS3.