Microsoft Demos Xbox 360 HD-DVD Drive, Discusses Price
According to Microsoft execs, the Xbox 360's HD-DVD drive will be released this holiday season, at a price well below that of other HD-DVD players.
Earlier this week Microsoft senior program manager Kevin Collins demonstrated the Xbox 360's external HD-DVD drive at the North America DVD Forum Conference in Los Angeles. According to a CNET article [http://news.com.com/Microsoft+shows+off+HD+DVD+drive+for+Xbox/2100-1041_3-6103069.html], Collins confirmed the device will be available during the 2006 holiday season.
Collins noted that the drive, which was about the size of a hardback book, will not include audio and video processing hardware. Instead, those functions will be handled by the 360. Collins said that as a result, for 360 owners the device will be among the least expensive HD-DVD player options on the market. Collins cited research indicating most Xbox owners already own high-definition displays, and commented that the external device "gives consumers choice and helps keep costs down." Collins did not disclose the device's anticipated retail price, however.
GameSpot [http://www.gamespot.com/news/6155413.html] reported that during the most recent podcast by Microsoft Xbox Live programming director Larry Hryb (aka Major Nelson [http://www.majornelson.com/]), Microsoft's director of global marketing Albert Penello also commented on the device's price. "Here's the truth," he said. "We're still thinking about it. Here's what I can tell you for sure, it's going to be the cheapest HD-DVD player you can buy ... without a doubt, when it comes out." Penello added, "There's still a few surprises left. I don't want to spill the beans yet, but I think people are going to think it's a great value."
Movie playback [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/lounge/view/63680] could become an important factor in next-gen gaming hardware sales, depending upon whether consumers favor HD-DVD media or the higher-capacity Blu-Ray format. There are only a few HD-DVD players available at present, and the lowest-priced models currently retail for about $450. Sony's PlayStation 3 is scheduled to launch this fall with an internal Blu-Ray player and will be available in $499 and $599 models. The least expensive Blu-Ray players on the market currently retail for about $700.
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According to Microsoft execs, the Xbox 360's HD-DVD drive will be released this holiday season, at a price well below that of other HD-DVD players.
Earlier this week Microsoft senior program manager Kevin Collins demonstrated the Xbox 360's external HD-DVD drive at the North America DVD Forum Conference in Los Angeles. According to a CNET article [http://news.com.com/Microsoft+shows+off+HD+DVD+drive+for+Xbox/2100-1041_3-6103069.html], Collins confirmed the device will be available during the 2006 holiday season.
Collins noted that the drive, which was about the size of a hardback book, will not include audio and video processing hardware. Instead, those functions will be handled by the 360. Collins said that as a result, for 360 owners the device will be among the least expensive HD-DVD player options on the market. Collins cited research indicating most Xbox owners already own high-definition displays, and commented that the external device "gives consumers choice and helps keep costs down." Collins did not disclose the device's anticipated retail price, however.
GameSpot [http://www.gamespot.com/news/6155413.html] reported that during the most recent podcast by Microsoft Xbox Live programming director Larry Hryb (aka Major Nelson [http://www.majornelson.com/]), Microsoft's director of global marketing Albert Penello also commented on the device's price. "Here's the truth," he said. "We're still thinking about it. Here's what I can tell you for sure, it's going to be the cheapest HD-DVD player you can buy ... without a doubt, when it comes out." Penello added, "There's still a few surprises left. I don't want to spill the beans yet, but I think people are going to think it's a great value."
Movie playback [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/lounge/view/63680] could become an important factor in next-gen gaming hardware sales, depending upon whether consumers favor HD-DVD media or the higher-capacity Blu-Ray format. There are only a few HD-DVD players available at present, and the lowest-priced models currently retail for about $450. Sony's PlayStation 3 is scheduled to launch this fall with an internal Blu-Ray player and will be available in $499 and $599 models. The least expensive Blu-Ray players on the market currently retail for about $700.
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