Xbox 360 with integrated HD DVD drive? No way.

If you were hoping to reduce some living room clutter by slapping an internal HD DVD drive in that Xbox 360, think again, jack. Microsoft just put the kibosh on a certain Toshiba exec's "prediction" that those external HD DVD drives Microsoft was showing off at E3 would find their way integrated into future 360 consoles. In an official statement, Microsoft says they have no plans to integrate the HD DVD drive because they "feel that offering the drive externally is the best way to give consumers the ultimate choice to create their own high definition experiences." Well, that's pretty clear. However, BD believers could interpret that statement to hint at possible support for an external Blu-ray Disc drive -- afterall, that would be the ultimate choice, right? Hell, the next-gen format war is anybody's game at this point so why lock yourself into a format which might lose, or even morph into a unified offering? It's not like Microsoft's alone in hedging their bets now are they?

[chenry @ Jul 4th 2006 8:43AM]

I think it's pretty smart not picking one side in the format-war. I mean, if Blu-Ray fails as a format, the PS3 is going to have some problems, isn't it.

[Brian @ Jul 4th 2006 8:45AM]

Seeing as how Blu-ray offers more capacity, is more durable, and has more corporate support, I would like to see all of my media in this format in five years. Microsoft has made the correct choice.

[Callum @ Jul 4th 2006 8:49AM]

I can't see microsoft linking up with sonys blu ray after all the pushing and shoving we have seen over the last few months.

[RMW Web Publishing @ Jul 4th 2006 8:52AM]

I think if anything were to go internal it should be some (if not all) of that whopping power adaptor [brick].

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Jul 4th 2006 9:52AM]

To me that sounds as M$ Xbox division wants to be as distant as possible from the HD-DVD v. BD fight.

M$ from political suddenly got technical. I think we should thank that flip for solid Xbox performance to date.

The fight at moment is all political - nobody even has the need for that amount of information in industry. I would love to have something like that at home to keep my anime collection, but that (un)fancy $1k price stiker would keep me on DVD media for a long time. You hardly can beat current price of DVD-R.

[Tony Rayo @ Jul 4th 2006 10:01AM]

I'm sorry to disagree with everyone so far, but no, this does NOT make sense to me. First of all, Microsoft is on the board backing HD-DVD, so it's very unlikely that they would ever think about support Blu-ray unless the Gods of Sanity rain down on all the next-gen format companies involved. I understand not having games on HD-DVD, because then you would be splitting the market (which they already did with hard drive and no hard drive, even though Sony has made a lot of mistakes with the PS3, I'm so happy a HD will be default hardware at all times), but there is no reason that they couldn't have a multi-drive for games and HD-DVD movies. Just my 2cents.

[Micheal Jones @ Jul 4th 2006 10:50AM]

Does anyone else think that this might just be a bluff?

Wouldn't Microsoft kill current 360 sales if they said "We'll be scrapping the DVD drive and start shipping 360's with integrated HD-DVD in 6 months".

I don't know about you, but this "external drive" stuff sounds like a non-starter; its a ruse to make sure that people don't decide to wait for PS3 on the basis that it can play HD movies and xbox can't, but still without creating a massive osborne effect...

[ben @ Jul 4th 2006 10:55AM]

"....think again, jack."

You saw last night's Seinfeld... didn't you?

[hey alex @ Jul 4th 2006 12:44PM]

That's there's two competing formats means that one or both formats are going to lose.

We already have movies exclusive to each format, which is a real pain.

Do I care to own a disc anymore? Not really. I'm renting via Netflix more these days anyway. Am I needing more storage on disc? Not really. I'm fine with portable hard drive/flash storage for storing files. Do I really need an expensive player and more expensive movies? Not really. I receive HD channels already, including movies not already released in HD, and I don't have to worry about having a player that can only play movies from certain studios. Oh, and my current player upconverts.

So I'm indifferent to whoever wins or loses. I'm just not planning to buy either option anytime soon.

I still say digital distribution is the future.

[jtspanky @ Jul 4th 2006 4:34PM]

I think MS should release both an external HD-DVD and Blue-Ray (or combo!!!). They could steal the PS3's biggest advantage right out from under it.

Even better if they could do it for cheaper than the PS3.

[Michael @ Jul 4th 2006 5:06PM]

I don't like it. Game systems are supposed to be simple. That's part of their appeal. You go out and buy a game for your game system and you come home and play it. Now you're going to have to have an external drive hanging off that thing and when you go to the store you're going to need to make sure your system specs match the game your playing (i.e. do you have the external HD-DVD drive, or the blu-ray drive, ect).

It's starting to really remind me of computer gaming.

[gman @ Jul 4th 2006 5:13PM]

"Microsoft is on the board backing HD-DVD, so it's very unlikely that they would ever think about support Blu-ray unless the Gods of Sanity rain down on all the next-gen format companies involved"

Sorry but companies join and leave competing boards all the time. HP and Sanyo are both members the Blue-Ray and HD-DVD group.

We all know how well add-ons work with consoles. SEGA-CD, PlayStation HDD, 64DD, the list goes on. Once a console ships, it's almost set in stone. Developers won't support peripherals without decent adoption rates and gamers won't adopt then without compelling games. Microsoft know this and doesn't want to split it's audience.

From the official microsoft statements, I get the impression that the HD-DVD drive is a marketing ploy. It has no HDMI and connects to the xbox through a usb port.

Has there been any mention of any HD games? The press releases says:

"The new drive will offer millions of Xbox 360 owners the ability to easily enjoy HD DVD movies and will provide consumers with even more choices for experiencing high-definition content, in either physical or digital form."

HD movies Yes; closest for games is "high-definition content," sort of, but not realy.

[bennett @ Jul 4th 2006 5:26PM]

NO WAI!! i just had to say that

[nick @ Jul 4th 2006 5:38PM]

The HD DVD add-on drive for the Xbox 360 is intended for playing HD DVD movies. It's not meant for games. The thought being, if you want to play HD DVD movies, you have the option of adding what is believed to be a lower cost player.

Regarding an HDMI interface, there has been no announcement from Microsoft the HD DVD add-on will not exploit HDMI. Perhaps because there is no HDMI available now, the assumption is there will never be such an option. But the 360 is certainly technically capable of such an option. Microsoft specially designed the video interface in the back to host any adapter they specifically design for it.

Basically it boils down to whether or not you want you watch HD movies on your game machine. If you do, it's an add-on. If not, you don't have to pay extra for the option you may not use. It should be noted the 360 is capable of playing existing DVDs upcoverted.

[CMJ @ Jul 4th 2006 9:11PM]

You people remember that these consoles primary goal is for gaming. Video playback should be a perk atleast for example it's a ipod with video, not a video ipod it shouldn't pull away from its main objective. This is the reason why nintendo will be killing these guys pretty soon.

[Guruboy @ Jul 4th 2006 11:31PM]

How many people were saying that the PS3 is not a dedicated BR player? Now apparently the 360 will be a dedicated HDDVD player...make up your minds! It's not like the PS3 only plays BR discs...it plays DVDs too remember. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the first games for PS3 were released on DVD. Let's face it, the first games won't be nearly as complex or large as the later ones, as with all console games. The choice of getting a PS3 possibly a few months or a year after release means you're preparing for a format that seriously, guys...isn't going to flop.

^^^ *ahem, large tangent ^^^ sorry.

If Microsoft chose to not integrate the HD DVD drive until much later, when are we going to see the real 360? Do all the people that bought the one without the HD DVD drive have absolutely no chance of using their 360 as a dedicated HD DVD player? If add-on drives will in fact be released, when the hell will that be?

$600 PS3 = next-gen system + dedicated BR player and HDMI output

$400 360 = next-gen system, no HD DVD in sight

........skip a few months to a year........

price dropped $500 PS3 = same

price dropped $300 360 = next-gen system with possible integrated HD DVD player...HDMI? who knows.

So for a while the 360 will have the price strength. If MS can integrate the HD DVD player sooner rather than later, the 360 will in theory be ahead for people that don't need HD and don't care about games (which is never the case). However this all depends on the outcome of HD DVD vs BR and what the market will look like. But hey, if you want to see GT5 or Halo 3, that will make all the difference.

[Ben Hobbs @ Jul 5th 2006 12:18AM]

"Sorry but companies join and leave competing boards all the time. HP and Sanyo are both members the Blue-Ray and HD-DVD group"

Yes but Microsoft has more invested in HD DVD, seeing as all HD DVD movies use their VC1 codec and they receive a commission on each movie sold. Whilst Sony is still using older MPEG2 compression and not paying Microsoft a commission.

[Anonymous Gamah Gurl @ Jul 5th 2006 10:27AM]

I agree w/ Alex's post... My primary goal when I drop this kinda money on a machine is the games... Video playback is a defenite added perk, but what I mostly care about is games. To be honest I do not spend the kinda money on DVDS that I used to.. Not when there is Tivo and DVRs and NetFlix. You dont need to own this stuff when its floating around every where.
I hate to say this I know it will be an unpopular statement but I think the companies are trying to make these too flashy and more and more its becoming your whole entertainment system.. I just need it to play games!! I dont have 600 for a new PS3 and I will not shell out for the cheaper version too lose features.. which means I will wait and play things like GOW2 and FF12 in the meantime. I will hope the price will go down and it will eventually. Games should be a happy escape not a huge complication. I dont care if HDDVD or BR wins I care about games

[Magus @ Jul 5th 2006 11:14AM]

I think its a smart move.
if MS were to intergrate it then game developers would get the idea of possibly releasing games in 1 HD-DVD vs 2 or 3 dvds be it much farther into the future it would segment the market more than MS has already done.

PS3's BD advantage in tearms of gaming is that its beent there form the start.(all tho it costs a LOT more) Sony isnt fragmenting their market.

[Guruboy @ Jul 5th 2006 11:15AM]

From how I see it, if you don't care about anything other than the game experience like Gamah Gurl, the Wii is the way to go :) I for one want to see the best graphics and complexities of the newest games, along with a cheaper BR player, so I'm going for a PS3. If you're a fan of having fun (rather than a gaming fan), the Wii is awesome. How can you say no to anything with "Zelda" on it, or being able to play tennis with the Wiimote?

[Anonymous Gamah Gurl @ Jul 5th 2006 2:15PM]

You know what Guruboy, I probably will get the Wii but I know in the end at some point I will probably throw down the change for a PS3 too.. how else will i get my Final Fantasy fix :( I just hope that I can wait another year maybe more... Money has been really tight w/ gas skyrocketing and rent money.. (ugh I hate having to be responsible)

[Jared @ Jul 5th 2006 3:05PM]

"I wouldn't be surprised if some of the first games for PS3 were released on DVD."

Actually, Sony has mandated that all games ship on Blu-ray discs from day one. Having the games lineup split between DVDs and BDs would make the drive seem even more unnecessary...

[Ectoplasm @ Jul 5th 2006 5:34PM]

If I'm not mistaken, the Blu-Ray specification does not require DVD compatibility nor is it directly backwards compatible. Also the specifiction does not require support of [audio] CDs or other technologies. It's up to each manufacturer if they want to support anything other than Blu-Ray playback.

As Jared just mentioned, all PS3 games must be released on Blu-Ray. I'm sure the PS3 will play DVD movies, but not all Blu-Ray players will support DVDs or CDs.

As far as Microsoft allowing games on HD DVD, I really don't see that happening. They've stated time and time again, the HD DVD add on is for movies.

I've yet to encounter a game that requires more space than a dual-layer DVD can handle. With modern compression techniques, and a good set of software tools, it should not be an issue.

[Pariah @ Jul 9th 2006 6:49PM]

Why would anyone even consider buying a HD-DVD drive for a system which has no HDCP port? (I know the first wave of HD-DVD releases don't require HDCP; it's still a temporary thing that is likely to end sooner than later)

At least the PS3 has a HDCP port on the $600 model and you can actually use the thing to watch movies at 1080p.

[wii-Emu @ Jul 20th 2006 11:22AM]

I would say that this is a surprising move on M$ part as I though they were 100% behind HDDVD and releasing X360 with it integrated would steal some wind from P$3.

[jason @ Aug 9th 2007 11:49AM]

Anyone tried a way to replace the standard dvd drive in your 360 with a HD dvd drive ripped from the external? I take it that it would be cool to run all my dvds and games using that, non?

Cheers,

Jason

[jason @ Aug 9th 2007 11:52AM]

Anyone know if you can install a HD DVD drive from an external into a 360? I assume it will still be ok to play games using it yeah? Would you need to rewire anything?

Thanks,

Jason