Xbox 360 To Get Blu-Ray Player?
As we’ve discussed before, Blu Ray is not making the kinds of inroads Sony was predicting by this point in the game, but if the latest rumour is to be believed, the consumer electronics giant may be getting a leg up from it’s console competitor, Microsoft. Xbit Labs is reporting that Toshiba-Samsung Storage Technology Corp (yep, HD-DVD’s Toshiba) has been contracted to make an external Blu Ray player for the Xbox 360, and that the target price is aiming to be $100 – $150 US.
It is still unclear when exactly Microsoft plans to release its external Blu-ray solution for Xbox 360. Hypothetically, the company may launch it slightly ahead of the holiday season in an attempt to steal an advantage from the PlayStation 3. But since sales of Blu-ray are still on a low level, the software giant may decide to postpone the unveiling till Consumer Electronics Show early next year in order to get the most attention of the media with new device.
One thing that makes this story stand out from other previous rumours is that instead of outright denials, “no comment” seems to be the order of the day.
This would give a leg up to everybody actually, as it would give millions of Xbox 360 owners an affordable entry point to Blu Ray, and unlike the PS3, every unit sold would count for somebody interested in what very likely be the last physical disc format for films. It would also make movie studios happy, as BR sales have hovered around 8-10% marketshare, and and hey, even Sony would be getting their piece of the action. They’ve got to earn back that $750 million they paid the studios in the first place.
Only time will tell. With HDTV market penetration being below 40% in North America, and 20% in Europe, it’s going to be a long time before anything unseats DVD sales, and even then, it appears a lot of people are just fine with watching upscaled DVDs.
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“As we’ve discussed before, Blu Ray is not making the kinds of inroads Sony was predicting by this point in the game”
*smashesheadrepeatedlyintowall*
When Sony was predicting 50% market share by this point and it’s currently between 8 & 10 I don’t see why you feel the need to bang your head 🙂
There were also many in the sony camp who didnt think the HD war was going to have been settled at this date and time so to say they are, to paraphrase, confused and bewildered as to why BR isnt selling to their expectations is a bit republican, dont know how else to slice it 😉
being said, i dont disagree with your most of what you wrote, its your tone thats so transparent 😀
dont forget to vote today
LOL! I’d say it’s just the opposite.
Pointing out that the PS3 has far underachieved as a BR player, and hasn’t met their own expectations is just an observation of what happened.
To continue to suggest that the PS3 has been the saviour of BR as a movie format seems like a faith-based initiative to me. 😀
Remember I’m talking about BR movies, not a qualitative evaluation of the PS3 for other purposes, including its main function as a game console, which from my limited experience is perfectly fine.
In fact, I’d be more than happy with one myself, if I had won IT in a radio contest instead of an Xbox 360. 😀
If true, this changes my buying decision dramatically…I was FULLY planning on buying a PS3 at some point for the BD player, but if I can save 60-75% and get the add-on instead…no contest.
I only wish the 360 was a little quieter…it’s not offensively loud when watching a movie through the HD, but when it’s late and the volume is down, it’s loud enough. But it’s a minor quibble at best.
Hopefully the BD will be daisy-chainable 🙂
~Pointing out that the PS3 has far underachieved as a BR player, and hasn’t met their own expectations is just an observation of what happened.~
sure, WITHOUT factoring in that many still assumed the HD war wouldnt be settled at this point… and as ive pointed out, the PS3 is also introducing home theater nerds to gaming, which is an indirect trojan horse effect… so theres more to this console than “this” or “that”, theres a lot of “also’s”
The debate as ive stated initially, is WAY more nuanced then you are trying to paint it…
Keep in mind im no whore to sony, im a nintendo fanboy, as my biases are purely anti-microsoft 😉
but are blu ray sales meeting expectations of “those” who had expectations of its dominance at this point and time, nope, this doesnt mean that its a failing medium by any stretch, as a year ago I was bitching that BSG was going to be HD DVD exclusive, just to throw some perspective in here…
we can both agree that this isnt the same scenario as DVD replacing VHS, but you cant approach this with the intentions of BR being based on such absolutes…
“we can both agree that this isnt the same scenario as DVD replacing VHS”
and that’s exactly my point. Even though BR will continue to grow in market share, by the time it sees any real penetration, digital delivery methods will probably have a stronger foothold, making physical media in general a smaller part of the home video pie.
Pointing out BRs surprisingly lackluster overall performance post “HD War” is merely an observation that I’m making for that larger point.
When you say you’re a “nintendo fanboy” and anti-Microsoft, it suggests to me that you (and Paul as well) are putting MORE emphasis on the game consoles than is necessary.
This article about the possible 360 add-on is really ancillary to the larger BR movie discussion. I’ll humbly suggest that this rumour leaked closely after the more general ‘BR as a format’ may be clouding the issue for some respondents. 🙂
Of course, only if the rumour turns out to be true. I heard an interview with XBL’s Aaron Greenberg recorded at the Tokyo Game Show that didn’t OUTRIGHT deny it, but certainly poured some cold water on it.
I think its fair to emphasize consoles within this debate, since this topic is about one console potentially adopting the format of another (well, at least for movies)
btw can i point out that the columbia house blu ray offer is totally fucking schwagg?
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