Microsoft denies Xbox 360 is Blu-ray bound
We're not talking to Sony
Microsoft's Xbox division and Sony aren’t chatting about incorporating Blu-ray into the Microsoft console, despite a Sony executive stating that the two companies are discussing the HD technology.
Sony US' President, Stan Glasgow, confirmed last week that talks between the two companies had taken place, though he didn’t say that the negotiations centred on the Xbox 360.
Yesterday, Microsoft's group product manager for Xbox 360, Aaron Greenberg, went on record to say that the two were not discussing bringing Blu-ray to the Xbox 360.
The Xbox team "is not currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray Disc Association about integrating Blu-ray into the Xbox experience", he told Reuters.
Microsoft’s denial doesn’t rule out the possibility of a Blu-ray enabled Xbox 360 in the future, only that two pair aren't chatting about it at the moment. In the past, company executives have said it will consider such a move if its customers demand it.
The software giant last month canned production of its HD DVD add-on drive, following Toshiba’s recent decision to dump the failed format.
Greenberg added that, in Microsoft’s opinion, the Xbox 360 is still better value than Sony’s PS3. No surprise there. However, retail prices for both consoles have dropped significantly since their initial launches, with Microsoft last week slashing the cost of each Xbox 360 model by around £40 (€55/$80).
If Microsoft shuns Blu-ray then what else could be in store for the Xbox 360? The company may opt to invest more heavily in online content downloads for the Xbox Live service, which already offers films.
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COMMENTS
To Buy Now or To Wait for an Indefinate Time...
Interesting thread - I havent bought any media in shops for almost a year now. I thought about it, but with the format war going on - I decided it would be mad to buy any discs. Now its over, I decided I can buy discs again, obviously Blu-ray but no more DVDs. Yes I own an Xbox 360 too, so again here is some real experience to share.
After much thought, I've just bought a hardware player for £200 quid, and couldn't be arsed to wait for all this contractual commercial posturing. Yes I'd rather have one box plugged into my lounge instead though, but realised this enterprise level contract stuff could go on for a year!
Not only is my Samsung Blu-ray hardware player 80% quieter than the 360 when playing back discs, it also seems to be better in terms of picture quality, generally as well as for upscaled DVD media.
And yes, I've rented movies via XBOX live too... Been very impressed so far, especially for viewing those films I missed at the cinema but don't want to buy. Prices are reasonable for older titles too (even those in SD) The biggest shame with the downloadable movie service that nobody is mentioning is the fact that in the UK the highest HD quality available is only 720P... apparently in the states they have 1080P videos for rent.
If you have a decent telly - save those pennies and go and get a hardware player, or wait another 6 months and they'll be around the £150 mark - you won't be disappointed. In a year they'll be £100 and in two years you'll be able to buy a blu-ray player in Tescos for £30.
You might be disappointed with the blu-ray interactive menu system, which still isn't much better than what we've seen on DVD for the last 10 years. But thats another thread entirely :)
Derek Foley
@phil
Yes , not many games need more storage now. That is changing...
rewind back 2 months. There was a game for xbox 360 released recently on 4 DVDs (Lost Odyssey). I say it needs space now for SOME games.
FFwd a few months. MGS4 creators have already said 50gig blu ray wasn't big enough.
You are right that some games on 360 look better than ps3. Games written specially for 360 wont look great on ps3 unless developed well. However, now that devs are getting better with ps3 - expect some games (crysis?) that will be ps3 ONLY due to its superior hardware (cell and bluray).
Two quick points:
Essentially off topic but:
Highlander - I always enjoy your posts. While others can be narrow minded, you always make well thought out comments. It's a pity that quite a few others aren't able to grasp this.
Anonymous posts: Should be banned. People who hide behind masks shouldn't be given the opportunity to comment on named subscribers' posts. They don't deserve the luxury.
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