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[gamespot]Microsoft: 360 HD-DVD drive will be cheapest

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by tinman, Aug 8, 2006.

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  1. tinman

    tinman 999999999
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    If the HD-DVD output looks as good as the 720p trailers you can download on Xbox Marketplace, then I'll get it. Hopefully it does upconversion of regular DVDs. I don't care too much about HDMI, I use my slot for HD Cable anyways.



    http://www.gamespot.com/news/6155413.html
    Microsoft: 360 HD-DVD drive will be cheapest
    Major Nelson's podcast reveals that the next-gen console's external high-def DVD player will be the least pricey model on market.
    By Tim Surette, GameSpot
    Posted Aug 8, 2006 10:30 am PT

    While most hardcore gamers believe it's the games that will win the next-gen console war, others believe it will come down to something entirely different--movie playback. Sony has been banking on the PlayStation 3's integrated Blu-ray drive to move its console, and Microsoft has countered with an external HD-DVD drive, set to go on sale later this year.

    The high-end models of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are $599 and $399, respectively, but the PS3's price includes the system's Blu-ray drive. Microsoft still has not yet announced a price for the external HD-DVD drive, and its cost could sway the next-gen race.

    On the most recent episode of the podcast from Major Nelson, aka Larry Hryb aka Microsoft's director of programming for Xbox Live, Hryb had a few members of the HD-DVD team on his show for an interview. Though they didn't reveal an actual monetary figure for the drive, they did drop a few hints.

    Albert Penello, Microsoft's director of global marketing, had this to say about the drive's price. "Here's the truth, 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," he said. "Everybody is very enthusiastic with the direction we're going. 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."

    Currently, only a few HD-DVD players are on the market, and they bottom out at just over $420. However, the Xbox 360 external HD-DVD drive won't require all the hardware of a stand-alone HD-DVD player (that will be provided by the Xbox 360), which should cut into its cost.

    Penello went on to discuss Microsoft's strategy with movie playback on its next-gen console. "Xbox has always been about choice. It's always been about 'How do you want to game? How do you want to get online? How do you want to communicate with people?' What I'm excited about is that now we're going to say, 'How do you want to pick your next-generation DVD format?' We're not forcing consumers to buy something that may be obsolete, or forcing them to spend a lot of money on something they don't want." He added, "We're not betting our whole console on an unproven media format."
     
    #1 tinman, Aug 8, 2006
  2. rrj_gamz

    rrj_gamz Member

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    Understand what he's saying, but in reality, if you're going to spend $400 - $600, it should do more than just game to justify the cost...Ok, lets say I spend $400 on the 360...I need to spend another $100 on the external Wifi and let's say another $100 for the external HD-DVD...You'll be at the same place...
     
    #2 rrj_gamz, Aug 8, 2006
  3. tinman

    tinman 999999999
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    but if u already have an xbox360 and u want next gen movies, then it would easier to drop $100 then drop $500.
     
    #3 tinman, Aug 8, 2006
  4. RunninRaven

    RunninRaven Member
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    Exactly. This allows people to play the wait and see game on which format wins out. If the Blu-Ray dominates, then they didn't have to spend money on hardware that is pretty much useless. If HD-DVD rules the roost, then it won't be as big a hit to the wallet (all at one time) to get the add on player.
     
    #4 RunninRaven, Aug 8, 2006
  5. tinman

    tinman 999999999
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    if it upconverts regular dvds well, then i'll get it anyways.
     
    #5 tinman, Aug 8, 2006
  6. RC Cola

    RC Cola Member

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    This may not make much of a difference, but they're saying it would "be among the least expensive of the HD DVD players" and not the cheapest of all the players in other reports. I don't know if either one is a misquote or just a misunderstanding, and it probably won't matter much if at all. Just thought I'd bring that up.

    I'd be surprised if it cost as little as $100 though. Seems like it should be more like $150-$200 at the very least (players are going for $400-$500, and that's a loss). Of course, it could even be much more than $200 if they treat it like a normal accessory ($100 for WiFi or a 20GB HDD). That probably won't happen though considering Microsoft's interest in the format.

    Regardless, it is a good option for 360 owners who want to try out HD DVD.
     
    #6 RC Cola, Aug 8, 2006
  7. rrj_gamz

    rrj_gamz Member

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    Agreed...my thought is it will cost a lot more...For those who have one, its a cheaper alternative, but for those who don't, you might as well wait...
     
    #7 rrj_gamz, Aug 8, 2006
  8. Ognilecaf

    Ognilecaf Member

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    Is there really a big difference between an HD DVD player and a regular one? I doubt its the diff between HD and non-hd tvs. Correct me if im wrong.
     
    #8 Ognilecaf, Aug 8, 2006
  9. Coach AI

    Coach AI Member

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    This is what I like.

    Don't force me to jump into the format war, make me pick a side, long before anything is decided. Let me make the choice for myself, and in the process let me save a couple hundred bucks when I decided I want a game machine.

    If and when I decided to jump into the HD movie race, I'll already have a 360 and the chance to see what the wisest decision will be. If it's HD-DVD, it'll be much easier to decide to spend a couple hundred then.
     
    #9 Coach AI, Aug 8, 2006
  10. tinman

    tinman 999999999
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    yes there's a big difference, but you need a TV that can show you that difference.
     
    #10 tinman, Aug 9, 2006
  11. chow_yun_fat

    chow_yun_fat Member

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    Seriously....do you post anything else other than criticism towards Sony? You act like Sony raped your wife...or your probally a MS employee in disguise trying to deter potential Sony customers. I dont recall any of your posts criticizing MS or Nintendo for any of their flaws. If the PS3 flops, I guess your gonna have a triple orgasm and I won't have to read your fanboy posts anymore.
     
    #11 chow_yun_fat, Aug 9, 2006
  12. KePoW

    KePoW Member

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    it's a noticeable difference (on HDTVs of course). now whether it's a 'big' difference just depends on the person's visual acuity and pickiness
     
    #12 KePoW, Aug 9, 2006
  13. count_dough-ku

    count_dough-ku Member

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    Yes there is. I have a Toshiba HD-A1 player along with 6 HD-DVDs(Serenity, The Bourne Supremacy, Lethal Weapon, GoodFellas, Happy Gilmore, and Apollo 13). Even the discs with "average" transfers like GoodFellas and Legal Wreckin look really nice and noticably better than their SD-DVD counterparts.

    And if the X-Box 360 add-on upconverts regular DVDs as well as the Toshiba, that'll be another big reason to upgrade. Trust me, there are major video and audio improvements in the HD-DVD format. It's not a bunch of fanboy or industry hype.

    Now Blu-ray. THAT format is all about hype right now.
     
    #13 count_dough-ku, Aug 9, 2006
  14. Coach AI

    Coach AI Member

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    I post negative about anything from any company that pisses me off. Stupidity pisses me off. Fanboyism pisses me off.

    I know you are a big Sony fan, though, which is the reason that my posts pisses you off. Got a little angry, huh?

    Here's a tip. No company loves you. They just want your money. Don't blindly give it to them, and then get angry because others don't follow your lead.
     
    #14 Coach AI, Aug 9, 2006
  15. tinman

    tinman 999999999
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    Blu-ray looks awesome with the correct setup. I saw the blu-ray demo with a Pioneer Elite Blu-Ray with the 73inch Sony SXRD with some awesome sound system in a sound proof room. Granted the people who setup the place were "BLU RAY" promoters.

    the Samsung Blu-ray player has faults, it has some crap artificial enhancements that you can't turn off. Plus when you see the demo at Best Buy on the Samsung 1080P, it looks bad becuase the chip has the artificial enhancement and the TV usually has its own enhancements on too.

    wait for a better blu-ray player and make sure you watch at REAL STORE.
    like HOME THEATER STORE.
     
    #15 tinman, Aug 9, 2006
  16. tinman

    tinman 999999999
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    why would you want to tick off someone named 'chow yun fat'? have u seen hard boiled?

    you're wrong, some companies do love you. Gallery Furniture..they want to save you money!
     
    #16 tinman, Aug 9, 2006
  17. Ognilecaf

    Ognilecaf Member

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    hahahaha...that was a good one
     
    #17 Ognilecaf, Aug 9, 2006
  18. RunninRaven

    RunninRaven Member
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    Yeah, and Just For Brakes. 'Cause at Just For Brakes, we really do care.
     
    #18 RunninRaven, Aug 9, 2006
  19. Coach AI

    Coach AI Member

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    :D

    Next time you buy a bedroom set, check that hollowed out bedpost. You don't think all that money came from furniture, do you? :eek:
     
    #19 Coach AI, Aug 9, 2006
  20. Tigerknee

    Tigerknee Member

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    Or maybe it's because Sony is charging an arm and leg for something that is on par graphically with the 360? :rolleyes:

    Don't even say Blu-ray either. For all we know, HD-DVD may win the format battle and you'll be stuck with a high end Betamax player.

    /PS2 owner
     
    #20 Tigerknee, Aug 9, 2006
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2006
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