News

Xbox 360 with internal HD DVD player coming?

You are here: blasteroids.com / news / xbox 360 with internal hd dvd player coming? /

Latest news | News archive | Search news

Not registered yet? Register here.

DVDBack23 @ Oct 23, 2007 01:56 | 47 comments

Once again rumors of an Xbox 360 with an internal HD DVD hard drive have surfaced, this time courtesy of a "senior Toshiba executive" in Australia.

According to Australian tech site Smarthouse, the exec is quoted as saying "An Xbox with a built in HD DVD drive is critical. (Microsoft) and we are working on it. It also has to be more than a gaming machine. Microsoft recognise(s) this. A version of the device may also be sold under the Toshiba brand name." Smarthouse also says that this new "Entertainment Xbox" is planned for release at the 2008 CES show in Las Vegas.

Of course Microsoft is not commenting but we will be sure to update you if any more evidence surfaces for this interesting new proposition.

Source:

HD Digest

Previous Next

Comments

There are more user comments available, read them here

Comment by: hughjars (Oct 23, 2007 12:55)

Originally posted by NexGen76:
Who's shocked by this announcement

- Er, what "announcement"?

It's merely a rumour on the net (you obviously want to believe).

In fact both Toshiba and Microsoft have said it's not happening.

Quote:
After reports spread last week on a new Xbox 360 with a built in HD-DVD player, it seemed only a matter of time before the two parties involved declined such vicious rumours.
Sure enough, Toshiba have sent the word out that no, nothing is planned, and Microsoft have sent out their usual response to such rumours and speculation.

http://www.xboxic.com/news/3854

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Oct 23, 2007 12:58)

Quote:
Originally posted by NexGen76:
Who's shocked by this announcement
- Er, what "announcement"?

It's merely a rumour on the net (you obviously want to believe).

In fact both Toshiba and Microsoft have said it's not happening.

Quote:
After reports spread last week on a new Xbox 360 with a built in HD-DVD player, it seemed only a matter of time before the two parties involved declined such vicious rumours.
Sure enough, Toshiba have sent the word out that no, nothing is planned, and Microsoft have sent out their usual response to such rumours and speculation.
http://www.xboxic.com/news/3854

meh if its not happened in 25 months I will believe its not happening LOL

they fight hard to keep such deal hush hush, theres a 50/50 chance on this.

Comment by: ChiknLitl (Oct 23, 2007 13:05)

Actually, if this does come to fruition, it may not cost much to implement. Stand alone HD DVD players are around $200 now. That's with the drive, case, processor, memory, etc. The 360 has all of these already except the blue laser drive. En masse the drives alone can't be all that expensive and the prices are dropping every month.

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Oct 23, 2007 13:09)

Originally posted by ChiknLitl:
Actually, if this does come to fruition, it may not cost much to implement. Stand alone HD DVD players are around $200 now. That's with the drive, case, processor, memory, etc. The 360 has all of these already except the blue laser drive. En masse the drives alone can't be all that expensive and the prices are dropping every month.

Exactly if they can push it off a year to get it in elites and a year from there to get in all new units they wont have to add cost to it, they just can't lower the price, if they can finally bring a great product to the consumer I am all for it.

Comment by: c1c (Oct 23, 2007 13:41)

So does this really mean that they will start making games on HD DVD?

Aren't the current games for 360 just an upconvert DVD? So if you play 360 on a 1080p TV you aren't playing an 'HD' game? Only a 480p game?

My friend has a 1080p TV and a 180$ M series HDMI cable and says it looks better. But how can it be if it is a DVD game?

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Oct 23, 2007 13:47)

Originally posted by c1c:
So does this really mean that they will start making games on HD DVD?

Aren't the current games for 360 just an upconvert DVD? So if you play 360 on a 1080p TV you aren't playing an 'HD' game? Only a 480p game?

My friend has a 1080p TV and a 180$ M series HDMI cable and says it looks better. But how can it be if it is a DVD game?

*falls off chair*

some/most 360 games are made at Hdef, Hdef has nothign to do with Hdvd, Hdvd will be about the space limit the 360 is starting to have on games, like the diffrance in PGR on the 360 they removed the day/night system and put in static tracks, on the PS3 they have day/night tracks, while not a bad issue right now it will be in time.

Comment by: ChromeMud (Oct 23, 2007 14:05)

Originally posted by c1c:
So does this really mean that they will start making games on HD DVD?

Aren't the current games for 360 just an upconvert DVD? So if you play 360 on a 1080p TV you aren't playing an 'HD' game? Only a 480p game?

My friend has a 1080p TV and a 180$ M series HDMI cable and says it looks better. But how can it be if it is a DVD game?

Yeah,the 360 can only do 480P because it uses DVD and VGA....err...whatever,can't be bothered to explain there,just google for some common sense why don't ya' or are you spreading some Sony fanboy FUD.

I don't believe that games on the 360 will use HD-DVD disks at all.
Most likely that 2 DVDs will be used,1 for the single player and 1 for multiplayer,that's if the developer needs to.So far developers are doing well with 1 DVD,just look at 'Orange Box' three games in one all on one DVD,Oblivion,Halo3 are also examples of what can be done with good coding and compression.
If Toshiba launch a 360 console with HD-DVD it will only be there for movies not games because some people would rather have one box under the telly and that is all.
You hear a rumour and Sony fanboys chant the Doom of the 360 and how the PS3 was the wise choice after all...predictable and just shows how insane you lot are.

Comment by: AXT (Oct 23, 2007 15:00)

Shafted by Microsoft Yet Again. Not me of course, I own no XBox.

Comment by: DXR88 (Oct 23, 2007 15:01)

480p is effeciant enough at the current momment because people arnt going to rush out and buy a 1080p set there expensive and there restricted to plasma at the moment. i have a 780p/1080i lcd tv

But hi def is becoming more and more standerd so there pushing the hi end further.

also the external hd dvd will work on games. as long as the games are on hd-dvd. your point that games will not work on the external hd dvd player is invalid becuase you cant play a game on it they have yet to make

Comment by: 26r0cK (Oct 23, 2007 15:14)

@ hughjars ..i dun think this is a rumour. G4 tech TV said it wasnt and even showed the console of it. Tho im sure the inside is empty. But it showed all the new ports etc. Said to be released 2008-2009. They said this is the real console thats to compete against the PS3. If thats tru then it is very possible that they will be making games on HD-DVD. I wonder wat they'd this new console now? G4 just titled it as Xbox720 just for fun probably.

Comment by: hughjars (Oct 23, 2007 15:52)

Originally posted by 26r0cK:
@ hughjars ..i dun think this is a rumour.

- If you think it might turn out to be true then that's fine.

The difference is that you're not pretending that there has been an official "announcement" from either Microsoft or Toshiba.

There has been no "announcement" official or otherwise from Microsoft or Toshiba, in fact just the opposite, there has been an 'on the record' denial of the rumour.

By all means choose to believe the rumour but let's call it for what it is, a rumour and not an announcement.

Those spreading this tale as if it were fact and proof that the XBox owners had all been "shafted" by Microsoft etc etc are just revealing their own ludicrous agenda.
Basically it comes down to 'they wish' - cos they then imagine it might help sales of their beloved company/sku.
That's all this is about.

If a new sku appears with the HD DVD drive built in and the HD TV tuners etc it will compliment and add to the existing XBox 360 range.
It will not leave anyone 'high and dry'.
That makes no sense at all, either from a practical POV - what 3rd party game company is going to ditch the large, growing, well established and successful XBox 360 market?
From a marketing POV, there is no way Miocrosoft will kill the XBox 360 before at least the usual 5 yr cycle is up
(how on earth could that be 'better' or more profitable for them?).

Those pretending it would be like what happened with the mk1 XBox are - deliberately? - failing to remember that it was Nvidia that pulled the plug on the mk1 Xboxs gpu.

Even if, eventually, games were released on HD DVD it would be most likely to involve simultaneous multiple DVD9 releases
(cos relatively few HD DVD equipped XBoxs would be out there and what game company is going to cut itself off from the majority of the market?).

Comment by: weird0 (Oct 23, 2007 16:15)

personally, i think this rumor will become true
like already mentioned, some people will want to watch hd-movies through their 360. and as long as games are on DVD9, buyers will still have a choice. so theres no reason for you sony fanboys to get your panties in a bunch.

i wouldn't buy this myself as i already have a stand-alone. but if they do eventually put games on hd-dvd, then i'll just pick up an addon... which will be alot cheaper by then

Comment by: scorpNZ (Oct 23, 2007 17:46)

Blah,blah,blah rumour ,blah,blah,blah,more rumours,blah,blah,blah.

Have any of you that are falling for the hddvd being installed given thought as to where they would put it,last point HD-DVD is for movies not games,honestly how long do you want to wait for a game to load dah!...lmao

Comment by: SProdigy (Oct 23, 2007 17:57)

Originally posted by c1c:
Aren't the current games for 360 just an upconvert DVD? So if you play 360 on a 1080p TV you aren't playing an 'HD' game? Only a 480p game?

Does your PC do 480p only? Who ever gave anyone the idea that 360 can't do 720p/1080i/1080p??? You're only limited by the cables you are using, just like the PS3. I'm sorry, but you're not going to get 720p out of RCA cables, okay?

Why all the fuss over the HD-DVD rumor? Who cares, let them add another SKU to a confusing list of packages. At least it's labeled "Elite" on the box, and you don't have to guess "gee, this is the 40gb bundle with no BWC" when you stare at store shelf.

Honestly, go buy a Wii. You don't have to worry about next gen HD discs, and there's only one box you can buy. It has the same controller and game that the rest of the systems came with. And it will save you some money too. End of story.

Comment by: BIGnewb (Oct 23, 2007 18:20)

they cant make hd dvd games anymore.not in the near future atleast.all the new games then wouldnt work on the consoles of the people who bought during launch.microsoft is retarded if they do this.it was a lose-lose situation since the beginning.the games arent hi def and you support a format but require an additional 200 dollar purchase to use it.not very appealing.

Comment by: hughjars (Oct 23, 2007 20:00)

Originally posted by BIGnewb:
the games arent hi def and you support a format but require an additional 200 dollar purchase to use it.not very appealing.

- Well that's where a lot of people beg to differ.

The seperate XBox 360 HD DVD add-on allows people to make the choice of whether or when they get the HD DVD drive.....and a lot of PC users to have the HD DVD add-on as a PC HD DVD ROM drive.

The XBox 360 games are high def btw.....but, just like with the PS3, all of this is dependent on whether you have an HD TV to use the higher resolution or not.

The XBox 360 HD DVD add-on (or for that matter any built-in HD DVD drive in future) will only use the HD DVD format for movies......there isn't a single official word (anywhere) about Microsoft or any game developers using HD DVD for games.

Comment by: eatsushi (Oct 23, 2007 20:50)

Originally posted by c1c:
Aren't the current games for 360 just an upconvert DVD? So if you play 360 on a 1080p TV you aren't playing an 'HD' game? Only a 480p game?

No they're not.

DVD movies are different from 360 DVD games. Movies on DVD are encoded in MPEG 2 at 480i.

The DVD games for the 360 have graphics that are native high def 720p. Some are even at 1080p. Just because the games are on DVD9's doesn't mean they're not high-def. They're not upconverted.

Comment by: sk8flawzz (Oct 23, 2007 21:44)

Quote:
Originally posted by c1c:
Aren't the current games for 360 just an upconvert DVD? So if you play 360 on a 1080p TV you aren't playing an 'HD' game? Only a 480p game?
No they're not.

DVD movies are different from 360 DVD games. Movies on DVD are encoded in MPEG 2 at 480i.

The DVD games for the 360 have graphics that are native high def 720p. Some are even at 1080p. Just because the games are on DVD9's doesn't mean they're not high-def. They're not upconverted.

FINALLY someone who gets that content on a DVD9 is not only 480i/p!!!
i burn some HD rips onto DVD-RW and play em on my 360..and these are in fact at 720/1080p..
theres a huge difference in the way the disc is burned, dvd-video is mpeg2 and limited to 720x480 to play on dvd players
however a game or in my case HD rips can be done in watever as long as the drive you put it in can read it...correct? yes?

Comment by: saltynuts (Oct 23, 2007 22:00)

Originally posted by BIGnewb:
Microsoft talks a lot of shiit about the ps3 coming with blu-ray and now they do the same.go shoot yourselfs in the foot.now the xbox 360 is going to be the same price as the playstation 3 so dont whine about the prices anymore.

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Oct 24, 2007 00:33)

Am I the only one seeing MS moving to internal Hdvd in 2 years?
That would be a good final step to put games on Hdvd as well.

For all the console/game fanboys out their.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles...Console-Rundown
Oh god I can't stop laughing!!!

Comment by: saltynuts (Oct 24, 2007 00:46)

Originally posted by ZippyDSM:
Am I the only one seeing MS moving to internal Hdvd in 2 years?
That would be a good final step to put games on Hdvd as well.

i agree with you 100%

Comment by: ZippyDSM (Oct 24, 2007 00:51)

Originally posted by saltynuts:

Originally posted by ZippyDSM:
Am I the only one seeing MS moving to internal Hdvd in 2 years?
That would be a good final step to put games on Hdvd as well.

i agree with you 100%

And I kinda hope they will even if they cant get it to work with the HDVD add on, the reason I say this, better to have the 360 in some form live a extra 2-3 years than a whole new system come out, I want the next MS system to be solid and polished this time around with cookies!(BWC,full BWC)!

For all the console/game fanboys out their.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles...Console-Rundown
Oh god I can't stop laughing!!!

Comment by: Spenman91 (Oct 24, 2007 02:34)

I would actually rather have an external HD-DVD drive than one included in the console. If it is internal and the drive breaks then you are screwed. But if the laser on the external drive goes out, you can atleast still play games, and buy another drive. Then you don't have to send in your console to get it repaired from watched tons of HD-DVDs on your 360. Similar to the wear, watching DVDs does on PS2 and Xbox.

Comment by: borhan9 (Oct 24, 2007 21:13)

Well i just hope the aussie guy does not loose his job for leaking this info out there.

Comment by: kubapolak (Oct 25, 2007 17:05)

It's just a matter of time until I get my hands on a hd dvd xbox 360.