Blu-Ray vs HD-DVD @ CES

[JUMPURS]

While I agree with that, I wonder that if the Xbox 360 did come with a HD-DVD drive as standard, would it have swung the war in HD-DVD's favour? A lot of people speculate that Blu-Ray's success is due to so many people having it through the PS3 though perhaps if the 360 did come with a HD-DVD drive, it would be more expensive and might not have sold as well.

It would have been more expensive and delayed so i think it would have been the nail in the coffin of MS in the console wars too tbh.
Though it would have been interesting to see what would have happened if the Elite had an HD-DVD drive like it really should have.

 

[mmj_uk]

While I agree with that, I wonder that if the Xbox 360 did come with a HD-DVD drive as standard, would it have swung the war in HD-DVD's favour?

Probably, but don't forget Microsoft and Sony are fighting on two fronts, both for the next generation of DVD format and also the games console market, including HD-DVD would have negatively affected console sales due to it being too expensive (as with PS3).

I agree with JUMPURS the Elite should have included a HD-DVD drive, the timing was right but again they bottled it and played it safe and in the end it cost them.

Now with Bluray effectively winning the format war it will be interesting to see how that affects PS3 sales.

 

[xander_uk2]

One thing for sure, I cant see a blu ray add on being around the £100 mark.

 

[wwwebber]

One thing for sure, I cant see a blu ray add on being around the £100 mark.

By the time MS get around to it you might

 

[Margaret]

One thing for sure, I cant see a blu ray add on being around the £100 mark.

It's possible, though not exactly £100 but maybe £130-150, I mean there are PC Blu-Ray drives for about £120 now.

 

[JUMPURS]

One thing for sure, I cant see a blu ray add on being around the £100 mark.

I doubt it would be far off it, what MS might do is release a dual format drive at 160 or something. Would be cheap enough later in the year.

 

[xander_uk2]

That would be sweet. I would pick one up for sure

 

[McManicMan]

Probably, but don't forget Microsoft and Sony are fighting on two fronts, both for the next generation of DVD format and also the games console market, including HD-DVD would have negatively affected console sales due to it being too expensive (as with PS3).

I agree with JUMPURS the Elite should have included a HD-DVD drive, the timing was right but again they bottled it and played it safe and in the end it cost them.

Now with Bluray effectively winning the format war it will be interesting to see how that affects PS3 sales.

you mention the PS3 being negatively effected but it hasn't, it has infact sold more than the 360 did in its 1st year (marginally)

http://vgchartz.com/hwlaunch.php

so high price, poor launch titles and bad press and MS going on about HD-DVD Vs BR hasn't really effect PS3 sales.

 

[ChEsTeH]

It`s ironic that if Microsoft adopt BR that every X-Box 360 sold with this drive a cut of the costs goes stright to their main console competitor Sony.

 

[JUMPURS]

you mention the PS3 being negatively effected but it hasn't, it has infact sold more than the 360 did in its 1st year (marginally)

http://vgchartz.com/hwlaunch.php

so high price, poor launch titles and bad press and MS going on about HD-DVD Vs BR hasn't really effect PS3 sales.

That is really interesting actually. Ooo how the fanboys forget.

 

[NokkonWud]

Probably, but don't forget Microsoft and Sony are fighting on two fronts, both for the next generation of DVD format and also the games console market, including HD-DVD would have negatively affected console sales due to it being too expensive (as with PS3).

Sony and Microsoft are battling in the console market.
Sony and Toshiba are battling the next-gen DVD format.

 

[JUMPURS]

It`s ironic that if Microsoft adopt BR that every X-Box 360 sold with this drive a cut of the costs goes stright to their main console competitor Sony.

yes but it is 1 less reason to buy a PS3, so possibly 1 less PS3 sold.

 

[ChEsTeH]

yes but it is 1 less reason to buy a PS3, so possibly 1 less PS3 sold.

Hmm quite so...I reckon Sony will make more money from that per unit than they do per unit of their PS3`s !!

 

[the_dead_parrot]

Hmm quite so...I reckon Sony will make more money from that per unit than they do per unit of their PS3`s !!

That depends on whether Sony would physically make the blu-ray drive or if it would be made by another blu-ray company (such a Pioneer or Sharp) and sony would just get licensing money... All hyperthetical atm the minute though obviously

 

[JUMPURS]

Hmm quite so...I reckon Sony will make more money from that per unit than they do per unit of their PS3`s !!

But every PS3 may also sell over its lifetime 20 SCE produced and developed games, which they get the biggest cut from, plus other 3rd party titles. Thus losing money that way.
The money is never in the hardware for consoles, but the software.
Even then for every console they may sell on average 1 additional controller plus 1 other accessory, again, more cash.
The 10/20 quid they would get from MS for using the tech wouldn't touch it.

 

[JUMPURS]

That depends on whether Sony would physically make the blu-ray drive or if it would be made by another blu-ray company (such a Pioneer or Sharp) and sony would just get licensing money... All hyperthetical atm the minute though obviously

No matter who made it, the BDA would get a license fee for using the technology, of which Sony would get a % cut amongst the other members.

 

[McManicMan]

personally even that we know MS have said they could do a BR Drive for the 360 i don't think they will because at the end of the day they just wanted the format war to cause confusion whilst they are beavering away with their digital download service, the longer the confusion goes on the MS gain, and it would appear that MS are the biggest culprit behind the ongoing war by handing out $100 million dollar checks to studios to exclusively use the HD DVD format.

 

[Abooie]

personally even that we know MS have said they could do a BR Drive for the 360 i don't think they will because at the end of the day they just wanted the format war to cause confusion whilst they are beavering away with their digital download service, the longer the confusion goes on the MS gain, and it would appear that MS are the biggest culprit behind the ongoing war by handing out $100 million dollar checks to studios to exclusively use the HD DVD format.

So MS are the baddy again. Let's put aside all the efforts they put into HDi with Disney (even Sony voted for it for blu-ray but were shouted down by other bda members), all the effort they put into writing all the software for the 360 to decode hd-dvds without a dedicated hardware chip (the PS3 has one), all the effort they put into the codecs and the fact as a public company they denied paying any money.

Sure they want to be there when downloads take off (as does Apple, Sony, Netflix etc) but I really think the constant conspiracy theories are getting a little desperate.

It's a hardware format. Sure MS preferred hd-dvd for reasons they've stated many times but if blu-ray becomes the preferred main stream option and demand is there it will happen.

It's business. Sony laptops come with Vista, Xbox Live! has had Sony musical videos and now has MGM on board. In the MS CES presentation the laptop in the opening video was Sony. Toshiba helped develop the Cell and look like buying Sony out (Sony look like needing another cash injection). If MS turned to the bda when is all is done and dusted there not going to hesitate helping them.

 

[Mr Latte]

That would be sweet. I would pick one up for sure

Considering the price and packages of PS3 doing the rounds with free games and under £280 in some cases is it wise to spend say £100- £120 on a X360 BD drive only?

Therefore basically for another £160 approx you get a 2nd great console, mmmm

 

[james.miller]

all the effort they put into writing all the software for the 360 to decode hd-dvds without a dedicated hardware chip (the PS3 has one),

it does?