Microsoft shows off HD DVD drive for Xbox

[Darth Sushi]

By Greg Sandoval
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Published: August 7, 2006, 6:50 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES--Microsoft on Monday offered the first glimpse of an external HD DVD drive built for the Xbox 360 game console.

Kevin Collins, senior program manager at Microsoft, demonstrated the HD DVD drive, which he said is scheduled to hit store shelves for the upcoming holiday shopping season, to attendees of the DVD Forum here.

The device--about the size of a hardback book--played "The Phantom of the Opera" as Collins pulled up a menu bar to display a few of its navigation and interactive features that can be called up on screen while a movie is playing. Collins said Microsoft's HD DVD drive will be among the least expensive of the HD DVD players, but he declined to disclose the drive's retail price.

"All the audio and video processing is done inside the Xbox," said Collins, who noted that research has shown that a majority of Xbox owners already own high-definition displays. An Xbox drive provides them with all the other equipment they need to watch HD DVD movies, he said.

"This gives consumers choice and keeps their cost down," Collins said

Microsoft has chosen to back the HD DVD format over Blu-ray. Both technologies are vying to replace the DVD format and are represented by consortiums that include electronics makers and Hollywood studios.

Video game machines may prove to be a crucial battleground for the two formats, some observers predict.

In November, Sony's PlayStation 3 is expected to debut equipped with a Blu-ray drive. In contrast to Microsoft's strategy to go with an external drive, PlayStation's drive will be built in.

Source: http://news.com.com/Microsoft+shows+...3-6103069.html

[accat13]

Wow is that thing an add-on drive or a totally new console..Talk about big and ugly..Wonder how long till a slimline version

[Busyman]

Wow is that thing an add-on drive or a totally new console..Talk about big and ugly..Wonder how long till a slimline version

Yeah thing is wayyyy to big especially if the 360 is doing all the processing.

Ever notice how new technology always looks shit with bulk and horrible transport controls? There's no reason for disc type players to be this way but to add perceived value in later incarnations.

If the new player is only $200 bones then it still looks like a good buy.

[FreeDoom]

Yeah first thing one notices is the size of the thing wow however it's smaller than that beast from Toshiba....

What matters most i think, is to compare the price of X360+HD-DVD versus PS3

[jotarou1]

Hopefully the cost isn't too bad. Competition is always good and it will be great when both the PS3 and XBox360 come down in price.

[FreeDoom]

An Xbox drive provides them with all the other equipment they need to watch HD DVD movies, he said.

Xbox 360 external HD-DVD drive supports movies, not games

Not a surprise though...