Microsoft has confirmed that they will not incorporate Blu-Ray technology into the Xbox 360. They’re argument is that they can still deliver HD content through the ‘rental’ of media through their Marketplace.
Personally I think this is ridiculous. There were always rumors during the HD format war that Microsoft had deliberately invested in a failing format to draw out the battle so it could develop its online push for HD content. The news that this is now the ONLY way for Xbox 360 owners to watch HD content comes as no surprise to me. While I love the 360 I was (naively) hoping that Microsoft would be consumer focused for a change and release a Blu-Ray add on for it. They were even in talks with Sony about licensing their technology but nothing has come of it. Would be nice to see an instructable with a Blu-Ray PC drive connected to the 360. Even a 3rd party add-on would do VERY well. I know I’d buy it.
So love the 360, hate Microsoft.
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Tom Harrison (March 13, 2008) wrote:
At least the possibility of an add on is there with the 360. It would certainly suck more if a HD DVD player was built into the console.
I’ve been seeing a lot about this online HD content, Apple are really pushing for it too (i.e. no optical drive in the Macbook Air or Apple TV). I can’t help but think it might be a couple of years ahead of its time. Broadband’s fast, but not so fast to allow your average user to watch HD films via streaming.
Dan (March 13, 2008) wrote:
Good point.
Who needs DVD’s anyway?
Craig Dennis Online » Xbox 360, Blu-Ray 180? (March 13, 2008) wrote:
[...] An update on a previous post. [...]