Comments on: More rumors that XBox 360 will add Blu-ray drive

A Taiwanese publication is reporting that a subisidiary of Asus, Pegatron Technoloy, is going to be making the internal Blu-ray drives for an upcoming version of the XBox 360.

[krustykanuck]

It would be a good idea to allow the option of a BluRay drive on the XBOX360. It may not have to come from Microsoft but a third party hardware developer if Microsoft gives them the API and interface specs to complete it. Frankly, I don't know why people on these feedback columns so easily short change downloadable content, they aren't look to far into the future at all. Flash drives could easily be used to transfer contect between players and they capacity/cost of these items come down all the time. They are much more robust to use than any optical drive and won't require a protective cover like an optical disk. Since the demise of HD-DVD, the Blu-Ray format hasn't picked up much momentum at all according to the news bulletins. If anything, a Blu-Ray drive on an XBOX-360 may help Blu-Ray in the long run.

BTW... I get a kick out of the future proof argument.... the buy a PS3 now nonsense from the Sony fanboys. The PS2 is the weakest of all systems out there and yet it is the PS2 and Nintendo Wii (in all its 480i glory) that still outsells the PS3.

[awm]

I think the trend (of the studios) is going to download (PAY PER VIEW). The XBOX already does that through Live. As much as I hate the prospect, I would be surprised to see MS release a blu-ray device UNLESS the games require that level of storage.

[robvme]

Blu Ray has nothing to do with next generation games and is all about movie playback. Given that content will be streamed over the cloud you will actually see a day, very soon, where disks will be replaced by an Internet connection. Movies will most definitely be delivered over the web and games will follow. HD DVD and Blu Ray may have fought a battle that will yield no benefits. You may just see Xbox go with NetFlix for movies.
As far as keeping up with PS3, well, all I got to say about that is they need more and better games and an online environment to stake any claim there.
I expect my cable operator or satellite carrier to provide new set top boxes that incorporate Xbox into it. That's where I think MS will put its bets. Blu Ray would be nice, but not really needed.

[norbert6464]

Okay Xbox is cheap. bottom line. At launch every 360 owner whined at the $600 price for the ps3. When really, equipping the 360 to match some PS3 features with HDDVD, larger hard drive, wifi adapter and rechargable controller batteries set you back much more than that. To play Xbox its $300, but if you want wifi, hd, and a hard drive, its more like $700. Don't expect xbox to ever go blu-ray. downloads will be a strong enough market.

[shaun1978]

I still can't get over these people talking about downloads being the wave of the future. I'm sure in 15-20 years, yes it will be, but not before then.

There is a finite amount bandwidth available at any given time. You cannot simply say, we're going to send more data over the internet. You have to build the capacity to send more data. Even with wifi, you still have to get the data to the wifi hotspots.

Another thing that bugs me is the continued insistance by some people that sony owns Blu-ray. They don't own half of the technology behind blu-ray, I believe I heard it was around 35-40%. I'm sure they're the biggest partner, but people try to make it sound like sony owns it all. Now I don't know what percentage of hd-dvd that toshiba owned, but they were taking a bath on a lot of hd-dvd players. If you don't believe me just look at the price difference between a good up-converting dvd player compared to the toshiba hd-dvd players. There was not a lot of price difference. They really wanted hd-dvd to win which to me says, they stood to make a lot of money if hd-dvd wins. If that isn't the case, the board of directors of toshiba should have been fired.

getting back to the topic at hand, I think it all depends on when they plan to release the new version of xbox(720?). if they're planning on 2010, I can see them waiting and just putting blu-ray in the new one, if it's planned for much later then that, around 2012, then I can see MS bringing out an add-on like the hd-dvd player. If it's 2011, well, it could go either way I think. I think you can guarantee that they're will not be a new xbox 360 with a built in Blu-Ray player, it just won't happen.

[DCBRONCO]

David I think it's pretty sad that you mislead people the way you do. Microsoft has to add Blu-Ray to counter any perceived advantages of the PS3. The only people who perceive Blu-Ray to be an advantage are fanboys and shills. Why don't you ever mention that nobody is buying Blu-Ray. Mention that the attach rate is less than 1 disc per player. Mention that Blu-Ray is a huge part of the reason Sony's games division is bleeding money. Mention that some studios are beginning to drop regular prices on the movies just to get them to sell, also making it a money losing venture. I bet you all the studios that didn't receive a pay off are wishing they had gone HD or stayed out of the fight right now. Mention that Blu-Ray is the cause of the mandatory installs on the PS3. So answer two questions for me David. What are the advantages of an overpriced format that's too slow for a gaming console, is costing it's company billions of dollars and that nobody is buying? And second, why is it that you don't mention the fact that Blu-Ray is a overpriced format that's costing it company billions of dollars and is too slow for gaming?

[Just-Ducky]

It is my belief that Microsoft will eventually release a BD add on for the 360. I feel that a company such as Microsoft will not position the main selling point of their next console to be that of a PS3 standard. They might as well release a "Micro-mote" and "Soft-chuk" to play with on "X Box Thrii " Of course they wont, Microsoft will have better a selling point than JUST Blu Ray. I feel that a BD attachment for 360 now will help play down the "behind the times" feel that Microsoft will set by releasing an integrated BD drive on the next Xbox console.

An attachment gives us all the option to upgrade if we do not like netflix or XB Live as our only resource for HD content. Microsoft is not the type of company to "put all their eggs into one basket" with Netflix. If Microsoft really supported and trusted HD DVD 100%; all 360's would have integrated HD DVD drives. If Microsoft buys Netflix than I would say that you wont see a 360 BD attachment, but thats unlikely.

I think Microsoft should release a BD attachment out of respect for their patrons. I bought a HD DVD drive because I too thought HD DVD was destined to be the standard; I too was wrong, so I move on. The fact of the matter is that I now need a BD player and dont want to buy a PS3 to get it. It just makes sense to use a PS3 as a player if your going to shell out the cash for any BD player out now. I have nothing against PS3, but I would rather add on my original console investment then buying a whole different console system.

Thats just my thought. Maybe Im just trying to convince myself.

[POETIC_SKILLZ]

Any Xbox 360 owner that doesn't already own a Blu Ray player will be delighted to pick up the add on if it comes out. Plus it will definitely help out in future sales for undecided buyers that can't figure out if they want a Ps3, or the Xbox... My Xbox 360 is my main source of entertainment, so I would be first in line to pick up this new hardware, as many others would as well. Recently I bought HD DVD drive from a friend for 45 bucks, which included 10 HD DVD's. I know it's a dead technology, but its going to gringe my thrist for HD quality until the negotiations for BLu Ray cross over. Which it will eventually will

[rwcremer]

Downloaded games and media may be a good new option, but a lot of people still want to 'own' their movies and games. Plus, how in the world do you walk in to Game Stop or Game Crazy and trade in a game you DOWNLOADED? I'm not saying there isn't a market for downloading, but MS really should cater to all customers... the system that has MORE options simply is the better system.

If I'm SONY, I'm pulling out all the stops and taking full advantage of MS stubborness not to include a Blu-Ray option. They should increase the size of the hard drive and really sock it to them... MS should have the superior system... all they need to do is satisfy ALL their customers