Microsoft, once a leader in tech, appears ready to play follower.
Tech tracker X-bit Labs is reporting that a joint Toshiba-Samsung venture is about to bring Blu-ray to the Xbox, in the form of an external disk drive costing $100 to $150. The high-definition optical storage technology, championed by gaming rival Sony and installed as standard equipment in PlayStation 3 consoles, is good for archiving HD movies and TV, as well all those beautifully detailed video games that take 36 hours to play.
Microsoft doesn’t confirm or deny X-bit Labs’ report, but the site says it has confirmation from market sources close to the Toshiba-Samsung partnership. (Toshiba-Samsung’s not talking, either.) Those sources apparently didn’t also cough up information on the drive specs and possible release date, as those details remain hazy.
If true, the report signifies a turnaround in thinking at Microsoft, where rival HD DVD once was the preferred optical technology until Toshiba withdrew from developing it last winter. Back then, Microsoft was selling external HD DVD drives for about the same price as the Blu-ray drive now hinted at by X-bit Labs.
When HD DVD died, Microsoft insisted it wouldn’t pick up Blu-ray, only study demand for it, preferring instead to focus on streaming media through Xbox Live. That the company seems to have reconsidered at this time suggests it may try to unveil a peripheral Blu-ray drive in time for the holidays.
And if that also is true, Sony and Nintendo may have more to worry about than just discounted Xboxes this Christmas.
I just have to laugh at Doug. You PS3 fanboy’s crack me up. Let me fix that list a little to remove the BS.
Cheapest Xbox console $199
– Or buy a 60GB Xbox 360 for $299. That eliminates the need for a $150
hard drive.
External hard drive for Xbox 360 $150
– Not needed, see above.
Wireless adapter for Xbox 360 $100
– Here’s a nifty idea to save about $90. Run some CAT5 and hard wire
the 360.
Blu-ray drive for Xbox 360 – $150
– I thought these were game consoles? Not needed for gaming.
HD cable for Xbox 360 – $40
– Again, not needed. The 60GB 360 comes with component cables.
You see this is something the PoS3 fanboys never admit…the PS3
doesn’t come with component OR HDMI cables. Yes, the supposed
be-all end-all system for HD movies and games doesn’t even come with
any HD cables. So add $40 to the $399 for a PS3.
So let’s see:
60GB Xbox console $299
Cat5 to hard wire the 360 about $10
Xbox Live for a year $50
Talk about priceless.
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@ — doug
Should be playing Gears of War 2 this Holiday Season Priceless.
Wheres Killzone is that ever coming out. PS3 is now on its 3rd generation of games and still only has one major exclusive title to be released.
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Cheapest Xbox console $199
External hard drive for Xbox 360 $150
Wireless adapter for Xbox 360 $100
Blu-ray drive for Xbox 360 – $150
HD cable for Xbox 360 – $40
Realizing that you got screwed and shoulda just bought a PS3…priceless!
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I think this is a great… Hopefully will put the USB Blu-Ray down to the $50-$75 range after Christmas… Which would be ideal for my HTPC…
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Great…crystal clear movies watched and listened to over the drone of the 360’s fan….wssshhhhhhhhhhhshhhhhhhhsssssswwwwhhhhhhhhh
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