Microsoft willing to add Blu-Ray support to Xbox 360?

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUSN0851332620080108

"Microsoft Corp's Xbox video gaming unit still fully backs Toshiba Corp's HD-DVD high-definition DVD format but could consider supporting Sony Corp's rival Blu-ray technology should consumers want it, an executive said on Tuesday.

"It should be consumer choice; and if that's the way they vote, that's something we'll have to consider," Albert Penello, group marketing manager for Xbox hardware said when asked whether Microsoft would support a Blu-ray DVD accessory in the event that HD-DVD failed."

Isn't this a conflict of interests?

even if they would add an external blu-ray player, its still has no impact on console gaming this generation
i see this as a non-issue really
shiram

Indeed, you are correct. People think this is huge news that shows Microsoft is bowing down to Sony. In reality, this only has to do with movies, of which Microsoft is not focused on.

even if they would add an external blu-ray player, its still has no impact on console gaming this generation
i see this as a non-issue really
shiram

it would have a huge impact financially.

Why would it be a conflict of interest? Heck, even MS has it's hand in the royalty pie for Bluray (one of the codecs used) along with Sony, Philips,Pioneer, Thomson, LG Electronics, Hitachi, Sharp and Samsung... and others. Sony doesn't "own" Bluray.

I didnt buy the HD-DVD attachment, and dont plan to buy the Blu-ray attachment either.

I use my 360 for games, not movies...

Game On...

Why would it be a conflict of interest? Heck, even MS has it's hand in the royalty pie for Bluray (one of the codecs used) along with Sony, Philips,Pioneer, Thomson, LG Electronics, Hitachi, Sharp and Samsung... and others. Sony doesn't "own" Bluray.

dsmccracken

Very true, but Sony would benefit the most from Blu-ray becoming the industry standard.

Game On...

MS will in the end have to use Blu-Ray for games just like the PS3 is doing now. The DVD and DVD9 is just to small for the games coming within the next year or so.jimm895

Link?

[QUOTE="jimm895"]MS will in the end have to use Blu-Ray for games just like the PS3 is doing now. The DVD and DVD9 is just to small for the games coming within the next year or so.dsmccracken

Link?

anyone who played games for many years knows this to be true......Look at your past myself I started with tapes, then floppy disks "Wing Commander 4 took 8 disks", Hard Disks, DD Hard Disks, CD with some games up to 4 cds, and now DVDs. Saying that HD DVDs will not take over the market sooner or latter is like saying we should still use a 100 floppy disks for every game.

Microsoft adding Blu-ray is basically admitting defeat becauase PS3 has a built in Blu-ray player and Sony are one of the people behind Blu-raySwift_Boss_A

No not really. They have Sony movies to download off of the 360. It the same thing it all about money not brand.

[QUOTE="jimm895"]MS will in the end have to use Blu-Ray for games just like the PS3 is doing now. The DVD and DVD9 is just to small for the games coming within the next year or so.dsmccracken

Link?

This really doesn't need a link all it takes is go back and look at how the history of all media has changed over the years.

Microsoft adding Blu-ray is basically admitting defeat becauase PS3 has a built in Blu-ray player and Sony are one of the people behind Blu-raySwift_Boss_A

Microsoft doesn't own HD-DVD. It's Toshiba's defeat.

The way I see it, when these high def formats are really accepted and standard all over, thats when video game consoles should even think about having them built-in. And besides did Blu Ray make a multiplat have a major difference between the PS3 and 360? Nope. Most if not all of those multiplat games were identical and most if not all of those multiplats were superior on the 360 over the PS3 for whatever reason. So sure having a winning High Def is good for movies and HDTV owners, but with the majority who still doesn't own HDTVs and are still fine with DVDs, they're still ok with what they have just aslong they can play great games, and still years.

[QUOTE="shiram"]even if they would add an external blu-ray player, its still has no impact on console gaming this generation
i see this as a non-issue really
Fignewton50

Indeed, you are correct. People think this is huge news that shows Microsoft is bowing down to Sony. In reality, this only has to do with movies, of which Microsoft is not focused on.

[QUOTE="jimm895"]MS will in the end have to use Blu-Ray for games just like the PS3 is doing now. The DVD and DVD9 is just to small for the games coming within the next year or so.dsmccracken

Link?

common knowledge and common sense base on things you see and experience doesnt need a link.

[QUOTE="dsmccracken"]

[QUOTE="jimm895"]MS will in the end have to use Blu-Ray for games just like the PS3 is doing now. The DVD and DVD9 is just to small for the games coming within the next year or so.HarlockJC

Link?

anyone who played games for many years knows this to be true......Look at your past myself I started with tapes, then floppy disks "Wing Commander 4 took 8 disks", Hard Disks, DD Hard Disks, CD with some games up to 4 cds, and now DVDs. Saying that HD DVDs will not take over the market sooner or latter is like saying we should still use a 100 floppy disks for every game.

You are correct. Some new HD format will take over eventually, probably Bluray.However, that day is not today, and this gen will be over or almost over before it really matters. To say that Bluray is beating HD-DVD is like saying House Party grossed more than House Party 2. Not exactly the Norman Conquest.

As for bringing up the spector of the emergence of DVDs, CDs.... DVDs didn't require a whole new TV in order to enjoy them.

MS will in the end have to use Blu-Ray for games just like the PS3 is doing now. The DVD and DVD9 is just to small for the games coming within the next year or so.jimm895

It will be needed next gen for sure. I highly doubt it will be needed in the next 2 years. Right now the blu-ray drive on the PS3 is a hinderance to game developers more than it is a help. Upcoming games will begin to require installs to hard drive because access speed to blu-ray is too slow. Well, if your installing to hard drive anyways, why not just used compressed info on DVD9?

How is it a conflict of interests when both sony and microsoft use each others products all the timeEmpCom

Exactly. I doubt M$ will use Blu-Ray at all for the currently XBox 360, but for their next console, it's a possibility. I can't see Sony being against this either. This means more money for Sony at M$ expense, so why would Sony be upset with this idea? More Blu-Ray players sold, means more Blu-Ray movies sold = lots more money for BDA and Sony. I still wouldn't be surprised if M$ is already researching a new format with other electronic companies.

common knowledge and common sense base on things you see and experience doesnt need a link.def_mode

He didn't say "a few PS3 games", he said games. There is no "common knowledge" that games will cease to exist that cannot fit on a DVD-9 anytime in the near future. There is no evidence that any but a few on the bloody PS3 itself even require it. So again... Link?

even if they would add an external blu-ray player, its still has no impact on console gaming this generation
i see this as a non-issue really
shiram

A Blu-Ray add-on for the Xbox 360 would help MAKE MONEY FOR SONY.

1. Sony would make money off the Add-on license.

2. Sony would make money off each Blu-Ray movie sold.

There would be an impact. Because Sony can cover it's past losses with the PS3 with the profits from it's movie divisions. In effect, Microsoft would be helping Sony make money.

[QUOTE="shiram"]even if they would add an external blu-ray player, its still has no impact on console gaming this generation
i see this as a non-issue really
Netherscourge

A Blu-Ray add-on for the Xbox 360 would help MAKE MONEY FOR SONY.

1. Sony would make money off the Add-on license.

2. Sony would make money off each Blu-Ray movie sold.

There would be an impact. Because Sony can cover it's past losses with the PS3 with the profits from it's movie divisions. In effect, Microsoft would be helping Sony make money.

No one is disputing that. However, how much money exactly? There are many companies that make $ off of Bluray royalties (including Micro-frickin-soft), exactly what is the windfall for Sony in the end? Do you know? Does anyone? How does this impact gaming? Because if this is a big deal, then why wasn't I hearing about how MS makes money off of every Sony computer that has Windows? Doesn't THAT make money for MS? And money that is alot less watered down than Bluray royalties would be for Sony? The answer is, no, SW was not filled with that argument because it doesn't matter. If company A buys a transistor off of company B to build a radio, is this a victory for company B's TV division magically? No. And it certainly isn't a victory for consumers who BOUGHT a TV off of company B.

[QUOTE="shiram"]even if they would add an external blu-ray player, its still has no impact on console gaming this generation
i see this as a non-issue really
Netherscourge

A Blu-Ray add-on for the Xbox 360 would help MAKE MONEY FOR SONY.

1. Sony would make money off the Add-on license.

2. Sony would make money off each Blu-Ray movie sold.

There would be an impact. Because Sony can cover it's past losses with the PS3 with the profits from it's movie divisions. In effect, Microsoft would be helping Sony make money.

Presuming anyone buys the add-on to begin with. I don't see a need to worry about the next gen format because I don't see a major enough difference to arrent a purchase. I'm getting good enough movie quality with reguler DVD

BTW who do you think makes a bigger profit, Sony if NS does BR addon or MS from every Sony PC having Windows?

Isn't this a conflict of interests? Netherscourge

Yes, but not in an illegal way. At the end of the day, Blu-Ray wants to suceed not as the #1 HD format, but as the #1 media format. DVD is still killing them. A Blu-Ray drive on the 360 allows them to tap into the 13+ million 360 owners out there. Who may not be too willing to fork over $300 for a stand alone player, but wouldn't mind paying less for a drive. Which is all the HD-DVD add on is, the legwork is all done by the 360, not the add on.

Sony and Microsoft are partners in many areas outside gaming.

Many companies in the tech world use and work with other companies products, even when they compete with each other in other areas. Its not uncommon.

Toshiba and Sony, for example, have long standing partnerships in manufacturing and other areas, yet compete with Blu-Ray/HD-DVD. Not a big deal.

Microsoft adding Blu-ray is basically admitting defeat becauase PS3 has a built in Blu-ray player and Sony are one of the people behind Blu-raySwift_Boss_A

Following that train of thought.

Sony is bowing down becasue they use Windows/Microsoft office...

I didnt buy the HD-DVD attachment, and dont plan to buy the Blu-ray attachment either.

I use my 360 for games, not movies...

Game On...

FatalDomain

You don't watch movies??? :O

If you have an HDTV I highly recommend getting every thing out of it that you can. After awhile you may get tired of watching DVDs and may want to upgrade to true HD movies :D.

On Topic: This will definately help Sony in the long run. Of course the next XBOX will most likely have a standard BR player. MS could really care less about who won the format war because they want to be leaders in digital distribution.

[QUOTE="Swift_Boss_A"]Microsoft adding Blu-ray is basically admitting defeat becauase PS3 has a built in Blu-ray player and Sony are one of the people behind Blu-rayredstormrisen

Following that train of thought.

Sony is bowing down becasue they use Windows/Microsoft office...

Stop using logic that makes sense....We dont like yer kind 'round here.....

Game On...

i wonder what would happen if sony would not let blu-ray get into MS's hands.

edit: now that blu-ray is looking as if its going to win the format war. the gaming industry might benefit from cheaper blu-rays since its going to be produced much more if its the lone standard thus reducing costs. And more R&D from other companies would be good for blu-ray technology too

[QUOTE="FatalDomain"]

I didnt buy the HD-DVD attachment, and dont plan to buy the Blu-ray attachment either.

I use my 360 for games, not movies...

Game On...

TREAL_Since

You don't watch movies??? :O

If you have an HDTV I highly recommend getting every thing out of it that you can. After awhile you may get tired of watching DVDs and may want to upgrade to true HD movies :D.

On Topic: This will definately help Sony in the long run. Of course the next XBOX will most likely have a standard BR player. MS could really care less about who won the format war because they want to be leaders in digital distribution.

I have a HD Samsung set so I could experience what HD gaming has to offer. As for movies, Im not interested in a all-in-one box or add-on device. If I choose to invest in HD movies I will buy a standalone system for that purpose. I been gaming a long time and seen many consoles attempt the "swiss army knife" approach with their console and none of their added features are good or great, only functional.

Sega CD, Saturn, PS1: all played music horribly.

PS2, XBOX: DVD playback was terrible.

The only exception: PS3 play movies great (according to A/V reviews), questionable gaming performance ( IMO gaming added to BR machine!!!).....

So in a nutshell, If I want to support BR and HD movies I will do it with a standalone machine, not a 360 attachment or PS3.

Game On...

i wonder what would happen if sony would not let blu-ray get into MS's hands.exiledsnake

1) Sony could kiss Windows on their laptops goodbye

2) MS has a beak in the Bluray pie, the VC-1 codec, so I'm not sure that Sony CAN refuse (let alone unilaterally).

How is it a conflict of interests when both sony and microsoft use each others products all the timeEmpCom

:lol: i love your sig

i wonder what would happen if sony would not let blu-ray get into MS's hands.

edit: now that blu-ray is looking as if its going to win the format war. the gaming industry might benefit from cheaper blu-rays since its going to be produced much more if its the lone standard thus reducing costs. And more R&D from other companies would be good for blu-ray technology too

exiledsnake

I agree with you that a single format is better for R&D, however, lack of competition will keep prices higher than they would have been otherwise.

In addition, Blu-ray is not needed for games and was never developed for games.

Unfortunately, the most expensive technology seems to have won. Thanks to the movie studios (including Sony) for shaking down consumers.

I hope they do it soon, so that the Format wars ends and the consumer won't need to risk their money on the wrong format.

This is just a win - win situation for consumers.

I doubt that will happen. But I would love to see that happen and wish I could see the looks on lemmings faces. insomnia37

You mean the look on the consumers faces when they have to pay extra for nominal improvements on totally mediocre movies? I almost it the floor laughing when I say the Resident Evil movie series on BluRay for $60...

I dont think it would be a conflict of interest as Sony would benefiting by selling the Blu Ray to 360 and 360 having the Blu Ray

Unless people out there start buying he PS3 solely for the Blu Ray, then it might screw Sony over if they sell it to the 360

For the folks who posted the potential loss of revenue on the PS3 by 360 having a BR add-on, they must all realize that Sony has no concern now on the fate of the PS3. Their mission has been completed in finally creating a format standard in which they receive the majority of the revenue.

The PS3 was simply a insertion method used to introduce BR to the market. Regardless if the PS3 became the console leader, Sony created a win-win situation for itself because they knew the system would sell based on blind faith. While it wasnt enough sales to shake the console race, it was more than enough for Sony to claim BR was the preferred format of consumers (PS3 sales + standalaone + PC drive sales).

Now that the war is won, the PS3 is just considered a collateral damage...

Game On...