Microsoft would consider a Blu-ray add-on

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6474045.stm

"Neil Thompson, head of Xbox in the UK, said: "The Xbox 360 offers a better gaming experience than PS3 for £150 less."

He added: "The only debate is if you want to watch Blu-ray movies and pay the extra money for that feature.

"We prefer to offer the consumer choice."

Microsoft sells a HD-DVD player add-on for Xbox, which plays high definition movies in a rival format.

Mr Thompson said it did not matter which high definition DVD video system wins the format war.

"Whatever format wins it is highly likely we will offer a solution," he said. "

the format war is FAR from over

The Matrix Trilogy just got announced for HD-DVD only (no word on Blu-Ray yet) http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Announcements/The_Matrix_Trilogy_Comes_to_HD_DVD/533

And Toshiba's stand alone player just got bumped down to $400 http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Toshiba/High-Def_Disc_Marketing/Hardware/Toshiba_Sets_New_Low_with_$400_HD_DVD_Player_Pricing/534

the format war is FAR from over

The Matrix Trilogy just got announced for HD-DVD only (no word on Blu-Ray yet) http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Announcements/The_Matrix_Trilogy_Comes_to_HD_DVD/533

And Toshiba's stand alone player just got bumped down to $400 http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Toshiba/High-Def_Disc_Marketing/Hardware/Toshiba_Sets_New_Low_with_$400_HD_DVD_Player_Pricing/534

hockeyruler12

the format war is FAR from over

The Matrix Trilogy just got announced for HD-DVD only (no word on Blu-Ray yet) http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Announcements/The_Matrix_Trilogy_Comes_to_HD_DVD/533

And Toshiba's stand alone player just got bumped down to $400 http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Toshiba/High-Def_Disc_Marketing/Hardware/Toshiba_Sets_New_Low_with_$400_HD_DVD_Player_Pricing/534

hockeyruler12

They did say though that there could be an identical version released on Blu-ray later this year.   However since i own both HD-DVD movies and Blu-ray movies this is excellent news.  I can't wait to watch the matrix on High Def.

[QUOTE="hockeyruler12"]

the format war is FAR from over

The Matrix Trilogy just got announced for HD-DVD only (no word on Blu-Ray yet) http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Announcements/The_Matrix_Trilogy_Comes_to_HD_DVD/533

And Toshiba's stand alone player just got bumped down to $400 http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Toshiba/High-Def_Disc_Marketing/Hardware/Toshiba_Sets_New_Low_with_$400_HD_DVD_Player_Pricing/534

fuzzysquash

true, but my point is that HD-DVD could start to sell more because of those announcements 

It won't be easy, as Sony was the key developer of the format and sits on the Blu-ray Association Board of Directors.fuzzysquash

[QUOTE="fuzzysquash"][QUOTE="hockeyruler12"]

the format war is FAR from over

The Matrix Trilogy just got announced for HD-DVD only (no word on Blu-Ray yet) http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Announcements/The_Matrix_Trilogy_Comes_to_HD_DVD/533

And Toshiba's stand alone player just got bumped down to $400 http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Toshiba/High-Def_Disc_Marketing/Hardware/Toshiba_Sets_New_Low_with_$400_HD_DVD_Player_Pricing/534

hockeyruler12

true, but my point is that HD-DVD could start to sell more because of those announcements

[QUOTE="hockeyruler12"]

the format war is FAR from over

The Matrix Trilogy just got announced for HD-DVD only (no word on Blu-Ray yet) http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Announcements/The_Matrix_Trilogy_Comes_to_HD_DVD/533

And Toshiba's stand alone player just got bumped down to $400 http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Toshiba/High-Def_Disc_Marketing/Hardware/Toshiba_Sets_New_Low_with_$400_HD_DVD_Player_Pricing/534

sirk1264

They did say though that there could be an identical version released on Blu-ray later this year.   However since i own both HD-DVD movies and Blu-ray movies this is excellent news.  I can't wait to watch the matrix on High Def.

You know, THIS is what pisses me off about the format wars. I can understand certain game being kept exclusive, but movies??? What gives? I'd like to be able to go out and buy ANY movie if I had a new HD player.

[QUOTE="fuzzysquash"][QUOTE="hockeyruler12"]

the format war is FAR from over

The Matrix Trilogy just got announced for HD-DVD only (no word on Blu-Ray yet) http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Announcements/The_Matrix_Trilogy_Comes_to_HD_DVD/533

And Toshiba's stand alone player just got bumped down to $400 http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Toshiba/High-Def_Disc_Marketing/Hardware/Toshiba_Sets_New_Low_with_$400_HD_DVD_Player_Pricing/534

hockeyruler12

true, but my point is that HD-DVD could start to sell more because of those announcements

[QUOTE="fuzzysquash"]It won't be easy, as Sony was the key developer of the format and sits on the Blu-ray Association Board of Directors.toxicmog

Neither format seems to be gathering any sort of momentum at the moment. However, I am sure if there was a large enough demand they would release an add-on blu-ray drive. We are at LEAST another whole year of high definition video becoming mainstream.apolloluke

    I agree with your statement, but I would say your time-table is way off. DVDs took years to catch on, and just recently overtook VHS in terms of sales, and many people just got into DVD in the last 3-4 years. How many of them not only own an HDTV, but are also willing to give up a  format that they most likely have a sizable collection for to move to a format that is 1) locked in a format war, and 2) not leaps and bounds better than a DVD?

    I work in retail, and I can tell you that with an HDTV setup outputting a standard DVD, 9 people out of 10 think the DVD is HD resolution because "it looks so good". How do you convince people who think DVD looks great on an HDTV that they need to spend hundreds of dollars on a new player and buy all new discs so that they can see the individual hair on Tom Cruise's head move?

[QUOTE="sirk1264"][QUOTE="hockeyruler12"]

the format war is FAR from over

The Matrix Trilogy just got announced for HD-DVD only (no word on Blu-Ray yet) http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Announcements/The_Matrix_Trilogy_Comes_to_HD_DVD/533

And Toshiba's stand alone player just got bumped down to $400 http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Toshiba/High-Def_Disc_Marketing/Hardware/Toshiba_Sets_New_Low_with_$400_HD_DVD_Player_Pricing/534

TarmacChris

They did say though that there could be an identical version released on Blu-ray later this year. However since i own both HD-DVD movies and Blu-ray movies this is excellent news. I can't wait to watch the matrix on High Def.

You know, THIS is what pisses me off about the format wars. I can understand certain game being kept exclusive, but movies??? What gives? I'd like to be able to go out and buy ANY movie if I had a new HD player.

I hear ya but consider the matrix trilogy as a timed exclusive.  It will be out for a few months if not more before it ever gets out on Blu-ray.  So HD-DVD supporters get to enjoy The Matrix Trilogy in High Def well before Blu-ray Supporters.  I still think HD-DVD outputs a better picture than Blu-ray but Blu-ray outputs a nice high def picture too.  There is a player coming out that can play both formats.  So whoever gets that has the best of both worlds. 

Yet another option for Xbox 360 owners.foxhound_fox

[QUOTE="TarmacChris"][QUOTE="sirk1264"][QUOTE="hockeyruler12"]

the format war is FAR from over

The Matrix Trilogy just got announced for HD-DVD only (no word on Blu-Ray yet) http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Announcements/The_Matrix_Trilogy_Comes_to_HD_DVD/533

And Toshiba's stand alone player just got bumped down to $400 http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Toshiba/High-Def_Disc_Marketing/Hardware/Toshiba_Sets_New_Low_with_$400_HD_DVD_Player_Pricing/534

sirk1264

They did say though that there could be an identical version released on Blu-ray later this year. However since i own both HD-DVD movies and Blu-ray movies this is excellent news. I can't wait to watch the matrix on High Def.

You know, THIS is what pisses me off about the format wars. I can understand certain game being kept exclusive, but movies??? What gives? I'd like to be able to go out and buy ANY movie if I had a new HD player.

I hear ya but consider the matrix trilogy as a timed exclusive. It will be out for a few months if not more before it ever gets out on Blu-ray. So HD-DVD supporters get to enjoy The Matrix Trilogy in High Def well before Blu-ray Supporters. I still think HD-DVD outputs a better picture than Blu-ray but Blu-ray outputs a nice high def picture too. There is a player coming out that can play both formats. So whoever gets that has the best of both worlds.

the new player stinks

it doesnt play any of the special features for HD-DVD, something wrong with the laser 

[QUOTE="apolloluke"]Neither format seems to be gathering any sort of momentum at the moment. However, I am sure if there was a large enough demand they would release an add-on blu-ray drive. We are at LEAST another whole year of high definition video becoming mainstream.SpruceCaboose

    I agree with your statement, but I would say your time-table is way off. DVDs took years to catch on, and just recently overtook VHS in terms of sales, and many people just got into DVD in the last 3-4 years. How many of them not only own an HDTV, but are also willing to give up a  format that they most likely have a sizable collection for to move to a format that is 1) locked in a format war, and 2) not leaps and bounds better than a DVD?

    I work in retail, and I can tell you that with an HDTV setup outputting a standard DVD, 9 people out of 10 think the DVD is HD resolution because "it looks so good". How do you convince people who think DVD looks great on an HDTV that they need to spend hundreds of dollars on a new player and buy all new discs so that they can see the individual hair on Tom Cruise's head move?

This is exactly why I think upconverting DVD players will string the war out even longer (including their price).  I wish there were sales number hardware wise for upconverting DVD players but I haven't seen any thus far.

:lol:agreed. lots of option for Xbox 360 owners.xxThyLordxx

the format war is FAR from over

The Matrix Trilogy just got announced for HD-DVD only (no word on Blu-Ray yet) http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Announcements/The_Matrix_Trilogy_Comes_to_HD_DVD/533

And Toshiba's stand alone player just got bumped down to $400 http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Toshiba/High-Def_Disc_Marketing/Hardware/Toshiba_Sets_New_Low_with_$400_HD_DVD_Player_Pricing/534

hockeyruler12

Time warner makes is going to release it both for hd dvd and BD. since time warner supports both formats BD will be having it also.  Scroll down till you find Matrix Trilogy 

[QUOTE="xxThyLordxx"]:lol:agreed. lots of option for Xbox 360 owners.foxhound_fox

how do you know PS3 buyers don't want blu-ray?fuzzysquash

[QUOTE="fuzzysquash"][QUOTE="hockeyruler12"]

the format war is FAR from over

The Matrix Trilogy just got announced for HD-DVD only (no word on Blu-Ray yet) http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Announcements/The_Matrix_Trilogy_Comes_to_HD_DVD/533

And Toshiba's stand alone player just got bumped down to $400 http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Toshiba/High-Def_Disc_Marketing/Hardware/Toshiba_Sets_New_Low_with_$400_HD_DVD_Player_Pricing/534

hockeyruler12

true, but my point is that HD-DVD could start to sell more because of those announcements

[QUOTE="fuzzysquash"]how do you know PS3 buyers don't want blu-ray?foxhound_fox

MS having to pay Sony, the idea is so insane! I've never heard of anything like this ever!  Can I interest anyone in a Sony Vaio with Windows Vista Ultimate?DaysAirlines

[QUOTE="hockeyruler12"]

the format war is FAR from over

The Matrix Trilogy just got announced for HD-DVD only (no word on Blu-Ray yet) http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Disc_Announcements/The_Matrix_Trilogy_Comes_to_HD_DVD/533

And Toshiba's stand alone player just got bumped down to $400 http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Toshiba/High-Def_Disc_Marketing/Hardware/Toshiba_Sets_New_Low_with_$400_HD_DVD_Player_Pricing/534

sirk1264

They did say though that there could be an identical version released on Blu-ray later this year.   However since i own both HD-DVD movies and Blu-ray movies this is excellent news.  I can't wait to watch the matrix on High Def.

sony and ms are partners.  the sony vaio comes with windows vista pre-installed.  and sony online entertainment makes PC games (everquest, star wars galaxies, etc. for MS windows).

I believe MS would create a blu-ray addon if it becomes the dominant format. 

also, anti-trust laws prevent sony from not allowing MS to give the 360 blu-ray functionality.  MS knows all about anti trust laws ;)  so they'd sue sony if sony engaged in bad business practices.

A format war will not decide the 360 or the PS3's fate. A new format will not be declared for this generation of hardware