Could Microsoft release a Blu-Ray add-on as well?

[bapenguin]

IGN (http://www.ign.com) had a chance to talk with Peter Moore (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/680/680685p1.html) recently after the CES keynote announcing the external HD-DVD drive. When IGN asked about the possibility of an external Blu-Ray add-on for the XBox 360, Peter Moore didn't exactly deny it.

Moore refrains from specifically stating straight out that Microsoft will consider a similar external Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360. When asked if MS would consider such a device prior to the release of the PlayStation 3, he responds with "I get the feeling that this assumes the next generation DVD format war will come to a close early and Blu-ray will emerge victorious. However, we really don't know what will happen. We have a plan to ship many millions of Xbox 360 units, and despite that we can wait for the results of the format war and plan accordingly."
Could Microsoft be doubting HD-DVD already? Or are they just playing the smart card and keeping their avenues open?

[Chimpbot]

I think they're just "playing the smart card", as you put it.

Personally, I think they're not apt to supporting the drive being developed by one of their rivals; if they supported Blu-Ray, it would inadvertantly cause money to be poured into Sony's "war coffers"...and the money they spent could eventually be used against them in some form or fashion.
I've always assumed they've been supporting HD-DVD simply because it's the anti-Sony option; when there's an option that directly opposes the company you want to put out of business, then you're almost obligated to support that option.

[Grimmjow]

yeah that would be a smart move on microsoft part....from what i heard and saw @ ces alot of talk was surrounding blue-ray and holographic (but who cares about that :D )

[mister_slim]

Personally, I think they're not apt to supporting the drive being developed by one of their rivals; if they supported Blu-Ray, it would inadvertantly cause money to be poured into Sony's "war coffers"...and the money they spent could eventually be used against them in some form or fashion.
I'm sure Sony loves knowing where those Windows licensing checks they're sending to Seattle are being spent.

[Borys]

Heh, this is kinda twisted, even for MS.

[AniAko]

*** designs their systems for scalability and expandability. They learned that even with the upcoming Windows Vista (it has a modular kernel! FINALLY!) It doesn't surprise me at all that *** designed the 360 to expand to newer technologies, it's an actual advantage against any company that wouldn't plan for entering other markets with the same product.

[Roc Ingersol]

They've got a USB2 port and a metric fuckload of processing power.
They could tack on anything that might sell more 360s.

A 2x BD ROM has a 72Mbps transfer rate (Blu Ray movies only require 54 Mbps).
USB 2.0 is specced for 480 Mbps.

And as for money going to Sony ... Sony's already sending money back to Microsoft for the rights to their video codec.
MS stands to lose a lot more if the PS3 beats the 360, than they do if Blu Ray beats HD DVD.

[Abednigo]

The 360 sounds like it could be the next Genesis. Add-on after add-on after add-on. Hopefully MS does a better job at getting people to buy them than Sega did. But history tells us that won't happen.

[bapenguin]

The 360 sounds like it could be the next Genesis. Add-on after add-on after add-on. Hopefully MS does a better job at getting people to buy them than Sega did. But history tells us that won't happen.

The difference is these add ons have no effect on the gaming aspect of the system.

It's like offering a camping tent add on for an SUV. Does it effect performance or how you use it? No, but if you take it camping then you have a nice tent.

[AniAko]

The difference is these add ons have no effect on the gaming aspect of the system.

It's like offering a camping tent add on for an SUV. Does it effect performance or how you use it? No, but if you take it camping then you have a nice tent.

The Aztecs used that as a selling point though. That's where the marketing goes wrong. I remember going car shopping and some SUV had a fold out table built in. The dude salesman actually tried to convince me that it was such a novel idea, and was referring to his "1001 things to do with a card table" notebook. Not once did he talk about the car.

*** on this hand is mearly appeasing the smaller demographic that might want the technology included into their product, without making the masses pay for it.

[Demo_Boy]

This is MS being too smart for themselves and winding up looking dumb.

"We support _everything_, yea yea thats the ticket!"

Note: supporting "everything" is _not equal_ to pluging a seperately purchased piece of hardware into your tv via a cheater cable connected to the 360.

[AniAko]

This is MS being too smart for themselves and winding up looking dumb.

"We support _everything_, yea yea thats the ticket!"

Note: supporting "everything" is _not equal_ to pluging a seperately purchased piece of hardware into your tv via a cheater cable connected to the 360.

That's actually what has made Microsoft so successful. The integration of the products, to the point where you can do almost everything from one piece of software was Microsoft's claim to fame, we know it as Microsoft Office. That's why they charge almost $1000 for their one of their most successful software suites.

The 360 isn't a bread-winning *** product, and the integration of "every peripheral under the sun" most likely won't give them success alone. It's the *** mentality, and it shows in all their products. A-hem..... You now need a *** passport for live..... (almost) Everything online for *** utilitizes their passport technology. Integration they live for it, no matter what the cost it seems.

[Roc Ingersol]

People are going to make USB Blu ray drives for the PC anyway.

It costs MS almost nothing to support those drives on the 360 with proper movie-watching functionality.

[Raven_payne]

I hope this is the right thing to do for MS. I dont want it to end like Sega if there are no more XBox's Sony could monopolize the console systems, cuz I dont think to highly of Nintendo at this point.

[Demo_Boy]

That's actually what has made Microsoft so successful. The integration of the products, to the point where you can do almost everything from one piece of software was Microsoft's claim to fame, we know it as Microsoft Office.

I think that there is a big dichotomy of success between hardware and software implementations of this concept.

Meaning MS Office doing everything was a success because it is software, whereas NGauge didnt work because it tried to do too much.

Another example of single minded hardware being much more successful than multirole is the ipod which has a sole role and dominates the market. Compare this to say Refrigerators with TVs in them.

[shiznit]

Mircrosoft know what they are doing. Blue-ray and HD-DVD will not have an impact until 2-3 years from now. Like someone said in another thread, VHS to DVD was a huge jump (no rewinding, better picture, menus, dolby digital, etc...). DVD to BR or HD-DVD wont be as big, at least not until the HDTV penetration rate gets to 50% of or so, during which time MS will sell millions of 360s. when the format is decided they will sell the addon drive at a discount (possibly even subsidize it a little) and take away even more market share from Sony, whos PS3 will still be more expensive than the 360+drive.

[Raven_payne]

Mircrosoft know what they are doing. Blue-ray and HD-DVD will not have an impact until 2-3 years from now. Like someone said in another thread, VHS to DVD was a huge jump (no rewinding, better picture, menus, dolby digital, etc...). DVD to BR or HD-DVD wont be as big, at least not until the HDTV penetration rate gets to 50% of or so, during which time MS will sell millions of 360s. when the format is decided they will sell the addon drive at a discount (possibly even subsidize it a little) and take away even more market share from Sony, whos PS3 will still be more expensive than the 360+drive.

I get what you're saying but theres still that feeling like you never know what could happen especially when it comes to technology. People sure have been trying to slide Blue-ray tech. into a lot of things lately. I guess when you get straight down to it your right, HD-DVD wont get any where until HD-TV is out there first.