May 2 2008

More rumors that XBox 360 will add Blu-ray drive

The current premium XBox 360 is black. Is blue next?

(Credit: Microsoft)

Following HD DVD's demise, there's been a lot speculation that Microsoft would add a Blu-ray option to the XBox 360. The latest rumor has a subsidiary of Asus, Pegatron Technology, making a premium Blu-ray-equipped version of the XBox 360 that will arrive in time for the holidays. This one follows on the heels of a report that Lite-On was going to be the one making the Blu-ray drives for Microsoft's game console.

If you speak Chinese, you can translate the Asus rumor from Economic Daily News, a publication that Gizmodo calls a "Taiwanese rag." While we may not have tremendous faith in the specifics of the rumor, Taiwanese companies aren't known to keep secrets all that well (that's a gross generalization based on a few comments I've heard from industry insiders, but I believe it). And it does seem logical that Microsoft will add a Blu-ray option to help eliminate any perceived advantage that Sony might have with the PS3.

All that said, don't expect Microsoft to put out any games on Blu-ray any time soon. With the current XBox 360 installed base having only a DVD drive to play with, Microsoft would be looking at movie playback, not gaming.

Of course, the rumors could be wrong and Microsoft could simply put out an external Blu-ray drive similar to its discontinued HD DVD drive offering. Or perhaps there will be a premium XBox 360 with Blu-ray, as well as a separate Blu-ray external drive for current owners. Sounds inevitable, right? Comments?

Source: Gizmodo via Kotaku via Economic Daily News.

Posted in: Games and gear, Home, Home video
Tags: Microsoft, XBox 360, Blu-ray, Asus, Pegatron, HD DVD, Sony
 

Recent posts from Crave:

Add a Comment (Log in or register) 34 comments (Page 1 of 3)
by jmillshr06 May 2, 2008 9:32 AM PDT
It has to happen sometime. Its the future of gaming. When it will happen who knows.
Reply to this comment
by jmillshr06 May 2, 2008 9:32 AM PDT
It has to happen sometime. Its the future of gaming. When it will happen who knows.
Reply to this comment
by jmillshr06 May 2, 2008 9:33 AM PDT
It will happen sometime soon. It is the future. When who knows.
Reply to this comment
by wake1am May 2, 2008 9:33 AM PDT
::prays for external Blu-Ray::
Reply to this comment
by linadragon May 2, 2008 10:29 AM PDT
Either way we look at this knowing Microsoft it will likely knock the price of the 360 up well past that of the PS3 so the advantage will likely be a cheaper platform (unless MS takes a hit on the manufacturing costs of the bluray etc..) Also the PS3 still has some advantages such as its cell processor (which when taken full advantage of is going to do alot better) Either way its bound to happen either with the 360 or the next incarnation of the Xbox because quite frankly if they dont do something thats actually next gen format it wont keep up in future titles...
Reply to this comment View all 2 replies
by linadragon May 2, 2008 10:30 AM PDT
Either way we look at this knowing Microsoft it will likely knock the price of the 360 up well past that of the PS3 so the advantage will likely be a cheaper platform (unless MS takes a hit on the manufacturing costs of the bluray etc..) Also the PS3 still has some advantages such as its cell processor (which when taken full advantage of is going to do alot better) Either way its bound to happen either with the 360 or the next incarnation of the Xbox because quite frankly if they dont do something thats actually next gen format it wont keep up in future titles...
Reply to this comment View reply
by joshdeboer May 2, 2008 10:34 AM PDT
I bought the HD-DVD drive on Amazon for $50, I would purchase an external BD drive in a heart beat! Until the Oppo BD player comes, it would do the job!
Reply to this comment
by quality4me May 2, 2008 12:16 PM PDT
Not this time around! I highly doubt that Microsoft will add the blu-ray drive for movie playback, with stand alone prices expected to be under 200.00 by the holidays it seems fruitless for microsoft to try and put out a seperate attachment for the xbox, how much would they charge; and why would the consumer want it? I think that the rumors are circulating based on microsoft aquiring patents and technology for the next xbox, in a little over two years we probably will see pictures and information abou the next gen, the way the gaming industry is going 5 years between systems is getting longer and longer.
Reply to this comment
by Renegade Knight May 2, 2008 12:40 PM PDT
You hit the nail on the head. Blue Ray is for movie playback. I agree that it won't be for games. In the Box Top wars Game Consoles have to do it all to keep their spot by the TV. Xbox has to have Blue Ray to stay in the game.
Reply to this comment
by guido_ponz May 2, 2008 1:25 PM PDT
I think microsoft should forget Bluray and go straight ot working on getting all games to be downloaded. Doesn't that make more sense? instead of selling your competitors drive eliminate the needs for disks and save the environment.
Reply to this comment View all 3 replies
1 | 2 | 3 | Next 10 Comments >>
Powered by Jive Software