Blu-ray add-on is possible, if necessary
High Definition is a wonderful thing, so why the need for two different formats? Can’t we all be friends? Microsoft and Sony each support a different format (HD-DVD for MS, Blu-ray for Sony), but that doesn’t mean that Microsoft are blinded by their decision to support HD-DVD that they cannot see the potential success of Blu-ray. So, just in case Blu Ray wins the day over HD-DVD, Microsoft have re-stated that a Blu Ray add-on could come about should the format be the more popular one.
We have actually heard it all before way back in January of 2006, when it was stated that Microsoft could do a Blu-ray player if it was necessary. It has been re-stated by Neil Thompson, head of Xbox in the UK, that should Blu-ray win the format war, it won’t be a problem for Microsoft:
“Whatever format wins it is highly likely we will offer a solution”.
A statement to cover their backs? Maybe, but as an owner of an HD-DVD player but no PS3, I would certainly love for a Blu-ray add-on so that I have the best of both worlds without the need for a PS3. Whatever happens with the add-on though, you can be sure it’s a fair way off yet.
It still isn’t clear who is really winning the format war at the moment. You can only compare the two at the end of the year when they have both had a good run, so if Blu-ray is dominating by then, Microsoft may well be forced to start development of a Blu-ray add-on and stay true to their word. Friends reunited?
Thanks to Lotus 111s for submitting.
cool. blu ray player was one main pull for me to get a PS3, might just wait now
you can wait around 3 years then can you?
I personally don’t believe either Blu-Ray or HD-DVD are progressing, standard DVD is still by far the consumer format of choice.
Digital Distribution however is sneaking up on the blindside, with AppleTV launching in the States, Live Marketplace doing so well and coming to Europe this year, it’s a technology that is set to establish itself very nicely.
I have a VHS collection rotting away somewhere, my DVD collection will probably end up the same way and I certainly don’t plan on getting a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD collection going!
I’m sure you said the same when DVD first came out. I have both a HD DVD, and Blu-ray player and the difference between High Def DVDs and SD DVDs are night and day.
Guess what? You can still watch HD in digital distribution.
Guess what? Downloading a 30GB movie would take you a week & make your ISP want to castrate you.
geez, im not going to live for long, everyday my bandwith is stretched to the limit b/c i download movies everyday. what? i dont know what you are talking about, i didnt say that…
That’s not how you spell necessary, but I don’t blame you, I can’t do it myself.
D’oh, thanks.
I hate spelling that word, I have to pause and think about it for far too long!
It is Necessary for a shirt to have one Colar, andd Two Sleeves! NeCeSSary!:D
Nice mnemonic.
bluray is the best
Blu-Ray has more space.
BUT it also has MORE copy protection
AND uses the WORST codec MPEG-2 instead of the best codec VC-1 which HD-DVD uses.
which means WORSE PICTURE QUALITY FOR Blu-Ray
Pretty sure everything you said is false. i know the copy protection thing is wrong. They both have it. And why should that bother you anyway? do you like to steal?
I’ve yet to hear anyone complain about bluray picture quality.
Anyways, the makers of the 360 say they would adopt it and they are never wrong. right?
You are both wrong. Blu-ray has more copy protection on it with BD+, not that it matters as both have been ‘cracked’ but finding player keys this round isn’t like last round because the system allows for the blacklisting of keys. Both formats support the SAME codecs but it is true that most of the original blu-ray releases have been mpeg-2, which if you actually read multiple reviews you’d know it wasn’t a bad thing and that video quality has more to do with attention to detail of the conversion then the codec. I have a few mpeg-2 blu-ray titles that blow away a few h.264/avc (which is a better codec then VC-1) titles that I have.
HD-DVD doesnt have BD+ BD+ stands for Blu-Ray+ a specific DRM designed specifically for Blu-Ray and the only reason any studios support BR.
and yes, it’s BS. if you buy a movie, you should be allowed to back it up so you dont have to buy it again if the disc gets ruined. buying something but not owning it is complete bollox.
also MPEG-2 S U C K S compared to VC-1. i mean REAAAAALLY sucks. the colors are shit. and the fast scenes are washed out shit. its like comparing a Video-CD to a DVD. the only reason they’re doing it is because theyre CHEAP FUCKS who dont want to pay royalties.
HD-DVD is more resistant, has realtime picture in picture. Better Menus than Bluray.
But no one will pay 800$ for a standalone HD-DVD player or 200$ for an Add-on for Xbox360.
They should integrate to 360 to increase sellings.
I’ve never heard anyone say anything about menu system, neither side has really used their systems to their fullest potential, but from a standpoint on which can do more, blu-ray is hands down the winner. HD-DVD relies on javascript, html and css, while Blu-ray on java itself. Java is inherently more powerful, but will be harder to utilize. Only time will tell which will be better but judging by unit sales hd-dvd won’t be standing up much longer, not even universal’s exclusive support is helping them out, which sucks because there are some universal movies i’d love to have in high def.
I had a ps3 and had it hooked to my 50` samsung dlp and it looked ok, but I sold my ps3 (no friggin games for it!!) and bought a 360/w hd-dvd drive (add on) and I can tell you that from first hand experience that the hd-dvd definately looks better then the blu ray on ps3!! (vga cable attached) so it`s either that blu ray`s quality does`nt hit it like the 360, or the ps3 isn`t that great? but I saw first hand–even my wife saw a difference!
I like pie
finally! A comment I can relate to.
I love lamp.
only reason blu ray is selling more right now is because all the idiots that bought a ps3 have no games to play so all they have is a good priced blu ray player– but what is the word ive been hearing for two months now “WAIT” thats what all sony fanboys say “WAIT”
At least i have the choice! If m$ makes a blu ray add-on, (When i get more money!) I can go buy one. if blu ray fails ( wich it will–WAIT!!!) then ps3 is definately doomed-studios will no longer produce games for it or movies
who the fuck wants an external little box thats gay ps3 has blu-ray built if you buy the external hddvd player its the same price $600
Point being you have the choice. IF Blu-ray goes down and HD-DVD is the format of choice then you are fucked.
Kinda lost your own argument there eh? Well done you.
Why don’t they just make a player that can do both. Then you just to buy one and you’re done. At the end of the year the final dual format player should be finished and the war wil be over.
Peace shall shine it’s light over the world of movies again.
but dont you see, that would make too much sense, be to easy, and god forbid, be cheaper on the consumer! (and i would ruin what humans do best, fight to the death! even if it is the death of a company)
There already is one.
Think it’s Toshiba but can’t remember, it ain’t cheap though.
In fact no, it can’t be Toshiba because they are backing the BR format aren’t they?
Bugger it, can’t remember who done it but there is one already.
How beautiful.
As long as you don’t have a monster TV it’s probably not worth it…
I have a 32″ Hitachi 720p TV and a DVD player with HDMI that upscales up to 1080i. When you more than two meters away from the screen it’s very hard to spot the difference between a HD trailer from XBL and the quality of an upscaled DVD (providing it’s a decent DVD and not a conversiont from VHS to DVD which some companies dare to sell.)
Why would anybody pay just over $40 for a single BluRay film…
Casino Royale - DVD: $15
Casino Royale - BRD: $40
Because — all they have is a blu ray player, 360 has won the console war, now toshiba will take over blu ray
Simple…I am addicted to HD content. There are very few movies released on HD DVD, MS bring on a Blu-Ray player for the Xbox 360, and I will never ever….EVER buy a PS3.
Please release a Blu-ray add-on drive Microsoft!!! The ONLY reason I’m considering getting a PS3 is because of Blu-ray! If MS comes out with a Blu-ray drive I wouldn’t have to buy the PS3!!!
funny things all xbox fans are crying and now wants bluray addon.
360=$400
hddvd=$200
blu ray add on =lets say $200
now,360 with 20 gb hard drive no wireles adapter=$800.
ps3=$599.
But once again the blind PS3 fanboy ignores the important part of the equation, having a choice is priceless. So what 15 people on here have stated they want a Blu-Ray, well any analyst will tell you that 15 people do really represent an accurate sample size for a pool of 10 million 360 owners.
Get a brain.
Whoops. “don’t” really represent that was supposed to be.