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Microsoft Denies Xbox HD DVD Rumors

Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 04:16 PM ET
Tags: Microsoft, Xbox 360 (all tags)

That rumored "Entertainment Xbox" with a built-in HD DVD hard drive? Microsoft says its a no-go.

Speaking with Home Media Magazine, the computer giant denied persistent rumors that it had teamed up with Toshiba to develop a new version of its gaming console with an internal HD DVD hard drive.

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The trade magazine quotes Kevin Collins, Microsoft's director of HD DVD evangelism, as saying the company did not and will not bundle an HD DVD drive in its popular gaming console because Microsoft believes that gamers are first and foremost gamers.

"Microsoft knew if we put in an HD DVD drive that we would have to raise costs and disenfranchise our customers (that are primarily gamers) as the unit would become too expensive," explained Collins.

The exec's comments on the rumored Xbox came as part of a response to accusations that Microsoft's support of HD DVD was designed to perpetuate the format war in hopes that consumers will sit it out entirely, and instead buy their entertainment online. Collins called the accusations baseless, stating that the company had "over 100 people working on HD DVD interactivity and we believe that HD DVD is the next-generation optical format."

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Related links:
Microsoft Exec Says Company Isn't Trying to Fuel HD Format War [Home Media Magazine]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Microsoft Silent on New Xbox HD DVD Rumors (Oct 22, 2007)


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