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Microsoft: “We’ll support Blu-ray”
Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 03:00 PM ETTags: Microsoft (all tags)
Amid rumors that Microsoft is in talks to add Blu-ray support to its Xbox 360 game console, CEO Steve Ballmer has indicated the company’s intention to support the remaining high-def format.
As reported by The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer took part in an onstage conversation at the company’s Mix08 Internet conference in Las Vegas Thursday, where the topics discussed included Microsoft’s high-def plans following the discontinuation of Toshiba’s HD DVD format.
Without offering specifics, Ballmer said the company will work to support Blu-ray.
“We've already been working on, for example, in Windows, device driver support for Blu-ray drives and the like,” Ballmer stated. “I think the world moves on. Toshiba has moved on. We've moved on, and we'll support Blu-ray in ways that make sense.”
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Ballmer lets out his inner Monkey at Mix08 event [Seattle PI]
Microsoft Bids Farewell to HD DVD
Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 08:00 AM ETTags: Microsoft, Xbox 360 (all tags)
To the surprise of no one, Microsoft officially announced Monday that it would withdraw from HD DVD, ceasing production of its Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on, effective immediately.
One of the format's key technology backers, Microsoft played a leading role in evangelizing HD DVD to the early adopter community from the format's earliest days. It also famously launched the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on in late 2006 in an effort to help combat Sony's Blu-ray enabled PS3.
In a statement issued Monday, the software giant said it would continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD DVD Players in the market. The company also dropped the MSRP on its remaining stock to a record-low of $49.99.
The full text of Microsoft's statement follows below:
As a result of recent decisions made by Toshiba, Hollywood studios, and retailers, Microsoft plans to withdraw from HD DVD. Xbox will no longer manufacture new HD DVD players for the Xbox 360, but we will continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD DVD Players in the market. As we stated earlier, we do not believe this decision will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room, along with playback of the DVD movies they already own.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Xbox 360 HD DVD Player [Xbox.com]
Microsoft Addresses HD DVD Reports
Mon Feb 18, 2008 at 08:41 PM ETTags: Microsoft, Toshiba (all tags)
Responding to reports that Toshiba will soon discontinue the HD DVD format, Microsoft says such a move would not hurt sales of Xbox 360.
The company went on to say that it would wait to hear from Toshiba before discussing its plans for the Xbox 360 HD DVD player.
The full text of Microsoft's statement follows below:
"We do not believe the recent reports about HD DVD will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. As we've long stated, we believe it is games that sell consoles and Xbox 360 continues to have the largest next-gen games library with the most exclusives and best selling games in the industry. We will wait until we hear from Toshiba before announcing any specific plans around the Xbox 360 HD DVD player. HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room along with playback of the DVD movies they already own."
The unusual statement from Microsoft (a company reknowned for not addressing rumors or speculation) would seem to be yet another indication that Toshiba is on the verge of conceding defeat to the Sony-backed Blu-ray format.
Toshiba has reportedly scheduled a press conference for 5pm Tuesday in Japan (that's midnight tonight Pacific Time). Needless to say, we'll keep you up to date on any developments.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Microsoft Not Worried About HD DVD [Kotaku.com]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Toshiba: Still Backing HD DVD -- For Now (Feb 18, 2008)
Microsoft Drops Price for Xbox 360 HD DVD Add-On (UPDATED)
Wed Feb 06, 2008 at 01:18 PM ETTags: Microsoft, Xbox 360, High-Def Retailing, Amazon (all tags)
UPDATE: (5:35pm ET, 2/06/08) FormatWarCentral points out that Best Buy is now offering the Xbox 360 HD DVD player for $119.
Playing catch-up with a series of price drops on HD DVD players from Toshiba, Microsoft has shaved another $50 off the MSRP for its Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on.
That brings the new suggested retail price on the Xbox 360 HD DVD player in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to $129.99. (As we've previously reported, last August Microsoft dropped the price on the player to $179.)
Today's price drop from Microsoft (which is already reflected on the official Xbox site) comes on the same day that Amazon briefly offered the add-on for a mere $79.99. The web retailer promptly sold out of units at that price, and is currently selling the add-on via one of its partners for $155.67.
Purchases of the Xbox 360 add-on include a free HD DVD copy of of 'King Kong' inside the box, and qualify for an additional five free discs by mail as part of the HD DVD camp's "Perfect Offer" program.
(Thanks to Michael P. for the tip!)
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Xbox 360 HD DVD Player [Xbox.com]
- Perfect Offer -- Five Free HD DVDs (PDF) [Xbox.com]
- Amazon: $80 Xbox 360 HD DVD player with 6 free HD DVDs and shipping [Engadget]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Microsoft Reduces Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Price (Jul 26, 2007)
NPD: XBox 360 HD DVD Player Sales Hit 269K
Fri Dec 14, 2007 at 01:06 PM ETTags: Industry Trends, Microsoft, Xbox 360 (all tags)
Life-to-date sales of the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on hit 269,000 in November, representing a 3.4% attach rate to the 360 console itself.
That's according to leading market researcher NPD Group, which released its November video game sales data late Thursday.
The newly-released data would seem to lend further insight to earlier numbers released by the HD DVD Promotions Group, which reported total sales of all dedicated HD DVD players (including the Xbox 360 add-on) at 750,000 players through November 25. The earlier numbers did not break out sales of the add-on vs sales of standalone HD DVD player sales.
November saw steep inclines across the board in the video game market, with sales of software, hardware and peripherals growing by 52% over last year's numbers. Game accessories alone accounted for $243 million in revenue.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- NPD November Numbers [Gamesutra]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- HD DVD Promo Group: HD DVD Player Sales Top 750,000 (Nov 27, 2007)
Michael Bay Accuses HD DVD-Backing Microsoft of "Dirty Tricks"
Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 01:02 PM ETTags: Michael Bay, Microsoft (all tags)
When Michael Bay speaks, the world listens. The 'Transformers' director is talking out again about the high-def format war, and is again generating lots of press.
As countless web sites have reported over the last 24 hours, Bay's latest remarks came in response to question posed to him on his own official web site.
Asked why his mega hit 'Transformers' was released on HD DVD only (and not on Blu-ray), the director pointed the blame squarely at Microsoft, saying that the software giant has bankrolled HD DVD in an effort to extend the high-def format war until the software giant can perfect digital downloads.
"Microsoft wants both formats to fail so they can be heroes and make the world move to digital downloads" said Bay. "That is the dirty secret no one is talking about. That is why Microsoft is handing out $100 million dollar checks to studios just embrace the HD DVD and not the leading, and superior Blu Ray."
Bay's accusations echo earlier comments made by Fox Home Entertainment worldwide president Mike Dunn, who was quoted by The Hollywood Reporter at an October Blu-ray press event as blasting "the orchestrated campaigns of confusion and anti-consumerism fueled by an 800-pound gorilla that would prefer to force us all into the practice of paying tolls for the right to exchange information and enjoy entertainment."
At the time, Microsoft Consumer Media Technology Group director Kevin Collins defended the company’s stance, calling Dunn's accusations "baseless."
As we've previously reported, Bay caused a firestorm back in September when he briefly posted a message to his site saying that he was reconsidering doing a 'Transformers' sequel after learning that Paramount would not be issuing a Blu-ray edition of his mega-hit film. The director later recanted those remarks, but has since reiterated his pro-Blu-ray stance.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Ask Michael Bay [The Official Michael Bay Forums]
- Microsoft Exec Says Company Isn't Trying to Fuel HD Format War [Home Media Magazine]
- High-Def DVD Battle Heats Up [The Hollywood Reporter]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Transformers (2007) (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Bay to Paramount: "No Blu-ray, No Transformers 2!" (Aug 21, 2007)
- Michael Bay Retracts Earlier Statement; Says He Supports Paramount's Decision to Back HD DVD (Aug 21, 2007)
- Michael Bay: My Money's on Blu-ray (Oct 23, 2007)
Michael Bay Accuses HD DVD-Backing Microsoft of "Dirty Tricks"
Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 01:02 PM ETTags: Michael Bay, Microsoft (all tags)
When Michael Bay speaks, the world listens. The 'Transformers' director is talking out again about the high-def format war, and is again generating lots of press.
As countless web sites have reported over the last 24 hours, Bay's latest remarks came in response to question posed to him on his own official web site.
Asked why his mega hit 'Transformers' was released on HD DVD only (and not on Blu-ray), the director pointed the blame squarely at Microsoft, saying that the software giant has bankrolled HD DVD in an effort to extend the high-def format war until the software giant can perfect digital downloads.
"Microsoft wants both formats to fail so they can be heroes and make the world move to digital downloads" said Bay. "That is the dirty secret no one is talking about. That is why Microsoft is handing out $100 million dollar checks to studios just embrace the HD DVD and not the leading, and superior Blu Ray."
Bay's accusations echo earlier comments made by Fox Home Entertainment worldwide president Mike Dunn, who was quoted by The Hollywood Reporter at an October Blu-ray press event as blasting "the orchestrated campaigns of confusion and anti-consumerism fueled by an 800-pound gorilla that would prefer to force us all into the practice of paying tolls for the right to exchange information and enjoy entertainment."
At the time, Microsoft Consumer Media Technology Group director Kevin Collins defended the company’s stance, calling Dunn's accusations "baseless."
As we've previously reported, Bay caused a firestorm back in September when he briefly posted a message to his site saying that he was reconsidering doing a 'Transformers' sequel after learning that Paramount would not be issuing a Blu-ray edition of his mega-hit film. The director later recanted those remarks, but has since reiterated his pro-Blu-ray stance.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Ask Michael Bay [The Official Michael Bay Forums]
- Microsoft Exec Says Company Isn't Trying to Fuel HD Format War [Home Media Magazine]
- High-Def DVD Battle Heats Up [The Hollywood Reporter]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Transformers (2007) (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Bay to Paramount: "No Blu-ray, No Transformers 2!" (Aug 21, 2007)
- Michael Bay Retracts Earlier Statement; Says He Supports Paramount's Decision to Back HD DVD (Aug 21, 2007)
- Michael Bay: My Money's on Blu-ray (Oct 23, 2007)
Microsoft Denies Xbox HD DVD Rumors
Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 04:16 PM ETTags: 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.
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."
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- 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)
Free 'Heroes' HD DVD Bundled With Xbox 360 Add-On
Mon Oct 22, 2007 at 03:04 PM ETTags: Bundles, Xbox 360, Microsoft, Universal, Best Buy, Amazon (all tags)
Universal and Microsoft have teamed up to offer the 'Heroes: Season One' HD DVD box set free with sales of the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on.
The promo kicked off yesterday and is set to run for 1-2 weeks at select retailers. (So far, it has been spotted at Buy.com and at Best Buy.)
Combined with Microsoft's existing "Five Free Discs" offer and the free in-box 'King Kong' HD DVD (on select models), this latest incentive brings the value of all bundled HD DVD discs included with the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on to roughly $220 -- that's forty dollars more than the total list price for the add-on itself.
Meanwhile, in a separate 'Heroes'-related Xbox 360 promo, Amazon.com is giving away 90 'Heroes' themed Xbox 360 game systems over the next 30 days. Sweepstakes winners will receive a special 'Heroes' decorated 20GB Xbox 360 Console with matching HD DVD add-on, plus a copy of 'Heroes: Season 1 on HD-DVD'. Click here for complete details.
To see what members of our forums area are saying about these and other similar HD DVD promos, be sure to visit the HD DVD bargains area of our forums.
- Related links:
- Free 'Heroes' HD DVD With Purchase of Xbox 360 HD DVD Player [BestBuy.com]
- Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player [Buy.com]
- Xbox 360 'Heroes' Sweepstakes [Amazon.com]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Heroes: Season One (HD DVD)
- King Kong (2005) (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Microsoft Reduces Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Price; Adds Five Free HD DVDs (Jul 26, 2007)
- Microsoft to Bundle 'King Kong' with Xbox 360 HD DVD Player (Sep 27, 2006)
Microsoft Silent on New Xbox HD DVD Rumors
Mon Oct 22, 2007 at 01:16 PM ETTags: Microsoft, Toshiba (all tags)
With reports proliferating that Microsoft and Toshiba have teamed up to develop an "Entertainment Xbox" with an internal HD DVD hard drive, Microsoft isn't commenting.
Although the PC giant has squashed similar rumors in the past, they've resurfaced several times over the last year and a half.
The latest round stems from remarks attributed to an unnamed senior Toshiba executive in Australia, who told Aussie tech site Smarthouse that "An Xbox with a built in HD DVD drive is critical. (Microsoft) and we are working on it. It also has to be more than a gaming machine. Microsoft recognise(s) this. A version of the device may also be sold under the Toshiba brand name."
Smarthouse goes on to state that the new device is planned for release in 2008 or at the 2009 CES show in Las Vegas.
Given the reported timing and the vagaries of the high-def format war, it's no surprise Microsoft isn't commenting. But the prospect of an HD DVD-enabled game console that would go head-to-head with Sony's PS3 certainly has early adopters talking.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Toshiba Working With Microsoft On New Entertainment Xbox [Smarthouse]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Microsoft Says No to Xbox 360 Internal HD DVD (Jul 06, 2006)
MORE HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "MICROSOFT":
- HD DVD Players, Discs To Carry HDi Logo Sep 20, 2007
- Microsoft Reduces Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Price; Adds Five Free HD DVDs Jul 26, 2007
- Amazon, Microsoft to Help Bring Indie Films to HD DVD Jul 02, 2007
- New Disc Bundle Offered For Xbox 360 HD DVD Add-On Jun 14, 2007
- 'Children of Men' HD DVD Hits Xbox 360 Playback Snag? Mar 29, 2007
- Online Interactivity to Spearhead Universal's 2007 HD DVD Assault Mar 19, 2007
- Microsoft, Comedy Central Team Up for 'South Park' Xbox 360 HD DVD Exclusive Mar 06, 2007
- High-Def Penetration Explodes with Strong PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Add-On Sales Nov 20, 2006
- Xbox 360 Revs Up For High-Def Downloads Nov 08, 2006
- Microsoft to Bundle 'King Kong' with Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Sep 27, 2006
- Microsoft Announces Xbox 360 HD DVD Add-on Pricing, Availability in Japan Sep 21, 2006
- No HDMI for Xbox 360 HD DVD Add-On? Sep 20, 2006
- Xbox 360 with Built-In HD DVD Coming After All? Sep 13, 2006
- Microsoft Unveils Xbox 360 HD DVD Drive; Hints at Pricing Aug 08, 2006
- Microsoft Says No to Xbox 360 Internal HD DVD Jul 06, 2006
- Amazon, Microsoft Team Up to Bring HD DVD to Indie Filmmakers Jul 02, 2006
- Microsoft Hints at Xbox 360 HD-DVD Add-On Price? May 10, 2006
- Microsoft Unveils New Details on Xbox 360 HD-DVD Add-On May 08, 2006
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