Microsoft demos Xbox 360 HD DVD, names price bracket

For Microsoft to demo their forthcoming Xbox 360 HD DVD isn't that surprising; to see them show off some UI mockups, ok, maybe a teensy bit surprising; to hear them give a price? Pretty shocking -- but they didn't, they gave a price range, and a nebulous one at that. HD Beat has it that during Microsoft's presentation at the North America DVD Forum Conference, the 360's HD DVD drive was said to "be the cheapest HD DVD player on the market for consumers who already own an Xbox 360 console." In other words, means it'll cost you less than a half a grand -- which is even less encouraging than what we heard before. Gee, thanks; playing this one close to the chest, are you Microsoft? Don't make us consult inside sources, because you know what happens when we do.

[Don Wilson @ Aug 9th 2006 3:42AM]

500 for a fancy dvd player.

eh.

[Ben Hobbs @ Aug 9th 2006 4:26AM]

Any more than US$250 and It's just not going to be worth it, the Toshiba can be had for around $400 if you shop online.

[Intrepid @ Aug 9th 2006 4:32AM]

I reckon we will see a US$100-199 drive. And a price drop on the XBOX 360 at the launch of the PS3.
Microsoft seems to know what they are doing when it comes to XBOX.

[x23 @ Aug 9th 2006 4:47AM]

er...

""be the cheapest HD DVD player on the market for consumers who already own an Xbox 360 console." In other words, means it'll cost you less than a half a grand"


to me means :

1) take the cheapest standalone player on the market now ($500 right?)

2) take the price of the Xbox 360 ($300-$400)

3) take those 2 numbers and do some fancy math we smart people call "subtraction" ...

... and you come up with a $100-$200 price... *tops*. where pray tell does "half a grand" come from? i highly doubt people that don't already have a 360 will buy one just for playing HD DVD. that's as absurd as the people that think people will buy a PS3 for the sole purpose of playing Blu-Ray movies. yeah right. how many people bought a PSP *just* to watch UMDs?

so to the people buying the *accessory* for their 360... it's gonna be under $200. willing to bet $149 at the highest. anything more and it'll seem too high priced for a negligible added value.

[tobi @ Aug 9th 2006 4:47AM]

when blu ray wins the HD dvd war microsoft are gonna look SOOO stupid!!!! i cant wait!

[PistolPeet @ Aug 9th 2006 5:00AM]

@x23

The "If you already own an xbox360" means you can't factor the cost of the x360 in to your equation, otherwise it's the "cheapest player on the market".

[Pal @ Aug 9th 2006 5:27AM]

I'll wait for the all-in-one internal 360 package.

[Mercenary @ Aug 9th 2006 5:54AM]

MS have gone on record saying the Price of the 360 will NOT drop.

They have also gone on record saying they will not be making a 360 with built in HD-DVD, it will always be an addon.

Im guessing the price of a 360 with HD-DVD will come in at just under the PS3. Which then makes you ask, do I get a 360 with external drive.

Or a PS3 with built in drive, wifi, card reader, bigger hard disk and motion sensing?

[Michael @ Aug 9th 2006 6:29AM]

As PistolPeet said above, the statement said ""be the cheapest HD DVD player on the market for consumers who already own an Xbox 360 console.".
To me, that means that IF you own the console already, then buying the HDDVD upgrade will be cheaper than the Toshiba standalone device... otherwise the combined cost of the upgrade PLUS the console will be more than the Tosh.
The interesting thing is whether we'll see any XB360 games coming no HDDVD discs, therefore necessitating the upgrade, but at the cost of alienating those who dont have it.

[zs450 @ Aug 9th 2006 7:09AM]

This had better come in, as a bundle with the 360, at a lower price than the PS3. That would mean that they couldn't do more than $199 and they shouldn't even go that high without plans to drop the price on one or the other early next year. If they're going to compete with Sony for the lemmings that follow the PS-whatever into the depths, they'll have to be ready to take a pounding in the pockets. It'll be worth it in the long run to see the add on come in at less than $150 to make sure they move. I won't buy one until they hit at least that price.

[Ryan @ Aug 9th 2006 7:23AM]

I don't really see how MS can charge more than $200 for this. COnsidering the fact that pretty much ALL the processing for the drive comes from the 360. This is basically the optical drive, with very few "bits and pieces" so to speak. A standalone player has a lot more electronics in it than this will have.

We will see I guess. Hopefully soon.

I also wish the BluRay/Sony fans wouldn't make a point to come in here and say "Haha, BluRay will win and HD DVD is teh stupid."

Frankly HD DVD has the better picture at this point in time, not to mention better movies. Oh and that little thing called brand recognition. It's still very much up in the air as to what will win out. Hopefully that happens sooner than later as well.

[jeremy @ Aug 9th 2006 8:03AM]

If anyone has read the actual story, MS has said that the price of the 360 and the HD DVD drive will be less than the PS3.

[Rishard Chapoteau @ Aug 9th 2006 8:16AM]

Jeremy,

Where do you see in the recent article that the 360+HD DVD drive will be less then the PS3? I really dont
see it anywhwhere.

Sad thing is if that drive costs more then $100 it will make the system cost more then the PS3 because the $500 version is pretty much the same thing.

[Rishard Chapoteau @ Aug 9th 2006 8:26AM]

Found that quote. So that will mean it will be around $500. If its $500 with a premium making the addon $100 thats fine. If its any more then that then you just made yourself more expensive then the equivalent PS3 imho since the cheap ps3 has a 20 Gig hard drive, and a blu-ray with no HDMI.

[Steve @ Aug 9th 2006 8:42AM]

$199.99

You've gotta figure... the console is $399.99 (Premium) and add on the $199.99 for a $599.99
total. The PS3 is dropping for 599 & 699 (right?)
therefore anymore then two hundred is not going
to fly and would be a waste IMO.

[Jamie @ Aug 9th 2006 8:53AM]

It's all kind of academic really, because until the TV channels I watch through Freeview are broadcast in HD, then I'm not going to shell out the £500-600 to buy an HD telly, so it's not worth even getting an Xbox360 or PS3 because without an HD screen there is precious little difference between the current and previous generations of console. Another reason for me to go and have a Wii as soon as they are available.

[Rishard Chapoteau @ Aug 9th 2006 8:58AM]

Steve,

No its dropping for $499/$599 in america. The $499 ps3 is close to the same as the $399 360 since it has a 20 GB hard drive and blu-ray, and no HDMI. If this unit costs more then that then the 360 in my eyes will cost more.

[sracer @ Aug 9th 2006 9:11AM]

It's sad that so many are unable to discern what that comment regarding price really meant. :(

MS' HD-DVD add-on will be between $400-$500. It was purely wishful thinking to believe that it would come out at $100-$200.

[Jaxkson Browne @ Aug 9th 2006 9:24AM]

Geez, all engadget does is complain that things actually cost money. I'm so sorry for you engadget that you can't get everything for nothing.

[jc @ Aug 9th 2006 9:28AM]

I am interested in seeing what will happen with the media remote for the X360. Will the eject button only work on the DVD drive?

[MDB @ Aug 9th 2006 9:43AM]

There is no way this thing is gonna cost more than $100-200. Otherwise, Microsoft's entire argument about being cheapher than the PS3 is moot

[Magilla @ Aug 9th 2006 10:33AM]

I would probably buy it, if the 360 wasn't so loud. It's like watching a movie while blow drying your hair.

[Guruboy @ Aug 9th 2006 11:05AM]

Why does Microsoft do this to us? We just paid $300-$400 USD for their console, now we have to pay another sum of money for a better optical drive, making the DVD player in the currnent 360 completely useless. Congratulations 360 owners, you just paid for 2 optical drives. This addon is a complete waste of money, people say they bought the 360 just for games, so let them play their games on their DVDs while smart people play games and watch HD movies on Blu-Ray discs.

It's a good point, if this costs $200 or more, there is absolutely no argument about the 360 being cheaper than the PS3.

[Jason @ Aug 9th 2006 11:15AM]

That is the ugliest console add-on I have ever seen.

[Ryan @ Aug 9th 2006 12:02PM]

"not worth even getting an Xbox360 or PS3 because without an HD screen there is precious little difference between the current and previous generations of console."

You I am guessing have not played one of these systems on an SDTV. There is a difference, no doubt about that. IT's just a higher resolution on an HDTV, the difference is still noticible on an SDTV.

"It's a good point, if this costs $200 or more, there is absolutely no argument about the 360 being cheaper than the PS3."

You don't see a price difference still? What about those who do not want/care about HD DVD or BluRay. Then the add-on is not a needed purchase. You can pick up a 360 and play games for less than a PS3. This being an add-on is about choice. Do you really want an HD DVD player or not? If so pick one up with your console, or in the future when you want to.

PS3 is not giving that option, they are saying here, our console costs a lot of money, but suck it up. You have to buy our BluRay drive, whether you want/care about it or not.

Frankly I think it goes without saying the quality of the BluRay drive in the PS3 will probably not even be very good.

[Graham @ Aug 9th 2006 12:49PM]

I like Nintendo Wii...because I like to have fun when I play video games in my home. And I have had a DVD player for 5 years...it does wonders.

[jaysins @ Aug 9th 2006 12:49PM]

Well as someone who has a 1080p monitor I rather watch HD-DVD at 1080i than Blu-ray at 1080p. HD-DVD movies are definitely better quality and will be until Sony and company either change compressions schemes (H.264 for the win) or get those 50Gig disks out that we were promised. Also, at the current rate Toshiba may not be far behind with their 45Gig drive, though with current compression a HD-DVD at 30Gig has more potential that a Blu-ray disk at 50Gig. Unless either player gets rave reviews I'm not going to use either as a player. I think most people who are into video would rather just wait, save up, and purchase a really good stand alone player in a six months to a year when they are a lot more mature and prices have come down. High def optical drives on either system wouldn't persuade me to buy the device unless they were about as good as their stand alone counterparts. I already have a 360 but if the quality is just ok on it I rather shell out 500 for a drive I'll love. Time will tell though.

[I,Robot @ Aug 9th 2006 1:15PM]

Hold on? Who says that Microsoft is “including” the price of the X-Box 360 with the price of the HD-DVD? That statement is SO vague, it could mean anything? From $200 dollars to $450, still making it "the cheapest HD DVD player on the market”. It’s all depends on how you “LOOK” at it. Personally, I would believe anything they say… until I see it for myself.

@ tobi!!
There’s NO guarantee that blu-ray is going to win this thing? It's still ANYBODY's game, and coming from Sony – you should KNOW BETTER!? The only person going to look stupid, is you – if you go running out to buy a Blu-Ray Player the second it hits the consumer market (and game units don’t count).

If the porn industry DOESN’T jump on board the “Blu-Ray Bandwagon” – It’s OVER! End of story.

[Andrew @ Aug 9th 2006 1:56PM]

its kinda funny to hear all the people that are like THE PS3 IS WAY OVERPRICED 360 OWNZZZZ cause they are stupid fanboys. whats the cost of the XBOX360+HD-DVD??? okay then. stfu. stop bashing the cost of the PS3 when microsuck is doing the same thing.

[Julian @ Aug 9th 2006 2:09PM]

It would be great to see a Halo 3 disk with DVD game on one side and HDDVD extras on the other or even a HDDVD extended game to encourage buying the HDDVD add-on....

[Edwin @ Aug 9th 2006 2:55PM]

You guys the price is going to be $199 or less because if they increase more then that, PS3 is going to be cheaper, because it is $600 with blueray, so in other words Microsoft is not going to dare raise the price more then $199 because it doesn't make sense. They want the xbox 360 to be cheaper then PS3 not more expensive.

[jasafar @ Aug 9th 2006 3:44PM]

If MS wants to have a nice foothold in the hi-def dvd market, they better stay under $200 for their 360 addon. Why would I pay for a $500 HD-DVD addon that is component out only when I can get a Toshiba HD-A1 for $400 that does HDMI? Doesn't make a whole hell of a lot of sense.

[Chris @ Aug 9th 2006 4:15PM]

Oh no Beta VS. VHS ahh!! What do I choose? Hmm. Somethining tells me, in the next few years there will be another HD format around the corner that will make this battle of HD DVD vs. Blue-Ray look like the dark ages not to mention that the price of these players will be what regular DVD players cost today. 360 and PS3 are gaming consoles that happen to play movies too. If the 360 games become HD DVD format then you'd need the drive. But I think it's another post-release gimmick. If anything, Microsoft got impatient and are trying to keep things looking fresh on the 360. My DVDs dont look any better on my Xbox than my DVD player, so I'm not relying on the 360 or the PS3 to be smoking awesome either.

[mikey @ Aug 9th 2006 7:55PM]

Personally I can't see the HD-DVD add-on costing very much money, unless Microsoft decides to gouge the consumer. The Toshiba HD-1, their first HD-DVD to market (retailing $499USD) is, essentially, a computer. It has 1GB of RAM and a Pentium processor inside of it so that it can run the menus and other spiffy things while the actual movie is running. If you step back for a moment and think that those components (or similar) are running in an XBox 360, the add-on can't be too much extra.

As for picture quality, the difference between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray is negligible. When they're right beside one another, you may notice a difference but it would more attributed to the Televisions that they are running on. Displays in store would likely favour the Samsungs only because a Samsung television is better than a Toshiba. If either one is going in your house, you're not going to be squinting an inch away from it and saying that the HD-DVD is better than Blu-Ray, you're going to sit back and enjoy your movie.

Granted, I think that Blu-Ray is a superior format - though it is only because they can hold more information. The picture is ALWAYS going to be the same. You can just fit more on a Blu-Ray (potentially). However with the low cost of HD-DVD, it likely has the edge in the format war. For example: In Saskatoon, Canada (where I work selling A/V equipment) you could buy an HD-DVD player and 23 HD-DVD movies for the same price as a Samsung Blu-Ray player. That is the HD-DVD advantage.

And @ the ass who said the XBox was loud:

I won't disagree with you, but when was the last time you were playing a DVD/Game in the machine and you could actually hear the fan? Unless you play with the volume incredibly low, your point is moot.

[Ectoplasm @ Aug 9th 2006 8:27PM]

"The 'If you already own an xbox360' means you can't factor the cost of the x360 in to your equation, otherwise it's the 'cheapest player on the market'."

Not really. It's simply a drive that is unable to operate on it's own. It's not a stand alone player. It requires the 360 to achieve player functionality. So x23 is technically right. And Engadget was attempting to get a rise out of people by mentioning 'half a grand' to make it sound more expensive.

[Tweak @ Aug 10th 2006 2:06AM]

I would buy it, i already own a 360 so its an easy way for me to get HD-DVD.

[smorty71 @ Aug 10th 2006 9:52AM]

Regardless of the price, most people seem to be missing the point that MSFT is trying to give consumers a choice. Sony is not.

MSFT is saying that *if* you want an HD-DVD drive for your 360, we will sell you one. And that it will be cheaper than a PS3. If you don't want one (and I'm assuming more people won't upgrade), you can buy the console for $400 or even $300.

Sony is forcing Blu-ray onto everyone who buys a PS3 hoping that it will somehow make them want to buy a bunch of Sony Blu-ray movies. It's not going to happen. Remember how many UMD movies Sony sold for the PSP?

So yes, if you upgrade it is almost the same as buying a PS3; however, you, as the consumer, have the choice. I think that is an important distinction to make.

[Joe @ Aug 10th 2006 12:38PM]

Why are people pissing and moaning about movies???

You buy a game console to play games, the fact that you can watch movies is an added bonus.

Buying an external HD-DVD or even and external Blu-Ray is one of the worst ideas ever, for a game console.

Unless MS is going to start using HD-DVD for its games, to drastically increase game content, what's the point?

[NCD @ Aug 11th 2006 2:23AM]

One comment here regarding the PS3 forcing people to buy the Blue-Ray. Wont the PS3 games be able to have much more content and features then the XBOX 360 ones? Since the 360 doesn't come with a HD-DVD by default, then their games have to only be on DVD. Think of the PS3 games having brilliant HD cutscenes, while the 360 counterparts will not. It's like back in the Sega-Nintendo days when the same game would come out on both systems, but would look totally different.
Think about that!

[gwolf @ Aug 22nd 2006 11:29PM]

Who the hell cares that much about cut scenes? I saw some from N3 demo on Xbox live on HDTV and they looked amazing. More than 8 gig is simply not necessary for games. If you want a lot of filler and other useless material to interrupt you between levels I suppose that might be useful.

[PS3 XBOX360 ?!?!?! @ Aug 24th 2006 10:23AM]

The porn industry is onm board with Blu-Ray giving Sony's format the advantage right now over HD-DVD. Someone earlier posted HD-DVD's picture is better. I would like to know what he is looking at. HD-DVD does not yet offer a 1080p resolution by far the best of any HD format. Micrsoft's decision to keep it external is a very smart move. If HD-DVD folds they will be able to offer an external Blu-Ray player. If Blu-Ray wins they will eventually come out with an integrated model. I personally am probably going to go with the PS3 as I see it being technologoically better. Everything is integrated (power, WIFI, and next gen movies) and the controllers are bluetooth versus standard wireless (and I don't need to buy anything to use them while they are charging). I had a friend bring an xbox 360 to my house to put it on my 60" TV and with all the other wireless in my house the controllers seemed to jump at times (I think switching channels to get a clean signal). The jury I think is still out on who will win the format war.

[OctaneCL @ Sep 6th 2006 3:34PM]

First off let get this right. We all know the Xbox runs around $299 to $399 and the PS3 runs $499 to $599, but we need to compare apples to apples. To make the Xbox 360 comparable to the “Bottom of the line PS3” you will need to add the HD drive to the “Top of the line Xbox 360” that already cost $399. This will make the Xbox 360 comparable to the bottom of the line ps3 that will run $499. Remember we are comparing apples to apples. That would mean that the Xbox HD drive will need to cost let then $100 to be cheaper then the PS3. Now if you believe that the HD drive will run less then $100 then your nuts. So please stop saying that it would have to be less then $200 because you’re not comparing apples to apples.