Rumorang: Internal 360 HD-DVD rumors outed?
by Christopher Grant 
{ Sep 13th 2006 at 5:55PM }
It seems like just a couple months ago we were throwing this old chestnut out the window and now, like a Siamese cat on a perilous journey, it's returned to us, more or less unchanged. This time, Digitimes is reporting that Microsoft is working on a "new-generation" of Xbox 360s equipped with one of those fancy HD-DVD drives on the inside instead on the side. Who says? "Sources" in Taiwan's no doubt well connected optical disc drive industry. Last time it was an Australian Toshiba rep wondering aloud and Microsoft following right behind, dancing the PR two-step, stating there are "no plans to release the Xbox 360 with an internal HD DVD drive." It should also come as no surprise, they've responded "we do not comment on rumors and speculation" to this latest rumor.While that first dismissal seems pretty unequivocal, you better believe they've considered such a move, weighed it against consumer backlash, price, and demand, before deciding to pursue it. Digitimes says we could expect the new consoles in the first half of 2007 "at the soonest." Let's work on getting that external drive out the door first before we start getting worked up over Xbox 360v2.
The winding road to Xbox 360 v2:
Toshiba man hints at internal HD-DVD 360
Rumor: Xbox 360 getting an HDMI port
Will Xbox 360 games require HD-DVD add-on?
Rumorang: Xbox 360 HDMI cable officially yanked
[Thanks, Stevie and Thyron]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Scott @ Sep 13th 2006 5:58PM
Another day another 360 HD-DVD drive/HDMI port/larger HDD rumour.
BIKEAGE @ Sep 13th 2006 6:00PM
not gonna happen
jojo29 @ Sep 13th 2006 6:03PM
LoL Blu*Ray forced on Sony Fanbois?? Well if this Internal HD-DVD comes through the same can be said about MS 'forcing' HD-DVD on consumers plus they'd have to up the price probably around the same if not more than the ps3. That seems unlikely.
Can't wait for PS3.
Richard W. @ Sep 13th 2006 6:04PM
I doubt it will happen... it would cause too many problems with gamemakers: having to create two versions of games, one for standard DVD (possibly spanning disks unless the game is stripped down) and the HD disks.
Cage @ Sep 13th 2006 6:05PM
Can this get dropped? MS says they dont respond to rumors so that "people in the know" dont keep throwing them out to Jostiq who then asks they same questions over...and over. Can I speculate as well? Is Jostiq going to ever let us post without confirming in our email (even after many posts)? Someone "in the know" said it was true...
ill trooper @ Sep 13th 2006 6:09PM
Oh man, if Microsoft switches gears on this, they can eat a dick, I'm not down with three (four?) different 360 units out there (no HDD, HDD, now possibly a HDD/HD-DVD, maybe a HD-DVD/no HDD?) with mine falling middle. Developers will likely pick the one most people have to support, which is the ol' $399 model, no HD-DVD.
Microsoft: didn't have the guts to support the HD-DVD format when you had the chance to really put your money where you mouth is. Now it just seems like we 'early adopters' got slightly dissed.
Media Center edition 360 anyone? Special black faceplate with chrome highlight?
PSWii360 Fanbot @ Sep 13th 2006 6:13PM
Sure, why not? It will really make our launch 360s obsolete. Then you weigh in the extra price. Lets see, a core model will now be $500 and the Hard drive version for $600.(note these are the prices if you buy the external HD DVD drive anyway) That would put them in direct competition with the PS3 and consumers would need to choose which to buy. With this kind of comparison I would take the $600 PS3. It is simply more bang for the buck if you include the blu-ray, hard drive, HDMI and 1080p capabilities all in one, no need to upgrade, package.
And the format war still rages on. If you buy a HD DDVD drive and the format tanks, you won't be able to give the thing away, and it will be $200 down the drain.
I'll hold on to my 360 and cross my fingers.
Jose @ Sep 13th 2006 6:28PM
This, coupled with a much larger HDD, and I think we have a good chance of seeing last generations undisputed winner fall from it's mighty throne. And I fucking hate the original Xbox (except KOTOR and Ninja Gaiden).
Gianni Gotti @ Sep 13th 2006 6:20PM
I can't believe people are debating this, it is a no brainer & IT WILL HAPPEN.
Looks at M$fts track record...
>Unceremoniously abandoned the original Xbox
>Promised no "Hard Drive Required Titles" for Xcast 360 and then promtly released them...
>No clear commitment to future-proofing.
They are bringing a pc industry "upgrade" mentality to the console world which is inappropriate.
So original xcast fanbois, prepare to get left in the dust of history.........
Shogan @ Sep 13th 2006 6:21PM
I said when that announced this add on that the next holiday season they would introduce a new 360 with this built in. That's why I haven't bought a 360. Well that and Microsoft sucks.
dsub @ Sep 13th 2006 6:20PM
ill trooper, this is purely a rumor, and a far fetched one at that MS has said time and time again that there will be no 360 with an internal HDDVD drive. MS was smart not to include HDDVD. Had they included it, the 360 would have retailed for $500 and they'd be looking at puny sales right now.
David A. Mendez @ Sep 13th 2006 6:24PM
I don't like the misinformation that is going on out there about this whole HD-DVD thing. I think Microsoft as well as the bloggers aren't being up front about everything.
Apparently the add-on only has video playback capability and cannot support hd-dvd games even if MS started producing them. The new xbox 360 w/internal hd-dvd will support HD-DVD games.
If this is the case then Microsoft is in for a bigger mess than sony is when all is said and done.
Can the bloggers be clearer on their reporting instead of just trying to insight fanboy riots?
rjg @ Sep 13th 2006 6:26PM
There is no need for MS to do this - the so-called format wars is a joke. Neither blu-ray or hd-dvd will 'win' because everything will switch to download. Apple just showed everyone how to do it and it won't be long before we are all streaming our content (and yes HD content) too to our living rooms.
Before either formats gets any ground the world will have moved on.
BklynKid @ Sep 13th 2006 6:32PM
I see this happening, but I can't believe people think that all the sudden games on HDDVD will be supported. It will be a non-issue for game devs. The drive will only be to watch HD DVD movies so the inclusion of the drive won't be a problem for anyone.
Rask @ Sep 13th 2006 6:33PM
Let's look at the situation objectively here for a moment.
IF MS comes out with a 360 with an internal HD-DVD, one would think that an existing 360 owner could buy an external drive and get the same functionality should games require it.
If this wasn't the case, MS could always offer a retrofit program for existing customers to swap the drive from the DVD to the HD-DVD.
Personally, since I don't own an HDTV, HD-DVD is useless for me so I wouldn't be overly concerned with an internal HD-DVD drive 360 unless games started coming out on HD-DVD media only.
rjg @ Sep 13th 2006 6:34PM
yeah the original xbox was total crap.
Sony's fatal mistake will be blu-ray, esp. if there is no format 2-4 years from now.
Sony is banking on blu-ray being around for 8-10 years like dvd's lifespan. Unfortunately for Sony, this won't be the case this go round.
Can any of you - pro ms or sony or n - seriously think we won't all be downloading our movies within 2 years?
That's the mistake sony has made, expecting blu-ray to have the shelf-life of the dvd format.
djphatjive @ Sep 13th 2006 6:36PM
I think it will happen at some point. I mean really. at some point it is not going to be cost effective to make an external one all the time. Im sure it will be at least 3 years before its included. And I will have a external one at that point and probably one sitting beside my 67 inch plasma. So who cares.
I got my premium xbox 360 and I love it and have never had an issue with it. So if they want to do something else that makes them money then they should be able to do it. Oh and in 3 years when it comes out it will probably only be a $100 dollars more anyway and will only apply to those who are buying iy for the first time. While we will have had the external drive for a few years. Its a win win. Oh and it will make sony eat there lying ass hole!
Measure @ Sep 13th 2006 6:45PM
I'd be shocked if MS hasn't prototyped a internal HDDVD drive for the 360, and asked Manufacturers for projections on price, volume, etc.
This hardly means, however, the MS is going to go forward with these plans. They're just covering all their bases, in case at some future point, it becomes necessary to execute said plans.
Some Show @ Sep 13th 2006 6:56PM
Whats wrong a internal HD-DVD drive?
The games will all still be on regualr DVD's.
And now you could watch HD-DVD's on it too without a giant add on sitting next to your console.
Instead of a price drop, make the current Premieum Bundle $299 and the internal HD-DVD 360 $399.
No games will be on HD-DVD only movies.
MthdDirector @ Sep 13th 2006 6:59PM
Yes, well, I've designed a special sticker that every employee at every technology corporation should wear:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mthddirector/238002345/
PSWii360 Fanbot @ Sep 13th 2006 7:13PM
Gameboy games downloaded onto the Wii will be downloadable onto a memory card for the DS. The memory card will fit into the GBA slot. GBA games are also going to be considered. Up to 100 seperate games will fit onto one cart. As a plus, these games will be playable on your Wii. Price $1.99 - $4.99
Wait for it........
C. Grant @ Sep 13th 2006 7:19PM
David A. Mendez: are you serious? Clearer? It's a rumor! Who says the internal drive will play games and the external can't? Show me some citations or stop trolling for attention.
The ZeroCorpse @ Sep 13th 2006 7:40PM
MS has said OVER and OVER and OVER that they will not support HD-DVD Games. Period.
So what if they release a SKU with the HD-DVD built-in? If the add-on costs $200, then combined with the inevitable console price cut (new process for the chips, remember?) the Premium with built-in HD-DVD would probably be $449 (the add-on's full price wouldn't be "built in" because there would be less parts involved) and the core probably wouldn't have it, and would sell for around $249. Or perhaps they'll drop the core, and have the Premium and Premium w/ HD-DVD model, going for $349 and $449, respectively.
It's no big deal. I have a launch 360, and I'll probably grab the HD add-on. When a new SKU comes along, I know the trade-off for being an early adopter is that I might miss new features being all-in-one, but I had a year of gaming as the exchange for that difference.
The year of gaming was worth it to me.
How is this any different than Nintendo with their GBA, GBA-SP Frontlit, GBA-SP Backlit, GBA Micro, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite. . .
How is this any different than the PS1, PSOne (with LCD screen included!), and the PS2 and PSTwo (with Network Adapter and infrared port included and hard drive bay abandoned!)
How is this any different than the Nintendo 8-bit NES, and the superior (and rare) top-loading NES?
How is this any different than the 3DO being developed by several companies with different features on respective models?
The difference between all these, and the PS3, is that the PS3 is coming out the gate with the extra technology tacked-on, whether you want it (or need it) or not. With all of the above, the upgraded version was OPTIONAL.
Say it with me: OP-TION-AL.
People buying a 360 later will have a choice, most likely. With PS3, you never had a choice to begin with. Here's Blu-Ray, pal. Now cough up that extra few hundred bucks beyond the cost of the gaming system for that cool feature!
This will be no big deal. Move along. Nothing to see here.
SquirrelPhister @ Sep 13th 2006 7:29PM
"LoL Blu*Ray forced on Sony Fanbois?? Well if this Internal HD-DVD comes through the same can be said about MS 'forcing' HD-DVD on consumers plus they'd have to up the price probably around the same if not more than the ps3."
That's a pretty big IF there. Even if it does happen, you can be sure they'll continue to offer the regular version at the normal price. Remember all their "customizeable generation" marketing shite? Frankly, that's the best thing to do, that way you have the choice to jump into HD-DVD right away, or add it on later.
And we can be pretty sure that they'll undercut Sony on the price either way. MSoft is playin fo keeps.
aZn_1080P @ Sep 13th 2006 7:34PM
bu....bu..but I thought M$ didnt need a next gen disc drive?!? BWAHAHAHAH! I can't wait to see xbots spin M$ stabbing them in the back like this.
SquirrelPhister @ Sep 13th 2006 8:02PM
David A. Mendez
"Apparently the add-on only has video playback capability and cannot support hd-dvd games even if MS started producing them. The new xbox 360 w/internal hd-dvd will support HD-DVD games.
If this is the case then Microsoft is in for a bigger mess than sony is when all is said and done.
Can the bloggers be clearer on their reporting instead of just trying to insight fanboy riots?"
Speak for yourself there, buddy. "The new xbox 360 w/internal hd-dvd will support HD-DVD games." Which stinky orifice did you extract this from? Seriously, don't just make stuff up.
Canadian Geese @ Sep 13th 2006 8:05PM
MS may eventually come out with a 360 that has an HD-DVD internal drive, but MS will never force you to buy HD-DVD with the 360.
ill trooper @ Sep 13th 2006 8:22PM
"ill trooper, this is purely a rumor, and a far fetched one at that MS has said time and time again that there will be no 360 with an internal HDDVD drive. "
"MS has said OVER and OVER and OVER that they will not support HD-DVD Games. Period."
"It's a rumor! Who says the internal drive will play games and the external can't?"
"The year of gaming was worth it to me."
...Yes, yes, YES, all valid points. A Rumor. Ah yes, a RUMOR that keeps resurfacing from manufacturers in the far east and finding it's way on to Gizmodo... A RUMOR that is really just a roadmap for the most obvious evolution of the 360. I believe this is going to happen.
I like my 360. Aside from when it died and I had to pay $129 to repair it. But back on point: Yes, it's speculation, but don't be naive: Things Change™.
"Microsoft said..." means very little. NO company is going to admit what's 6-9 months down the line when they're preparing to try to sell us an EXTERNAL drive this holiday season... Who here can't wait for an internal one if you heard it was coming? I think you would. OF COURSE Microsoft is going to deny this because it will interfere with sales of the external.
You think they told all of those "Plays for Sure" partners they were getting ready with a player/store model like Apple has? Hell no. You keep people on board as long as you can, unleash the floodwaters, and let the chips fall where they fall(side note: check out all those metaphors!).
Hey, I'm just saying I wanted it built-in in the first place; I'm not one of those cheap dudes that thinks buying all the parts seperately is a better deal.
I would rather take the $100-200 the external is going to cost, and put it toward a retro-fit program where I send my money and my 360, and a week later I have an internal drive; it would certainly LOOK better.
If my 360 dies again, I will wait until this internal HD-DVD drive is available, then buy that model.
MarxMarvelous37 @ Sep 13th 2006 8:58PM
I would not be at all surprised if this were true. Along with built-in HDMI (and wi-fi?), it would make good competition for the $600 PS3. The only difference is that the HD-DVD drive would be confined to movies only on the 360.
Along with the core, this allows MS to compete at the Wii pricepoint (albeit with a different value proposition) as well as at the PS3 pricepoint (with a similar value prop), not to mention the "middle of the road" way of the current 360 Premium.
The 3 SKU strategy will probably be lambasted by some, but it makes sense since they will still all play the same games. They each just build additional capabilities (storage/wireless, HD movies/HDMI) into your 360 if you so desire. Meanwhile, early adopters can jump on the HD movie train with the HD-DVD accessory if they so choose. Sounds like a pretty decent plan to me.
vaylen @ Sep 13th 2006 9:29PM
Why would M$ do that when they can wait for Blu-Ray to kill off HD-DVD and then use Blu-Ray as their high capacity format. Or they could just demand that users swap DVD's in their 360's once games are bigger than 9.4 GB.
d... @ Sep 13th 2006 11:19PM
blue-ray & HD-DVD will only benifit Hollywood not gamers.
ryan @ Sep 14th 2006 3:46AM
guys microsoft said over and over again that they had no plans to do a version of the 360 with the hd-dvd drive built in..
but this rumor of one keeps showing up. face it it was a rumor that was already debunked so lets forget about this and move on
herman @ Sep 14th 2006 9:30AM
Iguess it all depends on your point of view. I wish MS had put the HD drive in at launch and sold the system at 499.99. Why anybody would want to buy something a t a sligtly lower price then be nicked and dimed to deth to bring it up to spec is beyond me. People who bought the core pack then upgraded it were labeled as dumb cause it cost them more money in the end. Isn't this the same thing? Just my opinion, but after adding the 200 for the drive, no HDMI, the 360 I bought ends up being 599.99. And I still need a wi-fi adapter. Of course, these things are optional, but if MS had released a premium unit at 499 with HD-DVD drive and a 399.99 unit without HD-DVD drive but with hard drive, which one would have sold more? Point is, bundle it all at launch, and get the pain of paying for it over as qiuckly as possible.
SuicideNinja @ Sep 14th 2006 11:04AM
I don't think it's going to happen.
However, Toshiba's recent announcement of a triple-layer HD-DVD disc (can have a single or dual-layer DVD embedded with a HD-DVD single or dual layer) does make this a little more plausible.
What that means is game makers could put extra content in the HD-DVD layer(s) but any Xbox 360 could still play the game. This also means that HD-DVD movies could play in regular DVD players as well (without flipping sides; it's embedded!).
Sure, JVC had come up with this for Blu-ray, but it's doubtful it will be pursued as there is a lot of patent and royalty issues with DVD. I mean, if they still have to pay DVD royalties to Toshiba, then what the hell is the point? LOL
Using this newest version of the hybrid disc could make the DVD to HD-DVD transition easier to take for the consumer. So a built-in drive doesn't seem so far fetched, but the DVD forum will have to accept the specs first.
Willowbeef @ Sep 14th 2006 11:22AM
"like a Siamese cat on a perilous journey, it's returned to us, more or less unchanged"
Um.....What?
Gamey McGee @ Sep 14th 2006 11:30AM
LOL!
So let's consider this-- in order to play games with any measurable amount of content, you have to buy the new HD-DVD drive seperately. You end up spending essentially the same amount as a PS3. You get LESS storage, and better yet, as a game publisher you can't ship a game on an HD-DVD because nobody will have one. Chicken and the egg problem, if you ask me.
I think the only way MS can ensure HD-DVD becomes used as a game delivery mechanism is to release Halo 3 as HD-DVD only. But there is another way of looking at this. If you have the drive you get the extra content on the HD-DVD. If you don't maybe they do the DL DVD and you download the rest?
PS3 is looking better and better every day. However, I think MS has an advantage with XBox live b/c they have purchasing and sharing consolidated.