Microsoft finally pulls plug on HD DVD add-on players!

[Fireblade]

Microsoft has announced that will stop producing its HD DVD player add-on for the Xbox 360, citing Toshiba's end of support for the format as the key reason.
The company said it would continue to provide warranty support for the 300,000 or so players that had been purchased to date.

"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", added Blair Westlake, a VP of Microsoft's media and entertainment group.

Microsoft was the second largest backer of the format behind Toshiba, and has said it will continue to look into how HD DVD technology,
such as the interactive layer HDi, can be applied to other platforms.
Source: Yahoo News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080224/ap_on_hi_te/microsoft_hd_dvd;_ylt=AnP53QisNikXrzA1lDMsyqwjtBAF ).


I expected it sooner or later, but I must admit to thinking it would be a while yet?

[BudoBob]

Like rats off a sinking ship!
As the format was is all but over it isn't suprising manufacturers are switching sooner rater than later. Why make a product when noone will use/buy it?

[Fat Jez]

Personally, I think HD-DVD still has a future in the PC market, not as a video format but as one for storing data. Microsoft could also conceivably use it on their next console storing game data, since it doesn't really matter what format is used there.

Time will tell.

Cheers,
Stephen

[Tom]

Personally, I think HD-DVD still has a future in the PC market, not as a video format but as one for storing data. Microsoft could also conceivably use it on their next console storing game data, since it doesn't really matter what format is used there.
I agree.

And I also thought they'd jump at the chance to use a largely unsupported standard. It'd cut down on casual piracy, after-all.

[BudoBob]

I will not dispute there may be a niche market for HD-DVD and it's technology will probably find its way into other developments maybe even Blueray itself.

Those who have already bought into HD-DVD will cause a small delay in the demise of the format as the only HD format for films but the demand for optical drive / HD-DVD players will deminish very quickly.

To compete with the PS3 with built in Blueray, I don't think it will be long before Microsoft release a Blueray drive for the Xbox. I suspect they will attempt to clear as much of their stock of HD players as they can before making such an anouncement.

[Fireblade]

To compete with the PS3 with built in Blueray, I don't think it will be long before Microsoft release a Blueray drive for the Xbox.

There are conflicting reports on whether they will/won't?
Articles I read only last week, suggested they were considering one.
But the headline on this (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/a89966/microsoft-says-no-to-xbox-blu-ray.html) more recent one (22nd February), states "Microsoft says 'no' to Xbox Blu-Ray":



When asked if Microsoft plans to release a Blu-ray drive in light of the demise of HD-DVD, Microsoft's corporate vice president of live, software and services said 'no', while implying that add-on drives don't appear to work for Xbox 360 gamers, pointing out that its HD-DVD drive only enjoyed a 3% attach rate.

"We have no plans to announce anything like that right now", Schappert told Eurogamer."

:confused:

[Fireblade]

... according to Microsoft's group product manager for Xbox 360 - Aaron Greenberg, their console is not ready to go Blu...
"Xbox is not currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray Association to integrate Blu-ray into the Xbox experience", he said.

In the near future, Microsoft will be building their Xbox Live as an entertainment Channel, rather than adopting the Blu-Ray technology.


Source: AfterDawn (http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/13219.cfm).


Hmmnnn... I guess we'll just have to wait for a more official announcement, 'coz I'm sure I read elsewhere recently, that they might still be going ahead with one?

[Sub]

anyone after a quick buck.. the hd-dvd add-on players sunk from 100 quid to like 40.. spotted one in gamestation for £39.99 new... madness