Groundbeef
03-06-2006, 02:09 PM
I was reading off-line in a publication (XBOX Magazine) about the potential add-on HD-DVD drive for the 360. I realize that people have already posted about this subject, however this is pretty cool.
If MS does release a HD-DVD drive, the cost will be much lower than any other stand-alone HD-DVD drives released. This is due to the fact that the hardware to decode the disc is already in the 360. So really all it would be is a glorified HD-DVD drive(no decoder on board, the 360 would do the work). At press time MS has gone on record as saying for the forseeable future HD-DVD would ONLY be used for movies.
Currently the largest title for a game clocks in at a little over 3 gig (this is for PC, PS2 and XBOX 360). Some are projected to be as large as 5 gig, but no where close to peak capacity of a 9 gig double layer DVD.
This could be a boon for people looking for a less expensive HD-DVD drive than the $499 price point being tossed around for a stand alone player.
MS is also on record stating that if 10% purchase the player that would be a good start.
MS has also NOT ruled out being able to support a BLU-Ray disc player via the USB 2.0 ports on the console. So I guess they are kinda hedging their bets although MS will not on the record state that a BLU-Ray would work with the 360.
If MS does release a HD-DVD drive, the cost will be much lower than any other stand-alone HD-DVD drives released. This is due to the fact that the hardware to decode the disc is already in the 360. So really all it would be is a glorified HD-DVD drive(no decoder on board, the 360 would do the work). At press time MS has gone on record as saying for the forseeable future HD-DVD would ONLY be used for movies.
Currently the largest title for a game clocks in at a little over 3 gig (this is for PC, PS2 and XBOX 360). Some are projected to be as large as 5 gig, but no where close to peak capacity of a 9 gig double layer DVD.
This could be a boon for people looking for a less expensive HD-DVD drive than the $499 price point being tossed around for a stand alone player.
MS is also on record stating that if 10% purchase the player that would be a good start.
MS has also NOT ruled out being able to support a BLU-Ray disc player via the USB 2.0 ports on the console. So I guess they are kinda hedging their bets although MS will not on the record state that a BLU-Ray would work with the 360.