The Xbox 360 is to finally get Blu-ray support through an add-on drive.
Ever since the demise of HD DVD, which was supported through a similar bolt-on accessory, the games console has been unable to play high definition solid-state media. The company has, instead, favoured direct downloads and other forms of HD movie content delivery. However, the computing and gaming giant has had a change of heart.
In an video interview with tech website Gizmodo, which was primarily about the company’s forthcoming Project Natal gaming system, Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer, let slip that while it is unlikely that Blu-ray drives will be added to any new Xbox 360’s, BD add-ons are imminent: ‘Well I don't know if we need to put Blu-ray in there—you'll be able to get Blu-ray drives as accessories.’
However, Larry Hryb, Xbox Live's director of programming maintains that Steve Ballmer’s comments ‘referring to Blu-ray accessories for the PC’, and says that in there are ‘No plans’ for Microsoft to introduce a Blu-ray drive for the 360. Instead the company will introduce 1080p HD streaming of movies and TVs shows via an upcoming Dashboard update. ‘ With a library of thousands of TV shows and movies to choose from, Xbox 360 owners can instantly watch the movies they want, when they want, in the highest form of high definition.’
When Gizmodo spoke to the PR department, the response was decisive: ‘Our immediate solution for Blu-ray-quality video on an Xbox 360 is coming this fall with Zune Video and 1080p instant-on HD streaming. As far as our future plans are concerned, we're not ready to comment.’
So did Ballmer spill the beans? Watch the interview to make up your own mind, and find out more about Project Natal here.
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I'll pass thanks. Just
Raymond Blue (not verified) - 23 October 2009 - 10:11amI'll pass thanks. Just bought a PS3 slim (also have a 360) - so much quieter and and compact than 360. The PS3 slim is smaller and doesn't have a stupid power brick outside. PS3 is much more suited to media duties. Games wise 360 has more i want to play, but that's leveling out these days. If sony would just add support for as many different video formats as the network media tanks (e.g. Popcorn hour) - it would be a perfect media centre machine.
I bet it doesn't
Duncan Firth (not verified) - 23 October 2009 - 11:32amVapourware! The 360 doesn't need a BD drive. Physical media will soon be a thing of the past.
No it isn`t
Matt G Baish (not verified) - 23 October 2009 - 12:53pmit would be pointless
Buy a budget blu-ray deck if you really want one
A bit late i think, just
Stafke (not verified) - 23 October 2009 - 3:39pmA bit late i think, just build new machines with Blu-ray drives and be done with it! No useless add-ons.
360 won't have Blu-ray!
Bryan Cook (not verified) - 24 October 2009 - 7:29pmThere will not be Blu-ray support for the 360 as Microsoft is concentrating, quite rightly in my opinion, on media over the net. The 360 will be the first console to offer instant-on 1080p streaming HD movies so there's really no need for a Blu-ray drive.
Major nelson cleared all this up on his Blog about Steve Ballmers comments here http://tinyurl.com/yzrptyj
Of course they will, along
KevMull (not verified) - 27 October 2009 - 1:59pmOf course they will, along with vinyl, CDs, DVDs and even paper based books ;)