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Future Xbox 360's will alter

Gates talks of HD-DVD in Tokyo

Bill Gates' latest comments have sparked further rumour and speculation in gaming circles, after the Microsoft chief hinted that future revisions of the Xbox 360 hardware might include a drive supporting the emerging HD-DVD standard. Microsoft, and their chairman, publicly backed the Toshiba-developed format at a Tokyo conference yesterday. The way forward for DVD technology has been clouded since talks between Sony and Toshiba broke down over the establishment of a future format - HD-DVD rivals Sony's own Blu-Ray standard. Whilst Blu-Ray boasts a larger capacity, HD-DVD is cheaper to manufacture and it appears the upcoming format face-off could be bloody one, especially now Redmond has sided with Toshiba.

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"The initial shipments of Xbox 360 will be based on today's DVD format," said Gates at the conference. "We are looking at whether future versions of Xbox 360 will incorporate an additional capability of an HD-DVD player or something else."

Of course, whilst purchasers of a future Xbox 360 model would no doubt welcome the ability to watch movies in the new DVD format, developers would still have to utilise traditional DVD's for games in order to ensure backwards compatibility. Sony are currently planning to utilise their advanced Blu-Ray technology in the PS3, expected in Japan next spring. What's also interesting is Microsoft's plans to revise and update the Xbox 360 as technology improves and manufacturing becomes more economical, and it will be interesting to see what directions Redmond takes in their quest for living room domination.

1. I just wish that the HD-DVD will come to Xbox 360 not now but in 2008. Gates' announcement is causing doubt over the launch of Xbox 360. From a business point of view, it would not be wise for HD-DVD to be inserted to Xbox 360's technology early as it will drive up the manufacturing cost and perhaps even the retail price.

   Right now, I'm happy with Xbox 360's DVD feature.

   Waffleton Wednesday, 29 June 2005, 06:39:32

2. Do you really need that much space for a game? Most games now are only using 4g of space, and thats with some of the best graphics, AI, sounds... etc. Going to dual layer will be fine, but price will always come in. Companys like Micorsoft need to chill a little :-D. Not that they will...

   Benzies Wednesday, 29 June 2005, 07:53:54

3. From a consumer perspective, what will Microsoft do for customers that paid full price for the Xbox 360 at launch and won't receive the HD-DVD drive....they better think of something good unless they want to split the market and alienate a potential lage number of users.

   Huntr Wednesday, 29 June 2005, 07:57:40

4. I agree w/ Waffleton. This speculation could hurt initial sales (i.e. my stock) as people would hold out for the HD-DVD version... The extra content could just as easily be available for dload over LIVE.

   As for HD movies: the HD-DVD drive should be marketed as a USB peripheral. Most people picking up the 360 initially prob. don't have HD capability yet.

   Keep the plain-jane DVD as spec..... I'm buying the 360 for GAMES not MOVIES!!!

   why Wednesday, 29 June 2005, 08:09:34

5. The inclusion of HD-DVD will be to address parents, not you kiddies. Making the 360 or the PS3 a dual use machine will give parents a reason to buy it - for the High Definition DVD player it includes. Game functionality will be just a bonus for the kids.

   Maybe some of you kiddies should go do your homework so you can get good grades, get in to college and learn about the real world instead of playing video games all day.

   Morons Wednesday, 29 June 2005, 08:51:52

6. Microsoft are stupid in doing this gamers donnot want to spend alot of money on a console only to know that it will be upgraded in the future and they will have an old version with less features. I for one will be getting a PS3 for i turst Sony more and know they are all about the games not this other bullsh*t microsoft are into.

   Aron Wednesday, 29 June 2005, 08:59:44

7. "Maybe some of you kiddies should go do your homework so you can get good grades, get in to college and learn about the real world instead of playing video games all day."

   I dunno, playing video games got me my AS level in media...

   Markusdragon Wednesday, 29 June 2005, 13:43:47

8. if blueray is taking over .do xbox 360 hd games collapse . and eventually the xbox 360 die out.

   martin grant Saturday, 10 May 2008, 16:41:50