external HD-DVD drive announced...

[anomynous]

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/9995/Bill-Gates-Announces-External-HD-DVD-Drive-for-Xbox-360/


thoughts?

[Michaellvortega]

Looks like they copied and pasted their acrticle. Any confirmation that this is true?

[62t]

hope this wont turn out to be the new sega CD. MS should really just have HD-DVD ready out the box.

[Kayden]

Has there been one console expansion that was every really successful?
32x?
Sega CD?
PS2 HDD?
PS2 Broadband?
GC broadband?
NESRob?
If it doesn't come in the console, history says it'll tank.

[Murcielago77]

well the ps2 online wasnt all that bad

[kill3r7]

Hopefully it will be just that an external accessory because if Microsoft brings out a new 360 that comes with HD-DVD built in people are going to really pissed.

[chargeup45]

hope this wont turn out to be the new sega CD. MS should really just have HD-DVD ready out the box.

My guess is that adding HD adds at least an additional $100 to the cost of the 360, so the better bet is to simply make an add-on. Nonetheless, this doesn't exactly help HD-DVD's battle when Sony is shipping built in Blu-Ray for PS3.

[62t]

well Sony later pack in the broadband adapter, same with the dual shock controller. MS needs to pack this in with new X360. Of couse people that already brought the X360 at launch will be mad at an upgrade just months after they brought the system.

[Murcielago77]

i just thought about it, and where the hell would this plug into? isnt it only usb 1.1 ports on the 360? I dont think thats fast enough to be reading games and movies

[aaa]

Very interesting.

I will probably pass, but if it is $100, I'd buy it.

I'd guess it would be $150-$250.

[RedvsBlue]

This, addon, as has always been planned and eluded to will be for MOVIES ONLY, not games.

Directly from article:
Building on Xbox 360 leadership in high-definition experiences, the company announced plans to deliver a new Xbox 360 external HD DVD drive in 2006. The new drive will offer millions of Xbox 360 owners the ability to easily enjoy HD DVD movies and will provide consumers with even more choices for experiencing high-definition content, in either physical or digital form.

[anomynous]

my thread made it to the frontpage............

[62t]

then is there anypoint in getting this addon when you can just buy a HD-DVD player?

[Ecofreak]

then is there anypoint in getting this addon when you can just buy a HD-DVD player?

If you already have a 360 and the add-on retails for less than $150, it will probably be cheaper than first generation HD-DVD players. It's the same business strategy that Sony used to sell so many PS2s when it was first launched, as it was an "inexpensive" DVD player when the technology was just coming out into the marketplace.

All I can say is - Great, now we have a format war. No one wins in this situation.

[Msia]

lol gj Microsoft.

[zewone]

then is there anypoint in getting this addon when you can just buy a HD-DVD player?
It will probably be cheaper soultion to 360 owners who want HD DVD playability.

[aaa]

In a way, I am happier with the external choice, rather than internal, because if HD-DVD fails, XBOX 360 owners and developers would of had a huge problem.

[dpatel]

All I can say is - Great, now we have a format war. No one wins in this situation.

I really wish MS would not have done this. I don't see this helping HD-DVD too much, since Blu-ray seems to have garnered plenty of support. It seems like MS is just doing this to take a stab at Sony. Wonder what the price of this thing will be. I can't see it selling too well unless it is under $150.

There was news on the HD-DVD front as well, as a primary backer of the technology, Toshiba, unveiled its first two HD-DVD players for the US market. Beginning in March, the HD-XA1 and HD-A1 players will hit stores for $799.99 and $499.99, respectively. Both units are backward compatible with regular DVDs and upconverts the signals from them to an output resolution of 720p or 1080i for HDTVs. Perhaps taking a cue from the Blu-ray-equipped PS3, some HD-DVD players will have USB ports "for convenient connection of gaming controllers," according to Toshiba.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6141826.html

looks like first gen HD-DVD players will be around $500 range.

[Monsta Mack]

Good way to give XBox 360 owners a choice rather then forcing them to pay at launch for the HD player. Although this will do me no good since I don't own a HD tv anyways, right?

[dpatel]

I guess this is kinda smart seeing as how even if Blu-ray wins the format war, MS can phase these things out pretty easily.

[y2jrevolution]

So I just finished watching the Microsoft/Bill Gates Keynote speech at CES and Peter Moore did confirm the external HD Drive, due out later this year. He also confirmed that Street Fighter 2 would be released on Xbox Live arcade by March.

[RedvsBlue]

i just thought about it, and where the hell would this plug into? isnt it only usb 1.1 ports on the 360? I dont think thats fast enough to be reading games and movies

The USB ports are 2.0 not 1.1. Check the system specs on the side of the box.

[R1V3R5]

We still have no idea how it attaches to the system. External? USB? Does not add up.

[RedvsBlue]

We still have no idea how it attaches to the system. External? USB? Does not add up.

Since the only information capable attachment ports are the USB 2.0 ports and the hard drive attachment port. I'd assume it almost has to be one of the USB 2.0 ports.

Now that I think about it though, its entirely possible that this external drive will be compatible with PCs.

[GizmoGC]

If you don't want to add the HD-DVD add-on, DON'T BUY IT. Its not being forced and you (unlike Blu-Ray), so its you're choice. We still have no idea how much PS3 will cost, and since it uses Blu-Ray, it may very well be $500 (and the 360 may have dropped by then).

As per a formar war, bring it on! It only means cheaper prices and better deals to try and 'hook' you on a certain format.

[RedvsBlue]

As per a formar war, bring it on! It only means cheaper prices and better deals to try and 'hook' you on a certain format.

Yeah but if you pick the losing format then you're stuck. That's the main reason why I have no interest in jumping head first into HD-DVD/Blu-Ray yet.

However, I will agree, competition brings out the best.

[Apossum]

grrrrrrrrrreat. First of all, DVDs have a lot of life left in them. I don't think many people would care if upconverted DVDs were the standard for the next 10 years or so. and not only will there be HD-DVD players, but two kinds of HD-DVD players-- the core A1 or the premium XA1. that seems like a potentially horrible move, if Blu ray only comes in one format. HD won't make regular DVD look like the Atari 2600 or anything.

on topic, I have a feeling they won't flood the market with the 360 Add-on. if they're smart, it'll just be a standalone player that has an option to hook up to a 360 (for whatever reason.)

[darkfalzsux]

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/9995/Bill-Gates-Announces-External-HD-DVD-Drive-for-Xbox-360/

MS is launching an external HD-DVD drive for the 360 this year...yet another thing for me to drop cash on... for those asking the question of why they're offering it, here is my reasoning.

They're offering that because soon DVDs are going to be replaced by either Blu-Ray (Sony) or HD-DVD (Toshiba?). Microsoft supports HD-DVD and they're probably offering the drive so that people do not have to buy something seperate completely for their house if they have a 360. HD-DVDs hold more data than normal and dual-layer dvds both.

There have been reports that MS is also trying to use their OS dominance to persuade companies to support HD-DVD with special perks and discounts for the companies that endorse it. MS basically doesn't want Sony to win with the new Blu-Ray technology and they're trying to make the PS3 flop in as many ways as they possibly can.

In Japan before the PS2 launched the DVD market there was terrible.. but once the PS2 launched the DVDs sales sky-rocketed due to the fact it has a built in DVD-player... they just want the 360 to be a complete home media center.. and if MS becomes successful with the 360 they're hoping that the additional HD-DVD drive will help push the HD-DVD standard as well.

[Purkeynator]

D'oh! I can't get to the site from my work, it is blocked. How does it say it will attach? Will it sit on the top of the Xbox360? How will they work it since some people have their Xbox vertical and some have it horizontal?

[darkfalzsux]

It doesn't say specifically in the article, but it's probably USB based.. considering the box has all those USB ports, I'm sure there will probably be a prototype by E3 at the latest.

[mmn]

Does USB 2.0 have enough speed to transfer HD quality video from an HD-DVD disc?

[darkfalzsux]

I'd imagine so... I mean how else are they going to connect it?

[PittsburghAfterDark]

Horrible idea.

This is the worst mistake on hardware I've seen since the Sega-CD/32X. Add ons don't work and foolishly enough some developers will try and use the thing.

I know they want to compete with Sony but damn, this is a really bad idea. The HD-DVD and Blu Ray competition is going to turn out to be a horrible format war. No one is going to win easily and software sales for both are going to absolutely suck.

I can't believe there is/was no agreed upon standard for the next round of DVD. Didn't anyone learn from Beta/VHS or Mini-disc/DAT?

I'm disgusted by the whole lot of them. Consumer wars in split formats never benefit anyone and there's no way in hell I'm buying this add on.

[KaneRobot]

^^Ditto. This is horrible. It's not like MS has a history of high quality DVD playback - both the original XBox and the 360 are pretty average. Regardless, I don't plan on buying it anyway, if HD-DVD becomes the format to buy for movies - which doesn't seem likely - then I'll buy a dedicated player. What's really going to be fucked up is if developers start making games exclusively in HD-DVD format for the machine...ESPECIALLY if the HD-DVD add on costs a substantial amount.

Anyone want to wager a guess how they'll get the add-on into people's homes? How about Halo 3 being exclusively on HD-DVD? Fuckers. Speculation, sure, but how many of you think they wouldn't do they if they thought it would hook people in?

Mark my words - despite what Microsoft has stated previously, if this HD-DVD add-on catches on AT ALL, they'll start manufacturing a version of the system with the drive built-in (which would be fine since HD-DVD is backwards compatible with DVD).

Then we'll have, what, three versions of the 360? Four? Ugh.

As much as I think the 360 has the potential to be a great machine, I still think they jumped the gun. Although they are getting a fair amount of momentum now, come next XMas the 360 may end up looking bush-league by comparison, with a bunch of add-on crap sticking to it.

Brings another question...if Blu-Ray winds up winning the war as a lot of people seem to think...what will MS do for their next console? Propriatary format? They sure won't stick with regular DVDs, and I can't see them doing Sony a favor by using Blu-Ray...although if that becomes the overwhelming favorite I don't know if they'd have a choice.

[PyroGamer]

The drive doesn't play games, guys. Just film.

Which makes sense, as the Blu-Ray and HD-DVD formats are too slow to be perfect for games.

[sononkyo]

another add-on. MS should have just waited instead of offering all these components.

[KaneRobot]

another add-on. MS should have just waited instead of offering all these components.

While I do agree with you from a "that's what I want" perspective, it wouldn't make sense from a business standpoint. They needed to get a jump on Sony, in a straight-up battle with simultaneous launch they'd probably lose out.

The drive doesn't play games, guys. Just film.
Are you sure? Maybe you read something that I didn't, I dunno...this is non-specific enough to me:
The new drive will offer millions of Xbox 360 owners the ability to easily enjoy HD DVD movies and will provide consumers with even more choices for experiencing high-definition content, in either physical or digital form.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

There's no way they could have put the price point at $299.99 and $399.99 with an HD-DVD.

These drives are going to be far more expensive than a DVD-ROM drive. When the PS3 announces pricing you'll see exactly what I mean.

[Zoglog]

I think it's a good idea. I think the purpose of it mainly is so that Xbox 360 owners can have HD-DVD Playback functionality. As somone with a 1080p LCD this is great news. I can get an HD-DVD player relatively soon and it'll probably be at a signifigantly lower cost than stand-alone players. And with a PS3 I'll have both a bluray and HD-DVD player.

If they release games specially on HD-DVD versions so be it. Personally I find this news much better than "MS will release a HD-DVD version of the 360 next year"

[PittsburghAfterDark]

Your statement on the HD-DVD verion of games makes me wonder...

How much more expensive would it be to put a HD-DVD in a game case that may require multiple DVD's? Say for example there's a 2-3 DVD game that could fit on one HD. How much more money would it cost to actually release both in the same case? $1-3? Makes a lot more sense than coming out with 2 SKU's.

[LinkinPrime]

Late news, this was posted last night:

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80410

[Purkeynator]

Your statement on the HD-DVD verion of games makes me wonder...

How much more expensive would it be to put a HD-DVD in a game case that may require multiple DVD's? Say for example there's a 2-3 DVD game that could fit on one HD. How much more money would it cost to actually release both in the same case? $1-3? Makes a lot more sense than coming out with 2 SKU's.

Why is that? They do it now with PC games. You can either buy the cd rom version on 4 cds or the special edition on one dvd. People buy both, there is demand for both but obviously the dvd version is preferred if you have a dvd drive on your computer.

[RedvsBlue]

Your statement on the HD-DVD verion of games makes me wonder...

How much more expensive would it be to put a HD-DVD in a game case that may require multiple DVD's? Say for example there's a 2-3 DVD game that could fit on one HD. How much more money would it cost to actually release both in the same case? $1-3? Makes a lot more sense than coming out with 2 SKU's.

I think the main problem with running games off the external HD-DVD drive is that then it opens up more opportunity for hacking. I don't think its too much of a stretch to say that the reason MS went with the HDD format that they did is that it's virtually immune to hacking as-is. Microsoft is being a lot smarter about hacking this time around with the 360 than it was with the old XBox.

[Purkeynator]

The drive doesn't play games, guys. Just film.

Which makes sense, as the Blu-Ray and HD-DVD formats are too slow to be perfect for games.

Actually the new formats are fast. Blu-ray and HD DVD will transfer at 36 Mbps at 1x but the drives playing movies will transfer at a minimum of 54 Mbps. The PS3 is said to have a speed of at least 2X. That means 72 Mbps. This far exceeds the transfer rate of HD TV which is 24 Mbps and DVD which is only 21 Mbps at a speed of 16X (the max speed of dvd).

[Ma12kez]

Might as well.

[tigerjh81]

i think its going to take atleast 2 more years to make hd dvd standard.

[KaneRobot]

^^^Longer than that unless one format just completely dominates right out of the gate. It may take just that long to figure out whether Blu-Ray or HDDVD is going to be the way to go.

I guess one thing that both formats DO have going for them is the fact that they are both backward compatible with DVD, so you don't have to worry about starting over completely with your collection.

[doubledown]

I know I won't be able to use it regardless...I do not have HDMI on my TV, just an older Mits HDTV. It's rear-projection, i was an early adopter to the HD fun.

[vherub]

Is this an add-on in the console sense, or more of an add-on in the my existing dvd player was an add-on to my tv sense?

If it does run through/interact with the xbox360, you know ripping hd-dvd movies to your tricked out 360 harddrive is less than a year away...

[clueless]

I really wish MS would not have done this. I don't see this helping HD-DVD too much, since Blu-ray seems to have garnered plenty of support. It seems like MS is just doing this to take a stab at Sony. Wonder what the price of this thing will be. I can't see it selling too well unless it is under $150.


http://www.gamespot.com/news/6141826.html

looks like first gen HD-DVD players will be around $500 range.


yeah but the HD DVD are backwards compatable. I remember seeing on the HD Net show were toshiba said they developed a disc with HD DVD on one side and Standard DVD on the other. that right there is BIG in for rental places to put them on the shelf. wont take up any more space and they can put them out right now!

[KaneRobot]

Thread merge...nice!

Anyway...

I hope this tanks just so the point can be driven home (once again) that we don't like big optional add-ons.

Too risky of a purchase for me, especially with HD-DVD a serious underdog against Blu-Ray. There's too much that can go wrong here...HD-DVD doesn't have Blu-Ray's support from movie studios, so there won't be as much to choose from. If they don't use it for games, people who bought it are pissed because they are limiting the console's ability. If they DO use it for games, they'll piss off the early adopters.

Really, if Blu-Ray winds up wiping the mat with HD-DVD within 12 months...you basically have an expensive DVD player to add on to your existing XBox 360 DVD player. Wow, sweet deal dude!

[Purkeynator]

I remember reading that Sony is pushing the use of HDMI inputs big time for blue-ray because of guess what? Digital Rights Management, copy protection, whatever you want to call it. They want that to be the only way to watch your blue-ray discs. Doesn't that mean you couldn't watch a blue-ray movie unless you had an HDMI input? If so they would alienate about 99% of the consumers. Makes me wonder how exactly this will play out.

[opportunity777]

I really like this idea. I think MS is going to test the waters with this external device, and if it does well then they will release a new 360 with HD-DVD built in that can be used for games. I still think the system came out a year early, but we will see how this works out by Jan. 2007. All shall be revealed by then :)

[gaelan]

I really like this idea. I think MS is going to test the waters with this external device, and if it does well then they will release a new 360 with HD-DVD built in that can be used for games. I still think the system came out a year early, but we will see how this works out by Jan. 2007. All shall be revealed by then :)

okay i'll bite...what's so important about jan2007...is that when skynet takes over?

[gsr]

If you don't want to add the HD-DVD add-on, DON'T BUY IT. Its not being forced and you (unlike Blu-Ray), so its you're choice. We still have no idea how much PS3 will cost, and since it uses Blu-Ray, it may very well be $500 (and the 360 may have dropped by then).

As per a formar war, bring it on! It only means cheaper prices and better deals to try and 'hook' you on a certain format.

what a dumbass post...bring it on?? just pure idiocy.

Do you want to be the guy with the betamax?

Universal is the only studio supporting HD-DVD and once they realize that it is worthless, they will be forced to re-release all their movies on Blu-Ray.

[Arkay Firestar]

Microsoft cannot release a redux of the 360 with HD-DVD. They would piss off half their fan base that goes to Best Buy to buy some huge CG-laden Japanese RPG only to learn it requires "XBOX 361"...they would be PISSED.

They arent kidding when they say it wont play games. It WONT play games. The same way almost all games must work without a HDD (another totally assnine move by MS)...

Glad I didnt get a 360. Very, very glad.

[gaelan]

what a dumbass post...bring it on?? just pure idiocy.

Do you want to be the guy with the betamax?

Universal is the only studio supporting HD-DVD and once they realize that it is worthless, they will be forced to re-release all their movies on Blu-Ray.

who is supporting which format is irrelevant.

the deciding factor is
1...which format will John and Judy Walmart buy to replace their dvd collection

2...which format can John and Judy Walmart afford to purchase

[mmn]

Microsoft cannot release a redux of the 360 with HD-DVD. They would piss off half their fan base that goes to Best Buy to buy some huge CG-laden Japanese RPG only to learn it requires "XBOX 361"...they would be PISSED.

They arent kidding when they say it wont play games. It WONT play games. The same way almost all games must work without a HDD (another totally assnine move by MS)...

Glad I didnt get a 360. Very, very glad.

I love how you can comment on what 360 owners would feel like if MS released an "Xbox 361" when you don't even own a 360.

I'm glad you didn't get a 360, too. We have enough retards on Xbox Live.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

who is supporting which format is irrelevant.

the deciding factor is
1...which format will John and Judy Walmart buy to replace their dvd collection

2...which format can John and Judy Walmart afford to purchase

John and Judy Walmart just spent $100 on a DVD player and have 8 DVD movies and 50 pre-recorded VHS tapes. They're not going to be buying HD-DVD or BLU-RAY for 10 years or it would ruin "all that money" they put into making the jump to DVD.

[TimPV3]

Yeah but if you pick the losing format then you're stuck. That's the main reason why I have no interest in jumping head first into HD-DVD/Blu-Ray yet.

However, I will agree, competition brings out the best.
You're only stuck if you bought the HD-DVD add-on and it loses. If Blu-Ray loses you can still watch movies on PS3.

[gaelan]

You're only stuck if you bought the HD-DVD add-on and it loses. If Blu-Ray loses you can still watch movies on PS3.

all for a premium price...and pittsburgh, i agree. i don't think either format is going to "win" for another 4 years at least regardless of which game console supports which format.

[daphatty]

I'm glad I purchased my MS warranty. Guess what's going to happen about a year and a half from now? Oooops! Did I leave my 360 in an enclosed stereo cabinet? Aw dayum... Better call MS for a warranty repair! Booya! Free HD-DVD upgrade. :bouncy:

Come on. YOU KNOW they will re-release the 360 with built in HD-DVD.

[gaelan]

I'm glad I purchased my MS warranty. Guess what's going to happen about a year and a half from now? Oooops! Did I leave my 360 in an enclosed stereo cabinet? Aw dayum... Better call MS for a warranty repair! Booya! Free HD-DVD upgrade. :bouncy:

Come on. YOU KNOW they will re-release the 360 with built in HD-DVD.

i like the free part, but what makes external inferior to the "built in" method?

[SteveMcQ]

aesthetics

[Indiana]

Obviously the next step will be to release an Xbox 360 with a built in HD drive. So basically we may an issue of 3 versions of the 360 existing! All of these MS options smell like Sega. Don't get me wrong I love my original Xbox but this is getting out of hand.

[Indiana]

I'm glad I purchased my MS warranty. Guess what's going to happen about a year and a half from now? Oooops! Did I leave my 360 in an enclosed stereo cabinet? Aw dayum... Better call MS for a warranty repair! Booya! Free HD-DVD upgrade. :bouncy:

Come on. YOU KNOW they will re-release the 360 with built in HD-DVD.

Why would MS give you an upgrade? I would think they will just fix your broken system.

[Indiana]

Microsoft cannot release a redux of the 360 with HD-DVD. They would piss off half their fan base that goes to Best Buy to buy some huge CG-laden Japanese RPG only to learn it requires "XBOX 361"...they would be PISSED.

They arent kidding when they say it wont play games. It WONT play games. The same way almost all games must work without a HDD (another totally assnine move by MS)...

Glad I didnt get a 360. Very, very glad.

Actually they can and will release the system with the HD drive included. It's just a matter of WHEN! I think the key is that MS will keep all the games in the original DVD format. That way all the systems will be able to play the games. Since all systems can still play the games the original owners have no reason to be pissed the system will not be obsolute only not as good as the new Xbox 360s.

[The Dord]

So I just finished watching the Microsoft/Bill Gates Keynote speech at CES and Peter Moore did confirm the external HD Drive, due out later this year. He also confirmed that Street Fighter 2 would be released on Xbox Live arcade by March.

That's bigger news yet! :D

[psychobrawler]

I don't think this is a terrible thing, but I don't see a lot of benefit either unless the cost is significantly cheaper than the first wave of HD-DVD players. MS has clearly stated that their game format will remain DVD regardless, so no changes will be made to the games. Hell, if they're getting 780p out of every game with DVD how much difference will it make? It's not like most developers are even maximing the use of DVD, so I really don't see games suddenly becoming twice as big/long/detailed because the format memory increases.

So if we're stricly speaking movies, this is the equivalent of offering a video ipod that works with the 360. Something you plug in and have as an added feature IF YOU WANT IT. It doesn't really expand the 360 itself in anyway what-so-ever, just gives you another component to play with.

Alas, I too am without a DVI or HDMI connection, and the DVD Forum will not allow for HD upconversion through component cables, so I won't be biting anyway.


And as far as Joe Walmart goes, he's buying the non-progressive scan 19.99 DVD player off an endcap. Walmart makes or breaks the mainstream sales, but they don't jump start a new technology.

That's what we're all here for....

[doubledown]

So, any news on this yet? Since HD-DVD are now out in the market.

I'm just curious how it will hook up? Will it be seperate? Will it plug into the 360? Do I need a seperate audio/video inputs?

[mmn]

So, any news on this yet? Since HD-DVD are now out in the market.

I'm just curious how it will hook up? Will it be seperate? Will it plug into the 360? Do I need a seperate audio/video inputs?

I just read today that they'll be revealing all sorts of info on it at E3. So just wait like, a week, and you'll get some answers.

[doubledown]

Thanks...I figured as much. Hopefully it plugs in and I can use my existing Component / Optical cables. I wonder if it will stack or sit next to the 360....hmmmm.

[javeryh]

I'm guessing that the drive will be completely separate, it will be expensive but you will be able to piggyback off of the cables for the 360 for audio and video. Future versions of the 360 will have it built in but not for games...

[LinkinPrime]

I would totally buy one of these but I'm assuming I need a TV with HDMI imputs...So then I would need to get a newer TV first. That wont happen for a while.

[doubledown]

I would totally buy one of these but I'm assuming I need a TV with HDMI imputs...So then I would need to get a newer TV first. That wont happen for a while.

Well, currently you can still get the HD signal with Component in the new players out. They are saying EVENTUALLY you will have to use HDMI...we'll see.

There is still some mystery it seems if they only produce 1080i or 1080p.....I haven't it closely enough yet. Hopefully the price is right.

[LinkinPrime]

Well, currently you can still get the HD signal with Component in the new players out. They are saying EVENTUALLY you will have to use HDMI...we'll see.

There is still some mystery it seems if they only produce 1080i or 1080p.....I haven't it closely enough yet. Hopefully the price is right.

That's good to know. If it doesnt need HDMI and its within $100-$150 i'll probably buy.

[s4alex]

So, wold we all consider this addon like MS XBox 360.sp1? Then when they release a new 360 with the HD-DVD built in, would that be like 360.SP2?

Wow, service packs for consoles, what will they think of next, I mean, we already get "Critical Updates" from XBox live.

[nevposey]

I really hope they find a reasonable way to integrate hddvd, it would look so tight on my new tv.

[KwanzaaTimmy]

As MS has stated- it wont be used for Games (heres hoping I guess), so if HD-DVD will really knock my socks off, sure I'll get the addon. My DVDs look fine just on an upscaled set, and I'm not that much of a movie watcher, more of a gamer :)

[TC]

I would totally buy one of these but I'm assuming I need a TV with HDMI imputs...So then I would need to get a newer TV first. That wont happen for a while.
Hear that man. It took me 11 years to buy a new TV. HDMI I'll see you around 2015. :D

[ryanbph]

While I don't know if I will need/want one, if I do get one, I would like to be able to use HDMI though.

[I AM WILLIAM H. MACY]

If it's like $150 or less I'll almost definitely buy one. High def is k00.

[Scorch]

I'm guessing that the drive will be completely separate

Was "external" the key word that helped you arrive to that conclusion?

[GizmoGC]

That's good to know. If it doesnt need HDMI and its within $100-$150 i'll probably buy.

Considering the one and only HD Player is $500, I can almost guarantee this won't be any less then $299 if it launches anytime this year. DVD players did not hit the low $200 for 2 or so years after there initial launch, and there is not that much of a jump between DVD and HD

[spoo]

I'd buy one, have you seen how large HD-DVD players are?

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/1841/7652523ra1ik.th.jpg (http://img159.imageshack.us/my.php?image=7652523ra1ik.jpg)

[HumanSnatcher]

My only problem with all of this is that my brand new 42"Wega only has one HDMI input (which is being taken up by my DVR), and switches are like 200 bucks for a 2 way.

[spoo]

My only problem with all of this is that my brand new 42"Wega only has one HDMI input (which is being taken up by my DVR), and switches are like 200 bucks for a 2 way.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011001&p_id=2786&seq=1&format=2&style=