Microsoft Shows Off 360 HD-DVD Drive

C|Net is reporting on a demo Microsoft put on, showing off their HD-DVD drive for the Xbox 360. The unit, which is expected out for the Christmas season, is an external add-on for the company's next-gen console. From the article: "The device--about the size of a hardback book--played "The Phantom of the Opera" as Collins pulled up a menu bar to display a few of its navigation and interactive features that can be called up on screen while a movie is playing. Collins said Microsoft's HD DVD drive will be among the least expensive of the HD DVD players, but he declined to disclose the drive's retail price."

Comments

Re:*Applause*

[coop247]

Yeah, right up until they start releasing certain games only on HDDVD because the size is too large for a regular DVD. To fit games onto DVD's they already reduce the quality of cut scenes. I'd love to play Lord of the Rings or Madden with HD cut scenes.

Suits following suit

[Clever7Devil]

And once again a mighty "Me Too!" is heard from the Microsoft camp.

The only reason they would create a product like this is to compete with PS3's Blu-Ray capabilities. Capabilities, that IIRC, they have publicly denounced as unnecessary and ineffectual. Not that I'm saying Sony has the right idea either, I just forsee this product going the same way as EVERY single non-controller peripheral since the dawn of video games: into obscurity.