Sigh, More Xbox 360 Blu-ray Rumors
DigiTimes
added to the Xbox 360 rumors yesterday (April Fool’s Day), saying that they
have a source who says “Lite-On IT is
developing built-in Blu-ray Disc-(BD) ROM drives for the Microsoft Xbox 360
game console.”
Today they are sticking by that with another report saying
that such an Xbox
360 BD would launch somewhat of a price war because (surprise) Microsoft
would have to sell the system at a loss.
Yet again, Microsoft says they will “not
comment on market rumors.”
I’ve been covering the Xbox 360 Blu-ray rumors longer than I’d
like, and such an Xbox 360 still makes no sense. The PS3 is
likely to be a better Blu-ray Disc player for a cheaper price, Microsoft
doesn’t need to loss money on Blu-ray when they have other
issues like RROD to combat, and of course we have Microsoft saying that
they are
not in talks with the BDA to actually add Blu-ray playback to the Xbox 360.
The Blu-ray drive does nothing without Microsoft actively
working with the BDA. Remember, as
Blu-ray is not standard on 18 million other Xbox 360s, game developments can’t
take advantage of BD media for games.
Such an Xbox could only be used for Blu-ray Disc movies, again
questioning why you would include it in a new SKU instead of a standalone drive
that gives you a starting market of 18 million.
A standalone drive isn’t likely to ship many units and still not worth
it considering the cost of an Xbox 360+Blu-ray Disc drive being more then a PS3
with Blu-ray integrated.
Even better through, Lite-On is questioning the DigiTimes
reports. CED is reporting “Lite-On questioned the accuracy of the reports from Taiwan, its
U.S. spokesman told Consumer Electronics Daily Tuesday.” CED was also questioning
the motive themselves, “why Microsoft now
would consider Blu-ray playback as a built-in feature…” Before anyone asks, no I don’t have a link to
CED unless you're going to pay the $1,500/year subscription first.
Update: Xbox 360
Blu-ray Shot Down Again By Microsoft