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Microsoft Bids Farewell to HD DVD

Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 08:00 AM ET
Tags: Microsoft, Xbox 360 (all tags)

To the surprise of no one, Microsoft officially announced Monday that it would withdraw from HD DVD, ceasing production of its Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on, effective immediately.

One of the format's key technology backers, Microsoft played a leading role in evangelizing HD DVD to the early adopter community from the format's earliest days. It also famously launched the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on in late 2006 in an effort to help combat Sony's Blu-ray enabled PS3.

In a statement issued Monday, the software giant said it would continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD DVD Players in the market. The company also dropped the MSRP on its remaining stock to a record-low of $49.99.

The full text of Microsoft's statement follows below:

As a result of recent decisions made by Toshiba, Hollywood studios, and retailers, Microsoft plans to withdraw from HD DVD. Xbox will no longer manufacture new HD DVD players for the Xbox 360, but we will continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD DVD Players in the market. As we stated earlier, we do not believe this decision will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room, along with playback of the DVD movies they already own.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Xbox 360 HD DVD Player [Xbox.com]

Microsoft Drops Price for Xbox 360 HD DVD Add-On (UPDATED)

Wed Feb 06, 2008 at 01:18 PM ET
Tags: Microsoft, Xbox 360, High-Def Retailing, Amazon (all tags) UPDATE: (5:35pm ET, 2/06/08) FormatWarCentral points out that Best Buy is now offering the Xbox 360 HD DVD player for $119.

Playing catch-up with a series of price drops on HD DVD players from Toshiba, Microsoft has shaved another $50 off the MSRP for its Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on.

That brings the new suggested retail price on the Xbox 360 HD DVD player in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to $129.99. (As we've previously reported, last August Microsoft dropped the price on the player to $179.)

Today's price drop from Microsoft (which is already reflected on the official Xbox site) comes on the same day that Amazon briefly offered the add-on for a mere $79.99. The web retailer promptly sold out of units at that price, and is currently selling the add-on via one of its partners for $155.67.

Purchases of the Xbox 360 add-on include a free HD DVD copy of of 'King Kong' inside the box, and qualify for an additional five free discs by mail as part of the HD DVD camp's "Perfect Offer" program.

(Thanks to Michael P. for the tip!)

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Xbox 360 HD DVD Player [Xbox.com]
Perfect Offer -- Five Free HD DVDs (PDF) [Xbox.com]
Amazon: $80 Xbox 360 HD DVD player with 6 free HD DVDs and shipping [Engadget]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Microsoft Reduces Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Price (Jul 26, 2007)

Bourne Trilogy Free With Xbox 360 HD DVD Player

Tue Dec 18, 2007 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Amazon, Xbox 360, High-Def Retailing (all tags)

Jason Bourne fans: if you've been thinking about getting the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on, you may want to hop on over to Amazon.com today.

As part of its "10 Days, 10 Deals" sale, the web giant is giving away all three Bourne flicks on HD DVD with purchase of the Xbox 360 HD DVD player.

Combined with the 'King Kong' HD DVD that comes in the box and five additional free HD DVD discs by mail, that's a total of nine free discs included with purchase of the Xbox add-on, a value that roughly matches the $179 pricetag of the player itself.

Amazon says this deal is being offered today only while supplies last, so interested parties had best jump on this one asap.

(Thanks to Iker for the tip!)

To discuss this and other HD DVD hardware and software deals, visit the HD DVD Bargains area in our forums.

Related links:
10 Days, 10 Deals [Amazon.com]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Bourne Identity (HD DVD)
The Bourne Supremacy (HD DVD)
The Bourne Ultimatum (HD DVD)
King Kong (2005) (HD DVD)

Microsoft Denies Xbox HD DVD Rumors

Mon Nov 05, 2007 at 04:16 PM ET
Tags: Microsoft, Xbox 360 (all tags)

That rumored "Entertainment Xbox" with a built-in HD DVD hard drive? Microsoft says its a no-go.

Speaking with Home Media Magazine, the computer giant denied persistent rumors that it had teamed up with Toshiba to develop a new version of its gaming console with an internal HD DVD hard drive.

The trade magazine quotes Kevin Collins, Microsoft's director of HD DVD evangelism, as saying the company did not and will not bundle an HD DVD drive in its popular gaming console because Microsoft believes that gamers are first and foremost gamers.

"Microsoft knew if we put in an HD DVD drive that we would have to raise costs and disenfranchise our customers (that are primarily gamers) as the unit would become too expensive," explained Collins.

The exec's comments on the rumored Xbox came as part of a response to accusations that Microsoft's support of HD DVD was designed to perpetuate the format war in hopes that consumers will sit it out entirely, and instead buy their entertainment online. Collins called the accusations baseless, stating that the company had "over 100 people working on HD DVD interactivity and we believe that HD DVD is the next-generation optical format."

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Microsoft Exec Says Company Isn't Trying to Fuel HD Format War [Home Media Magazine]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Microsoft Silent on New Xbox HD DVD Rumors (Oct 22, 2007)

Free 'Heroes' HD DVD Bundled With Xbox 360 Add-On

Mon Oct 22, 2007 at 03:04 PM ET
Tags: Bundles, Xbox 360, Microsoft, Universal, Best Buy, Amazon (all tags)

Universal and Microsoft have teamed up to offer the 'Heroes: Season One' HD DVD box set free with sales of the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on.

The promo kicked off yesterday and is set to run for 1-2 weeks at select retailers. (So far, it has been spotted at Buy.com and at Best Buy.)

Combined with Microsoft's existing "Five Free Discs" offer and the free in-box 'King Kong' HD DVD (on select models), this latest incentive brings the value of all bundled HD DVD discs included with the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on to roughly $220 -- that's forty dollars more than the total list price for the add-on itself.

Meanwhile, in a separate 'Heroes'-related Xbox 360 promo, Amazon.com is giving away 90 'Heroes' themed Xbox 360 game systems over the next 30 days. Sweepstakes winners will receive a special 'Heroes' decorated 20GB Xbox 360 Console with matching HD DVD add-on, plus a copy of 'Heroes: Season 1 on HD-DVD'. Click here for complete details.

To see what members of our forums area are saying about these and other similar HD DVD promos, be sure to visit the HD DVD bargains area of our forums.

Related links:
Free 'Heroes' HD DVD With Purchase of Xbox 360 HD DVD Player [BestBuy.com]
Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player [Buy.com]
Xbox 360 'Heroes' Sweepstakes [Amazon.com]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Heroes: Season One (HD DVD)
King Kong (2005) (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Microsoft Reduces Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Price; Adds Five Free HD DVDs (Jul 26, 2007)
Microsoft to Bundle 'King Kong' with Xbox 360 HD DVD Player (Sep 27, 2006)

Amazon Bundles Xbox 360 Elite with HD DVD add-on and Seven Discs for $599

Mon Aug 13, 2007 at 07:55 AM ET
Tags: Xbox 360, Amazon, Bundles (all tags)

Sweetening the pot for Xbox fans who may be considering stepping up to HD DVD, Amazon has begun offering a new bundle with sales of the 120GB Xbox 360 Elite.

Priced at $599, included in the bundle is the game console itself, the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on player, and copies of both '300' and 'King Kong' on HD DVD. Add to that the HD DVD camp's ongoing "Five Discs Free" promo, and the deal represents an effective savings of more than $240.

This latest bundle from Amazon follows a similar promotion offered by the online retailer last month, shortly after Sony reduced the price of its 60GB PS3 to $499. That deal included a free PS3 remote, a copy of 'Memento' on Blu-ray, and was combined with the BDA's own "Five Free Discs" promo for over $200 in value.

At press time, there was no word on how long Amazon would be offering this Xbox 360 Elite/HD DVD bundle. (The retailer is no longer offering its earlier PS3/Blu-ray bundle.)

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Xbox 360 High-Def Bundle - Price: $599.99 [Amazon.com]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
300 (HD DVD)
King Kong (2005) (HD DVD)
Memento (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Microsoft Reduces Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Price; Adds Five Free HD DVDs (Jul 26, 2007)
Amazon Bundles $499 PS3 with Free Remote and 'Memento' Blu-ray
Blu-ray Disc Association Offers "Five Free Discs" Player Promotion

Microsoft Reduces Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Price; Adds Five Free HD DVDs

Thu Jul 26, 2007 at 12:26 PM ET
Tags: Microsoft, Xbox 360 (all tags)

Kicking off the week's news from Comic-Con, Microsoft this morning announced a series of new incentives designed to woo more Xbox 360 owners to buy its HD DVD add-on player.

Beginning August 1, the software giant will drop the price of the add-on player by twenty dollars to $179, and for a period of two months consumers will also receive five free HD DVD movies with purchase.

On its previous $199 price tag alone, the add-on was already the lowest priced playback solution for high-def discs. Add to that over $140 in effective savings, and Microsoft seems to hoping that this promo will prove to be an irresitable deal for Xbox 360 owners who haven't yet made the leap to HD DVD.

While the add-on player has come bundled with a single HD DVD disc in the past, this new five disc promotion extends the HD DVD camp's "Perfect Offer," which was previously exclusive to consumers buying Toshiba HD DVD players. The program allows consumers to choose five HD DVD titles for free from a selection of 15 popular titles through a mail-in offer.

Microsoft also announced two upcoming Xbox LIVE offerings said to be designed to help promote the HD DVD releases of '300' and 'Heroes: Season One.' Beginning August 14, '300' will be available on demand in HD via LIVE, while at an unspecified later date the pilot episode of 'Heroes' will also be offered in high-def, along with trailers, teaser scenes and other promotional materials highlighting the show's upcoming HD DVD box set.

This announcement from Micosoft is the first major announcement to emerge from this week's Comic-Con gathering San Diego, which kicks off with various press activities today. As we've previously reported, both high-def disc formats promise to be well-represented at Comic-Con this year, with fans being treated to a first look at several high-profile titles hitting HD DVD and Blu-ray in the coming months.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Moves to $179, Adds Five Free HD DVDs [Press Release]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
300 (HD DVD)
Heroes: Season One (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
HD DVD and Blu-ray Titles to Take Center Stage at Comic-Con 2007 (Jul 10, 2007)

New Disc Bundle Offered For Xbox 360 HD DVD Add-On

Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 08:15 AM ET
Tags: Xbox 360, Microsoft, High-Def Retailing, High-Def Gaming (all tags)

The latest in a seemingly endless parade of discounts and promos for HD DVD and Blu-ray over the past few weeks, both Best Buy and Circuit City are offering a new free disc bundle with purchase of the Xbox 360 HD DVD player add-on.

Now through June 16th, consumers who buy Microsoft's add-on player at either big box retailer will receive not only the free 'King Kong' HD DVD (which has long come bundled with the player), but also an additional two free HD DVD discs.

The two deals seem to differ slightly in terms of the two additional free HD DVDs: while Circuit City is allowing consumers to choose any two HD DVDs up to a $59.98 value, it appears that Best Buy has pre-selected 'The Bourne Supremacy' and 'Breach' as their two additional discs, at least for online sales.

Both retailers are selling the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on for its list price of $199.99.

This bundle deal is the latest in a series of price cuts and promotions to hit HD DVD and Blu-ray in the weeks leading up to Father's Day. On the hardware side, Toshiba and Sony have both dropped prices for their respective next-gen disc players, with Sony launching its BDP-S300 Blu-ray player at a record-low $499, and Toshiba offering a limited time $100 rebate program for its line of HD DVD players. On the software side, price cuts on high-def discs have been spotted at various retailers, including (most recently) Amazon.com, which is offering up to 42% off list price for a selection of HD DVD and Blu-ray titles

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Weekly Ad [Circuit City]
2 Free HD Movies Offer [Best Buy]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
King Kong (2005) (HD DVD)
Breach (HD DVD)
The Bourne Supremacy (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Amazon Drops Prices on Select Blu-ray, HD DVD Discs to 42 Percent Off List (Jun 12, 2007)
Sony Launches BDP-S300 Blu-ray Player, Drops Price to $499 (Jun 04, 2007)
Toshiba Offers $100 Rebate on New HD DVD Players (May 16, 2007)
Microsoft to Bundle 'King Kong' with Xbox 360 HD DVD Player (Sep 27, 2006)

Xbox Live Offers 'Animatrix' Downloads Free with Purchase of 'Complete Matrix Trilogy' HD DVD

Mon May 21, 2007 at 12:01 AM ET
Tags: Xbox 360, Downloadable Media (all tags)

Microsoft says it will offer free downloads of the entire 'Animatrix' series on Xbox Live with purchase of 'The Complete Matrix Trilogy' on HD DVD.

The offer, which was first revealed on the Xbox.com website late last week, comes on the eve of this week's much-hyped HD DVD-exclusive release of the two Matrix box sets -- the 40+ hour 'Ultimate Matrix Collection' and 'The Complete Matrix Trilogy.'

First released on DVD in 2003, 'The Animatrix' was designed to expand and deepen the 'Matrix' mythology as preparation began on the two sequels. Comprised of nine short films utilizing different animation forms and styles, the series was produced by a hand-picked stable of top Japanimation artists.

According to this page on the Xbox.com website, consumers purchasing 'The Complete Matrix Trilogy' will receive a token in the box to download the entire 'Animatrix' series from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace. HD trailers, select scenes and themes from all three 'Matrix' movies are also available for download through May 25th, 2007.

While 'The Animatrix' is already included as one of the 35 hours worth of extras on the 'Ultimate Matrix Collection,' it is not part of the 'Complete Matrix Trilogy,' making this deal that much sweeter for owners of the Xbox 360 hd dvd add-on player who may have opted for the less expensive box set.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Xbox LIVE Brings You Even More Matrix Content [xbox.com]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Ultimate Matrix Collection (HD DVD)
The Complete Matrix Trilogy (HD DVD)

Xbox 360 Software Update Solves HD DVD Playback Issues, Improves Audio Output

Tue May 15, 2007 at 01:05 PM ET
Tags: Xbox 360, Firmware Upgrades (all tags)

A software update released early today by Microsoft solves several disc-specific playback issues and provides a series of new audio playback options to the console's HD DVD add-on.

Owners of the Xbox 360 HD DVD player got a big present this morning from Bill Gates. The software update (which follows last week's release of the Xbox Spring Dashboard) addresses a series of frequently-requested feature upgrades -- perhaps most notably fixing incompatibility issues with 'Digital Video Essentials' and other select HD DVD releases, as well as resolving reported lip sync problems on titles like 'Batman Begins.'

Gone as well are previously reported issues with the player being stuck in "night mode," which dynamically compressed the range of the soundtrack. Amir Majidimehr, corporate VP at Microsoft’s Consumer Media Technology Group has promised that this improvement alone will provide owners of the add-one with a noticeable boost in performance.

The update also notably includes several upgrades to the add-on's ability to decode audio streams via TOSLINK or HDMI. While the player is still unable to output true lossless Dolby TrueHD streams, it now offers users the option to output all HD DVD audio (including down-sampled TrueHD) in Digital Stereo (2 channel PCM), 640 kbps Dolby Digital 5.1, and 1.5 Mbps DTS 5.1 or WMA Pro.

Finally, in a slight tweak of the player's on-screen UI, three new options have been added: subtitle, camera angle and audio, allowing users to toggle those settings directly from the Xbox 360 media remote's display button rather than having to navigate through the disc's software menu.

In order to begin taking advantage of these new features, you'll need to have access to (and be signed in to) Xbox Live. Simply load an HD DVD movie, and you should be prompted for an auto update. If you don’t have access to Xbox Live, Microsoft says the update will be available for download from Xbox.com later this week.

Thanks to Chris S. and Tim P. for the tip!

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Digital Video Essentials (HD DVD)
Batman Begins (HD DVD)


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