Sony in talks with Microsoft about a Xbox 360 Blu-ray drive

By Chris Nuttall in San Francisco

Published: March 6 2008 18:50 | Last updated: March 6 2008 18:50

Sony is in talks with console rival Microsoft about offering a Blu-ray drive for the Xbox 360, according to a senior executive.

The Japanese electronics maker has until now touted Blu-ray as an advantage its PlayStation 3 holds over Microsoft’s console. Microsoft has backed Toshiba’s HD-DVD format and offered an HD-DVD drive that can be plugged into the 360.

But after Sony’s victory last month in the high-definition DVD format war, Stan Glasgow, Sony Electronics US president, said the two sides were now talking about Microsoft adopting Blu-ray.

A Blu-ray drive in a 360 would make Microsoft more competitive with the PS3, but it would also mean extra revenues for Sony’s electronics division. It would also add further cost to the 360, meaning a premium edition of the console could be necessary.

A Blu-ray drive could be incorporated in its top-of-the-range Elite Xbox, or Microsoft could again offer a drive as a plug-in peripheral.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ca6017de-eba6-11dc-9493-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1

I'm thinking this drive will be out by christmas.

[Post edited by Falcon01 on Mar 6, 2008]

I say sign the damn contract & retail that addon for $99. Anything over that, will flop on retail shelves... considering YOU STILL NEED THE XBOX 360 CONSOLE to play the blu ray movies- and that adds up to another $300 (with a hard drive bundle).

[Post edited by xplaytendo on Mar 6, 2008]

I would be VERY surprised if it went for $99. I'm thinking more like $199-$250 price range.