XBOX Blog: No Blu-ray drive for the XBOX 360

Here we go again. Back and forth.

You know what, dvdtown? We get it. No Xbox 360 Blu-ray drive. Not that it matters. Stop being whores for HD DVD already! War's done if you missed the memo. Who cares if Microsoft's going to create a drive or not?! There are plenty of players out there anyway. If they don't want to profit from next-gen HD, fine by me - and everyone else.

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There are plenty of players out there anyway.

Ummm where????

Umm...here?

http://www.blu-ray.com/players/

That was really hard to find, let me tell ya...

He didn't say AFFORDABLE or WORTHWHILE players. So in that case, yeah there are tons of players...

Man, people complaining today about affordability obviously have little or no memory of a little thing called laserdisc. And by the way, there's a very simple solution to having to pay out the nose for the latest and greatest hardware: don't be an early adopter. Comes with the territory, folks.

[Post edited by CroweDawg1121 on Mar 18, 2008]

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little thing called laserdisc.

Well some of us can afford HD and Blu . But I think what pisses some of us off is that Blu's strategy sucks thus far and it may just end up being a nitch market like Laserdisc.

Sure being an early adopter has its risk but come on when the majority of consumers doesn't even know that their DVDs will actually play in a Blu players then your doing something wrong.

Blu needs to stop acting like consumers need it more then they need consumers and start lowering it prices because last time I checked gas prices are above $3.50 a gallon, millions are losing there houses to foreclosure, and the stock market has lost 100s of points. Blu is ripe for SD DVD or DVD2 to send it into Laserdisk Land.

[Post edited by xavier311 on Mar 18, 2008]

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Blu needs to stop acting like consumers need it more then they need consumers and start lowering it prices because last time I checked gas prices are above $3.50 a gallon, millions are losing there houses to foreclosure, and the stock market has lost 100s of points.

Well, gee, when you put it that way, I suppose there are a lot more pressing things in the world to spend your money on in general, aren't there? That being the case, if I were you, I'd probably start saving your hard-earned dollar to buy fuel for your car instead of griping that you can't get movies for under $25. No one's twisting your arm to buy plain ol' DVD's, let alone Blu-ray at a premium price for a premium product. No offense, but your argument sounds similar to someone bitching about those same gas prices who refuses to put regular unleaded in their tank. Don't like HD pricing? Well, last I checked, that pricing has, in fact, dropped quite a bit since the format's inception - hardware *and* software. But if it's still too steep (and, for my money, an average $10 premium on HD over SD is *not* too much to ask), no one's stopping you from buying DVD. And hey, no worries - if you believe some people on these boards, if you get an upscaling DVD player you won't see a difference anyway. LOL

[Post edited by CroweDawg1121 on Mar 18, 2008]

And you want dvdtown to stop picking sides? Fanboys will never change. (see above post)

But regardless, you are arguing that we don't need Blu-Ray, therefore they don't have to fix anything (still high pricing for everything, and compatibility that is a gamble for every movie). Incomplete "profiles" and iffy SD DVD playback, $40 new releases and players that STILL can't decode DTS-MA. I refuse to accept the "you don't like it, don't buy it" argument. I did buy it (both formats actually) and the inferior format won because of a bribe, for lack of a better word. And I know Toshiba did it too, but it doesn't change the fact.

Maybe dvdtown is just still hoping at what could have been (like many of us) if HD-DVD had won instead of Beta-Ray, Profile Version Incomplete. Or maybe they are covering the news that they exist to cover...

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And you want dvdtown to stop picking sides? Fanboys will never change. (see above post)

If the side I'm picking is HD over SD, then I don't know about you, but count me in. I'm not telling dvdtown what to do, I'm just saying simply that going out of their way at this point to put a negative slant on anything related to Blu-ray is just silly (not to mention meaningless at this stage in the game). Microsoft won't build a drive. I'm sorry, but who cares? Many other manufacturers are making Blu-ray drives already, so who really gives a rat's if there's one in the XBox? That's all I'm saying.

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But regardless, you are arguing that we don't need Blu-Ray, therefore they don't have to fix anything (still high pricing for everything, and compatibility that is a gamble for every movie). Incomplete "profiles" and iffy SD DVD playback, $40 new releases and players that STILL can't decode DTS-MA.

When did I say they didn't need to fix anything? Again, *high* pricing is a subjective term when talking about the latest and greatest technology. You can't go after cutting edge home entertainment and then get your panties in a bunch when you have to pay a premium for it. Well, actually, I guess you just proved that you *can*, but it's a bit ignorant to do so. New technology is pricey and it's a risk. It has always been that way. Maybe fanboys will never change, but neither will people who will never learn that with early adoption comes hiccups and issues that *only* early adopters have to deal with. I don't know where you're shopping to pay $40 for a Blu-ray, but even Best Buy, one of the worst of the pricing bunch, doesn't stock hardly anything over $34.99, with most titles WELL below that mark. And I don't know what player you have, but I have a PS3 and I have never - repeat, never - had a disc compatibility issue on my system. The profiles are complete now and are rolling out with the very next batch of players to market (and a great many of those already available will be firmware-upgradable to the latest profiles once they're out - if your player isn't, then perhaps you should have done your homework before investing in such a *pricey* bit of hardware...ahem...like I did when I bought the PS3). And you know who you can blame for their being incomplete up to now? Your beloved format war which forced BOTH formats to market before they were ready. Yes, HD DVD got it's stuff together a long time ago and I concede that, but honestly, I give Blu-ray a lot of credit for getting this thing ironed out as quickly as they have and still being able to fight the format war at all. As far as players not being able to play one particular audio codec (which only Fox releases even implement, by the way), once again it comes down to a risk assessment you make when buying brand new hardware in a budding market. Not all DVD players played DTS at first. Not all of them upconvert. Hell, some of them didn't even decode Dolby Digital to begin with, so don't talk to me about how crappy Blu-ray is because of DTS-MA HD playback issues. If you want a player that will do absolutely everything the format's capable of, you have to wait for it. It's always been that way. Always. I'm also not sure where you get "iffy SD playback", eiher. My 60GB PS3 upconverts every SD DVD to 1080p and they look ten times as good as they ever did on my old standalone...but to each his own.

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I refuse to accept the "you don't like it, don't buy it" argument. I did buy it (both formats actually) and the inferior format won because of a bribe, for lack of a better word. And I know Toshiba did it too, but it doesn't change the fact.

And what makes it so inferior? Aside from it upsetting you because you're an early adopter? Video quality and audio quality is as good or, in some cases, even better than HD DVD (when using 50GB discs), so where does "inferior" factor into that exactly? And by the way, accept the argument or don't...your acceptance or lack thereof doesn't make the argument any less valid.

[Post edited by CroweDawg1121 on Mar 18, 2008]

I agree with those above refuting the griping about Blu-ray player prices.

Thanks for bringing up my beloved LaserDisc format. In the fall of 1985, I purchased a 2nd Pioneer player (my original Pioneer model#VP-1000 from 3 years earlier, the 'gas-powered' player, had DIED). This new player, model #LD-700, cost $799.99 (the MSRP - no discounts then), from Video Concepts. And it was released just months before they improved the LD format's audio to now include DIGITAL PCM tracks, so my nice new (and long-lasting, by the way) player was still Analog Stereo only.

And that $799.95 was in the 1980s value of money!

So, I just don't feel the 'pain' with those who gripe about $399 PS3, $499 to $699 name-brand stand alone Blu-ray players! For those prices, you get an excellent machine, with BonusView capabilities, etc. If you must have a Profile 2.0 (internet capabilities) stand-alone, then wait till summer when Sony Sapphire players arrive, or next month's Panasonic DMP-BD50 deluxe player (recently voted the #1 most requested electronics item by Cnet.com's readers).

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

CroweDawg1121

The fact is that you are arguing with people that OWN Blu-Ray already.

Does it affect me personaly if the PS3 dropped in price another $100? NO
Would it affect me personaly if stand alone players were to drop in price AND
have a profile as good as HD DVD? No

BUT better cheaper Blu = More people who already own HD tv's buying into Blu
which equals a much better future for all us early adapters.

We bitch about Blu becasue its through people who don't want to except the status-quo that
companys are forced to improve a product.
If everyone were just bloody sheep that excepted what ever crumbs Sony threw at us
then we would be Profile 1.0 until the end of the decade.

Facts are they can do better then what they are giving us.
Example: Paramont defects to HD DVD, all of a sudden miraculously the PS3 DROPS in price over night, they start to give away movies to match what HD DVD is doing and they scramble to update the profile on the PS3.
HD goes away prices stay the same and some even climb and we are told to except that.

Okay I am done ranting I better go fill up my expensive SUV and drive to my 6 figure job.

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BUT better cheaper Blu = More people who already own HD tv's buying into Blu
which equals a much better future for all us early adapters.

We bitch about Blu becasue its through people who don't want to except the status-quo that
companys are forced to improve a product.
If everyone were just bloody sheep that excepted what ever crumbs Sony threw at us
then we would be Profile 1.0 until the end of the decade.

Facts are they can do better then what they are giving us.
Example: Paramont defects to HD DVD, all of a sudden miraculously the PS3 DROPS in price over night, they start to give away movies to match what HD DVD is doing and they scramble to update the profile on the PS3.
HD goes away prices stay the same and some even climb and we are told to except that.

WELL stated and argued. I have to agree with every line of that. This whole thing started, though, because I feel that this site is still pimping for an effectively dead format which, in the end, helps no one - least of all us who'd just as soon assist the winner of the stupid war in becoming a better product. It has issues, yes, but - for me, at least - the good has far outweighed the bad. I just don't see the point is being upset over pricing at this stage. Anyone interested in Blu-ray enough to really care one way or the other and who has nice enough equipment to even get a benefit out of it isn't going to mind paying an extra ten bucks to get the best version of a film. But hey, I'd love $10 discs as much as the next guy. And thank you to the above poster who concurred with me about laserdisc. How soon some forget how CHEAP things are now. Some of us remember when EVERY movie was $40 and special editions were $100+.

I know that early adopters have to pay to play, but when there is a much cheaper alternative, it makes one start seeing red....

I wanted Blu-Ray (the superior STORAGE format) to win from the beginning, but after realizing the problems and state of release of many of the players, (while looking at the prices...) I chose HD-DVD instead. Now I have a Samsung player (in which the problems I referred to reside), which I am pleased with, but I still feel as if Sony released the tech a year too early and without regard for customer impact.

As far as Blu-Ray having superior sound/video quality, that is complete rubbish, and I'll let someone else explode on that one.

DTS-MA can die and go to !@#$ as far as I'm concerned (though I do hope DTS doesn't), and FOX's decision to release titles in this format has proved to be questionable. However, it is a new, HD audio format, and by golly I want internal decoding for my money. 5.1 analog ftw.

So I see your point, but as a consumer and tech geek, I feel shortchanged by Blu-Ray, something I never felt with my HD-DVD purchases. If they can get their act together, which I have faith they will eventually, I will be happy as a dog. But major problems in key areas let me down, and Sony has very few let downs to hand out any more after failed media formats, battery recalls, and the PS3 (which is much better now I know). Wheres the love for the consumer?

blu really hasn't won yet !!! & $34.99 after tax ends up at $40.00 or more !! dont be a fanboy & a hater kuz everyone on this site knows that hd-dvd was the better product & by far.... too many probs with blu-ray for me to list & that includes sub par or worse than dvd quality movie releases!! so inferior would be the correct term !!! i have both so i can say that without being a fanboy or bias twards either format. blu won kuz of bribes & whatnot ... hd-dvd is dead so who really cares ? not me & i dont even care if blu-ray does become the next laserdisc & dvd 2.0 steals the sho kuz then i dont gotta get raped on theyr bs prices & yeah dude i know i dont gotta buy them & neither do you !! but thats not the point or what was being talked about either. point is blu-rays gotta have competition or they will rape your ass. i bet when we see dvd 2.0 players out blu-rays gonna be a lil more friendly on the prices... at least i hope they do kuz im not rich but damn i love hi-def movies & i wanna hear how cool uncompressed audio can sound . dts already sounds great tho !! is it worth the extra 1k for the new receiver that decodes the new audio codes ?? i like both formats but when i hear somebody that clearly doesn't know what hes talking about & bashing any1 who even whispers the word hd-dvd can go back to theyr stupid pos3 & have sony insert more blu in his butt TROLL !!!!!!!!!!!

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blu really hasn't won yet !!! & $34.99 after tax ends up at $40.00 or more !! dont be a fanboy & a hater kuz everyone on this site knows that hd-dvd was the better product & by far.... too many probs with blu-ray for me to list & that includes sub par or worse than dvd quality movie releases!! so inferior would be the correct term !!! i have both so i can say that without being a fanboy or bias twards either format. blu won kuz of bribes & whatnot ... hd-dvd is dead so who really cares ? not me & i dont even care if blu-ray does become the next laserdisc & dvd 2.0 steals the sho kuz then i dont gotta get raped on theyr bs prices & yeah dude i know i dont gotta buy them & neither do you !! but thats not the point or what was being talked about either. point is blu-rays gotta have competition or they will rape your ass. i bet when we see dvd 2.0 players out blu-rays gonna be a lil more friendly on the prices... at least i hope they do kuz im not rich but damn i love hi-def movies & i wanna hear how cool uncompressed audio can sound . dts already sounds great tho !! is it worth the extra 1k for the new receiver that decodes the new audio codes ?? i like both formats but when i hear somebody that clearly doesn't know what hes talking about & bashing any1 who even whispers the word hd-dvd can go back to theyr stupid pos3 & have sony insert more blu in his butt TROLL !!!!!!!!!!!

First and foremost, the ignorance of this post speaks for itself. I've never gotten personal with this and I won't start now. But yes, I conceded that SOME titles AT BEST BUY are $34.99. If you shop ANYWHERE online, you won't be paying that price. It's not my fault if you don't take the time to bargain shop. And how is DVD raping you (as you so tactfully put it) without competition? They haven't had competition for years and those prices have been great. There are receivers that aren't going to cost you a $1000 premium that decode DTS-MA. But again, I'm not going to do the legwork for you, pal. And I'm not sure which Blu-rays you're watching, but if you're getting "sub-DVD quality" discs, you might want to check your home theater setup. lol But hey, whatever. People will argue even when the original point's been lost here, so I'm out of this dispute. You can argue the finer points of your precious and dead HD DVD format to your last breath and it won't change the fact that it is dead. However Sony won the format war, it DID win, so deal with it, buddy. Whining about shady business practices is more than pointless. It is what it is, and both sides have done the same things to come ahead. Seriously, are there more people on here who believe that Blu-rays look worse than DVD's? Give me a break! Talk about utter nonsense! And you condescend to tell me *I* don't know what *I'm* talking about!?!?! Sheesh...feel free to refute everything I've said once again...I won't be here. Have the last word on me. : )

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everyone on this site knows that hd-dvd was the better product & by far

Not everyone, sorry.

[Post edited by CroweDawg1121 on Mar 19, 2008]

Well to be fair HD DVD is/was the better product but bluray won so let's move on.

Have you guys read John's review of the Panasonic D30 bluray player? Sounds like a pretty good player.

Review: Panasonic DMP-BD30 Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player

http://www.dvdtown.com/messageboard/topic/6783/10/0

[Post edited by Falcon01 on Mar 19, 2008]

Yeah sure, it sounds like a great player with profile 1.1 and no internal decoding...

Also its a steal at $799 new on amazon. Is something wrong here?

It's $799?? What the...

It IS $799! Wow that's NUTS. Ummmm yeah looks like I'll be waiting until Boxing Day after all. Maybe longer at these price margins. This blows hard.

Hmmm... something odd with that price at Amazon considering that Circuit City sells them for $479.99 right now. Best Buy sells them for $499. Heck, even Future Shop in Canada is letting them go for $550.

Yep you're right, Futureshop has them for $599 plus taxes but you get a $50 Futureshop gift card.

Still when you add in the taxes the player comes out to $682.86 which is very expensive even if you do get a $50 gift card afterwards.

Give it a few months, prices will come down.

lol i think that was bilbyboy !!

I thought the topic of this thread was just a reiteration of what's been going around: No blu-ray drive for the XBOX 360. While this news is not an absolute, it merely states... "Don't hold your breath!"

I don't see how wanting a blu-ray drive for the XBOX 360 makes anyone an HD DVD whore? It sounds like XBOX 360 owners ARE interested in blu-ray. This may even be from 360 owners who were opposed to HD DVD!

A blu-ray add-on drive for the 360 is more than likely to be a 2.0 profile machine. If such a drive were to be released - AND if it cost $199.99 - or LESS... it would be a far better deal than buying a stand-alone 2.0 blu-ray player or a ps3 (assuming one already owns an XBOX 360).

I think a blu-ray add-on drive for the 360 would be a HUGE seller! However, many have postulated that Microsoft is more interested in selling HD rental downloads instead of selling a blu-ray drive. They are, after all... a "software" company!