Microsoft says no Blu-ray for Xbox 360

[PrototypeMike]

The comments by Aaron Greenberg, group product manager for Xbox 360, poured cold water on recent speculation that Microsoft could support Blu-ray after Toshiba Corp (6502.T: Quote, Profile, Research), backer of the rival HD DVD format, gave up when key movie studios and retailers abandoned the technology.

"Xbox is not currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray Association to integrate Blu-ray into the Xbox experience," Greenberg told Reuters in an interview.

Microsoft, which has stopped making an HD-DVD add-on for the Xbox 360, would continue to invest in its Xbox Live online service that already lets users rent hundreds of movies, including ones in high-definition.

"We're the only console offering digital distribution of entertainment content," Greenberg said.

The software giant also expected that supply problems for the Xbox 360 meant the machine was outsold in the U.S. market by Sony's PlayStation 3 console in February for the second month in a row.

"We definitely expect we will trail in February as a result of our supply constraints," Greenberg said, adding: "By April, we will be in a very healthy inventory situation."

That would be in time for the April 29 launch of Take-Two Interactive Software Inc's (TTWO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) "Grand Theft Auto 4" game, which is widely expected to be one of the best-selling titles of 2008 and could drive purchases of the Xbox 360 and PS3.

[GamePro 55]

That sucks/BS for all the HD_DVD owners.

[TheBrokenVow]

I think they'll end up with a BR add-on

[PrototypeMike]

Hey BrokenVow...

Not trying to be a smart ass, but did you not read the first post "Xbox is not currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray Association to integrate Blu-ray into the Xbox experience," Greenberg told Reuters in an interview. .... "We're the only console offering digital distribution of entertainment content," Greenberg said. So by not making a blu-ray sku... That will force 360 users to download the movies they want rather than rent the Blu-ray/HD disc... They can allways jack up the quality of the digital downloads.... DVD's are going to be history in the next 5-10 years anyways...

[EnderWiggin]

no way.

maybe in 50 years. MAYBE.

but considering that you can still buy VHS movies...

and the fact that people like to HAVE stuff. especially in the US, with a GIGANTIC consumption-based/obsessed/worshiping middle class that is THE biggest spender on entertainment (like DVDs).

it's like cash. even though we have the technology be a completely electronic economy and never have to carry another bill or coin around with us ever again (which would save the government a lot of spending on the creation & circulation of paper & metal money, not to mention streamline organizations like the IRS, and other gov't & TONS on consumer benefits i'm not going to get into cause it's irrelevant)... even though it would be immensely more convenient & efficient, cash is comforting. and will not be obsolete for at least a century.

on a smaller & less-impacting scale, DVDs or their next-gen progeny will be around for closer to half a century than 5-10 years.