Washington, D.C. (September 20, 2006)
--
Microsoft has announced that it
will sell an external High-Definition HD-DVD player with
the new XBox 360 video game console.
The player will match Sony's Play Station 3, which will include the capability to play Blu-ray HDTV DVDs. (The new PS3 is scheduled for launch in November.) Blu-ray and HD-DVD are rival formats competing for the new high-def disc market.
Microsoft said the external HD-DVD player will first be introduced in Japan on November 22. No word on when the separate device will be available in the U.S., but the price should be around $199. (The XBox 360 is sold separately.)
The introduction of a XBox 360 HD-DVD player should intensify the war between Sony's Blu-ray and the Toshiba-backed HD-DVD format.
The two formats are currently not compatible, meaning one disc won't play on the other's machine. The format dispute has led to poor sales of the new high-def DVDs and players.
The player will match Sony's Play Station 3, which will include the capability to play Blu-ray HDTV DVDs. (The new PS3 is scheduled for launch in November.) Blu-ray and HD-DVD are rival formats competing for the new high-def disc market.
Microsoft said the external HD-DVD player will first be introduced in Japan on November 22. No word on when the separate device will be available in the U.S., but the price should be around $199. (The XBox 360 is sold separately.)
The introduction of a XBox 360 HD-DVD player should intensify the war between Sony's Blu-ray and the Toshiba-backed HD-DVD format.
The two formats are currently not compatible, meaning one disc won't play on the other's machine. The format dispute has led to poor sales of the new high-def DVDs and players.