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Still saddled with that Xbox 360 HD-DVD add-on? You know, the "most affordable way to jump into the next generation of DVD technology" that was recently discontinued? Studio support may be down the toilet, but the thrill of downloading software updates for the thing isn't over yet, as Larry Hryb noted on his blog that the accessory will get at least one more update, just for kicks. More »
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New research from analysts at Strategy Analytics says that the Blu-ray equipped PlayStation 3 will drive adoption of the format into 2009, with 29 million homes expected to have at least one player by the end of the year, 13 million of those from console sales. The report goes on to predict that standalone players will lead the charge at some point in 2009, with 132 million homes Blu-ray capable by 2012. That factors in PCs, dedicated players and consoles. More »
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Let there be no more speculation about Microsoft's stance on HD-DVD. The company issued a statement today that it would no longer manufacture the Xbox 360 add-on following Toshiba's decision to bail out on the high definition disc format. It reiterated that the death of the HD-DVD format would not "have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform" but it surely scuttles any talk that the Redmond giant has plans for a 360 with a built-in HD-DVD drive. We expect fantastic deals on the accessory and discs to flood Cheap Ass Gamer within hours. More »
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Followers of the high definition disc wars will probably care about online movie rental outfit Netflix putting all of its eggs in the Blu-ray basket, just like everyone else who isn't Microsoft has. The company announced today that, "as of now," it will only purchase movies in the Sony-backed format, phasing out HD-DVD by the end of the year. Subscribers, including yours truly, have already been informed of the change, but a handy press release from Netflix lays the whole thing out. More »
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Is this the final death blow for HD-DVD? Variety is reporting that Universal Studios will follow Warner Bros., New Line and possibly Paramount toward the cooling blue light of Blu-ray allegiance, as the studio's commitment to supporting HD-DVD exclusively has ended. That doesn't necessarily mean that Universal is abandoning the HD-DVD format as Warner plans to, however, as Variety writes that the company still has plans to support the Toshiba backed hi-def discs. More »
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Responding to news that Warner Bros. opted to put its eggs in the basket of Blu-ray exclusively last week, Microsoft execs told Reuters that the company would consider a Blu-ray player add-on for the Xbox 360, should consumers show interest in such a product. Group marketing manager Albert Penello said the decision would be up to "consumer choice; and if that's the way they vote, that's something we'll have to consider." Penello said that he didn't consider that Warner's decision to drop support for HD-DVD would have a "significant impact" on the console war. He also confirmed, in a way, that it was a "bummer." More »
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It was just a few hours ago that I posted about the HD DVD group canceling its CES press conference and now we have more news on the format war front lines. In an article in Variety yesterday, buried amongst the Warner's announcement was one line that was very important to the Blu-Ray cause: More »
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In another "win" for "consumers" Warner Bros. Entertainment announced today that it would be going exclusively Blu-ray for hi-definition movie releases as of May 2008. This point in the W column for fans of the Sony-backed, PlayStation 3-approved format will probably help in calming those still basking in the furious red glow of rage born of Paramount's decision to go HD-DVD only. Consider that HD disc format war "stalemate" now over, Sir Stringer! More »
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Director Michael Bay, the director of thought-pausing summertime fare like Transformers and Armageddon, whose latest blockbuster is available exclusively on HD-DVD and DVD, took a swipe at Microsoft in his official forums today. In the "Ask Michael Bay" sub-forum, a user complained about the unavailability of Bay's movies on the Blu-ray format, one backed by Sony and standard on PlayStation 3s. Fanboy Bay fired back! More »
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Are we having fun living in the HD Era yet? Sony isn't, as it considers the war with HD-DVD a "stalemate" now that Paramount and Dreamworks have left the Blu-ray camp. Despite a decent penetration of PlayStation 3s capable of playing the hi-def format, the Microsoft endorsed HD-DVD format is holding its own. And although Sir Howard Stringer wishes he could magically turn back time and fight for a unified high-def disc, he doesn't consider winning the format war "all that." Oh, yes, he did. More »
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When Australian news outlet Smarthouse wrote of a new Xbox 360 model, one that comes with an HD-DVD player built in from Toshiba, many of you responded positively. Some couldn't see the point. How does Toshiba feel about the rumor? It's denying it. Kind of. In a roundabout way. Maybe. According to gadget and breast enthusiast mag Stuff—the UK edition—a Toshiba spokesperson says "It's got nothing to do with us. But we know Microsoft doesn't want to include the HD DVD drive so as not to limit the user's experience." At least that's what the Yahoo! News UK edition says the spokesperson said. More »
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We've heard reports that Killzone 2 and the Blu-ray disc format have recently been seen together, possibly in a tree, kissing. We first heard about the transfer of smooches between the Dutch developer and the Sony endorsed high-def standard when Guerrilla staffers were praising the shiny disc in an Official PlayStation Magazine UK interview. More »
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