• microsoft

    Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player To Get Software Update As A Painful Reminder

    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.

    What's new? Compatibility improvements with certain titles and additional support for network features, according to the source, but we're hearing rumblings that it will soon weigh down your papers with much higher clarity. Yes, it is awesome!

    HD DVD Update [Xbox Lives Major Nelson]

    5:40 PM on Tue Apr 8 2008
    By Michael McWhertor
    3,769 views, 65 comments

    Latest by RogueBoar: Perhaps this update will enable it to play Blu-Ray... more »

  • hd era

    Research: PS3 To Drive Blu-ray Market, Sell 13 Million Consoles By End Of '08

    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.

    Authors David Mercer and Peter King write that Europe will be the largest market for Blu-ray players—they do love their PlayStations—with the US and Japan placing and showing.

    I just got No Country For Old Men on Blu-ray in the mail from Netflix, which is also probably not that interesting unless you're getting Blu-ray royalties. Or you're a stalker.

    3:20 PM on Wed Mar 26 2008
    By Michael McWhertor
    3,889 views, 112 comments

    Latest by 73mike: @RKyle: 300 originally came out as a series of comics, before being collected as a 'graphic novel'. It's definitely a more »

  • hd era

    Microsoft Kills Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player

    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.

    The full statement from Microsoft is just after this, full of digital distribution good wishes and stiff upper lips. Rest in peace, Xbox 360 HD-DVD player. More »

    10:00 PM on Sat Feb 23 2008
    By Michael McWhertor
    15,382 views, 295 comments

    Latest by silkylove: Can you guys post the "angry HD-DVD player" pic one more time...just for old time's sake? more »

  • hd era

    Netflix Drops HD-DVD, Too

    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.

    We can't wait until we stop having to pretend to care about the format war, but anticipate the thousands of submissions featuring Xbox 360 HD-DVD add-ons repurposed for homemade Gundam suits and whatnot. Someone's probably in the process of gutting an NES and stuffing it in the thing right now.

    Netflix, Citing a Clear Signal From the Industry, Will Carry High-Def DVDs Only in Blu-ray Format [Netflix - thanks, everyone!]

    2:40 PM on Mon Feb 11 2008
    By Michael McWhertor
    3,972 views, 141 comments

    Latest by Gadgetron: the netflix email was the nail in the coffin for me and hd-dvd. I went to eb this afternoon and more »

  • hd era

    Universal No Longer HD-DVD Exclusive Bound

    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.

    Though HD-DVD backers may still limp along in their support or fanboyism of a movie format, this "war" couldn't look any more like one camp has won at this point. It's all over but the crying, blanket clutching and Michael Bay gloating, it seems.

    Blu-ray could win high-def battle [Variety]

    9:20 PM on Thu Jan 10 2008
    By Michael McWhertor
    4,878 views, 107 comments

    Latest by jerrt: ***bring transformers to bluray*** [using best mind control rays] more »

  • ces08

    Microsoft Will Consider Going Blu-Ray, If Consumers Demand

    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."

    Microsoft's Xbox could consider Blu-ray support [Reuters]

    6:20 PM on Tue Jan 8 2008
    By Michael McWhertor
    10,667 views, 223 comments

    Latest by SoldierX25: I still want this bluray for my 360...now!!!HD-DVD is now dead more »

  • hd era

    New Line Goes Blu-Ray

    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:

    Warner sister company New Line confirmed it will shift allegiance to Blu-ray only as well.

    Warner's other companies which include HBO and BBC, still have not announced whether they will make the shift as well, but it seems unlikely that they would go the other way. But, time is of the essence for distributors it seems as Warner CEO Barry Meyer states:

    "The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger."

    One more nail in the HD DVD coffin?

    Warner Bros. backs Blu-ray [Variety]

    2:00 PM on Sat Jan 5 2008
    By fdemarco
    13,570 views, 271 comments

    Latest by Tisteldun: @UnnDunn: You really have to check up the facts before you post something claiming it is true. Go google for a more »

  • hd era

    Warner Bros. Goes Blu-ray Only, Format War Lingers On

    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!

    The reason for Warner's new Blu-ray allegiance? According to WB CEO Barry Meyer, "The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger." He's seconded by President of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group Kevin Tsujihara, who says in press release form "A two-format landscape has led to consumer confusion and indifference toward high definition, which has kept the technology from reaching mass adoption..." Confusion, as you can see, is the cause.

    That's right, PlayStation 3 backers, the upcoming hi-definition release of Catwoman is all yours. Print out your commemorative press release, which you'll find after the jump. More »

    3:40 PM on Fri Jan 4 2008
    By Michael McWhertor
    17,008 views, 394 comments

    Latest by Kinghobo: by the sound of Michael's comments he must have bought an HD-DVD player....sucks for you! Is this site run by xbox/Wii more »

  • hd era

    Michael Bay Slams Microsoft Over HD-DVD, Calls Blu-ray "Superior"

    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 »

    3:40 PM on Tue Dec 4 2007
    By Michael McWhertor
    23,923 views, 295 comments

    Latest by SSJPabs: Until the day comes where, after a hard-drive crash or wipe that I can re-download the movies I bought easily more »

  • hd era

    Sony Boss Says Blu-ray/HD-DVD War At A "Stalemate"

    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 »

    5:40 PM on Fri Nov 9 2007
    By Michael McWhertor
    8,340 views, 152 comments

    Latest by Purple Dave: @Downlord: Look. HDTV is succeeding where HD-formatted media is not, but it's not a clean success. Partly it's due to more »