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Manufacturing contract awarded for external Xbox 360 Blu-ray drive

October 08, 2008 in Industry News comments 17

The last we heard from Microsoft regarding the Blu-ray situation was a big, fat NO, but have the tides turned ? According to this latest X-bit labs report Microsoft have contracted Toshiba-Samsung to manufacture external Blu-ray drives for their Xbox 360 games console.

A possible Tokyo Game Show announcement ?

Toshiba-Samsung Storage Technology Corp., a joint venture between Samsung Electronics and Toshiba Corp., has been contracted to manufacture external Blu-ray disc drives for Microsoft Xbox 360 game console. While the exact specifications of the product are unknown, it is rumoured that Microsoft aims at $100 - $150 price-point for the device in order to compete against Sony PlayStation 3 with Xbox 360 + external Blu-ray drive combination.
Cruxis Mana via xbitlabs.com »
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  • 0
    Goldva_X Oct 8, 08
    I can already imagine the price tag.
  • 0
    lord of vice city Oct 8, 08
    well, this seems like BS to me

    one. toshiba were the guys behind HDDVD, they made it
    two. after blu-ray's victory, toshiba announced that they stopped production of HDDVD players, and had no intention of producing blu-ray players
  • 0
    Newcloud Oct 8, 08
    maybe theres a chance that this will sell better then the HD-DVD external
  • 2
    Darknet Oct 8, 08
    If this turns out true then I will seriously consider selling my PS3. The only reason I keep it around is because of it's Blu-Ray capabilities. All it does is gather dust and there aren't a whole lot of games in the future that make me feel like keeping the PS3.
    • 2
      Koloth Oct 8, 08
      Strangely I could almost say the same for the 360. But I will keep it for the 5 or 6 games I will buy in the next year or so. Even go a Wii though I doubt I will buy more than 5 games for it in the next year.

      Anyway, I don't see why you would want to trade in the PS3 for an external add-on. The PS3 is a superior blu-ray player. It is also from what i have seen a superior DVD player. It supports BD live something that I doubt the 360 will do, or do well if it does. Just seems that with an external add-on you would have built in weaknesses.

      Plus you already have the PS3 and even if there aren't a whole lot of games there are still some. I really only get exclusives on the 360 and I tend toward the PS3 for multiplatform titles. Doesn't hurt to keep it even if you only get a few games for it now and again.
    • 1
      Red 9 Oct 8, 08
      If he wants to sell it, let him. There hundreds of people who only own a PS3 for Blu-Ray movies.

      This will only mean more sales for M$. Sony might see more troubled times from this.
      • 0
        Koloth Oct 8, 08
        I don't really care if he does or doesn't. I just find it a bit silly if you already have a PS3 to sell it for an add-on. If he didn't have one and this add-on came out I couldn't fault him for opting for it over a PS3. But trading it in for one just strikes me as odd.
        • 0
          Slumpy monkey Oct 9, 08
          Well he could use the extra money to put into games, etc.

          Plus it takes up quite a bit of space, If its not doing anything and you can basically get the same thing and make some cash back.

          I would opt for that over BD live or a slight increase in quality.
      • 0
        RabidChinaGirl Oct 9, 08
        Live and let live. I can honestly say I'm not that interested in Blu-Ray -- heck, I hardly even purchase DVDs anymore -- but an add-on would be pretty convenient. It might convert some consumers like myself who are on the fence with HD.

        I still think Microsoft will eventually opt for digital distribution (internet). The HDDVD vs Blu-Ray thing and this 360 add-on (if it does prove to be true) are just ways of buying the company time to lay a foundation for their next business venture. I get the feeling that Microsoft just isn't taking this seriously... I mean, with how much money they have, they could have pushed HDDVD even harder, bought out competitors, and yet they didn't?

        Just rambling.
  • 0
    streetcarp81 Oct 8, 08
    i hope this is true b/c then i would have 2 blu-ray players. one for my living room and one for my bed room. Why anyone would get rid of their ps3 if this is true is beyond me. Unless u dont care about little big planet.
  • 1
    Darknet Oct 9, 08
    quote
    Why anyone would get rid of their ps3 if this is true is beyond me.
    Because I don't think games like MGS4, God of War 3, and LBP are enough to compensate the price of a PS3 and the games.
    • 0
      Red 9 Oct 9, 08
      quote
      I don't think
      Exactly. You think. So I'm sure plenty of people are getting lots out of their PS3's. If you want to get rid of it, that's fine. No need to hold onto something you won't use. No, I'm not being sarcastic here.
    • 1
      Final Blade Oct 9, 08
      Yes cause those are the only 3 games for the PS3.

      PS3 >>> 360 blu-ray add on.
  • 0
    iLoveMyself Oct 9, 08
    maybe it might end up like the ps1 and snes, and toshiba will ditch it and they will form some new console. not
  • 0
    Supernouva Oct 9, 08
    Regardless of whether or not this new add-on will come with BD live or whatever the PS3 has concerning this, it doesn't change the fact that the add-on IS a Blu-ray player, therefore meaning it CAN play Blu-ray movies, so it's almost guaranteed that Sony is heading towards rocky times if the add-on is launched.
    • 1
      Koloth Oct 9, 08
      Doubtful. It only means that the 20 million 360 owners won't have to buy a PS3 to watch blu-ray movies. It doesn't mean people won't buy the PS3 for its other features or opt for a PS3 over the 360.

      After all the PS3 is $400 right now. If the add-on comes out at $150 the cheapest 360 is $200. Meaning to get a 360 with blu-ray is still $350. Hardly a compelling difference to people that don't own either system. And if the PS3's blu-ray system is still superior it is even less compelling.

      In the end this add-on does little to help or hurt either system. It still comes down to the games and features each one offers.
  • 0
    Big Willie Oct 9, 08
    Yeah, I don't think they're going to be burning down the woods with this drive, but it is nice for them to offer the blu-ray option for those who don't have a PS3.

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