Update: Ha! When I called this quote a "slip-of-the-tongue" below, I was right! Reader Eric R. pointed me to Major Nelson's blog, where the Xbox Community head pointed out that Ballmer was talking about Blu-Ray accesorites for PCs, not the 360. So... ignore the rest of this story -- it just ain't so.
Now that the HD-DVD format has officially and totally joined Betamax and Marxism in History's dustbin, Microsoft's Steve Ballmer says Blu-ray is coming to the Xbox 360, but not in the form of a built-in Blu-ray drive.
"I don't know if we need to put Blu-ray in there—you'll be able to get Blu-ray drives as accessories," Ballmer told gadget blog Gizmodo. So, seemingly, Ballmer confirmed Blu-ray for the 360... kind of.
When Gizmodo contacted Microsoft's P.R. department, they didn't exactly back up Ballmer's revelation 100%. Instead, the clever PR flack replied with:
Our immediate solution for Blu-ray-quality video on an Xbox 360 is coming this fall with Zune Video and 1080p instant-on HD streaming. As far as our future plans are concerned, we're not ready to comment.
Which isn't exactly a denial, but isn't a confirmation either. Did Ballmer let information out early? Was it a slip-of-the-tongue? A mistake? No one can say for sure, so for now, file this one under "unconfirmed...but seems pretty reasonable."
I have both a PS3 and a 360, so the idea of an external Blu-ray drive doesn't appeal to me, but if a 360 was my sole system, this news would be amazing... if it turns out to be true. What do you think? Would an external Blu-ray drive make your life complete or what?
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Zebular
The 360 not having built-in blu ray capabilities is actually one of the few reasons why we haven't bought one yet. Just what we need, yet another item to take up space and require yet another power slot. I find it rather silly Microsoft hasn't made 360's compatible within themselves with blu rays.
MeisterShane
I thought Blu-Ray was dead also along with HD-DVD!!!!!!Arn't most people downloading movies now a days or streaming movies from there DVR'S--DEATH TO ANY TYPE OF MEDIUM OF MUSIC,GAMES,VIDEOS ON DISCS!!!!!!!!!!LET IT ALL BE DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!
sorakun789
In destructoid it says that ms wants digital movies, and they said that the blu ray addons are for pchttp://www.destructoid.com/m icrosoft-ceo-doesn-t-confirm-3 60-blu-ray-add-on-update--1527 08.phtml
sorakun789
So the xbox won't be playing any blu ray games only movies?
xPs360x
Well looks like this is the end of value, unless they stop being lazy and get back to work.
cooperjs1
@asudevil2
So let me get this straight, you P$3 fanboys aren't always talking about killzone 2. Whew, cause that's a FPS and I would hate to think a $ony exclusive would be a shooter. What exclusives does $ony have. Oh my bad, LittleBigPlanet. Sorry to imply that the P$3 doesn't have great games. And what does Micsrosoft "rip off?" Um, do you know the meaning of the words? Doesn't that mean copying someone else's idea for a game. Hmmm. 360 came out 1st. Who's ripping who off. $ony is ripping you off.
asudevil2
Again Sony would not allow M$ to use the tech. And cooper, PS3 has got the games that people want, all the Xbox has are FPS and lame ripoffs.
seph384
Just a desperate attempt to survive poor 360. quite funny how all the 360 people said before oh blu ray don't make a difference we don't need that. you are all open arms to it and talked crap about the ps3.To me just very stupid.They probably will get the blu ray because they tossed over a crap load of money as always to companies.
jewbulator
well guys major nelson has shot this down if you wanna check it out here ya go http://majornelson.com/archive /2009/10/22/we-have-no-plans-f or-blu-ray-on-xbox-360.aspx#co mments
Im calling shenanigans on major nelson any ways how could steve balmer mistake windows blu ray capability and xbox 360?
cooperjs1
Just build game consoles. I don't want my system to do anything but play good games. That's what the 360 does. RROD or not, the 360 is still the most chosen HD game console. If sales are slowing down, it's because most people that want one have one or are waiting 'til Christmas. Both people I know that have a PS3 already bought a 360 long ago. They just wanted one 'cause the price came down. The PS3 is nice, not because it plays movies, but because it has a couple decent games and amazing capabilities. The 360 just has the library of games that I, and most everyone else, want. I have a separate blu ray player. I just want good games on my game console.
Plasma_Cake
see once again, another sign for the 2010 sku. They confirmed it, they are mostly taking our RROD. The fail rate should be below 4% or something like that. Blu- Ray build in, maybe HD too? hehe maybe a xbox slim! build in power brick? I think MS has something really big coming soon. We will see in time.
darthernie
might as well buy a ps3..its a lot cheaper
stephenpoop
i think they should do it mainly for the gaming value, so that way all multi counsel games look as good as the ps3 exclusive games, i have a ps3 and dont like the fact that my gaming suffers because its easier to build one game for different counsels, so that means the game can only be as good as the worse counsel can handle.
omnipotentpwnage
Why would anyone sink any more money into the RED RING OF CRAP. Sell you 3 glitchy while you can then take the 20 dollars you get for it and put it down on a PS3.
RIP 360..... You wont be missed.
RedSprankles
You know it would make it more complete but i dont like the idea of it being outside of the box
But i dont think i would drop 300 for a new gaming system to play blue ray
JediMasterRick
Too Little Too Late
Bruce_Lee2099
Sony's PS3 has an option in the video setting called
BD 1080p 24HZ Output(HDMI), does anyone know what this means,and is it better for watching Bluray movies @ 24Hz or leave it at default which is 60Hz.I saw a video on youtube recomending 24Hz. Can any explain ?
Thanks,
asudevil2
And they actually think that Sony would let them us the blu ray tech?
Zand3r
id only go for it if they started using it for Games. I Purchased a blue ray player back in the day....if it wasnt for that my ps3 would just be a dust machine.
lucidity
@Gingerkid
What do you think it cost Sony to abandon Betamax and jump on the VHS bandwagon for the last 40 years?
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