Download - HDTV Magazine

purchase to Xbox gamers that just want gaming.
Mark Knox, a spokesperson for the HD DVD consortium, indicated, "we know that
every HD DVD drive being sold to Xbox users is being used to watch films. They're
not being forced to buy it," he said.
"Every PS3 includes a Blu-ray drive, but that doesn't mean every gamer wants to
watch a movie on PS3."
Xbox 360
The console was launched by Microsoft in November 2005, sold 5 million units
worldwide by June 2006, and planned to ship 10 million units by December 2006.
Originally, Microsoft announced at CES 2006 that they would release an external
drive to allow the Xbox 360 game console to been able to play HD DVD discs and
shortly after they commented that they could even do the same for a Blu-ray
external drive, although that was graciously corrected later with “we have no plans
for Blu-ray”…. The external HD DVD drive was actually made available.
Oct 06
Microsoft announced the addition of 1080p outputs to the Xbox 360 game console
HD DVD player accessory (when released), and over 85 enhancements to the game
console itself,
including the
playback of WMV
files from a
connected PC,
disc, or USB
storage device,
in addition to its
current feature of
receiving
streaming video
from a Windows
Media Center PC.
After the
downloaded
upgrade it would
also receive from
Windows Media Connect or Windows Media Player 11. No HDMI spec was provided
at the announcement. Support for 50hz HDTV display modes was added.
Microsoft also reiterated their plans to launch the HD DVD add-on drive later in Nov
06 for $199 with a free copy of Peter Jackson’s “King Kong” from Universal on an HD
DVD disc for a limited time.
According with Microsoft, the free update will be distributed thru the Xbox Live online
gaming and entertainment network to all members (Xbox Live Silver and Xbox Live
Gold) with no disc or hard drive required.
Nov 06
230