More internal HD DVD rumors,but....

[Dillweedshake]

the rumors of a Xbox 360 with a internal HD dvd drive keep popping up,and as usual Microsoft keeps denying it... but digitimes.com has now more sources confirming Microsoft is working on it:

Microsoft has started designing a new-generation of Xbox 360's equipped with an internal HD-DVD drive and is selecting manufacturers in Taiwan to build the drive, according to sources in Taiwan's optical disc drive (ODD) industry.

If the process of selecting partner makers and subsequent certification goes smoothly, Microsoft may launch the Xbox 360 equipped with the built-in HD-DVD drive in the first half of 2007 at the soonest, the sources noted.

I suppose ,if this is true,it's to compete with the $600 PS3. But I still say if they are not going to have game support with the HD DVD,its a waste of money! .....What Microsoft needs to do is concentrate on there game support,a price drop on the 360,make live free,and work to make their new console bug free!!

On another note they also need to work on their so called quality controll! Its seems to be common for game companies to release their games with bugs,then release some kind of patch to try in fix the problem?!

[Danzego]

Yeah, but of course they won't have game support with HD-DVD- not unless they're ready to send all existing 360 owners an external HD-DVD drive or come out with two versions of each game (one on HD-DVD and one on standard DVD's). But I'm sure everyone already knows this and I'm pretty much preaching to the choir, so to speak.

If this IS true, then perhaps Microsoft sees Sony getting ready to charge $600 for their machine and they feel they can also justify that kind of price on their own system. I say forget about all that "all in one box commanding consumers living rooms" crap and just concentrate on keeping your advantages where they are; especially the meaningful advantages. Having HD-DVD playback isn't going to win many people over, but having a console $200 cheaper than your direct competition with most of the same games and the same graphics WILL.

Someone needs to slap MS upside their head and fill them in that this isn't Yuppieville, USA, where it's all about how much you pay for something and the more, the better you think it is. I don't know where their heads are (I do have an idea though), but last I checked, Sony is catching a LOT of flack for their PS3 pricing and MS can seriously use this to their advantage; not decide that they have $200 worth of room to move and start throwing in ridiculous add ons just so they can say "Hey, we can play high definition movies that cost too much and jack up the price of our console needlessly, too!!"

[GibtheGamer]

LOL! Good point. I would love to do the slapping if this proves true. I couldn't handle it. I think, at the least, they should wait to see how Sony's console sales for a month or two before they made this decision. Yeah, it wouldn't launch until 07, but it's still too premature to think about building these machines without knowing the worth of the investment. Like Dan said, they have a great thing going with their pricing and their games. Sure, I'd love to have HDMI support on my 360, but when I look at what I'm getting for the price, compared to Sony's, I think we're winning...so far.