Microsoft Drops HD DVD, Cuts Add-on Price to $49

February 25, 2008 1:17 PM

Microsoft has confirmed to Shacknews that it has ceased production of the Xbox 360 HD DVD player add-on, and units currently available at retail will be dropped in price to $49.

Microsoft's Taipei branch announced the drop earlier today, noting that it will continue to provide technical and warranty support for HD DVD player owners.

Primary HD DVD backer Toshiba announced last week that it would cease production of HD DVD players and recorders, prompting many to sound the end of the "format wars." Microsoft has repeatedly declined to comment on rumors of a Blu-ray player add-on for its Xbox 360 console.

Aaron Linde

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Omaha

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February 25, 2008 1:23 PM

Hehe, just yesterday I saw this in Best Buy for $150. Are consumer HDDVD writing drives on the market yet? If nothing else, it might make for a good format just for storing stuff and getting cheap hardware... though blank discs will probably vanish from the face of the Earth.
- [deleted] 1271987451
  
   reply
  February 25, 2008 1:30 PM
  
  [deleted]
  - MR 9000
    
     reply
    February 25, 2008 3:57 PM
    
    That's no different than when CD-Rs first hit the market. I remember buying them for $12 each.
    Ah yes, burning at 2x speed too!
- Serpico74
  
   reply
  February 25, 2008 1:47 PM
  
  There are no HD-DVD writers that I know of. Lots of BR writers though.
- theflux
  
   reply
  February 26, 2008 6:39 AM
  
  HD DVD writers have always had a lot of problems with error rates. They stretched DVD technology too far, compared to Blu-ray built from the ground up for burning. This is the reason its damn near impossible to find an HD DVD burner.