Following Toshiba – that lately pulled the plug on its HD DVD next-generation optical disc format, its now Microsoft’s turn as it has presumably declared that it will culminate the production of the external HD DVD drive, its USB add-on drive for its Xbox 360 gaming console – though it will continue to offer warranty support for the outlying. Microsoft said as early as January 8th, right after the Warner Bros. announcement that they were dropping HD-DVD, and they have little choice with Toshiba’s announcement.
This drive was envisioned as Microsoft’s reciprocation to Sony’s PlayStation 3 integrated Blu-ray disc drive and represented around 30 percent of the one million HD DVD devices that were put on sale. That number nevertheless, compares unfavourably with the estimated more than 10 million PS3 units sold by Sony. Now that HD DVD players are out of the equation, speculation is mounting on whether Microsoft will finally came up with a Blu-ray add-on for its Xbox 360 console or instead focus on increasing high-definition downloads on its Xbox Live service.
However, the Redmond-based company repeated earlier claims that the phasing out of HD DVD would have diminutive impression on its HD future. With the Xbox Live Video Marketplace and other solutions, there are already additional ways of supplying HD movies to the console, according to Microsoft. Rumours have pointed to the company hurrying a Blu-ray add-on drive that would be available as a USB attachment for the Xbox 360 as early as May, offering a combined alternative to the PlayStation 3 and its built-in Blu-ray reader.
Source: Coolest-Gadgets
