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Technology Lifestyle Microsoft trims Xbox HD DVD price
Technology Lifestyle Microsoft trims Xbox HD DVD price | Microsoft trims Xbox HD DVD price |
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| Written by Stephen Withers | |
| Friday, 27 July 2007 | |
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As an extra sweetener, the free movie offer that Toshiba has been running with its HD DVD players is being extended to Xbox customers. People buying the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive between August 1 and September 30 will be able to choose five free movies from a list of 15 that includes Apollo 13, Dukes of Hazzard, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, U2: Rattle and Hum, and We Were Soldiers. The offer is redeemable by mail. Microsoft also announced that it will be promoting the HD versions of 300 and Heroes Season 1 on Xbox Live. "HD DVD is the format of choice for great sci-fi content, from movies and hit TV shows to the classics," said Ken Graffeo, co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group. "Heroes: Season 1 and the original Star Trek series are only available on HD DVD, and blockbuster titles such as 300 have interactive features you can only find here. HD DVD is the format that caters to the fan base." The Star Trek package he's referring to is a new, remastered 10-disc HD DVD/DVD combo pack due for release on November 20 at $US199. But HD DVD isn't having things all its own way. US Target stores "will feature Sony Blu-ray Disc players as the exclusive product in the emerging category of high-definition home video systems," according to Sony officials, along with an expanded range of Blu-ray movies. "Target's decision to promote Blu-ray Disc players in the fourth quarter sends an important message to those who may still be sitting the high-definition fence," said David Bishop, president of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The HD camp isn't impressed. "Sony appears to have bought an end cap, just as HD DVD has in retail stores such as BestBuy and Circuit City," said Graffeo, this time in his day job as executive vice president of HD strategic marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "What's important is that stand alone HD DVD players are still much more affordable than Blu-ray players, plus they offer a better experience - just compare titles appearing in both formats like 300 or Blood Diamond. Ultimately consumers will be the ones that determine what format provides the greatest value." Graffeo also noted that Target will continue to sell the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive in stores, and Toshiba HD DVD players via its web site.
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